BT vs Virgin Media: Which Is Better?
A detailed comparison of the UK's two biggest broadband providers to help you choose the right one for your home.
Quick Verdict
- • Virgin isn't available at your address
- • You prefer shorter speed tiers (50-67 Mbps)
- • You want BT Sport or EE mobile bundles
- • You value nationwide coverage and support
- • You need Full Fibre (FTTP) for reliability
Speed Comparison
| Speed Tier | BT | Virgin Media | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | 50 Mbps (Fibre 1) | 132 Mbps (M125) | Virgin |
| Mid Range | 67 Mbps (Fibre 2) | 264 Mbps (M250) | Virgin |
| Fast | 300 Mbps (Full Fibre 300) | 362 Mbps (M350) | Virgin |
| Ultrafast | 500 Mbps (Full Fibre 500) | 516 Mbps (M500) | Tie |
| Gigabit | 900 Mbps (Full Fibre 900) | 1130 Mbps (Gig1) | Virgin |
| Maximum | 900 Mbps | 2200 Mbps (Gig2) | Virgin |
Virgin Media generally offers faster speeds at each price point. Their entry-level M125 (132 Mbps) is faster than BT's mid-tier Fibre 2 (67 Mbps).
Virgin Media Speed Tiers
Feature Comparison
| Feature | BT | Virgin Media | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Type | Openreach (FTTC/FTTP) | Own Cable Network | Tie |
| UK Coverage | 99% of UK | ~60% of UK | BT |
| Contract Length | 24 months | 18 months | Virgin |
| Router Quality | Smart Hub 2 | Hub 4/5/5x | Tie |
| Phone Line Required | Yes (most packages) | No | Virgin |
| TV Bundles | BT Sport, NOW | Virgin TV 360 | Tie |
Availability: The Key Difference
BT Coverage
BT uses the Openreach network which covers approximately 99% of UK premises. Their standard fibre (FTTC) is available almost everywhere, while Full Fibre (FTTP) is being rolled out and now reaches around 40% of UK homes.
Bottom line: BT is available almost anywhere in the UK.
Virgin Media Coverage
Virgin Media operates its own cable network, which covers approximately 60% of UK households. They've been expanding, but availability is still limited compared to BT/Openreach.
Bottom line: Virgin offers faster speeds but isn't available everywhere. Always check your postcode first.
Our Recommendation
If Virgin is available at your address, they typically offer better value with faster speeds at similar price points. Their 18-month contracts and no phone line requirement are also advantages.
If you need Full Fibre (FTTP), BT's network is expanding faster and may be available in areas where Virgin isn't. BT's Full Fibre packages offer excellent reliability with direct fibre to your home.
For most users, we recommend checking both providers' availability at your address, then comparing the specific packages available. The best deal depends on what speeds and features you can actually get.