How Do Virgin Media Broadband Deals Compare?
An honest comparison of Virgin Media against BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, and other UK broadband providers. Find out which is best for your needs.
vsBT, Sky, TalkTalk & MoreQuick Summary: Virgin Media vs Competitors
Speed Winner
Virgin Media offers the fastest widely available speeds (up to 2200 Mbps) - faster than any major competitor.
Value Leader
At entry level, Virgin's M125 (132 Mbps for £22) offers 3-4x faster speeds than similarly priced competitors.
Coverage Limitation
Main drawback: Only ~55% of UK homes can get Virgin. Competitors using Openreach have wider availability.
Speed Comparison: Premium Packages
| Provider & Package | Speed | Price | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media Gig2Fastest | 2200 Mbps | £59.99/mo | Cable/FTTP |
| Virgin Media Gig1 | 1130 Mbps | £29.99/mo | Cable/FTTP |
| BT Full Fibre 900 | 900 Mbps | £39.99/mo | FTTP |
| Sky Gigafast | 900 Mbps | £42.00/mo | FTTP |
| Vodafone Pro II Gigafast | 910 Mbps | £30.00/mo | FTTP |
| Virgin Media M500 | 516 Mbps | £27.99/mo | Cable |
| BT Full Fibre 500 | 500 Mbps | £34.99/mo | FTTP |
| TalkTalk Future Fibre 500 | 506 Mbps | £29.95/mo | FTTP |
Budget Comparison: Entry-Level Packages
| Provider | Speed | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media M125Best Value | 132 Mbps | £22.00/mo | Best speed/price |
| BT Essential Fibre | 36 Mbps | £28.00/mo | Wider coverage |
| Sky Essential | 36 Mbps | £25.00/mo | Good bundle options |
| TalkTalk Fibre 35 | 38 Mbps | £24.00/mo | Budget option |
| Plusnet Fibre | 36 Mbps | £26.00/mo | Customer service |
| NOW Broadband | 36 Mbps | £22.00/mo | No contract |
Virgin M125 offers 3-4x the speed of competitors at similar price points.
Virgin Media: Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Fastest Widely Available Speeds: Gig1 (1130 Mbps) and Gig2 (2200 Mbps) are faster than most competitors.
- No Phone Line Required: Uses independent cable network, avoiding Openreach line rental.
- Excellent Value at Entry Level: M125 offers 132 Mbps for £22 - competitors offer ~36 Mbps at similar prices.
- Netflix Included: Most packages include Netflix Standard with Ads at no extra cost.
- Volt Benefits: Combining with O2 mobile unlocks speed boosts and doubled mobile data.
- Hub 5 WiFi 6: Higher tier packages include advanced router with latest WiFi technology.
Disadvantages
- Limited Coverage: Only available to ~55% of UK homes - doesn't use the Openreach network.
- Price Rises: Significant increases after 18-month contract and annual RPI + 3.9% rises.
- Customer Service: Mixed reviews for customer support compared to some competitors.
- Non-Symmetrical Uploads: Upload speeds lower than download (e.g., 1130 Mbps down but only 104 Mbps up).
- Contract Required: 18-month minimum commitment on most packages.
- Installation Wait: May take longer to install in areas requiring new cabling.
Feature Comparison: Virgin vs Major Competitors
| Feature | Virgin Media | BT | Sky | TalkTalk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 2200 Mbps | 900 Mbps | 900 Mbps | 944 Mbps |
| UK Coverage | ~55% | Nationwide | Nationwide | Nationwide |
| Phone Line Required | ||||
| Netflix Included | ||||
| Contract Length | 18 months | 24 months | 18 months | 18-24 months |
| Mobile Integration | O2 Volt | EE | None | None |
Making Your Decision
Choose Virgin Media If...
- You need the fastest speeds available (1130+ Mbps).
- Virgin Media is available at your address.
- You want fast broadband without needing a phone line.
- You're an O2 mobile customer (Volt benefits).
- You value Netflix being included in your package.
- You have a busy household with many connected devices.
Consider Alternatives If...
- Virgin isn't available in your area.
- You prefer symmetrical upload/download speeds.
- You want month-to-month flexibility without contracts.
- You prioritize customer service reputation.
- You already have a good landline phone deal.
- You need broadband for a remote rural location.
The Verdict
Virgin Media offers the best speeds and value in areas where it's available. With Gig1 and Gig2 packages delivering speeds that no major competitor can match, and entry-level packages offering 3-4x more speed than similarly priced alternatives, Virgin is hard to beat on raw performance.
The main consideration is availability - Virgin's network only reaches about 55% of UK homes. If you can get Virgin at your address and don't need symmetrical upload speeds, it's generally the best choice for most households.
For those who can't get Virgin, or who prefer more flexible contract terms and wider coverage, BT, Sky, and TalkTalk remain solid alternatives with their own strengths - particularly BT's full fibre rollout and Sky's attractive bundle options.