TalkTalk vs NOW Broadband: Which Budget Provider Is Better?
TalkTalk and NOW Broadband are two of the cheapest mainstream options in the UK. The real question is whether you want the absolute lowest entry price, a shorter contract, or the lesser compromise on customer experience.
Quick Verdict
NOW Broadband is often the better fit for pure entry-price buyers thanks to its lower starting price and shorter contract, while TalkTalk can appeal if you want a broader budget proposition and some price-lock positioning.
TalkTalk
Best for: Low-cost shoppers wanting broad availability
- One of the cheapest broadband deals in the UK
- Price-lock guarantee on selected plans
- HomeSafe parental controls included
NOW Broadband
Best for: Very cheap entry pricing and shorter contracts
- One of the cheapest broadband options in the UK
- Flexible 12-month contracts
- NOW TV entertainment bundles available
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Metric | TalkTalk | NOW Broadband |
|---|---|---|
| From price | £19.99/mo | £17.99/mo |
| Max speed | 500 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Setup fee | Free | £5 |
| Typical contract | 18 months | 12 months |
| Coverage | 96% of UK homes | 95% of UK homes |
| Trustpilot | 2.8/5 | 3.2/5 |
Key Differences
Entry price
NOW Broadband starts lower in the current dataset and is one of the cheapest national options available.
Contract length
NOW Broadband offers a shorter 12-month term, while TalkTalk leans on longer 18- and 24-month contracts.
Setup fee
NOW Broadband has a small setup fee, while TalkTalk is currently free to set up in the dataset.
Customer trade-offs
Neither brand wins on premium support, but TalkTalk has a weaker customer perception overall while NOW’s key attraction is simply being very cheap.
How We Think About This Matchup
This is one of the highest-intent low-cost comparisons in the category because buyers usually arrive here already knowing they want cheap broadband. They are trying to decide which compromise is easier to live with.
That means the answer is rarely about headline technology alone. It is about contract flexibility, setup cost, service expectations, and how much customer support risk you are willing to tolerate.
Final Verdict
Choose NOW Broadband if your main goal is the lowest possible mainstream monthly cost and you value a 12-month term.
Choose TalkTalk if you want a broader budget-market option and are comfortable trading some service quality for price competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Editorial and Source Notes
We review provider comparisons against the same published methodology used across our provider reviews, then add source links where they help verify pricing context, methodology, and trade-offs.