If you’re looking for a new broadband deal, you'll probably have seen lots of ads for Sky and Virgin Media. Both providers offer a roughly comparable choice of broadband and TV packages, broadband only deals and bigger bundle choices.
So, which is best? When you get past the marketing and advertising campaigns, is there a clear winner in terms of quality, value and performance? What’s the best broadband option for an average home user? Let’s find out!
Sky vs Virgin Media broadband packages
Although both providers offer fibre broadband, Sky uses the BT Openreach network and CityFibre to deliver its services, while Virgin broadband uses its own cable network. Because of this, the two offer very different broadband options. These don’t always compare equally in some criteria.
To square things up, we've compared them by looking at their cheapest broadband deals and packages that offer the fastest broadband speed.
It’s worth keeping in mind that because they use different network infrastructures and offer a varied range of speeds, direct comparisons aren't always that helpful. This is especially the case for bigger bundles.
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What is Openreach?
Openreach is the company that maintains the former British Telecom Network used for the majority of broadband and phone services. If a repair or installation is required, it’s Openreach who will send an engineer, not your provider.
More than 650 service providers using the Openreach network. That’s the majority of the UK’s broadband providers. Through this, providers offer broadband only deals, landline calls and bundled TV packages. This includes Sky, TalkTalk and BT. The exception to this is Virgin Media - it uses its own, separate cable network.
Sky vs Virgin Broadband: cheapest broadband packages
|
|
Sky Broadband Full Fibre 150
|
Virgin Media M250
|
|---|---|---|
| Download speed (average) | 150Mb | 264Mb |
| Upload speed | 31Mb | 25Mb |
| Data usage limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Traffic Management | No | No |
| Contract length | 24 months | 24 months |
| Monthly price (initial contract term) | £23 | £20.99 |
Winner: Virgin Media
Virgin Media was cheaper by some margin at the time of writing, for considerably faster speed. However, Sky Broadband currently allows customers to leave penalty-free within 30 days of price rises being announced.
Virgin Media requires installation of new cabling if your property doesn't already have it, so there are pros and cons for both.
- Speed: 67Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£23 per month
Price may rise during contract
- Speed: 75Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£41 per month
Price may rise during contract
- Speed: 75Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£35 per month
Price may rise during contract
Fastest broadband packages: Sky or Virgin?
|
|
Sky Broadband Full Fibre 5 Gigafast+
|
Virgin Media Gig1
|
|---|---|---|
| Download speed (average) | 4.9Gb | 1.1Gb |
| Upload speed | 4.9Gb | 104Mb |
| Data usage limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Traffic Management | No | No |
| Contract length | 24 months | 24 months |
| Monthly price (initial contract term) | £45 | £25.99 |
Winner: Sky
Not everyone will be able to sign up to this fastest Sky package (served through the CityFibre network). However, the Sky Full Fibre Gigafast (download speeds up to 1Gbps) is now available to around 67% of homes in the UK and rising.
Virgin Media runs its own network and its Gig1 package is available to around 57% of the UK.
- Speed: 264Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£17.99 per month
£21.99 from 1st April 2027
£25.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 132Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£17.99 per month
£21.99 from 1st April 2027
£25.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 516Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£20.99 per month
£24.99 from 1st April 2027
£28.99 from 1st April 2028
Sky vs Virgin Broadband Price and affordability
Monthly price: Virgin Media or Sky?
Winner: Tie
In terms of affordability, Virgin Media is often your best option, particularly if you want seriously high-speed broadband. However, part-fibre and entry-level full deals from Sky are often on offer for under £30. This makes it a good buy if you want fast broadband at an affordable price.
Virgin vs Sky: set-up cost and routers
Winner: Tie
It’s commonplace now to be able to get set up with either Virgin Media or Sky Broadband without paying a penny. Although ‘no set-up fee’ isn’t guaranteed by either provider.
When it comes to the routers, both Sky and Virgin Media will provide you with a new one as part of your package. For Sky, you’ll receive a Sky Broadband Hub for standard fibre deals or the Wi-Fi 6 Max Hub or Wi-Fi 7 Gigafast+ Hub for faster packages.
Virgin Media customers will either receive a Hub 3, Hub 4, Hub 5 or Virgin Media Hub 5x, depending on whether they sign up to a Gig1 deal or not.
Read more:
Is Sky better than Virgin for broadband rewards and new customer deals?
Winner: Sky
Both Sky and Virgin Media run frequently offers for new customers.
Virgin regularly offers out a ‘bill credit’ to new sign-ups, which essentially makes the first couple of months free. It also has recently offered new TVs to bundled TV and broadband customers.
Sky has recently offered some really high-value gift cards to new customers. These are more flexible. You can spend at a choice of stores including John Lewis, Waitrose, M&S, Tesco or you can opt for a pre-paid Mastercard.
Generally, Sky's offerings are more flexible.
Here's a small selection of today's best Virgin and Sky deals with free gifts.
- Speed: 1.1Gb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£22.99 per month
£26.99 from 1st April 2027
£30.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 264Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£17.99 per month
£21.99 from 1st April 2027
£25.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 150Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£23 per month
Price may rise during contract
- Speed: 1Gb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£28 per month
Price may rise during contract
Availability and coverage: Sky vs Virgin Media Broadband
Winner: Sky
Sky uses the BT Openreach network, which around 99% of the mainland UK population has access to.
However, when it comes to very fast fibre optic broadband, this will very much depend on your location. Ultrafast packages from both providers are only available to around half of the UK at present. Although, not necessarily the same half. As the rollout of full fibre continues, it’s almost neck and neck when it comes to availability.
You can find out what's on offer in your area by typing your address into this deals checker:
Customer service: Virgin Media vs Sky
Winner: Tie
According to Ofcom's complaints report, Sky Broadband received an average number of complaints between October and December 2025.
In comparison, Virgin Media Customer Service received the least number of complaints.
However, in July 2026 Ofcom also fined Virgin Media a staggering £28m for repeatedly preventing customers from cancelling contracts. This level of bad practice unfortunately puts a dampener on the positives for us.
It's a close call, and we'll call this one a tie.
Comparing Sky and Virgin Media's additional services
Winner: Tie
Both Sky and Virgin Media offer very similar products, including TV bundles, mobile, phone line and broadband services.
If you’re willing to pay a little more for Sky, you’ll also be able to get access to premium channels like Sky Sports, Sky Atlantic and Sky Cinema. You can even catch-up on the go if you fancy, with the Sky Go app.
Virgin Media uses its own cable network to deliver Virgin Media TV, including TNT Sports and Sky TV channels. Plus, if you would rather not be tied to a contract, there's also a flexible TV streaming service now available - Virgin Media Flex.
In partnership with O2, Virgin Media offers “quad-play bundles”, combining broadband, TV, home phone and mobile phone services.
With the Mega Volt Bundle, you get sent a 5G O2 SIM card, with unlimited calls and text and 250GB of data. Free roaming is available in 75 destinations included in the O2 Travel Zone. Netflix standard with ads is included along with subscriptions to Sky Cinema HD and Sky Sports HD.
- Speed: 132Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£28.99 per month
£32.99 from 1st April 2027
£36.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 264Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£33.99 per month
£40.49 from 1st April 2027
£46.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 362Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£33.99 per month
£37.99 from 1st April 2027
£41.99 from 1st April 2028
Compare Sky and Virgin extras and freebies
Winner: Sky
Sky offers:
- Free use of Sky Wi-Fi Hotspot from ‘The Cloud’.
- Sky Broadband Shield (parental controls and online security).
- Wi-Fi guarantee (selected packages only).
- Enhanced technical support with Sky Broadband Boost.
Virgin Media broadband offers:
- Virgin Media hotspots in London Underground and Overground stations.
- Free Web Safe (parental controls and online security).
- Virgin Media Advanced Security by F-Secure (free for 3 months)
- Free servicing or repair of your cable box.
Sky vs Virgin Media: which is best? The conclusion
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Cheapest broadband package | Virgin Media |
| Fastest broadband package | Sky |
| Price and affordability | Tie |
| Set-up costs and routers | Tie |
| Broadband rewards and new customer deals | Sky |
| Availability and coverage | Sky |
| Customer service | Tie |
| Additional services | Tie |
| Extras and freebies | Sky |
Winner: Sky
In terms of the broadband offering, average download speed, price, and overall user experience, Sky Broadband surpasses Virgin Media. One of the main selling points is that more people can sign up to Sky!
Sky is a very reliable broadband provider with excellent customer service, superb TV deals, a large on-demand library and good mobile coverage. It also has a wide range of exclusive Sky channels. However, it’s hampered by having to use a speed-limited BT telephone line in some places.
In some locations, Virgin Media will be the fastest provider available. It also offers fast speeds for low costs. If you have limited options, we wouldn't hesitate recommending it.
To find out what other customers think of both providers, head to our reviews section: