Plusnet vs TalkTalk: Which ISP Should You Choose?

Key Points:

• As TalkTalk and Plusnet share the same Openreach infrastructure, there is no significant difference between their internet speeds.
• Plusnet's fibre broadband package costs more than TalkTalk's but offers better customer service.
• Both TalkTalk and Plusnet are excellent broadband providers. Even if they don't have as many features or benefits as other significant ISPs, you'll still receive your money's worth.

There are pretty many ISPs in the UK. Choosing one from the numerous available options can be daunting since each offers a different experience.

We internet users always look for the best deals and quality service. That's why it's essential to compare different broadband providers before selecting one. Plusnet and TalkTalk are both budget-friendly broadband providers that offer quality broadband packages. This definitely benefits both of them because they have many customers subscribed to their internet broadband plans.

In this blog post, we'll compare Plusnet and TalkTalk, two of the biggest ISPs in the UK. We'll be looking at their pricing and services, as well as their customer ratings and reviews. With this information, you should be able to decide which provider is right for you.

Plusnet broadband detailed review

Plusnet is one of the most reliable and budget-friendly internet service providers today, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for an affordable and quality broadband package. It is managed by BT broadband, which guarantees a stable broadband connection to homes and businesses throughout the UK.

Many Brits have subscribed to the network and are pleased with the fast download speeds and smooth streaming capabilities. The ISP aims to prove that quality broadband does not have to come at a high price tag.

Broadband Plan	Download speeds	Data cap (monthly)	Monthly price	PAYG calls
Plusnet Unlimited Broadband	10 Mbps	Unlimited	u00a318.99	Yes
Plusnet Unlimited Fibre Broadband	36 Mbps	Unlimited	u00a322.99	Yes
Plusnet Unlimited Broadband + Eve & Weekend calls	10 Mbps	Unlimited	u00a323.99	No
Plus Unlimited Fibre Extra	66 Mbps	Unlimited	u00a326.99	Yes

As you can see, Plusnet offers its customers a wide range of affordable broadband packages without data caps. In addition to this, they also send you a free router after you subscribe to their broadband plans.

When you sign up for a Plusnet Unlimited Broadband plan, you'll receive a Basic Hub Zero router capable of handling lower data download rates. However, if you subscribe to Plusnet Fibre, you will receive the Hub One router, a powerful and efficient router for large homes.

Plushnet advantages

• Top-notch customer service
• High-speed router for fibre packages
• Wide range of broadband packages
• Relatively affordable broadband bundles

Plusnet disadvantages

• You do not get a powerful premium router if subscribed to Plusnet Unlimited Broadband.

TalkTalk broadband detailed review

TalkTalk broadband is a UK-based telecommunications company that provides broadband, phone, and TV services. It was founded in 1985 and has become one of the country's largest telecom service providers. Talktalk offers a variety of plans to suit every budget, as well as live support for all its customers.

Besides affordable monthly broadband packages, they also offer annual subscriptions for fast and uninterruptable internet access throughout the year. There are no data limits, so you can go on to binge-watch your favourite TV show or play all of your favourite online games without restriction.

Broadband Plan	Download speeds	Data cap (monthly)	Monthly price	PAYG calls
TalkTalk Fast Broadband	11 Mbps	Unlimited	u00a322.95	Yes
TalkTalk faster Fibre Broadband	38 Mbps	Unlimited	u00a324	Yes
TalkTalk superfast Fibre Broadband	67 Mbps	Unlimited	u00a324	Yes

Suppose you solely use the internet for simple everyday tasks like surfing or emailing. In that case, the TalkTalk Broadband bundle is the ideal choice. This package provides download speeds of 11Mbps, which isn't as sluggish as it seems for casual internet usage. You can comfortably use the internet without buffering.

On the other hand, if you have a large household with several devices or often use the internet for 4k live streaming, you should subscribe to TalkTalk Superfast Fibre Broadband. It offers higher download rates of up to 67 Mbps. This means you can enjoy steady internet access even if more than four individuals are connected simultaneously.

TalkTalk advantages

• Affordable broadband deals
• Download speeds are breakneck
• Their monthly deals and offers are outstanding
• Prices don't increase mid-contract.

TalkTalk disadvantages

• Routers don't have great coverage.

Plusnet vs TalkTalk

TalkTalk and Plusnet are both good broadband providers. Even if they don't offer as many features or perks as other larger ISPs, you'll still get a lot for your money.

Both providers offer a range of similar services, but which is best for you? They may have a lot in common, but there are a few differences when we look closer.

Broadband speeds

Winner: TalkTalk, for offering slightly faster fibre speeds.

TalkTalk and Plusnet share the same Openreach infrastructure. Both have similar speeds, and there is no significant difference.

TalkTalk's top-tier fibre connection has slightly faster download speeds, averaging 66 Mbps versus Plusnet's 67 Mbps. There isn't much of a difference in upload speeds either. They both provide 1 Mbps on their standard broadband services and around 19 Mbps on their top-tier fibre bundles. However, there is a minor distinction between entry-level fibre packages. Plusnet offers 9.5 Mbps, whereas TalkTalk provides a slightly faster speed of 10 Mbps.

Before buying a new TalkTalk connection or switching from Plusnet to receive faster speeds, a good practice would be to verify your existing internet speed and check where you stand. You can do so by using our precise and quick broadband speed test tool to assess your download and upload speeds. Simply click start test to begin.

Coverage

Winner: Tie!

Openreach is Britain's largest telecom company, with around 90% of the UK's broadband subscribers. They are responsible for installing, maintaining and fixing cables, poles and other equipment essential for internet connectivity.

TalkTalk and Plusnet both use the Openreach infrastructure to provide internet services to customers. As a result, they have similar coverage or availability.

Broadband Packages

Winner: TalkTalk, as its fibre bundles are cheaper than Plusnet

Plusnet provides more broadband bundles than TalkTalk. You can choose from four broadband packages depending on how much you want to spend on the internet. On the other hand, TalkTalk Broadband provides three broadband packages with unlimited data caps.

TalkTalk and Plusnet are aggressive competitors in the budget broadband market, so it's no surprise that their bundles are priced similarly.

Plusnet's standard broadband deal offers 10 Mbps on a 12-month contract. They also offer a free router if you opt for this plan. Which is cheaper than TalkTalk's standard copper plan. But the main deal is fibre. Streaming apps and online games demand faster internet speeds, and a fibre connection is necessary. Plusnet fails in its broadband package pricing as it offers a slightly expensive fibre package deal.

On the other hand, TalkTalk offers a standard broadband connection on a 12-month term and both of its fibre services over an 18-month commitment. All bundles include a free router, and TalkTalk has no set-up fees. High-speed fibre internet is unlimited and is available for less than u00a324 a month.

If you are confused about which broadband deal is right for you and want a better way to compare, you can use our comparison tool. Simply enter your postcode and explore a whole range of broadband deals. With our tool, you are guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Customer service

Winner: Surprisingly, Plusnet has received many customer complaints, but TalkTalk still appears to be the worse option.

Both TalkTalk and Plusnet have had their fair share of customer support troubles in recent years, with much of Plusnet's problems stemming from a failed system update in September 2018 that created long-running issues.

However, there have been mixed reviews about how they perform in customer service. For example, despite having high customer complaints for several years, they excelled in Ofcom's 2020 Comparing Service Quality report, which was issued in August 2020, whereas TalkTalk suffered.

Satisfaction Index	TalkTalk	Plusnet
Overall service	78%	93%
Reliability of service	75%	80%
Speed of service	76%	82%
Overall complaints handling	44%	49%
% of customers complainingu00a0	14%	14%
% of complaints resolved on first contact	44%	49%
Avg wait time to speak to a customer representative	39 secs	3 mins 48 secs

TalkTalk's customer service was found to be unsatisfactory on many occasions. The company has had a tough time recovering from the negative publicity that followed its 2011 fine from Ofcom for a billing error that affected over 60,000 customers. Furthermore, a recent cyber attack on the company's servers compromised consumer information, resulting in additional negative news. However, TalkTalk has never disguised its shortcomings in this area and is trying to recover client confidence in the future.

Online security

Winner: Tie!

With so many recent cyberattacks, having internet security is crucial, especially if the organisation has already experienced difficulties. The good news for us and bad news for cybercriminals is: Plusnet and TalkTalk both include internet security with their broadband.

Supersafe is an improved internet security mechanism by TalkTalk. It protects your device from malware and viruses. Also, to make browsing more secure and have complete control of websites being displayed, TalkTalk offers HomeSafe parental controls.

The SafeGuard feature offered by Plusnet is similar to TalkTalk as it allows users to block specific websites and categories they deem inappropriate.

Router and equipment

Winner: Tie!

There's not much to differentiate between the two ISPs here. They have made significant progress with their equipment in the previous years, and both now look to have routers that execute their tasks effectively.

Please refer to the table below for a detailed comparison of the specifications.

Specifications	Plusnet Hub Zero	TalkTalk SuperRouter	Plusnet Hub One	TalkTalk WiFi Hub
Model	Sagemcom 2704N	HG635	BT hub 5A	Sagemcom Fast 5364
Built-in modem	No	ADSL/VDSL modem	VDSL modem	VDSL modem
WiFi bands	Single ( 2.4GHz )	Dual (2.4GHz & 5GHz)	Dual (2.4GHz & 5GHz)	Dual (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
Antennas	No	3 x 3	2	3 x 3
Wireless	802.11b/g/n	802.11b/g/n/ac	802.11b/g/n/ac	802.11ac Wave 2
Ethernet	4 LAN ports (upto 100Mbps)	4 LAN ports (upto 1000Mbps) 1 WAN	4 LAN ports (upto 1000Mbps) 1 WAN	4 LAN ports (upto 1733Mbps) 1 WAN
USB Support	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Setup	WPS	Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)	Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)	Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
Online Security	WPA2	WPA2	WPA2, WPA, WEP	WPA2, WPA, WEP
Set Up cost	Free	Free	Free	Free
Delivery charge	Free	Free	Free	Free

Plusnet vs Talktalk: The Final Verdict

It is tough to pick between London-based TalkTalk and South Yorkshire-based Plusnet. Both ISPs provide nearly identical features, and a very thin line separates them.

Plusnet's packages are the most straightforward to comprehend if all you want is basic, plain broadband. Combined with its award-winning customer service, it's arguably the most convenient option.

However, if you want more from your broadband, such as higher internet speeds, TalkTalk has additional alternatives accessible to you.

It all comes down to your specific requirements. But it can be tricky to choose between an ISP with higher download speeds or one with superior customer service and lower-cost broadband options. You can use our broadband comparison tool to find your best broadband deal.

If you want to compare the best broadband deals available in your area, use BroadbandUKs comparison tool to find all available offers in just a couple of clicks!

FAQs

Is Plusnet cheaper than TalkTalk?

Plusnet's fibre broadband plans are a bit more expensive as compared to TalkTalk. However, the standard copper broadband bundles are cheaper than that of TalkTalk.

How to check TalkTalk's internet speed?

There are multiple websites available online that offer free tools to check internet upload and download speeds. The best would be BroadbandUKs speed test tool as it provides faster and more accurate results.

How to get a better deal with TalkTalk?

TalkTalk offers budget-friendly internet plans starting from just u00a322.95 a month. If you are looking for the best deal in your area check out BroadbandUKs comparison tool. You'll save big bucks in the long run!