Plusnet vs TalkTalk – How do they really compare?

Plusnet and TalkTalk are both among the most affordable broadband providers in the UK. They mainly use the Openreach network and offer similar broadband speeds. On comparison sites, they often rank near the top for price. But there are key differences once you look closer — especially when it comes to customer service, routers, Wi-Fi performance, TV bundles, and how they approach full fibre pricing.

Plusnet usually works out cheaper overall, and it consistently scores higher for satisfaction and service. TalkTalk focuses more on full fibre packages, mesh Wi-Fi and bundling TV.

Plusnet – Overview

• Speed range: Fibre (FTTC) up to 66Mbps. Full Fibre (FTTP) plans from 74Mbps to 900Mbps average download.
• Network and availability: Uses Openreach, so superfast fibre is available almost everywhere; full fibre depends on your area.
• Typical pricing: Frequently among the cheapest when reward cards are included, especially on full fibre deals.
• Contract and price changes: 24-month contract. Annual rise follows a set amount each April.
• Router: Hub Two (same hardware as BT Smart Hub 2), dual-band Wi-Fi 5 with gigabit Ethernet. No mesh system or Wi-Fi guarantee.
• Phone / TV / mobile: Digital phone available on some fibre plans. No TV platform. Mobile service closed in 2024.
• Customer service: Among the highest rated by Ofcom, with low complaints and strong satisfaction.

TalkTalk – Overview

• Speed range: Fibre 35 and 65 (FTTC) at 38Mbps and 67Mbps. Full Fibre 65, 150, 500 and 900 with speeds from 77Mbps to 944Mbps. Uploads are faster on upper plans.
• Network and availability: Uses Openreach plus networks like CityFibre. FTTP can be available in more locations than Plusnet.
• Typical pricing: Historically low, but current full fibre deals are often higher than Plusnet’s. Prices and discounts vary.
• Contract and price changes: 18–24-month contracts. Annual price rise is a fixed monthly amount from April.
• Router: Fibre 35/65 comes with the Wi-Fi Hub (Wi-Fi 5). Full Fibre uses Amazon eero 6 or eero Pro 6 mesh routers.
• Phone / TV / mobile: Digital voice available. TV Hub with 4K and streaming apps available as an add-on. Mobile service closing in 2025.
• Customer service: Lower than average satisfaction scores and higher complaint rates.

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Speeds

Both Plusnet and TalkTalk offer fibre broadband through two main types of connection.

FTTC uses fibre to the cabinet in your street, then switches to older copper wires for the final stretch into your home. It’s generally fast enough for streaming, browsing and video calls.

FTTP or full fibre uses fibre throughout the whole route into the property, which delivers faster and more reliable speeds for downloading and uploading, with less impact from distance or signal loss.

By Ofcom rules, both must offer a minimum guaranteed speed tailored to your line. If they cannot deliver that speed consistently and cannot fix it, you have the right to leave the contract without penalty.

Speeds from Plusnet

• Fibre 36 delivers an average download speed of 36Mbps using a part-fibre FTTC connection. It suits basic web use, HD streaming and video calls.
• Fibre 66 is Plusnet’s faster FTTC plan with an average download speed of 66Mbps, which handles multiple devices and higher-resolution streaming more comfortably.
• Full Fibre 74, 145, 300, 500 and 900 are FTTP packages where the average download speed broadly matches the plan name — 74Mbps up to 900Mbps — offering more consistent performance and better upload speeds than copper-based options.

Package	Average download (Mbps)	Average upload (Mbps)	Minimum guaranteed download (Mbps)
Fibre (FTTC)	66	17	71
Full Fibre 74 (FTTP)	74	20	40
Full Fibre 145 (FTTP)	145	30	80
Full Fibre 300 (FTTP)	300	50	165
Full Fibre 500 (FTTP)	500	75	275
Full Fibre 900 (FTTP)	900	115	500

Speeds from TalkTalk

• Fibre 35 is a part-fibre FTTC plan with average speeds of 38Mbps download and roughly 10Mbps upload. It’s fine for general browsing and standard streaming.
• Fibre 65 increases the FTTC download to 67Mbps and upload to 18Mbps, making it better suited to busier households or working from home.
• Full Fibre 65 delivers 77Mbps average download over a full fibre line, giving more stable speeds than its FTTC equivalent.
• Full Fibre 150 offers 152Mbps average download and about 30Mbps upload, giving plenty of bandwidth for streaming, online backup or large downloads.
• Full Fibre 500 pushes performance further with 525Mbps download and around 75Mbps upload — suitable for cloud users, gamers and heavy file transfers.

Package	Average download (Mbps)	Average upload (Mbps)	Minimum guaranteed download (Mbps)
Fibre 35 (FTTC)	38	9	35
Fibre 65 (FTTC)	67	17	68
Full Fibre 65 (FTTP)	77	20	55
Full Fibre 150 (FTTP)	152	30	120
Full Fibre 500 (FTTP)	525	72	440
Full Fibre 900 (FTTP)	944	110	725

IIndependent speed tests

Independent testing shows a small performance edge for Plusnet, although the difference is not large.

Fair Internet Report’s comparison of Plusnet and TalkTalk, using speed tests taken across the 12 months to 18 December 2024, recorded an average download speed of about 54Mbps for Plusnet and 48Mbps for TalkTalk when all technologies were included. The same dataset also showed that 53% of Plusnet test results and 49% of TalkTalk test results exceeded 50Mbps.

Ofcom’s latest Home Broadband Performance report, based on embedded testing from March 2023 and published in September 2023, reached a similar conclusion. It reported very little variation between BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky and TalkTalk when they all use the same Openreach network inputs for comparable services.

Putting these findings together, Plusnet appears to have a slight advantage in some speed-test datasets, but the difference is not significant enough to create a meaningful gap for most users. In everyday use, your chosen package, the strength of your in-home Wi-Fi, and—on FTTC connections—the distance between your home and the street cabinet are all likely to influence your speeds far more than whether you choose Plusnet or TalkTalk.

Pricing and contracts

Both Plusnet and TalkTalk offer 24-month contracts. Both providers also add a fixed monthly price rise every April.

Entry-level fibre (35–38Mbps)

• Plusnet’s Fibre 36 usually comes in around the mid-£20s and often includes a reward card worth £50 to £100.
• TalkTalk’s Fibre 35 is a bit less predictable — it’s sometimes cheaper short-term, but cashback is rare, so the monthly cost works out higher overall.
• Once you spread the reward card over the contract, Plusnet tends to be better value.

Mid-range full fibre (145–152Mbps)

• Plusnet Full Fibre 145 is typically mid-£20s with no setup fees and a reward card.
• TalkTalk’s Full Fibre 150 often costs more — sometimes into the high-£30s — depending on whether you’re adding extras like TV or voice.
• In most cases, Plusnet is cheaper once you factor in the extras.

Top-end full fibre (500–900Mbps)

• At the faster end, Plusnet’s 500 and 900 plans usually stay between high-£20s and low-£40s, again with reward cards included.
• TalkTalk’s ultrafast full fibre plans are more expensive — mid-£30s to high-£40s — but they do include eero mesh Wi-Fi gear.
• Still, even with that, Plusnet often comes out cheaper for the same speed.

Routers and Wi-Fi Setup

Plusnet Hub Two

Plusnet supplies the Hub Two with all of its fibre and full fibre broadband plans. It’s effectively the same hardware as BT’s Smart Hub 2, offering dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (2.4GHz and 5GHz), along with four gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. For small to medium-sized homes, it performs well and delivers a steady signal across most rooms.

There’s no built-in mesh system and no whole-home Wi-Fi guarantee included. If your property has thick walls or more than two floors, you may need to invest in your own mesh system or powerline adapters. The Hub Two is compatible with most third-party mesh kits, and many customers use it as the base router while adding their own Wi-Fi extensions when needed.

TalkTalk Routers

TalkTalk’s router options vary depending on the plan you choose. For part-fibre plans like Fibre 35 and Fibre 65, customers get the TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hub, which also uses Wi-Fi 5 and works fine for basic usage in smaller homes.

For full fibre plans, TalkTalk upgrades the hardware. Full Fibre 150 comes with the Amazon eero 6, which supports Wi-Fi 6 and is ready for mesh setups. On faster plans such as Full Fibre 500 and 900, customers usually receive the eero Pro 6 — a more advanced router that’s often bundled with multiple units to improve coverage throughout the home. TalkTalk has also introduced the Wi-Fi Hub 3 on some full fibre plans, offering Wi-Fi 6 support and better performance for larger households.

With eero Pro 6, Wi?Fi dead spots are much less of a problem. For households with multiple devices or tricky layouts, TalkTalk’s mesh equipment gives a clear benefit.

Feature	Plusnet Hub Two	TalkTalk Routers
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)	Wi-Fi Hub: Wi-Fi 5 eero 6 / Pro 6: Wi-Fi 6
Bands	Dual-band (2.4GHz / 5GHz)	Dual-band (all models)
Mesh Support	No (can add 3rd-party mesh)	Yes (eero 6 and Pro 6)
Ethernet Ports	4 × Gigabit ports	1–2 ports (model dependent)
Included With	All fibre and full fibre plans	Wi-Fi Hub: Fibre 35 / 65 eero 6: Full Fibre 150 eero Pro 6: Full Fibre 500 / 900

Customer Service and Reliability

This is where the gap between Plusnet and TalkTalk becomes most obvious.

Ofcom Satisfaction Scores

According to Ofcom’s latest figures, Plusnet consistently scores above 90% for overall customer satisfaction — well above the industry average. It also performs strongly in areas such as how easy it is to get in touch with support and how quickly issues get sorted. These are areas where many providers struggle, but Plusnet stands out for reliability and responsiveness.

TalkTalk, by comparison, tends to score lower. Overall satisfaction ratings for TalkTalk usually fall in the high 70% range, which is below the industry average. It doesn’t perform as well on customer contact or complaint handling, with many customers reporting frustration around service delays or unresolved technical issues.

Complaints Data

The official complaints data backs this up. In Q1 2025, Plusnet recorded just 5 complaints per 100,000 customers — one of the lowest figures among all UK broadband providers. TalkTalk, on the other hand, saw 13 complaints per 100,000 customers over the same period, placing it near the top of the complaints league.

Many of TalkTalk’s complaints relate to service faults and how these are dealt with when they occur. While the company has made improvements in its full fibre rollout, its customer care still draws criticism.

Awards and Independent Reviews

Plusnet regularly receives awards and recognition from broadband review sites for offering strong support alongside competitive pricing. It’s often highlighted as a provider that keeps things simple and resolves issues without unnecessary hassle. Review sites like Which? and user feedback point to a well-managed UK-based support team that delivers on expectations.

TalkTalk has made progress, especially in improving its full fibre product and adding better hardware. But it still carries a reputation for patchier service and more frequent customer dissatisfaction, particularly when something goes wrong.

Value for money

There’s more to broadband pricing than just the number on the bill. Things like reward cards, setup charges, yearly price bumps, and the type of router you get can all make a big difference over the full contract.

Sometimes a deal that looks cheaper upfront ends up costing more once you factor everything in.

Entry-level speeds (35–38Mbps)
Plusnet often throws in a reward card that brings the real monthly cost down into the low £20s. TalkTalk doesn’t usually offer cashback, so even if the price looks close, it tends to work out more expensive over two years.

Mid-range fibre (145–150Mbps)
At this level, Plusnet’s plan usually includes a decent reward card, making it cheaper overall. TalkTalk’s version tends to cost more and doesn’t include as many extras.

Top-end fibre (500–900Mbps)
Plusnet still keeps things competitive at the faster end and includes reward cards. TalkTalk does give you better hardware, like the eero Pro 6 mesh system, but that’s reflected in the higher monthly price.

Add-Ons and Extras

Phone

Both Plusnet and TalkTalk offer digital phone services on selected broadband plans, though this is becoming less common as full fibre continues to roll out.

Plusnet still lets you add a digital home phone to many of its fibre (FTTC) deals, with optional call packages for evenings or anytime calls. However, full fibre plans from Plusnet are broadband-only — they don’t come with a phone line or calling option.

TalkTalk includes more flexibility on this front. You can add digital voice to most plans, including full fibre, and there are optional call bundles if you still use a landline regularly. It’s one of the few major providers still making landline calling available alongside full fibre connections.

So while both providers can offer a home phone where needed, TalkTalk gives you more choice across different plan types.

TV Bundles

This is where TalkTalk pulls ahead. It offers its own TV Hub — a 4K-ready Android box that supports major streaming apps, catch-up services, and extra channels. It can be included in your broadband package and billed together, which keeps things simple.

Plusnet no longer offers any TV service to new customers. If you want to watch TV with a Plusnet broadband connection, you’ll need to use a separate streaming service like NOW, Sky Stream, Freeview, or an app through your smart TV. These aren’t bundled or managed through Plusnet itself.

If you’re after a broadband and TV bundle from the same provider, TalkTalk is the better option.ile service directly. You’ll need to take out a separate SIM from another provider.

Security and Parental Controls

Plusnet

Plusnet includes a few useful extras that help with online safety and device protection. Most fibre and full fibre plans come with Plusnet Protect, which is powered by Norton and covers multiple devices with antivirus and security tools. This is typically free for at least the first 12 or 24 months, depending on the plan.

There’s also Plusnet Safeguard, a basic parental control tool that works at the network level. It allows you to filter website categories, block certain content, and set restrictions across your home connection.

In addition, Plusnet Perks provides occasional third-party offers and discounts, though these vary and aren’t tied to broadband security.

If antivirus software is your main concern, Plusnet’s built-in Norton protection is a useful bonus — particularly if you want something pre-configured across several devices.

TalkTalk

TalkTalk also includes security features and in-home controls, though the options are slightly different.

HomeSafe is its router-level parental control system. It allows you to filter content types and includes basic malware blocking across your entire home connection. It’s activated at the network level, so it works on any device connected to your Wi-Fi.

For added device-level protection, TalkTalk offers SuperSafe, which is a more advanced antivirus suite. It’s usually available as an optional extra and may carry a monthly charge after any trial period.

On some full fibre packages, Total Home Wi-Fi is included — this provides extra Amazon eero units to improve Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home. While not directly related to security, better coverage helps reduce signal dropouts and improves the effectiveness of controls across all rooms.

Decision Time: Plusnet or TalkTalk?

Pick Plusnet if

• You want broadband that’s cheap, simple, and works. Plusnet often comes out cheaper than TalkTalk when you include reward cards, and it doesn’t pile on extras you might not need.
• The customer service is also much better. It gets fewer complaints and higher satisfaction ratings, which makes a big difference if something goes wrong. If you just want basic broadband or broadband with a phone line, Plusnet keeps it easy.
• It’s a good pick for anyone moving up from ADSL or just switching away from a more expensive provider.

Pick TalkTalk if

• You’re after more features, TalkTalk has a few extras that Plusnet doesn’t offer. The faster plans come with better upload speeds — useful if you back up files, work from home, or stream.
• You also get Amazon eero mesh Wi-Fi on many full fibre deals, which can really help with coverage in bigger homes. And if you want TV in the same package, TalkTalk is the only one of the two offering that.
• It’s worth checking if full fibre is available through CityFibre where you live, since Plusnet might not support it — but TalkTalk usually does. Just keep in mind their support doesn’t have the best track record.

Bottom line
If you care most about price and support, go for Plusnet. If you want extras like mesh Wi-Fi or TV in the mix, TalkTalk is worth a look — just expect to pay more.