Vodafone Essentials Broadband Review

Vodafone Essentials is a broadband plan created for households on government benefits. It comes with a fixed monthly price of £20, with average download speeds up to 73Mbps. The plan runs on Vodafone’s Fibre 2 service and is designed as a social tariff, making broadband more affordable for people on lower incomes.

Unlike Vodafone’s standard plans, Essentials is available on a 12-month contract with no in-contract price rises, and customers can leave without paying early termination charges if they stop qualifying. Line rental is included, there are no setup fees, and every customer gets Vodafone’s Power Hub router.

Vodafone Essentials was recognised in the 2025 Broadband Genie Awards, winning Best Value for Money and Best Social Tariff, which underlines how competitive the plan is in today’s market.

Who can get Vodafone Essentials?

Vodafone Essentials is available to both new and existing customers who receive one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Employment Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Reduced Earnings Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

The eligibility check is straightforward. Customers register online, Vodafone confirms benefit status, and then a dedicated team member calls to complete the order. A credit check is still required, but the process is usually completed within a week.

What does Vodafone Essentials include?

The plan is simple and clear.

• Fixed price of £20 per month
• 12-month minimum term
• Average download speeds of 73Mbps
• Unlimited data usage
• Vodafone Power Hub router
• No setup or activation fee
• No in-contract price rises
• Option to leave early with no penalty if benefits stop

Line rental is included, but phone calls are not bundled. Customers can add a digital voice line with evening or anytime call plans if needed.

Broadband speeds

Vodafone Essentials runs on the Fibre 2 profile of the Openreach network. This means download speeds average 73Mbps, while upload speeds are usually around 18-20Mbps depending on line conditions.

These speeds are enough to stream Ultra HD video, work from home on video calls, download large files, and play games online. A family with several devices connected at once should find 73Mbps sufficient, provided they don’t need gigabit speeds.

Unlike Vodafone’s Pro 3 or Full Fibre plans, Essentials offers only the speed of Fibre 2. Even if full fibre is available at an address, faster speeds aren’t included with the Essentials tariff. Customers who want more than 100Mbps will need to choose a standard Vodafone plan instead.

Router and Wi-Fi

Customers signing up to Essentials receive the Vodafone Power Hub, which is the same router supplied with Fibre 1 and Fibre 2 plans.

The Power Hub is a dual-band router with Wi-Fi 6 support and six antennae for better wireless coverage. It’s suitable for medium-sized UK homes and can support multiple devices streaming or gaming at the same time.

Unlike Vodafone’s Pro plans, Essentials does not come with Super WiFi boosters or the Ultra Hub 7 router, so there is no whole-home Wi-Fi guarantee. Households with large properties may want to use additional mesh devices if coverage is patchy.

Contract terms and what happens after 12 months

Vodafone Essentials is offered on a 12-month contract. During the contract there are no mid-term price rises.

After the 12-month period, customers who still qualify for benefits and while Vodafone continues to offer Essentials, can remain on the plan. If they no longer qualify, or if Vodafone stops offering it, customers can either move to a standard Vodafone plan or leave without penalty.

If no action is taken at the end of the 12-month term, the monthly price increases automatically to £25.

How to sign up

The sign-up process is handled in three steps:

1. Register online and check coverage using the postcode checker.
2. Vodafone confirms eligibility and sends a confirmation email.
3. A member of the Vodafone team calls to process the order.

If an engineer visit is required, customers will be informed in advance. Installation may involve running a cable from outside to inside the property, which may need permission for work on driveways or gardens.

Switching to Vodafone Essentials

Existing Vodafone broadband customers on Fibre 1 or Fibre 2 can switch to Essentials if they qualify.

Customers on Vodafone Xtra or Pro plans, or those on faster packages above 150Mbps, are not eligible to move to Essentials without leaving their current deal. If they switch, they would lose extras like Wi-Fi guarantees and may face early termination charges.

Bill support and payment

Vodafone Essentials must be paid by Direct Debit. VAT is included in the advertised £20 price.

Vodafone has dedicated support for customers struggling to make payments. Anyone who misses a bill or expects difficulty can contact Vodafone to discuss options.

How does Vodafone Essentials compare to other social tariffs?

Vodafone Essentials is a mid-range broadband option in terms of price and speed.

• BT Home Essentials: £15 a month, speeds of 36Mbps or £20 for 67Mbps, includes phone calls.
• Virgin Media Essential Broadband: £12.50 a month, speeds of 15Mbps, but only available to Virgin areas.
• Sky Basics: £20 a month, 36Mbps, available in Sky-enabled areas.
• Community Fibre Essential: £12.50 a month, 35Mbps, only in London.
• Hyperoptic Fair Fibre: £15 a month for 50Mbps, or £20 for 150Mbps, in Hyperoptic areas.

Compared to these, Vodafone Essentials offers faster speeds than most social tariffs, but not as fast as Hyperoptic’s 150Mbps option. Its national availability through the Openreach network is a major advantage over regional altnets.

Who is Vodafone Essentials best for?

Vodafone Essentials is best for households on benefits who need a reliable, unlimited connection at a fixed and affordable price.

With 73Mbps download speeds, it is suitable for:

• Families with several people streaming or gaming
• Households working from home on video calls
• Students sharing accommodation
• Households that need predictable monthly costs

It may not be ideal for homes with heavy upload demands, such as content creators, or for those who want gigabit speeds. In those cases, a standard full fibre plan may be better.

Limitations

Vodafone Essentials has a few restrictions.

• It is only available to households on certain benefits.
• Faster speeds above 73Mbps are not included.
• The plan does not qualify for Vodafone Together mobile discounts.
• A credit check is required even though it is a social tariff.

Customers may also experience delays if they miss Vodafone’s verification calls, as the order cannot be completed without speaking to an advisor.

Verdict: Is Vodafone Essentials any good?

Vodafone Essentials is one of the best social broadband tariffs available in the UK in 2025.

At £20 per month for 73Mbps speeds, it offers a stronger combination of speed and affordability than most rivals. The 12-month contract with no exit fees gives customers flexibility, and the plan’s nationwide availability on the Openreach network means most households can access it.

For anyone eligible who does not need ultrafast speeds or premium extras, Vodafone Essentials is a straightforward, good-value option that keeps costs low while delivering enough speed for typical UK households.