Sky Broadband vs Virgin Media - Which is better?
Virgin and Sky are two of the most popular UK broadband and TV providers and with good reason. Virgin once dominated the broadband scene with its superior speed (although Sky and other providers have now caught up). And Sky has long been praised for its stellar customer service. But what about today? Is there a clear winner in terms of performance, value, and quality? Let's get into it.
Speed and Performance
When you're hunting for a new broadband plan, chances are speed tops your list of must-haves, sometimes even over how much it costs. This is because today's digital demands, like working from home, streaming 4K videos, gaming online, and managing smart home devices, require a connection that's not just fast, but also reliable and consistent. So what do the two internet giants have on offer?
Let's start with download speeds since most online activities need more download bandwidth than upload bandwidth. Virgin Media is in the lead here with its Gig1 Fibre package, hitting top speeds of up to 1.13 Gbps. That's an average download speed of 1130 Mbps across the UK, perfect for anything you get up to online. Sky Broadband isn't far behind, with its Ultrafast Fibre peaking at 900 Mbps. Sky's plans, can also range from a more moderate 36-59 Mbps with their Superfast Fibre, all the way up to 145-900 Mbps with Full Fibre.
On upload speeds, Virgin Media offers up to 104 Mbps with its Gig1 Fibre, while Sky Broadband's Ultrafast Fibre can reach up to 90 Mbps. So, if you're uploading content, Virgin might give you a slight edge.
Beyond pure advertised speeds, real-world performance hinges on several factors. Virgin Media runs on its own cable network, meaning it has more control over upgrades and fibre rollout, potentially translating to less congestion and more consistent speeds. However, Virgin Media isn't available everywhere in the UK. While they boast wider coverage compared to some competitors, particularly in urban areas, there are still limitations.
Sky primarily relies on the Openreach network, which also serves more than 650 other service providers across the UK, and this can sometimes mean bottlenecks, impacting peak-time performance. Full-fibre also isn't available everywhere although Openreach is continually improving its network to bring full-fibre to more and more of the country.
Packages
Deciding between Virgin Media and Sky Broadband can be overwhelming, especially with so many plans on offer. Here's a breakdown of some of their best selling packages to help you decide.
Virgin Media’s Fastest Deals
- M500 Fibre Broadband: 500 Mbps download speeds. Ideal for households with multiple heavy users (gamers, streamers, content creators).
- Gigabit Broadband: Unrivalled speed - 1.13 Gbps! This is the fastest internet speed available in the UK market and allows you to stream in pristine 4K, download massive files instantly, and play broadband-hungry games without lag. Keep in mind the wider availability for M500 compared to Gigabit.
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Sky Broadband’s Fastest Deals
- Ultrafast Full Fibre 500 Mbps: With 500 Mbps downloads this package is aimed at gamers, streamers, and households with heavy usage.
- Gigafast Full Fibre 900 Mbps: Sky's fastest option, perfect for demanding users who need blazing-fast speeds.
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Not just operating in the broadband world, it's worth noting that both providers offer bundled packages with TV channels and other services, so you should consider your entertainment needs before making a decision. Both offering a host of TV package options, Sky even gives customers a chance to bundle with their latest Sky Glass product, the new all in one entertainment system. Virgin too provide the opportunity to add their TV 360 box to a broadband package for those looking to cover all bases.
So, what's the final verdict on packages? Virgin Media is your go-to if you're looking for the very fastest speeds, making it a top pick for gamers and heavy internet users—if you're in an area they cover. Virgin's plans are very affordable, and better value for money than Sky's current plans. However, it's important to look at how prices increase over the length of your contract. For example, Virgin Media's price hike for the average customer in 2023 was a significant 13.8%, compared with 8.1% for Sky.
Sky has got you covered more widely, even in rural spots, and won't break the bank getting you online - the price between the providers being fairly negligible. Their full fibre options are solid for those who push their internet hard but don't quite live on the digital edge. Just remember to check what's available where you live, weigh those introductory deals against the cost once the honeymoon is over, and think hard about what you need from your internet.
Router Showdown
Many people overlook routers when considering their next broadband provider. However, this is a mistake - router technology has come a long way in the last decade and can make a significant difference to your online experience.
Both providers offer capable devices, and just one year ago there would have been a clear winner in this category: Virgin Media with its Hub 5. Virgin Media's Hub 5 is exclusively available with their Gig1 package. This router boasts the latest WiFi 6 technology, translating to significantly faster speeds, wider coverage, and reduced lag. Think smoother streaming, lightning-fast downloads, and seamless connections for all your devices, even during peak usage. If you're not getting the Gig1 package, then you'll receive Virgin's Hub 4, a great router, but not pushing the limits of what's possible with WiFi today.
Sky offers the same Sky Broadband Hub to all customers, regardless of their chosen package as standard. It's reliable and supports many devices (64!) but operates on older WiFi standards (WiFi 5), meaning you might miss out on the full potential of your high-speed broadband connection. So what about the Max Hub? Well, the Max Hub is Sky's answer to Hub 5; it also sports WiFi 6 and is available on all broadband plans but only as part of an added extra - WiFi Max, which costs £10 per month. For this price, you also get AI-powered security which detects and blocks threats on your connected devices in real time.
For most, there won't be a lot in this fight. Both routers come equipped with standard features like multiple Ethernet ports and dual-band Wi-Fi, ensuring basic connectivity for your devices. However, if you crave the fastest speeds, seamless connections, and future-proof technology, without paying extra on top of your plan Virgin Media's Hub 5 holds the upper hand.
Customer Service
According to Ofcom's latest report on Complaints about broadband, one of the broadband giants comes out on top here. Sky generated the fewest complaints per 100,000 subscribers in both broadband and landline, with 5 per 100,000 for broadband, and a mere 2 per 100,000 for landline. In contrast, Virgin Media was the most complained about broadband, landline and pay-TV provider, seeing significant rises across all these areas from the previous quarter. Customers' grievances were mainly driven by how their complaints were being handled.
It's worth noting that Virgin Media has improved significantly compared with previous years. The 2021 edition of the same report had Virgin at 78 complaints per 100,000 subscribers, while today that number sits at 32.
Ultimately, Sky currently shines with fewer complaints, while Virgin Media has demonstrably improved compared to previous years, showcasing its commitment to progress. While Sky offers consistent satisfaction, Virgin's significant improvement might be worth considering, depending on your priorities.
What's the Verdict?
When it comes down to Virgin vs Sky, it's a tale of two strengths: Virgin Media leads with next-generation speeds, making it an attractive choice for data-hungry users and speed demons, especially within its coverage footprint. Sky tempts with broader nationwide availability, including rural areas, and more consistent pricing over time
Virgin's packages are a dream for the ultra-connected home, boasting the fastest speeds on the block with their Gig1 Fibre, while Sky provides a solid foundation for both the super users and those with more modest digital appetites. It's not just about the speed, though. Virgin's own network aims for less congestion and more consistency, while Sky leans on the widespread Openreach network, trusted and reliable. With two TV giants like Virgin and Sky, your package preference also could be easily swayed by a convenient TV bundle and it’s important to factor entertainment into potential costs.
Router-wise, it's a close race. Virgin's Hub 5 with WiFi 6 tech is great for Gig1 subscribers, offering top-tier connectivity. Sky counters with the Max Hub, also packing WiFi 6, but it's an extra. Both providers serve up capable routers, so there's not much to split them.
Sky stands out for customer service with fewer complaints, while Virgin, despite a bumpier past, shows signs of significant strides towards better service.
So, no clear winner, but a clearer picture: Virgin Media excels with its high-speed offerings and future-proof fibre-optic network, perfect for those who demand the best in internet speed and performance. Sky, on the other hand, shines with its broad coverage and competitive pricing, while only lagging slightly behind Virgin on speeds. Before making your decision, it's crucial to check service availability in your area, compare the costs before and after any introductory offers, and evaluate which provider aligns best with your specific requirements.