Last updated: Friday 9 October 2026 (Europe/London).
By: Switch Editorial Team, Switch Squid Ltd
The cheapest broadband for one person we can link to on 9 October 2026 is Virgin Media M125 at £23.99 a month for 24 months, a broadband-only plan with no landline and average download speeds of 132Mbps, which is plenty for one adult. If you claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, an Ofcom-listed social tariff can cost from £10 to £24 a month instead. SwitchSquid compares what a single-person household actually needs and what it costs; we may earn a commission if you buy through our links.
Virgin Media M125: £23.99 a month, broadband only
- Average download speed of 132Mbps, which Virgin says is faster than standard 100Mbps broadband
- £23.99 a month for 24 months on Virgin Media’s page when we checked on 9 October 2026, with no landline needed
- Main limitation: it rises to £62 a month after month 24, and it is only available at addresses on Virgin’s network
What speed does one person need?
Less than most adverts suggest. Broadband speed is shared between whatever is online at the same time, so a household of one rarely needs the 500Mbps or 900Mbps packages built for families with several people streaming and gaming at once.
Netflix’s own guidance is a useful yardstick. It recommends 5Mbps or higher for full HD streaming and 15Mbps or higher for 4K, according to its help centre. A video call needs far less than a 4K film. Even if you stream in 4K while your phone backs up photos and a laptop downloads an update, you are unlikely to use more than 50Mbps at once.
| How you use the internet | Speed that is usually enough for one person |
|---|---|
| Email, browsing, social media and online banking | Around 10 to 30Mbps |
| HD streaming and video calls | Around 30 to 50Mbps |
| 4K streaming, working from home and large downloads | Around 50 to 150Mbps |
| Uploading large files, streaming to an audience or very fast downloads | Consider 300Mbps or more, with a good upload speed |
For most people living alone, a plan of up to 150Mbps covers everything comfortably, with room for a few connected gadgets. Paying for more speed mostly buys faster downloads of big files rather than a better everyday experience. If you work from home and send large files, look at upload speed as well, because it is often much lower than the download figure.
Before you choose, put your postcode into the Ofcom broadband and mobile checker. It shows which networks and speeds are available at your address, which matters more than any national price list. A cheap deal is no use if your home cannot get it.
Cheapest broadband for one person compared, October 2026
These are the cheapest broadband deals we can link to, checked on the providers’ own pages on 9 October 2026. Both need a 24-month minimum term and depend on what your address can get. Virgin says its broadband is subject to survey, network capacity and a credit check. Prices are per month.
| Deal | Average or guaranteed speed | Monthly price | Contract | Landline | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media M125 | 132Mbps average download | £23.99 (£575.76 over 24 months at that price) | 24 months | Not needed. Virgin says Home Phone can be added from £8 a month | Rises to £62 a month after month 24; Virgin network addresses only |
| BT Full Fibre 900 | 900Mbps download, 700Mbps guaranteed | £35.99, rising to £39.99 from 31 March 2027 and £43.99 from 31 March 2028 | 24 months | BT offers broadband-only packages; check the basket | Far more speed than one person needs; full fibre addresses only |
For one adult, Virgin Media M125 is the better value of the two: it is £12 a month cheaper than BT Full Fibre 900 at today’s prices and still gives more speed than a single person is likely to use. Over the 24-month term at £23.99, it comes to £575.76. Virgin’s broadband-only page also notes that discounted pricing may be offered in selected locations, so your own quote could differ.
BT Full Fibre 900 is the option to check if your home is not on Virgin’s network but has full fibre. BT showed a £0 activation fee online when we checked its deals page. Its prices rise on set dates each March, so the cost goes up during the contract, and 900Mbps is more than most single-person homes will use.
Virgin Media M125: £575.76 over 24 months
- £23.99 a month for 24 months, broadband only, no landline needed
- 132Mbps average download speed: enough for 4K streaming and working from home
- Check your address on Virgin’s page before you order, as availability depends on your postcode
Is broadband cheaper without a landline?
Often, yes. Many households of one rely on a mobile and never use a home phone, so paying for a line rental or a call package adds cost for nothing. Virgin’s M125 deal is broadband only, and Virgin lists Home Phone as an add-on from £8 a month if you want one.
Across the UK, landlines are moving to digital phone services that run over broadband, so the old idea of needing a separate phone line for broadband is fading. If you do want to keep a home number, ask whether it can move to a digital service and what that adds to the monthly price. If you rely on a home phone because of a personal alarm or a medical device, tell your provider before switching so it can check the equipment will keep working.
30-day contracts vs 12 and 24 months
Both deals in our table are 24-month contracts. We do not currently link to a 30-day broadband plan. Rolling monthly broadband is useful if you rent on a short let or expect to move soon, but it usually costs more each month and can come with a higher set-up charge, so compare the total over the time you expect to stay.
A 24-month contract gives the lowest monthly price, but you pay an early disconnection fee if you leave before the minimum term ends. If you are likely to move within two years, check whether the provider can move your service to your new address. Our guide to broadband-only deals lists more plans without a landline, and our cheapest broadband guide covers wider options.
Social tariffs: the cheapest option if you claim benefits
If you live alone and claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support, check the social tariffs first. Ofcom says current social tariff prices range from £10 to £24 a month, most offer superfast speeds over 30Mbit/s, and you will not pay a fee to leave before the end of the contract. You can switch to your current provider’s social tariff at any time, free of charge.
| Social tariff (from Ofcom’s list) | Price | Average speed | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperoptic Fair Fibre Superfast | £13 a month | 150Mbit/s | England, Scotland, Wales |
| Community Fibre Essential | £12.50 a month | 35Mbit/s | London |
| Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus | £20 a month | 54Mbit/s | UK |
| BT Home Essentials Unlimited 36 | £22 a month | 36Mbit/s | UK |
Prices and speeds are from Ofcom’s social tariffs list, last updated on 2 October 2026. The person who receives the benefit needs to be the main person on the contract, and availability depends on your address. Our social tariff broadband guide explains how to apply.
How to get the cheapest broadband when you live alone
- Check what your address can get with the Ofcom checker and the provider’s own postcode tool.
- Choose the speed you need, not the fastest on offer. Up to 150Mbps suits most people living alone.
- Skip the landline unless you use it, or you rely on a device that needs one.
- Compare the total over the contract, including any set-up fee and any price rises during the term.
- Check for a social tariff if you claim a qualifying benefit.
- Diary the end date. Out-of-contract prices are much higher, so compare again before the deal finishes.
Our verdict
Living alone and on Virgin’s network? Virgin Media M125 at £23.99 a month is the cheapest deal we can link to, and 132Mbps is plenty.
Not on Virgin’s network but have full fibre? BT Full Fibre 900 at £35.99 a month, with price rises each March.
Claiming Universal Credit or Pension Credit? A social tariff from £10 to £24 a month is likely to cost less.
BT Full Fibre 900: if Virgin is not available
- £35.99 a month on a 24-month contract, with a £0 activation fee online when we checked
- Rises to £39.99 from 31 March 2027 and £43.99 from 31 March 2028
- Full fibre addresses only, so check your postcode on BT’s page before you order
FAQ
What is the cheapest broadband for one person?
On 9 October 2026, the cheapest deal we can link to is Virgin Media M125 at £23.99 a month for 24 months, with average download speeds of 132Mbps and no landline needed. It rises to £62 a month after month 24. If you claim a qualifying benefit, a social tariff from £10 a month can be cheaper.
What broadband speed does one person need?
For most people living alone, up to 150Mbps is plenty. Netflix recommends 5Mbps for full HD and 15Mbps for 4K streaming. Choose more only if you regularly upload or download very large files.
Is broadband cheaper without a landline?
Usually, because you are not paying for a phone service you do not use. Virgin Media M125 is broadband only, and Virgin lists Home Phone as an add-on from £8 a month. If you rely on a personal alarm or other device that uses a phone line, check with your provider before you switch.
Can I get broadband on a 30-day contract?
Yes, some providers offer rolling monthly broadband, but it usually costs more each month and may carry a set-up fee. The deals we link to are 24-month contracts. Compare the total cost over the time you expect to stay at the address.
How do I check which broadband I can get at my address?
Use the Ofcom broadband and mobile checker, which shows the networks and speeds available at your postcode. Then confirm on the provider’s own website before ordering. Availability can differ between neighbouring streets.
Who can get a broadband social tariff?
Ofcom says anyone in a household claiming Universal Credit can switch to any of the listed social tariffs, and all major providers also accept Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support. The person receiving the benefit needs to be the main person on the contract. Prices range from £10 to £24 a month.
Is cheap broadband good enough for working from home alone?
For most jobs, yes. Video calls and cloud apps need far less than 100Mbps, so a plan like Virgin Media M125 handles them comfortably. If you send large files, check the upload speed as well as the download speed.
