Comparing BT with Plusnet is particularly interesting since Plusnet is actually owned by BT Group, yet maintains distinct pricing and service approaches.
Speed and Performance
BT offers speeds from 36Mbps (Fibre Essential) to 900Mbps (Full Fibre 900), with popular options including Fibre 2 (67Mbps) and Full Fibre 150 (145Mbps).
Plusnet provides speeds from 38Mbps to 900Mbps across their fibre range. Their Full Fibre packages include 145Mbps, 300Mbps, 500Mbps, and 900Mbps options.
Winner: Tie for speed range
Pricing
BT pricing starts from £25.99/month for Fibre 1 and £27.99/month for Full Fibre 150.
Plusnet offers competitive pricing starting from £23.99/month for Full Fibre (rising to £27.99 from March 2026, then £31.99 from March 2027). Their Full Fibre 500 costs £31.99/month and Full Fibre 900 is £33.99/month.
Winner: Plusnet for better pricing
Network Coverage
Both BT and Plusnet use identical Openreach infrastructure, providing the same coverage across the UK – approximately 96% for standard fibre and 15% for Full Fibre services.
Winner: Tie – identical network
Customer Service
Ofcom’s 2025 customer satisfaction data shows BT scoring 83% for customer satisfaction.
Plusnet achieved an impressive 89% customer satisfaction score according to Ofcom, making them one of the highest-rated providers. Uswitch data shows Plusnet with 93% customer satisfaction – the highest overall rating.
Winner: Plusnet by a significant margin
Contract Terms
BT typically requires 24-month contracts with £41.99 upfront fees.
Plusnet also uses 24-month contracts but offers £0 activation fees on most packages. They implement fixed £4 annual price increases for new customers signing up after August 2025.
Winner: Plusnet for setup costs
Additional Features
BT provides Smart Hub 2 routers, comprehensive TV packages, extensive business services, and full ecosystem integration.
Plusnet focuses primarily on broadband excellence with quality routers but limited additional services. They’ve won multiple awards including National Broadband Provider of the Year, Best Value for Money, and Best Customer Service in 2025.
Winner: BT for service range, Plusnet for broadband focus
Awards and Recognition
BT maintains strong industry recognition for infrastructure and business services.
Plusnet won three Public Choice awards in 2025: National Broadband Provider of the Year, Best Value for Money, and Best Customer Service – demonstrating exceptional customer satisfaction.
Winner: Plusnet for recent customer recognition
Support Quality
BT offers comprehensive support through multiple channels but can suffer from large-scale complexity.
Plusnet provides focused, high-quality customer support with shorter wait times and higher resolution rates, reflected in their superior satisfaction scores.
Winner: Plusnet for support quality
The Verdict
Choose Plusnet if you want excellent customer service, competitive pricing, award-winning broadband performance, and straightforward service without unnecessary extras. They offer the best value and highest customer satisfaction.
Select BT if you need comprehensive services beyond just broadband, extensive TV packages, or business-grade features. BT provides a complete telecommunications ecosystem.
For pure broadband service, Plusnet offers superior value, customer service, and satisfaction. BT wins only if you need additional services beyond broadband connectivity.
