Sky vs NOW - Who is better?

Sky Broadband vs NOW Broadband: At a glance

NOW Broadband has changed significantly from its original offering. New customers now sign up to NOW Broadband powered by Sky, with a Sky contract, Sky billing and Sky customer support. This means the old assumption that NOW is always the more flexible alternative to Sky no longer applies.

Sky offers a wider range of broadband speeds, including faster Full Fibre packages in eligible areas. NOW has a simpler range, with its current packages topping out at Full Fibre 300. The better-value option depends on the deals available at your address and the speed you need.

Feature	Sky Broadband	NOW Broadband
Service	Sky Broadband	NOW Broadband powered by Sky
Broadband speeds	A wider range of speeds, including faster Full Fibre options in eligible areas	Superfast and Full Fibre packages up to 300Mbps
Contract	Depends on the package and offer	24-month minimum term on the new powered-by-Sky service
Equipment	Sky broadband equipment, depending on package	Sky broadband equipment on the new service
Customer support	Sky	Sky for the new powered-by-Sky service
Best reason to choose it	A wider choice of speeds and potential broadband and TV bundles	A simpler range that may offer better value on selected deals

Packages, prices and terms can change. Always check the current offer and availability for your address before ordering.

Broadband deals

Neither provider is always cheaper. NOW may offer a better price on one package, while Sky may have a more competitive promotion on another speed or contract. The important thing is to compare equivalent packages rather than assume that one brand is automatically the budget option.

When comparing deals, look at the monthly price, minimum contract length, upfront charges and any price changes during the contract. A low introductory price does not necessarily make a package the cheapest over the full term.

It is also worth considering whether you want broadband alone or are interested in adding television. Sky may offer savings on eligible broadband and TV bundles, although these are not automatically better value than buying services separately.

Compare the latest offers from Sky Broadband and NOW Broadband to see which provider offers the best combination of speed and price for your needs.

Winner: It depends on the deal

NOW can be competitive on price, but compare the actual packages and total contract costs before deciding.

Broadband speed

Both providers offer broadband suitable for everyday browsing, streaming, video calls and working from home. The main difference is the range of speeds available.

NOW Broadband speeds

The current NOW Broadband range includes the following packages, subject to availability at your address:

Package	Advertised average download speed	Technology
NOW Superfast	67Mbps	Part Fibre
NOW Full Fibre 75	75Mbps	Full Fibre (FTTP)
NOW Full Fibre 100	100Mbps	Full Fibre (FTTP)
NOW Full Fibre 300	300Mbps	Full Fibre (FTTP)

NOW Superfast uses fibre to the street cabinet, with a copper connection for the final part of the journey to your home. Full Fibre uses fibre-optic cables all the way to your property, where available.

Sky Broadband speeds

Sky offers part-fibre broadband alongside a wider range of Full Fibre packages. Depending on your address, you may be able to choose a much faster connection than NOW's current 300Mbps maximum.

Faster broadband can be useful if several people work from home, stream high-resolution video, play online games or download large files at the same time. However, not every household needs an ultrafast connection. A reliable 100Mbps service may be more than enough for a smaller household with lighter internet use.

What speed do you need?

As a general guide, speeds around 67Mbps to 100Mbps suit many households. A package offering 300Mbps or more can be useful for heavier simultaneous usage, large downloads and homes with many connected devices.

Download speed is not the only factor. Upload speed, latency, Wi-Fi coverage and the quality of your home network can all affect your experience.

Not sure how much speed you need? Our guide What broadband speed do I need? for help choosing the right broadband speed, which speeds are suitable for streaming, gaming, working from home and households with multiple connected devices.

Always check the estimated speeds available at your address. Advertised average speeds are not a guarantee of the speed your individual property will receive.

Winner: Sky

Sky offers a wider range of speeds, including faster Full Fibre options where available. NOW may still be sufficient if you do not need a connection above 300Mbps.

Contracts and flexibility

One of the biggest differences between the old NOW Broadband service and the current powered-by-Sky offering is contract flexibility.

Legacy NOW Broadband memberships were known for rolling monthly contracts. The new NOW Broadband powered-by-Sky packages have a 24-month minimum term, so new customers should not assume that NOW still offers the same flexibility as before.

Sky's contract options depend on the package and promotion. Check the terms of the specific deal you are considering rather than assuming every Sky package has the same minimum term.

If you need broadband for only a few months, for example because you are renting temporarily or planning to move, compare providers offering genuinely shorter contracts before committing.

Also check any early termination charges that could apply if you leave before the minimum term ends.

Winner: Depends on your circumstances

Neither brand should be chosen on the assumption that NOW is always more flexible. Check the actual contract offered and compare shorter-term alternatives if flexibility is important.

Routers and Wi-Fi

New customers on NOW Broadband powered by Sky receive Sky broadband equipment rather than the older NOW TV Hub Two supplied with legacy packages.

Both services use Sky broadband equipment, but you should check the exact router model and any optional Wi-Fi upgrades included with the package you are considering.

A faster broadband package does not automatically guarantee better Wi-Fi in every room. Thick walls, the router's position, wireless interference and the capabilities of your devices can all affect the signal.

Position your router in an open, central location where possible. If the connection is fast near the router but slower upstairs or at the far end of your home, the problem may be Wi-Fi coverage rather than the broadband line itself.

Sky offers additional Wi-Fi options on eligible packages. If whole-home coverage is important, compare the cost and conditions of any available upgrade rather than assuming the standard router will solve every coverage problem.

Winner: Check the package

Because the new NOW service uses Sky equipment, the exact router and any additional Wi-Fi benefits included in your offer matter more than the brand name alone.

Home phone and call packages

Do not assume that the home-phone arrangements on older NOW Broadband packages still apply to the new powered-by-Sky service.

Before ordering, check whether the package includes a home phone service, whether you need to keep a landline number and whether calls are included or charged separately. The details can depend on the product offered at your address.

If you regularly use a home phone, confirm the available call options and any additional monthly costs with the provider before choosing a broadband deal.

If you rarely make landline calls, focus on the broadband speed, price and contract rather than paying extra for a call package you will not use.

Sky TV vs NOW TV

Choosing between Sky Broadband and NOW Broadband does not automatically determine which television services you can use. NOW streaming memberships are separate from NOW Broadband, and Sky's streaming TV services can work with a compatible broadband connection from another provider.

However, Sky may offer eligible broadband and TV bundles that make it convenient to combine services on one account. Whether this saves money depends on the offer and the services you actually want.

Sky TV brings live channels, on-demand programmes and supported streaming apps together through services such as Sky Stream and Sky Glass. NOW offers separate memberships for entertainment, films and sports, which can suit viewers who only want selected content.

Read our guide to Sky TV vs NOW for a detailed comparison of packages, channels, streaming subscriptions and value for money.

Worth considering: Sky bundles

If you want broadband and television together, compare the total price of an eligible Sky bundle against buying broadband and streaming services separately.

Sky Broadband vs NOW Broadband: Our verdict

Winner: Sky for choice of speeds; NOW may win on selected deals

Sky Broadband and NOW Broadband are now closely related services, so choosing between them is less about two completely different broadband providers and more about the packages, prices and terms available to you.

Choose Sky Broadband if you want a wider range of speeds, need a faster Full Fibre package or want to compare broadband and TV bundles. Sky may also be the better choice if its current offer provides a stronger combination of speed, equipment and price.

Choose NOW Broadband if its simpler range meets your needs and the deal available at your address offers better value than an equivalent Sky package. Its Full Fibre 300 package is suitable for many busy households, provided the speed is available at your property.

Consider another provider if you need a short-term contract, cannot get the speed you want from either service or find a better deal elsewhere.

The best option is the one that meets your household's needs at a competitive total cost, with a contract you are comfortable accepting.

View our Broadband & TV deals

Frequently asked questions