We all know how great the internet has made our lives. It provides us with knowledge, entertainment, information, and just about anything else you could wish for. That’s why finding the right internet provider is so important. Sourcing the right provider for a service as integral as the internet can be a tricky task. Combing forums, reading reviews, and researching products can be daunting.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the top five internet providers currently in the UK (so you don’t have to):

1. BT PlusNet or EE
PlusNet shines with their simplicity. With just one ADSL package and two fibre packages offered PlusNet provides a simple, easy to use service at an affordable price. They might not offer speeds as fast as Virgin Media but customers are still satisfied with the service. According to recent surveys, over 85 percent of PlusNet customers would recommend the service to a friend and over 64 percent were extremely satisfied with the company’s service and performance. For users looking for something beyond basic fiber and broadband services we would recommend a different service, but for users looking for no frills affordable internet that gets the job done they can’t go wrong with PlusNet.

2. Virgin Media
Where Virgin truly shines is their speed. They offer some of the fastest broadband available and their prices reflect that. For users seeking an affordable internet package we suggest they look elsewhere (even Virgins most basic package is still pricey), but for users who value speed over everything Virgin is a top competitor and a solid choice. Their customer satisfaction ratings are extremely high and their reliability scores are solid as well.

3. Sky Broadband UK+IRE
While Sky doesn’t shine brightly in any particular areas compared to the competition, they are nonetheless a solid internet provider with decent speeds, good reliability and solid customer satisfaction. Their prices are very affordable starting at twenty quid a month and going up from there. For anyone looking for a solid service provider that can be bundled with other products, they can’t go wrong with Sky.

4. TalkTalk
TalkTalk offers some of the best value on the market. Their speeds are decent but not mind blowing, although they should be fine for one or two people at a time in an average household. Their customer service reviews aren’t stellar and leave room for improvement but one could argue their competitive pricing makes up for these shortcomings. For users searching for solid internet that isn’t too expensive, this is a sound choice.

5. Vodafone UK
While Vodafone is a major player in the UK mobile space, they are still relatively new to broadband. They’ve been attempting to grow in space by offering some of the most competitively priced deals on the market. Are these low rates a steal or do you get what you pay for? From what we can tell, they’re a steal. Vodafone’s speeds are very solid and only beaten by Virgin. Their customer satisfaction ratings are high, along with their reliability scores. Their prices are cheaper than most of their rivals and overall it seems they’re undervalued prices are an attempt to undercut competitors and gain market share, which means savings get passed down to the consumer. While they’re still new in space we think they’re a solid option.