Even if you have a poor credit rating, there are some broadband deals available that will let you access the internet without worrying about your finances.

Compare no credit check broadband deals to help your household get online no matter what your credit rating.

Key points

  • No credit broadband deals help customers get online regardless of their credit score
  • Although only a few providers offer broadband with no credit check, you can still get fast internet
  • Poor credit won’t affect your internet connection
  • If you qualify for UK government benefits like Universal Credit, social tariff broadband could be a more cost-effective option for getting online

What are broadband deals with no credit check?

No credit check broadband is ideal for those with poor credit history or who prefer not to undergo a credit check when signing up because it provides accessible internet without you having to worry about financial scrutiny.

There are many reasons why someone might want broadband with no credit check, including:

  • Poor credit history
  • New to the UK (without an established credit history, it can be difficult to pass a credit check)
  • Financial privacy
  • Bankruptcy
  • Lack of credit (for example, if you’re a student looking for broadband and you’re too young to have built up much of a credit history)

Why do you need a credit check for broadband?

Broadband providers carry out credit checks mainly to ensure that potential customers can keep up with their payments. They do this to reduce the risk of customers defaulting on their payment obligations, thereby helping providers minimise the losses from unpaid bills.

Most broadband plans involve a contract where the customer agrees to pay over a specific period of time, typically 12, 18 or 24 months. A credit check helps ensure they can honour this agreement.

Credit checks can also help verify customer identities, proving that names and addresses provided are legitimate.

However, while credit checks help broadband providers manage their financial risk, they can pose an obstacle for certain customers, especially those with poor credit history or no established credit.

No credit check broadband helps these individuals access the internet without undergoing a financial assessment.

Can I get broadband with no credit check?

There are a few providers that offer deals that don’t require a credit check. Use our postcode checker to see if you can one where you live

Getting broadband with a bad credit score isn’t as difficult as applying for:

  • A bank loan
  • Mortgage
  • Credit card

This means you have a better chance of being accepted. And some providers might not even check your credit rating at all. At the time of writing, NOW Broadband and Plusnet don’t carry out credit checks.

However, providers like Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk often credit-check new customers.

Some have also been known to ask for a deposit to cover the cost of bills if you can’t pay.

It’s also worth checking to see if your part of the UK is served by any altnets. Many of these smaller providers have a mission to make broadband more accessible, so they’re less likely to run a credit check as part of the sign-up process.

Mobile broadband

Some types of mobile broadband are available on a pay-as-you-go basis, which means no credit check.

What are the pros and cons of no credit check broadband deals?

Like any broadband deal, no credit check broadband has its pros and cons:

Pros

They don't discriminate

At the moment, there are two providers offering broadband with no credit check across the UK: NOW Broadband and Plusnet. They don’t credit-check anyone, so the speeds and extras on offer are the same whatever your credit is like.

Budget-friendly

No credit check broadband deals are available in a whole range of speeds and prices, so you’ll be able to find something to fit your budget.

Flexible

Many of the deals that don’t need a credit check are short-term and no contract broadband deals that don't require you to commit for a long time.

Cons

Lack of options

Currently, only a small number of broadband providers in the UK offer broadband with no credit check, so there’s not much choice.

Potentially higher overall costs

Depending on your chosen provider, you could end up paying more each month for broadband without a credit check, especially if you go for a no-contract rolling deal.

Fewer available extras

Although you might want to bundle other products into your no credit check broadband deal, options might be limited.

What types of no credit check broadband deals can you get?

There are several types of no credit check broadband:

Fibre broadband with a monthly contract

There are currently two UK-wide broadband providers offering deals with no credit check: NOW Broadband and Plusnet. Both offer fibre broadband on a pay monthly contract. Local altnets often offer this type of deal too, so check to see if there is one in your area.

Mid-contract price hikes are standard for monthly broadband deals, including those with no credit check.

  • Plusnet will next put prices up in March 2026 - if you signed up after August 2025, it will increase by £4/month
  • NOW Broadband last put up prices in July 2025 and we expect the next price rise to be in July 2026, although nothing is confirmed yet

If you don’t know about future price rises when you sign up to a contract, you have the right to cancel if prices go up and you don’t accept the change. So if you sign up to NOW Broadband, you can expect them to contact you when a price rise is coming up and give you the chance to cancel.

Pay-as-you-go mobile broadband

If you access mobile broadband through a portable hotspot or internet dongle, you can pay for credit as and when you need it rather than signing up for a contract. This means no credit check.

Social tariff broadband

Social tariff broadband is subsidised internet for people on benefits. It’s for customers on a low income who might not be able to afford other types of broadband deals, so there’s usually no credit check. Providers will check that you are definitely eligible to receive one or more of the benefits on their list (like Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance).

Broadband only

Broadband only deals are typical when it comes to no credit check broadband because you don’t have to pay for any expensive add-ons or unused bundles.

Broadband with home phone

At the moment, broadband and home phone deals are still an option if you haven’t undergone a credit check because lots of packages still include line rental.

But this ultimately depends on your provider’s infrastructure at the time of purchase.

Broadband with TV

A TV package that’s part of your no credit check broadband deal seems unlikely. But some providers might accept alternative proof that you can pay your bills, including:

  • Evidence of stable employment
  • Bank statements
  • History of paid phone bills

They may, however, ask you for a deposit to cover the cost of your bill if you ever miss a payment.

Which broadband providers don't do credit checks?

As of November 2025, there are two UK-wide providers of fixed broadband that don’t do credit checks: NOW Broadband and Plusnet.

Does EE run credit checks?

Yes, EE runs a credit check when you sign up for broadband. The EE website explains that it uses data from three well-known credit reference agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Does BT do a credit check?

Yes, BT Broadband runs a credit check if you’re signing up to a standard tariff. The rules are different for its social tariff broadband service, known as Home Essentials.

  • Existing customers switching to Home Essentials don’t get a credit check at all (just a check of eligibility for benefits)
  • New customers who fail the credit check can still get Home Essentials if they pay a deposit

Does Plusnet do a credit check?

No, Plusnet doesn’t do a credit check for broadband customers. It’s one of the few UK-wide providers of fibre broadband who will sign you up without a credit check.

Does TalkTalk do credit checks?

Although TalkTalk has a reputation for being less strict with its credit checks, it still carries out a full credit check on all customers. The TalkTalk website says that these checks are carried out on the company’s behalf by agency Equifax.

Will I still get good speeds with no credit check broadband?

Although you get fewer options with no credit check broadband, you can still access great speeds.

As of November 2025, the Go.Compare panel features a Plusnet deal with speeds of up to 900 Mbps (just a tiny bit below the gigabit broadband threshold) . Most households will do fine on less than half that speed - check out our guide to what broadband speed you need.

Use our speed test to see if your broadband is giving you the speed you need.

Remember there are other factors, including the distance between your device and the router, and even the weather, could affect your broadband speeds.

Can I get broadband with no credit check if I’m on Universal Credit?

If you’re on Universal Credit or any other UK Government benefits, you might qualify for social tariff broadband.

Often much cheaper than regular broadband deals, these could save you money each month.

Social tariff broadband typically has slower download speeds than regular broadband, although l it varies depending on the provider and plan you choose.

Check out Ofcom’s list of available social tariff providers and plans .

Compare the best broadband with no credit check deals

There are currently two big names offering broadband with no credit checks: Plusnet and NOW Broadband. Both are on the Go.Compare panel.

As of November 2025, Plusnet is offering a range of broadband deals with no upfront cost as well as no credit check. NOW Broadband is charging a £5 setup fee.

The other providers all run a credit check before signing you up to any of their commercially available tariffs. Some will skip the credit check for their social tariff broadband, especially if you’re already a customer. We explain more in our guide to cheaper broadband for people on benefits.

How to compare and switch broadband

Here are some simple tips and tricks to find a new broadband deal:

  • Use our guide What broadband speed do I need? to work out how much bandwidth you’re currently should be getting, so you know what speeds to choose
  • Put your postcode into the address checker at the top of this page to see the broadband deals available without a credit check
  • Sort by speed and price to pick the best deal for you
  • Make sure you factor in any mid-contract price rises when you’re choosing a deal

You’ll probably just see results from Plusnet and NOW Broadband. If there are any altnets in your area offering broadband with no credit check, these will show up in your results too.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get a free Wi-Fi router with no credit check broadband?

A free Wi-Fi router is included with most broadband deals, so you should get one with no credit check broadband.

Depending on your chosen tariff, you may have to pay postage for the delivery of your new router.

Do broadband with no credit check deals have any upfront costs?

As of November 2025, Plusnet is offering broadband deals with no credit check and no upfront costs. NOW Broadband is the other big player offering no credit check broadband. All the NOW deals being offered through Go.Compare have an upfront fee of £5.

When you’re comparing broadband deals, don’t just focus on the upfront costs. Look at the monthly payments, the contract length and any mid-contract price rises.

Can I get a TV package with broadband if I have bad credit?

You’ll need to pass a credit check for Sky TV, EE TV and Virgin Media TV services. But you can get plenty of the same channels, including Sky Sports, with a NOW TV subscription. It’s available as a separate service from NOW Broadband, so you don’t need to be a NOW Broadband customer. And best of all, you can buy a one-off monthly pass, with no obligation to sign up to a contract. So there’s no credit check.

Similarly, Netflix, Apple TV+ and many other streaming services just need your payment details.

You can also get Freeview without a credit check. You just need a telly with Freeview built in, or a box that will show it. You will need a TV licence, though.

Is mobile a good alternative to no credit check broadband?

Mobile broadband can be a good alternative to a traditional contract because there are pay as you go options that don’t require a credit check. These are:

  • Portable hotspots (sometimes known as MiFi)
  • Internet dongles
  • Tethering (using your phone as a hotspot)

Our page on mobile broadband explains more about the advantages and disadvantages.

Mobile broadband is available through:

But even the current fastest 5G speeds aren’t as reliable as fixed line broadband.

Also, the cost of data coupled with the fact that activities like streaming and online gaming can struggle over a mobile connection means you might be better off comparing no credit broadband deals from fixed line providers.

Is no credit check broadband good for my credit rating?

No, it doesn’t directly affect your credit rating. Having said that, signing up for broadband, like any other utility, can be good for your credit rating if:

  • You make the payments on time - set up a direct debit so you don’t need to think about it
  • The bills are in your name, so a credit check shows your track record of consistent payments

If you start missing payments, this will probably have a negative effect on your credit.

Why might I fail a broadband credit check?

Broadband providers tend to use an established credit reference agency to run the checks on their behalf. For example, as of November 2025, Vodafone is using Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

Each provider has its own system for making the decision about whether or not to give you a broadband contract. Here are some possible reasons why you might fail a broadband provider’s credit check:

  • Wrong information - they will be verifying what you tell them against other sources, so double-check things like the postcode of previous addresses and your dates of living there
  • Signs that you have a history of not paying debts - especially if there’s a County Court Judgment against you
  • Not enough of a credit history, maybe because you’ve never had a credit card or been responsible for bills before
  • Too many applications - it’s a red flag if you’ve applied for multiple loans or credit cards in a short time
  • A financial link to someone else with bad credit, like a partner you have a joint account with

The credit checks carried out by broadband providers aren’t as extensive as the checks from loan providers or credit card companies, so you do have a better chance of passing.

How do I improve my credit score for better broadband?

Improving your credit score means more broadband providers will be willing to take you on as a customer. So you’ll have access to a wider range of speeds and a better choice of extras when you’re comparing broadband deals.

Improving your credit score takes time, so don’t expect overnight results. It’s all about building up a credit history that lenders can see. You don’t have to pay off all your debts to fix your credit score - you just have to show you’re capable of making consistent payments.

Don’t miss any more payments. Set up a direct debit for everything you need to pay regularly (if you haven’t already). If a payment is due and you can’t afford it, always contact the company to explain the situation and agree on a payment plan. Never just cancel it or it will make your credit rating worse. (If gas and electricity bills are your biggest worry, check out our guide to help with your energy bills.)

Build up a track record. Lenders want to be able to find evidence that you have kept up with payments over time. You can help them do this if:

  • You’re on the electoral roll, so it’s easier to verify your identity
  • Your name is on the household bills (and they’re getting paid)
  • You don’t move house too often
  • You don’t change your name or use multiple names

If you have to move house frequently, you can limit any potential harm to your credit score by staying on top of the admin.

  • Make a list of every organisation that has your address on file and give them the new one
  • Set up a postal redirect with the Royal Mail to catch any you’ve forgotten

This ensures that you don’t miss any payments because of bills being sent to your old address. It also reduces your risk of falling victim to identity theft.

Seek help from a debt charity. Charities like StepChange or National Debtline have volunteers who can help you sort through the piles of paperwork and talk to creditors without judging you. A genuine charity will have a registered charity number.

Page last updated: 8 January 2026

Catherine Hiley

Catherine Hiley

Managing Editor for Broadband and Mobile

[1] As of 11th March 2026, there are active broadband providers on the panel at Go.Compare