Last checked: 8 September 2026
Sky now wins the maximum-speed contest, but Vodafone Pro 3 remains the stronger resilience package
This comparison has changed significantly.
Sky is no longer limited to 900Mbps. Its latest Full Fibre range reaches symmetrical speeds of 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps in selected areas, supported by Wi-Fi 7 hardware.
Vodafone reaches 2.2Gbps and also offers potentially symmetrical service, but its clearest advantages now come from automatic 4G backup, its whole-home exit remedy, Vodafone Together discounts and competitive broadband-first pricing.
See the standard and Pro 3 plans, upload rate and network available to your property.
Check VodafoneSee whether Sky Full Fibre, Gigafast or the new symmetrical Gigafast+ service is available.
Check SkyVodafone vs Sky Broadband: quick comparison
| Feature | Vodafone | Sky |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum advertised download speed | Up to 2.2Gbps | Up to 5Gbps |
| Maximum symmetrical service | Up to 2.2Gbps in eligible areas | Up to 5Gbps in eligible areas |
| Headline starting price | From approximately £24/month | Current Full Fibre examples start from approximately £25/month |
| Headline minimum term | 24 months | 24 months |
| Premium Wi-Fi generation | Wi-Fi 7 with Ultra Hub 7 | Wi-Fi 7 with Gigafast+ Hub |
| Whole-home system | Super WiFi 7 Boosters with Pro 3 | Sky WiFi Max and Max Pods |
| Fast-tier room-speed threshold | 10Mbps under the qualifying Pro process | 25Mbps with WiFi Max on eligible faster tiers |
| Failed Wi-Fi guarantee remedy | Eligible Pro customer can leave broadband without the normal early termination fee after the defined process | One month of broadband and WiFi Max refunded; WiFi Max can be cancelled without its early termination charge |
| Automatic mobile broadband backup | Included with Pro 3 | Not included as an equivalent automatic home backup |
| TV and entertainment | Apple TV 4K-based Vodafone Xtra option | Extensive Sky Stream, Sky Glass and premium-content options |
| Mobile combination | Vodafone Together broadband discounts | Sky Mobile outage data credits with qualifying products |
| Switching support | One Touch Switch support | 24/7 switching support and up to £200 towards eligible leaving fees |
| Our verdict | Best for resilience and mobile customers | Best for maximum speed and television |
The big change: Sky now offers 5Gbps broadband
Older comparisons often gave Vodafone an easy victory on maximum speed.
Standard Sky Broadband traditionally peaked at an average 900Mbps, while Vodafone Pro 3 reached 2.2Gbps.
That is no longer the complete comparison.
Sky now advertises:
- Full Fibre Gigafast at an average 900Mbps download and 90Mbps upload
- Full Fibre 2.5 Gigafast+ at 2,500Mbps download and upload
- Full Fibre 5 Gigafast+ at 5,000Mbps download and upload
Sky says its 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps services are currently available to approximately 12% of UK homes.
The Gigafast+ packages also use Sky's new Wi-Fi 7 hardware.
Vodafone vs Sky Broadband prices
Vodafone currently advertises standard home broadband from approximately £24 per month on a 24-month plan.
Vodafone Pro 3 starts from around £36 per month, although the available speed and final price depend on the address.
Sky's live promotional prices can appear in a surprising order. At the time of checking, official Sky pages showed examples including:
| Current example | Advertised monthly price | Average speed |
|---|---|---|
| Vodafone standard broadband | From approximately £24 | Address dependent, reaching 910Mbps |
| Vodafone Pro 3 | From around £36 | Address dependent, reaching 2.2Gbps |
| Sky Full Fibre 150 | Approximately £25 | 150Mbps download / 27Mbps upload |
| Sky Full Fibre 500 | Approximately £29 | 500Mbps download / 60Mbps upload |
| Sky Full Fibre Gigafast | Approximately £28 | 900Mbps download / 90Mbps upload |
| Sky Full Fibre 5 Gigafast+ | Approximately £42 | 5,000Mbps symmetrical |
Promotions can temporarily make a faster Sky package cheaper than a slower package.
These figures therefore provide a snapshot rather than a permanent price hierarchy.
Sky currently states that its broadband prices may change during the minimum term. It also says the post-contract price will be the amount being paid immediately before the minimum term ends plus £5.
Vodafone currently publishes a fixed £3.50 increase on 1 April each year for its normal home broadband plans.
Price verdict: Vodafone has the lower headline starting point. Sky's promotional 900Mbps pricing can be excellent, while its 5Gbps service represents remarkable capacity for approximately £42 where available.
Check whether the available connection uses Openreach, CityFibre or another Full Fibre network.
See Vodafone dealsPromotional prices and Gigafast+ availability vary by property.
See Sky dealsWhich provider is faster?
Sky is the outright maximum-speed winner.
Its 5Gbps package is more than twice as fast as Vodafone's 2.2Gbps maximum on paper.
But that result requires several qualifications.
- Sky Gigafast+ is available to a minority of UK homes
- Vodafone's 2.2Gbps tier is also postcode dependent
- Individual devices may be unable to use the full connection speed
- Wi-Fi performance depends on distance, interference and device compatibility
- Websites and download servers can become the limiting factor
- Multi-gigabit wired use requires suitable Ethernet equipment
Read our Vodafone 910Mbps vs 2.2Gbps comparison for more detail on whether multi-gigabit broadband is genuinely useful.
Sky can now beat Vodafone on symmetrical uploads
Vodafone has one of the strongest upload propositions among large UK broadband providers.
Eligible Vodafone connections using CityFibre or Community Fibre infrastructure can provide matching upload and download speeds, including up to 2.2Gbps in each direction.
Vodafone connections using Openreach normally have considerably lower upload speeds.
Sky's normal Openreach-based packages also remain asymmetrical:
- Full Fibre 150 — approximately 27Mbps upload
- Full Fibre 300 — approximately 40Mbps upload
- Full Fibre 500 — approximately 60Mbps upload
- Full Fibre Gigafast — approximately 90Mbps upload
However, Sky's new 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps Gigafast+ services are advertised as symmetrical.
Vodafone and Sky both use more than one underlying network
Vodafone supplies home broadband across networks including Openreach, CityFibre and Community Fibre.
This gives Vodafone broad Full Fibre reach, but it also means upload speeds and available packages vary significantly by property.
Sky historically relied heavily on Openreach for its fixed broadband service.
It now also sells across CityFibre infrastructure, enabling the new symmetrical multi-gigabit Gigafast+ packages in selected areas.
Both providers also continue to offer older part-fibre services at addresses that have not received FTTP.
Network verdict: a draw. Both now benefit from access to major Full Fibre infrastructure, but the address-level result determines which network and speed you can actually order.
Vodafone Ultra Hub 7 vs Sky Gigafast+ Hub
Power Hub and Ultra Hub 7
Standard Vodafone Broadband uses the Wi-Fi 6 Power Hub.
Vodafone Pro 3 includes the Wi-Fi 7 Ultra Hub 7 and one Super WiFi 7 Booster.
- Wi-Fi 6 on standard broadband
- Wi-Fi 7 with Pro 3
- Mesh Booster included with Pro 3
- Designed for speeds reaching 2.2Gbps
- Works with Vodafone's whole-home guarantee process
Sky Max Hub and Gigafast+ Hub
Sky supplies the appropriate hub for the selected service.
The Gigafast+ Hub introduces Wi-Fi 7 for Sky's 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps packages.
- Sky Max Hub on qualifying normal packages
- Wi-Fi 7 with Gigafast+
- Support for up to 300 devices claimed on Gigafast+
- Sky Max Pods available through WiFi Max
- Integrated management through the My Sky app
Router verdict: a draw at the premium end. Both providers now supply Wi-Fi 7 hardware with their advanced packages.
Vodafone includes a compatible Booster with Pro 3. Sky includes WiFi Max with Gigafast+ and can provide Pods under the qualifying process.
Read our Vodafone Power Hub vs Ultra Hub 7 comparison for the full Vodafone hardware breakdown.
Vodafone Super WiFi vs Sky WiFi Max
Sky WiFi Max costs from approximately £6 extra per month on qualifying packages and is included with Gigafast+.
Its features include:
- A whole-home Wi-Fi guarantee
- Up to three Sky Max Pods
- Advanced Security
- Parental controls
- Device Priority
- Selected engineer-visit benefits
- Mobile data credits for qualifying Sky Mobile customers during fixed-line outages
Sky's guaranteed threshold depends on the broadband tier.
It is 10Mbps on lower-speed packages and 25Mbps on Ultrafast, Full Fibre 150, 300, 500 and Gigafast packages.
Vodafone Pro 3 uses a qualifying threshold of Wi-Fi signal and at least 10Mbps in each eligible room.
Vodafone can supply up to three Boosters in total if the initial unit does not solve the problem.
| Whole-home feature | Vodafone Pro 3 | Sky WiFi Max |
|---|---|---|
| Initial extender | One Super WiFi 7 Booster included | Pods supplied where required by the process |
| Maximum extender units | Up to three Boosters in total | Up to three Max Pods |
| Qualifying room-speed threshold | 10Mbps | Up to 25Mbps on faster qualifying packages |
| Security and parental controls | Secure Net Home included with Pro | Advanced Security and parental controls included with WiFi Max |
| Remedy if unsuccessful | Eligible customer can leave the broadband contract without the normal early termination fee after the defined process | One month of broadband and WiFi Max refunded; WiFi Max can be cancelled without its normal early termination charge |
Guarantee verdict: Sky promises the higher room speed on its faster packages. Vodafone provides the more powerful ultimate remedy because qualifying Pro customers can leave the underlying broadband agreement.
Vodafone wins on automatic outage protection
Vodafone Pro 3 includes automatic 4G Broadband Back-up.
The dongle is designed to switch the home network to Vodafone's 4G service when the fixed broadband connection experiences a qualifying total loss of service.
The current standard backup allowance is 100GB. Performance depends on local Vodafone mobile coverage and network conditions.
Sky takes a different approach.
Qualifying Sky Mobile customers with WiFi Max can receive 2GB credited to their Sky Piggybank for a full broadband outage lasting at least 30 minutes, subject to monthly and contractual limits.
That gives the mobile customer data they can use, but it does not automatically keep the home network connected.
Sky is the much stronger television provider
Sky's biggest non-broadband advantage is television.
Sky can combine broadband with Sky Stream, Sky Glass and packages incorporating major entertainment, sport and cinema services.
Depending on the offer, subscriptions such as Netflix, discovery+, Disney+ and HBO Max can be included alongside Sky channels.
Vodafone Xtra uses a lighter streaming-led approach.
Current Vodafone Xtra packages provide an Apple TV 4K device, a three-month Apple TV subscription and Anytime UK calls. Other streaming applications can then be accessed through the Apple TV platform.
Read our Sky Stream Review and Sky deals for existing customers guide for more information.
Vodafone is stronger for broadband and mobile discounts
Vodafone Together provides direct broadband discounts to eligible Vodafone Pay Monthly customers.
Current benefits include:
- £2 monthly discount on qualifying standard Vodafone Broadband
- £4 monthly discount on qualifying Vodafone Pro Broadband
- Potential additional discounts when several mobile plans share the account
Sky Mobile customers do not receive an equivalent universal broadband discount simply for combining the two products.
However, qualifying Sky Mobile customers with WiFi Max can receive Piggybank data during recognised fixed broadband outages.
Mobile verdict: Vodafone wins because Together provides a direct recurring reduction to the household bill.
See our complete Vodafone Together guide.
Which is better for gaming?
Sky's 5Gbps headline creates an obvious gaming marketing advantage.
It can reduce download times when the gaming platform, server, wired connection and storage system can all sustain extremely high throughput.
But online gameplay itself normally uses relatively little bandwidth.
The factors that matter are:
- Latency
- Jitter
- Packet loss
- Connection stability
- Local Wi-Fi quality
- Whether the gaming device uses Ethernet
- The route to the game server
A stable 150Mbps Full Fibre connection can provide the same in-game latency as a multi-gigabit package using the same underlying network and routing.
Gaming verdict: Sky wins for maximum download capability. Either provider can deliver excellent gameplay on a stable local Full Fibre connection.
Which is better for working from home?
The right answer depends on the work.
Home-working verdict: Vodafone Pro 3 is our overall pick because resilience is usually more valuable than extreme speed. Sky Gigafast+ is stronger for a professional who genuinely moves multi-gigabyte or terabyte-scale data.
Contracts, switching and equipment ownership
Both providers' normal headline broadband offers currently use 24-month minimum terms.
Sky also applies a separate 24-month minimum term when WiFi Max is added.
Vodafone's standard contractual increase is currently £3.50 each April.
Sky says prices may change during the minimum term, so the specific changes disclosed in the order journey and Contract Summary must be inspected before purchase.
Sky currently provides one of the stronger switching offers:
- 24/7 access to real-person switching support
- One Touch Switch handling
- Up to £200 account credit towards eligible broadband leaving costs
Conditions apply, including paying the old provider's qualifying charge and submitting evidence within Sky's required timeframe.
Contract verdict: Sky wins for its current switching assistance. Vodafone provides the clearer universal annual increase figure on its public pages.
Should you choose Vodafone or Sky?
Choose Vodafone when...
- You value automatic 4G backup
- Your income depends on staying connected
- Vodafone offers symmetrical Full Fibre at your address
- You want Pro 3's prioritised support and monitoring
- You want a strong exit remedy if the whole-home process fails
- You already have an eligible Vodafone Pay Monthly plan
- You want a direct Together broadband discount
- You mainly want broadband rather than a major TV package
Choose Sky when...
- You can receive the symmetrical 2.5Gbps or 5Gbps service
- You want the UK's fastest package from a major provider
- You want Sky TV, Sky Sports or Sky Cinema
- The promotional 900Mbps price beats Vodafone locally
- You value the 25Mbps WiFi Max threshold
- You want Sky's switching support and eligible leaving-fee credit
- You regularly transfer exceptionally large files
- You already have Sky TV and receive an exclusive broadband offer
Vodafone vs Sky Broadband 2026: final verdict
Sky wins more headline categories than it did in the past.
Its new symmetrical 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps services overturn Vodafone's former maximum-speed advantage. The Gigafast+ Hub also means Vodafone no longer has an uncontested Wi-Fi 7 victory.
Sky remains vastly stronger for television and currently offers impressive switching support.
Vodafone's strengths are more practical than spectacular.
Pro 3 includes automatic 4G backup, an initial mesh Booster, security, priority support and early monitoring. Those features address coverage, downtime and service—not simply speed-test numbers.
Vodafone Together also makes the provider more attractive to existing Vodafone mobile customers.
Our verdict: Sky is the stronger choice for maximum speed and television. Vodafone Pro 3 is the stronger premium connectivity and resilience package. At ordinary speeds, neither wins nationally—the best choice is the provider offering the right Full Fibre network and price at your address.
Compare Vodafone and Sky at your address
Check both providers because the available network can change the upload speed, hardware, maximum package and final price.
Check standard Full Fibre and Pro 3 availability.
Check VodafoneCheck Full Fibre, Gigafast and Gigafast+ availability.
Check SkyVodafone vs Sky Broadband FAQs
Is Vodafone better than Sky Broadband?
Vodafone is better when you value Pro 3's automatic 4G backup, premium support, whole-home exit remedy or Vodafone Together discount. Sky is better for maximum speed, switching support and integrated television.
Which is faster, Vodafone or Sky?
Sky is faster at the absolute maximum. Its Full Fibre 5 Gigafast+ service offers average symmetrical speeds of 5Gbps in eligible areas. Vodafone's maximum advertised Pro 3 speed is 2.2Gbps.
Does Sky offer symmetrical broadband?
Yes. Sky's eligible Full Fibre 2.5 Gigafast+ and 5 Gigafast+ services advertise matching download and upload speeds. Standard Sky Openreach packages have lower upload speeds than downloads.
Does Vodafone offer symmetrical broadband?
Vodafone can offer symmetrical broadband over eligible CityFibre and Community Fibre infrastructure, including up to 2.2Gbps in both directions. Vodafone connections using Openreach normally have lower uploads.
Which is cheaper, Vodafone or Sky?
Vodafone currently has the lower headline starting point at approximately £24 per month. Sky's promotions can make faster packages exceptionally competitive, including 900Mbps service for approximately £28 at the time of checking. The postcode result and contractual price schedule determine the real winner.
Which provider has Wi-Fi 7?
Both do. Vodafone Pro 3 includes the Wi-Fi 7 Ultra Hub 7, while Sky provides a Wi-Fi 7 Gigafast+ Hub with its new multi-gigabit services.
Which has the better Wi-Fi guarantee?
Sky WiFi Max has the higher speed threshold on faster qualifying plans at 25Mbps. Vodafone Pro 3 uses a 10Mbps threshold but provides the stronger ultimate remedy because an eligible customer can leave the broadband agreement without the normal early termination fee after completing the defined process.
Does Sky include broadband backup?
Sky does not include an equivalent to Vodafone Pro 3's automatic 4G home-broadband backup. Eligible Sky Mobile customers with WiFi Max can receive mobile data credited to their Piggybank during qualifying outages.
Which is better for working from home?
Vodafone Pro 3 is our preferred package for outage-sensitive home working because it combines automatic 4G backup, mesh Wi-Fi, priority support and potential symmetrical uploads. Sky Gigafast+ is stronger for professionals who genuinely need the fastest possible file transfers.
Which is better for gaming?
Sky offers the greatest download capacity through its 5Gbps package. Actual online gameplay depends more on latency, jitter, packet loss and local network quality than maximum bandwidth. Either provider can be excellent on a stable Full Fibre connection.
Which is better for television?
Sky is the clear winner for television. It offers Sky Stream, Sky Glass, Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and extensive entertainment packages. Vodafone Xtra provides an Apple TV 4K-based streaming option rather than an equivalent comprehensive Sky television service.
Can Vodafone customers get a broadband discount?
Eligible Vodafone Pay Monthly customers can currently receive £2 per month off qualifying standard broadband or £4 per month off qualifying Pro Broadband through Vodafone Together.
How long are Vodafone and Sky contracts?
Both providers' main advertised broadband packages currently use 24-month minimum terms. Separate minimum terms can apply to optional products such as Sky WiFi Max and television packages.
Can Sky help pay my old provider's leaving fee?
Sky currently advertises up to £200 account credit towards eligible broadband, calls and line-rental leaving costs. Conditions, evidence requirements and claim deadlines apply.
Can I switch between Vodafone and Sky using One Touch Switch?
In many cases, yes. The new provider can normally manage the broadband switch without requiring you to contact the old provider. More complex changes involving a new physical Full Fibre network or separate television service may require additional installation and cancellation arrangements.
How Switchking compared Vodafone and Sky
This comparison uses current public prices, official product pages, published terms and technical information rather than a claim that Switchking has laboratory-tested every Vodafone and Sky connection.
We assessed:
- Headline prices
- Contract lengths
- Maximum download speeds
- Upload speeds
- Symmetrical service availability
- Full Fibre networks
- Router technology
- Wi-Fi 7
- Whole-home Wi-Fi systems
- Guarantee thresholds and remedies
- Automatic outage protection
- Security and parental controls
- Switching support
- Gaming suitability
- Home-working suitability
- Television packages
- Mobile benefits
- Overall value
Sources and further reading
- Vodafone Broadband
- Vodafone Pro Broadband
- Vodafone Full Fibre
- Vodafone Together
- Sky Broadband
- Sky Full Fibre Broadband
- Sky WiFi Max
- Sky Broadband for Gaming
- Sky TV and Broadband Deals
- Switchking Vodafone Broadband Review 2026
- Switchking Vodafone Pro 3 Broadband Review 2026
- Switchking Sky Broadband Review
- Switchking Sky Stream Review
