Side by side
Ownership
Zen Independent, founder-owned since 1995, B Corp
Plusnet BT Group brand
Mid-contract price rises
Zen None — fixed for the whole contract
Plusnet Annual rise written into contract (£3/month typical)
Top speeds
Zen Up to ~1.8–2 Gbps (Full Fibre Max)
Plusnet Up to ~900 Mbps
Service reputation
Zen Which? Recommended Provider 6 years running; 4.3 Trustpilot
Plusnet Historically strong for a budget brand; good UK support
Router
Zen FRITZ!Box Wi-Fi 6 / eero Pro 6E
Plusnet Own-brand Hub Two
Static IP
Zen Included free
Plusnet Not offered
New-customer incentive
Zen £40 referral eGift card (via link, before ordering)
Plusnet Frequent low headline prices and reward cards
Comparison based on publicly listed features and pricing structures, checked 1 September 2026. Plusnet's offers change frequently — verify current deals on their own site.
The verdict
Plusnet is the best answer to 'cheap but decent'. Zen is the best answer to 'decent, and I'll pay for it'. If your priority is the lowest reliable monthly cost, Plusnet usually wins on price. If you want faster top-end speeds, a static IP, better hardware and the strongest service record in the country — and £40 back via referral — Zen justifies its premium.
Choose Zen if…
- You want multi-gig speeds, a static IP or better Wi-Fi kit
- Fixed in-contract pricing matters to you
- You'd rather pay an independent B Corp than a BT Group brand
Choose Plusnet if…
- Lowest dependable monthly price is the whole decision
- Your speeds needs are modest and the entry tiers cover you