Is Sky Ireland broadband cheaper than Virgin Media?
Sky Ireland currently has the cheaper entry offer, €27.99/month vs €30/month. Promo prices usually apply for the first 6-12 months; compare the standard prices too.
Sky vs Virgin Media Broadband: Which Is Better in Ireland? August 2026
SmartSaver.ie's head-to-head comparison of Sky Ireland and Virgin Media. The numbers below come from SmartSaver.ie's daily price checks (as of 2026-08-17).
Verdict
The two TV-first providers. Virgin Media's cable network delivers the fastest widely-available speeds in the country and doesn't depend on your street having fibre; Sky rides Ireland's fibre networks with steadier pricing and the better TV platform. If Virgin's network passes your door and you want maximum speed, Virgin usually wins the spec sheet; if you're bundling for TV first, Sky's packages are stronger. Both carry low Trustpilot scores, this category's chronic weakness.
Best for each use case
- Raw speed: Virgin Media. Cable network with the fastest widely-available tiers
- TV platform: Sky. The benchmark TV product in Ireland
- Service reputation: Neither. Both score poorly on Trustpilot. See live scores
Sky Ireland vs Virgin Media: the numbers
| Measure | Sky Ireland | Virgin Media |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan | €27.99/mo (500Mb) | €30/mo (500Mb) |
| Standard price after promo | €27.99/mo | €30/mo |
| Fastest speed | 5Gb | 2Gb |
| Technology | Fibre · SIRO | Cable · DOCSIS 3.1 |
| Trustpilot | 1.5/5 | 1.2/5 |
| Plans listed | 3 | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
Who is faster, Sky Ireland or Virgin Media?
Top advertised speeds: Sky Ireland 5Gb, Virgin Media 2Gb. Actual availability depends on your address. Check with your Eircode.
Which should I pick?
See our verdict above, and remember the year-two price matters more than the headline promo.