With so many broadband providers out there offering cheap deals, it can be tricky to find the right one for you.

The best way to choose a cost-effective package is by making a list of the things that are most important to you and your family.

Choosing between packages

There are many packages that will only provide you with basic broadband and phone but you can also expand and include digital TV services and free calls.

Most broadband providers offer great deals that include free calls during weekends and evenings and to mobiles as well as (national and international) landlines.

Broadband providers

When picking out broadband it's important to pay attention to the small print as you may end up paying more than expected without getting the internet speed you hoped for.

Speeds are generally described as 'up to' which means there is gap between the speeds advertised and the actual speeds achievable.

This depends on a variety of factors, such as the location from the internet exchange point, also known IXP. Also, there are still many differences between speeds offered in rural areas in comparison to more urban locations.

With Plusnet, you will receive broadband, digital TV and mobile broadband for under a tenner. This does not include line rental though which customers will be charged for separately on a monthly basis.

A very popular option is Primus. It is one of the cheapest broadband providers at the moment. If you go with Primus you will receive speeds of up to 24Mbps and a download allowance of 20GB. It's worth mentioning that like with Plusnet, the package does not include line rental.

If you want something basic and simple, you may want to look at Tesco Broadband. It may not provide you with digital TV or mobile broadband, but it will cost under a tenner and you will have an unlimited download space. Line rental is paid on top of that.

TalkTalk also provides you with a cost-effective broadband solution but line rental will cost a bit extra. Achievable speed with this provider is 24Mbps and the download allowance is 40GB.

Why bundling can be great for your wallet

Another great way of saving money is through bundling which can help to save you a significant amount of money. Bundling offers several services such as internet and digital TV in one package for one price. On average, Simplifydigital has found that 20 per cent of customers who decided to bundle up services saved up to £408.