Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Astound vs EE Store
Where Astound and EE Store differ
| Compare |  Astound |  EE Store |
|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 5,000Higher | 1,600 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 5,000Higher | 20 to 115 |
| Price from | $19.95 | £26.99 |
| Reference plan prices | 150 Mbps: $19.95/mo, 150 Mbps, no contract; 1 Gig WiFi: $40/mo, 1000 Mbps, no contract; 1.5 Gig WiFi: $60/mo, 1500 Mbps, no contract | 100Mbps Core: 26.99 per month, 100Mbps, 24 months | 900Mbps Core: 33.99 per month, 900Mbps, 24 months | 1.6Gbps Core: 42.99 per month, 1600Mbps, 24 months |
| Setup fee | $0 | £10 to £30 |
| Mid-contract price rises | Price for Life rate locked while service kept; other promos valid 12 mos then regular rates | Annual rise on 31 Mar, shown before signup |
| Exit fee terms | No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime | No early exit charge if Speed Guarantee not met |
| Router | Whole Home WiFi powered by eero included with Gig plans; eero Max 7 with 5 Gig | Smart Hub 7 Plus with WiFi 7 |
| Address checker | https://www.astound.com/check-for-service/ | https://ee.co.uk/broadband |
| Markets | US | GB |
| Social tariff | Yes | Not confirmed |
| FCC broadband label | https://www.astound.com/labels/ | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Astound scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.6.
- Top download speed (Mbps) is higher at Astound: 5,000 vs 1,600.
- Upload speed (Mbps) is higher at Astound: 5,000 vs 20 to 115.
- Support channels: only Astound offers Phone, Chat.
- Support channels: only EE Store offers Community.
- Technology: only Astound offers Cable.
- Technology: only EE Store offers Fttc.
- Contract length: only Astound offers 1.
- Contract length: only EE Store offers 12, 24.
- Markets: only Astound offers US.
Our verdict on each
Astound
Astound suits US households that want matching download and upload speeds, a low entry price and no contract to be tied into, and the same account can carry mobile lines. Entry pricing starts at $19.95 a month, Gig tiers arrive with Whole Home WiFi included, and the setup fee is $0.
EE Store
EE Store suits households in the UK that want a single network for fast home broadband and mobile, with speeds reaching 1,600 Mbps and annual price rises shown before signup. Buyers on a tight budget should weigh the £26.99 entry price against the published rise first.
Score breakdown
| Area | Astound | EE Store |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherEntry price of $19.95 a month and a setup fee of $0 put cost near the top of the range. | 8.5Entry pricing starts at £26.99 and setup fees run £10 to £30, with a published annual rise to factor in. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherNo cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime, and Whole Home WiFi arrives included with Gig plans. | 8.7Speeds top out at 1,600 Mbps on fttp and fttc lines, covering the full range readers compare. |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Astound | EE Store |
|---|---|---|
| SIM-only deals | 1 of 416 | 31 of 416 |
| Broadband providers | 2 of 124 | 9 of 124 |
| Full fibre providers | 2 of 107 | 9 of 107 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Astound | EE Store |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Astound: 1. Additional countries for EE Store: 1.
Also worth a look
Odido Thuis has upload speed (mbps) at 8,000, against 5,000 for Astound and 20 to 115 for EE Store.
Odido Thuis reviewSources behind this comparison
Astound
- astound.com: 17 facts, checked September 30, 2026
EE Store
- ee.co.uk: 13 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Astound | EE Store |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Cable, Fttp | Fttp, Fttc |
| Contract length | 1 | 12, 24 |
| Legal entity | Radiate HoldCo, LLC d/b/a Astound Broadband | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Help centre, Community |
Mobile plans
| Fact | Astound | EE Store |
|---|---|---|
| Seller type | Reseller | Network |
| SIM-only | Yes | Yes |
| Billing | Rolling | Contract, Rolling, PrepaidCovers more |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | £23 |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| eSIM | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Wi-Fi calling | Yes | Not confirmed |
| EU roaming | Paid | Paid |
| Roaming countries | Not confirmed | 47 |
| Data rollover | No | YesHas it |
| Hotspot sharing | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Credit check required | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-line discount | Yes | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Astound | EE Store | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 5,000highest quarter | 1,600above the median | 1,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 5,000highest quarter | 20 to 115below the median | 900 |
Median across 116 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Astound
Pros
- Download of 5,000 Mbps matches upload of 5,000 Mbps, so sending a large file is as quick as downloading one.
- The setup fee is $0, and it ranks 1 of 86 on that measure, ahead of every other brand compared.
- Service runs on cable and fttp, so one provider can cover a cable street or a fibre to the home street.
Cons
- EU roaming is paid, so European travel is billed separately.
- Data rollover is no, so unused mobile allowance does not carry into the next cycle.
- A credit check is required on the mobile side, which adds a step before a line is active.
EE Store
Pros
- Top download speeds reach 1,600 Mbps, with uploads of 20 to 115 Mbps across the range
- Line technology spans fttp and fttc, covering full fibre and fibre to the cabinet
- A Smart Hub 7 Plus with WiFi 7 comes as standard rather than as a paid add-on
Cons
- Entry pricing of £26.99 sits at 72 of 95 brands on price from
- Setup fees of £10 to £30 land at 61 of 86 brands on that measure
- Peak speed of 1,600 Mbps ranks 48 of 114 brands
Who each suits
Astound
Who it suits
- Households in US whose street already has cable or fibre to the home and who want equal download and upload speeds.
- Families adding mobile lines to the same account, where a multi line discount and rolling billing apply.
- Renters and short-stay households, since No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a fibre to the home provider and nothing else, because cable and fttp includes cable while Abissnet and Kinetic list fibre to the home alone.
- Homes a wired network does not reach, where EarthLink adds fttp, 5G and satellite options.
- Travellers who expect European roaming to come included, since EU roaming is paid.
EE Store
Who it suits
- Households in the UK that want broadband and mobile on one network
- People who need the highest download speeds in the range for large downloads and streaming
- Families happy with a 12 and 24 month term for a lower entry price
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers on a very tight budget, since £26.99 is a mid-table entry price rather than a low one
- Anyone wanting phone or chat support, as support runs on help centre and community
- People who want a single line type, since Abissnet runs on fttp alone
Current offers
EE Store
Current offer
Bonus
Up to 300 credit for switching fees: Up to 300
Switch from another provider; up to 200, up to 300 if switching TV too
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Astound | EE Store |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Astound
How much does Astound broadband cost a month?+
Plans start at $19.95 a month on the entry tier. The listed lineup then steps up through Gig and multi-Gig WiFi plans, and every plan shown is on no-contract terms, so the monthly figure is the whole commitment. Whole Home WiFi is included with Gig plans rather than sold as an extra.
Is there a setup or installation fee with Astound broadband?+
Setup costs $0 to add, and in this comparison the brand ranks 1 of 86 for setup fee, ahead of every other brand measured on that point. Equipment also counts: Whole Home WiFi is supplied with Gig plans, with the top tier hardware paired to the quickest speeds.
EE Store
How much does broadband cost at the entry level?+
Broadband starts at £26.99 a month. The reference plan prices set out an entry Core tier at that figure, then faster Core tiers that cost more each month on the same contract length, with terms of 12 and 24 months available. A setup fee of £10 to £30 applies on top of the opening bill.
Does the monthly price go up after the first year?+
Yes, prices rise annually, and the change is shown before signup rather than after. Budget for a higher figure in later years of a 12 and 24 month plan. The median post contract price across the plans listed is €43.
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