Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Optimum vs toob
Optimum vs toob: the differences
| Compare | Optimum ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  toob |
|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 8,000Higher | 2,300 |
| Price from | $30 | £18 |
| Reference plan prices | 300 Mbps Internet: $30/mo, 300 Mbps, no contract; 500 Mbps Internet: $40/mo, 500 Mbps, no contract; 8 Gig Fiber Internet: $90/mo, 8000 Mbps, no contract | home150: GBP 18/month, 150 Mbps, 24 months home900: GBP 23/month, 900 Mbps, 24 months home2300: GBP 29/month, 2300 Mbps, 24 months |
| Setup fee | $150 | £0 |
| Mid-contract price rises | Price increases after promo period ends | GBP 2 annual increase each April from 2026 |
| Exit fee terms | No contracts - cancel without early termination fees | Early termination: monthly fee minus GBP 7 x remaining full months |
| Router | Rent up to $14/mo unless you opt out | Linksys Wi-Fi 7 router included |
| Markets | US | GB |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | Not confirmed | 2,300 |
| Price after contract | Not confirmed | £26 to £37 |
| Static IP | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Social tariff | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Address checker | Not confirmed | https://www.toob.co.uk/home/residential-order/ |
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
- toob scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.3.
- Top download speed (Mbps) is higher at Optimum: 8,000 vs 2,300.
- Technology: only Optimum offers Cable.
- Contract length: only toob offers 12, 24.
- Markets: only Optimum offers US.
- Markets: only toob offers GB.
Our verdict on each
Optimum
Optimum suits US households that want a fast line with no contract attached, and its top plan reaches 8,000 Mbps. What you weigh is the joining cost: a setup fee of $150 and a router that is rented unless you opt out.
toob
toob suits UK households that want full fibre with uploads matching downloads, and it sits 5 of 36 brands on the monthly price kept after the term ends. The trade-off is the annual increase each April, so the later bill sits well above the opening figure.
Score breakdown
| Area | Optimum | toob |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.6Entry price of $30 looks fair, but Price increases after promo period ends and a $150 setup fee weigh on the total. | 9.7HigherEntry at £18 a month, no setup fee, and a renewal band of £26 to £37 sit well inside the field. |
| Offer | 9.8HigherSpeeds of 8,000 Mbps on terms of 1 month, with both cable and fibre available. | 9.2Full fibre at 2,300 Mbps down and 2,300 Mbps up, plus a social tariff and a static IP. |
| Trust | 9.8A US operator trading since 1996 under Optimum Communications, Inc., with US as its market. | Not confirmed |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Optimum | toob |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Optimum: 1. Additional countries for toob: 1.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Optimum | toob |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband providers | 36 of 124 | 30 of 124 |
| Full fibre providers | 23 of 107 | 18 of 107 |
| Broadband without a long contract | 15 of 46 | 11 of 46 |
A third option
Singtel has top download speed (mbps) at 10,000, against 8,000 for Optimum and 2,300 for toob.
Singtel reviewSources behind this comparison
Optimum
- highspeedinternet.com: 5 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 4 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- allconnect.com: 3 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- broadbandnow.com: 1 fact, checked September 30, 2026
toob
- toob.co.uk: 16 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Optimum | toob |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Cable, FttpCovers more | Fttp |
| Contract length | 1 | 1, 12, 24Covers more |
| Legal entity | Optimum Communications, Inc. | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1996 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Optimum | toob | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 8,000highest quarter | 2,300above the median | 1,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | Not confirmed | 2,300highest quarter | 900 |
| Price after contract | Not confirmed | £26 to £37lowest quarter | £37 |
Median across 116 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Optimum
Pros
- No contract: No contracts - cancel without early termination fees, so moving or switching does not cost an early termination charge.
- Top-end speed: 8,000 Mbps, well above Astound at 5,000 Mbps.
- Choice of line type: cable and fttp, so cable and fibre both come from one provider.
Cons
- Setup fee of $150 ranks 86 out of 86 on the site's setup fee table, the expensive end of that list.
- Rent up to $14/mo unless you opt out adds a monthly equipment cost unless you opt out and bring your own kit.
- Renewal risk: Price increases after promo period ends, so the figure you pay after the promo period can sit above the $30 entry price.
toob
Pros
- Setup is free, and toob sits 1 of 86 on the setup fee ranking.
- Upload speed of 2,300 Mbps puts toob at 10 of 46 on the upload table.
- Once the term ends, bills of £26 to £37 place toob at 5 of 36 brands.
Cons
- The £18 entry is introductory: the terms add an annual increase each April, so the later bill is higher.
- Coverage is GB only, and the service runs on fttp, so a full fibre build has to reach your address.
- Early termination charges apply, worked out as the monthly fee less a set amount for each remaining full month.
Who each suits
Optimum
Who it suits
- Households that want a very fast line but no long commitment, and would otherwise settle for Astound at 5,000 Mbps.
- People likely to move or switch provider often, since No contracts - cancel without early termination fees keeps leaving cheap.
- US households that want one provider for both cable and fibre lines: cable and fttp.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers outside US, who can compare EarthLink instead for fttp, 5G and satellite and a wider choice of ways to connect.
- Fibre-only buyers, who may prefer Abissnet running fttp across its footprint.
- Shoppers who want no joining bill, since the $150 setup fee ranks 86 out of 86 and Astound's terms are worth checking first.
toob
Who it suits
- Households in the UK on a full fibre line that want uploads as quick as downloads, at 2,300 Mbps.
- Anyone who wants a static IP and a Linksys Wi-Fi 7 router included without buying extra kit.
- Households that qualify for the social tariff.
Who should look elsewhere
- People outside GB: EarthLink lists 5G and satellite as well as fibre: fttp, 5G and satellite.
- Buyers chasing the highest headline speed: Abissnet is listed at 10,000 Mbps against 2,300 Mbps here.
- Shoppers who want cable in the mix: Astound lists it alongside fibre: cable and fttp.
Current offers
toob
Current offer
First period offer
2300 Mbps for GBP 29 a month on 24 months: GBP 29/month
New customers only, 24-month contract, varies by location
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Bonus
Up to 9 months free broadband: up to GBP 207 bill credit
New 24-month home900 customers in contract elsewhere; evidence within 21 days
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Optimum | toob |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Optimum
What does Optimum cost to get started?+
The entry price is $30 a month, the cheapest plan on the list. Installation is a separate setup fee of $150. Budget for both in the first month, because the setup cost does not appear in the monthly price and it sits at the expensive end of the site's setup fee table.
Do I have to sign a contract with Optimum?+
Contract terms apply: No contracts - cancel without early termination fees. Plan terms are listed as 1 month, so the commitment is measured in months rather than years. That makes Optimum a straightforward option if you expect to move home, since leaving does not trigger an early termination charge.
toob
What does toob cost to get started?+
The entry plan starts at £18 a month, and the setup fee is £0, so nothing is added to the opening invoice. Available contract lengths are 1, 12 and 24 months, so a short term and a long one both sit on the same list.
What will I pay once the contract ends?+
After the initial term the monthly bill moves to £26 to £37, depending on the plan you pick. That places toob at 5 of 36 brands on the price you keep, among the stronger positions on this measure. Ask for the renewal rate in writing before you sign.
Other options to compare
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