Quick Answer: Free vs SFR
Free is France’s second-largest broadband provider with 22 million subscribers under the Iliad Group. Free offers commitment-free Freebox fiber plans with speeds up to 8 Gbps and Wi-Fi 7 technology starting at EUR 24.99 per month.
SFR serves approximately 22 million subscribers under Altice France. SFR provides fiber up to 8 Gbps and unique cable (DOCSIS 3.1) coverage from the former Numericable network. Plans start at EUR 30.99 with commitment, or EUR 20.99 via RED by SFR.
Quick verdict: Free for faster speeds and included streaming. RED by SFR for the cheapest basic fiber in France.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The table below shows the main differences between Free and SFR across key features.
| Feature | Free | SFR |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Iliad Group | Altice France |
| Subscribers | 22 million | 21.9 million |
| Founded | 1999 | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Paris | Paris |
| Max Download Speed | 8 Gbps (XGS-PON) | 8 Gbps (XGS-PON) |
| Average Download (nPerf 2025) | 451 Mbps | 340 Mbps |
| Average Upload | 326 Mbps | 267 Mbps |
| Starting Price | EUR 24.99/month | EUR 30.99/month (EUR 20.99 via RED) |
| Commitment | None | 12 months (SFR brand) |
| Cable Coverage | No | Yes (DOCSIS 3.1) |
| Wi-Fi Technology | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Streaming Included | Netflix, Disney+, Prime (Ultra plan) | No streaming subscriptions |
Test Your Free Speed | Test Your SFR Speed
Speed Comparison
Fiber Broadband Speed
Free delivers faster real-world speeds than SFR based on independent testing data from nPerf 2025.
Free Average Speeds:
- Download: 451 Mbps
- Upload: 326 Mbps
- Freebox Pop S: up to 5 Gbps
- Freebox Ultra: up to 8 Gbps (XGS-PON)
SFR Average Speeds:
- Download: 340 Mbps
- Upload: 267 Mbps
- Fibre Power S: up to 1 Gbps
- Fibre Premium: up to 8 Gbps (XGS-PON)
SFR improved its average speed by 20% year over year in 2025 but still ranks fourth among France’s four major ISPs.
Winner: Free leads by 111 Mbps in average download and 59 Mbps in upload.
Run Speed Test Now to check your actual connection speed.
Coverage Comparison
Fiber Coverage
Both providers cover most urban and suburban areas in France. Free operates its own fiber-to-the-home network and has regulated access to Orange and SFR infrastructure. SFR has its own FTTH network plus cable broadband from the former Numericable system.
Free:
- Own FTTH network in major cities
- Access to Orange and SFR fiber infrastructure
- Available in Paris, Lille, Toulouse, Montpellier, and overseas territories
- 5G fixed wireless box for areas without fiber
SFR:
- Own FTTH network plus XGS-PON in newer installations
- DOCSIS 3.1 cable in buildings with Numericable wiring
- Strong cable presence in Marseille, Lyon, and Paris suburbs
- 5G Home box for fiber-gap areas
Winner: SFR has a slight edge due to dual-technology coverage (fiber plus cable), but Free matches in most locations.
Pricing Comparison
All prices are in EUR. Prices exclude promotional offers that may vary by season.
Free Fiber Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price | Commitment | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freebox Pop S | 5 Gbps | EUR 24.99/month | None | Wi-Fi 7, no price increase |
| Freebox Pop | 5 Gbps | EUR 29.99/month | None | 230+ TV channels, EUR 39.99 after 12 months |
| Freebox Ultra | 8 Gbps | EUR 49.99/month | None | Netflix, Disney+, Prime, 340+ channels |
| Freebox 5G | 5G speeds | EUR 39.99/month | None | 5G fixed wireless, portable box |
SFR Fiber Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price | Commitment | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RED by SFR | 500 Mbps | EUR 20.99/month | None | Internet only, no TV |
| Fibre Power S | 1 Gbps | EUR 30.99/month | 12 months | 160+ TV channels |
| Fibre Power | 2 Gbps | EUR 36.99/month | 12 months | 200+ TV channels |
| Fibre Premium | 8 Gbps | EUR 44.99/month | 12 months | 200+ channels, premium content |
Winner: RED by SFR is cheapest at EUR 20.99 but offers only 500 Mbps. Free’s Freebox Pop S at EUR 24.99 delivers 5 Gbps with no commitment and no price hike.
Pros and Cons
Free Advantages
- Faster average speeds at 451 Mbps download (nPerf 2025)
- No commitment on any plan, prices stay fixed
- Freebox Ultra includes Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime at EUR 49.99
- Wi-Fi 7 router included on all plans
- 5G fixed wireless option where fiber is unavailable
- Free Wi-Fi 7 repeater available on request
Free Disadvantages
- No physical retail stores for in-person support
- Customer service is primarily online
- Freebox Pop price rises from EUR 29.99 to EUR 39.99 after 12 months
- Wi-Fi performance trailed Bouygues in 2025 tests
SFR Advantages
- RED by SFR is the cheapest fiber in France at EUR 20.99
- Cable (DOCSIS 3.1) coverage in buildings without fiber
- 200+ TV channels on Power and Premium plans
- Improved speeds 20% year over year in 2025
SFR Disadvantages
- Ranked fourth among French ISPs at 340 Mbps average download
- All SFR branded plans require 12-month commitment
- Prices increase after the first-year promotional period
- Parent company Altice France filed for bankruptcy protection in 2025
- Customer service scores low in satisfaction surveys
Which Should You Choose?
The right provider depends on your usage, budget, and location. The table below matches common use cases to the better option.
| Use Case | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest basic internet | RED by SFR | EUR 20.99 for 500 Mbps, no commitment |
| Best speed per euro | Free | 5 Gbps at EUR 24.99, no commitment |
| Streaming household | Free | Netflix, Disney+, Prime included at EUR 49.99 |
| TV channels | SFR | 200+ channels on Power and Premium plans |
| No commitment needed | Free | All Freebox plans are commitment-free |
| Cable broadband area | SFR | Only SFR offers cable (DOCSIS 3.1) in some buildings |
| Rural without fiber | Either | Both offer 5G fixed wireless alternatives |
| Best Wi-Fi performance | Free | Wi-Fi 7 included vs SFR’s Wi-Fi 6E |
How to Run a Fair Speed Test
To compare Free and SFR accurately, test under identical conditions. Use the same device, same location, and same connection method for each provider.
Test steps:
- Connect to your router with an ethernet cable for the most accurate result.
- Close all background applications, streaming, and downloads.
- Run 3 tests during off-peak hours and 3 during peak evening hours (8-11 PM).
- Compare download, upload, and latency together.
- Note your plan tier for context.
Speed tests over Wi-Fi will be limited by your router’s wireless capacity, not your fiber connection. Always test on ethernet when comparing providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, Free or SFR?
Free averages 451 Mbps download versus SFR’s 340 Mbps according to nPerf 2025 testing data. Free also leads in upload speed at 326 Mbps compared to SFR’s 267 Mbps. Both providers offer up to 8 Gbps on XGS-PON fiber, but Free delivers better real-world performance.
Is RED by SFR better than Free?
RED by SFR at EUR 20.99 per month is cheaper than Free’s EUR 24.99 Freebox Pop S. However, RED offers only 500 Mbps while Free delivers 5 Gbps. RED also has no TV channels or streaming services. For pure budget internet, RED wins on price. For value, Free offers 10 times the speed for EUR 4 more.
Does Free or SFR have better customer service?
Neither provider scores especially well in customer satisfaction surveys. Free offers no physical stores, relying on online and phone support. SFR has retail locations but receives frequent complaints about response times. Both providers have self-service apps for account management and basic troubleshooting.
Can I get cable internet from Free?
No. Free only provides fiber-to-the-home and 5G fixed wireless broadband. Cable broadband via DOCSIS 3.1 is available only from SFR, inherited from the Numericable network. If your building has only cable wiring and no fiber, SFR is likely your main high-speed option.
Which provider is more financially stable?
The Iliad Group (Free’s parent) reported EUR 10 billion in annual revenue and continues expanding across France, Italy, and Poland. Altice France (SFR’s parent) filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in 2025. SFR continues normal operations, but the financial situation adds uncertainty.
Summary
Free delivers faster average speeds at 451 Mbps download, commitment-free plans, and streaming bundles that include Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime on the EUR 49.99 Freebox Ultra. Starting at EUR 24.99 for 5 Gbps with Wi-Fi 7, Free offers the best speed-per-euro value among French ISPs.
SFR averages 340 Mbps but improved 20% in 2025. Its main advantages are cable broadband coverage from the Numericable network and the budget RED by SFR brand at EUR 20.99 per month. SFR branded plans require a 12-month commitment and prices increase after the promotional period.
Choose Free for faster speeds and included streaming services. Choose RED by SFR for the cheapest basic fiber internet in France. If your building only has cable wiring, SFR may be your only high-speed option.
Test Free Speed | Test SFR Speed
Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Data Sources: Free.fr, SFR.fr, Iliad Group financial reports, nPerf 2025 speed barometer