Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated September 2026.
McDonald’s and Burger King have been fighting for Britain’s burger money for decades, and one question never goes away: which one is actually cheaper? The answer matters, because the two chains price their menus very differently — and the “cheaper” one can flip depending on what you order.
This comparison uses typical 2026 UK prices. Both chains let restaurants set their own prices, so treat every figure as approximate — but the overall pattern holds across the country.
The headline answer
McDonald’s is cheaper. Across almost every comparable category — signature burgers, standard meals, chicken nuggets, value menus and kids’ meals — McDonald’s UK undercuts Burger King UK. The gap is smallest at the premium end and widest at the budget end, where McDonald’s Saver Menu has no real equivalent at Burger King.
That’s the short version. Here’s the detail.
Signature burgers: Big Mac vs Whopper
- Big Mac — around £4–£5.50 at McDonald’s.
- Whopper — typically £5.50–£7 at Burger King.
The Whopper is a bigger burger in raw terms — a flame-grilled quarter-pound patty with fresh salad — but it costs roughly £1–£2 more than a Big Mac. If you judge purely on price, the Big Mac wins comfortably. If you judge on size and the flame-grilled taste, some will argue the Whopper earns its premium. On price alone, though: McDonald’s.
Signature meals
- Big Mac medium meal — around £5–£7.
- Whopper meal — typically £7.50–£9.50.
This is where the gap really shows. A Whopper meal can cost £2 or more above a Big Mac meal. Both include fries and a drink, and Burger King’s fries portions are generous, but that’s a significant premium for a comparable meal.
Cheeseburgers and budget burgers
- McDonald’s Cheeseburger — around £1.40–£1.90.
- Burger King Cheeseburger — typically £2.50–£3.50.
McDonald’s wins decisively at the budget end. The same goes for the double versions: a McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger (around £2.30–£2.80) undercuts Burger King’s equivalent by a clear margin.
Chicken nuggets
- 6 Chicken McNuggets — around £3.50–£5 at McDonald’s.
- Burger King nuggets (6) — typically £4–£5.50.
McDonald’s is usually cheaper, though nugget prices at both chains vary a lot by location and both run frequent nugget deals that can temporarily flip the maths.
Fries
- McDonald’s medium fries — around £1.10–£2.20.
- Burger King regular fries — typically £2–£3.
Again, McDonald’s comes in cheaper. Burger King’s fries are thicker-cut, which some people prefer, but you’re paying more for them.
Value menus: Saver Menu vs King Deals
This is McDonald’s biggest structural advantage. The McDonald’s Saver Menu offers items from about £1.09 — cheeseburgers, Mayo Chicken, small fries and more, all available all day alongside the main menu.
Burger King’s value offering (marketed under names like King Deals over the years) exists but is generally less extensive and less aggressively priced. Where McDonald’s will sell you a Mayo Chicken for under £2, Burger King’s cheapest substantial items tend to start higher. For anyone eating on a tight budget, McDonald’s is the clear winner.
Kids’ meals: Happy Meal vs King Jr Meal
- McDonald’s Happy Meal — around £2.90–£3.50.
- Burger King King Jr Meal — typically £3.50–£4.50.
The Happy Meal is cheaper and, frankly, more famous — the toy programme is a cultural institution. Burger King’s kids’ meal is fine, but it costs more.
Breakfast
- McDonald’s breakfast — served until 11am daily, with items like porridge (around £1), hash browns (under £1) and the Sausage & Egg McMuffin (around £3.20).
- Burger King breakfast — typically priced higher across the board, with fewer ultra-cheap options.
McDonald’s breakfast operation is also much bigger — more branches serve it, and the value end (porridge, hash browns) has no real rival.
Premium burgers
At the top end, the gap narrows:
- McDonald’s Big Arch — around £8.79, with meals over £10.
- Burger King’s premium burgers (various limited editions and stacked burgers) — often £8–£10 for the burger alone.
Here the two chains are roughly comparable. Burger King has long positioned itself as the slightly more “premium” flame-grilled option, and its top-end pricing reflects that. McDonald’s premium push with the Big Arch has closed the gap.
Delivery
Both chains deliver through Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo, and both charge higher menu prices on delivery apps than in-store. Neither has a systematic price advantage here — but since McDonald’s in-store prices start lower, its delivered prices usually end up lower too.
Where Burger King fights back
To be fair, Burger King isn’t without weapons:
- Deals and vouchers. Burger King UK has a long tradition of paper and app vouchers (two-for-one Whoppers, discounted meals) that can make it cheaper than McDonald’s on a given day — if you have the right voucher.
- The app. Burger King’s app runs regular offers, and some are genuinely aggressive.
- Taste preference. Plenty of people prefer flame-grilled to griddled and will happily pay the premium. Price isn’t everything.
- Melts and limited editions. Burger King’s rotating premium range gives it an edge for customers bored of the standard McDonald’s line-up.
The verdict
| Category | Cheaper chain |
|---|---|
| Signature burger | McDonald’s |
| Signature meal | McDonald’s |
| Budget burgers | McDonald’s (by a lot) |
| Nuggets | McDonald’s (usually) |
| Fries | McDonald’s |
| Value menu | McDonald’s (by a lot) |
| Kids’ meal | McDonald’s |
| Breakfast | McDonald’s |
| Premium burgers | Roughly even |
McDonald’s UK is cheaper than Burger King UK in 2026 across virtually the entire menu. The difference is most dramatic at the budget end, where the Saver Menu operates in territory Burger King doesn’t really contest. Burger King can occasionally win on a specific deal or voucher, and its fans will tell you the flame-grilled taste justifies the premium — but on straightforward menu prices, McDonald’s takes the crown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McDonald’s or Burger King cheaper in the UK?
McDonald’s is cheaper across almost every menu category in 2026, from signature meals to budget burgers to kids’ meals.
How much cheaper is a Big Mac meal than a Whopper meal?
A Big Mac medium meal is typically around £5–£7, while a Whopper meal is usually £7.50–£9.50 — a difference of roughly £2.
Does Burger King have anything like the McDonald’s Saver Menu?
Burger King runs value deals and voucher offers, but nothing as extensive or as cheap as the McDonald’s Saver Menu, where items start from about £1.09.
Which has better deals, McDonald’s or Burger King?
McDonald’s has lower everyday prices plus the MyMcDonald’s app rewards. Burger King counters with voucher deals that can be excellent but are less predictable. For consistent cheapness, McDonald’s wins.
Is Burger King better quality than McDonald’s?
That’s subjective. Burger King’s flame-grilled patties have a distinct taste many people love, and its burgers tend to be larger. Whether that justifies the higher prices is a matter of personal preference.
Do both chains charge the same for delivery?
Delivery fees are set by the apps (Uber Eats, Just Eat, Deliveroo) rather than the chains, but both chains list higher menu prices for delivery than in-store. McDonald’s lower base prices usually mean a cheaper delivered total.
Final thoughts
This isn’t a close contest on price: McDonald’s UK is the cheaper chain in 2026, and it’s not just about the headline burgers. The Saver Menu, the cheaper nuggets, the cheaper kids’ meals and the cheaper breakfast all add up to a structural price advantage. Burger King’s best hope is a well-timed voucher — so if you’re a BK loyalist, keep the app installed and watch for deals. Everyone else: the golden arches remain the budget choice.