Are you looking for a new network but not sure which one to choose? Below we compare the UK’s largest and most popular mobile networks regarding coverage, offers and price, and customer service. Here’s what they did…
When switching to mobile networks, no one should feel like they have to do it all alone. The whole process can be overwhelming due to many factors, including coverage, price, selection of handsets, and customer service.
Here’s a small sample of what each one has to offer.
O2
O2 offers a wide range of deals and all the latest Samsung, Apple, and Huawei handsets. It also offers some very affordable pay-as-you-go SIM tariffs.
However, we love O2’s perks. O2’s Priority App gives customers access to an incredible array of freebies, including tickets for gigs before anyone else.
Highlights from O2
- 15GB 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- Download speed limit
- 3 Months Free Disney+
- PS8.00 per month
- 12-month contract
Three Mobile
Three offers a wide range of handsets and a good selection of SIM-only plans. Its real strength is its data. It is the only UK network that provides truly unlimited data. There are no hidden clauses or ifs. Three’s data are truly limitless.
This, along with the fact that Three’s big data plans are affordable compared to other networks and covers 99.8% of the UK, makes Three an excellent choice for compulsive streamers and people who use Netflix as their commute.
Highlights From Three Mobile
- Unlimited data on 5G
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- Download speed limit
- PS24.00 per month
- Contract for 1 Month
From BT
BT has been a significant player in the mobile market since 2015 when it acquired EE. It’s easy to see why when you take a look at the SIM-only and handset contract options. It offers a variety of SIM-only and monthly plans that will suit any user. There is one catch. You must be a broadband customer to get the best deals. If you are already signed up for broadband, BT is well worth a look.
It also uses EE infrastructure to provide 4G coverage that reaches approximately 99% of Britain.
Highlights from BT
- 10GB 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- Download speed limit
- PS15.00 per month
- 12-month contract
EE
EE is the UK’s largest mobile provider. However, EE offers a wide range of SIM-only, contract and pay-as-you-go tariffs at reasonable price points. The two main plans it offers are Essential and Smart. Essential offers unlimited data, minutes, and texts. It also allows you to access 4G speeds up to 60Mbps. Smart offers all the above but lets you choose three different benefits each month.
These include the BT Sport App, zero-data passes to music streaming, and the option of extending the locations in which you can use your UK allowances at no additional cost.
All customers with all plans get the BT Sport app within the first three months. They also get free streaming of Apple Music for six months. You will be paying more for EE’s network, it is not surprising. We can’t complain too much about the extras and plans offered by EE.
Vodafone
Vodafone offers a lot of options if you are looking for a wide range of choices. Vodafone offers a wide range of mid-range handsets, from high-end Samsung phones and Apple phones to mid-range Android handsets.
Its SIM-only plan is also the cheapest, at just PS10 per month. This is a decent deal compared to other providers.
Vodafone Red is the most affordable option. However, Vodafone offers unlimited calls and texting.
Plusnet Mobile
Plusnet, which BT owns, is your one-stop shop to find SIM-only deals at a low price. You can choose from a 12-month contract or a 30-day contract for SIM deals. The prices are also very affordable, starting at about PS5. You can also add extra minutes, text, and data to your account if you are running low.
Plusnet allows you to apply a Smart Cap every month to ensure that you don’t exceed your allowance. You’ll also have access to award-winning customer support.
Highlights From Plusnet Mobile
- 5GB 4G Data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- Download speed limit
- Existing Broadband customers get an additional 2GB
- PS6.00
- per month
- Contract for 1 Month
Asda Mobile
Asda Mobile, a Virtual Mobile Operator, doesn’t have its own network. Instead, it piggybacks on EE’s.
It will be able to cover the entire UK. It also offers a variety of pay-as-you-go bundles. These range from just PS5 for a few minutes to more than PS20 for unlimited minutes and texts, as well as over 15GB of data. It is a great value for money, no matter how you look at the situation.
Its value more than compensates for asda Mobile’s lack of choice.
VOXI Mobile
Vodafone launched VOXI in 2017 as a separate network. It is aimed at the younger generation.
How can you reach younger generations with a mobile network? VOXI does not offer handset contracts – instead, it offers rolling plans for a period of 30 days. Customers can use social media apps like Instagram and Twitter as many times as they want without consuming data. This is VOXI’s greatest selling point.
Unlimited calls and texts are also included.
Highlights of VOXI
- 8GB 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- Download speed limit
- Unlimited social data
- PS10.00 per month
- Contract for 1 Month
Sky Mobile
Sky Mobile, which was able to rely on O2’s infrastructure for its mobile services, entered the mobile market in 2017.
You have the option of choosing from four data allowances: 1GB or 4GB. You can choose from 8GB, 20GB or 40GB data allowances. Sky TV customers can choose from unlimited streaming, 20GB, and 8GB plans.
There are many options, including the most recent handsets.
It is not the most affordable, but it has a lot to offer.
Highlights From Sky Mobile
- 6GB 4G Data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- Download speed limit
- Sky TV customers get unlimited streaming
- PS8.00 per month
- 12-month contract
Giffgaff
Giffgaff may not have the same features as other networks, but it does provide a good amount of low-cost, 30-day ‘goody bags starting at PS5 per month.
These goody bags can be used to purchase handsets as well as pay monthly plans.
Giffgaff doesn’t have a customer support team that you can call. All queries are answered by the community forum or by an advisor via online chat. Despite this, the price is fantastic. Giffgaff is the best value for money if you are looking for great value.
iD Mobile
iD Mobile, owned by Carphone Warehouse, is a low-cost provider of mobile services that offers a variety of contract options. You won’t receive the same freebies with other networks, but you will find much more affordable deals.
Highlights starting with ID
- 8GB 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- Download speed limit
- Data rollover and bill capping
- PS7.00 per month
- Contract for 1 Month
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile offers all the standard suspects, even though it does not have the largest selection of handsets.
You can also get them on regular or freestyle early-upgrade agreements. These separate your phone bill from the tariff.
Highlights From Virgin
- 5GB of 5G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited
- Download Speed Limit
- Comes with a PS15 Amazon Gift Card
- £6.00 per month
- 12 Month Contract
SMARTY Mobile
SMARTY offers just five sim-only plans for a 30-day period – x small to medium, large, unlimited and large – true to its promise of simplicity.
Smart Mobile also offers a great perk: if you don’t use all of your data within a month, it will discount the next month’s plans. It also uses Three’s network so that around 99% of the population can access its fast 4G.
Tesco Mobile
Tesco Mobile offers a wide range of handsets and contracts.
It is also higher than average for SIM-only plans, which include 12-month deals and 30-day rolling contracts and 12-month plans.
Who has the best mobile coverage?
EE has the best mobile coverage in the UK. We don’t recommend that you pick a network solely based on its coverage.
Once you have a list of available networks in your area, compare the best deals using one of our deals tables. Filtering can be done for data, price, and minutes.
Which network offers the best deals?
You can see that each mobile network offers different deals, created for other users. Which one you choose will depend on your needs.
Vodafone offers a huge range of handsets to choose from if you are looking for the latest model.
If you are looking for value, both Plusnet and Giffgaff have SIM-only plans that are delightfully affordable. Plus, Plusnet’s customer service is unbeatable.
EE is the best for coverage. O2 has the best perks and freebies.
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