Looking at buying a SIM from a network that uses Vodafone infrastructure?
In this guide, we’ve looked at the best mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that piggyback off Vodafone.
For each provider, we’ve assessed them based on their speeds and coverage, value for money, customer service, and more, to see which is best.
Best Vodafone-powered mobile networks
1. VOXI
VOXI is an MVNO owned by Vodafone that uses Vodafone infrastructure to service its customers.
They have a range of cheap SIM-only deals available to choose from, with very competitive monthly costs, especially compared to their parent network.
The unique thing about VOXI is they often include data-free access to social media, music, or video streaming apps on their SIM plans. For example, on some tariffs, you can use Facebook and Instagram, YouTube, or Spotify without it counting towards your allowance.
This can often allow you to get away with a much lower data limit compared to using another provider, helping you save money on your SIM plan.
VOXI also has a good range of phones available on a contract, which is rare to see from an MVNO.
They offer the option to get an eSIM, and WiFi calling and unrestricted 5G speeds are included as standard on all VOXI SIMs.
The downside to VOXI is, their customer service is a bit basic.
You still get access to Vodafone’s UK-based customer support team, which is good, but they don’t have a phone number you can use to reach them.
Instead, you’ll have to use their live chat, which involves going through an AI chatbot before you can speak to a human, which can be a bit difficult.
2. Lebara
Lebara is a bit more of a basic provider compared to VOXI, but they’re a really great choice for international roaming.
Using a Lebara SIM plan, you can use up to 30GB of your allowance each month in a really good range of countries, including most of the EU, as well as India.
In most other countries you want to roam in, you can buy a fairly cheap roaming add-on to get inclusive data, minutes and texts using your Lebara SIM, which very few other MVNOs (Vodafone or not) allow you to do.
Their SIM-only deals are very good value to begin with, though unlike VOXI, Lebara doesn’t offer the option of getting an eSIM at the moment.
You do get the option of committing to a 12 month SIM plan if you want though, which can help reduce your monthly costs – though flexible pay as you go tariffs are available as well.
3. Talkmobile
Talkmobile is another more basic SIM-only deals provider, which uses the Vodafone network.
Like Lebara, they offer the choice of a 12 month or 1 month plan, and include unlimited calls and texts to UK numbers on all of their plans.
There is also the choice of getting an eSIM, and WiFi calling is supported as standard.
Talkmobile’s prices are generally very low, though their SIMs don’t come with extras such as data-free social media usage, like you get with VOXI.
There aren’t a huge range of different tariffs on offer with Talkmobile – there is no unlimited data SIM for example, which is a bit of a downside.
Also, because their prices are so low, their roaming allowances aren’t the best on the market.
4. Vodafone
If you want a SIM on the Vodafone network, it can also be worth considering buying a SIM from them directly.
Though Vodafone SIM plans are expensive if you buy on their website, they do come with extra benefits, such as inclusive roaming in the EU, America, Australia, and more, depending on your plan.
Also, Vodafone can offer good value for money on pay monthly phone plans, if you’re looking for a new handset.
You can also buy Vodafone pay monthly phone contracts from other sellers such as Mobiles.co.uk for a cheaper price as well.
Just be aware, when buying from Vodafone directly, your 5G speeds may be limited to 100 Mbps if you don’t get a “5G Ultra” plan.
This is not the case with most Vodafone MVNOs like VOXI or Lebara.
What you need to know about buying a Vodafone network SIM
Below, we’ve explained some good things to know when looking for a Vodafone network SIM to buy.
Which mobile networks use Vodafone?
Currently, there are only a few mobile networks that piggyback off Vodafone. These are:
- VOXI (owned by Vodafone)
- Lebara
- Talkmobile
- Asda Mobile
What effect will the Vodafone-Three merger have on Vodafone MVNOs?
Vodafone is currently in the process of merging its network with Three. The two companies are forming a single entity, 51% owned by Vodafone.
This means that certain Three MVNOs will begin to get access to the Vodafone network, as the merger continues, and some Vodafone MVNOs will be able to access Three’s infrastructure as well.
For example, Smarty (a Three MVNO) is now owned by the merged company (since it was previously owned by Three), and their customers are beginning to get access to the Vodafone network.
Smarty SIMs will begin connecting to either Vodafone or Three, depending on which is best in a given area, as the merger process continues.
We expect something similar will happen with VOXI in the near future, as it is also now owned by the merged company.
Other Three/Vodafone MVNOs, such as iD Mobile, may also negotiate access to the combined network. They may also stick with just Three/Vodafone, or switch to other parent networks, such as O2.
What are the pros of the Vodafone network?
The main advantage of the Vodafone network, compared to the rest of the big four, is its 5G coverage and availability.
It offers very fast 5G speeds, as well as strong 4G performance in urban and suburban areas as well.
Since Vodafone is merging with Three, their 5G speeds will become even faster over time, because Three has the fastest 5G of any of the big four (Vodafone is likely in second or tied for second with EE).
Also, Vodafone MVNOs can be a good choice if you want a high data limit for a low monthly cost.
Some of their sub-networks, like VOXI, offer particularly good value for money if you use a lot of data.
What are the cons of the Vodafone network?
The downside to Vodafone is its overall coverage is not the best, especially in remote parts of the UK.
EE and O2 both outperform Vodafone in rural areas, in terms of 4G availability and consistency when making calls.
When buying from Vodafone directly, their prices can be very expensive. However, this isn’t normally an issue using an MVNO like VOXI or Lebara.
Also, Vodafone and its MVNOs don’t tend to offer very strong roaming allowances.
The exception to this is if you buy an expensive pay monthly SIM plan from Vodafone directly, or use Lebara, which has quite good free roaming allowances, including in India, which is quite rare to see.
How other networks compare to Vodafone
Essentially, Vodafone is a good all-rounder compared to the other big four networks.
The network has good 4G availability, but not as good as EE or O2 in rural parts of the UK.
It also has fast 5G speeds, but not as good as Three’s, and EE is also faster in some areas. Plus, Vodafone often has speed caps on their SIMs when you buy from them directly.
Vodafone’s prices can be quite expensive, but they’re not as expensive as EE at the moment.
Fortunately, when you use a Vodafone sub-network like VOXI, you can overcome many of the downsides to this network – especially their high monthly costs and 5G speed limits.
Most Vodafone MVNOs offer unrestricted 5G speeds, no matter which SIM plan you buy, which should offer you at least 100-200 Mbps in areas with good 5G signal.
Other non-Vodafone MVNOs worth considering
Apart from the Vodafone networks we’ve looked at above, there are some other MVNOs you might like to consider using, in certain circumstances.
- If you want faster average 5G speeds, you might like to choose a Three MVNO, like Smarty or iD Mobile.
- If you want better 4G coverage in the countryside, it can be worth using an EE-based network, like spusu or 1pMobile.
- If you want a higher inclusive roaming allowance, iD Mobile (Three) or Tesco Mobile (O2) may be worth looking at.
Conclusion
You’ve reached the end of our guide to Vodafone MVNOs.
In our opinion, VOXI or Lebara are typically the best choices if you want a SIM on the Vodafone network, depending on whether you want the highest possible data limit, with inclusive social media/music/video app usage, or need a plan with strong roaming allowances.
Talkmobile can be worth considering if you want a basic SIM for a cheaper price, but VOXI and Lebara offer better value for money at the moment.
If you’re not sure which Vodafone network to choose, leave us a comment below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
About the author
Tom is the founder of Green Smartphones. You’ll find him writing about phones on the Green Smartphones blog, or talking about SIM deals and mobile networks on our YouTube channel. He’s the Android expert on the team – currently using a Google Pixel 9, recently upgrading from a very long-suffering Note 20 Ultra. When he’s not working on Green Smartphones, you’ll find him playing football or hiking.