1pMobile vs giffgaff: which low-cost network is better?

✔ Better call signal on giffgaff, better 4G data on 1p

Both 1pMobile and giffgaff piggyback off other networks for signal. 1pMobile use EE’s network, while giffgaff use O2’s network, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages over each other.

For calls (3G/2G), giffgaff hold a decent advantage. They’re on the joint-largest network for calls, while 1p’s call signal is a bit less widespread. And indoor call signal blackspots are more common on 1pMobile.

But 1pMobile get access to the biggest UK network for 4G data coverage, covering more of the UK’s landmass and areas where people live than giffgaff. You’re more likely to stay on 4G as you move around on 1p.

Best current SIM only deals on 1pMobile and giffgaff

In all, we think it’s more important for a network to have good 4G signal as it gives you much better speeds than you’d get on 3G (and can also be used for calling). So 1p’s 4G advantage is more impactful.

Useful link: 1pMobile’s coverage map | giffgaff’s coverage map

✔ 5G coverage is very close between the two

1pMobile and giffgaff both offer 5G access on all of their plans at no added cost. Last time we checked, 1pMobile provided 5G in 336+ UK towns and cities and giffgaff had it live in a massive 2000+ locations.

But that doesn’t quite tell the whole picture. Firstly, 1pMobile only claim a location as covered once you get 5G in 50% of its area. That means 1p have 5G in more places than they claim, just with worse coverage.

It also means 1pMobile typically provide more widespread 5G in their live locations than giffgaff, who tend to only have 5G in more populated areas such as transport hubs, stadiums and so on.

Still, it’s worth checking 5G coverage on both networks using their signal maps here. You may find your local area is covered on one and not the other, so have a look before you make your decision.

Useful link: Our guide to the best 5G networks

✔ 4G data speeds are much faster on 1pMobile than giffgaff

We use results from independent network testers Opensignal to show what typical 4G data speeds look like on each network. Their most recent report shows 1pMobile coming out ahead of giffgaff.

They measured typical 4G data speeds of 40 Mbps on 1pMobile’s hosts and 20.9 Mbps on giffgaff’s. 1pMobile’s results have been consistently faster than giffgaff’s over time and there’s no real signs of that changing.

In our real life tests we got speeds up to 130+ Mbps on 1pMobile and 95 Mbps on giffgaff in the city centre. In rural areas, we went as low as 5 Mbps on both networks, so we can see how it all averages out.

For the most part, you’ll consistently get much faster speeds on 1pMobile than on giffgaff. Most users won’t notice a huge difference, but if you use your SIM for data heavy activities you’ll definitely prefer 1p.

Useful link: Our full 1pMobile network review

✔ 1pMobile also have the faster 5G data speeds

There are no speed caps on 1pMobile’s plans, while giffgaff cap speeds after you use 100GB on their Always On plans. Otherwise you get full speeds. We use Opensignal and Speedtest’s results to measure 5G speeds.

Best current 5G SIM only plans on 1pMobile and giffgaff

They showed typical 5G speeds of 99.5 Mbps - 108.91 Mbps on 1pMobile’s hosts, with peak speeds up to 272.77 Mbps. In contrast, speeds on giffgaff’s hosts sat between 77.0 Mbps - 78.88 Mbps with peaks of 208.14 Mbps.

5G speed results on both have gone down quite dramatically over time, meaning 1pMobile are in joint-third place for 5G speeds while giffgaff are in joint-last. But it’s still an improvement over their 4G speeds.

So if you need the fastest 5G speeds possible, you’ll be happier on 1pMobile than on giffgaff, but they’re still beaten by other networks for 5G (read our guide here). Either way, 1pMobile take this one.

Useful link: Our guide to the best 5G networks for speeds

✔ Only 1pMobile offer WiFi calling between them

We said above that 1pMobile can struggle to provide call signal indoors. This is where WiFi calling and 4G calling come in handy by letting your phone connect to WiFi or 4G signal where there’s no conventional call signal.

Between the two networks, only 1pMobile offer WiFi and 4G calling features. You can also send and receive texts over WiFi/4G and transfer from a WiFi to a 4G call without it dropping, which not every network offers.

giffgaff do offer access to lots of WiFi hotspots on the Underground and around 8000 overground hotspots. This is something giffgaff offer that 1p don’t, but WiFi calling is a more important feature in our eyes.

In terms of other network features both are fairly thin on the ground. Both let you tether without limits, but that’s really it. In all, 1p’s impressive WiFi calling scheme beats out giffgaff’s WiFi hotspots for us.

Useful link: Our guide to the best WiFi calling networks

✔ 1pMobile’s EU roaming scheme is one of the best

While many of the larger networks have removed inclusive EU roaming from their plans, 1pMobile have kept theirs in place. You roam in these 46 EU countries at no added cost on all of 1p’s plans.

Best current 1pMobile SIM only plans with EU roaming

You can use your regular UK mins and texts while there and up to 14GB of your data allowance. That’s more than enough for most people going on a short trip and is more flexible than what a lot of networks offer.

If you’re a Pay As You Go customer you’ll also get the same 1p per min, text and MB of data rates in their EU roaming destinations as you would in the UK. So they’re the best choice for roaming on PAYG.

1pMobile don’t offer any inclusive roaming beyond the EU, so for going further afield you’ll have to top up and pay at these rates. That can get expensive fast, so it’s best to keep your usage to a minimum while there.

Useful link: See all of 1pMobile’s inclusive EU roaming destinations

✔ giffgaff’s EU roaming is less flexible but still good

giffgaff have also kept their inclusive EU roaming scheme in place, letting you use your plan in the EU at no extra cost (check destinations here). You get it on all of their SIM only deals.

Best giffgaff SIM only deals with inclusive EU roaming

But you will be limited to 5GB of your data allowance while in the EU. That will still be enough for most people, but will feel more restrictive for heavy data users compared to 1pMobile’s roaming scheme.

They also don’t offer any inclusive roaming beyond the EU, so you’ll have to top up at pay at these rates while there. They’re very steep, so you’ll tend to eat through your credit quite quickly.

In all, giffgaff fall behind 1pMobile here as you’re more restricted in how much data you can use in the EU. Neither are winning any awards for worldwide roaming, but that’s what we expect from smaller networks.

Useful link: Our guide to the best EU and worldwide roaming schemes

✔ giffgaff offer a bit more for their customers’ loyalty

Both networks have basically identical schemes that give you free credit for referring friends or family members to their network. You get £5 free credit for each person you refer to either 1pMobile or giffgaff.

But you can get free credit for answering questions on giffgaff’s community forum. And you can become a Super Recruiter by referring 14 people to them, giving you more credit for each person you refer after that.

Honestly we doubt many will make full use of that, but it is something that giffgaff offer that 1pMobile don’t. And you also get special offers on certain services on giffgaff, which they call “member perks”.

So giffgaff come out just ahead of 1pMobile here. There is potential to get some excellent value by engaging with the giffgaff community, we just don’t think most people will bother doing this.

Useful link: Our guide to the best customer loyalty reward schemes

✔ 1pMobile have much better customer service than giffgaff

Lots of smaller networks cut costs by not having call centres. But 1pMobile are a budget network that let you call them up to get help. You can call them between 9am - 5pm from Monday to Sunday.

Those are decently flexible hours, so you should be able to fit it around your work schedule. But if you’d prefer not to call you can use their online chat agent. We found they responded quickly and were very helpful.

The main downside is that calling them up on PAYG will use up your credit. It’s the same cheap 1p rate, but it’s still an extra cost. But if you have a plan with unlimited mins then you don’t have to pay extra.

giffgaff do have a nice community help forum, but no over-the-phone services or online chat. So if you can’t find a solution to your problem, you’ll have to wait until someone puts a correct answer on the forum.

Useful link: Our guide to the best customer service networks

✔ giffgaff’s international calling rates are cheaper

If you’ve got friends or family abroad, you probably know how expensive it can get to call them. Thankfully, giffgaff offer some really low rates for calling abroad compared to most networks.

Calls to East Europe are just 1p per min. To Western Europe, India and most of North America calls are only 2p per min. Calls are 9p - 10p to South Africa and Nigeria, which is really good compared to some networks.

If you’re calling Bangladesh it’s 5p per minute and it’s 8p per minute to make calls to Pakistan. To New Zealand and Australia it’s 10p per minute. Again, that’s much cheaper per minute than most networks.

1pMobile actually aren’t a bad choice for international calls with some decently low rates. But they’re consistently more expensive than 1pMobile for calling abroad across lots of different countries.

Useful link: Our guide to the best international calling networks