1pMobile vs Lebara: which provider has the best network?

✔ Call signal is stronger on Lebara, 4G data is better on 1p

Both 1pMobile and Lebara are budget providers that piggyback off other networks for signal. 1pMobile use EE’’s network, while Lebara use Vodafone. So what are the differences between them?

Lebara win when it comes to call signal (2G/3G), as they’re on the joint-largest network for calls. 1pMobile have a smaller amount of the UK’s landmass covered and indoor call signal tends to be a weakness.

But 1pMobile clearly win when it comes to 4G data coverage, as they’re on the most widespread network for 4G (see 5G below). If you live rurally or travel around a lot, 1p will usually be the better bet.

Between them, we’d say 1pMobile provide the better overall mix of call and data signal, but it is close. It’s worth using both networks’ coverage maps below to check signal your area on either.

Useful link: Lebara coverage map | 1pMobile coverage map

✔ 5G is live in more locations on 1pMobile than Lebara

Both 1p and Lebara also offer full access to their hosts' 5G networks on all of their plans. As it stands, that means 1pMobile come out ahead of Lebara for 5G coverage (read our guide to the best 5G networks).

Best current 5G plans on Lebara and 1pMobile

1pMobile have 5G live in 336+ UK towns and cities while Lebara have it in roughly 160+ locations. But 1pMobile actually provide 5G in even more places than that, as EE only claim a location to be 5G once it's available in 50% of that area.

Our research finds you'll get 5G across a larger area within 1pMobile’s 5G stated locations than Lebara too. On Lebara 5G's concentrated more in populated areas like transport hubs or stadiums.

But as with any mobile coverage, it changes from one city to another, so it’s worth using both networks’ coverage maps here as you might get 5G near you on one and not the other.

Useful link: Our guide to the best 5G networks

✔ 1pMobile have the faster 4G data speeds

You might think joining a cheaper network would give you inferior speeds, but that’s not the case on 1pMobile or Lebara. Our tests have always found identical 4G data speeds to being on their hosts directly.

According to network testers Opensignal, you can expect typical speeds of 40 Mbps on 1pMobile and 25.9 Mbps on Lebara. That gives 1p a decent advantage, but what does it mean in real life?

In our tests, we got speeds as low as 5 Mbps in the countryside on 1pMobile and around 130+ Mbps in the city centre. Similarly, we went as low as 5 Mbps in rural areas on Lebara and up to 110+ Mbps in the city.

1pMobile consistently come out as the faster network for 4G speeds. So for data heavy activities like HD streaming or file sharing, you’ll prefer 1p. And 1p are a fantastic alternative to joining EE directly.

Useful link: Read our full 1pMobile review

✔ Lebara have the faster 5G data speeds

While 1pMobile may have the better 5G coverage, Lebara have actually overtaken them when it comes to 5G speeds, according to independent network testers Opensignal and Speedtest by Ookla.

They showed typical 5G speeds of 99.5 Mbps - 108.91 Mbps on 1pMobile’s hosts, with peak speeds up to 272.77 Mbps. On Lebara’s hosts, typical speeds sit between 114.3 Mbps - 146.19 Mbps with peaks of 315.35 Mbps.

5G speed results on 1pMobile have gone down over time, while speeds have gradually increased on Lebara. For gaming, file sharing or other data heavy activities, Lebara are clearly the better choice here.

However, the vast majority of users can be happy with either. Unless you need the fastest possible speeds, this shouldn’t decide which of the two networks is the best for you.

Useful link: The best UK networks for 5G speeds and coverage

✔ 1pMobile’s WiFi calling works on more devices than Lebara’s

You can run into indoor calling blackspots on either network. That’s where WiFi calling and 4G calling come in handy by letting you connect to calls and texts via WiFi and 4G signal where 3G/2G signal is weak.

Both 1p and Lebara offer these features, let you send texts over WiFi and 4G and let you transfer a call from WiFi to 4G without it dropping. The difference is that 1p support a lot more devices for WiFi calling.

If you’re on an older Android device WiFi calling is more likely to work on 1p than on Lebara. You can check 1p’s WiFi calling guide here and which devices are supported on Lebara using Vodafone’s list here.

Both networks are very thin in terms of extra network features. You can tether without limits to non-data devices or other phones, but there’s not much else. That’s the trade off of joining a smaller network.

Useful link: Our guide to the best WiFi calling networks

✔ Lebara’s EU roaming scheme is a bit more flexible

While many other networks have removed inclusive EU roaming from their plans, Lebara have kept theirs in place. They let you use any of their plans in these 42 EU/EEA countries at no extra cost.

You can use all of your regular UK mins and texts and up to 30GB of your data allowance. That’s more than enough for a short trip. In fact, most people would hardly use that over an entire month.

On top of that, Lebara also let you roam in India like in the EU. They don’t include any other worldwide destinations, so to go further afield you’ll have to top up with credit and pay at these rates.

Lebara are one of the best networks for roaming in the EU and the best for roaming in India. It’s genuinely brilliant to get such a good scheme on such low cost plans.

Useful link: Our guide to the best roaming networks

✔ 1pMobile are also a brilliant network for EU roaming

Like Lebara, 1pMobile have kept their inclusive EU roaming scheme in place. You can use any of their plans in these 46 EU/EEA countries at no extra cost and you’ll get the same low PAYG rates while there too.

Best current 1pMobile plans with inclusive EU roaming

On their pay monthly plans you can use your regular UK mins, texts and 12GB of your data allowance while there. That’s a flexible amount of data for a short trip but might feel limiting for heavy data users.

1pMobile don’t offer any inclusive roaming beyond the EU, so you’ll have to top up with credit and pay at these rates for your usage. That can get expensive quickly, so it’s best to keep an eye on your usage.

They’re still an excellent option for roaming in the EU, but Lebara come out ahead as the better option. In any case, they’re both much better than the networks that make you pay extra to roam.

Useful link: Our full 1pMobile network review

✔ Lebara include international minutes on all plans

You’ll get inclusive minutes to these worldwide countries on all of Lebara’s SIM only plans. This lets you make calls abroad without having to pay anything extra.

The amount you get depends on the plan you take, but you can get between 100 - unlimited international minutes included in your deal. Typically, the more international mins the higher the plan’s cost.

Best current Lebara SIM only plans with inclusive international minutes

If you get through all your inclusive minutes you can top up with credit and pay out of that to keep calling abroad. Thankfully, Lebara also have some of the cheapest international calling rates of all networks.

Lebara are our number one network for calling abroad for a reason. 1pMobile are actually quite high on that list as well, but their lack of inclusive international minutes puts them below Lebara.

Useful link: The best networks for international calling

✔ Lebara’s refer-a-friend scheme is better than 1p’s

Lebara already offer some of the best value deals of all mobile networks, but on top of that they offer extra rewards for referring your friends to them. This means you can get some serious value out of them.

All you need to do is send your friend (or family member) a tracked link which they can then follow to take a SIM only plan. You get your reward once your friend has stayed on their plan for 2 months.

The amount you get back is usually double the value of your friend’s plan. So if they join on a £15 plan you’ll get £30 back. And you friend even gets 50% off the cost of their plan for their first 3 months.

It’s a simple scheme that benefits everyone involved. And you can refer as many friends as you want to keep getting rewards. 1p have a similar scheme, but you can’t get nearly as much value out of it.

Useful link: Our guide to the best customer loyalty schemes

✔ 1pMobile’s annual SIMs can be a good option

If you don’t want to worry about renewing your SIM every month, 1p offer some unique plans where you buy a plan for a whole year. Their Talker plan gives you unlimited mins and texts for a year and 500MB each month:

This can be a good option if you don’t use much data and can save you a lot vs paying per month for one of their regular plans. And if you ever need a bit extra, 1p’s data add-ons are quite good value for a one off.

Lebara also have 12-month plans, but these are on contracts where you pay per month. An added benefit of these SIMs is that you’re not tied down for the whole year. If you want to leave or take another plan you can.

We’d only get this plan if you’re sure it suits your needs. Have a look here and see for yourself.

Useful link: Our guide to 1pMobile’s annual SIM only plans