VOXI vs 1pMobile: which is the better mobile network?

✔ 1pMobile provide the better overall mix of coverage

VOXI are a sub-brand of Vodafone and as such use their network to provide signal, while 1pMobile piggyback off EE’s for signal. So, what are the differences between the two networks?

For call signal (3G/2G), VOXI just come out ahead. They have the joint-best coverage for calls of all networks, while also providing typically good indoor signal which is something 1pMobile can struggle with.

However, 1pMobile benefit massively from being on the best network for 4G coverage. You’ll stay on 4G more (see 5G below) consistently as you move around on 1p than on VOXI, especially in very rural areas.

Between the two we’d say 1pMobile provide the better overall mix as their call signal is still good and their 4G is more widespread. But it’s worth using both providers’ coverage map here before joining either.

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

✔ 5G is also more widespread on 1pMobile than VOXI

Both 1pMobile and VOXI get full access to their hosts’ 5G networks and offer it on all plans at no extra cost. As 5G is an established feature on both networks, we've got a good impression about which network comes out ahead.

Last time we checked, 1pMobile had 5G live in 336+ locations while VOXI had it in 160+ locations. But 1p only claim a town or city once 5G is available in 50% of its area, so you get it in more locations than that.

It also means that 1p tend to have better coverage within their 5G locations. On VOXI you’ll typically only get it in the most populated areas while you’ll usually be on 5G more often on 1p.

Still, it may be the case that you get 5G in your area on one network and not the other. So it’s a good idea to use both networks’ coverage checkers to see which provides the better 5G signal near you.

Useful link: Our guide to the best 5G networks

✔ 1pMobile provide joint fastest 4G speeds of all networks

You might think you get inferior network speeds on a cheaper network, but we found no speed differences on 1pMobile or VOXI vs being on their host networks. So, which one provides the better 4G data speeds?

According to independent network testers Opensignal, typical 4G data speeds on VOXI should sit around 27.9 Mbps and around 40 Mbps on 1pMobile.

In our real life tests, we got speeds of 110+ Mbps on VOXI in the city centre and 130+ Mbps on 1pMobile. In the countryside we went as low as 5 Mbps on VOXI, while speeds only went as low as 12 Mbps on 1pMobile.

That shows that 1p typically provide healthier 4G data speeds wherever you are. As such, they’ll generally be the better choice to make sure you get decent speeds as you move around or for data heavy activities in the city.

Useful link: Read our full review of 1pMobile

✔ VOXI offer typically faster 5G data speeds

When it comes to 5G data speeds, the picture is always changing. Results from independent network testers Opensignal and Speedtest show improvements to speeds on VOXI’s hosts, while results for 1p’s hosts have gone down.

They measured typical 5G data speeds between 114.3 Mbps - 146.19 Mbps on VOXI’s hosts Vodafone, with peak speeds up to an impressive 315.35 Mbps. Speeds on 1p’s hosts EE sat between 99.5 Mbps - 108.91 Mbps with peaks of 272.77 Mbps.

If you only use your phone for browsing or to stream videos on the go then you shouldn’t notice a huge difference between them. But gamers and other heavy data users will prefer VOXI’s faster 5G.

Realistically, we think most users will be happy with either network's 5G. It’s a big improvement over 4G on both networks and a huge improvement to your network experience overall. But neither are the fastest network for 5G.

Useful link: Read our guide to the best and fastest 5G networks

✔ 1pMobile have the better WiFi calling scheme

If you struggle to get call signal (3G/2G) in your home, you’ll want to join a provider with a good WiFi/4G calling scheme. This lets you connect to calls using WiFi or 4G signal where regular call signal is weak.

Both 1pMobile and VOXI include WiFi calling and 4G calling on all plans, let you send texts over WiFi and 4G and let you transfer from a WiFi call to a 4G call without it dropping (it will drop if you then lose 4G).

The main difference is that 1pMobile have a much longer list of supported devices, especially Android models. That means you’re more likely to get WiFi calling working on your phone on 1p than on VOXI.

In terms of other extra network features, you can tether without limits on both networks, but only VOXI offer visual voicemail between them. Other than that, the two are fairly thin on the ground.

Useful link: Our guide to the best WiFi calling networks

✔ 1pMobile are one of the best networks for EU roaming

While many of the bigger networks have removed their inclusive EU roaming, many smaller networks like 1pMobile have kept theirs in place. You can still use your plan in these 46 EU/EEA destinations at no extra cost.

You can use your UK mins and texts abroad like you would at home and up to 12GB of your regular data allowance. That’s a lot for a short trip, so you should rarely go over that unless you’re a heavy data user.

They don’t offer any inclusive roaming beyond the EU. For that you’ll have to top up with credit and pay at these rates. You’ll quickly eat through your credit quickly, so it’s best to limit your usage while there.

But in all, 1pMobile are an excellent choice for taking your SIM to the EU. The fact you get such a flexible scheme at such low prices makes 1pMobile once of the best choices for frequent EU travellers.

Useful link: Our guide to the best networks for roaming

✖ VOXI don’t offer inclusive EU roaming anymore

VOXI have removed inclusive EU roaming from their plans. You now have to pay extra to roam in their EU destinations. That’s a bit frustrating since you’d probably want to join VOXI for their low prices.

You can either pay £2 a day to use your SIM in the EU, or you can take a time limited roaming pass. You can get a 2 day pass for £4, an 8 day pass for £8 or a 15 day pass for £15 depending on what you need.

But VOXI are a decent choice if you want to go beyond the EU with their Global Roaming Extras. These are temporary 8 day or 15 day passes that give you a small allowance of mins, texts and data to use while there.

Even then, roaming beyond the EU will set you back quite a bit. While VOXI offer good plan prices, their roaming costs can add up quickly if you’re a frequent roamer. 1p are definitely better for EU roaming.

Useful link: Which providers on Vodafone’s network include EU roaming?

✔ VOXI offer generous social media and streaming benefits

A big part of VOXI’s identity as a network centres around their unlimited social media and video streaming data benefits, making them an excellent choice for young people or for anyone who loves to stream on the go.

With Unlimited Social Media you can use apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat and these others without eating up your data. That can save a little bit of data, especially on apps with lots of images or videos.

But their Unlimited Video is where you can really save loads of data. Streaming is one of the fastest ways to use up allowance, so getting data free streaming on YouTube, Netflix and these apps can save lots of data.

VOXI plans that include their Unlimited Video benefits

The only downside is that their Unlimited Video benefit only comes on VOXI’s mid to high end plans. But even still, it’s a very generous benefit to get on such great value plans.

Useful link: The best free data streaming benefits of all networks

✔ 1pMobile provide much better customer service

Lots of budget networks are able to offer such cheap deals by not paying for call centres, but 1pMobile aren’t one of them. They let you call them up to get help for any issue you’ve run into with your plan.

This is something VOXI offer, meaning 1p are the better choice if you prefer to get help over the phone. It’s typically a faster way to get help and we found they were very helpful when we called them up.

But calls to their customer service agents are charged at their standard rate. That’s not an issue on their pay monthly plans as they all include unlimited mins, but it will cost you extra on Pay As You Go.

If you want to avoid that cost or would rather not call, you can use their online chat. We found their agents responded quickly and were good at helping us. Again, this is something VOXI don’t offer at all.

Useful link: Our guide to the best customer service networks

✔ Only VOXI offer phone contracts between them

VOXI offer a wide range of new and old phone models on finance agreements (essentially loans) where the cost of paying back your phone and your usage plan (mins, texts, data) are separate.

This means you can pay lump sums to reduce your monthly bill or pay off the rest of your loan at any point. And since all their usage plans are on 1-month deals, you can switch or leave your plan whenever.

You will have to pass a credit check for these, which will likely be difficult as they’re putting a lot of trust in you to pay them back. Any missed payments in the past may mean you get rejected for a contract.

VOXI tend to be on the higher end of the phone price range. This is made up for somewhat by their low cost plans and you also get all the same benefits we listed above. On the other hand, 1pMobile don’t offer any.

Useful link: VOXI’s full range of phone contracts