iD Mobile vs spusu: which cheap network we find best

✔ 4G and 5G data coverage is better on spusu

spusu are a budget provider that piggyback off EE’s network for signal, while iD Mobile are owned by Carphone Warehouse and use Three’s network for signal. So what are the differences between them?

For 4G coverage, spusu just come out ahead. Their hosts have the most widespread 4G coverage of any UK network with decent 4G in some surprisingly rural areas. But iD’s hosts have almost caught up to them.

5G coverage is a similar story. spusu’s hosts have 5G in a longer list of 1000+ locations than iD’s list of 580+ locations. And spusu only claim places with 50% 5G coverage, so the actual number is even bigger.

Best current 5G SIM only plans on both providers

spusu also still have 2G call signal, but this is being phased out. And iD’s hosts have almost entirely got rid of 3G call signal. All things considered, spusu have the better overall mix for coverage.

Useful link: Check spusu’s map | Check signal on iD

✔ Data speeds aren’t so cut and dry

You get different speeds in different areas on either. In our 4G tests, speeds went as high as 130+ Mbps on spusu and 90 Mbps on iD in the city. But speeds slowed to 5 Mbps on spusu and 7 Mbps on iD in rural areas.

That gives spusu a big advantage for peak 4G speeds. But in general we floated around 35 Mbps on iD and around 40 Mbps on spusu, which was in line with Opensignal’s results of 45.9 Mbps on spusu and 38 Mbps on iD.

We’d say that iD are better at consistently decent speeds, while spusu are better at giving you better peak speeds over 4G. On balance, spusu will work out quicker over all your usage.

Best current SIM only deals on iD and spusu

But for 5G speeds, iD can blow spusu out of the water. Opensignal and Speedtest measured typical 5G speeds of 208.9 Mbps and 260.22 Mbps on iD’s hosts and 96.8 Mbps 114.39 Mbps on spusu’s. That’s a huge advantage for iD.

Useful link: See spusu’s FAQs page for more information

✔ WiFi calling is better on iD than spusu

WiFi calling and 4G calling are features that let you connect to calls and texts via WiFi and 4G rather than 2G/3G call signal. These days it’s crucial for networks to have these as 2G and 3G are being phased out.

Thankfully, both providers offer these features. But iD’s is noticeably better. Call quality is much clearer on iD’s WiFi calls and if you move from WiFi to 4G signal your call won’t drop. This isn’t the case on spusu.

And iD’s list of supported devices is also longer, meaning you’ve got a better chance of it working at all on iD than on spusu. iD’s WiFi calling just feels a lot more complete than spusu’s.

Best WiFi calling deals on iD and spusu

Other than that, both providers let you join directly on an eSIM and it’s a smooth experience on both. And both also offer call forwarding. But iD’s clear advantages in WiFi calling give them a clear win here.

Useful link: See which devices iD support for WiFi calling

✔ EU roaming is more flexible on iD than on spusu

Both iD and spusu let you roam in the EU at no added cost, unlike a lot of the larger networks. The main difference between them is how much of your plan you’re allowed to use while abroad.

spusu have different restrictions on your data usage and the amount of calls you can make depending on the plan. On the other hand, iD let you use up to 30GB of your regular data and unlimited minutes to the UK and EU.

Best EU roaming plans on spusu and iD

The largest spusu plan is capped at 10GB of your data allowance. So if you want to use a lot of data while abroad without worrying about being charged for extra data, iD Mobile will be the better choice.

iD also include roaming in a few less popular destinations like North Macedonia, but notably don’t include Switzerland while spusu do. Beyond that roaming will get expensive on both, but iD’s EU roaming is better.

Useful link: Read spusu’s guide to their EU roaming

✔ Data rollover is the best of iD’s benefits

The first benefit that iD offer that spusu don’t is data rollover. This adds any data you didn’t get through in one month to your next month’s allowance, giving you another chance to use the data you paid for.

Best deals on iD Mobile with data rollover

You can see your rolled over data using iD’s handy app. This data gets used up before your new monthly allowance. It’s very useful if your data usage changes from month to month and helps you avoid extra charges.

And you can also get rewards for bringing friends and family members onto iD by sending them a link where they can join iD. By doing this you’ll both get rewards depending on the size of the plan they take out.

Both of these benefits can help you get more value out of iD’s already low-cost plans or at the very least help you avoid extra charges.

Useful link: iD Mobile’s guide to their data rollover

✔ spusu include minutes to EU numbers and more

All of spusu’s SIM only plans include a number of minutes to EU numbers (see countries here). That can save you quite a lot if you make calls to the EU fairly regularly vs paying per min on iD.

Outside of those inclusive mins calls to EU numbers can still be expensive on spusu. And it’s a shame there’s no inclusive calls to non-EU (except UK) or plans with unlimited EU mins, but it’s still a nice benefit.

Best spusu plans with inclusive EU minutes

spusu also offer all of their plans on flexible 1-month deals with no credit checks or contracts. This makes them a great choice if you’ve been rejected for a contract on another network.

iD do offer 1-month SIM only contracts but you have to pass a credit check for these and they’re a bit higher in price than their longer contracts. spusu don’t make you pay more for added flexibility like iD do.

Useful link: See which EU countries you can call on spusu