Sky Mobile vs giffgaff: differences on the O2-based networks

✔ 4G/3G/2G coverage is identical on both networks

Both providers use the O2 network to provide call signal (3G/2G) and data (5G/4G) data signal. But since giffgaff is a budget provider, some might assume they provide an inferior network experience.

Simply put, that's not the case. On both networks you get the same brilliant call signal coverage as their hosts O2, being the joint-largest UK network for 3G/2G signal.

And you get the same 4G coverage, which covers 98% of the places where people live. Admittedly, 4G coverage in rural areas can tend to be a weakness on both, but that will depend on where you’re using it.

In any case, it’s worth using both networks’ coverage checkers before joining either of them. Check everywhere you’ll use your phone, not just at home.

Useful link: More about Sky's network

✔ Both networks also offer 5G access

If you’re on a 5G-ready phone then you’ll get access to 5G on any Sky Mobile or giffgaff plan. Both share the same coverage as being on O2 directly.

Sky and giffgaff's best 5G plans

This currently means you get 5G in 190+ UK towns and cities on both networks. But no network is able to totally cover their locations for 5G, it’s still very much on a street-by-street basis.

Thankfully, both networks are typically very good for covering their declared locations with 5G. In fact they’re on the second best network in terms of 5G coverage within locations, and in terms of the sheer number of locations.

We have had some trouble getting 5G to work on Sky Mobile in the past and you will have to manually say you have a 5G-ready phone in the Sky checkout or your SIM won’t be compatible. We haven’t tested giffgaff yet, but we assume it’s a similar story.

Useful link: How to set up 5G on your giffgaff SIM

✔ 5G/4G data speeds are the same on either network

In our giffgaff review we found there was no speed cap on giffgaff, and we found much the same when we compared Sky Mobile to O2. So you should get the same data speeds on both networks as you would on O2 directly.

According to independent network testers Opensignal, this means you’ll typically get 4G speeds around 17.1 Mbps. That puts them in last place out of all networks, but it’s still enough for most users’ streaming and browsing needs.

You will notice heavier activities like streaming HD video and downloading files going a bit slower on either network compared to those not using O2. In fact some users claim speeds on giffgaff are even slower, but we never found any evidence of that.

Well going by results from Opensignal and Speedtest by Ookla the answer is a definite yes. You’ll get typical speeds between 110.9 Mbps and 127.97 Mbps. That’s fast enough to game, file share and stream quite comfortably.

But they’re actually on the slowest 5G network. So if you’re looking for the fastest possible speeds, we wouldn’t suggest either as an option. But for most users either network will be good enough.

Useful link: Our Sky Mobile vs O2 guide

✔ Only Sky Mobile offer WiFi/4G calling between them

While both networks have excellent call signal coverage, it’s still possible to find blackspots. This is especially the case indoors, as signal can struggle to get through building materials.

That’s why it’s great that Sky Mobile offer WiFi calling and 4G calling. These features let your phone connect to calls via WiFi and 4G signal where conventional call signal is poor. But giffgaff miss out on this feature.

Sky’s scheme isn’t the best in our eyes. You can’t send SMS texts over WiFi or 4G and if you move from WiFi to 4G while on a call we found it will drop. Also not every Android model is supported, so check yours here beforehand.

These drawbacks might be a bit annoying, but at least Sky offer both features. A lot of other budget networks offer WiFi calling these days, so we could see giffgaff bring it out sometime soon. We just have to wait and see.

Useful link: Our rankings for the best WiFi calling networks

✔ Both networks offer free WiFi hotspot schemes

These days WiFi hotspot schemes are mostly useful for saving a bit of data on the go, as 4G data is usually a bit faster than what you can get on most WiFi hotspots. But still, we appreciate it when networks offer them.

Despite being a no-frills network, giffgaff actually offer a pretty great hotspot scheme. You get access to 7000 of O2’s hotspots, including some on the London Underground at stations and ticket barriers.

It’s a great benefit to get more value out of your plan. Not only can you help prevent yourself from going over your allowance, you might also be able to switch to a smaller plan. You can also stay connected if you’ve run out of data.

Sky also offer a large network of WiFi hotspots. But unlike giffgaff, anyone can connect to these and not just Sky Mobile customers. That means it’s not really a reason to join them as you get access to it regardless.

Useful link: How to get connected to giffgaff’s WiFi hotspots

✔ giffgaff still include EU roaming on all plans

More and more networks have pulled inclusive EU roaming from their plans and Sky Mobile are one of them. giffgaff have kept their roaming policy in place, however.

You can roam in these EU destinations on giffgaff. While you’re abroad you will be limited to 20GB if your allowance is over that amount. That should be more than enough for a short trip abroad.

The only major downside with giffgaff’s roaming is that going beyond the EU can get very expensive very quickly. You’ll have to top up with credit and pay at these hefty rates.

In any case, we still appreciate that giffgaff have kept their roaming scheme in place while many other networks have started removing theirs.

Useful link: giffgaff’s guide to using your SIM abroad

✖ Sky no longer offer free inclusive EU roaming

As we said above, Sky are one of the more recent networks to remove inclusive EU roaming from their plans. You’ll now have to pay £2 a day while travelling in Sky’s EU destinations.

It’s a pretty huge change considering Sky used to be our number one pick for EU roaming. At least they still don’t impose a fair usage policy, but we don’t think this makes up for the loss of inclusive roaming.

On the bright side, Sky Mobile have brought down the costs of roaming in their worldwide destinations to the same £2 daily rate as in their EU destinations, actually making them one of the cheaper networks for worldwide roaming.

But most users will care more about EU roaming, and paying that much to roam abroad just won’t be worth it for some. Especially when there are still networks that let you do it for free.

Useful link: The best networks for roaming in the EU and beyond

✔ Stream Sky TV apps without using data

One of the best parts of being on Sky Mobile is that you can stream Sky’s TV apps on the go without it coming out of your monthly allowance. This helps you get the most out of your home TV package.

Since streaming is one of the fastest ways to eat through your allowance (one hour can use up 1GB) this lets you watch your favourite shows or keep the kids entertained on the go without thinking about how much data you’re using.

The benefit comes on every Sky Mobile plan, and that includes their very cheapest one:

Overall it’s an incredibly generous benefit that helps you get the most out of both your mobile plan and your home TV package. There are a few downsides to bear in mind (read our guide here) but otherwise it’s a brilliant scheme.

Useful link: Sky Mobile’s full guide to their Watch benefit

✔ Sky have a brilliant data rollover scheme

Typically data rollover schemes let you keep the data you didn’t get through in one month for your next one. But Sky go one step further by letting you bank up your unused data for up to 3 years!

With Sky’s piggybank benefit you can save your unused data and withdraw it in 1GB increments whenever you need a top up. And if you have multiple deals on one account you can share rolled over data between them.

Even if you’re on a plan that suits your needs, you might still get through more data in one month. In that case, it’s nice to have a cushion to prevent yourself from needing to buy extra data add-ons.

And if you’ve built up a lot of unused data you can cash it in for money off a new phone or tablet contract. Overall, Sky’s piggybank benefit gives you full control over your unused data and is our favourite data rollover scheme by far.

Useful link: Sky’s full guide to their piggybank benefit

✔ Sky offer over-the-phone customer service

One of the main benefits of being on a somewhat pricier network is that you usually get more avenues through which you can get any issue resolved. Sky Mobile offer a fair few ways to get help with a problem.

You can either call them or visit them in a Sky store. They don’t currently offer an online chat, which does take away one avenue of getting help for some people. They do offer online help articles for the more tech-savvy.

But what sort of experience can you expect from Sky’s customer service? Well government regulators Ofcom receive an average number of complaints from Sky Mobile customers of 2 complaints per 100,000 users.

That’s still very low, meaning Sky typically do a good job of resolving their customers’ issues over the phone. This is something giffgaff simply don’t offer, as you’re stuck using their community forums for help.

Useful link: Read Ofcom's latest telecoms report

✔ giffgaff offer all SIM plans on flexible 1-month deals

giffgaff offer some great flexibility with their plans. There are no contracts to join them, no credit checks to pass to get a SIM only deal and you get the freedom to change your plan every month.

How it works is that you’re buying a bundle of minutes, texts and data up front (like adding credit on pay as you go) using a UK debit or credit card. There’s no contract obliging you to stay with them.

If you’ve failed to get onto a pay monthly contract with another network because of poor or no credit history, then giffgaff are a good option. Since you pay for everything up front, giffgaff won’t run a credit check on you.

Overall, giffgaff provide a great deal more flexibility than Sky Mobile. Sky do let you switch plans month to month, but you’re still obliged to stay on your contract or pay early termination fees. On giffgaff you’ve got a lot more freedom.

Useful link: Read our guide to the best 1-month contract networks

✔ Sky's phone contracts are based on finance

Sky Mobile’s phone contracts are based around finance agreements. The cost of your device and your usage (mins, texts, data) plan are separate payments that make up your monthly bill.

This means you can pay lump sums amounts to reduce the monthly cost of your device, pay to upgrade your device early and switch usage plans as you like. You get to choose either a 24 or 36-month contract.

One unique thing about Sky Mobile’s phone contracts is their Swap scheme. This let you upgrade “for free” by handing in your device after 12 months on a 24-month contract or after 24 months on a 36-month contract.

We don’t think this is worth it, however. There’s little point giving back the device you’ve already started paying for just to get on a new contract. You can usually get a better deal just selling it secondhand.

Other than that, there’s a decent amount of flexibility offered on Sky’s phone contracts.

Useful link: Sky’s full guide to their Swap scheme

✔ giffgaff offer a great deal of flexibility on phone contracts

giffgaff’s phone contracts are also based on finance agreements that split the cost of your phone and your usage plan into different payments. You get the same flexibility with your usage plan as you would on SIM only.

That means you can change your usage plan month to month or leave it whenever you like while still paying off your device (unlike Sky where you have to stay on your usage plan until the end).

giffgaff also let you set an upfront cost to lower how much you pay per month for your phone, set a contract length that suits you and let you pay lump sum amounts to reduce the length of your contract.

You will be paying more than taking a phone from the manufacturer directly, but giffgaff tend to be one of the cheaper networks when it comes to phone contracts. In any case, you can check prices using our phone contract comparison tool here.

Useful link: giffgaff’s full range of phone deals