SMARTY vs giffgaff: which has the better network?

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We show you whether you can expect better coverage, 4G/5G data speeds and other features on giffgaff or SMARTY. Last updated: 25th June 2025.
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In our head-to-head
Network coverage, speeds and extras
Is coverage better on giffgaff or SMARTY?
Which provider offers more widespread 3G/4G/5G signal?

✔ Coverage is still better overall on giffgaff than SMARTY
Both giffgaff and SMARTY are owned by main UK networks that they rely on to provide signal. giffgaff use O2’s network for call (2G/3G) and data (4G/5G) signal while SMARTY use Three’s network.
For 4G, SMARTY hold a minor advantage. Their parents Three have massively improved 4G coverage and have now overtaken giffgaff’s, so you’re more likely to stay on 4G in more rural areas with SMARTY.
But giffgaff hold the advantage for 5G. You’ll get 5G in this long list of 3200+ UK towns and cities on giffgaff and in these 580+ locations on SMARTY. But coverage in their locations tends to be about equal.
Finally, giffgaff still offer widespread 2G and 3G call signal, while SMARTY’s hosts are phasing out their 3G. It's worth knowing your phone will need to support 4G calling, else you won't be able to make calls on SMARTY.
Useful link: See giffgaff’s signal map | See SMARTY’s signal map
Network maps
Don't just check at home but everywhere you'll use your phone
Is data faster on giffgaff or SMARTY?
Which provider gives you the better 4G/5G?

✔ Data speeds are faster on SMARTY than giffgaff
While giffgaff do provide better overall coverage, SMARTY are the clear winner when it comes to data speeds for both 4G and 5G. Our own testing and indepedent network testers back this up.
We got 4G speeds as high as 95 Mbps on giffgaff and 70 Mbps on SMARTY, but more often we sat around 15-20 Mbps on giffgaff and 30 Mbps on SMARTY, matching Opensignal’s results of 23.1 Mbps and 38 Mbps respectively.
Opensignal and Speedtest got typical 5G speeds of 208.9 Mbps and 260.22 Mbps on SMARTY’s hosts and speeds of 80.1 Mbps and 83.02 on giffgaff’s. Peak speeds sat at 680 Mbps on SMARTY and 226.14 Mbps on giffgaff.
SMARTY blow giffgaff out of the water when it comes to 5G data speeds and offer much healthier 4G speeds on top of that. As such SMARTY are the better choice for heavy data activities like gaming and file sharing.
Useful link: SMARTY's traffic management policy
Extra network features on giffgaff vs SMARTY
Which network provides more ways to keep you connected?

✔ Extra network features are a bit better on giffgaff
With call signal slowly being removed on both providers, it’s more important that they offer good WiFi calling and 4G calling schemes as a replacement. Thankfully, both of them include these features on all plans.
Both have similar schemes that let you connect to texts and transfer calls from WiFi to 4G without them dropping. But SMARTY are able to support more devices as they get their scheme from Three directly.
You get access to free WiFi hotspots on both. But giffgaff give you access to 8000 of their hosts’ hotspots across the country, while SMARTY only offer free WiFi on the London Underground.
Finally, giffgaff let you join on an eSIM while SMARTY don’t. And they now let you join on one directly, so it’s a really convenient way of joining without having to wait for a physical SIM to arrive.
Useful link: Costs for going over data limit on SMARTY
Our verdict on overall network experience:
SMARTY just win“It’s a close run thing, but we think SMARTY are better in the ways that really matter. You’re more likely to make the most of their better 4G, data speeds and WiFi calling support. giffgaff have some nice advantages, but SMARTY just take this one.”
Where to next in this article?
Perks and benefits
Inclusive roaming on SMARTY vs giffgaff
Which provider is better for using your plan abroad?

✔ Inclusive EU roaming is better on SMARTY than giffgaff
Both giffgaff and SMARTY have kept their inclusive EU roaming in place, meaning you can roam in the EU at no added cost on both. You can roam in these 42 EU/EEA countries on SMARTY and in these 38 countries on giffgaff.
The main difference with SMARTY is that you can use 12GB of your allowance. That’s more than twice what giffgaff let you use. But you will have to turn on roaming manually before you leave (follow the instructions here).
That might be an issue if you’ve travelled abroad without turning it on beforehand, as you’ll then probably have to wait until you find some free WiFi to turn it on. This is what happened when we tested it out.
If you’re going outside the EU, you’ll have to top up and pay at their pricey rates. SMARTY’s rates are cheaper than giffgaff’s, but you’ll still spend a lot. Both networks are only good for short trips to the EU.
Useful link: SMARTY's full price guide
Our verdict on roaming:
Win for SMARTY“At the end of the day, SMARTY let you use a lot more data in the EU than giffgaff. As long as you remember to turn it on before leaving, SMARTY will be the better choice. That’s on top of being a cheaper choice for going beyond the EU.”
Benefits on giffgaff vs SMARTY
Both networks offer low costs, but what other benefits do you get with them?

✔ Refer friends for rewards on giffgaff and more
You might not know that giffgaff actually offer what they call their “Payback scheme”. If you don’t know, it’s a reward scheme for getting your friends or family to join on giffgaff.
So if you know anyone who wants to join giffgaff, you can send them a special link to giffgaff’s site where they can buy their plan. If they get at least £10 credit or a £10+ plan you’ll both earn £5 free credit.
giffgaff also offer a range of 18-month contracts that you can join without having to pass a credit check. This can give you even better value per month, if you don’t mind joining for the long term.
Finally, giffgaff give you some special offers called “member perks” which take the form of free trials or reduced prices for these services. These can come in handy if you’ll use them, so they’re nice to have.
Useful link: Full details on giffgaff's recruiter scheme
✔ SMARTY offer discounts for families and more
SMARTY help their customers get better value on their already great value deals by offering 10% off any plans added to their account. They let you add up to 7 additional plans and get all of them discounted.
It works best for families and groups of close knit friends who trust each other, because the account holder is essentially in charge of the payment, adding and removal of plans.
SMARTY also have better customer service, via their online chat for help. On giffgaff, you end up relying on help of other members on forums. It’s much easier to get help on SMARTY than on giffgaff.
And the cost of your plan won’t go up at all on SMARTY unless you’re on a temporary discount. giffgaff can hike up your plan’s price whenever on 1-month plans, while you’ll get the same low costs on SMARTY forever.
Useful link: Read SMARTY's help guide for more info
Our verdict on extra perks:
Win for SMARTY“In our eyes, SMARTY offer more that customers will actually care about. Having no price rises and better customer service will always beat out some random special offers. You might like what giffgaff offer, but SMARTY offer more for us.”
Where to next in this article?
Plans and prices
SIM only plans compared on giffgaff and SMARTY
Which provider offers better deal on SIM only?

Plan
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No credit checks to join SMARTY or giffgaff

✔ All you need is a UK debit or credit card to joinHow billing works
at SMARTY.co.uk
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If you have a poor credit history or if you’ve just turned 18 and don’t have a credit history, then these two are decent choices if you’ve been denied by O2 or by Three.
giffgaff and SMARTY both let you join their SIM only plans without having to pass a credit check. Usually a network will look up your credit history to see whether or not you’ve made payments on time in the past.
They do this because they need to make sure you can pay on time for your minutes, texts and data. But since you’re buying everything up front on SMARTY and giffgaff then if you can’t pay, you can’t get your plan.
All you need to join either network is a UK debit or credit card and enough money to pay for your plan and you’ll be able to join without issue.
Useful link: How billing works on SMARTY | How it works on giffgaff
Special offers on SMARTY and giffgaff
Here's how you can get some extra value with each
