giffgaff vs spusu: should you be switching networks?

✔ Call signal is better on giffgaff, 4G better on spusu

giffgaff and spusu are both virtual mobile providers, meaning they piggyback off a larger network to provide signal. spusu use EE’s network for signal, while giffgaff use O2’s network. So what are the differences?

giffgaff get access to more widespread 2G call signal than spusu and still get access to their hosts 3G network on top of that. spusu’s hosts have shut off 3G. And indoor call signal is better on giffgaff too.

For 4G data signal it’s another story. spusu’s hosts have the largest 4G network in the UK and spusu get full access to it. giffgaff also get access to widespread 4G, but they’re just a bit behind spusu for this.

Best current SIM only deals on spusu and giffgaff

It’s more important for a provider to offer strong 4G as it gives you better speeds than 3G and can be used for calls via 4G calling. Still, it’s best to check their maps below before joining either.

Useful link: Check giffgaff’s 4G coverage using their map here

✔ 5G coverage is a close run thing between the two

Both providers get full access to their host networks’ 5G. That means you’ll get 5G on spusu in these 336+ UK towns and cities and in these 2000+ locations on giffgaff at no added cost.

Best 5G SIM only deals currently on giffgaff and spusu

That sounds like a massive advantage to giffgaff, but spusu’s hosts only declare a location as covered once 5G is available in at least 50% of its area. So you’ll get it in more places than the number suggests.

Generally both cover their locations very well. We couldn’t really say which one is better at this as it does depend per location, but you’re more likely to get better coverage in spusu’s declared locations.

But you should definitely check how good 5G signal is in your area using both providers’ coverage checkers below. That will matter more to you than the national picture.

Useful link: Read giffgaff’s guide to their 5G here

✔ 4G data speeds are a lot faster on spusu than giffgaff

There are no built in speed caps or differences between being on spusu or giffgaff vs being on their host networks. But there are big differences in speeds between the two providers.

According to Opensignal, typical 4G speeds sit around 20.9 Mbps on giffgaff host network and around a very healthy 40.0 Mbps on spusu’s hosts. While spusu are on the fastest 4G network, giffgaff are on the slowest.

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You won’t notice that much of a difference for regular internet browsing, but things like HD video streaming will generally go much smoother on spusu.

If speeds are particularly important to you then you’ll definitely prefer spusu over giffgaff.

Useful link: Our full review of spusu

✔ 5G data speeds are closer but still a bit faster on spusu

Like with 4G, neither provider have any built in 5G speed differences vs being on their respective host networks. So their hosts’ results from Opensignal and Speedtest’s report apply to spusu and giffgaff too.

Typical 5G speeds on giffgaff’s hosts sit at an underwhelming 77.0 Mbps - 79.72 Mbps with peaks of 229.54 Mbps. On spusu’s hosts, typical 5G speeds sit between 99.5 Mbps - 106.61 Mbps with peaks of 316.68 Mbps.

Best 5G SIM only deals currently on giffgaff and spusu

While giffgaff are the slowest 5G network and spusu are the third slowest, there’s still a pretty big gulf between them. Data heavy activities like mobile gaming will be noticeably smoother on spusu than giffgaff.

But, again, both providers are beaten out by other networks in terms of 5G data speeds. If you’re looking for the fastest 5G speeds possible, check out our 5G networks guide here. But spusu still take the win here.

Useful link: Read about 5G in spusu’s FAQs

✔ giffgaff generally have the better network features

Here we go over the other network features either provider offer. Both of them include WiFi calling and 4G calling, letting you make calls and send texts over WiFi and 4G signal on all their plans.

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spusu tend to support more Android models while iPhone support is basically the same between them. We haven’t tested if devices not listed will still work on either, so we’ll update this here when we have.

But giffgaff also include access to around 8000 of O2’s WiFi hotspots around London, both on the Underground and overground. These are great for staying connected and saving a bit of data on the go.

Finally, both offer eSIMs, but only spusu let you download an eSIM directly. And both providers include call forwarding. While spusu are better in some ways, giffgaff’s WiFi hotspots just win it for us here.

Useful link: Read giffgaff’s guide to their WiFi calling

✔ spusu’s inclusive EU roaming is more flexible

While many of the larger networks have removed inclusive EU roaming from their plans, both spusu and giffgaff have kept theirs in place. spusu let you roam in these 38 EU/EEA destinations on all plans.

Best current SIM only deals with inclusive EU roaming on spusu

Your data usage will be limited while there. This limit depends on the plan, with their smallest plan being capped at 10GB while their “Travel” plan lets you use the entire 25GB data allowance while there.

spusu also limit you to 500 mins and texts while there, but to be honest we don’t think this will affect the majority of EU travellers. Overall, spusu’s EU roaming is a lot less restrictive.

There are no inclusive roaming destinations beyond the EU/EEA on spusu. So if you’re looking to roam further afield, then you’ll have to pay at these international rates. But we expect that from a smaller network.

Useful link: See all of spusu’s inclusive EU/EEA roaming destinations

✔ giffgaff’s EU roaming is good but a bit restrictive

giffgaff also offer inclusive EU roaming on all their plans, letting you roam at no extra cost in these EU/EEA destinations. But while there you’ll be limited to just 5GB of your data allowance.

While lots of users won’t use that much on a short trip, it is still a worry if you need to use your phone more often or are going on a longer trip. Extra data is charged at these rates if you hit that limit.

Best inclusive EU roaming SIM only deals on giffgaff

There also aren’t any plans that let you use more data abroad. At the very least there are no limits on your calls and texts, but in our eyes more people will care about their data being restricted.

Also if you’re looking to go beyond the EU you’ll have to top up with credit and pay at these rates. And giffgaff are generally much more expensive for this than spusu. So spusu win handily overall.

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

✔ spusu offer inclusive EU mins and cheap calls beyond that

If you know people living in the EU and find yourself spending a lot to call and text them, you might want to switch to spusu. This is because they include a number of mins and texts to EU numbers on all plans.

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You don’t need to pay anything extra to get these and if you call abroad often this benefit can save you a lot of money. But the maximum amount you can get is 500 mins and texts.

If you need more than that then you’ll have to pay extra. But their rates to EU numbers (and even some countries beyond that) are pretty reasonable, xo we think this shouldn’t be too much of an issue for most.

Still, it would be better if they offered plans with more or even unlimited EU mins and texts or at least some add-ons for better value if you run out. But either way, it’s a nice benefit to get at no added cost.

Useful link: See spusu’s out-of-plan calling rates here

✔ spusu also offer a handful of other nice benefits

There are a couple other benefits on spusu’s plans that you might like. The first is that they have very flexible spending caps, letting you limit spending outside your plan in £1 increments between £0-£100.

Best value SIM only deals currently on spusu

This is for things like extra data, international calls or anything else not included in your plan. You can change this limit whenever you need. In all, it’s a really convenient way to prevent overspending.

giffgaff’s plans do technically have spending caps built into them, but you need to top up with credit to use any extras. And there’s no way to cap your credit usage, so spusu’s scheme gives you some extra security.

spusu also help you spend less by not upping the cost of their plans until 2026. You can get a fixed price with giffgaff’s 18-month contracts, but you lose the flexibility of a 1-month plan. spusu give you both.

Useful link: Read spusu’s guide to their spending caps

✔ giffgaff offer some nice benefits for your loyalty

giffgaff have a couple of nice benefits that reward you for staying loyal to them. The first is that you get £5 free credit for referring your friends or family members, which you do by sending them a special link.

Best current SIM only deals on giffgaff

They can follow this to buy a giffgaff “goodybag”. After they’ve been on a plan worth £10+ for 2 months you’ll both get your £5 free credit. You can get this to reduce your bill or for extras like calls abroad.

giffgaff also offer some unique discounts and free trials to select apps and services. They’re called “member perks” and include things like £25 off a phone repair. They’re another good reason to join giffgaff.

These are pretty small benefits overall, but getting money off an already low-cost plan is never a bad thing.

Useful link: Our guide to the best customer loyalty schemes