iD Mobile vs Talkmobile: which low cost network's better?

✔ Coverage is about even on iD Mobile than Talkmobile

iD Mobile are a budget provider owned by Carphone Warehouse that use Three’s network while Talkmobile use Vodafone’s network for signal. So what are the advantages and disadvantages for each provider?

Well, it’s hard to call a winner when it comes to 4G coverage. iD’s hosts have expanded 4G massively in the last year and have mostly caught up to Talkmobile’s, to the point we’d say they’re about equal.

Best current SIM only deals on Talkmobile and iD Mobile

The big advantage for iD is their 5G coverage. They have 5G live in a long list of 580+ UK towns and cities compared to 310+ locations on Talkmobile. And coverage in these locations tends to be much better on iD.

Talkmobile hold an advantage in 2G/3G call signal, but that’s because iD’s carrier Three have removed their call signal entirely. Still, we’d say that overall coverage is about equal, so check signal near you using their maps.

Useful link: Check Talkmobile’s signal here | Check iD’s coverage map here

✔ Data speeds are usually faster on iD than Talkmobile

Both iD and Talkmobile offer identical data speeds to their network hosts, with no built-in speed caps or differences. We use our own test results and the reports from independent testers to see who is faster.

Best SIM only deals on iD Mobile and Talkmobile

We got 4G speeds as high as 110+ Mbps on Talkmobile and as low as 5 Mbps. On iD 4G speeds went as high as 70 Mbps but never went below 7 Mbps. While Talkmobile have the higher peaks, iD tend to be more consistent.

That’s backed up by Opensignal’s results of 38 Mbps for iD’s hosts and 31.1 Mbps on Talkmobile’s hosts. You should notice less slowdown as you move around on iD, but urban speeds will be faster on Talkmobile.

Opensignal and Speedtest put typical 5G speeds between 138.7 Mbps - 162.63 Mbps with peaks of 354.83 Mbps on Talkmobile and speeds between 208.9 Mbps - 276.17 Mbps and peaks of 681.24 Mbps on iD. A clear win for iD.

Useful link: Read more about data speeds in iD’s guide

✔ WiFi calling is better on iD along with other features

WiFi calling and 4G calling are features that let you connect to calls via WiFi and 4G signal. These are crucial now that conventional call signal (3G/2G) are being stripped back. So who has the better scheme?

Best SIM only plans on iD Mobile and Talkmobile

Both let you send/receive texts and transfer a call from WiFi to 4G without it dropping. But iD support a lot more devices for WiFi calling, while we struggled to get it working on Talkmobile even on new Androids.

iD Mobile also let you join on an eSIM, letting you install your plan directly to your phone. It took a while to get this working when we tried it, but at least they offer it unlike Talkmobile.

And iD also have call forwarding, letting you leave one number free from incoming calls, while Talkmobile don’t offer. So not only do iD offer better WiFi calling, but have a couple features that Talkmobile don’t.

Useful link: See which devices iD Mobile support for WiFi calling

✔ Inclusive roaming is better on iD than Talkmobile

Both iD Mobile and Talkmobile offer inclusive EU roaming, while their network hosts have removed their own. You get in on all plans on both providers, so which one is better for taking your plan abroad?

Best SIM only plans with inclusive EU roaming on iD and Talkmobile

While Talkmobile restrict you to 5GB of your data allowance while in the EU, iD let you use up to 30GB while roaming. That gives you a much better chance of going over and being charged at their roaming rates.

We do think many won’t ever hit Talkmobile’s limit, but you get a lot more peace of mind streaming by the pool on iD. They also include roaming in a number of other non-EU countries, which some might find handy.

Beyond those destinations, roaming can get expensive quickly on iD and the same goes for Talkmobile. They’re both decent choices for going to the EU, but iD are much better for heavy data usage.

Useful link: See iD Mobile’s guide to their EU roaming

✔ Data rollover is the best of iD’s benefits

iD Mobile offer a couple of better benefits than Talkmobile, the best of which being their data rollover. This lets you hold onto your unused data at the end of the month to use in your next, which has a few uses.

First, it means you get the most of the data you paid for rather than losing it at the end of the month. Second, you’re less likely to go over your allowance in your next month as you’ll have a bit of a buffer.

iD also reward you for referring friends to them by sending them a special link where they can buy their plan. The rewards you get depend on the plan your friend takes, but these can save you a lot on your plan.

Both of these benefits can help you save a bit on top of iD Mobile’s already very cheap plans, or at least help prevent you from incurring extra charges.

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

✔ Customer service is a better on Talkmobile

Talkmobile don’t offer lots of benefits, but surprisingly they do have great customer service for a small network. You can call them from 8am - 10pm on weekdays, 9am - 6pm on Saturdays and 10am - 5pm on Sundays.

iD Mobile used to let you call them, but they now only offer automated services over the phone. This is a bit of an own goal for them as their complaints record with Ofcom has got worse since then.

Talkmobile aren’t large enough of a network to show up in Ofcom’s report, but they’ve always been helpful when we’ve called them or used their online chat. You can also get help and manage your plan using their app.

In all, Talkmobile offer a lot of ways to get help and their customer service is genuinely impressive for a smaller network.

Useful link: How to get in touch with Talkmobile

✔ Only iD let you take a phone plan directly between them

Between the two providers, you can only take out a phone contract directly with iD Mobile. On Talkmobile you have to first join on a SIM only plan and wait until Talkmobile let you upgrade to a phone plan.

iD’s phone contracts are conventional in that you pay for your phone and usage plan (mins, texts, data) as one bill over 24 months. They don’t offer split finance agreements for your phone like other networks.

On one hand it’s easier to pass a credit check as there’s no loans involved. And iD let you switch your usage plan up or down each month. But it does make their contracts less flexible than other networks’.

Also, iD will increase the cost of your phone contract each year in line with inflation, which can’t happen on networks with credit agreements. Still, they’re decent if you’ve been rejected for a contract elsewhere.

Useful link: See iD Mobile’s full range of phone contracts