Talkmobile vs Three: should you make the switch?

✔ Three have caught up with Talkmobile for signal

Three run and use their own network. Talkmobile piggyback off Vodafone for signal. For basic calls and texts over 2G/3G, you’re better off on Talkmobile, as Three have almost entirely removed their 3G call signal.

But Three have converted many of their old 3G masts over to 4G which has allowed them to catch up to Talkmobile for 4G data signal. There will be local differences between them. But it’s basically even now.

Best SIM only deals on both

Where Three do have an advantage is 5G data coverage. They have 5G live in 580+ UK towns and cities while Talkmobile have it in 310+ locations. And coverage within these locations tends to be much better on Three.

Added together, we think it builds into a pretty even picture between the two. A lot of it will come down to your specific area, so check signal using both networks’ maps here before joining either.

Useful link: Check signal on Three | Check Talkmobile’s coverage here

✔ Three are typically faster than Talkmobile

In our Talkmobile vs Vodafone tests, we got identical speeds to Vodafone on our Talkmobile SIM. There are no speed caps. So we can use the independent network testers’ results for Vodafone to compare.

4G speeds in our own tests of both networks went as low as 5 Mbps on Talkmobile and 7 Mbps on Three. But we also got downloads as high as 110+ Mbps on Talkmobile and 70 Mbps on Three.

Three’s top speeds were lower, but we’ve found them more consistent in the mid range. Talkmobile will be either slow or fast. Opensignal put Three’s typical 4G at 38 Mbps and 31.1 Mbps on Talkmobile.

5G speeds on Three typically average at 208.9 Mbps (Opensignal) or 276.17 Mbps (Speedtest) with peaks of 681.24 Mbps. Talkmobile’s 5G is typically slower at 138.7 Mbps or 162.63 Mbps with peaks of 354.83 Mbps on Talkmobile.

Best 5G SIMs on both

In all, we’d say Three offer the faster experience.

Useful link: Read about Talkmobile’s network upgrades

✔ Three’s WiFi calling and extra features are better

As both providers are phasing out their call signal, it’s more important than ever for them to offer good WiFi and 4G calling. These are features that let you make calls and send texts over WiFi and 4G.

Thankfully, both providers offer both features and send and receive SMS texts over WiFi and 4G. However, Three have a longer list of supported devices and let you transfer a call from WiFi to 4G without it dropping.

Three’s best current SIM deals

Three also have a network of WiFi hotspots on the London Underground to help you stay connected where you’d otherwise get no signal. Talkmobile offer nothing like this.

And Three let you join on an eSIM, letting you install your plan directly to your phone. And Three also include call forwarding to let you direct incoming calls to another number. Three offer quite a bit more here.

Useful link: Read about Three’s free WiFi on the Underground

✔ Talkmobile are better for roaming in the EU

Between the two providers, only Talkmobile still offer inclusive roaming in the EU as standard. That means you can travel in these 41 EU/EEA destinations on any Talkmobile plan without paying extra.

You’ll get 5GB of your data allowance to use there, which will be enough for most people. But if you go over that you will have to pay these roaming rates.

Talkmobile’s best SIMs with EU roaming

On Three, you have to take a more-premium “Value or Complete” or pay as you go plan to get EU roaming included. You’ll then get a different number of daily roaming passes per year depending on which take.

Three’s best SIMs with EU roaming

Worldwide roaming is much better on Three though. Take one of those Value or Complete plans and you can also roam in loads countries beyond the EU. These would get extremely expensive very fast on Talkmobile.

Useful link: See Talkmobile’s full list of inclusive EU destinations

✔ Three offer rewards for your loyalty and premium benefits

As Three are a main network, they can afford to give more away to their customers. Three do so with their rewards app called Three+ which gives you extra rewards for staying loyal to them.

You’ll get things such as discounts on high street food, drink and shopping. And they sometimes offer presale tickets to festivals such as Reading and Leeds, so there’s genuinely a lot to like with this app.

Three also offer a 3 year extended warranty on mid-range “Value” phone plans. This is good if your phone’s faulty, but doesn’t cover other damages. And you get a Paramount+ subscription for half your contract length.

Current Value plans on Three

On Three’s higher-end “Complete” plans you get this Paramount+ subscription for your whole contract. And you get a phone screen repair worth £25 during your contract. These are small benefits that may come in handy.

Current Complete plans on Three

Useful link: Read our guide to Three’s Value and Complete plans

✔ Talkmobile offer more flexible spending caps

It’s likely that you’ll need to do something that you’ll have to pay extra for outside of your regular plan. This is where spending caps are crucial, as they help you limit the amount you spend on extras.

Talkmobile have by far the more flexible spending caps, as they let you set your limit in £1 increments between £0-£100 and change it up or down each month as you need. Three’s scheme is a lot less flexible.

On top of this, Talkmobile also charge less for extra data if you’ve use up your allowance. You can get 500Mb for £3 to tide yourself over or 2GB for £4, whereas on Three the smallest is 1GB for £6!

So Talkmobile are better if you’re worried about extra costs. Not only can you avoid overspending more easily with their more flexible caps, but you don’t have to spend loads if you run out of data.

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