Three vs Vodafone: compare their 5G/4G networks and benefits

✔ Vodafone have better coverage overall

In terms of call signal (2G/3G) Vodafone cover more of the UK’s landmass than Three, including more areas where people actually live. So you’re more likely to stay connected on Vodafone than on Three.

Three have massively expanded their 4G data coverage but Vodafone still cover more of the UK’s landmass for 4G. You can get it in some very rural areas on Vodafone, but urban 4G is similar between the two networks.

Are Vodafone and Three now the same company?

You might have heard that Vodafone and Three have now officially merged into a joint company. While they haven’t combined networks yet, this is something they’re planning to do very soon.

For now it’s important to know that the two networks are still separate. You don’t get Three coverage with Vodafone. You don’t get Vodafone coverage with Three.

Once the networks are fully combined it should improve signal as you’ll be getting the best of both. It’s worth knowing that by that time both 2G/3G call signal will likely be removed, but this will further improve 4G.

But Three provide 5G in a longer list of 580+ UK towns and cities compared to Vodafone’s 310+ locations. That’s a sizeable advantage for Three and they tend to be better at covering their locations than Vodafone.

It’s best to check signal near you using their maps below. Three and Vodafone will eventually combine networks which will massively improve coverage, but until then it’s best to join the better network near you.

Useful link: Vodafone's network improvement plans

✔ Three’s 5G speeds are much faster than Vodafone’s

We tested 4G data speeds on both networks in rural and urban area. In the city 4G speeds sped up to 110+ Mbps on Vodafone and 70 Mbps, while in rural areas speeds slowed to 7 Mbps on Three and 5 Mbps on Vodafone.

Most often we sat between 25 - 30 Mbps on Three and 20 - 25 Mbps on Vodafone. That lines up nicely with Opensignal’s result of 38 Mbps on Three and 31.1 Mbps on Vodafone, showing more consistent speeds on Three.

For 5G it’s hardly a competition. Opensignal and Speedtest got typical 5G speeds of 208.9 Mbps and 276.17 Mbps on Three with peaks of 680 Mbps compared to Vodafone at 138.7 Mbps and 162.63 Mbps with peaks of 370.38 Mbps.

Compare their best 5G SIM only deals

While Vodafone are the second fastest 5G network, Three are simply untouchable. Once the two networks combine it should improve speeds, but in the meantime Three are the better choice if you need fast data speeds.

Useful link: What to expect from Three's 5G

✔ Three have better WiFi calling and more extra features

Both Three and Vodafone include WiFi calling and 4G calling features to let you connect to calls over WiFi and 4G signal. These are crucial now as 2G/3G are being removed on both.

The features themselves work basically the same on both. They both support SMS texting over WiFi and 4G and you can move from WiFi to 4G without it dropping. But Three support a lot more phones, even bought elsewhere.

Best WiFi calling plans on Vodafone and Three

On top of that, Three also include access to lots of free WiFi hotspots on the London Underground. That helps you stay connected where you’d otherwise get no signal and is something Vodafone don’t offer.

Both providers include call forwarding and let you join on eSIMs. But Three don’t support visual voicemail while Vodafone do. This is a handy feature that lets you sort through voicemails one at a time.

Useful link: Three's guide to their mobile network

✔ Three include EU roaming on more of their plans

Both Three and Vodafone no longer include EU roaming as standard. But they do include it on premium plans with different allowances and locations you can roam.

For us, Three’s scheme is better. On their mid to high-end Value and Complete plans you get a number of daily roaming passes to use in this list of 160 countries worldwide.

Vodafone and Three plans with roaming included

Vodafone only include EU roaming on a few high-end premium plans and roaming outside the EU on their most expensive plans. You’re not as limited in the number of days you can roam, but it will cost you more overall.

In our eyes a good roaming scheme is one that saves you money. So Three offering it on more reasonably priced plans gives them a huge leg up over Vodafone in our eyes.

Useful link: Roaming costs in non-inclusive destinations

✔ Vodafone offer Entertainment plans and extra offers

Vodafone offer a range of Entertainment plans that let you choose a subscription to one entertainment service. You can choose a Disney+, Amazon Prime or Youtube Premium subscription.

These plans do come at a higher cost, so you’re not getting a freebie. But the cost of these is lower than paying for a regular plan with the same data amount and the subscription separately, so they’re worth a look.

Latest Entertainment plan deals

All these let you choose a subscription:

Vodafone also have a nice rewards scheme called VeryMe. This gives you special offers on high street food, drinks and shopping. These change from time to time and you’ll even get some freebies.

This is similar to Three’s rewards app that we go into below. The important thing to note is that the offers and freebies you get are different between the two. It’s worth looking at both benefits to see which one you prefer.

Useful link: Full details and terms for Entertainment plans

✔ Three offer premium benefits and nice rewards too

Three have a handy rewards app called Three+ that gets you special discounts on shopping, restaurants and other services. And they offered presale tickets for the Reading and Leeds festivals this year.

As we said above, there’s a difference in the kinds of offers you get from Three and Vodafone’s rewards app. It’s worth checking to see what you get on both and making your mind up that way.

Three also offer a 3 year extended warranty if you take a Value or Complete phone plan which is handy if your device is faulty. Their Value plans also include a Paramount+ trial for half of your contract length.

Their Premium plans give you one phone screen repair for £25 during your contract, which can save some money. And you get Paramount+ for your whole contract. So you get a nice bit of extra value on these plans.

Useful link: Our guide to Three’s Plus and Premium plans

✔ Vodafone give more flexibility, Three offer better prices

Both Vodafone and Three offer phone deals on finance agreements (basically loans) that split the cost of your phone and usage plan (mins, texts, data) into separate payments. So what are the differences?

The main difference is that Vodafone let you choose a contract anywhere between 3 - 36 months to pay off your phone while Three let you choose a 12, 24 or 36-month contract. Vodafone offer a good deal more flexibility.

Three do let you choose a 12 or 24-month usage contract, while Vodafone only let you take a 24-month contract. Three are better if you want to change or leave your usage plan early for any reason.

The two are similar in the price of their phones, but Three’s usage plans are a lot cheaper. So in terms of the total price, Three are the better value option. As such we’d say they’re generally the better option.

Useful link: Compare phone contracts with us