Vodafone vs EE: coverage, 4G/5G speeds and benefits compared

✔ EE and Vodafone are both brilliant for 4G coverage

EE and Vodafone are two of the four main mobile networks in the UK (O2 and Three are the others) and as such own and operate their own networks. Each has its pros and cons.

Vodafone are quite a bit better for call signal (3G/2G) coverage as they have more of the UK’s landmass covered than EE. You’re less likely to find yourself in a total blackspot on Vodafone than on EE.

In terms of 4G this is flipped around. EE hold an advantage for rural 4G as well as providing it in some pretty surprising locations. In large towns and cities there’s basically no difference between them.

Your decision between the two should come down to which one has better coverage in your area. Use their coverage checkers below to check anywhere you expect to have to use your phone, not just at home.

Useful link: EE's geographical 4G expansion plans

✔ EE have much better 5G coverage

If your phone is 5G-ready then you’ll have better luck getting 5G on EE than on Vodafone. We consider EE to be the best network for 5G (read our review here).

EE and Vodafone's current 5G SIM only deals

EE currently cover 160+ locations with 5G vs Vodafone’s 120+ locations. That’s already quite a big difference, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

When EE declares a location covered they only do so when 5G is available in 50% of that location’s area. Coverage within locations can be quite poor on Vodafone, but this varies per area.

So not only does EE cover way more places with 5G, but they’re better at covering their locations. But it’s still worth using their coverage checkers just in case.

Useful link: How Vodafone have been improving their network

✔ EE have by far the fastest 4G speeds

You’ll spend most of your time on 4G with both networks, so it’s important to know which network gives you the better 4G data speeds.

Independent network testers Opensignal’s results show typical 4G speeds on EE to be around 44.0 Mbps vs 21.6 Mbps on Vodafone. So on average, EE are more than twice as fast.

In reality, speeds will vary depending on location. Both networks were capable of giving speeds over 100 Mbps in city centres. But Vodafone tends to slow down below 10 Mbps in rural areas, while EE can keep a consistent 20 Mbps.

Again, it will really depend on your location. We think you’ll have a bit more luck streaming HD video outside the city on EE, but in the city there shouldn’t be a massive difference between the two.

Useful link: About EE's faster 4G+ service

✔ 5G speeds about equal between them

While you’ll spend most of your time on 4G, some might want the fastest 5G speeds possible. If you’re in a 5G-covered location with a 5G-ready phone what sorts of speeds can you expect?

Results from Opensignal and Speedtest by Ookla put EE’s 5G speeds between 131.9 Mbps - 158.30 Mbps vs speeds between a weirdly low 73.3 Mbps - 159.40 Mbps on Vodafone.

The variation on Vodafone’s speeds might be explained by people using 5G on the fringes of their 5G coverage. That’s all the more credit to EE’s brilliant 5G coverage. But peak speeds should be pretty similar between them.

So 5G speeds might be a little more consistent on EE, but it will really vary per location. We’d expect there to be little difference between them most of the time.

Useful link: EE's 5G vs 4G guide

✔ Vodafone’s supported phones list is limited

Vodafone’s WiFi calling has got a lot better. You can now send SMS messages over WiFi (like you can on EE) and they now support more phones. But there are still some limits. Firstly it’s not available on their no-frills Basics plans.

Vodafone's current Basics plans

These strip out any roaming, WiFi calling or 4G calling but are much cheaper than Vodafone's main set of SIM only deals:

Also, like with EE, Android models bought from other networks or from the manufacturer aren’t guaranteed to work. And our own tests found Vodafone aren’t being defensive when they say this, they won’t work.

So if you just want to join on SIM only, it might be worth testing your SIM as soon as it arrives to see if WiFi calling works. If not you always have the choice to return it within 14 days of its arrival.

If you join on a phone contract with Vodafone, then WiFi calling will work on the models that are listed as having WiFi calling as a feature (check the specifications on each model).

Useful link: Vodafone's WiFi calling info page

✔ Vodafone offer roaming on select premium plans

Vodafone no longer offer inclusive EU roaming as standard. You’ll either have to pay a daily rate while abroad in the EU, or you can take select premium plans that offer inclusive roaming.

It’s only available on their plans with 4 Xtras. These are pricier plans that give you some added extras, one of which is inclusive roaming. On their non-unlimited 4 Xtras plans you get inclusive roaming in 51 EU destinations.

If you want to go beyond the EU and you don’t mind investing a little extra cash, then you can take their Unlimited plan with 4 Xtras to get inclusive roaming in 32 additional worldwide destinations.

Vodafone SIMs with extra roaming

These deals give you the full 81 countries:

Roaming has unfortunately become a premium feature on Vodafone. On regular pay monthly plans you’ll pay the daily rate and you can’t roam at all on their Basics plans. Overall, you’ll be spending a lot.

Useful link: All roaming costs on Vodafone

✔ EE offer roaming passes on premium plans

EE have similarly got rid of their inclusive EU roaming scheme, meaning you’ll have to pay a daily rate to roam in their EU destinations or pay for a daily data add-on if you go further abroad.

However, they do offer a Roam Abroad pass as a benefit on their Smart plans. These are similar to Vodafone’s Xtras plans and give you certain benefits for a pricier plan.

EE SIMs with Smart Benefits

Choose extra roaming as a Smart Benefit with any of these:

So, like Vodafone, roaming has become a premium feature on EE. It’s a shame as EE are one of the pricier networks, so the fact you have to pay more to roam means being on EE can get pricey quickly.

In any case, both offer premium options for worldwide roaming, but Vodafone do offer a lot more destinations overall. We’d say there are better networks for EU roaming, so look elsewhere if that’s a priority for you.

Useful link: All other roaming costs on EE

✔ EE offer Smart benefits and entertainment trials

On all pay monthly plans you’ll get free trials to four different entertainment services (with free data use on these). If you’re willing to shell out a little extra you can also get extra benefits with their Smart plans.

These Smart benefits are a free Video Data Pass (data use on certain apps won’t come out of your allowance), their previously mentioned Roam Further Pass and certain entertainment subscriptions.

EE SIMs with Smart Benefits

All these lets you choose at least one Smart Benefit:

It’s usually the case that you’ll save money with a Smart plan vs paying for a non-Smart plan and the benefit separately. But you should always make sure you’re actually saving money overall.

Useful link: EE's guide to their Smart Benefits

✔ Vodafone don’t offer many added extras

Vodafone don’t offer much to make their plans more worth the cost. This is a shame as they tend to be pricier than other networks. But they do offer some extras on more premium plans.

You’ll notice some plans labelled as “Entertainment Plans”. These include subscriptions to certain entertainment services, but are usually around £6 more expensive than their usual plans, so it’s not like it’s a freebie.

Vodafone's current Entertainment plans

Pick an inclusive subscription with any of these SIM only deals:

All pay monthly plans do get their customers free access to Vodafone’s VeryMe rewards scheme, which gets you special offers, freebies and discounts on high-street restaurants, shopping and experiences.

If you’re someone who loves searching for the best possible deal then this might be for you. But in the end it’s more of a way of getting you to spend money with their associates than a way of saving you money.

Useful link: Read our full Vodafone review

✔ Vodafone offer flexibility with their EVO plans

Vodafone offer phone contracts with their EVO scheme, which splits your monthly bill into two payments. One is a finance agreement (a loan) for the cost of your phone, the other is for your usage (mins, texts and data).

This means you can choose a contract length anywhere between 12 and 36 months, you get the flexibility to change or leave your usage plan whenever you want and you can choose an upfront cost.

Because you’re paying a loan you can also pay lump sum amounts to reduce your monthly bill. But they don’t let you upgrade early. You can only upgrade after 12 months by trading in your phone, which we don’t think is worth it.

They do tend to be one of the pricier networks when you buy direct, so you might want to look at Vodafone’s sub-brand VOXI or at resellers like Carphone Warehouse for a better deal.

Useful link: Compare Vodafone phone contracts

✔ EE only offer traditional phone contracts

It seems like EE have gone about tearing up their partnerships with third party retailers like Fonehouse, ChitterChatter and earlier Carphone Warehouse, who all used to sell EE phone contracts.

Now, the only way to join EE for a phone deal is direct via their website, or go into a store. You’ll join on a more “traditional” 24-month contract, where it’s one payment covering the phone and usage.

There’s no finance, so no option to upgrade early, pay off your phone early, change your usage plan or set a different contract length or upfront cost. Flexibility isn’t EE’s strong suit.

But you do get all the benefits of being an EE customer listed above and their prices are actually pretty fair despite them being one of the more expensive networks.

Useful link: Use our phone contract comparison tool