VOXI vs Vodafone: the differences between the two networks

✔ Both networks share the same 5G/4G/3G/2G signal coverage

Vodafone own and operate their own network. They have the joint-second largest 4G network for geographic coverage (after EE). And their call signal is the joint best, both indoors and out.

VOXI are run by Vodafone so they get access to this brilliant network. We tested a VOXI and a Vodafone SIM in the same phone at different locations to see if there were any differences.

We tested 5G, 4G and call signal coverage and we found no differences between them. We got the same amount of signal bars, and the network just showed up as “Vodafone” on our VOXI SIM anyway.

These findings confirm what their coverage maps claim, that both cover the same areas with the same signal strengths (check your Vodafone/VOXI signal here).

✔ We got the same 4G/5G speeds on both networks

Historically main networks have hampered virtual operators’ speeds to make themselves more appealing. But Vodafone’s traffic management policy here rules it out for VOXI. Vodafone only speed cap their Unlimited Lite and Unlimited plans.

We wanted to make absolutely sure, so we tested a VOXI SIM and a Vodafone SIM in the same areas. As expected, we found no differences in speeds between the two networks.

It’s impossible to get absolutely identical results even when comparing SIMs of the same network. So any tiny differences you can find will be largely negligible. In general speeds are the same.

According to independent network testers Opensignal, average 4G download speeds on Vodafone and VOXI should be around 21.6 Mbps. They’re slower than EE and Three, but still decently fast.

Useful link: Vodafone's latest improvements to their network

✔ They both get you access to Vodafone’s 5G

Vodafone have been expanding their 5G network, so now you can get 5G in 120+ towns and cities across the UK. You get it on all of Vodafone’s pay monthly SIM only and compatible phone deals (except their Basics plans).

Results from independent network testers Opensignal and Speedtest by Ookla put typical 5G speeds on Vodafone between a slightly underwhelming 73.3 Mbps and a respectable 159.40 Mbps.

We don’t know exactly what causes that massive gulf between results. All we can say is that speeds typically lie somewhere between the two, putting them behind EE and Three again for 5G speeds.

Like their parent company VOXI now offer 5G on all of their SIM only deals - though your phone still needs to be compatible. Here is their best current deal:

Useful link: Latest on Vodafone's 5G rollout

✔ They share similar WiFi calling and 4G calling features

VOXI have had WiFi calling and 4G calling for a while now, and like with their coverage they share the same technology for these features as Vodafone. It’s worth checking if your phone is supported here, as not all models are.

WiFi calling lets your phone use WiFi connection to connect to calls and send texts. It’s essential for places with poor signal that have WiFi and where you’re expecting to take calls, such as being indoors.

You can also connect to calls with 4G signal with 4G calling. This essentially improves coverage for calls and should improve call quality, compared to conventional 2G and 3G based calls.

As both networks have these as features and are essentially the same in these two aspects. There’s really not anything now separating VOXI and Vodafone in terms of their raw mobile network.

Useful link: FAQs about Vodafone's WiFi calling

✖ No free WiFi hotspots on either network

We like it when networks offer free WiFi hotspots for their users to connect to on the go, especially when users can log in automatically to the nearest hotspot. It’s a great way of staying connected and saving a bit of data.

Both networks used to be a part of the TFL WiFi scheme, where you could get free and unlimited WiFi on London's transport network. But as Vodafone scrapped it, VOXI now also have no access to it.

For those living outside of London this hasn’t changed anything. And free WiFi is easier to find these days anyway, so you’re not missing out on much. But you’ll inevitably use more data on the go than these networks.

Useful link: Full details on Vodafone's free WiFi scheme

✔ Roaming is now reserved for premium plans on Vodafone

New customers on Vodafone no longer get inclusive EU roaming as standard with their regular pay monthly plans. Instead users will either have to buy one of Vodafone’s premium plans or pay a daily rate to roam.

By taking any of their 4 Xtras plans, you’ll get inclusive roaming in these 51 EU destinations. But if you take their priciest Unlimited data plan with 4 Xtras you can roam in an extra 32 worldwide destinations.

Vodafone plans with EU roaming

You’ll still be limited to 25GB of your allowance while you’re abroad. We don’t like the fact that you have to pay to access your allowance, only to have it capped (even if you’re on an “unlimited” data plan).

On any other plan (except their Basics plans which don’t let you roam at all) you’ll have to pay a daily rate to roam. It currently costs £2 a day to roam in the EU and £6 a day beyond the EU, no matter how much of your plan you actually use.

Useful link: Know all costs before you go abroad

✔ VOXI have got rid of their free EU roaming scheme

VOXI used to be the much better network for EU roaming between the two, but now they no longer offer EU roaming as standard. Like Vodafone, you’ll have to pay a daily rate to roam in their EU destinations.

You’ll now have to pay £2 a day to roam in VOXI’s EU destinations or buy a time-limited roaming pass which are better value than paying the rate. You’re still limited to 20GB and won’t be able to use VOXI’s Endless benefits while abroad.

There is no inclusive worldwide roaming on VOXI, but you can take a Global Roaming Extra. These give you a small amount of mins, texts and data to use over a limited time span. Otherwise you’ll have to pay as you go at these rates.

Because of the changes, VOXI are now among our worst ranked networks for EU roaming. At least with Vodafone there are some plans that include roaming, on VOXI there are now none.

Useful link: Full costs and charges when roaming on VOXI

✔ VOXI offer Endless Social Media on all plans

One of the best things about being on VOXI vs being on Vodafone is their Endless Social Media data benefit. In our view it’s the best unlimited social media scheme of all UK networks.

With VOXI (on both SIM and phone deals), you’re basically getting unlimited data when using certain social media apps (see full list here) which won’t come out of your monthly allowance.

For the most part, apps like Twitter don’t use much data as they are mainly text based. But when loading images or videos on these apps the benefit can save you a lot of data (as long as you don't leave the app).

You used to be able to get a similar Social Media data pass on Vodafone, but not anymore. It’s definitely a big advantage of being on VOXI vs being on their parent network.

Useful link: VOXI's full guide to Endless social data

✔ VOXI include Endless Video on bigger plans

VOXI take their endless data benefits one step further by offering unlimited data allowance for YouTube, Netflix and all these other entertainment services on slightly pricier plans.

With this benefit you can stream these apps without eating into your data allowance. It’s a great way of staying entertained on your commute and tethering to larger devices without worrying about data usage.

VOXI plans with Endless Video

All of these plans come with the benefit:

To test if it was really “endless” we left a 4K Youtube video running on data for basically a whole day. While the YouTube app claimed we had used hundreds of GB, none of it came out of our allowance. It’s genuinely impressive.

With this you’ll never have to worry about eating through your data when watching videos or streams. Like with many of their benefits, Vodafone scrapped their own similar Video Passes.

Useful link: More about VOXI's Endless Video

✔ Vodafone offer entertainment subscriptions on pricier plans

You can get one subscription from a small range of entertainment services when you take one of Vodafone’s pricier Entertainment plans. These are offered as SIM only or on phone deals.

At the moment you can choose between Sky Sports Mobile TV (sport streaming), Spotify Premium (music streaming), Amazon Prime Video (films and TV) or a Now TV Entertainment Pass (TV).

When you choose your service you’ll be subscribed to it until the end of your contract. Unlike VOXI, however, you don’t get free unlimited data to use with these services. Using them on data will come out of your allowance.

Vodafone's current Entertainment plans

We hesitate to call this a freebie as it only comes packaged with a more expensive plan, so definitely double check you’re still paying less than a cheaper plan and a subscription separately.

Useful link: Full offer details and terms

✔ VOXI offer cheap contracts with decent flexibility

VOXI offer all of their smartphones on what are called “split contracts”. When you take a phone from them, your monthly bill is split between the cost of paying back your phone and your usage (mins, texts, data) plan.

You’ll have paid for the phone after 30 months. But, if you want to pay in bigger chunks to shorten the length of the agreement you’re free to do so. Your SIM plan can be changed when you want or cancelled after 30 days.

One benefit of split contracts is that you have the freedom to change your usage plan (which you can do every month) or leave it entirely when you so wish. It typically means networks can offer cheaper overall deals.

The only downside is that it might be difficult to be accepted for one of these deals if you’ve either missed a bill payment in the past or simply have no credit history. Since you’re not paying up front the networks have to be more cautious.

Useful link: VOXI's FAQs about their phone contracts

✔ Vodafone offer split contracts with their EVO plan

Vodafone’s EVO scheme offers the newest smartphones on split contracts that are very similar to VOXI’s. You pay off the cost of your phone and usage plan as separate payments.

This is a welcome improvement to their previous phone contracts which bundled together the cost of your SIM and your phone, meaning you had no flexibility to change or leave your SIM deal before your phone was paid off.

The contracts they offer tend to be fairly expensive, so it’s worth looking at resellers Carphone Warehouse and Mobiles.co.uk who can offer cheaper contracts while still getting you onto Vodafone.

Vodafone also now let you pay your phone back from 12 months to 36 months at most, which beats VOXI’s 30 month maximum and you can also pay lump sums if you want to pay off your phone more quickly or reduce your monthly rate.

Useful link: Carphone Warehouse vs going direct