Mobile providers on Vodafone's network: we rank the best ones
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Want to be on a mobile network that uses Vodafone's masts but not pay the high costs of joining them directly? Here are the best options. Last updated: 19th December 2022.
In our guide
Access Vodafone’s quality network at a lower cost
✔ Vodafone’s coverage with another providers’ SIMSkip to the networks
Vodafone are one of the best networks in terms of their overall mix of call signal and 4G data coverage - you can read our review of their excellent network here. But this quality often come at a high cost.
But before you rule Vodafone totally out. It’s worth knowing you can join on a Vodafone phone contract via retailers that sell their contracts cheaper than joining Vodafone directly. We compare their deals here.
Or if you want SIM only, the same applies. Use our SIM only deals finder below, because you can get some nice cashback on Vodafone SIMs via Mobiles.co.uk / BuyMobiles to reduce the cost.
Vodafone also have a range of Basics SIMs which are no-frills plans without 5G-access or WiFi/4G calling features. This lack of features is the trade-off for much lower costs than Vodafone’s regular plans:
But if these don’t appeal to you then you can look at the smaller providers that use Vodafone’s network. Some of these offer extra benefits or lower prices than their hosts. We go over all of them in this guide.
Skip to: Networks on Vodafone | SIM only plans | Phone contracts
Who uses Vodafone?
Talkmobile have identical coverage at much lower costs
What we like:
Same 5G/4G/3G/2G signal No credit checks on SIM only Deals are low cost WiFi/4G calling included on all plans
What we don't like:
WiFi calling hard to get working on Android Roaming needs to be turned on manually
Talkmobile are an excellent alternative to Vodafone. They now offer access to 5G on every plan while also offering identical 4G/3G/2G coverage and speeds to their hosts. You get all that at much lower costs.
There are also no credit checks to pass in order to join on a SIM only deal. And most Talkmobile plans come on a 1-month contract, meaning you can switch or leave your plan each month by giving 30 days notice.
In terms of extra benefits, you get EU roaming included on every Talkmobile plan which is something that Vodafone restrict to their higher-end plans. Otherwise Talkmobile are largely low-frills.
You can get phone contracts on Talkmobile, but only once you’ve been on a SIM only deal for a while. Talkmobile are mostly focused around SIM only deals, and for that they’re a great choice.
Useful link: Read our Talkmobile network review
VOXI are a sub-brand of Vodafone and use their full network
What we like: Same network experience as Vodafone WiFi/4G calling comes on every plan Lower costs and better benefits than Vodafone
What we don't like: EU roaming no longer included Customer service is online only
Considering VOXI are a sub-brand of Vodafone, it’s no surprise to say that they get full access to their hosts’ network. In fact your phone will just display your network as “Vodafone” when you pop in your VOXI SIM.
You’ll get identical coverage to Vodafone on 2G/3G/4G/5G, WiFi calling and 4G calling and there are no speed caps on VOXI either (see what little differences there are in our VOXI vs Vodafone guide).
In our review of VOXI we said customers will like their low prices, the flexibility to change plans each month, the lack of credit checks and their Unlimited data benefits. But they don’t include EU roaming any more.
Their phone contracts are flexible too. You do need to compare on price, because it’s not a slam-dunk that VOXI are always cheaper than all the retailers selling Vodafone. Use our comparison below.
Useful link: Read our full VOXI review
Lebara offer flexible plans and cheap international calls
What we like: Same 5G/4G/3G/2G coverage No need to pass a credit check Cheapest international mins in the UK
What we don't like: WiFi/4G calling not fully reliable
Even if you’ll never make a call to a country abroad, Lebara are a low-cost and flexible alternative to being on Vodafone, offering the same 5G/4G/3G/2G signal as their hosts.
They specialise in pre-paid SIM only bundles. They’re low cost and the majority even include international minutes for if you’ve got relatives abroad. See included countries and rates in the plan details here.
And you use your Lebara SIM in these EU countries and in India at no extra cost. They don’t include roaming in any other destinations, but their roaming scheme is still one of our favourites of all networks.
Finally they do offer WiFi calling and 4G calling, but they only become active after being on Lebara for a little while. That’s odd, but at least they offer it. Overall, Lebara are a great, low-cost choice.
Useful link: Our full Lebara network review
ASDA Mobile are another good value alternative
What we like: Identical 4G/3G/2G coverage to Vodafone Flexible and good value monthly plans
What we don't like: Speed limits on certain plans Some plans don’t include 5G
Another mobile network that’s moved from piggybacking on EE to Vodafone is ASDA Mobile. New customers joining on their SIM only plans will be on the Vodafone network, getting the same coverage as direct.
In our full review of ASDA Mobile we said they were a good value option if you only want a monthly allowance of mins, texts and data. But some plans don’t give you 5G-access, and some larger plans are speed capped.
ASDA used to be one of the best networks for traditional Pay As You Go rates. But now their rates have gone up. They’re still the second cheapest Pay As You Go network (behind 1pMobile) but they’re now quite pricey:
You even get more-advanced features like WiFi calling and 4G calling on ASDA Mobile too. And there’s no credit check to join on any of their plans. ASDA are a decent choice all-round on the Vodafone network.
Useful link: Read our full ASDA Mobile review
Virgin Mobile no longer use Vodafone’s network
What we like: Same coverage as Vodafone Extras like WiFi calling and hotspots Nice added benefits and good prices
What we don't like: Customer service not the best WiFi calling not as good as Vodafone’s
Virgin Mobile have changed network hosts again. Before being on Vodafone they used EE’s network and now they use O2’s network for signal. You can see all the providers that use O2’s network here.
If you’re already on Virgin Mobile then you’ll keep using Vodafone’s network until you take out a new plan. Otherwise, they’re a flexible and great value option if you don’t mind using O2’s network:
Here are the best value deals you can get on Virgin Mobile currently. These are all sold as 1-month deals:
Useful link: Read our full Virgin Mobile network review
SIM only plans on Vodafone-based networks
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Our other virtual network guides
Who uses EE?
Providers that use EE
Who uses O2?
Providers that use O2
Who uses Three?
Providers that use Three