EE, Vodafone and O2: what actually differs
Cutting through the branding — the differences you can actually put a number on when choosing between the three networks.
On a SIM only plan the differences between the three networks come down to a short list of things you can actually measure: how the annual increase works, what roaming costs, and the price for the allowance you want. Coverage at your address decides the rest.
Key takeaways
- Prices rise by £1.50 a month each April on EE, Vodafone and O2.
- EU roaming: included on O2; £1.60/day Vodafone; £1.50/day EE.
- Worldwide roaming: £4.00/day O2; £4.26/day Vodafone; £9.00/day EE world (£5.00/day EE business).
- Terms are 24 month or 30 day rolling across all three.
On a SIM only plan the differences between the three networks come down to a short list of things you can actually measure: how the annual increase works, what roaming costs, and the price for the allowance you want. Coverage at your address decides the rest.
Key takeaways
Prices rise by £1.50 a month each April on EE, Vodafone and O2 during the contract. Starting prices are not fixed for the term.
- EU roaming: included on O2; £1.60/day Vodafone; £1.50/day EE.
- Worldwide roaming: £4.00/day O2; £4.26/day Vodafone; £9.00/day EE world (£5.00/day EE business).
- Terms are 24 month or 30 day rolling across all three.
How prices rise
Prices rise by £1.50 a month each April on EE, Vodafone and O2 during the contract. Starting prices are not fixed for the term.
Roaming
This is the clearest difference of the three. O2 includes EU roaming, while Vodafone and EE charge a daily fee. Long haul the gap widens: O2 £4.00 a day, Vodafone £4.26 a day, EE £9.00 a day for world roaming with a £5.00 a day business rate.
Coverage
Coverage is the one factor that is personal rather than national. The honest answer is that the best network is the one that works where you live, work and commute — check your postcode rather than trusting a headline claim.
How to choose
Shortlist on coverage first, then on the allowance and term you need, and use roaming as the tiebreak if you travel. Price the plan over the whole term, not just the first month.
- Check coverage at your postcode
- Pick the allowance you actually use
- Choose 24 month for price, 30 day for flexibility
- Use roaming rates as the tiebreak if you travel
Frequently asked questions
Which network is cheapest?
It depends on the allowance and term. Our comparison table lines up like-for-like plans across all three so you can see the starting price side by side.
Which network is best for travel?
O2 includes EU roaming, and its worldwide day rate is the lowest of the three at £4.00. EE's world roaming is the highest at £9.00 a day.
Does the network affect how my price rises?
Prices rise by £1.50 a month each April on EE, Vodafone and O2 during the contract. Starting prices are not fixed for the term.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
Which network is cheapest?
It depends on the allowance and term. Our comparison table lines up like-for-like plans across all three so you can see the starting price side by side.
Which network is best for travel?
O2 includes EU roaming, and its worldwide day rate is the lowest of the three at £4.00. EE's world roaming is the highest at £9.00 a day.
Does the network affect how my price rises?
Prices rise by £1.50 a month each April on all three networks. Check your mobile agreement for the applicable adjustment.
Deals mentioned in this guide
Prices are shown ex VAT first, with inc VAT alongside, and show the saving against the network’s own published price where a like-for-like plan exists.
O2 Unlimited
Unlimited streaming and tethering
£15/month inc VAT
Price per user. Starting price — rises by £1.50 each April during the contract
Compared against O2 direct, you save £192 over the 24 month term at starting prices
That’s £8/month less than their £23 price for the same allowance. Annual increases are excluded from this estimate.
Unlimited
Data
24 months
Contract
Vodafone Unlimited
Unlimited streaming and tethering
£17/month inc VAT
Price per user. Starting price — rises by £1.50 each April during the contract
Compared against Vodafone direct, you save £215.76 over the 24 month term at starting prices
That’s £8.99/month less than their £25.99 price for the same allowance. Annual increases are excluded from this estimate.
Unlimited
Data
24 months
Contract