Lebara vs Vodafone – Which is the better mobile network on Vodafone

Lebara and Vodafone offer mobile network services in the UK using the same network. The network that they both use is reliable and has wide coverage across the UK and beyond.

When to use Lebara

Lebara is a virtual operator network that runs on the Vodafone network to provide 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G network. It offers two different price plans – 30-day SIM-Only plans and PAYG to its customers. You also get cheap international calls on both 30-day and PAYG plans.

When to use Vodafone

Vodafone is the host network for Lebara and VOXI making it one of the most reliable networks in the UK and the world. The mobile network is one of the oldest in the UK with a strong infrastructure nationwide and the largest telecommunication provider in the world. The network offers a variety of SIM-Only plans ranging from 30 days to 12 months.

Lebaravs Vodafone Feature comparison

 

Features	Lebara	Vodafone
Network	Vodafone	Vodafone
5G	No	Yes
Average download speed	22.4 Mbps	22.4 Mbps
Wi-Fi calling/4G calling	No	Yes
Roaming	41 destinations	81 destinations
Credit checks	No	yes
Contract length	30 days	30 days – 24 months
Price	£6 – £35	£6 – £37

 

How to evaluate Lebara and Vodafone

 

There are a few factors that we look at to give you a proper evaluation of Lebara and Vodafone. These include:

 

• Network coverage
• Download speeds
• SIM-Only Plans
• Prices
• Benefits

 

Lebara and Vodafone overview

 

Lebara Overview

 

This virtual network is an MVNO that runs on Vodafone’s network in the UK. The operator has a reliable 2G, 3G, and 4G network across the UK and offers various SIM-Only plans that last for 30 days.

 

Tariff	Data	Monthly Price	Details
Lebara Monthly plan	2 GB	£5	View plan
Lebara Monthly plan	6 GB	£10	View plan
Lebara Monthly plan	10 GB with 100 international minutes	£10	View plan
Lebara Monthly plan	10 GB with unlimited international minutes	£15	View plan
Lebara Monthly plan	15 GB	£15	View plan
Lebara Monthly plan	20 GB	£20	View plan
Lebara Monthly plan	Unlimited	£35	View plan

 

Lebara has flexible monthly plans without contracts that come with varying numbers of minutes both in the UK and internationally. The network has a physical presence in 9 countries worldwide and you can call 41 destinations around the world. Lebara also offers a PAYG bundle at the rate of 19p/minute & text, and 9p/MB of data.

 

The network operator doesn’t conduct credit checks and you can cancel anytime. For a student, you can register with Student Beans and get 50% off all your SIM-Only plans on Lebara. The mobile network rewards between £10 and £50 per referral when you invite your family and friends to join the network. When you refer someone to a SIM-Only plan with 25 GB, you earn £50.

 

Pros

 

• No contracts
• Free international calls
• Free-roaming within India
• Unlimited international calls with most plans
• No credit checks conducted
• You earn money when you refer

 

Cons

 

• Doesn’t support Wi-Fi and 4G calling
• No 5G network coverage within the UK

 

Vodafone Overview

 

Vodafone is an established network across the UK with the second-largest amount of physical 4G presence in the UK and can be relied upon even in the most remote areas. The network also leads in both indoor and outdoor signals for calls. Vodafone has a wide variety of data plans with flexible contract periods from 30 days to 12 months.

 

Tariff	Data	Monthly Price	Details
Vodafone Basics	2 GB	£6	View plan
Vodafone Red	1 GB – 120 GB	£11 – £33	View plan
Unlimited Lite	Unlimited (@ 2 Mbps Max)	£22	View plan
Unlimited	Unlimited (@ 10 Mbps Max)	£26	View plan
Unlimited Max	Unlimited (@ 2 Mbps Max)	£30	View plan

 

Vodafone plans come with unlimited calls and texts within the UK and EU. The network offers international roaming on all their plans allowing its customers to use their allowances in any of the 48 destinations included in the Vodafone Essentials & Red Extra plans. Also, you get up to 500 minutes to make calls to 31 destinations at no extra charges. If you need more roaming for example to Australia, Canada, or the US, the Red Entertainment plan includes roaming to 77 destinations worldwide.

 

Pros

 

• Free subscriptions with the Red Entertainment plans
• Up to 81 roaming destinations worldwide
• Access to BT Wi-Fi hotspots depending on the plan
• Unused allowances rollover
• 5G network coverage

 

Cons

 

• Expensive

 

How does Lebara and Vodafone compare?

 

Network coverage

 

Lebara and Vodafone use the same network meaning that they’re both reliable mobile networks within the UK and beyond. Here, Vodafone is better as it supports 5G and owns the network.

 

Download speed

 

Down speed is an important factor for one to consider when purchasing a mobile network. Since Lebara and Vodafone are powered by the same network, their average download speeds are relatively the same. Also, Lebara’s unlimited plans don’t come with data capping or restrictions. In this comparison however, Vodafone has slightly better speed because most Lebara customers have reported their speed being slower.

 

Plans

 

Lebara and Vodafone plans are good and well-priced. They are however expensive compared to other mobile networks. Lebara offers 30-day SIM Only plans without credit checks or contracts while Vodafone offers plans with contracts ranging from 30 days to 12 months. Here, Vodafone has a more plans compared to Lebara.

 

Prices

 

Vodafone’s plans are cheaper than Lebara’s. This is because the mobile network offers long-term plans compared to Lebara that offers 30-day plans.

 

Benefits

 

Lebara has a referral program where customers can earn up to £50 when they successfully refer someone to join the network. Students get 50% discounts on Lebara when they register with Student Beans. However, Vodafone offers more benefits compared to Lebara. You get free subscriptions with its Red Entertainment plans, more international roaming destinations, and access to BT Wi-Fi hotspots around the UK, and your unused data rolls over.

 

Conclusion

 

Despite both mobile operators running on the same network, the differences are quite significant. The overall winner is Vodafone. This is because the mobile network offers a 5G network, Wi-Fi, and 4G calling, and has more benefits compared to Lebara.

 

FAQs

 

When does one get their referral reward on Lebara?

 

When you refer someone to join Lebara, you get your reward within 60 days of a successful referral.

 

Do Lebara’s unlimited data plans come with data capping?

 

No, Lebara’s unlimited data plans don’t come with data capping or restrictions.