Smarty vs Giffgaff, which is better

Switching between different mobile network providers is never easy as multiple factors can affect your decision. While the market is laced with innumerable options, here we are comparing the two of the most affordable yet famous providers – Smart and Giffgaff.

The guide covers everything, from their sim plans and coverage to international calls and roaming to help you make an informed choice. Scroll down the page and find the complete Smarty Vs Giffgaff guide here.

But before you jump into the detailed comparison, it is essential to know the basics of both networks to avoid any confusion later on.

Carriers	Smarty	Giffgaff
Network	Three	O2
5G	✓	✓
Unlimited calls & texts	✓	✓
Tethering	✓	✓
WiFi calling	✓	✓
EU Roaming	✓ (12GB fair use limit)	✓ (5GB fair use limit)
Group plan discount	✓ (10% off for extra plan)	X
No Contract	✓	✓
See details	Get Smarty Plans	Get Giffgaff Plans

Smarty

A sim-only mobile network, Smarty assures to be simple, transparent, and value-for-money. It is owned and operated by Three Network and is counted among the famous MVNOs that use one of the big four networks to deliver the coverage.

There’s no denying that Smarty appeals to all budget-conscious customers owing to its short-term and low-cost sim-only plans. Moreover, since it runs on the Three Network, it has coverage in all the same places, whether you are connecting to 5G, 4G, or 3G services. You will be glad to know that Smarty’s 5G coverage is now available in over 300 locations across the UK.

GiffGaff

Giffgaff is one of the leading no-frills MVNOs, offering simple and flexible plans. The best thing about this network is its flexibility and control.

With Giffgaff, you can switch upward if you want more data and flex back down if you find it costly at any point in time without having to pay any penalties or extra charges. Unlike other mobile network providers, Giffgaff’s goody bags are based on a straightforward model, so you can choose them based on your requirement and budget.

So, now you are covered with the basics, read on to find the complete comparison guide between Smarty and Giffgaff here and make a choice accordingly.

---

Compare Smarty and Giffgaff Phone Plans

The major difference between Smarty and Giffgaff lies in their sim-only plans; hence, we will compare them beforehand and pick the one that fits your pocket well.

Smarty Phone Plans

Voice Plans

For an operator that takes pride in its simplicity, it’s no surprise to learn that Smarty has just six plans to offer. All plans offer unlimited calls and texts under the usual conditions attached.

In addition, plans offered by Smarty Mobile are available on a rolling monthly basis rather than tying in for 12 months or so. Hence, there’s no minimum term and you can use your allowance to serve your purpose.

Price	Data	Learn More
£6	5GB	View More
£7	8GB	View More
£8	16GB	View More
£10	40GB	View More
£12	100GB	View More
£15	150GB	View More
£17	200GB	View More
£20	Unlimited	View More

All these Smarty Plans come with unlimited calls and texts, excluding Data Only plans. These come with fast 5G, 4G, and 3G data and offers EU roaming with a 12GB fair use limit. Moreover, users can easily enjoy unrestricted tethering in the UK with all of their plans with no speed caps. In addition, all Smarty Plans include Wi-Fi calling to supercharge your signals.

Data discount plans

Data	Price	Money Back	See details
1GB	£6	Up to £1 back every month	View Plan>
2GB	£7	Up to £2 back every month	View Plan>
3GB	£8	Up to £3 back every month	View Plan>

Smarty also features three extra money back plans, known as Data Discount plans that come with a money-back guarantee on any unused data. These plans come with three small allowances and for every 1GB unused, you can get £1 to £3 back every month for unused data.

For example, if you buy the 1GB plan, if you do not use any data on the month, you will get 1 back for the months. So, according its rule, you only spend £5 each month if you do not use any data for Data discount plans. You will get money back for any unused data. This plan suits those who use data occasionally or use very little data and want to save money.

Giffgaff Plans

Giffgaff is packed with simple, customer-oriented plans, popularly known as Goody bags. This network is specialized in offering SIM-only deals; hence, you can expect something out-of-the-ordinary from their plans.

Like Smarty, Giffgaff also believes in offering no-contract deals so that users can easily move out of the plan whenever they wanted. Scroll down and find Giffgaff sim-only deals here.

Data	Price	See details
2GB	£6	View Plan>
5GB	£8	View Plan>
20GB	£10	View Plan>
26GB	£12	View Plan>
35GB	£15	View Plan>
100GB	£20	View Plan>
Unlimited data	£35	View Plan>

Data	Price	See details
2GB	£6	View Plan>
5GB	£8	View Plan>
20GB	£10	View Plan>
26GB	£12	View Plan>
35GB	£15	View Plan>
100GB	£20	View Plan>
Unlimited data	£35	View Plan>

All these goody bags are 5G and 4G-ready and offer unlimited UK calls and texts. Moreover, they include EU roaming up to 5GB as a fair limit policy. And you can tether on all the plans.

Overall, both Smarty and Giffgaff mobile offers excellent and affordable plans to users. However, Giffgaff comes with a lot of extra options so users can easily pick the one according to their needs. Customers can choose Smarty as a Giffgaff alternative if they are looking for simple and straightforward plans.

Smarty vs Giffgaff Coverage: What is coverage like on Smarty and Giffgaff?

When it comes to the network coverage, both  Smarty and Giffgaff offer incredible connection, and fast speed so you can connect with your near and dear ones with ease. Smarty Mobile operates on the famous Three-network while Giffgaff uses the infrastructure of O2. 

However, in terms of call signal, Giffgaff have a clear advantage. Its host O2 is known for offering the joint-largest amount of the country’s physical landmass covered for calls and texts; hence, you will be less likely to find yourself in a total blackspot. On the other hand, Giffgaff lacks 4G data and urban call signal coverage.

Both Smarty and Giffgaff offers 5G coverage so you can enjoy faster speeds than usual. However, when it comes to locations, Smarty has a slight edge and benefit greatly from being on Three’s 5G network that spans 300+ towns and cities across the UK. Giffgaff on the other side, provides 5G network in 190+ locations, which in turn makes Smarty as the best Giffgaff alternative.

While there might not be much difference between the two in terms of coverage, you will definitely experience a massive difference between 5G and 4G speeds of these two networks.

According to Opensignal, Smarty’s hosts operates at 25.2Mbps, which is way higher than Giffgaff’s 17.1Mb per second.

You can go to Smarty coverage map checker to your postcode to see if your location is covered, and go to Giffgaff coverage map checker to check coverage by entering your postcode, address or place name.

Smarty vs Giffgaff International Calls

It is essential to know about international calling option before you make a choice between Smarty and Giffgaff, especially if your near and dear ones live abroad. Smarty Mobile allows you to make international calls ay anytime and you just need a top-up add-on plan.

Remember that international calling facility is not available in their existing plans and hence, top-up is mandatory to connect with international numbers. All international calls and texts with Smarty are paid for with your “Out of Plan” add-on. The cost depends on the country where you want to contact.

Similar to Smarty, Giffgaff also doesn’t include international calling facility in its existing plans and customers have to pay extra to call overseas. However, this mobile network provider great value international rates when calling from the UK. All you have to do is order a free SIM, get it activated, and top up your account.

So, overall, that’s a tie as both Smarty and Giffgaff don’t include an international calling facility in its existing plans and you have to pay for add-ons to enjoy this facility.

Smarty vs Giffgaff International Roaming

Traveling abroad? Don’t fret as both Smarty and Giffgaff offer international roaming facilities to ease the customers. However, the major difference lies in the fair use limit. While Smarty offers 12GB for EU roaming, the limit reduces to 5GB for the Giffgaff network.

With Smarty and Giffgaff, you can enjoy calls, texts, and data just like at home with no extra cost. However, the allowance is subject to their fair use limit and if you need more data, then you can buy a data add-on.

If you are traveling outside the EU, you’ll have to invest in the add-on plans for both Smarty and Giffgaff. Also, do not forget to check the country you are traveling to and find whether the network provider covers it or not.

Smarty vs Giffgaff: Which should you get?

That’s all about the Smarty and Giffgaff comparison guide. We hope it helps you learn about these networks so you can make an appropriate choice. While Giffgaff leads in some areas, Smarty is still close by. Both of these networks offer identical experiences in International calls and International Roaming.

For a low-cost mobile network, Smarty is more competitively priced and offers better value for money. However, Giffgaff’s flexibility is still up there with its plenty of goody bags and excellent coverage.

If you want to consider other cheap phone plans from other carriers, you may check our article cheap sim only deals UK.

Article Updates

July 29, 2024: Update both Smarty and Giffgaff plans