Choosing the best network provider that offers a myriad of deals at a budget-friendly price isn’t as simple as it may sound. The internet is laced with tons of options, that can turn a simple choice into a grueling task.
If you are confused between Lebara and Giffgaff and have no idea which one is better, then fret not and keep scrolling the page. We have compiled the notable differences between these networks that will surely help you make the best choice. Let’s begin the guide by introducing both Lebara and Giffgaff to offer you a better idea about them.
| Carriers | Leabara | Giffgaff |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Vodafone | O2 |
| 5G | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited calls & texts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tethering | ✓ | ✓ |
| WiFi calling | ✓ | X |
| EU Roaming | ✓ (2, 5, 7 or 10 GB data use limit) | ✓ (5GB fair use limit) |
| Free International calls | ✓ | X (Pay extra) |
| Group plan discount | X | X |
| No Contract | ✓ | ✓ |
| See details | View Lebara Plans | View Giffgaff Plans |
Lebara
Lebara is a small mobile phone provider, which operates on the Vodafone network. This MVNO uses Vodafone infrastructure to offer both 4G and 5G coverage.
Lebara mainly focuses on migrant communities, looking to keep in touch with their family overseas. It operates around the world and offers plans with decent international call allowances. The best thing about Lebara is that it has no long contracts, which means that customers can cut their string off if they don’t like the network much.
Here’re mentioned some of the major pros and cons of Lebara here.
Pros
- Flexible 30-day rolling plans
- EU roaming included
- No credit checks and hassle-free sign-up
- Runs on the reliable Vodafone network
- 5G is included at no additional cost
Cons
- Limited plans available
- No additional perks and add-ons
GiffGaff
To make a wise comparison between Lebara and Giffgaff, it is important to uncover both networks equally. Giffgaff is one of the prominent MVNOs in the UK, with a trusted name, a solid history, affordable prices, and unlimited data plans.
This network operates on O2’s network and has access to the same spectrum as O2. It also offers strong 5G coverage just as its parent network to facilitate the customers.
Although Giffgaff is one of the smaller mobile networks, its popularity is growing day by day. Like all other networks in the UK, it also offers EU roaming so you can travel across EU destinations without thinking twice. Check out some of the major pros and cons here.
Pros
- Includes 5G coverage
- Unlimited data on some plans
- Affordable pricing
- Excellent coverage
Cons
- No Wifi calling facility
- Not including roaming beyond Europe
Still, figuring which is better – Lebara or Giffgaff? Keep scrolling the page to the end and find out the detailed comparison between the two leading MVNOs to make an appropriate choice.
Compare Lebara and Giffgaff Phone Plans
Let’s begin the comparison with the Lebara and Giffgaff phone plans. Since both are virtual networks, they offer a limited number of sim-only deals to choose from.
Lebara Phone Plans
Lebara offers sim-only deals for 1 month and 12 months, depending on your choice. Its plans are relatively cheap in the UK mobile market, making them ideal for budget-savvy customers.
Since it is mainly launched by keeping migrants into account, all Lebara deals from 30GB upwards come with unlimited international minutes to 42 destinations. Lebara also offers a choice of two unlimited data plans – one with 100 inclusive international minutes and another one with unlimited international minutes. You can pick the one that satiates your requirements well.
Check the Lebara sim-only deals in the table mentioned below.
30-Day Plans
| Data | UK minutes and texts | International minutes | Plan | Learn more |
| 3GB | 1000 | 100 | £5 | View Plan> |
| 15GB | Unlimited | 100 | £10 | View Plan> |
| 6GB | Unlimited | 500 | £10 | View Plan> |
| 30GB | Unlimited | 100 | £15 | View Plan> |
| 30GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | £20 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 | £25 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | £30 | View Plan> |
12-month Plan
| Data | UK minutes and texts | International minutes | Plan | Learn more |
| 3GB | 1000 | 100 | £4.5 | View Plan> |
| 15GB | Unlimited | 100 | £9 | View Plan> |
| 6GB | Unlimited | 500 | £9 | View Plan> |
| 30GB | Unlimited | 100 | £13.50 | View Plan> |
| 30GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | £18 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 | £22.50 | View Plan> |
Lebara supports international calls, which is a feature that many mobile service providers do not have. If you are an international students or you have friends and family who live outside the UK, this should be a good choice for you.
Giffgaff Plans
Giffgaff is also a popular MVNO in UK. Its phone plans are considered one of the best phone plans in the UK. Scroll down the page and check the regular and golden good bags offered by Giffgaff.
| 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> |
| Always On (reduced speed after 100GB) | £25 | View Plan> |
| Unlimited data | £35 | View Plan> |
All these phone plans support 5G and 4G network and you can get unlimited UK calls and texts. All its plans provide free EU roaming with up to 5GB data when you travel in the EU. And you can tether on all the plans. Any usage beyond this 5 GB cap in EU will be charged at 10p/MB.
Verdict: Lebara is a clear winner when it comes to the value-added sim-only plans as it offers slightly better deals as compared to the Giffgaff. Moreover, its plans are cheap and budget-friendly, thus making it a suitable choice for migrants and other users looking for inclusive international minutes.
Lebara vs Giffgaff coverage: What is coverage like on Lebara and Giffgaff?
The comparison is slightly tough when it comes to network coverage. Both Lebara and Giffgaff are MVNOs; hence, use other networks’ infrastructure to cover their customers.
While Lebara runs on the UK’s oldest network provider Vodafone, Giffgaff uses O2 as its parent network. Both are the largest and most popular networks in the UK, but O2 still has a slight edge over its counterpart, which in turn, makes Giffgaff a better option in terms of signal and strength.
O2’s coverage is marginally better for 4G and it has an edge over the rural coverage. It simply means that if you are living in low-lying areas or rural regions across the country, then it’s good to opt for Giffgaff.
However, if you reside in the urban region and looking forward to enjoying the ultra-fast 5G network, then look no further and opt for Lebara. According to the test results from RootMetrics, Vodafone’s 5G availability is way better than O2 and since Lebara runs on the Vodafone network, it offers a better 5G than Giffgaff.
You can go to Lebara 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.
Lebara vs Giffgaff International Calls
Are you a migrant or are your family and friends living abroad? In both cases, you should go for a network provider that offers international minutes and texts at no additional cost.
Speaking of international calls, Lebara is a win-win for both customers as it is primarily introduced for the migrant community and thus includes international minutes and texts in almost all of its plans. You can also get unlimited international minutes at just £18 for a 12-month plan and £20 for a monthly plan.
Giffgaff, on the other hand, doesn’t include any international minutes or texts in its existing plans. But don’t worry as you can make international calls by using your Giffgaff sim card by adding extra credit to your plan. Since international calls and texts aren’t included in any of your plans, all calls are charged and billed on a per-minute basis.
Verdict: So, all in all, Lebara is again a clear winner for the international calling facility as it includes certain international minutes and texts in almost all existing plans.
Lebara vs Giffgaff International Roaming
The next comparison aspect between Lebara and Giffgaff is none other than the international roaming. While both network providers include EU roaming in their plans, the speed caps and the number of countries make the whole difference.
When it comes to Lebara, customers can use their sim card in Europe and India just like they do in the UK. It means that they can use the data and minutes included in their allowance in the EU and India at no extra cost. If you have an unlimited data plan, then you can use up to 30GB whilst roaming. Once you exceed the limit, you can get a 5GB Roaming Bolt On for £10.
However, if you are traveling outside of the UK and India, you will need PAYG allowance and you will be charged at the standard rates.
Giffgaff sim card can be used in the EU and other selected destinations at no extra cost. However, if you travel beyond the included destinations, then you will be charged at their PAYG credit.
Also, their goody bag has an EU roaming cap for data allowance, and you will be charged 10p/MB if you go over that 5GB cap. Remember that special numbers and services are not covered in your goody bag and you have to opt for pay-as-you-go credit to connect with them.
Lebara vs Giffgaff: Which should you get?
That concludes with Lebara and Giffgaff comparison guide. We hope you have enjoyed our research and found it informative. There’s no clear answer that which one of them should you opt for as both network providers come with a specific set of pros and cons.
If you are a migrant or inclined more toward international calling, then simply turn to Lebara. However, if you reside in the rural area and searching for a network a solid signals, then switch to Giffgaff. Hence, the choice is yours and you are free to pick the option that you find interesting and worth spending.
If you want to consider other cheap phone plans from other carriers, you may check cheap sim only deals UK.