Compare every UK mobile network, plan and handset
From EE, O2 and Vodafone to giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky, Selectra brings together everything UK customers need to compare 11 networks, find the best SIM-only deals and switch to a cheaper phone plan today.
4
Host networks (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three)
99%
UK population covered by 4G
£5
Cheapest UK SIM-only / month
70+
Mobile guides & reviews
The UK mobile market is split between four host networks (EE, O2, Vodafone and Three) who own physical infrastructure, and dozens of MVNOs like giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and BT Mobile that piggyback on them. The host you choose determines the signal you receive, regardless of brand.
On this page you can compare every network and MVNO, find the cheapest SIM-only and PAYG plans, browse phone brand guides covering Apple, Samsung, Honor and Huawei, and read 70+ how-to articles on switching, 5G, eSIM and saving on your mobile bill.
The big UK networks
The four networks every UK customer should know
Three host networks plus the UK's most-loved MVNO. Between them they cover the vast majority of UK SIM cards in use today.
EE
Owns network
BT-owned, top-rated by Ofcom for 4G and 5G coverage and speed. The most reliable choice for fast data and rural signal.
Read the full reviewO2
Owns network
Part of Virgin Media O2. Strong urban 5G, Priority rewards, free O2 Priority tickets and Volt discounts when bundled with Virgin broadband.
Read the full reviewVodafone
Owns network
Reliable nationwide coverage, competitive SIM-only pricing and VeryMe rewards. Strong roaming options for travellers in and out of the EU.
Read the full reviewgiffgaff
Hosted by O2
Award-winning low-cost MVNO running on the O2 network. 30-day goodybags, no credit check and a strong community-led customer service.
Read the full reviewEvery UK network
Compare all 11 UK networks and MVNOs
Filter by host networks, MVNOs, SIM-only, Pay Monthly, PAYG or 5G availability and find the plan that fits your needs.
EE
Owns network . Best 5G
BT-owned, top-rated by Ofcom for 4G and 5G coverage and speed. The most reliable choice for fast data and rural signal.
O2
Owns network . Priority perks
Part of Virgin Media O2. Strong urban 5G, Priority rewards, free O2 Priority tickets and Volt discounts when bundled with Virgin broadband.
Vodafone
Owns network . Roaming
Reliable nationwide coverage, competitive SIM-only pricing and VeryMe rewards. Strong roaming options for travellers in and out of the EU.
giffgaff
Hosted by O2 . No contract
Award-winning low-cost MVNO running on the O2 network. 30-day goodybags, no credit check and a strong community-led customer service.
Tesco Mobile
Hosted by O2 . Clubcard rewards
O2-powered MVNO with Clubcard prices, flexible Pay Monthly contracts and Family Perks to share allowances with up to 4 lines.
Sky Mobile
Hosted by O2 . Data rollover
O2-network MVNO from Sky. Unused data rolls into a 3-year Piggybank, and Sky TV customers get exclusive discounts on plans and handsets.
Virgin Media
O2 network . Volt bundle
Virgin Media O2 mobile arm: doubled data through Volt for Virgin broadband customers, plus EU roaming included on most Freestyle plans.
BT Mobile
Hosted by EE . BT broadband
EE network with BT branding. Best paired with BT broadband or BT TV for discounted SIM-only plans and the BT Halo guarantee on signal.
Asda Mobile
Hosted by Vodafone . Cheap PAYG
Pay As You Go on the Vodafone network. Bundles from a few pounds a month, plus 30-day SIM-only plans with no contract.
Lycamobile
Hosted by EE . Cheap int. calls
EE-powered MVNO specialising in cheap international calls. 30-day PAYG plans with generous overseas minutes to 50+ countries.
Sure CW
Channel Islands . CI specialist
Sure provides mobile services across the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with local plans, business packages and roaming bundles for islanders.
Pick the right handset
Phone brands and handset guides
From the latest iPhone Pro to budget Honor and Huawei devices, find the right phone before picking your network.
Apple iPhone
The complete iPhone lineup explained, from iPhone SE to the latest Pro models, prices and the best UK contracts.
Read the guideSamsung Galaxy
Galaxy S, A and Z series compared. Specs, features and the best Samsung handset for your budget.
Read the guideHonor phones
Honor's UK range: mid-range Android handsets with strong cameras at competitive prices, contract options included.
Read the guideHuawei phones
Huawei in the UK after the Google ban: which handsets still work, which apps are missing and whether they are worth buying.
Read the guideBrowse by topic
All Selectra mobile guides
Whatever you need help with, from switching network to fixing a SIM error, our editorial team has written a guide on it.
How-to guides
Switch provider, get a UK SIM, fix a "SIM not provisioned" error, save mobile data and squeeze more battery from your phone.
ExploreMobile technology
eSIM explained, dual-SIM phones, the truth about 5G, refurbished handsets and how Sweatcoin and other fitness apps actually work.
ExploreCompare deals
Best mobile apps, iPhone 8 and iPhone X deal comparisons, side-by-side network and tariff breakdowns to help you pick a plan.
ExploreBest deals
Hand-picked Pay Monthly and SIM-only offers, including the latest iPhone 7 and Samsung S9 contract deals from the UK's top networks.
ExplorePhone brands
Reviews and buying guides for Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Honor and Huawei handsets and how their UK lineups compare.
ExploreRetailers
Where to buy a phone in the UK: Carphone Warehouse, Mobile Phones Direct and the 15 main third-party retailers compared.
ExploreEnvironment
Mobile phone recycling, refurbished phones and how to dispose of your old handset responsibly to cut e-waste.
Explore6 questions to ask
How to choose the right UK mobile network
Coverage, contract type, allowances, perks and price. The five factors that decide whether a mobile plan is right for you.
Check coverage at home
Use Ofcom's free postcode checker to compare indoor and outdoor signal across all four host networks. The brand matters less than the host that powers it.
Pick a contract type
SIM-only is cheapest if you already own a phone. Pay Monthly spreads handset costs. PAYG suits light users and children's phones with no credit check.
Match data to usage
A light user (calls, messaging) is fine with 2-5 GB. Heavy streamers and tetherers need 50 GB+ or unlimited. Sky and Tesco let you roll unused data into next month.
Look for the right perks
O2 Priority unlocks tickets and rewards. Sky Mobile rewards Sky TV customers. Tesco Mobile pays in Clubcard points. BT, Vodafone and Three include EU roaming.
Compare total cost
Add the monthly bill plus any upfront handset cost over the contract length. A "free phone" on Pay Monthly is rarely free once you total the 24 monthly payments.
Try a 30-day SIM first
Before locking into 24 months, run a 30-day SIM from your shortlist at your address. It is the only honest way to test real-world coverage.
What it costs in 2026
How much should a UK mobile plan cost in 2026?
Prices vary widely with allowance, network and contract length. Here is what a typical UK customer can expect to pay for the three main plan types this year.
£5 to £15
SIM-only / month with 5 to 30 GB
£25 to £55
Pay Monthly with mid-range handset
£10 to £20
PAYG monthly bundle (no contract)
Indicative prices for 2026 based on Ofcom averages and operator rate cards. Always check the latest tariff before signing up.
UK mobile FAQs
The Selectra expert answers your questions
EE consistently ranks first in Ofcom's reports for overall 4G and 5G coverage, speed and reliability. Vodafone is a strong second on rural coverage, Three offers the best value on unlimited data, and Virgin Media O2 wins on perks through Priority and the Volt bundle with Virgin broadband. The best network for you, however, is always the one with the strongest signal at your home and work postcode.
A network like EE, O2, Vodafone or Three owns the physical mobile masts. An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is a brand like giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile or BT Mobile that rents capacity from one of the four. The signal you get on an MVNO is exactly the same as the host network it sits on, but you may get cheaper plans, different perks and shorter contract lengths.
Yes, almost always. If you already own a phone, a 30-day SIM-only deal will work out far cheaper than a 24-month contract that bundles a handset. You can find unlimited calls and texts with 5 to 30 GB of data from £5 to £15 a month. Pay Monthly contracts spread the cost of a new phone but typically cost more overall than buying the handset outright and adding a SIM-only plan on top.
Not yet. Ofcom's latest Connected Nations report shows that more than 85% of UK premises have outdoor 5G from at least one operator, but indoor coverage and rural areas lag well behind. 5G is rolling out fastest in towns and cities; if you live in a remote area, 4G coverage matters more than 5G when picking a plan.
Text PAC to 65075 from your current SIM. Your old provider has to reply within 60 seconds with a Porting Authorisation Code valid for 30 days. Hand that PAC to your new network when you sign up, and they will transfer your number within one working day. The process is free, governed by Ofcom and works for every UK provider.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into newer phones (iPhone XS and later, Pixel 4 and later, recent Samsung Galaxy S and Z models). It replaces the plastic card with a QR code or app activation. All four UK host networks now offer eSIM, as do giffgaff, Sky Mobile, BT Mobile, Vodafone and most other major MVNOs.
Save on your next bill
Find a cheaper UK mobile plan in minutes
Switching network takes minutes and you keep your number. Compare 11 UK networks and MVNOs side by side and start saving on your monthly bill today.