Lyca vs. Lebara vs. Giffgaff SIM-only Plans: Comparison and Verdict 2024

What is Lyca Mobile?

Launched in 2006, Lyca Mobile is a British mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operating in 23 countries. The chairman is Subaskaran Allirajah and the CEO is Richard Schafer.It is the world's largest international mobile virtual network operator with over 16 million customers and a new customer joining every two seconds.

Lyca Mobile leases radio frequencies from mobile phone network operators and partners with them in each country it serves. It runs on the EE network, which is one of the fastest mobile networks in the UK.

Lyca Mobile is similar to other low-cost networks because it doesn’t offer flashy extras like those with bigger networks like Vodafone or O2. Instead, Lyca Mobile focuses on providing cheaper rates with a slant on affordability and flexibility.It offers a variety of plans, including: Long-term plans, Pay as you go, National, International bundles, and SIM only price plans. Their plans often include benefits like high data and international calls. They also offer bring your own device (BYOD) plans, which allow customers to use their own unlocked mobile handset with Lyca Mobile's services without signing a contract. Lyca Mobile plans don't include contracts, credit checks, or hidden fees. Lyca Mobile also offers financial and travel services, including Lycamoney and Lycafly, which help people stay in touch across borders. 

One thing that sets Lyca Mobile apart from the crowd is its inclusive international minutes. Other than Lebara, it’s quite rare to find SIM plans that come with international calls for no extra fee.So, if you like chatting with friends or family living abroad, it’s well worth considering Lyca Mobile.

Lyca Mobile Network Coverage

Lyca Mobile is an EE MVNO (meaning it uses EE’s infrastructure and spectrum), so it has coverage in all the same places as EE – that’s true whether you’re connecting via 5G, 4G or 3G. x4 Faster speeds since July 2023. Reliable coverage across 99% of UK population, with 68% 5G coverage.There’s also great 5G connectivity in most major towns and cities, as well as plenty of smaller locations.

Overall, Lyca Mobile provide an excellent mix of coverage. It’s still worth checking signal in your area using their coverage map here before you buy. Check at home, at work and anywhere else you’ll use your phone.

>>Check the Lyca coverage map

Lyca Mobile SIM-only Plans

Lyca Mobile offers a broad range of SIM-only plans, so you should think about what you want from your deal. You can get as little as 5GB of data or go up to unlimited.Contract-free SIM only deals with superfast data, 5G and ESIM ready, all with international calling, EU and India roaming included.

Here are some best value SIM-only plans details:

All National plans come with an inclusive 100 international minutes or more. This means you’re free to call far-flung destinations, such as Australia, India and China, without having to pay extra.Better still, the International plans come with even more generous call allowances, ranging from 500 international minutes to unlimited calls.

>>Get Lyca Mobile SIM-only plans

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What is Lebara?

LEBARA  is a well-known name in the world of SIM plans. Thanks to its international reputation, flexible contracts and long history in the industry, it has likely popped up in your search for a new SIM.It is possibly best known for being an international friendly provider, offering international minutes and focusing on communication across countries.

LEBARA was born in 2001. Created by three entrepreneurs, the name was formed from the first 2 letters of their names LEon, BAskaran & RAtheesan. Before venturing into mobiles, Lebara started life as a prepaid calling card business. Since then, the network, powered by Vodafone, has earned an Excellent rating on Trustpilot with its SIM only deals. The brand has expanded a lot and now offers a wide range of plans with flexible contracts and a host of data points, even throwing in unlimited data SIM only deals.

Lebara also doesn't perform credit checks and currently doesn't use price hikes so once you're in a contract, that is the price you'll be paying. Another nice benefit is that Lebara frequently produces "half price bills" offers. These provide discounted costs for a set number of months.It can’t stack up to the big players in terms of bells and whistles, but if you need cheap international minutes, it’s hard to look beyond Lebara.

Today you can find Lebara in 5 European countries, that is the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands & Denmark. But that's not all: thanks to their brand licence partners, customers from Switzerland, Spain, Saudi Arabia and even down under in Australia can benefit from their offers. 

Lebara Network Coverage

Lebara enjoys excellent coverage, due to the fact that it piggybacks on Vodafone's network of masts.That means you get around 99% of coverage across the UK,with access to 3G, 4G and 5G networks. You’ll be able to access the fastest speeds around in major towns and cities, while accessing standard networks in all but the most rural of locations.

>>Check the Lebara cverage map

Lebara SIM-only Plans

Plans start out at 5GB a month, and they’re very affordable: you get a lot of data for the price you pay.All come with international minutes, with the allowance you get depending on how much you’re willing to pay each month.What’s more, all SIMs come 5G-ready, so if you have the right phone you can get super fast mobile internet when you're out and about.

You can get 30 day rolling contracts or 12 month plans, the latter with 10% off for choosing to lock yourself in for a year.

>>Get Lebara SIM-only plans

What is Giffgaff?

Giffgaff was founded by Gav Thompson a former marketing executive for Telefónica UK and was launched online only, on 25 November 2009.Giffgaff is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs on the O2 network,Uswitch Network of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. It's best known for its low cost SIM-only deals that include a generous allowance of minutes and data with unlimited texts for a minimum monthly top-up.

Powered by O2, giffgaff is one of the more popular networks outside the ‘big four’. Rather than offering a call centre, non-account issues are handled by the giffgaff community. And giffgaff customers are the joint happiest out of all the networks’, with 95% satisfied with the overall service.

The Giffgaff network has built a reputation for doing things differently, and in 2022, 75% of all the phones it sold were refurbished. Plans are available on pay monthly and SIM only deals and giffgaff’s payg network won the prize for the UK’s best in 2024.

Giffgaff aims to keep things simple and affordable, while offering flexible plans that mean you're not tied in to a deal that no longer meets your needs.

Giffgaff Network Coverage

Giffgaff uses O2’s network, meaning users enjoy 99% coverage across the UK. That means it’s as good as the likes of Vodafone and Three, and only just behind EE. As such, they get full access to O2’s 2G/3G/4G/5G network.

For 4G data coverage,Giffgaff are behind Vodafone and EE. Their 4G is just as good as those networks in urban areas, but you’re slightly more likely to lose 4G as you move into the countryside.Before you order it’s important to check you can get a signal in your home area using giffgaff’s coverage checker - as well as areas you are likely to frequent, such as your route to and place of work.

>>Check the Giffgaff cverage map

Giffgaff SIM-only Plans

SIM-only plans are where giffgaff really stands out. Its deals are affordable and straightforward and they're all available on a 30-day rolling contract, as well as pay-as-you-go and 18-month options.All plans come with unlimited UK calls and texts.

The beauty of the rolling contract is that it auto-renews each month, but you can cancel or change your plan at any time without penalty, allowing more flexibility if you find your data usage increases or decreases over time. Here are the cheapest Giffgaff rolling contracts:

>>Get Giffgaff SIM-only plans

Lyca vs. Lebara vs. Giffgaff SIM-only Plans: Comparison Side By Side

1. Data Speed and Performance 

While giffgaff provide an excellent mix of coverage, their data speeds are generally slower than on other networks. This is one of the big downsides of giffgaff being on O2’s network.In real life they got speeds up to 95 Mbps in the city centre. That’s still behind Vodafone and EE, but ahead of Three. But in rural areas they went as low as 5 Mbps over 4G.If you’re looking for super fast speeds, you might be better off Lyca Mobile or Lebara.

2. Roaming

The three companies offer EU roaming as standard, something which many networks have dropped in recent years. If you travel a lot, this makes these networks attractive.Lebara also extends its free roaming to India, where you can use up to 10GB of data and 200 minutes and texts for no extra charge. For other countries outside the EU, different rates and roaming arrangements apply for different locations.

However, giffgaff doesn’t offer roaming outside Europe. If you’re travelling to another continent, you’ll need to pay more. Costs depends on the country you’re visiting, so check before you go.

3. International Calling

International calling is the stand-out area for Lyca and Lebara SIM-only plans.Both providers’ most basic plans with international calling options include 100 minutes that you can use to call 40+ countries, including the EU and much of Europe. Both also cover calls to Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States.Lebara, meanwhile, has a wider range of plans with international calls – giving you more choice over your monthly bill and data allowance.

However,Giffgaff SIM-only plans do not include international calling, but most allow you to purchase this feature. While that may not seem ideal, it regularly comes out top in Ofcom's reports on mobile network customer satisfaction. 

4. Customer Service

Both Lyca Mobile and Lebara have good customer service. Lyca Mobile has a multilingual customer service team that can be contacted on 0207 132 0322, or 322 if you have a Lyca Mobile number. Lines are open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Lebara customers can use a live chat service or call directly using 5588 from a Lebara SIM or 0207 031 0791. 

Giffgaff manages to keep costs down by making use of an online user community rather than a customer support team.While that may not seem ideal, it regularly comes out top in Ofcom's reports on mobile network customer satisfaction. For example, Ofcom's 2023 report shows that giffgaff's customers were more likely to recommend their network to a friend.

So, if you prefer speaking to a person on the phone, Lebara or Lyca Mobile is the best choice. On the other hand, if you like the sound of an online community, giffgaff may be the one for you.

5. Wi-Fi Calling

Wi-Fi Calling is offered by Lyca and Lebara, which means you’re able to make calls over Wi-Fi, using your normal dialler and SMS apps to stay in touch when there’s no signal.

Unfortunately Wi-Fi calling, voLTE and voNR (AKA 4G and 5G voice calls) are not supported on giffgaff.

Comparison Table

Conclusion: Which SIM-Only Plan is Best for You?

It depends on what you’re looking for – whichever network you choose, you’ll be getting good value for money.

Overall, giffgaff gives you more choice of data allowances and contract lengths.That’s great if you like the flexibility of changing your plan every month.In comparison, Lyca and Lebara offer slightly less choice in plans, but throws in free international minutes for making calls to numbers abroad at no extra cost.Lyca Mobile is known for its affordable rates and international inclusive minutes, while Lebara is known for its live chat service and fast response times. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What network does Lyca Mobile use?

Lyca Mobile runs on the EE network, which is one of the fastest mobile networks in the UK.

Does Lyca Mobile have good coverage?

Reliable coverage across 99% of UK population, with 68% 5G coverage. Enjoy the convenience of eSIM and the benefits of high speed 5G video calling, streaming and downloading. With our global network, you can roam within the EU or call your world for free.

Can I buy an iPhone on Lyca Mobile?

Lyca Mobile is known for its SIM only deals. However, there are a limited number of handset deals, including iPhones, available on Lyca Mobile’s website.

How long is a Lyca SIM valid for?

Your Lyca SIM will work for as long as you need it to. While you’ll sign up for a specific period of time (1 months, 3 months or 12 months) once that contract has expired you can still continue using the SIM on the existing terms. But you’ll also then be free to negotiate new terms or switch to a different network.

Does Lyca UK have 5G?

All of its SIM cards are 5G-ready with coverage across a large part of the UK. 

Does Lyca have good service?

Its 4G network covers around 99% of the UK population, and offers good signal strength and data speeds. There's also great 5G connectivity in most major towns and cities, as well as plenty of smaller locations – this is thanks to EE's extensive 5G network, which is one of the most widely available in the UK.

Does Lyca SIM get deactivated?

Lyca automatically deactivate SIM cards if you do not use them to make a call or send a text for more than 60 days. Unfortunately these SIM cards cannot be reconnected and the mobile number also stops being available for you to use after this time.

Does Lyca Mobile support 5G?

Lyca Mobile offers 5G in over 150 towns and cities in the UK – on Android and iOS devices.

Is Lebara UK a good network?

From cheaper packages with small data allowances to larger GB bundles, Lebara consistently keeps its prices at competitive rates. But don't think cheap means poor service as it's powered by Vodafone, so you can look forward to decent coverage, fast speeds and 5G that's on par with the UK's biggest networks.

Can I use my Lebara SIM in USA?

If you're travelling outside the EU/EEA or India, you'll need to buy a Roaming Add-on in order to use Lebara while abroad.

Can you use WhatsApp on Lebara?

Lebara offers up to  Unlimited Data on SIM-Only plans, so you can use apps like WhatsApp without worrying about racking up a huge phone bill.

Is Lebara easy to cancel?

Cancelling your Lebara plan is simple and straightforward. If you are on one of their 30-day rolling SIM-Only plans you can cancel any time by turning off the auto-renew option. To turn off autorenewal, simply log in to your MyLebara account via their website or through the app.

Is Lebara roaming free?

All Lebara plans include free EU and India roaming. You will be able to use your regular allowances at no additional cost. For countries outside the EU and India, you will be charged at an out of plan rate. Countries are grouped into zones, which determine the rate you will be charged.

Does Lebara UK have eSIM?

Unfortunately, they currently don't support eSIM.

Does Lebara charge for FaceTime?

Yes, Facetime calls are essentially free. However, there's a small caveat. While Apple doesn't charge you specifically for using the Facetime service, the data you consume while on a call could count against your data plan if you're not connected to Wi-Fi.

Is Lebara 5G?

Lebara customers can opt into 5G if they have a 5G-enabled device. If you buy a SIM-only plan from Lebara, 5G comes as standard.

Does Lebara SIM expire?

After a further 365 days of no usage or top-up/plan purchase, your SIM will have expired, and you will need to order a new SIM online or pick one up in-store.

Can I keep my number with Lebara?

You can always switch to Lebara and take your phone number with you, regardless of whether you have a plan or a prepaid SIM. If you already have a plan and want to switch to Lebara, you can always transfer (port) your number.

What countries are covered by Lebara?

Lebara is a telecommunications company providing services using the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) business model in the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland and Australia.

Does Lebara data work internationally?

You can use all of your UK plan allowances while roaming in the EU or India for no extra cost (up to 30GB). For roaming outside of Europe and India, you will need to buy an appropriate roaming add-on or use pay-as-you-go (PAYG) credit.

Does Lebara have WiFi calling?

Yes. With WiFi Calling, you can make and receive calls and texts in any location that has a WiFi network, even if there's no regular phone signal. Whether you are in a cafe by the beach or at home in the middle of the countryside, you'll still be able to stay connected.

How long does Lebara porting take?

The transfer itself is typically scheduled to complete within one working day, provided that you've submitted your request before the cut-off time, which varies between providers. During this period, keep your old SIM card active until you lose service, which indicates that the transfer is underway.

How do I switch from Lebara to Lyca Mobile?

Give Lyca Mobile a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) to keep your current number. To get your PAC unique code, text PAC to 65075 from your current network number.

Get your Lycamobile SIM.

Fill out Online Porting Form and your existing mobile number will be moved to your Lycamobile SIM within 2 working days.

How is giffgaff so cheap?

One of giffgaff's key differentiators from other networks is that involves its own users in its sales, marketing and customer service operations, thus keeping costs down and in turn passing back the savings to you: the customer.

What are the downsides of giffgaff?

Customer service is online only, with no dedicated team to speak with over the phone. And although giffgaff still lets you roam in EU destinations for free, it has lower limits than other budget-minded networks. At the time of writing, it has an EU roaming cap of 5GB a month.

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