EE vs Vodafone UK
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
EE
UK mobile and broadband network from BT, with 5G plans, Inclusive Extras and EE TV.
Vodafone UK
UK mobile and broadband network with 5G+ plans, roaming included and VeryMe Rewards.
The short answer
EE and Vodafone UK are both big UK networks selling mobile, broadband and TV. EE stands out for Inclusive Extras such as Netflix or TNT Sports and a Multi-Line Discount of up to £10 off. Vodafone stands out for Zone A roaming on every pay monthly plan, separate device and airtime plans, and a Lifetime Service Promise. Frequent travellers lean Vodafone; streaming-heavy families lean EE.
EE or Vodafone UK: our take
EE, owned by BT, sells pay monthly and SIM-only plans on 24-month contracts or 30-day rolling terms, plus pay as you go, home broadband and EE TV. Higher plans include an Inclusive Extra such as Apple Music, Google AI, Netflix or TNT Sports, and the Multi-Line Discount takes up to £10 off extra phones, SIMs, tablets and laptops on one account. EE One bundles broadband, TV and a SIM. Vodafone UK, now run by VodafoneThree after the merger with Three UK, sells pay monthly, SIM-only and pay as you go, full fibre and 5G home broadband, Vodafone TV and smartwatch plans, and promotes a standalone 5G+ network in many areas.
The practical differences show up in how you buy and travel. Vodafone sells phones on separate Device Plans of 24 to 36 months alongside an Airtime Plan, so you can pay off the phone early and drop to a 30-day contract. All its pay monthly plans include roaming in Zone A destinations using your UK allowance, though pay as you go roaming outside Zone A needs paid extras. Vodafone also offers a Lifetime Service Promise covering manufacturer faults for ongoing customers, and VeryMe Rewards.
Both raise prices on a fixed schedule. EE contracts rise every 31 March by a set amount printed next to each deal. Vodafone airtime plans rise by £2.50/month each April, and out-of-bundle charges go up by CPI plus 3.9% each year. EE's unlimited plans may slow above 600GB a month, and it usually costs more than budget networks.
Pick EE if a bundled streaming or sports subscription and a multi-line family discount matter most. Pick Vodafone if you travel in Europe often, want the flexibility to pay off a phone early, or value the lifetime fault cover.
Which should you pick?
Choose EE if…
- UK users who want a big 5G network with streaming extras and broadband bundles
- Choice of 24-month or 30-day rolling SIM-only plans
- Inclusive Extras like Apple Music, Netflix or TNT Sports
Choose Vodafone UK if…
- UK users who travel in Europe and want roaming, broadband and phone plans from one network
- Zone A roaming included on all pay monthly plans
- Separate device and airtime plans, so you can pay off a phone early
About each app
What is EE?
EE is a major UK mobile network, owned by BT, that sells pay monthly phone and SIM-only plans, pay as you go, home broadband and EE TV. SIM-only plans come on 24-month contracts or flexible 30-day rolling terms, with unlimited minutes and texts and data from small allowances up to unlimited. Higher plans include an Inclusive Extra such as Apple Music, Netflix or TNT Sports, and a Multi-Line Discount cuts the price of extra phones, SIMs, tablets and laptops on one account. EE One bundles broadband, TV and a SIM for households. The EE app manages bills, allowances and upgrades. EE suits people who want strong coverage and are happy to pay a little more than budget networks. Note that, like other UK networks, EE contracts include fixed price rises each spring, which are printed next to each deal, and the unlimited plans carry a fair-use policy.
What is Vodafone UK?
Vodafone UK is one of the country's big mobile networks, now run by VodafoneThree after Vodafone merged with Three UK. It sells pay monthly phones and SIM-only plans, pay as you go, full fibre and 5G home broadband, Vodafone TV and smartwatch plans. Pay monthly plans include roaming in its Zone A destinations using your UK allowance, and it promotes a 5G+ (standalone 5G) network in many areas. Phones are bought on separate Device Plans of 24 to 36 months alongside an Airtime Plan, so you can pay the phone off early and drop to a 30-day contract. Extras include VeryMe Rewards, a Lifetime Service Promise covering manufacturer faults for customers who stay, and the My Vodafone app for bills and usage. Each April, monthly charges go up by a fixed amount stated in the terms, and out-of-bundle charges rise with inflation plus a margin.
Side by side
| Attribute | EE | Vodafone UK |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Best for | UK users who want a big 5G network with streaming extras and broadband bundles | UK users who travel in Europe and want roaming, broadband and phone plans from one network |
| Status | Active | Active |
EE vs Vodafone UK pricing
EE: paid
We couldn't verify EE's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
EE pricing pageVodafone UK: paid
- Annual price rise: £2.50/month each April (airtime plans) source
Platforms
| Platform | EE | Vodafone UK |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
EE facts
4 of 4 verified- Contract options
- 24 months or 30-day rolling
- Checked Nov 8, 2026ee.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “24 month or flexible 30-day rolling plans.”
- Inclusive Extras
- Apple Music, Google AI, Netflix, TNT Sports
- Checked Nov 8, 2026ee.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “Inclusive Extras With so many Inclusive Extras to choose from, like Apple Music, Google AI, Netflix and TNT Sports, you’ll be spoilt for choice.”
- Multi-Line Discount
- Up to £10 off
- Checked Nov 8, 2026ee.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “Find out more Multi-Line Discount Our new and improved Multi-Line Discount means you can enjoy up to £10 off phones, SIMs, tablets and laptops.”
- Unlimited fair use
- May slow above 600GB/month
- Checked Nov 8, 2026ee.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “Unlimited Fair Use Policy: we may slow down your speeds at busy locations if you use over 600GB a month.”
Vodafone UK facts
5 of 5 verified- Owner
- VodafoneThree (Vodafone and Three UK merger)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026vodafone.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “The Nation's Network means the biggest network infrastructure created by VodafoneThree Holdings Ltd through the merger of Vodafone & Hutchison 3G UK”
- EU roaming
- Zone A included on pay monthly
- Checked Nov 8, 2026vodafone.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “Terms and verification apply Roaming Roaming: using your home data plan to roam in Zone A is included in all of our Pay Monthly plans.”
- Annual price rise
- £2.50/month each April (airtime plans)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026vodafone.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “* Annual Price Increase : Each year, on 1 April, your monthly plan charge will increase as follows: £2.50 for Pay monthly Airtime”
- Device warranty
- Lifetime Service Promise
- Checked Nov 8, 2026vodafone.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “Lifetime Service Promise: means a) Lifetime warranty covering manufacturer's defects”
- 5G
- 5G+ (standalone)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026vodafone.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “Our award-winning 5G+ is up to 10 times faster than 4G and has advanced security built-in.”
Pros and cons of EE
- Choice of 24-month or 30-day rolling SIM-only plans
- Inclusive Extras like Apple Music, Netflix or TNT Sports
- Multi-Line Discount for families and extra devices
- Broadband and TV bundles through EE One
- Fixed price rises every 31 March on contracts
- Usually costs more than budget networks and MVNOs
- Unlimited plans have a 600GB fair-use limit
Pros and cons of Vodafone UK
- Zone A roaming included on all pay monthly plans
- Separate device and airtime plans, so you can pay off a phone early
- Lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects for ongoing customers
- Broadband, TV and smartwatch plans alongside mobile
- Fixed price rise every April on monthly plans
- Out-of-bundle charges rise each year by CPI plus 3.9%
- Pay as you go roaming outside Zone A needs paid extras
Other apps to consider
O2Instead of EE
Free Priority rewards app with ticket presales, and EU roaming up to 25GB at no extra cost.
EE vs Vodafone UK: common questions
Is EE better than Vodafone UK?
EE and Vodafone UK are both big UK networks selling mobile, broadband and TV. EE stands out for Inclusive Extras such as Netflix or TNT Sports and a Multi-Line Discount of up to £10 off. Vodafone stands out for Zone A roaming on every pay monthly plan, separate device and airtime plans, and a Lifetime Service Promise. Frequent travellers lean Vodafone; streaming-heavy families lean EE.
Is EE free?
No. EE is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Vodafone UK free?
No. Vodafone UK is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is EE or Vodafone UK open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do EE and Vodafone UK support?
EE: Web, iOS and Android. Vodafone UK: Web, iOS and Android.