Lyca Mobile and Lebara have more in common than most mobile networks, as these are both MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that put a focus on international calls – though even if you’re not interested in calling abroad, these networks might appeal to you.
Below, you’ll find a full comparison of Lyca Mobile and Lebara, including their coverage and speeds, their plans, and their perks, so you can see which – if either – is the best fit for you.
Coverage and speeds
Coverage and Speeds Comparison
| Network |
Core Network |
UK Outdoor 5G Coverage |
Median 5G download speeds |
| Lebara Mobile |
Vodafone |
64%
Check Coverage
|
144.3Mbps |
| Lyca Mobile |
EE |
89%
Check Coverage
|
236.7Mbps |
Lyca Mobile uses EE’s infrastructure while Lebara uses Vodafone’s, which means each of them should have identical coverage to the big-name network they’re partnered with.
In practice, that should mean near comprehensive 4G coverage for both, and quite widely available 5G too – though 5G is still in the process of being rolled out, and based on the most recent data we’ve seen, EE probably has the edge over Vodafone for coverage, with for example Ofcom finding in late 2025 that EE had 89% coverage with 5G to UK premises outdoors, while Vodafone had just 64%.
EE may also lead for 5G speeds, though it doesn’t come ahead in all reports. In a RootMetrics report from the second half of 2025, EE was found to have a median 5G download speed of 236.7Mbps and a 95th percentile speed (so close to the network’s highest) of 684.0Mbps, while Vodafone achieved a median of 144.3Mbps and a 95th percentile of 456.8Mbps.
However, an Opensignal report from January 2026 found that Vodafone’s average 5G download speed was 130.9Mbps, while EE’s was just 92.2Mbps. Still, overall EE – and therefore Lyca Mobile – looks like it probably has the edge.
Plans and pricing
Lyca Mobile SIM Deal
6GB Data
Unlimited Mins
Unlimited Texts
£3.00 a month1 month contract
Lyca Mobile SIM Deal
30GB Data
Unlimited Mins
Unlimited Texts
Lyca Mobile SIM Deal
75GB Data
Unlimited Mins
Unlimited Texts
Lyca Mobile and Lebara both sell a selection of SIM Only plans with up to unlimited data. In the case of Lyca Mobile, you can choose from a 30-day rolling plan, a 12-month contract, or a 24-month contract, while Lebara sells just 30-day and 12-month plans.
As for pricing, both networks sell 30-day unlimited data plans for £25 per month at the time of writing, as well as 5GB plans for £5.
Lebara Mobile SIM Deal
5GB Data
1000 Mins
1000 Texts
£1.49 a month1 month contract
Use code LEBARA5Free Roaming
Lebara Mobile SIM Deal
30GB Data
Unlimited Mins
Unlimited Texts
Use code LEBARA10Free Roaming
Lebara Mobile SIM Deal
15GB Data
Unlimited Mins
Unlimited Texts
Use code SAVE50Free Roaming
Not every plan is identically priced, but they’re broadly comparable – with the caveat that the longer 24-month plans on Lyca Mobile can sometimes be cheaper per month, since you have to make a longer commitment.
Roaming and international calls
| Network |
EU Roaming |
International minutes |
| Lebara |
Yes (35GB limit)
+ China and India on select plans
|
Yes
View countries
|
| Lyca Mobile |
Yes (30GB limit)
+ India on all plans
|
Yes
View countries
|
Lyca Mobile’s plans let you roam in the EU at no extra cost. There’s a fair use limit for data that varies from plan to plan, but the highest this is on any current plan is 35GB.
Many of the networks plans also allow you to roam in India (with the same fair use limit), and some additionally include roaming in China (with a fair use limit of at most 5GB).
Lebara similarly lets you roam in both the EU and India at no extra cost, with a slightly lower 30GB fair use limit. You can’t roam inclusively in China, but India roaming comes as standard rather than being restricted to select plans.
Both networks also give you international minutes with their plans. In the case of Lyca Mobile, you’ll typically get 100 such minutes per month, though select plans give you up to unlimited.
These in most cases can be used to call:
Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United States.
However some plans give you a different selection.
Lebara’s plans also come with between 100 and unlimited international minutes that you can use to call abroad from the UK. With these, you can call all the places listed for Lyca Mobile and these additional destinations:
Australia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Ukraine (Kyivstar).
Other features
Both networks give you 5G as standard, along with Wi-Fi Calling, 4G Calling, and tethering. They also both offer plans with no credit checks (though some of Lyca Mobile’s plans will credit check you, so read the small print if in doubt), and they both offer eSIMs (though in the case of Lebara, only for an iPhone Air).
Verdict
The biggest difference between these networks is arguably their coverage and speeds, for which Lyca Mobile is likely to come out on top – though in certain areas Lebara may have the edge.
Beyond that, Lyca Mobile also offers slightly more extensive roaming, with China included on some plans, and a wider selection of plans.
As such, we’d say Lyca Mobile is a marginally better choice for most people, given that the plans, pricing, and international calling perks are otherwise similar, but of course if you particularly want to call locations that Lebara includes and Lyca Mobile doesn’t, then Lebara is likely to be a stronger option for you.
