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Like most major networks, Vodafone has various different plan types, with two of the most prominent being Vodafone Red and Vodafone Basics.
You can probably already guess from the names that Vodafone Basics is a more basic – and therefore affordable – option, but what exactly do you get with a Basics plan? And how do they compare with Vodafone Red plans?
We’ve answered all that and more below, so before picking your Vodafone plan, read on for a full breakdown.
Vodafone Basics plans
- Low cost, basic plans
- Data tops out at 4G, 100Mbps
- Includes access to VeryMe Rewards
- Roaming costs extra
On a Vodafone Basics plan you’ll have a 12-month SIM Only contract with unlimited minutes and texts, with data – at the time of writing – ranging from 11GB to 90GB, depending on the option you choose. So, there’s no unlimited data here.
Download speeds also top out at 100Mbps, and these are 4G plans, so you can’t get 5G on these plans. Vodafone’s 4G network is widespread and plenty fast enough for the likes of web browsing and social media, so you might not miss 5G, but if you want the fastest possible data then you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Beyond that, there are a few other things to note about these plans. For one thing, while they all tie you in for 12 months, you’re free to switch to a different SIM Only plan at any point during that contract – and you’re not limited to moving to another Vodafone Basics plan either, so you could for example switch to a Vodafone Red plan (detailed below).
Vodafone Basics plans also allow you to tether, and you have access to Vodafone’s VeryMe Rewards, offering weekly giveaways and discounts from various brands.
For roaming, you can use your allowances in the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland, and Norway at no extra cost, but when travelling elsewhere you will have to pay. There’s a charge of £2.42 a day in Europe at the time of writing and of £7.39 a day to roam further afield – though in Europe you can reduce the cost with a Roaming Pass.
Note also that there’s a 25GB fair use limit when roaming, and that if you purchased a Vodafone Basics plan before the 22nd of July 2022, you won’t have roaming included.
Vodafone Red plans
- Everything you get with Basics plans
- Includes 5G
- Some have uncapped speeds
- Some come with an entertainment subscription
- Roaming costs extra
Vodafone Red plans are a more expensive option, but they also give you more. You’re still not getting unlimited data, but at the time of writing you can get up to 200GB, which is more than on a Vodafone Basics plan.
It’s often higher speed data too, with many Red plans having uncapped 5G speeds and including 5G Ultra (which is Vodafone’s name for 5G Standalone). In fact, all Vodafone Red plans give you 5G, but some still cap your speeds at 100Mbps, so double check what you’re actually getting before placing an order.
You also get the same perks as on Vodafone Basic plans, meaning there’s unlimited minutes and texts, you can tether, and you can access VeryMe Rewards.
As with Basics plans inclusive roaming is limited to the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland, and Norway. To roam further afield inclusively you need a plan with ‘Xtra’ in the name. Still, you can roam in Europe for £2.42 a day (or less with a Roaming Pass) and in other places for £7.39 per day.
Vodafone’s Red plans do however come with a free three-month trial of Secure Net Mobile, which is designed to keep you safe from fraud, viruses, and identity theft.
Some Vodafone Red plans additionally come with ‘Entertainment’, which means a subscription to Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, or YouTube Premium for the duration of the contract.
Some also come with 500 international minutes to call the EU with.
