1pMobile vs SMARTY: Which 30-Day SIM Is Better?

Quick answer: Choose 1pMobile if EE works better where you need signal, a 30-day Boost fits your data use, or you want up to 14GB of included European roaming on a qualifying larger Boost. Choose SMARTY if Three works better locally, a particular large-data offer costs less, or its Group arrangements suit your household. For multiple unlimited SIMs, compare both brands' separate family products: 1pMobile has an Unlimited & Family Bundle as well as SMARTY's Group options. Neither is a guaranteed winner without matching coverage, eligibility and the full cost.

Compare current 1pMobile SIM deals · Compare current SMARTY SIM deals

1pMobile vs SMARTY at a glance

The two providers use different underlying networks, which makes coverage the first real test. A larger allowance on an unreliable network is rarely a bargain.

Is 1pMobile or SMARTY better for UK coverage?

Neither wins everywhere. 1pMobile uses EE and SMARTY uses Three. Ofcom's checker groups them under those host networks, but indoor signal, 4G availability and real performance can differ a lot from one address to another.

If EE reaches your kitchen, office and train route reliably but Three doesn't, start with 1pMobile. If Three is stronger in the places that matter to you, SMARTY deserves the first look, even when an EE-based tariff offers more gigabytes.

Does the VodafoneThree merger make SMARTY a Vodafone SIM too?

Not automatically, and not at every location. SMARTY is still a Three-based brand. After the Vodafone and Three merger, VodafoneThree is introducing access to eligible shared-network sites in stages. SMARTY's help materials describe customers gaining benefits where the rollout is available, but they don't promise access to every Vodafone mast or the same treatment as a Vodafone retail tariff.

That's why old national town counts, or the assumption that one shared company means two interchangeable networks, are unreliable. Check which network your chosen SIM uses today, and whether the advertised sharing applies in your area and on your device.

How should you check coverage before transferring your number?

1. Enter your postcode into Ofcom's Map Your Mobile and compare EE against Three. Look at predicted indoor 4G, not only the outdoor 5G map.
2. Repeat the check for work, a relative's home, your regular commute and any rural location where a dropped call would matter.
3. Read each operator's own coverage information. SMARTY's shared-network improvement may not be active at every address.
4. Where practical, test the new SIM before porting the number you use for work or banking. Try ordinary calls, incoming verification texts, upload speeds and data at busy times.
5. Check whether your handset supports 4G Calling (VoLTE) on that exact operator, especially if it is an older Android model.

An Ofcom map is a prediction, not a guarantee of indoor reception behind thick walls. Our guide to MVNO coverage and speeds explains why using a host network doesn't mean matching every feature of the host's retail service.

Which is cheaper, 1pMobile or SMARTY?

Compare offers that give you enough ordinary UK data over the same period, then factor in roaming, family discounts, out-of-plan charges and the cost of keeping a spare number active. The cheapest useful SIM is not necessarily the one with the lowest price per gigabyte.

Both brands have short-term prepaid products. 1pMobile's ordinary deal cards are 30-day Boosts, while SMARTY sells rolling monthly plans paid in advance. Either can suit someone who needs a SIM for a few weeks. If you are budgeting a full year, renewal dates and the number of payments matter.

When isn't the smaller monthly price the cheaper choice?

When the cheaper plan needs paid extras. Suppose two hypothetical plans each give you enough data. Plan A costs £8 per renewal and Plan B costs £10. Over six equal renewal periods that's £48 against £60. If Plan A needs a separately charged service costing you £4 each period, its effective cost becomes £72. If neither needs extras, Plan A wins.

These figures are illustrative and are not current prices for 1pMobile or SMARTY. They show why you should compare the service you will actually use, not the biggest marketing number. If two plans don't run for the same length, calculate the renewals covering the same dates. Twelve 30-day periods cover 360 days, not a full 365-day year.

For a live decision, compare 1pMobile's Boost cards with SMARTY's SIM plans. Open the matching Full plan details before its purchase route; that keeps the comparison tied to an actual offer rather than a guessed price.

Which actual plans can you compare like for like?

The links open our existing plan-detail pages, where each selected product has its own View Deal route. The family bundle and social tariff require different product eligibility and purchasing steps.

Which 5GB, high-data or unlimited deal fits you?

Match your real usage before judging value. A 5GB allowance suits light use but isn't equivalent to a 40GB bundle, a 100GB plan or unlimited data. The same applies to roaming, because unlimited UK use doesn't mean unlimited data on holiday.

Should you compare 5GB with 5GB?

Yes, and not with a promotion on a different size. A sensible small-plan buyer uses Wi-Fi at home and work and needs mobile data mainly for navigation, messaging, occasional browsing and banking. If your normal month is comfortably under 5GB, compare each brand's current 5GB or nearest suitable offer.

Check the UK voice allowance, Wi-Fi Calling compatibility and what happens when data runs out. A small bundle is excellent value if you rarely touch the limit, but a few long video calls or downloads can use it up. A slightly larger bundle may be worth paying for if it removes regular top-ups.

A 1pMobile card showing "EU roaming: 14GB" doesn't turn a 5GB Boost into 14GB overseas. It is a policy ceiling for qualifying Boosts, not a gift of extra data. Likewise, the 1pMobile 5GB deal card currently says eSIM is "Not stated"; the provider's general eSIM support does not prove that every card and activation method qualifies.

What do you need outside the house on a medium or high-data plan?

Read the data usage recorded on your phone for several recent allowance periods, and use the busiest representative period, not one unusually quiet week. If you use about 35GB, a plan near 40GB or 50GB may be a better candidate than jumping to 100GB. If the larger allowance has a lower genuine total cost during a promotion, though, it may still win. The right comparison is the same effective spend for the data you can actually use.

SMARTY's prepaid structure and range of large bundles make it worth checking when you need a lot of UK data. 1pMobile has its own large EE-based Boosts. The provider with stronger indoor reception or steadier speeds may give you more usable value than the one advertising a few extra gigabytes.

Is unlimited data better with 1pMobile or SMARTY?

Neither operator wins every unlimited-data scenario. Both sell unlimited-labelled UK phone plans, but their network quality and fair-use rules differ. 1pMobile's official terms impose a 500GB personal-use threshold within a 30-day unlimited Boost period. Above that level, use is treated as non-personal or excessive. Depending on the circumstances, 1pMobile may reduce or deprioritise speeds, charge for usage, move the customer to another tariff, suspend service or disconnect the SIM. This is not a promise of full-speed unrestricted data after 500GB. Check SMARTY's own acceptable-use policy separately rather than assuming the remedies match.

Ask three questions. Will I use more than a capped plan? Will the network stay reliable at peak times? Can I use the SIM in my intended device? An unlimited phone plan shouldn't be treated as a supported substitute for a home broadband router or a business connection.

SMARTY expressly permits personal phone tethering within the plan allowance. That helps for occasional laptop use, but putting the SIM in a router and relying on it for continuous home or commercial service raises extra terms and reliability questions. See our hotspot and tethering guide if that is your main requirement.

Is 1pMobile or SMARTY better for EU roaming?

1pMobile has a slightly higher standard roaming-data ceiling on eligible larger Boosts: 14GB against SMARTY's usual 12GB. That matters only if your plan has that much home data, your destination qualifies and you expect to use more than 12GB on the trip. SMARTY also has a significant Republic of Ireland exception and paid options for more data abroad.

On eligible 1pMobile Boosts, included roam-like-at-home data can't exceed the smaller of your UK allowance and 14GB, so a 5GB home allowance means a 5GB cap in practice. The 1pMobile terms also include extended-roaming fair-use checks and standard PAYG charges for excess usage.

On SMARTY's ordinary eligible plans, EU roaming uses your UK allowance up to a 12GB fair-use ceiling for plans with more than 12GB. SMARTY's help centre states that the 12GB ceiling doesn't apply in the Republic of Ireland. That doesn't remove the limit of your remaining home data or other usage conditions.

The table illustrates published cap rules. It doesn't prove that every example tariff size exists, covers the same destinations or qualifies under all conditions.

Can SMARTY customers use more than 12GB abroad?

Sometimes, through an additional purchase. SMARTY describes an EU Roaming Pass for eligible plans with more than 12GB that can unlock the remaining unused UK data for a chosen number of days, and its help centre also describes data add-ons. These are not the same as the standard included 12GB, so check availability, price and duration before you choose a plan around them.

SMARTY's roaming page also says a one-off phone settings change is needed for roaming to work abroad. Check the setup before you leave the UK, not at the airport while you're trying to get directions.

What if you mainly travel to Ireland, Spain or France?

• Republic of Ireland: check both providers' eligible destination lists. SMARTY's standard 12GB fair-use ceiling has a documented Ireland exception, so the simple 14-versus-12 comparison misleads for that destination.
• Spain or France: compare the smaller of your home allowance and the ordinary roaming cap. If you use more than 12GB, a qualifying larger 1pMobile Boost can give extra included headroom, while SMARTY may need an additional roaming pass.
• Switzerland, a cruise ship or another place outside the included zone: check the country and connection type separately. European geography doesn't guarantee European roaming pricing, and maritime and satellite networks can attract their own charges.
• A prolonged stay abroad: check fair-use policies for long periods outside the UK. An inclusive holiday allowance is not a substitute for a permanent overseas mobile contract.

Roaming abroad and calling overseas from the UK are different services. A European data allowance doesn't necessarily include calls from Britain to a foreign number. Our EU roaming SIM guide covers wider travel choices.

What's the difference between a 1pMobile Boost and classic PAYG?

A Boost is a prepaid 30-day bundle, and Classic PAYG is a different 1pMobile product. This matters because our listed 1pMobile offers are Boosts, while SMARTY's usual offers are prepaid monthly bundles. Comparing classic 1p-per-unit rates directly against a SMARTY data plan tells you little about the true cost of using mobile internet.

1pMobile's classic tariff advertises a low rate for standard UK minutes, texts and megabytes, but it has minimum eligible-spend conditions. Under terms updated in July 2026, customers who joined from 1 August 2026 and use pure PAYG without an active Boost must meet a £10 spend requirement over each 90-day period. Earlier joiners have different commitment periods.

If the customer doesn't spend the required amount, 1pMobile's terms allow the shortfall to be deducted from the credit balance, with automatic top-up attempts and possible suspension or loss of the number if payment conditions aren't met. A SIM left in a drawer can still cost money to keep active.

What happens if you stop renewing a Boost?

If a 1pMobile Boost stops and no other Boost remains active, the service reverts to current Classic PAYG terms, including the applicable minimum-spend commitment period. It isn't necessarily a free dormant SIM. The operator's terms say the relevant new PAYG commitment period starts after the Boost ends.

1pMobile also sells prepaid annual products. These are neither Classic PAYG nor the rolling Boost shown in our live 30-day offer cards, so their upfront payment and allowance refresh schedule need separate assessment.

SMARTY's standard service involves paying upfront for a rolling monthly package, and it has no classic 1p-per-minute tariff as the normal choice on our SMARTY provider page. It also auto-renews, a setting that is enabled when a normal plan is activated. Switching it off stops future renewals, subject to the operator's cancellation rules. Without an active plan, don't assume your monthly allowance or add-ons remain usable.

If you need a backup number, work out the cost of keeping it active for six or twelve months, not just the price of a minute. Our PAYG vs SIM only guide covers that wider decision. Our 1pMobile live plan cards purchase the specific Boosts shown, not Classic PAYG or annual products.

Are SMARTY Group plans cheaper than 1pMobile's family options?

Sometimes, but compare both operators' actual group products. SMARTY has Mix & Match and Everyone Unlimited, while 1pMobile has a separate Unlimited & Family Bundle. The important comparison for a household needing several unlimited lines is between the two specific group products, not a discounted group plan and unrelated individual 1pMobile Boosts.

SMARTY Mix & Match lets eligible members use different data plans with a 10% discount on qualifying lines. Each member may have a separate renewal date while the Group Owner handles payments. The discount does not necessarily stack with every promotion.

SMARTY Everyone Unlimited is a different arrangement for households where all lines need unlimited data. The Group Owner and additional members have different published prices, a shared renewal date and a centralised payment. Unlike Mix & Match, it is not simply 10% off any bundle.

1pMobile Unlimited & Family Bundle is its own linked-unlimited-SIM product. The provider advertises a first-line charge and reduced charges for additional unlimited SIMs, then calculates a group total and apportions renewal charges across linked SIMs. Each SIM's renewal payment can change if someone joins or leaves. The published product also has the Unlimited Boost's heavy-use conditions. It isn't a standard 5GB, 100GB or standalone unlimited Boost and should not be purchased by assuming an ordinary card automatically enrols a family.

Illustrative calculation, not current plan prices: two qualifying standalone bundles at £10 each cost £20 per renewal; a 10% Mix & Match discount on both would make £18. To compare with an unlimited family product, use the actual first-line amount plus all extra-line amounts over the same period, not the advertised additional-line price alone. The family product's published pricing can change, so it is deliberately not hard-coded here.

For household-wide costs and the group renewal calculation, see our UK family SIM-only guide. If 1pMobile's separate family product suits your household, check the Unlimited & Family Bundle through our verified partner link. This leads to the specific family product, not an ordinary Boost. SMARTY's standard plan cards likewise do not establish a Group checkout, so verify its Group eligibility and renewal conditions separately.

Does SMARTY still refund you for unused data?

Not as a new-customer benefit on its standard current plans. Older SMARTY comparisons describe Data Discount plans that credited unused data against the next payment. SMARTY's own help centre now says these plans are discontinued for new sign-ups. Existing customers may stay on them while eligible, but changing plans can remove the ability to return.

So it would be wrong to promise a new SMARTY customer a refund or bill discount just because they use less data than their allowance. Today's Group discounts are a different benefit and shouldn't be confused with the historic Data Discount arrangement.

If you regularly use far less data than you buy, the usual fix is a smaller plan. An existing legacy Data Discount customer should read the effect of changing tariffs before switching to a new promotion, because a few pounds saved on a temporary deal may not make up for losing a legacy benefit for good.

Does SMARTY offer a social tariff or a no-credit-check SIM?

Yes to both, with caveats. SMARTY advertises prepaid standard SIM plans without credit checks, and it also offers a separate eligibility-based social tariff. The social tariff is for people receiving specified qualifying benefits, with eligibility verified separately. It isn't simply a discounted version of whichever ordinary SMARTY card appears in our catalogue.

The social tariff currently offers an eligible unlimited-data arrangement with its own terms, including checks on ongoing eligibility and limits on combining it with Group or other promotions. It may give a qualifying customer better value than either operator's ordinary unlimited plan. Eligibility and the final tariff must be verified independently, and a standard SMARTY View Deal doesn't necessarily enrol you in the social tariff.

If avoiding a credit check is your main concern, compare the type of service and how it is paid for, instead of assuming every monthly phone plan needs the same finance assessment. Our no-credit-check SIM guide explains the distinctions.

Which is faster, 1pMobile or SMARTY, on 4G and 5G?

You can't name an always-faster winner from historic averages for EE and Three. Speed depends on the exact location, radio bands, handset, congestion, access technology and tariff, and it changes as networks upgrade sites and introduce new sharing arrangements.

Both providers sell eligible 5G phone services, but 5G availability isn't the same as a usable 5G connection indoors. A fast 5G result outside the station means little if your calls fail at home. Equally, consistent Three service at your workplace may make SMARTY more useful than an EE-based plan, even where EE does better on a national metric.

For a practical test, compare the phones in the same place at a similar time. Look at ordinary 4G, upload speed, page-loading responsiveness, indoor calling and reliability in the evening peak. Don't compare one provider's best recorded speed with another's average from an older survey.

Are Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling available on both?

Yes, on eligible phones and plans. Both providers support Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling (VoLTE), but network support isn't the same as guaranteed support for your handset. SMARTY's official VoLTE guidance names certain devices that are incompatible following Three's 3G shutdown, even though they may appear capable of 4G data.

This matters most with imported or older Android phones. Check the exact model and software version, not just whether a "4G" or "5G" icon appears in Settings. If your home signal is weak, test calls and texts over Wi-Fi before you port an important number. Our Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE compatibility guide explains how to check.

Is eSIM easier with SMARTY or 1pMobile?

Both now offer eSIM for eligible new and existing customers, and old comparisons claiming neither does are outdated. The real difference is whether the ordering route and your exact phone support a new eSIM, a conversion from a physical SIM or a replacement.

1pMobile's eSIM page describes choosing an eSIM when ordering a suitable plan, then scanning a QR code. It also gives existing customers routes to request a SIM conversion or move service to another device. Its terms separately mention a charge for replacement SIMs, so a free eSIM on joining doesn't mean every future replacement is free.

SMARTY's help centre confirms eSIM for existing customers changing from a physical SIM and for new customers joining on compatible devices. You may be asked to confirm your device's EID and follow SMARTY's activation procedure.

Before ordering from either provider, check four things: eSIM compatibility for your exact handset, whether you need a new number or a ported one, Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE support, and what happens if you lose the phone or change devices. An eSIM is a SIM format and doesn't improve coverage or add data. See the UK eSIM support guide for more detail.

What about international calls and unexpected charges?

Don't assume included UK minutes cover calls to other countries. Both operators publish separate terms and charges for international calls from the UK, special-rate numbers, roaming outside the included destination list and optional extras. 1pMobile's classic unit prices and Boost allowances don't prove overseas calls are included, and SMARTY's out-of-plan add-ons and destination rates are also separate from ordinary UK calls.

For example, a call from London to a Polish mobile is an international call from the UK. Calling home from Poland on a UK SIM is roaming. They can cost different amounts even when the other person and the country are the same.

If you call abroad often, estimate the country, number type and minutes you use in a normal month, then compare each provider's current destination rate or relevant calling product, not an old league table. Internet calling services can be cheaper, but video and voice calls still use ordinary mobile data when you're away from Wi-Fi.

For bill control, check how data stops when an allowance runs out, how a prepaid credit balance can be used and whether add-ons renew or expire. With 1pMobile, also check the status of the Boost and the Classic PAYG minimum-spend requirement if no Boost is active. With SMARTY, look at auto-renew, out-of-plan add-ons and the Group Owner's payment responsibilities where relevant. Our spending caps guide explains why a "£0 cap" and a prepaid balance aren't the same thing.

Which should you choose? Seven buying situations

If you qualify for SMARTY's social tariff, compare it separately instead of assuming the ordinary unlimited-plan ranking applies. If you use almost no data and only need to keep a number, look at 1pMobile Classic PAYG with its minimum-spend rules before comparing it with a recurring SMARTY plan.

How do you switch from SMARTY to 1pMobile, or the other way round?

You can normally keep your UK mobile number when you switch. Because the two providers use different host networks, check reception and phone compatibility first, which matters more here than when you change bundles within one operator.

To keep your number, text PAC to 65075 from your current SIM and give the code to your new operator. To switch without keeping the old number, text STAC to 75075. To check your contract position, text INFO to 85075. Ofcom says PAC and STAC codes are generally valid for 30 days, and the receiving provider should complete an eligible switch within one working day of receiving the code.

If you use your number for banking or business, consider testing the new SIM or eSIM on its temporary number before the transfer. Confirm incoming SMS, normal calls, voicemail and mobile data. Don't cancel your old line before using the PAC, and check for exit charges on any existing contract.

Read our guide to switching and keeping your number or Ofcom's mobile switching advice.

Compare the right SIM on DealPriceCheck

If 1pMobile suits your signal and usage, start with our current 1pMobile SIM-only offers, or inspect the 5GB Boost detail and 100GB Boost detail for like-for-like comparisons. Open Full plan details and use the tracked View Deal for the exact Boost shown. Classic PAYG, annual prepaid and the separate Unlimited & Family Bundle have their own product routes; the verified family-product referral is linked above.

If SMARTY fits better, use the SMARTY plan comparison to check current allowances and purchase terms. Group plans and the social tariff have their own eligibility and registration paths, so don't assume an ordinary plan card includes them. Check the exact SMARTY card's purchase route and terms before ordering.

Before buying, confirm the network at your main addresses, the phone features and data you actually use, the roaming allowance and the renewal total. The exact plan and purchase route matter more than a marketing headline.

1pMobile vs SMARTY: frequently asked questions

Is SMARTY better than 1pMobile?

Neither is better everywhere. 1pMobile uses EE and is worth considering if EE reception works well or you need the larger qualifying 14GB European roaming ceiling. SMARTY uses Three, offers flexible monthly plans and can save some households money through eligible Group plans. Compare actual signal and total costs.

Is 1pMobile on the EE network?

Yes. 1pMobile uses EE's UK network, while SMARTY uses Three. That matters for local coverage, even though both offer 4G, 5G and supported Wi-Fi Calling.

Does SMARTY now use Vodafone's network as well?

SMARTY remains a Three-based provider. VodafoneThree is progressively enabling eligible shared-network access, but customers shouldn't assume access to every Vodafone mast or the same coverage as Vodafone-branded plans. Check the current rollout for your location.

Which is cheaper, SMARTY or 1pMobile?

There is no permanent winner across every allowance. Compare the smallest suitable current data bundles over the same duration, and include roaming, add-ons, family eligibility and renewal terms. Use DealPriceCheck's current provider cards instead of an old promotion.

Which has better 5G, 1pMobile or SMARTY?

You can't reliably decide from a historic national speed figure. 1pMobile uses EE, while SMARTY uses Three with evolving shared-network access. Check local 5G and 4G reception and test real service with your handset.

Does 1pMobile include European roaming?

Yes, on qualifying Boosts, with a 14GB upper data limit on larger bundles. A smaller home allowance remains the effective ceiling, so a 5GB Boost gives no more than 5GB of included roaming data. Country and fair-use restrictions apply.

How much EU roaming does SMARTY include?

SMARTY ordinarily allows roaming from your UK plan with a 12GB fair-use limit where your allowance exceeds 12GB. The Republic of Ireland is a documented exception to that standard ceiling. Eligible users can also check paid EU Roaming Passes or data add-ons for extra use.

Does SMARTY still discount unused data?

Not for new customers on ordinary current plans. Its historic Data Discount plans are discontinued for new sign-ups, though qualifying existing customers may keep them. SMARTY Group discounts are a different scheme.

Is eSIM available with both networks?

Yes, both providers offer eSIM on supported devices and eligible activation routes. Confirm your exact handset and whether you're ordering a new SIM, converting a physical one or transferring service to a replacement device.

Is SMARTY better for a family?

It can be. SMARTY offers Mix & Match and Everyone Unlimited, but 1pMobile also has a separate Unlimited & Family Bundle for several unlimited SIMs. Compare the total group cost for the appropriate products and check EE versus Three coverage for every member.

Does 1pMobile have real pay as you go?

Yes, but Classic PAYG is separate from the 30-day Boosts in our catalogue. Under its published terms, qualifying new pure-PAYG customers joining from August 2026 must meet a £10 eligible-spend requirement every 90 days, so a mostly idle number isn't necessarily free to maintain.

Can I keep my phone number when switching?

Normally, yes. Text PAC to 65075 from the old SIM and give the code to the new operator. Check eligibility and any outstanding contract charges, and don't cancel the old number independently before the transfer.

DealPriceCheck compares selected UK SIM offers, not every product or promotion. Prices, eligibility, coverage-sharing access and roaming terms can change; confirm the chosen plan and final operator terms before buying. Some tracked links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

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