EE vs O2: Which is better?

Overall Winner in snapshot: O2

Picking a winner isn’t easy, but for us, O2 wins out – just.

Both offer a hearty range of SIM-only and phone contract plans, with broadly similar price points to suit a range of budgets.

True, if you're looking for speedy and widespread 5G coverage, EE may be the one for you – it's long held the title of the UK's most extensive network.

However, extras like inclusive EU roaming and access to O2 Priority, topped with slightly better customer satisfaction ratings, give O2 the edge. Plus, O2's Refresh plans offer a greater degree of flexibility on pay-monthly phone contracts.

Keep reading, and we’ll take you through every point. 

EE vs O2: Plans and pricing

EE and O2 offer plans at similar prices, which is at the slightly higher end of the market. But the extra you shell out means you get better service and more extras than with most networks.

EE’s SIM-only plans aren’t the cheapest around. But you have access to its ace 5G network, as well as its excellent 4G platform, the best in the UK by some distance. All its deals come with unlimited calls and texts, with monthly data allowances ranging from 2GB up to unlimited. SIM plans are available on one-month, 12-month and 24-month contracts.

Phone contract plans from EE are comprehensive. Whether you want something from Apple or Samsung, or an alternative option from Oppo, it’s got you covered. In general, you’ll be locked in for 24 months either way.

You can cut the upfront cost of a new smartphone by trading in your old device, or choose a ‘good as new’ handset that’s been refurbished.

As a nice bonus, EE has a range of add-ons (called Inclusive Extras), including Apple Music, Netflix and TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport).

O2 plans are similarly broad. Its SIM only deals are available on 30-day, 12-month and 24-month contracts, and there's a good range of data allowances (from 1GB all the way up to unlimited).

Like EE, you can get unlimited 5G too, though the network of course isn’t as widespread.

In terms of phone contracts, it likewise has the latest and greatest from Apple and Samsung, as well as a handful of smaller brands. Deals are generally 24 or 36 months – the latter meaning you can spread the cost of a high-end phone further and pay less per month.

O2 Refresh pioneered the idea of splitting your phone and airtime bills in two, offering you more flexibility – so you can pay off your device, lower your bill or upgrade early.

Being another big-name network, O2 also offer a few nice incentives. Sweeteners include a few months' free Disney+ and Apple Music, as well as double data if you’re a Virgin Media broadband customer – and, of course, O2 Priority for early-access tickets and exclusive discounts (more on that below…).

EE vs O2: Coverage and 5G coverage

EE boasts 99% 4G coverage across the UK, with more 5G locations than any other network. Being the first network to launch 5G back in 2019, it has 5G in all major UK cities and continues to roll it out to rural locations.

EE also makes a big play of the fact its network stretches along roads and railways, so you can stay better connected when travelling.

Although it's not quite as widespread as EE's 5G network, O2's ever-expanding 5G covers around 750 towns and cities (and it's on track to cover 50% of the population in 2023). Like EE, its extensive 4G network covers 99% of the UK.

So, EE’s coverage is technically quite a bit better, especially for 5G – but for most of us, there won’t be much difference. Both networks reach a similar breadth of the UK, with only a few areas not served by one or the other.

Our guide to the best 5G networks goes through it in more detail.

EE vs O2: Speeds

EE wins hands down when it comes to 4G speeds. Independent tests show that EE's average download speeds clock in at around 52.6Mbps, compared with O2 at just 18Mbps. EE is the clear winner, by some distance.

While 5G data is harder to come by, independent tests show that EE's average 5G download speeds range between 122-150Mbps. In comparison, O2's average 5G download speeds came in at around 75-116Mbps.

Both are as fast as some of the best available fibre broadband, showing just how much effort is being put into making such services better.

EE vs O2: Customer service

In Ofcom's 2023 report, O2 scored slightly better than EE when it came to overall customer satisfaction.

For example, O2 customers were found to be less likely than average to have had a reason to complain, and O2 was in line with the average when it came to whether customers would recommend them to a friend. In comparison, EE customers were less likely than average to recommend their network to a friend.

EE customers were also less likely to be satisfied with the value for money of their mobile services.

Each network has extensive online and phone support, plus a large number of high street stores for in-person queries.

EE vs O2: Wi-Fi hotspots

EE and O2 are both big on Wi-Fi hotspots.

O2 has its own network of over 16,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK. Meanwhile, EE lets you access BT’s five million hotspots across the UK, as it’s owned by the telecoms giant.

Both offer access at London Underground stations, too, which is handy if you regularly commute in London.

EE vs O2: Roaming

Unfortunately, EE brought back roaming charges in Europe in January 2022. Anyone who has taken out a contract since 7 July 2021 is subject to the new fees.

You’ll have to pay for its Roam Abroad Pass, which is available for £15 as a monthly add-on. This will let you use your phone in 47 European destinations, as well as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

Select plans do offer the Roam Abroad Pass as an Inclusive Extra, so you won't need to pay extra to use your phone abroad. However, it's only available with the pricier plans.

On the other hand, O2 is the only one out of the 'Big Four' major mobile networks to still offer inclusive EU roaming. There's a fair use cap of 25GB a month, but that's more than enough to cover a holiday.

At a time when other networks are pushing bills up for travellers, it's great to see O2 as one of the remaining bastions of free EU roaming.

EE vs O2: Bonuses and rewards

With its wide-ranging deals, from cheap lunches to pre-order access for gig tickets, O2 Priority has long been a mainstay. It’s still going strong, with a huge number of great deals and discounts exclusive to O2 customers.

EE also offers some tempting incentives via its Inclusive Extras. Available with select plans, these get you free subscriptions to the likes of Netflix, Apple Music, Microsoft 365 and more.

But O2's generous customer rewards scheme cinches the deal for us.

How do other networks compare against each other?

• Smarty vs giffgaff
• VOXI vs Smarty