Telekom vs Vodafone vs O2 (2026): Which German Network Should You Choose?
Telekom is the best-rated German network in connect 01/2026 and Ookla Q1-Q2 2026. O2 has the cheapest contract entry at 19.99 EUR a month and the highest measured 5G availability in Ookla H1 2025. Vodafone gives you the most prepaid data for about 10 EUR, 25 GB, on a SIM that costs nothing. On all three, the cheapest way onto the network is a value brandrather than the network's own name.
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Which German Mobile Network Should You Choose?
Telekom
Best-rated German network in connect 01/2026 and Ookla Q1-Q2 2026, with full English support. MagentaMobil Prepaid M is 9.95 EUR per 28 days for 20 GB. Cheapest way onto the same network: congstar, 30 GB for 10.00 EUR.
Vodafone
The free-SIM start. CallYa Allnet Flat S is 9.99 EUR per 28 days for 25 GB, the most data of the three at that price, with full English support. Cheapest way onto the same network: Lidl Connect, 25 GB for 8.99 EUR.
O2
The cheapest contract. O2 Mobile S is 19.99 EUR a month and O2 Mobile on Demand M puts 50 GB at that same price. Highest measured 5G availability, Ookla H1 2025, but support is German-first.
How Do the Three Networks Compare on Plans?
Each table lists every Telekom, Vodafone and O2 mobile SIM tariff in our August 2026 catalogue, sorted by price. Bundles, data-only SIMs and family add-on cards are left out so the prices stay comparable.
Telekom mobile plans
| Plan | Network | Data | Price | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid Basic (9-Cent) | Telekom (D1) | Pay per use | EUR 0 | No |
| MagentaMobil Prepaid S | Telekom (D1) | 1 GB | EUR 4.95 | No |
| MagentaMobil Prepaid M | Telekom (D1) | 20 GB | EUR 9.95 | No |
| MagentaMobil Prepaid L | Telekom (D1) | 40 GB | EUR 14.95 | No |
| MagentaMobil Prepaid XL | Telekom (D1) | 80 GB | EUR 19.95 | No |
| MagentaMobil XS | Telekom (D1) | 20 GB | EUR 29.95 | Yes |
| MagentaMobil S | Telekom (D1) | 30 GB | EUR 39.95 | Yes |
| MagentaMobil M Young | Telekom (D1) | 100 GB | EUR 39.95 | Yes |
| MagentaMobil M | Telekom (D1) | 50 GB | EUR 49.95 | Yes |
| MagentaMobil L | Telekom (D1) | 100 GB | EUR 59.95 | Yes |
| MagentaMobil XL | Telekom (D1) | Unlimited | EUR 84.95 | Yes |
| MagentaMobil Prepaid Max | Telekom (D1) | Unlimited | EUR 99.95 | No |
Vodafone mobile plans
| Plan | Network | Data | Price | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CallYa Classic | Vodafone (D2) | Pay per use | EUR 0 | No |
| CallYa Start | Vodafone (D2) | 2 GB | EUR 4.99 | No |
| CallYa Jahrespaket M | Vodafone (D2) | 250 GB | EUR 8.33 | No |
| CallYa Allnet Flat S | Vodafone (D2) | 25 GB | EUR 9.99 | No |
| CallYa Allnet Flat M | Vodafone (D2) | 50 GB | EUR 14.99 | No |
| CallYa Allnet Flat L | Vodafone (D2) | 100 GB | EUR 19.99 | No |
| Vodafone Mobil XS | Vodafone (D2) | 25 GB | EUR 29.99 | Yes |
| Vodafone Mobil S | Vodafone (D2) | 35 GB | EUR 39.99 | Yes |
| Vodafone Young M | Vodafone (D2) | 200 GB | EUR 39.99 | Yes |
| Vodafone Mobil M | Vodafone (D2) | 100 GB | EUR 49.99 | Yes |
| Vodafone Mobil L | Vodafone (D2) | 120 GB | EUR 59.99 | Yes |
| CallYa Black | Vodafone (D2) | Unlimited | EUR 79.99 | No |
| Vodafone Mobil XL | Vodafone (D2) | Unlimited | EUR 79.99 | Yes |
O2 mobile plans
| Plan | Network | Data | Price | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O2 Prepaid Freikarte | O2 / Telefónica | Pay per use | EUR 0 | No |
| O2 my Prepaid S | O2 / Telefónica | 20 GB | EUR 9.99 | No |
| O2 my Prepaid M | O2 / Telefónica | 40 GB | EUR 14.99 | No |
| O2 Mobile S Young | O2 / Telefónica | 15 GB | EUR 14.99 | Yes |
| O2 my Prepaid L | O2 / Telefónica | 80 GB | EUR 19.99 | No |
| O2 Mobile S | O2 / Telefónica | 15 GB | EUR 19.99 | Yes |
| O2 Mobile on Demand M | O2 / Telefónica | 50 GB | EUR 19.99 | Yes |
| O2 my Prepaid Max | O2 / Telefónica | 999 GB | EUR 74.99 | No |
Which Network Has the Best Coverage?
All three operate their own physical networks. Telekom is rated the best German network in connect 01/2026 and Ookla Q1-Q2 2026, and its prepaid tariffs treat data in Switzerland like EU data. O2 records the highest measured 5G availability in Germany in Ookla H1 2025, while its rural coverage still trails Telekom and Vodafone. Vodafone's D2 5G is strong in cities, with rural gaps in parts of the south and east. Check the official coverage map for the exact address you will live at before you sign a 24-month contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which German mobile network is best?
Telekom is the best-rated German network according to connect 01/2026 and Ookla Q1-Q2 2026. O2 records the highest measured 5G availability in Germany in Ookla H1 2025, while its own product data notes that O2 rural coverage still trails Telekom and Vodafone. Vodafone's D2 5G is strong in cities, with rural gaps in parts of the south and east. Check the address you will actually live at before you sign anything.
Which of the three is cheapest?
On contract it is O2: O2 Mobile S is 19.99 EUR a month, against 29.95 EUR for MagentaMobil XS and 29.99 EUR for Vodafone Mobil XS. On prepaid all three sit near 10 EUR per 28 days: Telekom 9.95 EUR for 20 GB, Vodafone 9.99 EUR for 25 GB, O2 9.99 EUR for 20 GB. The genuinely cheapest route onto each network is a value brand: congstar for Telekom at 30 GB for 10.00 EUR, Lidl Connect for Vodafone at 25 GB for 8.99 EUR, ALDI TALK for O2 at 25 GB for 8.99 EUR.
Which network works best if you have just arrived and speak no German?
Telekom and Vodafone both offer full English support. O2 support is German-first. All three sell prepaid without a German bank account and without a registered address, so you can be reachable before your Anmeldung is done.
Which network is best for students and under-28s?
All three price youth tariffs below the adult ladder. MagentaMobil M Young is 100 GB at 24.95 EUR for the first 24 months and 39.95 EUR after that. Vodafone Mobil Young M is 200 GB at 27.99 EUR for the first 24 months. O2 Mobile S young is 14.99 EUR a month for 15 GB and has the widest age gate, up to 29. All three carry a 24-month term and a credit check.