Vodafone vs O2 (2026): Which German Network Is Better Value?
The short answer
Vodafone wins on prepaid, O2 wins on contract. CallYa Allnet Flat S gives 25 GB for 9.99 EUR per 28 days with a free SIM, against 20 GB for 9.99 EUR at O2 plus a 9.99 EUR starter pack. On contract it reverses: O2 Mobile S is 19.99 EUR a month, and O2 Mobile on Demand M puts 50 GB at that same price, while Vodafone Mobil XS lists at 29.99 EUR. Vodafone also answers in English, O2 does not.
Vodafone
Vodafone Group plc
Vodafone runs the D2 network. Lidl Connect and SIMon mobile are separate companies selling airtime on that same network, so their coverage matches Vodafone's.
Cheapest entry: Lidl Connect Smart S, 25 GB for 8.99 EUR per 28 days on the Vodafone network
O2
Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG
O2 is the retail brand of Telefónica Germany and owns its network. ALDI TALK, Blau and Tchibo mobil are separate value brands selling airtime on that same network.
Cheapest entry: ALDI TALK Kombi-Paket S, 25 GB for 8.99 EUR per 28 days on the O2 network
Row by row
Fees verified August 2026 against each provider's published data
| Criterion | Vodafone | O2 |
|---|---|---|
| Network you actually useCoverage follows the radio network, not the brand | Vodafone (D2), own networkTie Operated by Vodafone GmbH | O2 / Telefónica, own networkTie Operated by Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG |
| Published network verdictIndependent tests are the only neutral signal here | Strong urban D2 5GTie Rural gaps remain in parts of the south and east | Highest measured 5G availability in Germany, Ookla H1 2025Tie Rural coverage still trails Telekom and Vodafone |
| Allnet prepaid at around 10 EURThis is the tariff most new arrivals actually buy | CallYa Allnet Flat S, 9.99 EUR per 28 days, 25 GBWins Effective 10.82 EUR a month across 13 cycles | O2 my Prepaid S, 9.99 EUR per 28 days, 20 GB Effective 10.82 EUR a month across 13 cycles |
| Cheapest 24-month contractWhat a SIM-only contract costs before any promo | Vodafone Mobil XS, 29.99 EUR a month for 25 GB 22.45 EUR a month for the first 24 months, 39.99 EUR connection fee | O2 Mobile S, 19.99 EUR a month for 15 GBWins 39.99 EUR connection fee; O2 Mobile on Demand M gives 50 GB at the same price |
| Peak speed on the prepaid planA capped plan feels slow on a modern phone | Up to 300 Mbit/s on 5GTie No speed-cap surcharge | Up to 300 Mbit/s on 5GTie Throttled to 1 Mbit/s after the quota, not cut off |
| What the SIM costs on day oneThe first payment people forget to budget for | 0.00 EURWins Free SIM with free shipping from vodafone.de | 9.99 EUR Starter pack includes 10 EUR of starting credit |
| CommitmentHow quickly you can walk away | Prepaid: none. Contract: 24 monthsTie Contract adds a 39.99 EUR connection fee | Prepaid: none. Contract: 24 monthsTie Contract adds a 39.99 EUR connection fee, often waived in flash sales |
| EU roaming allowanceWhether the plan travels with you | 25 GB, the full plan allowanceWins 200 EU call minutes included each month | 20 GB, the full plan allowance |
| English-language supportDecisive in the first weeks after arriving | Full English supportWins | None, support is German-first |
So which one
Pick Vodafone if
- You want no card fee at all: the CallYa SIM is free and ships free from vodafone.de
- You want 25 GB for 9.99 EUR instead of 20 GB for the same money
- You need help in English: Vodafone offers full English support, O2 does not
- You are under 28: Vodafone Mobil Young M is 200 GB at 27.99 EUR for the first 24 months
- You would rather pay once a year: CallYa Jahrespaket M is 250 GB for 99.99 EUR
Pick O2 if
- You want the cheapest contract from a network owner: O2 Mobile S is 19.99 EUR a month
- You want volume on that budget: O2 Mobile on Demand M is 50 GB at the same 19.99 EUR, with free 1 GB top-ups on demand
- You are up to 29: O2 Mobile S young is 14.99 EUR a month
- You want the highest measured 5G availability in Germany, per Ookla H1 2025
- You want the cheapest way onto the network: ALDI TALK Kombi-Paket S is 25 GB for 8.99 EUR
Other comparisons
4 more pairsHow we compared these two
The criteria are fixed
Every comparison on this site uses the same 9 rows in the same order, so two pages can be read against each other. We do not add a row because one side happens to win it.
A win is a stated threshold
A row is won on the published number or capability, not on judgement. Ties are declared rather than broken. Figures come from provider price lists and official sources.
How we get paid
Both links earn a commission at the same rate, so the winner of a row is never the higher-paying one. Fees come from each provider's own published price list, not a comparison feed.
Sources: provider price lists and official data, accessed August 2026. Next review: November 2026.