Lebara Review 2025
Best for International Calling
Comprehensive review of Lebara covering international calling rates, Vodafone network coverage, pricing, and real user experiences.
Based on 8,234 customer reviews
Lebara Overview
Lebara is an international mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operating on the Vodafone network in the UK. Founded in 2001, Lebara specializes in affordable international calling, making it particularly popular among expat communities and international students.
With operations in multiple countries and a focus on connecting people across borders, Lebara has built a strong reputation for offering some of the cheapest international calling rates in the UK market.
✓ Pros
- • Excellent international calling rates
- • Vodafone network coverage
- • No contracts required
- • Free EU roaming included
- • Multi-language support
- • Plans from just £5/month
- • Free 5G access
- • No credit check needed
✗ Cons
- • Smaller data allowances than competitors
- • Customer service can be slow
- • Limited UK-only plan options
- • App can be buggy
- • Occasional network issues
Detailed Review
International Calling
Lebara's standout feature is its exceptional international calling rates. Call India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh for just 1p/minute. Poland and Romania at 2p/minute. These rates are significantly cheaper than any major UK network.
The service covers 40+ countries with competitive rates, making it perfect for expat communities who need to stay in regular contact with family abroad. International calls are crystal clear with no noticeable delays.
Network Coverage & Speed
Operating on Vodafone's network, Lebara provides 98% population coverage across the UK. 5G is available in over 200 locations with average speeds of 185 Mbps. 4G coverage is excellent in urban areas and good in most rural locations.
Some users report occasional network congestion during peak times in busy areas. Overall, the Vodafone network provides reliable connectivity for most users, though coverage can be patchy in some rural areas.
Pricing & Value
Lebara offers excellent value, especially for international callers. Plans start from £5/month with unlimited UK calls and texts plus 2GB data. The £10/month plan includes 5GB data and 100 international minutes to selected countries.
While data allowances are smaller than some competitors, the international calling benefits and low prices make Lebara exceptional value for its target audience. No contracts mean complete flexibility.
Customer Service
Lebara offers multi-language customer support via phone, email, and live chat. Support is available in English, Polish, Romanian, and several other languages, which is helpful for international customers.
Response times can vary - phone support sometimes has long wait times, but the multi-language capability is valuable. The online help center covers most common issues, though it could be more comprehensive.
Features & Extras
- ✓ Free 5G: Access to Vodafone's 5G network included
- ✓ EU Roaming: Use your allowance across 27 EU countries
- ✓ International Minutes: Included minutes to 40+ countries on select plans
- ✓ No Credit Check: Perfect for new UK residents
- ✓ Multi-Language App: Manage account in your preferred language
- ✓ Easy Top-Up: Online, app, or at retail locations
Real Customer Reviews
"Perfect for calling India! 1p per minute is unbeatable. I call my parents every day and my monthly bill is still under £10. Coverage in Birmingham is excellent."
"Been using Lebara for 2 years to call Poland. Excellent rates and the Polish customer support is really helpful. EU roaming worked perfectly on my holiday to Spain."
"Great for international calls but data allowances could be better. Customer service took a while to respond to my query, but they did resolve it eventually. Overall good value."
Final Verdict
Best for International Calling
Lebara excels at what it does best - providing affordable international calling on a reliable network. With unbeatable rates to 40+ countries, Vodafone network coverage, and free EU roaming, it's the perfect choice for anyone who regularly calls abroad.
Best for: Expat communities, international students, families with relatives abroad, and anyone making regular international calls.
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