SMARTY vs Tesco Mobile: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology SMARTY scores 71 out of 100 and Tesco Mobile scores 70. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| SMARTY | Tesco Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 50 | 57 |
| Cost | 93 | 79 |
| Service | 67 | 67 |
| Transparency | 100 | 100 |
Pros and cons
SMARTY
- Reference tariff among the cheapest in the country
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Runs its own radio network
- Offers eSIM to new customers
- Human support is not 24/7
Tesco Mobile
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- High officially stated population coverage
- Offers eSIM to new customers
- Full tariff terms are public
- Uses another operator's network
Facts side by side
| Fact | SMARTY | Tesco Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Own radio network | Yes smarty.co.uk | No tescomobile.com |
| Commercial 5G | Yes smarty.co.uk | Yes tescomobile.com |
| Stated population coverage | Not verified | 99% tescomobile.com |
| Price index (100 = cheapest in the country) | 114 cdn.smarty.co.uk | 143 tescomobile.com |
| Commercial 4G | Yes smarty.co.uk | Yes tescomobile.com |
| eSIM | Yes smarty.co.uk | Yes tescomobile.com |
| International roaming | Yes smarty.co.uk | Yes tescomobile.com |
| Self-care app | Yes smarty.co.uk | Yes tescomobile.com |
| 24/7 human support | No smarty.co.uk | Not verified |
| Tariff terms published | Yes cdn.smarty.co.uk | Yes tescomobile.com |
| Complaints procedure published | Yes smarty.co.uk | Yes tescomobile.com |