You often hear about Lebara if you regularly call abroad. But what exactly does this provider offer? And is Lebara also worth considering if you mainly call and browse within the Netherlands? In this review you'll read what sets Lebara apart from other budget providers, which network they use, and who this is a smart choice for.
Short answer: Lebara is a budget provider focused on international calling, founded in 2001 in the United Kingdom. They use the KPN network in the Netherlands and offer competitively priced bundles with plenty of calling minutes abroad. Suitable for anyone who regularly calls internationally and wants a reliable network.
Who is Lebara and what's their background?
Lebara started in 2001 in London with a clear mission: affordable international calling for everyone. Since then, the brand has grown into an international player, active in multiple European countries including the Netherlands. The focus is still on people who stay in touch with family and friends abroad, think expats, students, or people with roots elsewhere.
In the Netherlands, Lebara uses KPN's network. That means you get the same coverage as KPN customers, but at a lower price. Lebara buys capacity from KPN and resells it under its own name: that's called a virtual provider or MVNO. The advantage: no need to build your own cell towers, so lower costs that get passed on to you.
Also read: What to look out for with a Sim Only plan
What makes Lebara different from other budget providers?
The biggest difference lies in the international calling option. While many budget providers mainly focus on domestic use, such as data, calling, and texting within the Netherlands, Lebara also has a clear offering for people with contacts abroad.
With Lebara, you can add an international calling option for €5 per month. This lets you call and text from the Netherlands to 44 countries, according to Lebara's terms and fair use policy. Think of popular destinations both within and outside Europe. Do keep in mind that per country, the bundle may only apply to landlines, mobile numbers, or both. For Morocco, for example, the international bundle only applies to landlines.
Rarely call internationally? Then that extra option probably isn't necessary, and you're better off comparing on price, data bundle, speed, and network. Do you call abroad regularly? Then Lebara could be particularly interesting. You pay a fixed monthly amount and avoid unexpected costs from separate international rates piling up.
Other characteristics of Lebara:
- KPN network: reliable nationwide coverage via the KPN network, including 4G and 5G
- Own speed limits: standard maximum of 75 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload; with an extra speed option up to a maximum of 150 Mbps download
- Flexible contract length: choose between a monthly rolling contract or a longer term with more discount
- Both prepaid and contract: choose whether to pay in advance with prepaid or afterwards via Sim Only
- EU roaming included: calling, texting, and browsing in the EU using your Dutch bundle, as long as you stay within your bundle and the terms
But there's a downside too. Lebara does use the KPN network, but doesn't automatically offer the same maximum speed, service, or extras as KPN itself. Also, support runs mainly through online help, chat, phone, contact form, and the MyLebara app. That's fine for many standard questions, but less extensive than premium providers with a larger service network of their own. Lebara NL actually scores well on Trustpilot, but individual reviews remain mixed: some customers are happy with the price and service, while others mention complaints about reachability or issue handling.
What bundles does Lebara offer and what do you get?
Lebara offers Sim Only bundles with fixed data allowances, from small to generous. The current lineup can vary, but you'll typically see bundles ranging from around 1 GB up to 40/45 GB. So Lebara doesn't have a true unlimited data bundle like some premium providers.
With Lebara, you partly build your own bundle. Unlimited calling and texting within the Netherlands isn't automatically included in every bundle; it depends on the calling/texting option you choose. International calling minutes also aren't automatically included in every bundle either. Do you call abroad often? Then you can add an international calling option for calls and texts to 44 countries, according to Lebara's terms and fair use policy.
Examples of what you can choose:
- 1 GB or 5 GB data: suitable for light use, such as WhatsApp, email, mobile banking, and occasional browsing
- 10 GB or 15 GB data: for average use, such as social media, music streaming, navigation, and regularly browsing on the go
- 40 GB or 45 GB data: for heavier use, for example watching videos more often, video calling, using lots of apps, or occasionally using your phone as a hotspot
Please note: for international calling, the terms differ per country and number type. Some countries fall fully under the international calling option, while for others only landlines are included. So check before signing up whether your destination and the type of number are covered by the bundle.
Not sure whether to choose a small or large bundle? Welli helps you compare based on your calling and internet usage. That way, you don't automatically pick the cheapest deal, but the deal that best fits your situation.
How's Lebara's coverage and speed?
Because Lebara uses the KPN network, you benefit from KPN's nationwide 4G and 5G coverage. In practice, this means you'll have good reception in many places across the Netherlands, both in cities and in towns and rural areas. Still, coverage always remains local: your reception can vary depending on address, building, device, network congestion, and whether you're indoors or outdoors.
Speed depends not only on the network, but also on Lebara's terms. Lebara offers 5G as standard with a maximum speed of 75 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload. Want faster internet? Then you can add an extra speed option that boosts your download speed up to a maximum of 150 Mbps.
For everyday use, that speed is usually more than enough. WhatsApp, YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, and Google Maps generally work fine. Do you often download large files, use hotspot a lot, or want the highest 5G speeds? Then a premium provider might be a better fit.
Suitable for:
- Daily browsing, social media, navigation
- Streaming HD videos, video calling, large downloads
- Sharing hotspot with a laptop or tablet
Less suitable for:
- Use in very remote areas
- Professional business use with high uptime requirements (consider a premium provider instead)
Also read: How's 50+Mobiel's coverage?
What are Lebara customers' experiences?
Lebara scores an average of 4 to 4.5 out of 5 stars on review platforms. Positive points that often come up: the great value for money, the international minutes, and the reliability of the network. Customers appreciate the flexibility to adjust their bundle up or down each month.
Criticism mainly focuses on customer service. Some users report long wait times for phone support, unclear email replies, or activation issues. The website and app also get mixed reviews: functional, but not as user-friendly as those of larger players.
Notably, customers who mainly use Lebara for international calling tend to be more satisfied than those who choose Lebara as a 'regular' budget provider. That confirms the positioning: Lebara does what it's good at (international calling), but isn't necessarily the best choice if you only call and browse within the Netherlands.
How does Lebara compare to other budget providers?
When you compare Lebara to other budget providers, the international calling option really stands out. Lebara uses the KPN network and focuses strongly on people who regularly call abroad. For €5 per month, you can add an international calling option that lets you call and text from the Netherlands to 44 countries, according to Lebara's terms.
Other budget providers often have a different focus. Simyo and Youfone also use the KPN network and stand out for their flexibility, promotions, or bundle choices. Simpel uses the Odido network and focuses mainly on affordable, straightforward Sim Only plans. 50+Mobiel uses the Vodafone network and focuses more on clear bundles and simplicity. Which provider is most affordable depends on your data bundle, calling habits, contract length, and current promotions.
For those who value affordability: within our analysis, 50+Mobiel is the most affordable and one of the best-rated providers (4.5/5 on Trustpilot with 44,000+ reviews). In our internal research over 2025, 50+Mobiel held the #1 spot as most affordable sim-only provider the longest. Good to know: 50+Mobiel is partly owned by the Home of the Brave holding company; we compare all providers using the same, neutral criteria. However, 50+Mobiel doesn't offer international calling minutes. So if you regularly call abroad, Lebara is the more logical choice.
In summary:
- Lebara: strong for international calling, KPN network, affordable Sim Only bundles
- Simpel: affordable and straightforward, Odido network
- Simyo: flexible to customize, KPN network, user-friendly app and self-service
- Youfone: great promotions and lots of bundle choice, KPN network
- 50+Mobiel: clear Sim Only bundles, Vodafone network, strong on price and simplicity
Also read: Cheapest Sim Only plan: find the best deal
Who is Lebara a good fit for?
Lebara suits you best if you regularly call internationally and want a reliable network without paying premium prices. Think of:
- Expats and students: who stay in weekly contact with family back home
- People with roots elsewhere: who regularly call Eastern Europe, North Africa, or Asia
- Freelancers with international clients: who call abroad a lot but don't need a business plan
- Travelers within the EU: who benefit from free roaming and international minutes
Less suitable for:
- Anyone who rarely or never calls internationally: you'd be paying for something you don't use
- Anyone who values fast, proactive customer service highly
- Anyone expecting an intuitive app and website (Lebara's digital experience is functional but basic)
Conclusion: what does Lebara offer?
Lebara is a solid budget provider with a clear niche: international calling at competitive prices. You get access to the KPN network, flexible bundles, and the option to call and text 44 countries for a fixed monthly fee. That's something many other budget providers focus less strongly on.
That said, you do give up something on other fronts. Lebara has its own speed limits and doesn't automatically offer the same service, extras, or digital experience as premium providers. But if you mainly want affordable calling, browsing, and occasional international contact, that shouldn't be a problem.
Rarely call internationally? Then providers like Simpel, Simyo, Youfone, or 50+Mobiel might also be worth considering, depending on your preferred network, data bundle, and price. Do you call abroad regularly instead? Then Lebara could be one of the more logical choices within the budget segment.
Welli helps you compare. Not automatically the cheapest deal, but the deal that best fits your usage, whether that's with Lebara or another provider.