Vodafone is one of the world's largest telecom companies — in the Netherlands, they offer Sim Only subscriptions on their own network. That means: no middleman, direct control over coverage and speed. But what exactly do you get for your money, and who is Vodafone the right choice for?

Short answer: Vodafone is a premium provider with the Netherlands' largest 5G network, strong international roaming, and its own infrastructure. You pay more than with budget providers, but you get extensive coverage, high speeds, and reliable service in return. Suitable for those who travel frequently, use lots of data, or simply want peace of mind.

Read also: What to look for with Sim Only

What makes Vodafone different from other providers?

Vodafone operates its own network — just like KPN and T-Mobile. You notice that difference in three ways:

  • 5G coverage: Vodafone has the largest 5G network in the Netherlands. In cities, but also along highways and in medium-sized towns.
  • International roaming: Vodafone operates in dozens of countries. Calling and using data abroad often works more smoothly than with virtual providers.
  • Network priority: During busy times, Vodafone customers get priority over customers of budget providers who rent the Vodafone network (like Hollandsnieuwe).

The downside: you pay more. Where budget providers start around €5-8 per month, Vodafone begins around €15-20 for comparable plans.

Read also: Why is Hollandsnieuwe cheaper than Vodafone?

Which plans does Vodafone offer?

Vodafone has three main categories:

Basic plans (5-15 GB)

For those who mainly use wifi and need WhatsApp, email, and occasional Google Maps on the go. Prices start around €15 per month. Unlimited calls and texts included.

Mid-range plans (20-50 GB)

Suitable for daily YouTube, Spotify, and social media. Also if you regularly use hotspot for your laptop. From €20-25 per month.

Unlimited internet

No limit, though there's a fair use policy (usually 100+ GB before speed decreases slightly). For those who stream, work on the go, or simply never want to think about usage. From €30 per month.

All plans support 5G — provided your device can handle 5G and you're in a 5G area.

How is Vodafone's coverage?

Vodafone covers 99% of the Netherlands with 4G. The 5G network is growing rapidly: all major cities, many medium-sized towns, and important traffic routes are already connected. In rural areas, the signal sometimes falls back to 4G, but you barely notice that in practice — 4G is fast enough for most apps.

Internationally, Vodafone is strong. In the EU, you don't pay extra roaming charges — your plan simply works in countries like Germany, France, Spain. Outside the EU (like Switzerland, Turkey, USA), you pay extra, but rates are often lower than with budget providers.

Want to know how other providers score on coverage? Check out, for example, how Simpel's coverage is — a budget alternative on the KPN network.

What are Vodafone's advantages?

  • Largest 5G network: faster loading, more stable connection in busy areas.
  • Own infrastructure: no dependency on other parties, direct support for outages.
  • International roaming: works smoothly in dozens of countries, handy for frequent travelers.
  • Network priority: less delay during busy times compared to virtual providers.
  • Extras: some plans offer discounts on streaming services or extra data abroad.

What are Vodafone's disadvantages?

But there's also a flip side:

  • Price: Vodafone is more expensive than budget providers. For a comparable plan, you pay €10-15 more per month.
  • Contract duration: many offers are tied to 1 or 2-year contracts. Monthly cancellation often costs extra.
  • Customer service: larger organization sometimes means longer wait times for support — though quality is generally good.

For those who value budget: 50+mobiel scores high as an alternative. With 44,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.5/5 stars and according to our internal analysis the longest at #1 in 2025 for best Sim Only deal, satisfaction remains high — at a fraction of the price.

Who is Vodafone suitable for?

Vodafone suits you if:

  • You travel frequently (within and outside Europe) and want reliable roaming
  • You use lots of data and 5G speed matters to you
  • You want certainty: own network, direct support, no middleman
  • You value extras like streaming discounts or international plans
  • Price is less important than quality and convenience

Vodafone is less suitable if:

  • You mainly use wifi and need little mobile data
  • Budget matters to you — then providers like 50+mobiel, Simpel, or Simyo are more affordable
  • You want flexibility: monthly cancellation is often more expensive with Vodafone

Compare Vodafone with other providers via Welli →

How does Vodafone compare to budget providers?

Budget providers like Hollandsnieuwe, Simpel, and 50+mobiel often use Vodafone's or KPN's network — but without the extras and priority. The difference:

  • Price: budget providers are €10-15 cheaper per month for comparable plans
  • Speed: Vodafone offers full 5G speed, budget providers often limited to 4G or lower 5G speeds
  • Roaming: Vodafone works more smoothly abroad, budget providers sometimes have limitations
  • Support: Vodafone has phone customer service, many budget providers work mainly via chat or email

Torn between premium and budget? Welli looks at your calling and streaming habits and tells you which option truly fits you — not the cheapest deal, but the right deal for you.

Conclusion: is Vodafone Sim Only the right choice?

Vodafone is a solid premium choice if you value the largest 5G network, strong international roaming, and direct support. You pay more than with budget providers, but you get reliability, speed, and extras in return.

For those who mainly use wifi or value budget, there are more affordable alternatives — but those seeking certainty and quality are in good hands with Vodafone.

Welli helps you choose. Not the cheapest deal, but the right deal for you. Click to start.