Youfone has been known for years as one of the cheapest sim only providers in the Netherlands. That's no coincidence. But where exactly does that price difference come from? And what does 'cheap' mean in practice — do you get less coverage, worse quality, or simply less luxury?

In this article we explain which choices Youfone makes to keep the price low, where you benefit and what you need to consider. So you know whether cheap is also smart for your situation.

Short answer: Youfone is cheap because it focuses entirely on simplicity. No phone with your subscription, no physical stores, limited customer service and lots of self-service via your online account. That keeps costs down and you see it reflected in a lower monthly price. At the same time, you give up service and extras.

Read also: Is Youfone a good sim only provider?

Youfone only works with sim only — no phone included

One of the main reasons why Youfone is cheap lies in the choice for sim only subscriptions. At Youfone you cannot choose a phone with your subscription. That might sound like a limitation, but it saves you money every month.

Why no phone makes the subscription cheaper

With subscriptions that include a phone, you pay towards the cost of the device every month. That automatically makes the subscription more expensive. Youfone doesn't do that. You only pay for:

  • Your sim card
  • Your bundle (data, calls, texts)

Costs you don't pay:

  • Device subsidy
  • Insurance
  • Markup for risk or installment payments

That often saves €10 to €25 per month. Already have a phone that works well? Then sim only is the logical choice. Use lots of data and want to know your options? Check whether Youfone also has unlimited internet.

An online provider with low costs

Youfone is a true online provider. That sounds simple, but it makes a big difference in costs. No stores means no rent, no staff in the store, no inventory on location. You see those savings reflected in your monthly price.

No stores and lots of self-service

Youfone has:

  • No physical stores
  • Limited customer service
  • A strong focus on online self-service

You arrange many things yourself via your account. This is also mentioned in independent reviews, which indicate that the low price is linked to less service. Want to know how customer service works? Read how to contact Youfone.

When this is convenient and when it's not

That online self-service works well if you:

  • Have few questions
  • Are digitally savvy
  • Use your subscription without problems

Need help more often or expect quick personal contact? Then this can actually feel like a disadvantage. Youfone is built for people who arrange things themselves and don't need to call often.

Use of an existing network

Youfone doesn't have its own network, but uses an existing mobile network. That's a deliberate choice that keeps the price low.

How this keeps the price low

Building and maintaining your own network is expensive. Think of transmission towers, maintenance contracts, technical teams. By piggybacking on existing infrastructure:

  • Youfone avoids high investments
  • Fixed costs remain low
  • The price can stay sharp

What this means for coverage and quality

For you this means:

  • Good national coverage
  • Stable connection for daily use

In practice you notice little difference with more expensive providers. WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Maps, Spotify — it just works. Want to know more about the network? Check which network Youfone uses.

Cheap, but watch the conditions

The low price doesn't come without caveats. This also becomes clear in reviews and experiences from users. Youfone is cheap because you give up service and convenience.

Disadvantages that are mentioned more often

In critical reviews, the following points mainly come up:

  • Slow or hard-to-reach customer service
  • Longer handling time for problems
  • Having to arrange a lot yourself
  • Less suitable for people who want personal contact

That doesn't mean Youfone is bad — it means you need to know what you're getting into. For those who need little help, it's fine. For those who expect guidance, it quickly feels too basic.

For whom Youfone is less suitable

Youfone fits less well with people who:

  • Place great value on service
  • Expect quick help with problems
  • Prefer to arrange everything by phone

In those cases, cheap sometimes really feels like a false economy. You save a few euros monthly, but lose time and patience when something goes wrong.

How does Youfone compare to other budget providers?

Youfone isn't the only cheap provider. Simyo, Simpel, Budget Mobiel, Hollandsnieuwe — they're all in the same segment. But there are differences.

If budget is important, 50+mobiel scores high: 44,000+ Trustpilot reviews with 4.5/5 and according to our internal analysis ranked #1 longest in 2025 for best Sim Only deal. Youfone is in the same price range, but customer service reviews are lower. Simpel and Simyo score slightly better on accessibility, but are often a few euros more expensive.

Want to know what the cheapest option is right now? Check the cheapest sim only subscription.

Start comparing with Welli →

For whom is Youfone interesting?

Youfone is interesting for people who:

  • Call little and mainly use WhatsApp — you don't need extensive call minutes
  • Are digitally savvy — you arrange everything yourself via your account
  • Need little help — you don't often call customer service
  • Want to save consciously — every euro counts and you don't want to spend money on luxury

Youfone is less interesting for people who:

  • Expect personal contact — you want to quickly reach someone with questions
  • Place great value on service — you want problems solved quickly
  • Want certainty — you want to know someone is always available

What if you're torn between cheap and service?

Torn between a cheap provider like Youfone and a more expensive one with better service? Ask yourself these questions:

  • How often have you contacted your provider in the past?
  • Can you arrange things yourself via an online account?
  • Is €3 to €5 extra per month worth it for better accessibility?

For most people: if your subscription just works, customer service doesn't matter. But when something goes wrong, you want to be helped quickly. That's where cheap providers often fall short.

Welli knows not only all Youfone bundles, but also how they compare to similar providers. Give Welli your calling and streaming habits and you'll get the right advice immediately.

Conclusion: why is Youfone so cheap?

Youfone is so cheap because this provider keeps everything simple. No phone with the subscription, no stores, limited service and lots of self-service. That keeps costs down and you see it immediately reflected in a lower monthly price — often €5 to €10 cheaper than comparable subscriptions with larger providers.

At the same time, cheap also means you give up service and extras. For people who need little help and mainly want to save, that works fine. If you expect guidance or personal contact, Youfone quickly feels too basic.

Cheap is smart if you know what you're getting into. And if you're willing to figure things out yourself.

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