Spusu Review 2026: How Does It Compare?

How we reviewed spusu

To put this review together, we researched spusu's current plan lineup, terms and cancellation policy, and roaming conditions in March 2026. We cross-referenced coverage claims against the most recent RootMetrics UK Network Report and checked independent speed data from Ofcom's Connected Nations report. We also went through the sign-up process ourselves to assess how straightforward it is in practice.

When we went through the sign-up process, we found it genuinely quick. No credit check means no waiting around, and eSIM activation in particular takes only a few minutes from order to connected. The account portal is basic but functional, covering usage tracking, billing, and PAC code requests without unnecessary complexity.

What is spusu?

Spusu is a budget MVNO running on EE's network, with over 150,000 UK subscribers. Unlike many networks at this price point, spusu offers UK phone-based customer service, no credit check sign-up, and EU roaming included as standard across all plans. All plans are 1-month rolling, with no 12 or 24-month contracts available.

One thing worth knowing upfront is that while spusu markets itself as a flexible 1-month network, the cancellation process is slightly more involved than simply cancelling online. To leave, you need to submit a signed cancellation form by email or post, and your termination takes effect at the end of your current billing period. If you cancel within the first 30 days, a £4 early termination fee applies. It is not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before you sign up.

Spusu vs Giffgaff

Giffgaff is one of the most well known budget MVNOs in the UK, running on O2's network. Here is how the two compare across the areas that matter most:

Coverage

Spusu runs on EE, which has ranked as the most reliable network in the UK in every RootMetrics RootScore Report since 2020, most recently in their H2 2025 report. Giffgaff runs on O2, which has slightly less consistent 4G coverage in rural areas. For most users this will not be noticeable, but if you spend time in rural or semi-rural locations, EE's coverage advantage is real. Edge: spusu.

Price

Spusu plans start from £3.90 per month. Giffgaff SIM only plans start from £6 per month for a similar data allowance. If you are comparing budget options, you may also want to look at our no credit check SIM only deals page, which includes both spusu and Giffgaff alongside other options. Edge: spusu.

Roaming

Spusu includes EU roaming as standard with 500 minutes from the UK to EU countries included. Giffgaff includes EU roaming but caps data usage abroad and charges extra once you exceed that cap. For anyone who makes regular calls to EU numbers from the UK, spusu's 500 included minutes is a standout feature. Edge: spusu for frequent travellers and EU callers.

Data rollover

Neither network offers data rollover. Draw.

Customer service

Giffgaff is community led with no direct phone support. Spusu offers UK phone customer service, which is unusual at this price point. Edge: spusu.

Verdict

Spusu wins on price, coverage reliability, and customer service. Giffgaff has a larger community and more brand recognition, but on the metrics that matter for most users, spusu has the edge.

Spusu vs Smarty

Smarty runs on the VodafoneThree network following the merger of Three and Vodafone in June 2025, which has significantly improved its coverage footprint.

Coverage

EE still edges VodafoneThree on 4G reliability according to the most recent RootMetrics UK data, though the gap has narrowed since the Vodafone-Three merger completed in June 2025. For most users in urban and suburban areas, both networks will perform similarly. Slight edge: spusu, but this is closer than it used to be.

Price

Smarty plans start from around £5 per month. Spusu starts from £3.90. Edge: spusu for entry level plans, though Smarty is competitive at higher data tiers.

Roaming

Spusu includes EU roaming and 500 UK to EU minutes as standard across all plans. Smarty includes EU roaming but users have reported needing to manually activate it before travelling, which some find inconvenient. Edge: spusu for ease of use.

Data rollover

Smarty does not offer data rollover. Neither does spusu. Draw.

Flexibility

Both networks offer 1-month rolling plans only. Draw.

Customer service

Smarty is online only. Spusu offers UK phone support. Edge: spusu.

Verdict

Spusu has the edge on price at the lower end and is simpler to use for EU roaming. Smarty's improved network coverage following the VodafoneThree merger makes it more competitive on reliability than it was, but spusu still comes out ahead on overall value.

Spusu vs iD Mobile

iD Mobile is one of the most popular budget MVNOs in the UK, also running on the merged VodafoneThree network.

Coverage

EE versus VodafoneThree. Both are strong networks nationally. EE has a slight edge on 4G reliability, but iD Mobile customers now benefit from access to both Vodafone and Three infrastructure. Marginal edge: spusu, but the difference is small.

Price

iD Mobile plans start from £6 per month. Spusu starts from £3.90. Edge: spusu.

Roaming

This is where iD Mobile pulls ahead. iD Mobile offers a flat 30GB roaming allowance across 50 destinations. Spusu's roaming data allowance scales with your plan, ranging from around 20% to 60% of your monthly data. For heavy data users abroad, iD Mobile's flat 30GB cap is likely to be more generous. Edge: iD Mobile for heavy roamers, spusu for light roamers on smaller plans.

Credit check

iD Mobile requires a credit check for all plans. Spusu does not. If a no credit check plan is important to you, our no credit check SIM only deals page shows all current options. Edge: spusu.

Data rollover

iD Mobile offers data rollover. Spusu does not. Edge: iD Mobile.

Customer service

iD Mobile is online and chat only with no phone support. Spusu offers UK phone support. Edge: spusu.

Cancellation

Both networks are 1-month rolling. iD Mobile's cancellation is straightforward online. Spusu requires a signed cancellation form by email or post, which adds a small amount of friction. Edge: iD Mobile.

Verdict

Spusu wins on price and accessibility, particularly for anyone without a strong credit history. iD Mobile wins on data rollover and is better for heavy data users who travel in Europe frequently. If you are choosing between the two purely on value for money for everyday UK use, spusu is the stronger option.

Spusu pros and cons

Pros

• One of the cheapest entry points in the UK market at £3.90 per month
• Runs on EE, the UK's most consistently top-ranked 4G network per RootMetrics
• No credit check required
• No annual price rises
• EU roaming and 500 UK to EU minutes included as standard
• International roaming now available in 115 countries from 2026
• UK phone customer service, rare at this price point
• eSIM support available
• Fast, frictionless sign-up process

Cons

• No data rollover
• Speeds can dip at peak times compared to buying direct from EE
• Cancellation requires a signed form by email or post rather than a simple online process
• £4 early termination fee if you cancel within the first 30 days
• No physical stores or in person support
• No bundled entertainment or loyalty rewards

How to get a spusu SIM only deal

You can compare current spusu plans and click through directly from our spusu SIM only deals page, where deals are sorted by monthly cost by default and can be filtered by data allowance and price.

When you are ready to switch, you can keep your existing number by requesting a PAC code from your current network. Text PAC to 65075 and give the code to spusu when you sign up. Your number will transfer within one working day. There is no credit check, so the process is quick from order to connected.

Is spusu worth it?

For most users, yes. It is one of the few budget MVNOs where the reality matches the marketing. The sign-up process is as frictionless as advertised, the lack of a credit check is genuinely useful for anyone who has been turned away elsewhere, and the inclusion of EU roaming and 500 minutes to EU countries as standard means there are no nasty surprises if you travel.

The EE network backing is the strongest argument in spusu's favour. Independent data from RootMetrics consistently places EE ahead of the other UK networks on reliability, and in our testing that translates to consistent everyday performance rather than the peak-time dips you sometimes see with smaller MVNOs.

The lack of data rollover is worth noting, and the cancellation process has slightly more friction than rivals. But for straightforward, affordable monthly SIM-only plans, spusu is one of the best options available in the UK right now.

Compare current spusu SIM only deals