Why I Tried Vodafone
I'm a heavy data user. Between video calls, streaming, and using my phone as a hotspot, I was consistently hitting my Orange data limit. Vodafone's "Unlimited Max" plan caught my attention—100GB for €35/month, with the option to add more data without extra charges if you exceed it (they just slow you down).
I also travel frequently, and Vodafone's international features seemed more comprehensive than competitors. So I gave them a try for 8 months, from May 2024 to January 2025.
Data Plans: Where Vodafone Shines
Vodafone's data plans are genuinely impressive. My plan breakdown:
- Advertised price: €35/month
- Actual cost after taxes: €40/month
- Data included: 100GB (with "unlimited" after that, throttled)
- Activation fee: €25 (one-time)
- SIM card: Free
Total first-year cost: €505. That's more than Orange but less than Movistar, and you get significantly more data.
The "unlimited" part works like this: after 100GB, you still have data, but speeds are reduced to 1 Mbps. It's usable for basic browsing and messaging, but not for streaming or video calls. I've only hit this limit twice in 8 months, and both times were when I was using my phone as a hotspot extensively.
If you're a heavy data user, Vodafone is hard to beat. Their plans start at 20GB for €25/month and go up to 200GB for €50/month. The value per GB is excellent.
5G Speeds: Fastest I've Experienced
Vodafone's 5G network is the fastest I've tested in Spain. In Madrid, I consistently got 400-600 Mbps download speeds. That's genuinely fast—I downloaded a 2GB file in under a minute.
Their 5G coverage is expanding rapidly. I had 5G in:
- Madrid (most areas)
- Barcelona (city center and major areas)
- Valencia (expanding)
- Seville (limited but growing)
Even on 4G, Vodafone's speeds are excellent—usually 80-120 Mbps in urban areas. I've never had issues with video calls, streaming, or remote work.
One thing I noticed: Vodafone's network seems optimized for data. Even in areas with weaker signal, data speeds remain usable, though voice calls might drop. This suggests their network prioritizes data traffic, which makes sense given their data-focused marketing.
Coverage: Good, But Not Movistar-Level
Vodafone's coverage is solid in urban and suburban areas. I've had good experiences in:
- Major cities: Excellent coverage, comparable to Orange and Movistar.
- Coastal areas: Strong 4G/5G coverage. No issues on beaches or in coastal towns.
- Suburban areas: Good coverage, though sometimes weaker than Movistar.
- Rural areas: This is where Vodafone struggles. In remote villages, coverage can be spotty or non-existent. Not as bad as some smaller operators, but definitely not Movistar-level.
According to CNMC data, Vodafone covers 97.8% of the population. That's slightly less than Orange (98.2%) and significantly less than Movistar (99.7%).
I've traveled extensively with Vodafone, and I've only had connectivity issues in very remote areas—the same places where Orange struggled. For most people, this won't be an issue, but if you're frequently in rural areas, Movistar is still the better choice.
International Features: Vodafone's Strong Suit
Vodafone's international features are genuinely impressive. Here's what I've used:
- EU Roaming: Standard, like all operators. Works well in all EU countries I've visited.
- Vodafone Passport: Extra data when traveling to certain countries. I used this in the UK and got an additional 5GB, which was helpful.
- International calls: Competitive rates. Calling the US costs around €0.12/minute, which is reasonable.
- Global roaming: Vodafone offers better global roaming options than competitors, with data packages for non-EU countries.
If you travel frequently outside the EU, Vodafone's international features are worth considering. Their global network partnerships mean better coverage and more reasonable rates in many countries.
Customer Service: Modern but Frustrating
Vodafone's customer service is a mixed bag. Here's my experience:
- App support: Excellent. The Vodafone app is the best I've used—modern, intuitive, and actually helpful. You can do almost everything through it.
- Online chat: Good, but sometimes slow. Available in English, which is helpful.
- Phone support: This is where it gets frustrating. Their automated system is overly complex, and getting to a human can take 15-20 minutes. Once you get through, the agents are helpful, but the process is annoying.
- Store visits: Hit or miss. Some stores have excellent staff, others seem less knowledgeable. The experience varies by location.
I had one billing issue (they charged me for a service I didn't order), and it took three calls to resolve. The first two calls ended with "we'll look into it," and nothing happened. The third call finally got it sorted, but it was frustrating.
The app really is excellent though. It's so good that I rarely needed to call support. You can check usage, pay bills, change plans, troubleshoot issues, and even get support through it. It's the most modern mobile operator app I've used in Spain.
The Contract Situation
Vodafone offers both contract and month-to-month plans. Their contract plans (12-24 months) are slightly cheaper, but they have early termination fees if you cancel early.
I went with a month-to-month plan for flexibility, which cost €5/month more but let me cancel anytime. Given my experience with customer service, I'm glad I had that flexibility.
If you're sure you'll stay with Vodafone for at least a year, the contract plans offer better value. But if you're unsure, the month-to-month option is worth the extra cost.
Who Should Choose Vodafone?
Choose Vodafone if:
- You're a heavy data user (streaming, video calls, hotspot usage)
- You want the fastest 5G speeds available
- You travel frequently (especially outside the EU)
- You prefer managing things through an app rather than calling
- You stay mostly in urban/suburban areas
Skip Vodafone if:
- You live in or frequently visit very rural areas
- You need the absolute best coverage everywhere
- You prioritize customer service phone support
- You're a light data user (you'd be paying for data you don't use)
- You want the cheapest option
My Verdict
Vodafone is excellent for data-heavy users and frequent travelers. Their 5G speeds are genuinely impressive, and their data plans offer great value if you actually use the data. The app is the best I've used, which makes managing your account easy.
However, their customer service phone support is frustrating, and their rural coverage isn't as good as Movistar's. If you're a light data user or prioritize customer service, Orange might be a better fit. If you need rural coverage, Movistar is still the king.
I'm currently back with Orange because I don't need 100GB of data, and I value Orange's better customer service and lower price. But if my data usage increases or I start traveling more, I'd consider switching back to Vodafone.
Rating: 4.3/5. Excellent for data users and travelers, but customer service and rural coverage could be better.