Updated October 17, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Lebara UK vs Tello
Lebara UK
Tello
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Lebara UKReviewVisitVisit | TelloReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | Vodafone | Sprint |
| Price from | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Price per GB from | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Unlimited data | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Hotspot sharing | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Reference plan prices | Not confirmed | US: 2 GB $10/mo, 10 GB $15/mo, 20 GB $20/mo, Unlimited $25/mo, custom plans from $5/mo; Europe: roaming included at no extra cost until Sep 30 2026, drawn from the monthly plan balance (covers most of Europe plus UK, Turkey); Mexico: free international calls when minutes are added; Japan, Thailand, global: no travel data plan found |
| Fair use policy | Not confirmed | Unlimited plan: 50 GB high-speed data per 30-day cycle, then throttled; 10 GB of that usable as hotspot |
| Top-ups | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: 5G (Yes), Seller type (Mvno).
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Key differences
- Tello scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Networks: only Lebara UK offers Vodafone.
- Networks: only Tello offers Sprint.
- Support channels: only Tello offers Email, Chat, Phone.
- Features: only Tello offers Unlimited data, Hotspot, Instant activation.
Our verdict on each
Lebara UK
Lebara UK customers can text PAC to 65075 from their existing SIM to request a porting code.
Tello
Tello is a US budget MVNO on Sprint that suits long trips across Europe rather than single-market eSIM buyers. Entry pricing of $5 and a price per GB from $5 keep it mid-table, with unlimited data shaped by a fair use cap.
Score breakdown
| Area | Lebara UK | Tello |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 8.8Custom plans from $5 and a price per GB from $5 put Tello in the middle of the field, not at either end. |
| Offer | 8.3 | 9.2Higher |
| Trust | 9.1 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Lebara UK | Tello |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 86 of 926 | 277 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 87 of 918 | 284 of 918 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lebara UK | Tello |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Not confirmed | Local, Regional |
| Features | 5G | Unlimited data, 5G, Hotspot, Instant activation, Carrier planCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Budget |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Long trip |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 2001 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lebara UK | Tello | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $5above the median | $3.97 |
| Price per GB from | Not confirmed | $5above the median | $2 |
Median across 122 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
Lebara UK
Pros
- The PAC request route and 30-day activation window are clear
Cons
- The selected plan or promotion lapses if the SIM is not activated within 30 days
Tello
Pros
- Roaming across most of Europe, the UK and Turkey is drawn from the monthly plan balance at no extra cost.
- Its feature list covers unlimited data, 5G, hotspot sharing and instant activation: unlimited data, 5g and hotspot.
- Custom plans start at $5, with a price per GB from $5 on a budget model (budget).
Cons
- Unlimited data comes with a fair use policy: a set amount of high-speed data per cycle, then throttled, with part of that amount usable as hotspot.
- Its regions are local and regional (local and regional), so a global destination such as Japan or Thailand falls outside the roaming offer.
- It runs on Sprint alone, so roaming reach rests on one network partner.
Who each suits
Lebara UK
Who it suits
- UK customers transferring a number and activating a Lebara SIM.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs digital SIM service on a phone outside the device list
- Travelers wanting a short term data card for trips abroad
Tello
Who it suits
- US residents on a longer European trip who want roaming inside the plan they already hold.
- Budget buyers who want unlimited data and hotspot sharing without buying a separate travel eSIM.
- Travellers happy with one home network, Sprint, and fair use rules that throttle after the cap.
Who should look elsewhere
- Price-first buyers, since eSIMGo.is starts at $0.99 below Tello.
- Travellers buying in a market priced in another currency: MTN starts at NGN 5,000 in naira.
Current offers
Tello
Current offer
Bonus
Free Roaming in Europe: Roaming in Europe at no extra cost, deducted from the regular plan balance (no activation fee, no daily travel pass)
Limited-time offer; usage draws on the monthly plan balance and no Pay As You Go credit is required while it lasts. From October 1, 2026 European roaming is charged to Pay As You Go credit only. Covers the listed European destinations including the UK, Turkey, Iceland, Switzerland and the microstates.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Lebara UK | Tello |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Lebara UK
Which customers can take up a Lebara eSIM in the UK?+
New UK customers can take up a Lebara eSIM on the iPhone Air. Existing customers can switch from a physical SIM when their phone supports eSIM technology. Lebara supports eSIM technology across the UK market, and further devices are planned to follow.
Why do eligibility rules differ between new and existing customers?+
Eligibility depends on whether someone is a new or an existing customer. Existing customers have a broader route to digital SIM service on compatible phones. New customers face a narrower set of options, so checking the phone model first makes the choice clearer.
Tello
How much does Tello cost?+
Custom plans start at $5, and the price per GB comes from $5. On entry price Tello ranks 125 of 313, and on price per GB it sits at 94 of 115.
Is Tello's unlimited data really unlimited?+
Unlimited data is on its feature list (unlimited data, 5g and hotspot), but a fair use policy applies. High-speed data stops at a set cap each cycle and the connection is throttled after that, so heavy months feel the limit even on an unlimited plan.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Lebara UK
Tello