Who is Monzo Mobile and are its Sim deals good value?

The UK's mobile network market is incredibly competitive, with a wave of new brands emerging in recent years. Rumours of online bank Monzo offering mobile services have been circulating for some time, and it has finally launched.

This follows the arrival of AO Mobile and Revolut Mobile to the market.

We take a look at what Monzo Mobile is offering and how it compares to the rest of the market.

Discover the best and worst mobile networks and see how your provider ranks in our survey.

Who is Monzo Mobile?

Monzo Mobile is a new mobile network offered by Monzo, an online bank providing current accounts, savings, credit cards, investments, pensions tracking and other financial services.  

Physical Sims are not available, just eSims, which isn't surprising given Monzo's origins as an online-only bank and focus on innovative tech.

Monzo Mobile is only available to people with a Monzo bank account. However, these are free to open.

See how Monzo performs in our reviews of the best UK banks and bank accounts.  

What network does Monzo Mobile use?

Monzo Mobile uses O2's network to deliver data, calls and texts.  

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What Sim deals does Monzo Mobile offer?

Monzo Mobile has launched with three Sim tariffs:

• 10G of data for £8 a month
• 30GB of data for £12 a month
• Unlimited data for £20 a month

All plans are rolling one-month contracts and include unlimited calls and texts. 

Are Monzo Mobile's Sim deals good value?

The lower data tariffs aren't extortionate but don't stand out as good value in a crowded market. 

You can easily find more than 10GB for cheaper than £8 a month from networks like Smarty, Talkmobile or iD Mobile. Similarly, for £12 a month you can find 100GB or more, rather than 30GB.

Monzo's unlimited data contract also isn't the cheapest around, but it represents a saving compared to the same contract with the big four (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone), which will typically cost at least £25 a month.

Unusually, rather than price freezes or price increases, Monzo's Sim contracts have a 5% discount each year you stay with Monzo. This can reach a maximum discount of 30%.

Best value low and medium data deals

Is Monzo with unlimited data a better option?

'The 10GB and 30GB contracts don't represent good value compared to other cheaper networks, and they have limited use for travelling. Our advice is usually that people are paying for more data than they need, as unlimited data is unnecessary for most. However, Monzo Mobile's unlimited data contract is an attractive option for heavy data users, particularly if you travel frequently – 25GB of free global roaming is an unusual and generous perk. Although you could find unlimited data cheaper than £20 elsewhere, with the 5% discount each year this will become increasingly competitive. Combined with the free roaming allowance, Monzo Mobile starts to look more enticing than the price might initially suggest.'  
Adam Snook, Which? mobile network expert

Best value high and unlimited data deals

Check current Sim-only deal prices for high-data users to see if you could make a saving by switching. You can also find out more about switching mobile network in our guide.  

Does Monzo Mobile offer free EU roaming?

Yes, although it depends which Sim plan you have.

• The 10GB contract does not include free roaming; you need to buy roaming add-ons to use data abroad.
• The 30GB contract includes 10GB of EU roaming plus 60 international call minutes to use abroad each month.
• The unlimited data contract includes 25GB of 'global roaming' that works in 55 countries, including all of Europe, Turkey, Australia, Canda, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand and the United States. It also includes 60 international call minutes.

Find out more ways to cut your travel costs in our guide on how to save money on mobile roaming charges or read our guide to using an eSim for travelling abroad.