Clubcard is a real discount on some Tesco rows. It is not a reason to take Elevate. Prepay Data Plus is 100 GB at €15 if you live on Wi-Fi and already shop there. That is a data voucher, not a 48 rival.
Same-radio three-way for the cheap unlimited floor still includes Clear and GoMo on other masts: 48 vs GoMo vs Clear. This page is only Tesco versus 48.
Quick comparison
Side by side from published August 2026 prices and contract terms. Green highlights the better figure on each measurable row.
| Tesco Mobile | 48 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.3 | 9.3 |
| Intro from | €10 | €10.99 |
| Thereafter from | €10 | €10.99 |
| Headline data | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Host network | Three network | Three network |
| Annual rise | Yes | No |
| eSIM | No | No |
| Kind | MVNO | MVNO |
Price: €12.99 forever versus Elevate at €30
48 unlimited is €12.99 rolling, €155.88 a year, no activation fee. Tesco Elevate is €15 then typically €30, €180 in year one and €360 in year two. The €10 Tesco SIM is 5 GB. The €20 5G Clubcard SIM is €15 with Clubcard and rolling, which is the honest Tesco rival to 48 — still €2 a month dearer. Clubcard scheduled top-up cuts some Tesco prices. Model the rack rate too.
Year two, Elevate is a 48 problem you paid extra to have. Price-rise explainer: price for life.
Network: both are Three
Same masts. Tesco cannot fix a dead 48 kitchen. 48 cannot fix a dead Tesco kitchen.
5G is on 48 unlimited, Tesco Elevate, Data Ultra and the €20 Clubcard SIM. The Tesco €10 SIM, Prepay 15 and Data Plus are 4G. 48 Student is 4G.
Data: unlimited versus 5 GB, 100 GB or a teaser
48 unlimited is unlimited 5G with fair-use. Student 100 GB is the cheap 4G fallback.
Tesco Prepay Data Plus is 100 GB at €15, 4G. Useful. Elevate unlimited is the teaser. The €10 SIM is 5 GB.
Contract: rolling 48 versus Elevate lock-in
48 is rolling monthly. Tesco Elevate is 12 months. Several Tesco prepay and SIM rows are rolling or 28-day.
Leaving Elevate early can cost. Leaving 48 is the current month.
Roaming: Tesco lists fair-use decimals, 48 lists 20 GB
48 unlimited lists 20 GB EU/UK. Tesco Elevate lists about 37 GB fair use. The €10 SIM lists 5 GB.
A fat Tesco roaming number on Elevate is still a €30 plan. EU rules: EU roaming.
Who it's for: Clubcard shoppers versus cheap Three unlimited
Tesco if the Clubcard and the shop are already the habit, and you pick a non-Elevate row. 48 if you wanted Three coverage and unlimited 5G without a Tesco account.
Which should you choose?
It comes down to cost profile, host network fit, and contract style. Use this fast decision frame.
Choose Tesco Mobile if
You already use Clubcard, you will not take Elevate, and a Tesco top-up or a 100 GB prepay voucher fits the week better than €12.99 unlimited. You accept Three radio, 4G on the cheap Tesco rows, and no eSIM on the plans we list.
Check Tesco Mobile →
Choose 48 if
You want unlimited 5G on Three at €12.99 with no month-13 jump, or the student 100 GB at €10.99. You do not need to pay Tesco for the same masts. Plastic SIM is fine.
Check 48 →Advertiser disclosure: we may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. That never affects scores or the winner.
