Tesco Mobile vs Vodafone:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone were level in searches among mobile networks in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 550K branded searches each, at 11.9% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mobile networks, Vodafone appeared in all five answers and Tesco Mobile in three. Vodafone was mentioned before Tesco Mobile in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Tesco Mobile and Vodafone are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Vodafone, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Vodafone, named ahead of Tesco Mobile in every answer
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Top mobile networks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Vodafone appeared in all five answers. Tesco Mobile was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Vodafone was listed before Tesco Mobile in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Vodafone5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
EE4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Three4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
giffgaff3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tesco Mobile3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
O23 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
iD Mobile3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lebara3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SMARTY3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
VOXI2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about mobile networks
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which mobile network should I use in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best mobile networks and SIM-only providers in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best SIM-only deal in the UK for lots of data?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sim only deals”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best mobile network”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Is Tesco Mobile or Vodafone more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Tesco Mobile and Vodafone by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 mobile networks we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Tesco Mobile, Vodafone. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | EE | giffgaff | Tesco Mobile | Vodafone | O2 | Sky | iD Mobile | VOXI | Lebara | Three | Lyca Mobile | SMARTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 18.7% | 10% | 12.2% | 22.1% | 10.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 2.2% | 3% | 0.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 19.4% | 12.5% | 15.3% | 12.5% | 12.9% | 5.6% | 6.8% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 2.7% | 2.5% | 0.62% |
| Dec 2025 | 19.9% | 12.8% | 15.7% | 12.8% | 10.8% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 0.77% |
| Jan 2026 | 23% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 10.4% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 3.1% | 3.7% | 0.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 21.7% | 14% | 14% | 11.5% | 9.8% | 5.1% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 3% | 3.4% | 1% |
| Mar 2026 | 20.6% | 10.9% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 11.3% | 6% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 0.98% |
| Apr 2026 | 21.6% | 11.4% | 14% | 14% | 9.7% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 2.9% | 3.4% | 1.5% |
| May 2026 | 18.1% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 9.8% | 5.2% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 18.7% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 14.4% | 9.9% | 5.3% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 3.1% | 4.3% | 1.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 18.6% | 14.5% | 11.9% | 14.5% | 10.1% | 5.3% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 3.1% | 3.6% | 1.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 20.4% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 9% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 22.6% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 10.2% | 8% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 3% | 2.9% | 1.3% |
How has the Tesco Mobile and Vodafone comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Tesco Mobile took it in November 2025, Vodafone took it in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tesco Mobile’s share of searches among mobile networks in the United Kingdom moved from 12.2% to 11.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 550K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vodafone’s share of searches among mobile networks in the United Kingdom moved from 22.1% to 11.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 550K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom mobile networks in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Tesco Mobile lost share of searches among mobile networks in the United Kingdom, from 13% to 11.9%.
In September 2026, Vodafone lost share of searches among mobile networks in the United Kingdom, from 13% to 11.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Tesco Mobile’s and Vodafone’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Tesco Mobile
1 branded search term
- tesco mobile
Vodafone
1 branded search term
- vodafone
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