Head-to-head
Telekom vs Vodafone CallYa: Which is Better in 2026?
Updated May 2026. Germany's two premium prepaid brands match on entry-tier price (€9.95-9.99/4w) and 5G availability. The differences are in roaming and rural coverage. Telekom wins on coverage (connect 2025 first-ranked) and bundles Switzerland and UK in roaming. Vodafone CallYa wins on Germany-to-EU calling minutes (200 on the S tier, 500 on M) and on prepaid eSIM activation friction. For most users in cities, the choice is a tie; outside cities, Telekom.
Side-by-side
| Metric | Telekom Prepaid | Vodafone CallYa | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| connect 2025 rank | 1st | Sehr gut | Telekom |
| Entry tier (25 GB) | M: 20 GB €9.95/4w | S: 25 GB €9.99/4w | Vodafone (more data) |
| Unlimited tier | Max: €99.95/4w | Black: €79.99/4w | Vodafone (€20 cheaper) |
| Annual plan | 240 GB €99.95/yr | Not in fetched ladder | Telekom |
| EU roaming | Inclusive | Inclusive | Tie |
| Switzerland roaming | Included | Sold separately | Telekom |
| UK roaming | Included | Included on most tiers | Tie |
| EU calling minutes | None included | 200/500/unlim by tier | Vodafone |
| Prepaid eSIM | Partial availability | Dedicated flow + VideoIdent | Vodafone |
| Rural / alpine coverage | Best | Strong but second | Telekom |
| 5G top speed | 300/50 Mbit/s | LTE Max + 5G | Telekom |
Verdict
Pick Telekom if…
- You live or travel rurally (Black Forest, Alps, Eifel)
- You go to Switzerland regularly
- You want maximum 5G speed (300 Mbit/s)
- You want a 240 GB annual pack on premium network
Pick Vodafone CallYa if…
- You call EU numbers from Germany regularly
- You want the cheapest unlimited prepaid
- You want a smooth eSIM activation
- You live in a major city (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich)
Frequently asked questions
Is the Telekom network really better than Vodafone?expand_more
Yes, slightly, by independent test. connect's 2025 mobile network test placed Telekom first and Vodafone graded sehr gut. The gap is largest in rural and alpine areas; in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt the networks are effectively tied for most users. Berlin reaches 99.97% 5G on all networks.
Why is CallYa Black cheaper than Telekom Max?expand_more
€79.99 vs €99.95 for the same outcome (unlimited 5G prepaid). Vodafone positions CallYa more aggressively as a flanker brand than Telekom does on prepaid. Telekom keeps premium pricing because they sell on coverage; Vodafone competes on price.
Should I pick Telekom or Vodafone if I'm an expat?expand_more
Vodafone CallYa wins for most expats. Smoother eSIM flow means you can be online same-day. The EU calling allowance is more useful if you call EU family. If your work or family lives in rural Germany or Switzerland, swing to Telekom.
What about congstar and fraenk — same network as Telekom?expand_more
Yes. congstar and fraenk both run on Telekom cell sites. Same coverage; speed caps lower (25 Mbit/s) and prices a euro or two below Telekom-branded prepaid. If you don't need the Telekom retail experience, an MVNO is cheaper for identical coverage.