Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Lyca Mobile vs MobileX
Lyca Mobile vs MobileX: the differences
| Compare |  Lyca Mobile | MobileX ReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €2 | $3.88 |
| Reference plan prices | Bundle XS: 10 EUR per 30 days, 5 GB, prepaid; Bundle M: 20 EUR per 30 days, 20+20 GB, prepaid; Bundle Unlimited: 39.99 EUR per 30 days, unlimited data, prepaid | Build Your Own from $3.88 per month, custom data, month-to-month; Basic Unlimited 10GB: $14.88 per month, unlimited talk text plus 10GB, month-to-month; Basic Unlimited 30GB: $24.88 per month, unlimited talk text plus 30GB, month-to-month |
| Unlimited plan price | €39.99 | $14.88 |
| EU roaming | Included | Paid |
| Markets | NL | US |
| Host network | KPN | Not confirmed |
| Wi-Fi calling | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Data rollover | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Credit check required | No | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Seller type (Mvno), SIM-only (Yes), 5G (Yes), eSIM (Yes), Hotspot sharing (Yes).
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Key differences
- MobileX scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Support channels: only MobileX offers Email, Chat.
- Billing: only Lyca Mobile offers Contract.
- Contract length: only Lyca Mobile offers 12, 24.
- Markets: only Lyca Mobile offers NL.
- Markets: only MobileX offers US.
Our verdict on each
Lyca Mobile
Lyca Mobile is a Dutch virtual operator for readers who want a sim only plan they can start without a credit check and use abroad. Entry pricing sits at €2, the plan runs on the KPN network, and eSIM, hotspot sharing and 5G are part of the deal.
MobileX
MobileX suits US readers who want a prepaid plan with a low entry price and no contract attached, scoring 9.4 overall. Build Your Own starts at $3.88 on 1 month, and that same monthly rate carries into every later period, so nothing has to be unwound at renewal.
Score breakdown
| Area | Lyca Mobile | MobileX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Entry at €2 with a 9 cost part, against an unlimited bundle at €39.99. | 9.5HigherPlans start at $3.88 and the unlimited tier starts at $14.88, so both entry points sit low. |
| Offer | 8.8Sim only, eSIM, hotspot sharing and 5G, plus contract, rolling and prepaid billing, scoring 8.8 on offer. | 9.2HigherEverything runs month to month on 1 month, with eSIM, 5G, wifi calling, hotspot sharing and data rollover included. |
Availability and regulation
Additional countries for Lyca Mobile: 1. Additional countries for MobileX: 1.
How they place
| Ranking | Lyca Mobile | MobileX |
|---|---|---|
| SIM-only deals | 23 of 416 | 2 of 416 |
| Cheap cell phone plans (MVNOs) | 13 of 137 | 1 of 137 |
| Prepaid phone plans | 17 of 367 | 2 of 367 |
| Phone plans with eSIM | 34 of 389 | 16 of 389 |
What we checked
Lyca Mobile
- lycamobile.nl: 15 facts, checked September 30, 2026
MobileX
- mymobilex.com: 16 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lyca Mobile | MobileX |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Contract, Rolling, PrepaidCovers more | Prepaid, Rolling |
| Contract length | 1, 12, 24Covers more | 1 |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Mobile X Global, Inc. |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Pros and cons
Lyca Mobile
Pros
- Entry pricing of €2 puts a sim only plan at the cheap end, and the brand ranks 36 of 258 on price from.
- No credit check is required, so a line can start without one.
- Runs on the KPN network with EU roaming included, so the bundle holds up on trips abroad.
Cons
- Bundle Unlimited is priced at €39.99 and the brand ranks 145 of 173 on unlimited price, so the unlimited end is the weaker side of the range.
- Coverage depends on the KPN network as an mvno, while GETESA, Lonestar Cell MTN and yesss! are each listed as a network seller.
- Plans are listed for NL only, so this is a Netherlands option rather than a multi-market one.
MobileX
Pros
- Build Your Own starts at $3.88 on a plan where the data allowance is set by the customer
- Plans run 1 month, so there is no long term to serve
- Unlimited talk and text plans start at $14.88
Cons
- European roaming is paid, so travel adds cost rather than arriving with the plan
- The seller type is mvno, so service runs over a host network and local coverage needs checking
- Coverage is listed for US, so anyone who needs service across several countries should look wider
Who each suits
Lyca Mobile
Who it suits
- People bringing their own handset, since sim only is the only format sold and terms run at 1, 12 and 24 months.
- Travellers who want data abroad kept inside the bundle, with EU roaming included on a plan listed for NL.
- Anyone who cannot or does not want a credit check run, since no credit check is required.
Who should look elsewhere
- Support seekers who want chat or email, since support runs on phone and help centre only.
- Readers who want a network seller rather than a virtual operator should weigh GETESA, Lonestar Cell MTN and yesss!, each listed as a network rather than an mvno.
- Budgets built around unlimited data, since Bundle Unlimited at €39.99 ranks 145 of 173 on unlimited price.
MobileX
Who it suits
- Residents of US who want a prepaid plan with no long contract
- People who want unlimited talk and text from $14.88
- Readers who want an eSIM, rollover data and hotspot sharing on a flexible plan
Who should look elsewhere
- GETESA readers who would rather buy from a network than a mvno
- Lonestar Cell MTN readers who want the network itself rather than a virtual brand
- Travellers who need roaming inside the monthly plan, since European roaming is paid
Current offers
MobileX
Current offer
Bonus
Unlimited 30 50GB data promo: 50GB data
Offer applicable to Unlimited 30 Standard Access single month plan only. Any unused data does not rollover.
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Lyca Mobile | MobileX |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Lyca Mobile
How much does Lyca Mobile cost at the cheapest end?+
Lyca Mobile's entry price is €2. Reference prices also set out prepaid bundles by name, with Bundle XS at the small end, Bundle M carrying a larger allowance plus extra data, and Bundle Unlimited for unlimited data. The unlimited bundle is priced at €39.99, so the top of the range sits well above the entry price.
Do I need to pass a credit check to sign up?+
No credit check is required. That makes Lyca Mobile approachable for readers who want a sim only line sorted without a credit check standing in the way. You still bring your own handset, since sim only is the only format sold, and contract, rolling and prepaid gives you prepaid or contract terms to choose between.
MobileX
What is the cheapest MobileX plan?+
Build Your Own starts at $3.88 and you set the data allowance on it yourself. The published reference prices for the plans are monthly and month to month, so that entry figure is the ongoing figure rather than a promotional rate that changes later. A reader comparing a low headline price with a long contract deal is comparing two different structures here, not two stages of one sale.
Does MobileX use contracts or lock-ins?+
No long term is attached. Billing is prepaid and rolling and plans sit at 1 month, the short contract length that flexible mobile deals tend to use. Nothing ties you in for a year, so a reader who wants to change plan or walk away can do so without serving out a term first.
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