RED by SFR is the no-contract, low-cost brand of French telecom operator SFR. It offers both home internet (RED Box) and mobile plans entirely online, with no price increases after the first year. Mobile plans start from 1,99€/month and internet boxes from 22,99€/month, all on the SFR network.

👉 RED by SFR at a glance

  • No long-term contract, cancel anytime
  • Fixed price — no price hike in year two
  • SFR network: 4G (99% coverage) + 5G
  • Mobile plans from 1,99€/month | Internet from 22,99€/month
  • 100% online service
  • No English-speaking customer support
  • No in-store assistance available for RED customers

What is RED by SFR? The low-cost offshoot of SFR explained

Launched in 2011, RED by SFR was SFR's response to the arrival of Free Mobile on the French market. Positioned as a fully digital, budget-friendly alternative to SFR, RED competes directly with Sosh (Orange's low-cost brand) and B&You (Bouygues Telecom). It targets users who want quality coverage without a long-term commitment and without paying for in-store support they don't need.

RED customers use the exact same SFR network as full-price SFR subscribers — including 4G (99% mainland coverage) and 5G in eligible areas — and have access to SFR Wi-Fi hotspots across France. The key difference is that everything is managed online: subscription, billing, troubleshooting, and cancellation.

RED by SFR vs SFR: what is the difference?

Both providers use the same network infrastructure, but differ significantly in price, service model, and target audience:

 SFRRED by SFR
ContractWith or without commitmentNo contract (sans engagement)
PriceHigher — fixed, no annual increaseLower — fixed, no annual increase
NetworkSFR (4G + 5G)SFR (4G + 5G) — identical
Customer servicePhone + in-store boutiqueOnline only (app + chat + forum)
In-storeYes (SFR boutiques)No
TV optionsFull range of TV packages100-channel decoder available (+€5/month)
Best forUsers who want full supportBudget-conscious users comfortable online

Comparison verified on 16 april of 2026. Source: sfr.fr and red-by-sfr.fr.

👉 Our take: who should choose RED over SFR?

RED by SFR is a strong choice for expats, students, or anyone comfortable managing their account online. If you need in-person support in French or English, SFR's full service is a better fit, but you will pay more for it.

RED by SFR internet offers: RED Box plans and prices

RED offers several home internet plans under the RED Box range. All are no-contract (sans engagement), with a fixed monthly price that does not increase in the second year: a genuine advantage over most competitors. The base RED Box Fibre includes landline calls to mobiles and landlines in France and internationally.

💰 Installation fee

RED Box subscriptions currently benefit from waived activation fees (mise en service offerte) as part of ongoing promotions. Check availability at your address before subscribing.

Frais d'activation offerts
red
RED Box Fibre
No commitment
1 Gbit/s
1 Gbit/s
 WiFi 5
No TV
22,99€
Score B
View details Hide details  
 Download: up to 1 Gbit/s
 Upload: up to 1 Gbit/s
 Compatible with WiFi 5
 22,99€/month with no duration condition.
 Calls to landlines + mobiles
Frais d'activation offerts
red
RED Box Fibre + TV
No commitment
1 Gbit/s
1 Gbit/s
 WiFi 5
100 channels
TV decoder
27,99€
Score B
View details Hide details  
 Download: up to 1 Gbit/s
 Upload: up to 1 Gbit/s
 Compatible with WiFi 5
 27,99€/month with no duration condition.
 Calls to landlines + mobiles

Non-exhaustive selection of offers, sorted by ascending price. Learn more about our scoring methodology

RED also offers an ADSL plan (RED Box ADSL from 20,99€/month) for addresses not yet covered by fibre, as well as a 5G box (Box RED 5G at 25,99€/month) for eligible areas. Check your eligibility on our dedicated page.

RED by SFR mobile plans: SIM-only from 1,99€/month

RED by SFR offers a range of SIM-only mobile plans (forfaits mobiles sans engagement) at some of the most competitive prices on the French market. All plans include unlimited calls, SMS and MMS in mainland France, and run on the SFR 4G/5G network. eSIM is available across the entire RED mobile range.

red
Forfait RED 1 Go
No commitment
 Unlimited calls
 Unlimited SMS/MMS
1 GB
   4G
1,99€
Score C
View details Hide details  
 1 Go in Europe/Overseas
 1,99€/month with no duration condition.
 SIM card: 10€
red
Forfait RED 10 Go
No commitment
 Unlimited calls
 Unlimited SMS/MMS
10 GB
   4G
6,99€
Score D
View details Hide details  
 10 Go in Europe/Overseas
 6,99€/month with no duration condition.
 SIM card: 10€
red
Forfait RED 130Go 5G
No commitment
 Unlimited calls
 Unlimited SMS/MMS
130 GB
   5G
9,99€
Score D
View details Hide details  
 30 Go in Europe/Overseas
 9,99€/month with no duration condition.
 SIM card: 10€
red
Forfait RED 200Go 5G
No commitment
 Unlimited calls
 Unlimited SMS/MMS
200 GB
   5G
12,99€
Score D
View details Hide details  
 38 Go in Europe/Overseas
 12,99€/month with no duration condition.
 SIM card: 10€
red
Forfait RED 250 Go 5G Spécial Voyage
No commitment
 Unlimited calls
 Unlimited SMS/MMS
250 GB
   5G
15,99€
Score D
View details Hide details  
 35 Go in Europe/Overseas
 35 Go depuis 124 pays
 15,99€/month with no duration condition.
 SIM card: 10€

Non-exhaustive selection of offers, sorted by ascending price. Learn more about our scoring methodology

RED by SFR 5G coverage

RED by SFR gives access to 5G on all eligible plans (130 Go and above) using the SFR 5G network, which is progressively rolling out across France. In areas not yet covered by 5G, the network automatically switches to 4G. According to ARCEP data, SFR's network covers 92.8% of the French mainland population.

RED by SFR roaming: using your mobile abroad

All RED mobile plans include a data allowance usable from the EU and French overseas territories (DOM) at no extra cost.

The Forfait RED 250 Go 5G Spécial Voyage (15,99€/month) adds 35 Go of data usable in 124 destinations, including 62 outside the EU, making it the most suitable plan for frequent travellers.

💡 Buying a phone with RED

RED's online boutique sells new and refurbished (reconditionné) phones. Payment in up to 4 instalments is available.

Is RED by SFR right for you? Pros, cons and who it suits

RED by SFR is worth considering if you value low prices and flexibility over customer support. Here is an honest assessment:

AdvantagesLimits
  • Fixed, transparent pricing: no price increase after the first year, unlike many competitors
  • No contract: you can cancel internet or mobile at any time
  • Same SFR network quality: 4G and 5G coverage identical to full-price SFR
  • eSIM available on all mobile plans
  • Competitive roaming included from €15.99/month (124 countries)
  • No English-speaking customer service: all support is in French, online only
  • No in-store assistance (visiting an SFR boutique for RED issues is charged separately)
  • A €49 cancellation fee applies to internet (box) plans, despite being "sans engagement"
  • Internet and mobile plans are managed separately (two accounts, two bills)

Updated in april of 2026

👉 Best suited to:

Students, young professionals and expats who are comfortable managing their account online in French. RED is particularly well-suited to those living in unbundled zones (zones dégroupées) and areas with good fibre coverage.

 

RED by SFR customer service: how to get help

RED by SFR is a fully online service. There is no dedicated phone line for customer support, and assistance in an SFR boutique is not free for RED subscribers. All support is managed digitally via the following channels:

  • RED&Moi app: available on iOS and Android. Manage your account, view bills, report issues.
  • Online chat with Léo: RED's virtual assistant on red-by-sfr.fr. Available Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm.
  • WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger: available for customer queries during the same hours.
  • Community forum: RED's online community (communaute.red-by-sfr.fr) is active and covers many common issues. Some threads are in English.

No English-speaking support from RED

RED by SFR does not offer English-language customer service. If you need assistance in English to subscribe, compare plans, or switch providers, our advisors can help you at no charge — call us or request a free callback.

Selectra is a partner of RED by SFR. Our English-speaking advisors can help you subscribe to RED internet and mobile plans, check your eligibility, and assist you throughout the process, free of charge.

Frequently asked questions about RED by SFR

What is RED by SFR?

RED by SFR is the no-contract, low-cost brand of French operator SFR, launched in 2011. It offers mobile plans (from 1,99€/month) and home internet boxes (from 22,99€/month) on the SFR 4G/5G network, managed entirely online. Unlike SFR, RED has no in-store support and no phone helpline.

Does RED by SFR have English-speaking customer service?

No — RED by SFR does not offer English-language customer service. All support is in French, via the RED&Moi app, online chat, WhatsApp, or community forum. For English-speaking assistance, Selectra's advisors can help you subscribe and manage your RED plan at no cost.

What is the difference between SFR and RED by SFR?

Both use the same network, but RED by SFR is cheaper, fully online, and contract-free (sans engagement). SFR offers more TV options, in-store support, and phone customer service — but at a higher price that can increase in the second year. RED's price remains fixed.

How do I subscribe to RED by SFR internet or mobile?

You can subscribe directly on the RED website (red-by-sfr.fr) or through Selectra's English-speaking advisors, who can guide you through the process in English and check your eligibility at no cost. To keep your existing French number, you will need your RIO code (call 3179 from your current SIM — it's free).

Can I get a SIM card or eSIM with RED by SFR?

Yes. All RED by SFR mobile plans are available as a physical SIM or eSIM. The SIM card costs €10 at subscription. eSIM activation is digital and immediate once your plan is confirmed. RED SIM cards are multi-cut (nano/micro/standard) and compatible with all smartphones.