The best UK SIM-only dealson October 2, 2023 at 17:02 Tech Advisor
If you’re buying a new phone, it often makes sense to get it on contract. This splits the total cost of the handset into smaller monthly payments, and provides you with calls, texts and data to use.
But this can get very expensive, especially if you opt for a flagship smartphone. If it all possible, it makes more financial sense to buy the device outright and get a SIM-only plan.
Not only does it mean you own the phone straight away, you end up saving a lot of money in the long run. While high-end phones are expensive, you can get a great budget or mid-range handset for much less.
And you don’t have to worry about losing your current phone number, either. All networks let you transfer your current number to a new network, and the process is even more straightforward if you use the text-to-switch service.
Here are the best SIM-only deals in the UK at the moment.
Best SIM-only deals in the UK
Below is a curated list of the best value for money SIM-only deals right now. This is accurate at the time of writing, but can fluctuate quite often.
Three’s unlimited SIM-only deal is back. You can get the first twelve months for just £20 per month, which then goes up to a still-reasonable £25 the rest of the contract (which is 24 months in total). There’s also 250GB for £16 per month (£20 after 12 months) or 120GB for £12.80 per month (£16 after 12 months).
Smarty’s £10 per month plan is one to consider (the brand uses Three’s network). It offers a very generous 40GB of data (including mobile hotspot), unlimited calls and texts. Plus, you can roam in EU countries which means your calls, texts and data come out of your allowance even when you’re on holiday in Europe (12GB limit).
O2 is currently offering six months of Apple Music plus six months of another service of your choice (Disney+, Amazon Prime, Amazon Music Unlimited, Audible, McAfee or Cafeyn) for free when you sign up for a 24 month SIM plan.
Another great deal this month comes from Voxi, which is powered by Vodafone. It’s an interesting one because social media usage is unlimited and won’t eat into your data.
Voxi is currently offering 90GB data for £15 per month with unlimited social media but also unlimited use of selected music apps including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal.
It’s also offering 30GB data, unlimited social media, unlimited calls and texts and 5G for just £10 per month.
iD Mobile, which also uses Three, currently has a great unlimited data offer. You can get the iD unlimited SIM for just £12 per month on a monthly rolling contract. iD will also roll over any unused data to the next month, and offers free EU roaming up to 30GB per month.
It’s also worth checking out 1pMobile. Whilst this is a Pay As You Go offer, it offers your usage at the following prices: 1p per minute on calls, 1p per text and 1p per MB of data used. If your usage is low, then this could be a good option.
You may also be interested in the best SIM deals for kids and best SIM deals for students.
Which SIM-only tariff do you need?
Unlike smartphone contracts, which typically stretch to 24 months, SIM-only deals are much shorter. Most SIM-only deals come with 12-month contracts, but there are many rolling monthly contracts – sometimes at the same price – that are ideal for visitors to the UK or for anyone who doesn’t want to be tied in.
The price you pay per month will largely depend on how many minutes and texts you need, and how much data you require.
Pinning down the best SIM-only contract is tricky due to the huge number of combinations of minutes, texts and data available. Some providers also offer deals with cashback redemption – which means that you won’t be billed the amount advertised, but you can claim your refunds from the provider.
Most people will fall into one of three camps that we’ll focus on here: those who simply want to make the odd call or text, and use their PC to go online; those who make calls and texts, go online, check emails, use apps and perhaps watch the odd video; and those who are permanently glued to their smartphone.
Or, to put that more simply, light, moderate and heavy users.
SIM deals for light use
There are plans available from just £5 per month if you plan on using your SIM for light use:
All of iD mobile’s contracts offer bill capping, data rollover and Roam like at Home, making it an even more appealing option with no nasty surprises. You can get 63GB of data with unlimited minutes and texts for just £4.50 per month for six months (then £9 per month thereafter) on a one month rolling contract.
Lebara also offers some great light plans, such as the 5GB rolling plan for £5 per month. With this, you also get 100 minutes to 41 international countries (including the EU and India) – great if you need to call family abroad. You also get 1000 UK minutes and 1000 texts.
Giffgaff is currently offering unlimited calls, unlimited texts and 40GB of data (4G or 5G) for just £10 per month for six months. For the rest of the contract, it goes down to a still reasonable 25GB.
SIM deals for moderate use
If you use 20GB or above, it’s worth considering a moderate use SIM plan. Here’s some of the most competitive right now:
You can get a very cheap deal from Vodafone via Mobiles.co.uk, which includes 100GB of data, unlimited calls and texts and 5G all for £7.67 per month on a 12 month contract.
Mobiles.co.uk also a great offer with iD Mobile. You can grab 40GB of data, unlimited minutes and texts and 5G coverage for just £4 per month on a rolling contract. Any unused data also rolls over to the next month.
SIM deals for heavy use
For anyone who wants the freedom to text and use the internet as much as they like, our favourite deal is Three’s unlimited SIM for £20 for the first 12 months (£25 per month for rest of 24-month contract). However, there are other options to consider:
O2 throws in perks on some of its biggest data plans. The 150GB plan is £11.50 per month for six months (£22.99 per month for rest of 24-month contract) includes six months’ worth of Apple Music, plus six months of another service of your choice (Disney+, Amazon Prime, Amazon Music Unlimited, Audible, McAfee or Cafeyn).
Tesco Mobile also has a decent unlimited data offer, and you don’t need to be a Clubcard member to benefit (though linking one will earn you other benefits). Get unlimited data, unlimited minutes, texts and 5G, all for £25 per month
Superdrug also has a great flexible option which includes unlimited data, unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 4G and extra card points for Superdrug members. All of this costs £20 per month and is available as a monthly rolling contract.
Tablet plans (Data SIMs)
If you’re looking for a SIM for your tablet, then you can’t simply take the SIM out of your phone and put it in another device. You need to get a SIM that uses a data-only plan (and don’t forget that not all tablets offer SIM-card slots, in which case you’ll only be able to connect to Wi-Fi).
How much data you need will very much depend on the activities you intend to enjoy on your tablet, plus whether you spend any of your time within the range of a Wi-Fi hotspot. If you want a SIM just to cover you on the odd occasion that you use your tablet away from home and need to continue to access your email, you certainly don’t need to pay out extra for a 4G plan.
Some of the best SIM-only deals for tablets come from Three, which offers numerous plans including 120GB for £12.60 per month for 12 months, and 25GB for £11.20 per month for 12 months (both 24-month contracts).
Smarty, Three’s sub-brand, also has some stellar data-only deals such as 100GB data for £17 per month or unlimited data for £20 per month. The advantage with Smarty is you pay upfront for 1 month and can cancel at any time.
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