IF you’re out of a phone contract, switching to a SIM-only deal is a no-brainer for saving money.
These deals can save you a bundle, especially if you’re still loving your current phone and not quite ready to upgrade.
There are tons of options out there and all for way less than you’re probably paying for your phone and SIM bundle.
Switching providers is a doddle and it could save you a pretty penny.
Before you make the leap, though, double-check that your phone’s unlocked and ready to work with a new SIM.
Now’s the perfect time to save, with several SIM-only providers slashing prices left, right, and centre.
If you’re also on the hunt for a new handset, make sure to check out our tech shopping hub – it’s packed with plenty of deals on must-have devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, and more.
For now, scroll down to discover the best SIM-only deals from both big-name brands and the hidden gems.
Best SIM-only deals UK
Three SIM-only deals
Three SIM-only deals
Three shoppers can currently pick up a SIM-only plan that comes with unlimited calls and texts.
Here are some of the best 24-month savings available:
- Unlimited 24 month Lite, £20 p/m – buy here
- 25GB 24 month Lite, £12 p/m – buy here
- 120GB 24 month Lite, £8 (increases to £16 after 6 months) – buy here
Vodafone SIM-only deals
Vodafone SIM-only deals
Vodafone offers a range of SIM-only deals.
The deals include extras such as inclusive roaming, unlimited picture messages, and your choice of either YouTube Premium or Amazon Prime for 24 months.
Here are our top picks:
- Unlimited Plus , £23 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited Max, £36 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited Plus (includes 24 months of YouTube Premium or Amazon Prime), £41 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited Max (plus Inclusive roaming in 83 worldwide destinations), £46 p/m – buy here
EE SIM-only deals
EE SIM-only deals
Shoppers can also head over to EE if they’re on the hunt for SIM-only savings.
Right now, you can save on several 24-month plans.
- 50GB of data, £18 p/m – buy here
- 300GB of data, £21 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited All Rounder, £27 p/m (was £42) – buy here
- Unlimited Essentials, £32 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited Essentials Plus, £36 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited Full Works, £48 p/m – buy here
Giffgaff SIM-only deals
Giffgaff SIM-only deals
Giffgaff has many budget-friendly SIM-only deals to browse.
If you stream and play on the go, you’ll probably want to take a look at higher plans that offer 120GB of data or go unlimited for just £25.
With an unlimited data plan, you’ll never have to worry about how much internet you’re using or whether or not you’re connected.
We’ve listed several 18-month deals below:
- 25GB of data, £10 p/m – buy here
- 27GB of data, £12 p/m – buy here
- 40GB of data, £15 p/m – buy here
- 120GB of data, £20 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited data, £25 p/m – buy here
Voxi SIM-only deals
Voxi SIM-only deals
Voxi runs on Vodafone’s network so it’s another great option for guaranteed coverage and is perfect for students and users who are big social media fans.
It offers unlimited social data, which means you can use Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp without eating into your monthly data allowance.
Shoppers who secure a rolling 30-day SIM-only deal from Voxi can cancel at any time.
- 2OGB of data for £10 p/m – buy here
- 35GB of data (plus Unlimited Social + Music + Video), £15 p/m – buy here
- 75GB of data (was 25GB) for £12/month – buy here
- 300GB of data (was 100GB) for £20 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited data, £35 p/m – buy here
Sky SIM-only deals
Sky SIM-only deals
In addition to broadband bargains and TV packages, Sky has treated shoppers to a selection of impressive SIM-only savings.
All plans are 5G network-ready and include unlimited calls and texts.
- Unlimited data, £35 p/m (was £40) – buy here
- 100GB of data, £18 p/m (was £30) – buy here
- 25GB of data, £10 p/m (was £16) – buy here
- 3GB of data, £7 p/m (was £10) – buy here
O2 SIM-only deals
O2 SIM-only deals
If O2 is your preferred network, then you’ll want to check out our top pick of 24-month plans.
Shoppers can also opt for a 30-day or 12-month contract.
If you’ve transferred over from another network, 02 also lets you keep your number.
- 60GB of data, £18.99 p/m – buy here
- 150GB of data, £19.99 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited data, £26.99 p/m – buy here
Smarty SIM-only deals
Smarty SIM-only deals
Smarty is a piggyback network that runs on Three’s mobile network and has some of the best plans on the market.
You’ll find some great rolling monthly plans that will provide you with a short-term discount or extra data, so it’s a good option to get an extra bang for your buck.
Our pick of SIM-only savings include:
- 32GB of data (was 8GB), £7 p/m – buy here
- 40GB of data, £10 p/m – buy here
- 100GB of data, £12 p/m – buy here
- 150GB of data, £15 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited data, £20 p/m – buy here
iD Mobile SIM-only deals
iD Mobile SIM-only deals
The plans available range from data-busting deals, to bite-sized packages which include unlimited calls and texts.
Below are just a few 12-month plans you can score today.
It’s also worth noting that shoppers can also snap up savings on one-month plans, and 24-month plans when shopping online at iD Mobile.
- 120GB of data, £12 p/m – buy here
- 250GB of data, £14 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited data, £17 p/m – buy here
Lebara SIM-only deals
Lebara SIM-only deals
Lebara is also a piggyback network meaning it uses existing coverage from another major provider.
Lebara uses Vodafone’s network, so there’s great coverage and you can choose between several 12-month plans listed below.
- 5GB of data, £4.50 p/m – buy here
- 25GB of data, £9 p/m – buy here
- 40GB of data, £13.50 p/m – buy here
- 50GB of data, £18 p/m – buy here
- Unlimited data, £22.50 p/m – buy here
Best family SIM-only deals
A family SIM-only deal allows multiple SIM cards to be managed under a single account.
Not only does this make it easier to stay connected and manage your accounts, but you can also save money.
Shoppers can check out O2’s Multisave which provides you with 20% off the airtime plan of every new eligible pay monthly connection that you add to your account.
EE also offers a multi-line discount, where if you add other family members to your account, you’ll get up to £12 per month on additional SIM and airtime plans, and 10% on connected tablets and laptops.
Tesco Mobile and Three are just a few more providers that offer family SIM-only deals.
Best SIM-only business deals
As its name suggests, a business SIM-only deal is a contract that provides a monthly allowance of data, minutes, and texts for a business.
They are a great option if a business already has handsets for its employees, but wants to upgrade their plans.
The cheapest business SIM-only deals can be found on networks like Tesco Mobile, Three, O2, and Vodafone.
For example, one of Tesco Mobile’s best SIM-only business deals comes with 250GB of data and unlimited minutes and texts for £22.50 per month.
If you have a Clubcard, you’ll pay just £19 a month for the rest of your contract.
What is a SIM-only deal?
SIM-only means you’re purchasing a SIM card without a handset, which can be paired with an unlocked phone.
The SIM card carries your phone number, contacts list, and text messages, making it easy to swap to a new phone.
There are a huge number of cheap SIM-only deals on the market from all of the biggest carriers, and the key is finding the deal that most closely suits your needs.
The best SIM-only deals will match your level of usage in minutes, text messages, and data.
SIM-only plans vary in what they offer, so it’s worth shopping around to find a good deal for your requirements.
Many also offer additional perks and extras to lure new customers in or have exclusive deals for existing customers.
While many SIM-only deals are available on a rolling monthly plan, which you can cancel at any time, others are 12-month or longer contracts, which you are tied to, unless you want to pay cancellation fees to switch.
To help you compare the best SIM-only deals from all major networks, we’ve included a wide variety of price plans and data limits, so it’s simple to see what’s available.
*Prices in this article are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change. Shop around before you buy a SIM-only contract to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Is it better to pay monthly or pay as you go?
If you are on a budget or are not looking to upgrade your current device, then SIM-only and pay-as-you-go (or PAYG) plans are your best option.
Not only are they more cost-effective, but they also don’t tie you into lengthy contracts, meaning you have more control.
A PAYG plan means you only pay for what you use and no more, so if you don’t need much data or use your device infrequently, then this is the best bet for you.
You’ll want to opt for a pay monthly plan if you know you need a certain amount of data each month and don’t want to have to top up when you run out, these plans also vary in length from as little as 30 days to 12 months, and some providers like O2 allow you to change your tariff during your contract.
What should I look out for when buying a SIM-only deal?
The most important things to consider when browsing SIM-only deals are data allowance, monthly cost, and plan duration.
If you can balance these right, then you’ve got the best deal for you.
You want to make sure you aren’t paying over the odds for a small allowance when you could get more for less elsewhere, so be sure to shop around.
You also need to consider how long you want to be tied to a plan.
While they are shorter than a new contract, you don’t want to sign up for a 12-month plan when you only need it for a couple of months.
What are the benefits of SIM-only deals?
The main benefit of getting a SIM-only contract is flexibility.
Instead of being locked into a two-year contract like you are with most phone providers, you can easily snap up a rolling one-month deal that’s easy to walk away from (although longer contracts are available too and often offer a discount).
SIM-only deals are particularly useful if you’re buying second-hand and refurbished phones – the combination of a cheap handset and a good value SIM-only contract means you can pay much less for the same package than you’ll ever be offered in-store.
What are the drawbacks of SIM-only deals?
If you don’t already own a good smartphone, a SIM-only offer could end up being frustrating, as you won’t have a proper device to make the most out of your deal.
In cases like this, you could end up saving some money by getting a phone contract, particularly if you’re in the market for one of the latest devices.
In addition, before getting a SIM-only deal, make sure your phone is unlocked, if it isn’t, you won’t be able to use your new SIM card with it.
How can I tell if my phone is unlocked?
If you have an updated iPhone, it’s easy to check if your device is unlocked.
Simply go to ‘Settings’, then ‘General,’ and finally, tap ‘About.’
You will see a ‘Carrier Lock’ setting there.
If it shows ‘No SIM Restrictions’, your phone is unlocked.
Otherwise, there will be the name of a network service provider, showing that your iPhone is locked to that particular carrier.
With Android phones, the situation is a little trickier, as there’s no way of checking if the device is locked via the settings.
Instead, what you can do is simply try a SIM card from a different carrier.
If you’re able to make phone calls and access the mobile network after the switch, your phone is unlocked – if you can’t, it is locked.
Which mobile network is best?
According to uSwitch, EE offers the UK’s widest and fastest 4G coverage, with a whopping 99% of the UK covered.
O2 is a close second, with its 3G/4G connection covering 99% of the country, though speeds are generally a little bit slower than EE’s.
Three, Vodafone, and iD Mobile are also valid options, all with coverage rates above 90% nationwide and in many parts of the UK.
Additional mobile networks with solid coverage are Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff, Talkmobile, Sky Mobile, and Smarty.
In terms of 5G coverage, Vodafone and EE are at the forefront of the technological race with speeds faster than any other mobile network provider.
Can you cancel a SIM-only contract?
Yes, but check what type of contract you have.
On some SIM-only deals, you’re locked in for 12 or 24 months, in which case you may be charged an early termination fee.
As a rule of thumb, the early termination fee amounts to the total monthly fees left on your contract at the time of cancellation.
So, for example, if there are ten months left in your £10-a-month contract and you want to cancel now, you will have to pay £100.
Is it easy to switch mobile phone networks?
Yes, it is – all you have to do is wait until your current contract expires (to avoid paying cancellation fees), then switch providers.
To do that, just go to the website of your chosen provider and complete the registration process.
A SIM card will then be posted to your address, ready to be activated.
I’ve found a SIM-only deal with a different network, what do I do now?
Generally speaking, it is convenient to wait for your current contract to end before starting a new one to avoid cancellation fees.
However, if you find an unmissable deal (or you don’t mind paying the cancellation fee), you can simply start a new contract with them and cancel your current one.
How do I keep my phone number when I switch networks?
If you’re ending your existing contract and want to keep your number while moving onto another network’s SIM-only deal, you can.
You’ll need to contact your existing provider and request a PAC code.
A PAC code will be used by your new network to register your number on their service.
However, if you’re moving to a SIM-only deal on the same network, you may have to change your number unless you do something called double porting, where you switch your number to another provider and then switch back.
What do I do with my old SIM?
If you migrate your old number to a new SIM card, you can destroy the old one, as it will be deactivated the moment the number is transferred.
However, if you start a new contract with a new phone number, your old SIM will stay active for a while.
In that case, you may want to keep your old SIM if you intend to use it again.
Just a heads-up, if you have any credit left in your old SIM card, you may want to use it, as if left unused, it may expire after six or 12 months.
Will a SIM-only deal improve my credit rating?
Potentially, yes.
You could build up your credit rating by keeping up with your monthly SIM-only contract payments.
Will there be a credit check when I apply for a SIM-only deal?
Legally speaking, there’s no minimum credit score needed to get a phone contract, but some companies will run a check anyway.
Different network operators will also score you differently, so if you can’t get a contract with one, you could try checking with others.
For context, 30-day rolling SIM-only contracts do not usually require credit checks since they are extremely low-risk to the company.
However, if you’re signing up for a 12 or 24-month SIM-only contract, it is more likely that they will check your credit score.
Which network has the best SIM-only deals?
Here’s a selection of mobile phone networks which have great SIM-only deals:
How much data should I look for in a SIM-only deal?
To find out how much data you use each month, simply log into your account, check how much data you use each month, and buy a SIM-only plan accordingly.
Some SIM-only providers, such as Voxi, offer unlimited social media data too, which means you might get through a little less data than normal.
Should I get a 30-day or 12-month SIM-only contract?
You’d think companies would try and lure customers in by giving them lower prices on 12-month SIM-only contracts, but that’s not necessarily the case.
The decision to get a short-term or a long-term SIM-only contract should be made on a case-by-case basis.
What size SIM card do I need?
There are three sizes of SIM cards available: standard, micro, and nano.
The size you’ll need depends on your phone and should be made clear in your handset’s instruction manual.
As a rule of thumb, iPhones tend to take nano SIMs, Samsung Galaxy devices take micro SIMs, and standard SIM cards have been relegated from the mainstream altogether.
How do I change my SIM card?
Each phone will have a different method for changing the SIM card.
To find out how to change yours, head to the brand’s official website.
You’ll find instructions on how to change your SIM by visiting retailers such as Apple, Google, Huawei, Nokia, Samsung, and more.
