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As telephone contracts become more expensive, SIM offers are no longer popular. Your contract has ended or you have found the ideal SIM-free plan, finding a SIMO bargain could make this value last.
Yes, only SIM offers have lowered the bills of thousands of people in the UK and they show no signs of slowing down. So if you've come to the end of your contract and want to continue with your old smartphone, only the low-cost SIM offers will cover you – they could reduce your bills to just £ 3.99 per month!
And to save you from having to spend your precious time seeing what Three, Vodafone and EE offer, we have put them all together and put them in the table below so that you can choose and compare SIM offers only quickly and easily .
SIM only deals with:
In fact, going SIMO (as kids probably say) also offers a handy way to save money in the long run if you can afford to pay for a new smartphone right away, as it can often help you reduce costs compared to traditional telephone contracts.
When it comes to the latest and most attractive SIM offers, now is a great time to save money – whether it's small bills or big data. The network that consistently leads the way is Three and we are delighted to see the return of their mega unlimited data contract!
So whether you need a SIM card for a brand new handset or trying to withdraw a few more months from your beloved old mobile, our guide to the best SIM only deals is your passport to the most expensive monthly phone bills bass possible.
We researched and put together the most affordable SIM plans the UK has to offer and included them in our price comparison above to help you narrow down your perfect plan. You can compare offers on the largest networks like EE, O2 and Vodafone, as well as on economic brands such as Plusnet and Giffgaff.
What is a SIM offer only?
SIM-only offers allow you to easily purchase the SIM part of a telephone contract. This means getting your texts, minutes and data without having to buy the phone under the contract. This can then be combined with a phone without a SIM card to obtain a cheaper offer.
SIM offers of the week only: top 10
We calculated the numbers and selected the best rates available this month. Whether you're looking for the cheapest plan possible, whether you're looking for the best value for the Big Data SIM plan, or just want a lot but don't know how much to spend, you'll find a recommendation just for you.
1. The best cheap SIM card
iD Mobile | One month contract | 500 MB of data | 150 minutes | Unlimited texts | £ 3.99 per month
This gives the cheapest readily available invoices currently available in the UK. At just £ 3.99 a month, it's super cheap. There is no contract either, so you can cancel at any time, and there are a few small additional benefits like the ability to carry unused data over to the next month. However, with only 500 MB of data, many will find that this is not enough. If you need more, consider the options below.
See the best cheap SIM card offer only on iD Mobile
2. Best 2 GB SIM cards + data
SIM Lebara only | One month contract | 2 GB of data | 1000 minutes and texts | £ 5 per month
One of the lesser known names on the market, Lebara thrives best at the cheap low end of the data. This offer brings you 2 GB of data and costs you only £ 5 per month to get it, making it one of the cheapest prices. And, it's a one month rolling contract, so you can leave at any time. On top of that, Lebara offers 100 minutes to 40 international countries with this plan.
Get 2 GB of data at low cost with Lebara
3. Best 5 GB + data SIM card
Three | 12 month contract | 8 GB of data | Unlimited calls and SMS | £ 8 per month
You can also get used to seeing this Three image … the network continues to lead the way when it comes to SIM only offers. But it's unusual to see it get such a good price with relatively weak data (we say “low”, but 8 GB will be enough for most average users). Paying less than a tenth a month while staying comfortable with data, calls and text messages is a good deal.
Discover this excellent value Three SIMOs
4. Best 30 day SIM plan
Smarty | 1 month slippery | 30 GB of data | Unlimited calls and SMS | £ 10 per month
POW! This great offer from Smarty, the newcomer, arrived on the SIMO scene and really shook things up. It just shows you that cutting your phone bills down to one tenth a month doesn't mean you have to compromise on the data as well. Almost incredible value.
Get this amazing SIMO price from Smarty
5. Best Big Data SIM card (20 GB +)
Smarty | 1 month slippery | 100 GB of data | Unlimited calls and SMS | £ 15 per month
Smarty really dominates the world of SIM offers only at this time. He has a number of superior plans, but his is really taking the cake. Offering 100 GB of data at a price of just £ 15 per month, it's easily the cheapest Big Data plan currently. In addition, the one-month rolling plan will be perfect for many.
Visit Smarty to get this limited time offer
6. The cheapest SIM card only processes unlimited data
Three | 12 month contract | Data at will | Unlimited calls and SMS | £ 18 per month
Netflix marathons, epic Pokemon Go quests, constant Spotify melodies, this unlimited data set is ideal for the serious mobile user who never has to worry about poxy things like data allocations or Wi-Fi. And then , you get all the usual bonuses from Three like Go Roam, Go Binge and its Wuntu app for additional benefits.
Discover this unlimited offer at a reduced price at Three
7. Best EE SIM value
12 months | 100 GB of data | Unlimited calls and SMS | £ 25 per month with the first three months at half price
EE seems to be trying something new with its SIM plans. Here you get 100 GB of data for £ 25 a month. While this is higher than the average cost of a SIM plan, EE balanced this by cutting bills in half for the first three months.
Take advantage of the best EE SIMO offer on the market
8. Best Cheap Vodafone SIM
12 month contract | 8 GB of data | SMS and unlimited calls | £ 8 per month
This Vodafone offer is excellent. For the price of £ 8 a month, you get 8 GB of data. This makes it one of the cheapest plans on any network, especially for so much data. However, this is a basic Vodafone package so that you don't get Veryme or roaming in other countries.
Click here to get this great value Basics SIM card from Vodafone
9. Best offer O2 SIM only + Disney Plus free
O2 | 12 month contract | 100GB data | Unlimited calls and SMS | £ 20 per month + Disney Plus for six months
O2 has really stepped up its game recently and of all its latest options, this one is the star. Offering 100 GB of data for only £ 20 per month. Along with the dataset, O2 will also offer a free six-month subscription to Disney Plus.
Discover O2 Big Data + Disney Plus subscription offer
10. Best SIM offer only for data
Three | 12 month contract | 10 GB of data | £ 14 per month
If you're using your tablet as a sort of portable TV to catch up with Netflix, iPlayer, and Amazon Video while on the go, then those three things are only getting better. You now get 10 GB for £ 14 a month (sorry, the price just went up), which is cheaper than the other big networks. It's the best value we can find for using data on an iPad or other tablet.
See this offer on Three.co.uk
FAQs on SIM offers only
SIM only processes: should you get one?
If you a) want to save money; b) do not want to be bound by a long-term contract; or c) both above, then only the SIM card is worth considering. In fact, you are probably one of two people if your thoughts turn to the SIM card only:
- You're nearing the end of your contract and your network calls you a million times a day to upgrade. Well, if your phone is dying or you just want a change, head over to our best cell phone sales page to see what great deals are hiding, but if not, just use the SIM card on your current phone is a no-brainer. You will end up paying a lot less than what you are under contract, and you can stick to a 30 day rolling contract so that if your circumstances change, you can get out of the arrangement right away.
- It's time for a shiny new smartphone and you want to get the best human value possible. You'll need to find a few hundred checks in advance for the handset (be sure to check out our free SIM price comparison tool) but smart and you'll end up paying less in the next 24 months (see below). In addition, if you are a commitment phobe, most SIM card plans do not require you to VPNOnlineFree for two years as you would with a normal contract.
SIM offers only: are they cheaper than telephone contracts?
It can be. Pairing a SIM plan only with a handset without a standalone SIM card could save you a few. This is usually the case when a flagship phone arrives on the market and contracts are deliberately expensive. Take the Samsung Galaxy S9 as an example, where you could have saved more than £ 100 over two years by splashing the £ 800 for the handset and swiping a cheap SIM card.
Not all of the savings you can realize are as extravagant, and on big data it is often more profitable to dive into a contract instead. But if you can afford to save a few hundred pounds in advance, the savings over the next two years may well be worth it.
SIM only processes: is my phone unlocked and can I use a new SIM card on it?
Times have passed since most phones were locked on a network and you had to pay a dubious “ engineer ” on the streets to unlock it. Nowadays, it's common for networks to allow you to use the SIM card you want on the phone as soon as you've paid the original contract (or sooner if you pay them a fee) – and Three ships all its handsets unlocked from the start. .
The exception, alas, is the Apple iPhone. They are generally sold locked on the original network with which you buy them for the life of the handset. Very frustrating if you are looking for a tasty SIM offer after your 24 month sentence has ended.
The good news is that your iPhone (or any other mobile before your contract ends) can be unlocked – the bad news is that most networks charge you for the privilege. Insert a friend's or family member's SIM card into your phone to see if it's already unlocked, and if not, search your network below to see how to cut links with them:
- EE After your six-month contract has ended, you can call EE on 0800 956 6000 and pay £ 8.99 to unlock your phone. He says it will take about 10 days. PAYG phones can be unlocked for free.
- O2 As long as you don't have an iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus (they can't be unlocked before paying your contract), you can unlock any O2 phone – including iPhones – free if you have a paid monthly contract. PAYG customers have to pay £ 15.
- Three Don't worry, all phones on Three are unlocked as standard. Push the SIM card you like in there, it will work a treat.
- Vodafone The red network doesn't get quite the same ratings as Three, because your phone will be locked on them upon arrival. But they made unlocking the handsets absolutely free within 10 days of your request.
SIM cards only: What size of SIM card do I need?
There are three SIM card sizes for your phone, and which one you need will depend on your handset. The traditional, so-called Standard The SIM card (15×25 mm) has truly been the staple food of the new phones. Instead, any phone you have purchased in the past five years is much more likely to require a microphone (12×15 mm) or nano (8.8×12.3mm) SIM – the iPhone 5 was Apple's first mobile phone with a nano SIM, while Samsung started using the smaller size of its Galaxy S6.
Before purchasing your new SIM card, double check the manufacturer's website to see what size you need. And if you're just not sure, most networks now just send a triple SIM, so you will get one of each size.
SIM offers only: can I get 5G plans?
Yes you can! As part of the 5G movement, a number of networks have started to offer the possibility of getting improved speeds and latency with your SIM card. At the moment, Vodafone and Three offer 5G and 4G on all its plans, it just depends on the compatibility of your phone.
There are a number of 5G compatible phones (you can see the best with our 5G phone deals guide).
As for EE, you will have to pay more to get your 5G SIM cards, with an additional premium cost involved.
SIM only processes: How do I keep my old number?
Have you ever heard of PAC codes and wondered what a classic 80s arcade game had to do with phone numbers? It's actually the Porting Authorization Code, and it's the set of numbers that you need to retrieve from your old network to allow you to transfer to your existing mobile number. If you are on one of the main networks, you can see on which phone number you can contact them here:
- EE 07953 966 250
- O2 0344 8090202
- Vodafone 03333 040 191
- Three 0333 300 3333
- Username 0333 003 7777
- GiffGaff 43431 from your handset
- Virgin 0345 6000 789
- BT 0800 800 150
- Tesco 0345 301 4455
- Sky 03 300 412 524
- Asda 0800 079 2732
If you want to enter a SIM trading plan only above, but it is on your existing network, your network will not publish a PAC code and you will be forced to take a new phone number.
At least you would have done it without this nifty (if complicated) workaround. You must order a SIM card free of charge from another network. Once you have it, you can tell your old network that you are moving and it will give you that valuable PAC code. Then, once your number is VPNOnlineFreeed on the replacement network, simply obtain another PAC code from them. Bring that to your old network, and they will move your number to your new contract. Simple – sort of!
SIM only processes: How long should I get?
Unlike a contract, there is much more flexibility available regarding the duration of your SIM plan only. Commitments over two years are practically unknown, the standard being either one-year contracts or one-month contracts for ultimate flexibility. You can often get better prices if you connect for 12 months, especially on higher data rates. But sticking to one month at a time means that you can manually choose a new plan that works for you every 30 days or so.
SIM only processes: How much data do I need?
Because you can modify your plan more regularly than a normal, longer contract, it is less crucial to resolve it from the start. But if you plan to earn 12 months or are just proud of getting it right the first time, we will help you choose the right place for you.
First, check your phone to see how much data you are using to date and whether you tend to use more than your current allowance each month. Then, if you're still unsure, check out our tips:
- 0-1 GB Small amounts of data could be a blessing or a curse. If you put it in a rarely used phone that will be barely far from Wi-Fi, you're good. But if you end up with one because your head is turned by the incredible price, then you could end up paying more if you continually exceed your allowance.
- 2-3 GB For anyone who needs data for little more than the occasional Google Maps route planning, the 2 GB and 3 GB plans are inexpensive and give you a lot more freedom to check soccer scores and scroll Facebook away safe wi-fi.
- 4-8 GB If you can't leave the house without having a music streaming service like Spotify in your ears, it may be worth paying for a few GB of additional data.
- 10-16 GB It is a large amount of data and some networks offer it at a very attractive price. Whether you're listening to music, downloading podcasts, watching social media videos, or all three, it's your thing – you should be covered.
- 20-30 GB Only smartphone addicts who need regular (and heavy) data fixes should bother with this avalanche of Go. You can rinse Netflix, Spotify and online games without worrying about overflowing.
- Unlimited It may be because you are using remarkable amounts of data. Maybe it's because you just don't want to keep checking how much data you've been using each month. Whatever your reason for going unlimited, you only have two choices when it comes to networking: Three or GiffGaff.
SIM only processes: do I need unlimited calls and SMS?
Call it practicality, call it gluttony, call it whatever you want – it's human nature to want anything “ unlimited ” if offered. But you should really be wondering if you really need it in a world where the likes of WhatsApp and Skype allow you to call and text for free via Wi-Fi or 4G. If you decide that a few thousand minutes and SMS per month should be enough, then you can shave a little money off your bill.
SIM only deals with: Which is the best mobile network?
While EE, O2, Vodafone and Three are generally considered the top four networks for contract plans, as far as SIM only, there are other key players that are well worth a look. See what we think about it below, and if you will get free perks to persuade you to sign up. In addition, we’ll tell you about a few other SIM card vendors that might be bothering you even better deal.
SIM only deals with: Which networks have coverage in my region?
This is one of the (many) little frustrations in life – you sign up for a network, install your working SIM card, and then find out that you have no coverage at all in your home. Well, this little pain in the neck can be avoided by using the dedicated coverage checker provided by most networks. Enter your postal code and you will see if your address has 2G (calls, SMS and e-mail), 3G (the basics plus photo messaging and faster web browsing) and 4G (all powers of 3G, plus downloads faster, online games and streaming media).
SIM only processes by network
SIM only processes: EE
If you want fast and furious 4G, your choice should be a SIM EE agreement. Its speeds are about 50% faster than other major networks, which is really noticeable if you enjoy watching movies or football on the go. And EE offers you three free months of BT Sport, as well as six months of Apple Music. Discover our selection of the best offers at EE
SIM only processes: O2
O2's best claim for your contract is with its priority rewards – cheap lunch deals and pre-order privileges on concert tickets, discounts and ad hoc contests. In addition, they have thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in stores and cafes to which you can connect for free and save your precious data. Discover our selection of the best offers at O2
SIM offers only: Vodafone
Vodafone seems to have existed since cell phones were bulky bricks, but they remain a major player. Look for a Red Entertainment rate, which gives you the choice between a NOW TV Entertainment Pass, Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile subscription. Discover our selection of the best offers at Vodafone
SIM only processes: Three
Three is still the only network to offer unlimited data, and it often offers unbeatable deals on other Big Data plans – making it a natural choice for many data-hungry smartphone fans. Previously there was a rewards app called Wuntu, but it has now removed it, which means that you will have to say goodbye to free cafes and competitions. Discover our selection of the best offers at Three
SIM only processes: BT
This old familiar pillar of BT telecommunications is average when it comes to SIM tariff prices only. This is unless you are already a broadband customer of BT, in which case you get really favorable prices – one fiver less than the rest of the hoi polloi. In addition, you usually get a BT reward card with the majority of plans that can be spent anywhere and that accept Mastercard, the value of which depends on the amount of data you use.
SIM only processes: iD
iD is a good option if the sale prices in the basement are what you want most. It is a network managed and owned by Carphone Warehouse – it overlaps the Three network. It is a great option if you want great value on a slippery monthly contract.
SIM offers only: GiffGaff
GiffGaff regularly offers some of the cheapest SIMO offers on the market. They don't give you a lot of data to play with, but if you just want to keep your phone turned on and available for calls and texts with low Internet usage outside of your home Wi-Fi, GiffGaff is a strong offer. Pay attention to the T & Cs, because some of the big data transactions accelerate the speed after a few concerts.
SIM offers only: Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile has been around for a long time, and some of its SIM-only offerings are particularly attractive – especially when it starts with its brilliant flash sales. It's one of the providers that offers data transfer, an advantage that we really like.
SIM offers only: Tesco Mobile
The UK's largest supermarket is known for offering competitive, if not stellar, SIM plans with low data prices starting at no more than a quarter a month. Where it gets really interesting is if you download the Xtras app on an Android phone: you'll save £ 3 on your monthly bill, but you'll have to see ads every time you unlock your handset.
SIM offers only: Plusnet
Plusnet could be more known for its broadband offers these days. but he is also keen to offer very cheap 30 day SIM card offers. You also don't have to worry about the signal because Plusnet uses the EE network which covers 99% of the UK. Plusnet's cheap plans start at around £ 5 a month.
SIM offers only: Carphone Warehouse
Carphone Warehouse does not only sell handset contracts. It also offers a wide range of SIM offers only for Vodafone, O2, EE and ID. The online store is also known to include additional incentives such as half-price fees for six months, free Beats by Dre headphones, or Currys vouchers – so check what is available right now.
SIM offers only: Fonehouse
While Fonehouse isn't as recognizable as some of the above retailers, it does offer a huge range of great offers from SIM only. Whether you need something on EE, Three or Vodafone, Fonehouse is a name to keep in mind for cheap SIM card deals only.
The SIM offers only on this page are checked daily to make sure they are always available and up to date! If you are ready to use only the SIM card, go back to the top of this page and use our tool to find the perfect plan …
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