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top sim only deals

Best Sim only Deals

From £4/mth for 500MB of data, 200 mins & unltd texts

Chris Knight
Chris Knight | Edited by Gary Caffell
Updated Weekly

Whether you're a talker, texter or always online, we've handpicked the best Sim-only deals starting at £4/month – plus we've lots of tips including how to unlock your phone and keep your number. Millions of mobile users are out of contract and overpaying, yet it's simple to ditch pricey providers, so check how much you could save. 

 

New. The MSE Cheap Mobile Finder 

We recently launched our Cheap Mobile Finder which compares more than 50 different retailers and resellers, covering all major networks to find your top deal. So do have a play and please send feedback, suggestions and bug reports.

illustration

Top Sim-only deals

Up to 3GB

4GB to 9GB

10GB to unlimited data

What is a Sim-only deal?

A Sim is the little chip that slots into your phone. A Sim-only deal covers just the mobile service, ie, it gives you a set monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data.

It's normally much cheaper than a traditional mobile contract, as Sim-only deals don't bundle in the cost of the phone itself. You'll have to have your own handset to put the Sim into already, or buy one separately. 

Most deals are for new customers and providers carry out a credit check when you sign up, so if you struggle getting credit, you may want to check your credit score before applying. Although you're not paying for a phone, you'll still have to sign up to a contract – typically they're on a 12-month (remember to check the price when it ends) or a rolling 30-day basis. 

Sim-only need-to-knows

Here are the key points to understand when looking for a Sim-only contract.

  • 1. Mobile 'text-to-switch' rules make switching and keeping your number far simpler

    switching to another network

    Switching to a cheaper deal with another network is really easy. Under rules from regulator Ofcom, which came into effect on 1 July 2019, you no longer have to call your current provider to ditch it, so you avoid the hard sell of it trying to make you stay. Here's how to switch providers and keep your number:

    • Request a switching code by text. Simply text 'PAC' for free to 65075 on any network and you'll be sent your 'porting authorisation code' (PAC) immediately via text so you can keep your number. To get a new number, text 'STAC' to 75075.

      Its text must include important info such as any exit penalties, outstanding handset costs or credit balances.

    • You need to give the switching code to your new provider within 30 days. You'll then be switched within one working day. You won't need to contact your old provider again.

    What's more, if you're out of your minimum contract period, mobile providers are now banned from charging you for the remainder of your notice period after you've switched (which is typically 30 days), putting an end to paying for your old and new contract at the same time. 

    If you're still in contract you could be charged early termination fees for leaving – check how much you'd be charged by sending a text with the word 'INFO' to 85075.

    • I've got my PAC, what do I do now?

      Though the process varies by provider and you may be able to do it on the phone, once you've got your new (temporary) number from your new network, you'll usually then need to fill in an online form. If you're switching from another provider, the links below tell you each network's process for porting.

      The number switch takes place the next working day after you give your PAC to the new provider.

      It's a different process if you're swapping within the same provider.

      If you're switching to a new tariff on the same network, for example if you're on pay-as-you-go and upgrading to a contract, you shouldn't need to carry out this process – just call your mobile provider's customer service helpline and they should be able to sort it.

  • 2. Ensure you choose the correct data allowance – only pay for what you need

    data allowance

    Don't be sold on overly generous allowances you'll never use. Do you really need unlimited minutes or 20GB of data? Most don't use anywhere near that – so check your actual past usage with an online tool.

    If you want to check how much you use, our handy Data Calculator in our Cheap Mobile Finder  tool can help. Key in your usage (when you're not using Wi-Fi) and it'll give you a general idea of how much data you need. You can then use the tool to find the right deal for you as it scours thousands of deals from more than 40 retailers and resellers.

    Alternatively, Billmonitor* is also available. It's currently the only Ofcom-accredited tool that'll tap in to your actual mobile bill. It will analyse your bills from the last three months to determine your average usage and suggest deals based on this. It works for customers of EE, O2, Tesco Mobile, Three and Vodafone.

  • 3. You'll need an unlocked phone – it's usually free to get it done

    If you bought your phone on a traditional contract, it may be locked to the network that sold it to you (to check, pop in another network's Sim and see if it works). If you find it's locked, you'll usually need to unlock it so your new provider's Sim will work.

    If you're out of contract, your network must do this for free. If still in contract or you bought it on pay-as-you-go, you may be charged up to £15 to unlock it – see our Mobile Unlocking guide for a full list of providers' unlocking policies and how to do it.

  • 4. Check signal strength where you live/work first

    mobile signal strength

    You can get an idea of signal strength in a particular area with Ofcom's Telecoms Coverage Checker. This will show you results for four main networks – EE, O2, Three and Vodafone – but 'piggyback' networks use their signal too, and generally offer far better value, so don't think your options are limited to one of the biggies. See a full list of which provider is on which network in our Mobile Piggybacking guide.

    For a more accurate indication than Ofcom's checker can give you, it may be worth picking up a free pay-as-you-go Sim from the network you're considering, topping it up with a bit of credit and putting it to the test before committing.

  • 5. Happy with your provider? Try haggling for a better deal

    haggle with provider

    Haggling on monthly mobile phone contracts can slash the price. If you have a contract deal and you're nearing the end of your fixed term, the network will be frantic to keep you, so it's the best time to haggle. Long-term customers have a better chance at success here.

    Our poll showed the best mobile providers to haggle with are EE and Vodafone  – see our Mobile Phone Haggling guide for help with getting a better deal. Bear in mind though it's usually harder to haggle on a contract for a new phone, particularly if you're after the latest model. 

  • 6. Prices can rise with inflation each year

    Mobile networks are permitted to increase your monthly tariff price each year, but only if their T&Cs state so before you sign up. And all the major networks have such terms, including EE, O2, Three, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone.

    Changes are usually made in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI, a measure of inflation) between February and April each year, but recently, some firms have chosen to change the way their prices rise each year. Opting to increase by inflation, plus a percentage amount on top. We've seen such recent announcements from all of the biggies including EE, Vodafone and Three.  

    If a provider hikes your monthly bill and its T&Cs don't allow this – then you can leave your contract penalty-free.

  • 7. You could make extra savings with some cashback deals – though be warned...

    It's possible to nab extra savings through cashback on some deals. There are three types of cashback available, and they all work differently:

    1. Redemption cashback. The biggest discounts are on 'cashback redemption' deals through mobile reseller sites. These require you to send off your bills at several points throughout your contract and get paid in instalments – miss one and you'll lose out.
    2. Automatic cashback. These deals, also via resellers, are where you're sent a cheque automatically within a few months without having to claim, though usually they don't offer as big a discount. Some deals can also offer part manual, part automatic cashback.
    3. Cashback via cashback sites. It's possible sometimes to beat the deals below with some powerhouse offers via dedicated cashback websites. However, don't think of this type of cashback as guaranteed – there are often problems. Read our Top Cashback Sites guide for full info.

Best Sim-only deals – up to 3GB of data

If you don't use much data or you usually connect to Wi-Fi when out and about, these are our top picks of the best Sim-only deals with enough 4G data for everyday on-the-go use. 

MSE analysis

Up to 3GB – what we'd go for

For us, at this data level, our blagged deal for a Lebara Sim (which uses the Vodafone network) with 2GB/mth of data, unlimited minutes and texts stands out. It's £2.50 for the first three months, then £5/mth thereafter. It's still a one-month rolling contract, so you can cancel at any time.

In our most recent poll, 56% told us they use 2GB of data or less each month, so it's enough data for most.

Rarely use your mobile? A pay-as-you-go Sim might be more suitable – see our Pay-as-you-go guide for more.

PROVIDER (network it uses) COST (1) CONTRACT
LENGTH		 DATA MINS TEXTS
Lebara* (Vodafone) Equiv £3.49/mth over 12mths - It's £1.99/mth for the first three months, then £3.99/mth thereafter. (2) One month 500MB 200 Unltd
Lebara* (Vodafone)
MSE Blagged, via our link
Top pick		 Equiv £4.38/mth over 12mths – It's £2.50/mth for the first three months, then £5/mth thereafter. (2) One month 2GB Unltd Unltd
TalkMobile* (Vodafone) £4.95/mth One month 2GB Unltd Unltd
TalkMobile* (Vodafone's no-frills provider)
MSE Blagged		 £5.95/mth 12 months 3GB Unltd Unltd
Note: All data, mins and texts allowances are per month. All deals are for newbies of that provider. (1) With an equivalent price, we add up all fixed costs, deduct any promotional cash or vouchers, then average it over the contract length to help you compare. (2) It's a one-month Sim, but to help you compare, the equivalent cost is calculated over a 12-month period.

Best Sim-only deals – 4GB to 9GB of data

If you're often online while on the go, these are our top picks of the best Sim-only deals with a good amount of data each month and a decent number of minutes. 

MSE analysis logo

4GB to 9GB Sims – what we'd go for

For us, at this data level, it's our blagged Lebara Sim with 8GB/mth data, unlimited minutes and texts on a rolling one-month contract. You pay £3.99/mth for the first three months, and then £7.99 thereafter, making it equivalent to £6.99/mth over 12 months.

Lebara uses the Vodafone network, but if this signal's not strong in your area, or you don't need that much data, there's an iD Mobile Sim (uses the Three network) with 4GB/mth of data, unlimited minutes and texts. It's a straight £6/mth on a rolling one-month contract.

PROVIDER (network it uses) COST (1) CONTRACT LENGTH DATA MINS TEXTS
iD Mobile* (Three)
Top pick		 £6/mth One month 4GB Unltd

 Unltd
Virgin Media* (EE) £6/mth 12 months 4GB Unltd Unltd
Vodafone Basics* (UK only, no roaming) £6/mth 12 months 4GB Unltd Unltd
Lebara* (Vodafone) 
MSE Blagged
Top pick		 Equiv £6.99/mth over 12mths – It's £3.99/mth for the first three months, then £7.99/mth thereafter. (2) One month 8GB Unltd Unltd
iD Mobile* (Three)
MSE Blagged
 £7/mth One month 6GB Unltd Unltd
O2* £8/mth 12 months 9GB Unltd Unltd
Note: All data, mins and texts allowances are per month. All deals are for newbies of that provider. (1) With an equivalent price, we add up all fixed costs, deduct any promotional cash or vouchers, then average it over the contract length to help you compare. (2) It's a one-month Sim, but to help you compare, the equivalent cost is calculated over a 12-month period. 

Best Sim-only deals – 10GB to unlimited data

For the data fiends out there, these are our top picks of the best Sim-only deals with chunky data allowances each month, plus a healthy number of minutes. 

MSE analysis logo

10GB to unlimited data Sims – what we'd go for

Right now there's a bevy of top Sims for data gobblers. TalkMobile (which uses Vodafone's network) is offering 12GB/mth of data and unlimited minutes and texts for £8/mth. It's a one-month contract, so you can cancel any time. 

If you don't want to worry about scoffing your whole allowance, you'll want an unlimited data Sim. Our top pick is this iD Mobile unlimited Sim. You pay £16/mth over the 12-month contract.

PROVIDER (network it uses) COST (1) CONTRACT LENGTH DATA MINS TEXTS
Lebara* (Vodafone)
MSE Blagged		 Equiv £7.87/mth over 12mths – It's £4.49/mth for the first three months, then £8.99/mth thereafter. (2) One month 10GB Unltd Unltd
Smarty* (Three's no-frills provider) £8/mth One month 14GB (3) Unltd Unltd
iD Mobile* (Three) £8/mth One month 12GB Unltd Unltd
TalkMobile*
(Vodafone's no-frills provider)
MSE Blagged
Top pick		 £8/mth One month 12GB Unltd Unltd
Three*
 £8/mth 12 months 12GB Unltd Unltd
Virgin Mobile* (EE) £8/mth 12 months 10GB Unltd Unltd
Smarty* (Three's no-frills provider)
 £10/mth One month 30GB Unltd Unltd
Voxi* (Vodafone) £10/mth One month 12GB Unltd Unltd
O2* £10/mth 12 months 12GB Unltd Unltd
TalkMobile* (Vodafone's no-frills provider) £12/mth One month 24GB Unltd Unltd
iD Mobile* (Three) £13/mth One month 50GB Unltd Unltd
Lebara* (Vodafone)
MSE Blagged, via our link		 Equiv £13.12/mth over 12mths – It's £7.49/mth for the first three months, then £14.99/mth thereafter. (2) One month 15GB Unltd Unltd
Vodafone Basics*
(UK only, no roaming)
MSE Blagged, via our link		 Equiv to £13.75/mth – you pay £15/mth, but you get £15 cashback within 3mths.
 12 months 30GB Unltd Unltd
O2*
MSE Blagged		 £15/mth 12 months 30GB Unltd Unltd
iD Mobile* (Three)
Top pick		 £16/mth 12 months Unltd Unltd Unltd
Note: All data, mins and texts allowances are per month. All deals are for newbies of that provider. (1) With an equivalent price, we add up all fixed costs, deduct any promotional cash or vouchers, then average it over the contract length to help you compare. (2) Available until 11.59pm Tue 26 Jan.

How to complain about your network

The mobile industry doesn't have the best customer service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others. Common problems include limited network coverage, slow data speeds, unexpected charges and more. It's always worth trying to call your provider first, but if not then...

Free tool to help you complain

This tool helps you draft and manage your complaint. It's totally free to use, and it's offered by Resolver, a firm we work with to help people get complaints justice.

RESOLVER – FREE COMPLAINTS TOOL*

If the complaint isn't resolved, Resolver can escalate it to the free Ombudsman Services (or CISAS if you're complaining about Virgin Mobile).

Important: if your issue is about a voucher or incentive that was part of an MSE Blagged deal, then instead just let us know by emailing voucherhelp@moneysavingexpert.com as that's usually quicker.

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What the * means above

If a link has an * by it, that means it is an affiliated link and therefore it helps MoneySavingExpert stay free to use, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It's worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements.

You shouldn’t notice any difference and the link will never negatively impact the product. Plus the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by these links. We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How This Site Is Financed.

Duplicate links of the * links above for the sake of transparency, but this version doesn't help MoneySavingExpert.com: 

Billmonitor, Compare My Mobile, EE, Giffgaff, iD Mobile, Lebara Mobile, Mobiles.co.uk, O2, Plusnet, Sky Mobile, Smarty, TalkMobile, Three, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone

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