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We compare SIM only deals and tariffs from the UK’s leading mobile networks and MVNOs. These include EE, Three, O2, Vodafone, ID Mobile, BT Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Smarty Mobile, Sky Mobile, Lebara Mobile, VOXI, and Tesco Mobile.
By comparing you can ensure you find the best SIM Only deal for you at the right price. There are a host of plans available including low-cost plans all the way up to those with unlimited data.
So start using our easy and fast price comparison website to find the best SIM Only deal for you.
SIM Only plans provide you with a SIM card along with a monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data, but don’t come with a phone. They are a great option when you don’t need a new mobile, allowing you to save money as there is no upfront cost and the monthly outlay will be lower. SIM Only contracts are also usually shorter term than Pay Monthly phone plans, so you’re not tied in for as long.
Your new SIM will arrive and you simply put it into your existing phone or device. The majority of plans now come with a Trio SIM (Standard, Micro and Nano Combined), so you simply pop-out the SIM Card size you need. Sometimes you'll still need to choose a SIM type and most modern smartphones now use a Nano SIM, but if you’re not sure what your phone uses you can check online or with the manufacturer.
The amount of data you need for your new SIM Only card can easily be understood by looking at your most recent bills. Data options vary from around 500MB to Unlimited and the amount you need boils down to whether you mainly use Wi-Fi or mobile data. Other considerations to decide which operator provides the best option for your needs may include coverage, EU and worldwide roaming, and tethering.
Network |
4G Population Coverage |
EE |
> 99% |
Three |
99.8% |
O2 |
99% |
Vodafone |
99% |
BT Mobile |
> 99% |
Tesco Mobile |
99% |
ID Mobile |
99.8% |
Virgin Mobile |
> 99% |
Smarty Mobile |
99.8% |
Sky Mobile |
99% |
Lebara Mobile |
99% |
VOXI |
99% |
All of the networks we provide offer free roaming in the EU, so you can use your minutes, texts and data at no extra cost. If you want to roam for free beyond the EU then your best option is arguably Three, which on its current plans lets customers roam further afield in 71 total destinations as standard. Alternatively, there’s EE, which allows Smart plan customers who select the ‘Roam Further’ add-on to roam in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand (for 53 total places).
O2 meanwhile lets users of select plans roam in 27 places beyond the EU (for 75 places in total), while Vodafone lets Unlimited Max plan customers roam in 30 places outside the EU, for 81 places in total.
Network |
Allows Tethering |
EE |
Yes |
Three |
Yes |
O2 |
Yes |
Vodafone |
Yes |
BT Mobile |
Yes |
Tesco Mobile |
Yes |
ID Mobile |
Yes |
Virgin Mobile |
Yes |
Smarty |
Yes |
Sky Mobile |
Yes |
Lebara Mobile |
Yes |
VOXI |
Yes |
If you’re looking for a SIM Only deal with unlimited data there are a lot of options, including Three, EE, O2, Vodafone, VOXI, Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile, ID Mobile, Smarty Mobile, and Lebara at the time of writing.
As well as SIM Only deal with minutes, texts and data, many networks also offer Data Only SIM cards, designed for tablets, laptops and mobile broadband devices, which you may want to get online when there’s no Wi-Fi available, but which you don’t need to talk or text on. You can use this website to browse and compare a wide selection of Data Only SIM deals.