SIM Only deals are everywhere, most networks offer them and they’re the main alternative to a Pay Monthly contract.
But what exactly are they? And is a SIM Only deal the right choice for you? We answer all that below as well as looking at the various networks that offer them.
A SIM Only deal is a contract with a mobile network which gives you a monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data, but which doesn’t come with a new phone, so you need to supply your own handset – either by using your current one or buying one outright.
Whereas a SIM Only deal doesn’t include a new handset, a Pay Monthly deal does, so if you need a new phone and don’t want to pay upfront for one then a Pay Monthly deal could be a better choice – but it will also be more expensive, as you’re covering the cost of a new phone as well as your allowances.
Pay As You Go simply means paying for the allowances that you use. There’s no contract (though some networks do offer monthly bundles similar to a 30-day SIM Only deal). For ultimate flexibility Pay As You Go is the way to go, but you often get better value on SIM Only, as you’re typically tied into a contract.
There are two main advantages to a SIM Only deal. The first is price. As you’re not paying for a handset as part of it, the costs of SIM Only are usually a lot lower than Pay Monthly for the same allowances, and as you’re sometimes tied into a contract it will even often be cheaper than Pay As You Go, to make that commitment worthwhile.
The savings are sometimes so great that even if you want a new phone it can often work out cheaper to simply buy the handset and then get a SIM Only deal than to get the phone on a Pay Monthly contract.
The other advantage is flexibility. While Pay As You Go is more flexible still, you’re rarely committed for more than 12 months on a SIM Only deal, which is half the length of a typical Pay Monthly contract. And many SIM Only offers last just 30 days, giving you even more flexibility.
As noted above, you don’t get a new handset with a SIM Only deal, so if you want one and don’t fancy paying for it outright then a SIM Only deal might not be the best option.
Otherwise, there’s generally very little downside to a SIM Only deal assuming you can find one with the allowances you want (as these also sometimes differ from Pay Monthly).
Most networks offer SIM Only deals, you’ll find a brief overview of all the ones we sell below.
Note that the information below was accurate at the time of writing, but the deals you see on this site will always be up to date.
EE
EE offers 1-month and 24-month SIM Only plans with data limits that top out at unlimited.
The network also boasts comprehensive 4G coverage, with over 99% of the UK population covered, plus widespread 5G. Plus, some of EE’s plans come with an ‘Inclusive Extra’ thrown in.
These include things like Google One Premium 2TB, Netflix Standard with adverts, Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Netflix Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Google One AI Pro, TNT Sports on Discovery+, and Apple One, though the exact selection will depend on the plan you choose.
The network also lets you tether, with no limits other than your data allowance, and make 4G and Wi-Fi calls, with some plans also offering inclusive roaming.
O2
O2 currently has over 99% UK population coverage with 4G, and a growing 5G network, so it’s in the same ballpark as rivals. O2 also offers 30-day, 12-month and 24-month SIM Only plans, with up to unlimited data.
One of the main advantages of O2 is its Priority service, which gives customers early access to event tickets, as well as free things, discounts and competitions.
You can tether on O2 and roam for free across most of Europe – and even further on some plans, as well as making use of both Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling (with a supported handset). Some plans also include data rollover.
Three
Three stands out primarily through often low prices relative to the other major networks and the fact that you get access to Three+ (which is packed full of discounts and freebies from other brands). Some plans additionally come with free roaming in the EU and beyond, and a subscription to Paramount Plus.
There are also unlimited data allowances on certain plans, and the network tends to lead the pack for 5G speeds in third-party tests.
Three offers SIM Only deals in 1, 12 and 24-month flavours and lets you tether with no real restrictions other than your data allowance.
Three also supports Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling with select handsets.
Vodafone
Vodafone has over 99% 4G population coverage in the UK and that figure is growing all the time. It also has growing 5G coverage and offers 5G SIM Only plans.
But perhaps the biggest selling point of Vodafone SIM Only is that on the top-end packages you get an included subscription to Amazon Prime Video or Disney Plus.
Vodafone also lets you roam for free in Europe or further on some plans, and use your data for tethering, and has SIM Only plans that offer up to unlimited monthly data, and come in 30-day, 12-month and 24-month durations. The network also supports Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling.
1pMobile
1pMobile uses EE’s coverage and sells 30-day SIM Only plans with up to unlimited data. Free EU roaming is included, and you can get discounts on additional SIMs when everyone has unlimited data.
1pMobile also gives you Wi-Fi Calling, 4G Calling, and tethering.
Asda Mobile
Asda Mobile runs on Vodafone’s network and sells 12 and 24-month SIM Only plans (plus some 30-day Pay As You Go bundles).
You can get up to unlimited data, and Asda’s plans also let you roam in the EU and – unless you’re on a Pay As You Go plan – you can also roll over unused data.
Giffgaff
Giffgaff shares O2’s coverage and sells both 30-day and 18-month SIM Only plans. These plans come with up to unlimited data, plus inclusive EU roaming, and also tethering, Wi-Fi Calling, and 4G Calling.
iD Mobile
iD Mobile has a range of low cost SIM Only plans, offering up to unlimited data, and many of its plans are just 30 days long, so you’re not tied in – though there are also 12 and 24-month options.
iD Mobile also stands out through offering data rollover, which lets you roll over unused data from one month to the next one, so it doesn’t go to waste – though obviously this doesn’t apply on unlimited data plans.
The network also allows for free roaming across much of Europe and allows tethering on its plans. You can also use 4G Calling and Wi-Fi Calling with compatible handsets.
Lebara
Lebara SIM Only plans come in 30-day and 12-month durations, and they come with up to unlimited data. They also include minutes that can be used to call dozens of destinations abroad, making Lebara a great choice for those with friends or family overseas.
Lebara – which shares Vodafone’s signal – also offers free EU roaming as well as free roaming in India – which is relatively rare among UK networks.
Lyca Mobile
Lyca Mobile sells 30-day, 12-month, and 24-month SIM Only plans, giving you access to EE’s coverage.
Its plans come with up to unlimited data, and they give you international minutes, along with EU roaming and in some cases roaming in China and India too.
Plus, you can tether and use Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling.
Sky Mobile
Sky Mobile SIM Only plans come with up to unlimited data and all last 12 months. The network also offers data rollover where you can keep your rolled over allowances for up to a year, and lets you switch your allowances every month. Plus, Sky TV customers can use Sky apps without the use coming out of their data allowance.
Sky Mobile also allows tethering, Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling. However, roaming costs extra.
Smarty
Smarty SIM Only plans are all just 30-days long, so they’re flexibly short term, and they come with up to unlimited data. There aren’t many available, but some of them include money back for unused data – so you’re only paying for what you use.
Smarty also allows tethering, free EU roaming, Wi-Fi Calling, 4G Calling, and it shares Three’s coverage and infrastructure.
Spusu
Spusu sells a small number of SIM Only plans, none of which currently come with unlimited data, but you do get inclusive roaming, plus 500 monthly minutes that you can call the EU with (along with unlimited UK minutes and texts).
Wi-Fi Calling, 4G Calling, and tethering are all also supported, and Spusu uses EE’s coverage.
Talkmobile
Talkmobile is owned by Vodafone and sells both 30-day and 12-month SIM Only plans, topping out at unlimited data.
Its plans are competitively priced and come with inclusive EU roaming, 4G Calling, and Wi-Fi Calling.
Tesco Mobile
Tesco Mobile uses O2’s infrastructure, but it stands out largely through its low prices.
Tesco SIM Only plans are available with up to unlimited data and you can choose either a 12-month or 24-month plan. There are also plans that include 5G data.
Tesco Mobile additionally includes tethering and European roaming at no extra cost.
VOXI
VOXI SIM Only plans use Vodafone’s network, and top out at unlimited data. All SIM Only plans are just 30 days long, and they include 5G.
VOXI also allows you to use Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Pinterest, and Facebook Messenger without it coming out of your data allowance, and on some plans you can additionally use music apps like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Rayo, Tidal, Deezer, Napster, and Primordial, and video apps like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, My5, and TikTok without it coming out of your data allowance.
However, roaming costs extra on VOXI.
Yes. As long as you’re not currently tied into a contract you’re free to switch network or move from Pay Monthly or Pay As You Go to SIM Only.
If moving network just make sure that your phone is unlocked though – if it isn’t your current network can probably unlock it for you.
Yes. To do so just call your current network and request your PAC code, or alternatively text the word ‘PAC’ to 65075 from the number you want to keep. Then place your SIM Only order, activate your new SIM, and give your new network your PAC code and the number you want to keep. The speed of the transfer will depend on the network you’re using, but usually it happens within a couple of days. Find out more.
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Asda Mobile 
GiffGaff 
iD 
Lebara Mobile 
Lyca Mobile 
O2 
Sky Mobile 
Smarty 
Spusu Mobile 
Talkmobile 
Tesco Mobile 
Three 
Vodafone 
Voxi