Compare SIM Only Deals

A SIM only deal gives you data, minutes, and texts without a handset attached, which is why it costs less than a phone contract. If you are happy with the handset you already own, it is almost always the cheapest way to run it, and our guide to what a SIM only deal is covers the basics. Compare by price, data, contract length, network, and SIM type using the filters above, or start with our picks below.

Which SIM only deal is worth your money right now?

Spusu at £2.90 a month is the pick if price is the priority: 1GB of data with 500 minutes and 500 texts on EE's network, with 5G, free EU roaming and no credit check, on a rolling one month contract. Spusu also does not apply mid-contract price rises, which is rare and worth real money over a year.

If you need more than a gigabyte, Spusu at £4.50 a month is the better all-rounder: unlimited minutes and texts with 5GB of data, still on a one month rolling contract and still with no annual price rises. That is £1.60 more than the entry deal for five times the data and unlimited calls, which is the clearest value step on the page.

Browse SIM only deals by contract length

The contract length you choose is the biggest trade-off on any SIM only deal: shorter contracts cost slightly more each month but leave you free to switch.

30 day SIM only deals

A 30 day SIM only deal renews monthly and can be cancelled with 30 days' notice, so you are never locked in. Rolling deals currently start from £2.90 a month, and they suit anyone between phones or unsure how their usage will change.

12 month SIM only deals

A 12 month SIM only deal balances price and commitment. Deals currently start from £4.50 a month with Lycamobile, which includes 5GB of data with 1000 minutes and texts.

24 month SIM only deals

A 24 month SIM only deal usually carries the lowest monthly price in exchange for the longest commitment. Deals currently start from £4.00 a month with Lycamobile. Before committing to two years, check whether the network applies mid-contract price rises, because these compound over a longer term. Our price index tracks where the market has actually moved.

Browse SIM only deals by category

Unlimited data SIM only deals

Unlimited data deals currently start from £14.00 a month with giffgaff on O2's network, though that price is on an 18 month contract rather than giffgaff's usual rolling plan, so check the term before you commit. Some networks also apply fair usage limits or speed caps, so it is worth knowing what unlimited actually means first. And if you are not certain you need unlimited at all, our guides to whether 10GB, 30GB or 100GB is enough will help you work out what your actual usage costs.

No credit check SIM only deals

Many networks compared here, including Spusu, Mozillion, Lycamobile and giffgaff, do not run a credit check at all. Our no credit check SIM only deals page collects them in one place, with deals currently starting from £2.90 a month.

eSIM only deals

If your phone supports eSIM you can be connected within minutes of ordering rather than waiting for a card in the post. Compare eSIM only deals, or read our guide to which UK networks support eSIMs if you are not sure your handset is compatible.

Data only SIM deals

A data only SIM drops the minutes and texts entirely, which makes it the right choice for tablets, mobile broadband dongles and dedicated hotspot devices.

£5 SIM only deals

If your budget is fixed, our £5 SIM only deals page lists every deal at £5 a month or under, several of which include 5G and EU roaming. Not every deal at this price carries 5G, so check the badge on the card before you buy.

Which networks can you compare here?

You'll find the main UK networks alongside more than a dozen virtual networks, and every MVNO runs on one of the four that own masts. Spusu, Mozillion, Lycamobile, 1pMobile, EcoTalk, Grade Mobile and ParentShield run on EE. Asda Mobile, Lebara, Talkmobile and VOXI run on Vodafone. giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile and Chattr run on O2. iD Mobile, Smarty and Honest Mobile run on Three.

The trade-off is straightforward: an MVNO uses the same masts and coverage as its host network but usually charges less, in exchange for simpler plans and online-first customer service. Our network comparison page shows the cheapest current deal on every network side by side.

Do I need a credit check on a SIM only deal?

Not always. The networks that do run a credit check are iD Mobile, O2, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Three and Vodafone, and this mainly applies to 12 and 24 month contracts. The prepay-style networks, including Spusu, Mozillion, Lycamobile and giffgaff, skip it entirely, so a rolling deal from one of them is the quickest route to a SIM if your credit history is a concern.

Can I keep my number when I switch?

Yes. Text PAC to 65075 from your current SIM and you will receive a porting code by text, free of charge. Give that code to your new network when you sign up, and Ofcom rules require the switch to complete within one working day. Your old SIM keeps working until the transfer goes through, so you are never left without a phone. Our guide to keeping your number when switching to SIM only covers the process step by step, including what to do if you want a fresh number instead.

Ofcom-accredited price comparison

SIM Only Finder is accredited by Ofcom, the UK's independent regulator for communications services. Accreditation is awarded to comparison sites that meet Ofcom's standards for accuracy, transparency, and impartiality.

This means the deals you compare here are checked for accuracy, presented without bias toward any network, and reflect the actual cost you would pay. We do not promote deals based on commission earned.

How we rank SIM only deals

By default, deals are sorted by lowest monthly price. You can change the sort order at any time using the controls above the listings and filter by data allowance, contract length, minutes, and eSIM availability. Deals marked 'Popular' are ranked by click popularity among our users. All deals shown are updated automatically. SIM Only Finder is an Ofcom-accredited UK mobile comparison site and earns a commission on deals taken out via our links. This does not affect how deals are ranked.