£5 SIM Only Deals

The main mobile networks – O2, Three, EE, and Vodafone - all offer SIM only packages, but only one offers a deal for just £5 per month, and that’s Three. For more deals under £5, it’s best to look in the direction of the mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). They piggyback off big mobile networks to offer the same high-quality coverage at a fraction of the cost.

Spusu, Mozillion, and Talk Home are all powered by EE and offer deals from £2.90 a month to £5. On the other hand, Lebara, Talkmobile, and Asda Mobile run off the Vodafone network, with prices starting at £4.50 per month. Three powers Smarty, where you can grab a deal for £5 per month.

Credit checks for SIM only deals aren’t as strict as those for contracts that include handset costs, which means it might be easier to secure the deal you’re after if you struggle to secure credit. Requirements vary between providers, and some sub-£5 deals don’t require you to pass a credit check before being accepted for their plans.

For example, Mozillion, Lebara, Asda Mobile, Talkmobile, Smarty, Spusu, and Talk Home don’t need a credit check, which means you can sign up without the hassle. Others, like Three, require a credit check even for their £5 per month deal.

Choosing the best value SIM only deal will depend on your requirements. You’ll need to figure out how many minutes, texts, and what data allowance and roaming you’ll need. The deals we recommend you compare here at SIM Only Finder range from 30-day rolling contract deals to fixed 12-month and 24-month deals. Some providers offer promotions for the first three months to lower costs even more. You’ll also need to take into account network coverage in your area to ensure you’ll be able to get the most out of your SIM.

If data isn’t your main concern but unlimited calls and texts are, Spusu offers a SIM only package with free EU roaming on a monthly basis for just £2.90 per month. Lebara, on the other hand, provides a monthly rolling deal with 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, 5GB of data, free EU roaming, and 100 international minutes for £2.25 for the first three months and £4.50 thereafter. If a bigger data allowance and unlimited calls and texts are important, Smarty has a monthly rolling deal with 10GB of data and free EU roaming for £5 per month.

Sometimes, it’s possible to snap up extra savings through cashback on some deals. This will vary from deal to deal, though. There are two types of cashback that you could come across when searching for a SIM only deal:

• Automatic cashback – Available through mobile reseller sites, you don’t need to claim automatic cashback as you’ll receive it a few months after taking out a deal.
• Redemption cashback – With this type of cashback, you’ll need to send off your bills at various points during your contract to get paid cashback in installments. Again, it is available through reseller sites.

Yes, it is possible to get an eSIM on a £5 or under SIM only deal. Here at SIM Only Finder, we have collated a range of eSIM options, starting at £2.90 with Spusu, £3.50 with Mozillion, and £5 with Three. Easily compare your options right here to find the most suitable eSIM option for you.

Absolutely. Many SIM Only deals – even those for £5 or less – offer 5G connectivity at no extra cost. 5G is much faster and more reliable than 4G or 3G, but you will need a compatible SIM card and device to benefit from 5G speeds. Not everywhere in the UK has access to 5G either, so you’ll also need to make sure you are in an area where a 5G signal is available. If you aren’t, your SIM will continue to connect to 3G or 4G networks as standard whenever 5G isn’t available. Always read the features and requirements of your SIM only deal carefully to determine whether 5G is included.

SIM only plans are cheaper than traditional pay monthly phone contracts because you don’t need to cover the cost of the handset as well as your calls, texts, and data. However, it’s important to note that SIM only doesn’t mean no contract. You can get SIM only deals for £5 or less on 30-day monthly rolling contracts and on longer contracts that range from 12 to 24 months. It’s not always the case, but taking out a longer contract length can sometimes give you better value for money, including unlimited calls and texts and a bigger data allowance. Make sure you read what’s included with each deal carefully before committing.