SIM only deals: check your price, then compare
Typical SIM only prices run from £6 to £25 a month, depending on how much data you get.
Source: BillsSorted price snapshot, October 2026
Typical prices are taken from providers' own websites, collected on 18 October 2026. Prices change often, so use the comparison below to see the latest deals.
Use the price check below to see where your price sits.
Check your SIM only price
Not sure? Check your network's app for how much you use. In 2025 the average UK mobile data user got through about 12GB a month.Source: Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026, published 30 June 2026, data for 2025
Your current monthly price. An estimate is fine if you don't have your bill to hand.
See SIM only deals for the data you use
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Compare SIM only dealsWhat is a SIM only deal?
"SIM only" means you pay for minutes, texts and data, but not a phone. You keep the phone you have, put the new SIM in, and pay only for the service. A phone contract adds the cost of a handset on top, so its monthly price is higher.
SIM only plans come on 30-day rolling, 12-month or 24-month terms. SIM only plans made up half of UK pay-monthly mobile subscriptions in June 2025.
Source: Ofcom, Pricing and consumer engagement: Trends in the UK communications sector, published 26 February 2026
How much data do I need?
Check your network's app or bill for how much data you've used over the last three months. A plan a little above your usual amount gives you room to spare without paying for data you don't use.
In 2025 the average UK mobile data user got through 11.8GB a month. More data usually costs more, and unlimited plans usually sit near the top of the range.
Unlimited data SIM only deals compared
Source: Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026, published 30 June 2026, data for 2025
30-day, 12-month or 24-month?
A 30-day rolling plan lets you leave or change plan whenever you like. A 12-month or 24-month contract ties you in, and if you leave early you may have to pay an early termination charge. A longer contract also means more of the yearly price rises.
Source: Ofcom, Are you in or out of contract?, last updated 17 July 2026
This month, typical 30-day plans cost £6 to £22 a month, against £7 to £15 on a 12-month contract and £7 to £16 on 24 months. The lowest-priced rolling plans are close to contract prices, but rolling plans cost more at the top of the range.
Source: BillsSorted price snapshot, collected 18 October 2026
SIM only deals by network
Prices differ between networks, and between a network and the smaller brands that use its signal. Several smaller brands use the big networks' signal:
- On O2: giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile.
- On EE: Lyca Mobile, 1pMobile, Grade Mobile.
- On Vodafone: VOXI, Lebara, Asda Mobile, Talkmobile.
- On Three: SMARTY, iD Mobile.
Since Vodafone and Three merged in 2025, brands on either network can use both networks in upgraded areas.
Which network does my SIM use? Every brand and its network
Source: Each brand's own website. Sky Mobile: a 2018 Sky Group announcement, the latest primary source available, checked 13 October 2026. Each one is linked in Sources and dates.
Price rises during the contract
Many contracts go up each year. Ofcom says the price rises announced for 2026 on new mobile contracts range from £1.80 to £2.50 a month, applied in March or April. What you pay depends on your network, your plan and when you signed up.
Source: Ofcom, Pricing and consumer engagement: Trends in the UK communications sector, published 26 February 2026
Compare SIM only deals
Deals come from our comparison partners.
Some providers pay for higher placement in the Featured order.
How to switch and keep your number
Text PAC to 65075 from your current phone. The text is free, and your network must reply within one minute. Give the code to your new provider, who must complete the switch within one working day. You won't pay for any notice period after the switch date.
Don't need to keep your number? Text STAC to 75075 instead.
How to get a PAC code and keep your number
Source: Ofcom, Switching mobile phone provider, updated 25 August 2026
What to check
- How much data did you use in the last three months?
- Has your contract ended, or when does it end?
- Will the price go up during the contract, and by how much?
- Is the signal good where you live and work?
- Do you want to keep your number?
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my number on a SIM only deal?
Yes. Text PAC to 65075 for a free code, then give it to your new provider. They must complete the switch within one working day.
Source: Ofcom, Switching mobile phone provider, updated 25 August 2026
How do SIM only and phone contract costs compare?
A phone contract includes the cost of the handset, so the monthly price is higher. To compare the two, add up the full cost of each over the same number of months. Our total cost calculator does the sum for you.
Why have SIM only prices gone up?
Many contracts include a price rise each year. Ofcom says the price rises announced for 2026 on new mobile contracts range from £1.80 to £2.50 a month, applied in March or April. What you pay depends on your network, your plan and when you signed up. Plans with more data usually cost more too.
How much data is unlimited data?
Unlimited means no monthly data allowance, but some plans cap your speed and all set limits on using data abroad. Check the plan's terms. Our unlimited data page lists the fair use rules for EE, Vodafone and Three.
What are the disadvantages of SIM only?
You need your own phone, and it has to work with the new network. When you need a new phone, you buy it separately.
Sources and dates
- BillsSorted price snapshotAs of October 2026Typical SIM only prices by data amount and contract, from providers' own websites.
- Ofcom, Pricing and consumer engagement: Trends in the UK communications sectorPublished 26 February 20262026 price rises on new mobile contracts, and the share of pay-monthly subscriptions that are SIM only.
- Ofcom, Communications Market Report 2026Published 30 June 2026, data for 2025In 2025 the average UK mobile data user got through 11.8GB a month.
- Ofcom, Are you in or out of contract?Last updated 17 July 2026Leaving a contract early, and early termination charges.
- Ofcom, Switching mobile phone providerLast updated 25 August 2026The PAC and STAC text codes, how fast your network must reply, and how long a switch takes.
- giffgaff, About usChecked 13 October 2026giffgaff uses the O2 network.
- Tesco Mobile, 5G powered by O2's networkChecked 13 October 2026Tesco Mobile uses the O2 network.
- Sky Group, Sky and Telefónica UK extend Sky Mobile partnership (2018)Checked 13 October 2026Sky Mobile uses the O2 network.
- BT newsroom, Lyca Mobile partners with BT WholesaleChecked 13 October 2026Lyca Mobile uses the EE network.
- 1pMobile, Ask Penny: Pre-salesChecked 18 October 20261pMobile uses the EE network.
- Grade Mobile, home pageChecked 17 October 2026Grade Mobile uses the EE network.
- VOXI, Our networkChecked 13 October 2026VOXI uses the Vodafone network.
- Lebara, About usChecked 13 October 2026Lebara uses the Vodafone network.
- Asda Mobile, article on Lycamobile's network switchChecked 13 October 2026Asda Mobile uses the Vodafone network.
- Talkmobile, NetworkChecked 13 October 2026Talkmobile uses the Vodafone network, and can use Three's.
- SMARTY, What does Three's merger with Vodafone mean for SMARTY?Checked 13 October 2026SMARTY uses the Three network, and the merger with Vodafone.
- iD Mobile, VodafoneThree mergerChecked 13 October 2026iD Mobile uses the Three network, and the merger with Vodafone.
Figures on this page are a guide, not advice. They show typical prices for new deals, not what is right for you. Prices and rules change often, so check the details with the provider before you decide. Typical prices are taken from providers' own websites, collected on 18 October 2026. Prices change often, so use the comparison to see the latest deals.