Do you want a better data, minute and SMS subscription for your mobile phone? Maybe you’ve found that you’re going over your data limit too often for comfort, and now’s the time to do something about it. Or if your contract is up and you’ve realized you’re paying too much for what you have – don’t worry, the deals below can help.
Here we’ve rounded up the best SIM plans, no matter what your budget or your needs, all of which take into account cost and, of course, how much data you can get.
SIM-only deals are just what they sound like: the SIM is added to the whole contract without the expensive phone. This is the protocol, the texts, the amount of data and nothing more.
These are great if you’re out of contract and want to save money, or you’ve bought a SIM-free phone, such as one of the ones featured in our best smartphone buying guide. As mentioned, it’s also ideal if you need more data now, as great deals are available.
We’ve broken down the best of the best. They’re sorted by specs and price so you can easily find what you’re looking for and compare it to what you already have.
Some of the best deals come from the companies behind EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. This is because they can undercut the prices of the main networks, and by some margin.
Also, if you’re reading this while researching what’s available as a first step toward buying a new phone, we can help with that, too. Feel free to dive into our best folding phone buying guide, our best mid-range phones, best budget phonesand the best small phone summaries.
Unlimited data offers
100 GB+ data offers
50-100 GB data offers
10-50 GB data offers
Data offers below 10 GB
How to choose the best SIM card
There are several factors to consider when choosing a SIM-only plan:
Data: Using your phone for streaming, gaming, apps, and web browsing outside of a Wi-Fi network can put a strain on your data. You may want to review your current usage and what you use or may need in the future when considering an upgrade. It’s always a good idea to give yourself a data limit that gives you some wiggle room over your average usage, just so you don’t end up paying extra if you have a particularly data-heavy month.
Contracts: SIM deals tend to have shorter service terms than all-in-one phone plans, typically 12-month or 30-day rolling plans, with the latter offering more flexibility. While 18-month and even 24-month options are available, we recommend choosing a shorter term so you don’t have to commit to it for long if you’re unhappy with its service.
Networks: Most cell phone networks offer good coverage these days, and it’s worth seeing what works best in the usual places you use a cell phone. That said, there are networks that run off the back of the usual EE, O2, Vodafone and Three and offer a good service at a lower price, such as Smarty and Voxi. Some networks also come with additional free and rewards services, such as O2 Priority and Three Plus, so it’s worth doing a bit of a comparison to see what you’re getting for your money.
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