The 10 best SIM only deals in April 2017

The 10 best SIM only deals in April 2017

A SIM only deal is a mobile phone plan that offers calls, texts and data in return for a monthly fee, but does not come bundled with a phone. Leaving the phone out of the equation means SIM only deals are much cheaper than general mobile phone deals which makes them ideal if you already have a handset or want to buy a SIM-free phone.

On this page, you’ll find a handy price comparison tool for filtering through and comparing all of the UK’s available SIM only deals so that you can zero-in on the one that’s right for you. Prices start from £4 per month for a basic plan while Three’s “unlimited everything” SIM only deals can be had from around £32 if you’re a power user.

You can also often pick up promotional SIM deals that offer incentives such as cashback or free gifts in order to sweeten the deal so look out for those below. And if you want to keep your number when you move to your new SIM only plan, worry not – it’s really easy! Underneath our comparison tool you’ll find our recommendations for the best value SIM only deals currently available – whether you’re after the cheapest plan possible, want to dig out the best value 1GB plan or just want an all-round great deal but don’t know how much to spend, you’ll find a recommendation just for you.

The best SIM only deals of the week are:

These are the deals we recommend most highly. We try to pick out a deal for everyone, whether you're after the cheapest possible option or the best balance between allowance and cost over 30-day and 12-month SIM only deals.

1. The absolute cheapest SIM only deal out there

ID sim only deals

iD Mobile | 30-day contract | 250MB data | 250 minutes | 5000 texts | £4 per month
This is the cheapest readily available SIM only deal currently available in the UK. If you just need to keep a phone up and running for occasional use, this is a good option. Clearly 250MB is not much data at all so you'd be advised to either keep mobile data switched off or be careful what apps are updating in the background. BUT WAIT, CHECK OUT THE NEXT DEAL FIRST!

View this SIM only deal at iD/Carphone Warehouse

sim only deals

2: The best 1.5GB SIM only deal

ID sim only deals

iD | 30-day contract | 1.5GB data | 250 minutes | 5000 texts | £5 per month
If you're looking for a super cheap SIM only deal but don't want to limit yourself too much with data, 1.5GB for £5 is the best option out there right now. Especially given how freely Wi-Fi is available outside of the home nowadays. You'll still be able to access emails, browse the net and casually check Facebook and stay under the limit. And as it's a 30-day SIM only deal, you can change your mind and cancel at any time.

View this SIM only deal at iD/Carphone Warehouse

sim only deals

3: The best 2GB SIM only deal

ID sim only deals

iD | 30-day contract | 2GB data | 250 minutes | 5000 texts | £7.50 per month
The iD/Carphone Warehouse team is really cleaning up with these cheap SIM only deals and has been the go-to store for the cheapest low data deals for a while. If you're prone to viewing a few YouTube videos away from Wi-Fi, this 2GB option may suit you better than the aforementioned 1GB deal. Not bad at all for an extra £2.50 a month.

View this SIM only deal iD/Carphone Warehouse

4: The best 5GB SIM only deal

cheap sim only deals at talk mobile

iD | 30-day contract | 5GB data | 500 minutes | 5000 texts | £10 per month
5GB of data for just £10 a month on a rolling 30-day contract is an essential purchase for middle tier data users who find themselves between handset contracts. This deal is particularly impressive considering iD usually charge £10 a month for its (still awesome) 4GB deal. This is a limited time offer, so it could go back down to 4GB at any time.

View this SIM only deal at iD/Carphone Warehouse

5: The best 8GB SIM only deal

EE | 12-month contract | 8GB data | 600 minutes | Unlimited texts | £12 per month
If you can get by with less data, the iD deals above are better value, especially as they're only 30-day contracts instead of 12-months. Plus iD uses the Three network anyway. But if 8GB is what you need, this is the best deal. Handily, you can use your allowances abroad and you can even use your data to create your own personal hotspot for using laptops and tablets away from Wi-Fi.

View this 8GB 3 Mobile SIM only deal

6: The best O2 SIM only deal

O2 | 12-month contract | 10GB data | Unlimited mins and texts | £19 per month
O2 is not a cheap network for SIM only deals, but for many users they can be good value thanks to the O2 Priority program. Every week, you'll be able to take advantage of the app that dishes out discounts and freebies. Take this week; O2 customers were able to get a £1 meal deal from a range of stores, a free cup of coffee from Nero, a £5 main course from Pizza Express, a free movie (from a selection) on Google Play and much more. If 10GB of data is too much, we've listed a 5GB deal too for £16pm.

View this 10GB O2 SIM only deal
View this
5GB O2 SIM only deal

7: The best 12GB SIM only deal

3 Mobile | 12-month contract | 12GB data | 600 minutes | Unlimited texts | £15 per month
If you're happy to sign up for 12 months you can get an excellent deal at just £15 a month for a whopping 12GB of data. You'll also be able to use your data as a  personal hotspot for other devices when away from Wi-Fi. Plus you can use your allowances abroad! Happy with your phone? This is excellent value for a 12-month deal.

View this 12GB 3 Mobile SIM only deal

8: The best 20GB SIM only deal

Vodafone | 12-month contract | 20GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | 12 months of Sky Sports mobile, Now TV or Spotify | £22 per month
In addition to the massive 20GB of data, you get to choose between Sky Sports mobile, Now TV or Spotify for 12 months of free access. You can use your allowances abroad for free in over 40 countries too!

View this 20GB Vodafone SIM only deal

9: The best 30GB SIM only deal

Three | 12-month contract | 30GB data | 600 minutes minutes | Unlimited texts | £20 per month
Three is often the go-to network for big data deals and it's the cheapest of the big networks for a 30GB SIM only deal. It's a shame they're only sticking 600 minutes in instead of unlimited, but that should be enough for most users. You'll get £10 back in cashback with this deal too.

View this 30GB 3 Mobile SIM only deal

10: The best unlimited data SIM only deal

three deals

Three | 12-month contract | Unlimited data | Unlimited texts | 200 minutes | £24 per month
Sometimes, you've just gotta have all the data. Netflix marathons, epic Pokemon Go quests, constant Spotify tunes, this all you can eat data bundle is ideal for the serious mobile user who never needs to worry about poxy thing like data allowances or Wi-Fi. Shame about the comparatively low minutes offered, but how often do you use your phone as a phone nowadays? At least there's a £30 cashback incentive to claim.

View this buymobiles.net SIM only deal

sim only deals

The best SIM only deals with free gifts

Looking for an extra incentive to sign up to a 12-month SIM only deal? Well take a look below as we round up the latest and best SIM only contracts that include a free gift. This week there are options including BT Sport, Spotify, Sky Sports and gift vouchers. We've selected these deals as they strike a good balance for the value per GB and the free gift. If we think you're paying to much per GB despite a free gift, we won't highlight it below.

Vodafone | 12-month contract | 20GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | 12 months of Sky Sports mobile, Now TV or Spotify | £22.20 per month
Vodafone's deals have been a bit pricey of late but we think the extras are well worth a look here. In addition to the massive 20GB of data, you get to choose between Sky Sports mobile, Now TV or Spotify for 12 months of free access. There's 4GB of roaming data too!

View this deal: 20GB Vodafone SIM only deal

bt mobile deals

For existing BT Broadband customers
(click the customer option at the top if the prices are more expensive)

12 months | 500MB data | 400 minutes | Unlimited texts | £5 Amazon or iTune gift card – £5 per month at BT

12 months | 2GB data | 1000 minutes |Unlimited texts | £15 Amazon or iTunes gift card – £10 per month at BT

12 months | 6GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £40 Amazon or iTunes gift card – £13 per month at BT

12 months | 15GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £60 Amazon or iTunes gift card – £16 per month at BT

For non-BT Broadband customers:

12 months | 500MB data | 400 minutes | Unlimited texts | £5 Amazon or iTune gift card - £10 per month at BT

12 months | 2GB data | 500 minutes |Unlimited texts | £15 Amazon or iTunes gift card  - £15 per month at BT

12 months | 6GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £40 Amazon or iTunes gift card  - £18 per month at BT

12 months | 15GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £60 Amazon or iTunes gift card  - £21 per month at BT

The best SIM only deals from networks and retailers:

This is where we go through all the big networks, along with a few up-and-comers, to provide you a wide range of links to their best SIM only deals. You'll also find links to some of the best online stores who specialise in SIM only deals for multiple networks.

ee htc one m8 deals

The best SIM only deals on EE

EE's SIM only deals come with double-speed 4G

EE's SIM only deals aren't the cheapest. But don't discount them entirely, because if you already own a good smartphone and you want to pair it with the fastest network in the UK with a SIM only deal, you can do that. 12-month EE SIM only deals direct from EE often come with additional extras like BT Sport or Apple Music.

View all: EE SIM only deals

The best BT SIM only deals

Discounts for BT Broadband members

BT's SIM only deals have vastly improved over the original offers. BT Broadband customers get the best prices, with everyone else paying an extra fiver a month. Most of the BT SIM only deals of late have included some form of gift voucher too (see them all above). Right now, depending on the tariff you choose, you could get an Amazon or iTunes voucher worth between £10 and £55.

View all BT SIM only deals

three deals

The best Three mobile SIM only deals

Three's SIM only deals with unlimited data

Three is still the only network that offers all-you-can-eat / unlimited data as an option. That's not as impressive as you might think because other networks offer large allowances too. But if you want the absolute security of knowing you can never be charged for going over a data limit, these deals are the ones to go for. The all-you-can-eat data plans come with in a few different guises – with the price changing according to how many minutes you require.

View all 3 mobile SIM only deals

sim only deals

ID sim only deals

The best iD SIM only deals

Cheap SIM only deals all on 30-day contracts

iD is a good option if bargain basement prices are what you covet. This is a network run and owned by Carphone Warehouse – it piggybacks on the Three network. It's an excellent option if you want great value on a rolling monthly contract.

View all iD SIM only deals

deals on iD

o2

The best O2 SIM only deals

A reliable network with great coverage

The O2 SIM only deals are often amongst the pricier offers out there. On the other hand, the network's O2 Priority program for regular freebies and discounts can be worth the extra spends.

View all O2 SIM only deals

mobiles.co.uk

Mobiles.co.uk SIM only deals

Often the place with the best bargains

It's always worth checking out Mobiles.co.uk – its aggressive price cuts are often unmatched by anyone else. While the online retailer is known more for it's handset contracts, it also offers a wide range of SIM only deals from all your favourite networks.

View: SIM only deals at Mobiles.co.uk

sim only deals

Carphone Warehouse SIM only deals

Supports a wide range of network SIM only deals with extras

Carphone Warehouse doesn't just sell handset contracts. It also has a wide range of SIM only deals for Vodafone, O2, EE and ID. The online store is also known to include additional incentives such as half price fees for six months, free Beats by Dre headphones or Currys vouchers.

View all Carphone Warehouse SIM only deals

deals on iD

vodafone

The best Vodafone SIM only deals

A solid network with some decent deals

As with O2, Vodafone doesn't offer the best SIM only deals. It would rather sell you a phone. That said, we are seeing the red network go through a sort of resurgence lately as their SIM only deals are becoming increasingly competitive.

View all Vodafone SIM only deals

deals on iD

talktalk sim only deals

The best TalkTalk SIM only deals

Often has half-price deals once you click through!

TalkTalk is a telecoms company that also offers home phone, broadband and TV packages, so the best deals can be had if you sign up for more than one service. However, at the time of writing the cheapest deal is £6.50 per month for 1GB of data. Better yet, foir just £7.75 you can get 2.1GB.

View all TalkTalk SIM only deals

deals on iD

The best Plusnet SIM only deals

The one with that bloke from Yorkshire

Plusnet might be more well known for its broadband deals, but it's also keen to push some very cheap 30-day SIM only deals. You don't have to be a Plusnet customer, although you could get double the data on some of these SIM only deals if you are. You don't have to worry about signal either as Plusnet uses EE's network that covers 99% of the UK. Plusnet's latest cheap SIM only deals start at just £5 a month, check them out via the link below.

View all Plusnet SIM only deals

giffgaff deals

The best giffgaff SIM only deals

One of the cheapest SIM only deals in the UK

GiffGaff is very hard to beat on price – if you want to grab a cheap SIM card deal, this could be your best option. You can't argue with £5 a month. The cheap deals don't give you much of an allowance to play with, but if you just want to keep your phone going and available to use for calls and texts with the occasional bit of internet use outside of your home WiFi, GiffGaff is a strong offering. Look out for the T&Cs though as some of the big data deals throttle the speed after a few gig.

View all giffgaff SIM only deals

sim only deals

cheap sim only deals freedom pop

The best Freedom Pop SIM only deals

Putting the 'Free' in Freedom

Freedom Pop is trying something new – offering contracts for FREE. The catch being that you only pay if you do over the allowances of your bundle or opt for a larger deal. The prices for doing so vary, so be sure to take a look at the small print. It seems that they feature a different offer each week, but seeing as you can cancel at any time, they may be worth a look.

View all Freedom Pop SIM only deals

sim only deals

virgin mobile sim only deals

The best Virgin mobile SIM only deals

An oldie but a goodie, offering one-month deals galore

Virgin Mobile has been going for a long time, and some of its SIM only deals are particularly attractive. They're all one-month rolling contracts, so you can stop paying at any time if you so wish, giving you flexibility if you want to change your plan or go for a phone-inclusive deal down the line. Prices start from as little as £6.

View all Virgin Mobile SIM only deals

sim only deals

The SIM only deals on this page are checked every day to make sure they're still available and up to date!

Are there mobile coverage checkers for these networks?

Yes and the mobile coverage or signal strength in your area is a very important factor to consider before signing up to one of these cheap SIM only deals. All of these networks have signal coverage checkers so you can see how good the reception would be via entering your postcode or town. Most rate the signal for 2G (calls, texts and email), 3G (the basics plus picture messaging and faster web browsing) and 4G (all the powers of 3G, plus faster downloads, online gaming and media streaming).

We've provided links below to all the available coverage checkers on multiple networks. We'd advise not only checking coverage in your home, but also work, school, uni, favourite pubs and so on. Anywhere where you spend time on a regular basis really.

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