You don’t have to pay a lot for a good mobile plan. Before, mobile contracts were expensive and lasted a long time. Now, though, there are a lot of cheap SIM-only deals that give you a lot of data, minutes, and texts for only a few pounds a month.
We at SIM Only Expert have looked around the market to find the best low-cost deals that are currently available. Here is our guide to the best value options, whether you need a simple plan for occasional use or a budget-friendly deal with a lot of data.
The Best SIM Deals for Less Than £6
There are a number of networks that offer plans for less than the cost of a fancy coffee if you want to keep your monthly bill as low as possible. These are great for people who don’t use them much or who are usually connected to Wi-Fi.
1. Spusu: The Lowest Price to Start
Spusu (which uses the EE network) now has one of the cheapest entry-level plans. A 1-month rolling contract costs about £3.90 per month.
- You get 3GB of 5G data and 500 minutes and texts.
- The good thing is that you can leave at any time without having to pay a fee.
2. Lebara: Good for Budgets That Change
Lebara uses the Vodafone network and has very low starting prices, usually between £3.99 and £4.99 a month for their smallest plans.
- You get 1,000 UK minutes and between 1GB and 5GB of data.
- The good thing is that you also get international minutes, which is not common for plans this cheap.
3. ASDA Mobile: Affordable and Dependable
ASDA Mobile, which uses the Vodafone network, has a 12-month contract that costs only £5.00 a month.
- You get 3GB of 5G data and unlimited texts and calls.
- The Good Thing: It gives you a low, stable price for a whole year.
Best Cheap Deals for People Who Use a Lot of Data
If you use a lot of data, you don’t have to pay “Big Four” prices. Cheap networks often have “mid-range” data plans that are very cheap.
iD Mobile: The King of Data Value
iD Mobile, which runs on the Three network, is often the best choice for low-cost, high-data plans. You can get 25GB of 5G data for just £6.00 a month on a one-month contract.
- The good thing is that they let you roll over your data, so if you don’t use all of it in one month, it goes to the next month for free.
SMARTY: The Best Choice for No Credit Checks
SMARTY, which is also on the Three network, gives you 15GB of 5G data for £6.00 or 50GB for about £8.00 a month.
- The good thing is that there are no credit checks. There are no hidden fees with this simple “pay-as-you-go” monthly plan.
How to Pick the Best Cheap SIM
Before you choose a deal, here are a few easy things to do to make sure you have the best time:
1. Look at the Parent Network
Every small network “rides” on a big one. Check that the big network has a strong signal at home and at work:
- EE signal: Spusu, Lyca Mobile, and 1pMobile all use the EE signal.
- Vodafone signal: Lebara, ASDA Mobile, and VOXI all use the Vodafone signal.
- Three signal: SMARTY and iD Mobile use it.
- O2 signal: Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, and Tesco Mobile all use the O2 signal.
2. Length of the contract vs. flexibility
A 12- or 24-month contract will usually get you a lower price or more data. But with 1-month “rolling” contracts, you can switch whenever you find a better deal. A rolling contract is usually best if you see a great “introductory offer,” like half off for three months.
3. Keep an eye out for price hikes
Every April, some big networks raise their prices. Look for “No Annual Price Rise” promises from networks like SMARTY, Lebara, or iD Mobile if you want to keep your bill the same.
What is the best cheap SIM for you?
- Spusu or Lebara has the lowest starting price, which is less than £4.
- iD Mobile or SMARTY gives you the most data for your money.
- Lebara is the best for making calls to other countries.
- SMARTY is the best choice for flexibility because there is no credit check and you can cancel at any time.
It’s easy to switch. Text “PAC” to 65075 to get your code. Your new provider will move your number over for you if you give them that code.