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Pay as you go SIM card deals

A pay as you go (PAYG) SIM card is ideal if you don’t want to sign up for a long-term contract, or you’re not keen on going through a credit check. Compare over 40 deals and across 5 trusted UK networks. Over 300,000 customers trust us to help find their SIM deal.

List of SIM Only deals

Sorted by: Uswitch Promoted

  1. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £2.78 a month for 3 months, then £6.95

    No contract

    15 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  2. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £1.98 a month for 3 months, then £4.95

    No contract

    5 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  3. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £3.58 a month for 3 months, then £8.95

    No contract

    30 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  4. Lyca Mobile SIM deal

    Uses EE's Network

    Lyca Mobile logo

    £2.49 a month for 3 months, then £6.90

    No contract

    15 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  5. Lyca Mobile SIM deal

    Uses EE's Network

    Lyca Mobile logo

    £3.49 a month for 3 months, then £8.90

    No contract

    30 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  6. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £1.58 a month for 3 months, then £3.95

    No contract

    1 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  7. Lyca Mobile SIM deal

    Uses EE's Network

    Lyca Mobile logo

    £12.00 a month

    No contract

    200 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  8. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £9.98 a month for 3 months, then £24.95

    No contract

    Unlimited5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  9. Lyca Mobile SIM deal

    Uses EE's Network

    Lyca Mobile logo

    £1.99 a month for 3 months, then £5.90

    No contract

    6 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  10. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £3.18 a month for 3 months, then £7.95

    No contract

    21 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  11. Lyca Mobile SIM deal

    Uses EE's Network

    Lyca Mobile logo

    £1.69 a month for 3 months, then £4.40

    No contract

    3 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  12. Lyca Mobile SIM deal

    Uses EE's Network

    Lyca Mobile logo

    £2.99 a month for 3 months, then £7.90

    No contract

    21 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  13. Lyca Mobile SIM deal

    Uses EE's Network

    Lyca Mobile logo

    £8.99 a month for 3 months, then £24.45

    No contract

    Unlimited5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  14. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £1.78 a month for 3 months, then £4.45

    No contract

    3 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  15. Lebara Mobile SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    Lebara Mobile logo

    £2.38 a month for 3 months, then £5.95

    No contract

    6 GBof 5G data

    Uswitch Exclusive
    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
    • Most Popular Mobile Network
  16. giffgaff SIM deal

    Uses O2's Network

    giffgaff logo

    £10.00 a month

    No contract

    20 GBof 5G data

    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  17. giffgaff SIM deal

    Uses O2's Network

    giffgaff logo

    £6.00 a month

    No contract

    2 GBof 5G data

    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  18. giffgaff SIM deal

    Uses O2's Network

    giffgaff logo

    £8.00 a month

    No contract

    5 GBof 5G data

    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
  19. VOXI SIM deal

    Uses Vodafone's Network

    VOXI logo

    £10.00 a month

    No contract

    30 GBof 5G data

    • No price rise in 2024
  20. giffgaff SIM deal

    Uses O2's Network

    giffgaff logo

    £12.00 a month

    No contract

    26 GBof 5G data

    • No price rise in 2024
    • EU roaming included
Can't find what you're looking for?

Uswitch services are provided at no cost to you, but we may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to. If a deal is "promoted" on Uswitch's tables, then it has been lent additional visibility as a result of us securing exclusivity on a great deal, or a commercial agreement to showcase what we believe to be market-leading value to consumers. Learn more about how our site works.

Please note: Mobile networks may increase monthly prices in line with the retail or consumer price index each year during the length of your contract. Please refer to individual network's terms and conditions before signing up.

Author: Ray Ali Last updated: 23rd January 2024

How does a pay-as-you-go SIM work? 

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) SIM cards are an easy way to use your phone without needing a long-term contract or lengthy payment plans. You simply pre-pay an amount of money, giving you a set amount of call minutes, data, and texts. And when you run out, you just top up again with an amount of your choice. 

Pay-as-you-go SIM only deals often come with a free SIM card, too. So all you need is a mobile phone you’re happy to use. 

Are there any other charges?

No, you generally won’t incur additional charges when you sign up for a pay-as-you-go SIM only deal. Since you pre-pay the amount you’re willing to spend, it’s just a case of using your phone until your money runs out. Then, you’ll have to top up again to get more calls, texts, and data.

What are the pros and cons of a pay-as-you-go SIM deal?

  • Keep your current phone number, swap phones whenever you want

  • Pay what you want when you want

  • Avoid being tied down to a long-term contract.

  • No credit check

  • You can top up from as little as £5 per spend

  • You may not get the best rates for data, calls or texts

  • PAYG deals will work out as more expensive than a traditional pay monthly package

  • You will need to have a phone that’s unlocked

What network providers offer pay-as-you-go and no-contract deals? 

Almost all UK networks will offer pay-as-you-go SIM cards as part of their product offering. Let’s take a look at some of the major UK mobile networks you can get a pay-as-you-go deal with:

Tesco

Tesco Mobile offers numerous PAYG SIM options and bundles, including calls, texts, and data.

  • £11 for 5GB of data, 5000 texts and 5000 minutes

  • £15 for 25GB of data, 5000 texts and 5000 minutes

  • £20 for 50GB of data, 5000 texts and 5000 minutes

  • £30 for 100GB of data, 5000 texts and 5000 minutes

Tesco Clubcard holders can even get a discount on £20 and £30 packs. 

O2

O2 has a selection of four PAYG SIM-only packs to choose from:

  • Unlimited minutes and texts, 7GB data for £10

  • Unlimited minutes and texts, 15GB data for £15

  • Unlimited minutes and texts, 30GB of data for £20

  • Unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB of data for £30

How to choose the best pay-as-you-go deals for you

The best pay-as-you-go deal for you comes down to your personal needs and requirements. Your best bet is to compare options across all networks until you find the ideal balance of allowance and cost.

Can you get roaming with a pay-as-you-go SIM?

Yes, you can often use a pay-as-you-go SIM card overseas. However, you will need to check your network's roaming policy first. You will likely have to pay more than you would if you used the phone at home, too.

Check out our network-by-network roaming guide for more info.

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