Best pay as you go Sim deals

Best pay-as-you-go Sim deals
Including the top data bundles, from ‘£3.45/month’ for 5GB

The term ‘pay-as-you-go’ (PAYG) might bring to mind the early days of mobile phones, when it was typical to pay in advance for each expensive call and text. However, nowadays, PAYG options have evolved significantly. You can now choose from excellent PAYG ‘bundles’ that offer more generous allowances and provide better control over your expenses.

• Concerned about a credit check or want a tighter control over your bill? A pay-as-you-go bundle is a good bet. Read on…
• Happy to commit to a contract? Sim only generally offers better value.
• Want a new phone? See our Cheap Mobile Finder tool.

What is a pay-as-you-go deal?

A pay-as-you-go (PAYG) plan, as the term implies, requires you to pay in advance without being locked into any contractual obligations. Additionally, you’ll need to either have a compatible handset for the SIM card (the small chip that provides your allocation of minutes, texts, and data) or purchase one separately.

There’s no credit check, which most of the top pick contract Sim only deals require, though these often offer better value.

How do you pay for a pay-as-you-go sim?

Getting a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) SIM is quite simple. Most networks that provide PAYG SIMs allow you to order one for free through their website. Once you have your SIM, you can add credit as necessary. This can typically be done online, over the phone, in retail locations, or through automatic top-up services.

With PAYG, you only pay for the amount of service you use, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution.

What happens to any unused data you have left on your pay-as-you-go Sim?

Your data allocation won’t reset every month; instead, you’ll have a credit balance that can be used for calls, texts, and data. Once your balance is depleted, you’ll need to purchase additional credit.

Can you get a free pay-as-you-go sim card?

There are many ways to obtain a PAYG SIM card without any initial expense. Instead of purchasing the card itself, you simply pay to add credit to it and recharge as needed.

Can you get a pay-as-you-go sim with unlimited data?

Unlimited data plans are often linked to contract or monthly SIM deals, but some carriers do provide pay-as-you-go options featuring unlimited data. These options are typically referred to as ‘bundles’ or ‘data packs’ and generally last for 30 days or a month from the date of purchase. Examples of providers offering such plans include iD Mobile*, Three*, and Vodafone*.

Nevertheless, these unlimited data options are relatively rare and may come with specific limitations or fair usage policies. It’s crucial to review the terms and conditions thoroughly to be aware of any restrictions or potential additional costs.

If having unlimited data is a top priority for you and you require it for more than a month, it may be beneficial to explore one-month rolling contracts. These contracts can often be more economical and come with the flexibility of canceling at any time, as they don’t require a long-term commitment.

Best PAYG bundles

These deals still have no contract but come loaded with a bundle of minutes, texts and data with your credit each month.

PAYG bundles – what we’d go for

For us, for general use, our blagged deal for a Lebara Sim (which uses the Vodafone network) with 5GB/month of data, unlimited minutes and texts stands out. It’s equivalent to £3.25/month over 12-months, but it’s a one-month contract, so you can cancel at any time.

Best Sims for occasional/backup use

Having an extra SIM card on hand can be advantageous in emergencies, such as if your phone is lost, or for situations like entering contests or posting ads where you prefer not to share your primary number. In such cases, conventional PAYG plans might be more beneficial compared to bundled offers.

For occasional/backup use – what we’d go for

If you want the cheapest PAYG Sim, then it’s 1pMobile. It piggybacks off EE’s network and it’s 1p for each minute, every text and for each MB of data you use. However, you have to top up at least £10 every three months in order to keep it active, so if you only use your phone very rarely, it’s probably not for you.

For those who just need a phone for temporary/emergency use or if EE isn’t great in your area, then Three’s PAYG Sim might be better for you. It’s slightly more expensive than 1pMobile for each text and minute, but there’s no minimum top-up requirement – though you do need to use it at least once every six months – so it could work out cheaper in the long run.

Best for roaming abroad – incl the USA & Australia

Networks are no longer required to offer free roaming across the European Union. Nevertheless, certain providers may still allow you to use your UK minutes, texts, and data throughout the EU, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Keep in mind that these policies could shift over time. Beyond the EU, some carriers impose exorbitant fees for mobile usage, potentially resulting in a bill that exceeds the cost of your trip. Therefore, it’s crucial to plan your mobile usage carefully before traveling.

For roaming abroad – what we’d go for

When it comes to roaming, Three truly stands out. By obtaining any PAYG SIM card from Three, you’ll enjoy your standard allowance in 71 destinations, including 42 countries beyond the EU, such as Australia and the USA.

You can either top-up and pay the standard rates of 35p per minute, 15p per text, and 10p per MB, or, if you anticipate heavy usage while abroad, consider opting for a bundle. The most affordable bundle is priced at £10, offering 15GB of data along with unlimited minutes and texts for a 30-day period.

One of the key advantages of the PAYG Three SIM is its flexibility. You’re not locked into a contract, so you can maintain your existing UK plan and simply use this SIM card when traveling. This is particularly useful for international travel. Just remember to use the SIM card in the UK at least once before you head overseas to ensure it’s fully activated.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to check if your current network offers any international bundles, as these can sometimes be more cost-effective than standard rates. This might be a convenient alternative if you’d prefer to avoid managing an additional SIM card just for your trip—refer to our Cheap Roaming guide for more details.

PAYG need-to-knows

Before you take out a pay-as-you-go deal, here are the key things to consider:

1 – Check to see which PAYG option is best for you – traditional or bundled

Although all mobile deals that involve paying upfront and do not require a credit check or a contract are commonly known as pay-as-you-go (PAYG), there are actually two distinct types available:

Traditional PAYG – where you really do pay as you go.

This is the conventional model where you preload credit and are subsequently billed for every minute of calls, text message, and megabyte of data you consume. While some providers offer this at a low cost, it’s usually more advantageous as an emergency or secondary SIM card, as costs tend to rise with increased usage. Here are the rates from the leading providers:

PAYG ‘bundles’ – where you pay before you go, for a bundle of minutes, texts and data

These bundles are ideal for individuals who use their phones fairly frequently, typically lasting a full month. Once the bundle expires, you’ll need to purchase a new one, though you also have the option to set up automatic monthly renewals. You can explore a variety of bundles available (check out our top recommendations below or use our Cheap Mobile Finder tool).

As a rough guide, here’s what a tenner will get you:

Not sure how much data you use?

To avoid paying more than necessary, it’s crucial to gauge your average monthly data consumption. In our most recent data usage survey, 76% of the 3,500 participants reported using less than 3GB of data per month, whereas just 9% exceeded 10GB monthly. You can easily determine your data needs using the Data Calculator in our Cheap Mobile Finder tool.

2 – Our Cheap Mobile Finder can help you find the right deal for you

Our Affordable Mobile Finder lets you compare standard PAYG SIMs with PAYG bundles and even contract SIM-only offers if you’re interested, to identify the most cost-effective plan for your needs.

To use this tool effectively, you’ll need to know your typical monthly usage and input this information into the filters available on the results page.

For instance, if you specify that you use 50 minutes and 25 texts per month without data, our tool will determine that 1pMobile is the most economical choice, costing just 75p per month on a traditional PAYG plan for that usage.

3 – You’ll need to have an unlocked phone – it’s usually free to get it done

If you have a phone that you initially purchased through a contract, it might be locked to the network from which you bought it. To check, simply insert a SIM card from a different network. If the phone is locked, you’ll need to have it unlocked to use a SIM from a new provider.

Currently, most networks will unlock your phone at no cost if your contract has ended. However, if your contract is still active or if you bought the phone on a Pay As You Go plan, there might be a fee of up to £15. The unlocking process typically takes up to 10 days. For detailed information on the unlocking policies of various providers and instructions on how to unlock your phone, refer to the Mobile Unlocking guide.

Fortunately, by the end of this year, mobile carriers will be prohibited from selling phones that are locked to their network only.

4 – Check signal strength where you live/work first

You can get an idea of signal strength in a particular area with Ofcom’s Telecoms Coverage Checker. This’ll show you results for the four main networks – EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. Don’t just put your home address in either – check where you work and anywhere else you want to be sure of getting good reception.

Numerous smaller mobile service providers rely on the infrastructure of larger networks, utilizing their signal to deliver competitive pricing. Despite the different providers, the signal remains consistent, so you can verify coverage using Ofcom’s tool. To find out which provider operates on which network, refer to our Mobile Piggybacking guide.

For a more precise assessment than what Ofcom’s checker offers, consider acquiring a free pay-as-you-go SIM card from the network you’re interested in. Add a small amount of credit and test the service before making a final decision.

5 – Mobile ‘text-to-switch’ rules make switching & keeping your number simple

Transitioning to a more affordable plan with a different network has become quite straightforward. Thanks to regulations from the regulator Ofcom, effective from 1 July 2019, there’s no need to contact your current provider to cancel your contract. This change helps you sidestep any aggressive attempts to persuade you to remain with them. Here’s a guide on how to change providers while retaining your phone number:

• Request a switching code by text. Simply text ‘PAC’ for free to 65075 on any network and you’ll be sent your ‘porting authorisation code’ (PAC) immediately via text so you can keep your number. To get a new number, text ‘STAC’ to 75075.Its text must include important info such as any exit penalties, outstanding handset costs or credit balances.
• You need to give the switching code to your new provider within 30 days. You’ll then be switched within one working day. You won’t need to contact your old provider again.

What’s more, if you’re out of your minimum contract period, mobile providers are now banned from charging you for the remainder of your notice period after you’ve switched (which is typically 30 days), putting an end to paying for your old and new contract at the same time.

If you’re still in contract you could be charged early termination fees for leaving – check how much you’d be charged by sending a text with the word ‘INFO’ to 85075.

How to complain about your network

The mobile industry doesn’t have the best customer service reputation and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others. Common problems include limited network coverage, slow data speeds, unexpected charges and more.

It’s always worth trying to call your provider to sort the issue first, but if not then you can use free complaints tool Resolver. The tool helps you manage your complaint, and if the company doesn’t play ball, it also helps you escalate your complaint to the free Ombudsman (or CISAS if you’re complaining about Virgin Mobile or Sky Mobile).