Table of Contents
If you buy a new telephone, it is often wise to take it out on contract. This breaks the total cost of the device into smaller monthly payments, and gives you an allocation of calls, texts and data to use.
But this can get very expensive, especially if you opt for a flagship smartphone. If it is all possible, it makes more financial sense to buy the device outright and take out a SIM-only subscription, also known as ‘bring your own phone’ in the US.
This not only means you own the phone straight away, but it also means you’ll save a lot of money in the long run. Although high-end phones are expensive, you can get a great budget or mid-range device for much less.
And you don’t have to worry about losing your current phone number. All networks allow you to port your current number to a new network, and the process is even easier if you use the SMS to Switch service.
Here are the best deals in the UK and US at the time of writing.
Best SIM-only deals in Britain
Below are the best SIM-only plans currently available in the UK. Use the sliders to adjust how much data and how many minutes you are looking for.
It’s best to bring your own phone deals in the US
If you live in the US, below are the top 10 plans with at least 3GB of data. But if you are outside the US, skip to the next section.
This way you choose the right SIM-only subscription for you
You might think it was difficult to choose which phone to buy. But deciding which SIM-only plan to choose can be just as difficult.
As you probably know, there are three main elements: calling, texting and mobile data. Data is by far the most important, as most contracts include lots of phone calls and text messages or impose no restrictions at all.
We set 3GB as the minimum in the US widget above, and that’s a good base to aim for. If you use WiFi most of the time and only occasionally use mobile data while on the road, this should be sufficient. Some contracts offer less than this, but we wouldn’t recommend them for most people.
Networks and operators offer a range of contracts with more data, from as little as 4GB to unlimited data.
The latter is great if you want to use mobile data for a lot of video streaming or to replace your home Wi-Fi network, but it can also be very expensive. And if the mobile network goes down, you will of course be without internet, wherever you are.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
To get an idea of how much data you need, use the data calculator tools through Uswitch in the UK and AT&T in the US.
It is also important to consider what type of mobile data this is. Almost everyone nowadays uses at least 4G connections, but 5G continues to grow. If you’re considering 5G, make sure your phone supports it – some budget devices are still limited to 4G.
And don’t go for a phone that can only use 3G. Many companies have already phased out their 3G networks or are in the process of doing so.
And do you actually need a physical SIM card? eSIMs are becoming increasingly popular because they make it easier to switch networks or add a second number. But make sure your phone supports eSIM and read our article on the pros and cons before you commit.
It’s also worth noting that combining mobile, phone and broadband contracts can help you save money. See if your existing providers also offer these other services.
But if you’re looking for a SIM card for your tablet, you can’t just take the SIM card out of your phone and put it in another device. You’ll need a SIM card that uses a data-only plan, and remember that not all tablets offer SIM card slots, in which case you’ll only be able to connect to Wi-Fi.
Our favorite SIM-only deals this month
Here are some great plans we recommend in Britain:
- Three unlimited SIM-only subscription means you get all the data you could ever need for £26 a month with a 24 month subscription. In addition, you get the first six months for half price
- Smarties €12 per monthly subscription currently offers 120GB of data and includes free EU roaming (up to 12GB per month) with the Three-based operator. With a one-month contract you can cancel at any time
- O2 is currently offering a streaming service of your choice (Disney+, Amazon Prime, Amazon Music Unlimited, Audible, McAfee, or Cafeyn) for free for six months when you sign up for select SIM subscriptions of 24 months. They all include free roaming in the EU up to 25 GB per month
- Giffgaffwhich uses the O2 network, has a unlimited data subscription for €25 per month. This is an 18-month contract and includes up to 5GB of free EU roaming per month
- Lebara (uses the Vodafone network) offers some great light contracts, such as the 20GB monthly plan for £10 per month. Free roaming in the EU and India is included (up to 30 GB per month), in addition to 100 minutes of international calling to those countries every month
- SpusuThe best plan offers 40GB of data for just £10.90 per month. It uses the EE network and you can use up to 10 GB per month for roaming in the EU and Switzerland
- Honest mobile, which uses Three’s network, rewards customers for their loyalty. The unlimited monthly plan starts at £25 per month but gets cheaper every month, up to 30% less than when you signed up. You also get free roaming in the EU up to 20 GB per month
If you live in the UK, you might also be interested in the best SIM deals for kids and the best SIM deals for students.
In the US, check out the following:
- Coin mobile currently has the best short-term plan in the US. You can get unlimited data for just $15 per month with a three-month plan from the T-Mobile-based carrier. However, you must pay the full $45 up front
- Visible is a great alternative if you’re looking for something longer term. Verizon’s brand offers unlimited 5G data for $25 per month for 24 months, plus unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico. You can also save $25 if you’re willing to pay for a year in advance
- Twigby, which Verizon uses, is a good option if you don’t need a lot of data. 5GB of 5G data, plus unlimited talk and text, costs just $10 per month for the first three months. After that you pay €20 per month
- Good2Go, which uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks, has a wide range of plans available. One of the highlights is unlimited data for just $25 a month with a 12-month contract, but there are plenty of other options including 1, 3 or 6 month plans, although it’s worth noting that the speeds will be reduced on all subscriptions thereafter. you use a fixed amount of data (up to 30GB)
- Boost mobile uses a combination of Dish, AT&T and T-Mobile networks. It also has unlimited plans for just $25 per month with a 12-month contract, with the first month being just $12.50.
- Go talk, which T-Mobile uses, has plans starting at $10 per month for 3GB of data and ranging up to $25 per month for 10GB of data. Most plans also include a free VPN and anti-phishing tools