If you’re buying a new phone, it often makes sense to get it on contract. This splits the total cost of the handset into smaller monthly payments, and provides you with 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 all possible, it makes more financial sense to buy the device outright and get a SIM-only plan, also known as ‘bring your own device’ in the US.
Not only does it mean you own the phone straight away, you end up saving a lot of money in the long run. While high-end phones are expensive, you can get a great budget or mid-range handset for much less.
And you don’t have to worry about losing your current phone number, either. All networks let you transfer your current number to a new network, and the process is even more straightforward if you use the text-to-switch service.
Here are the best offers in the UK and US at the time of writing.
Best SIM-only deals in the UK
Below are the top SIM-only plans available in the UK right now. Use the sliders to adjust how much data and how many minutes you’re looking for.
Best bring your own phone deals in the US
If you’re based in the US, you’ll see the top 10 plans with at least 3GB of data below. But if you’re outside the US, head to the next section.
How to choose the right SIM-only deal for you
You might think that choosing which phone to buy was the hard part. But deciding which SIM-only plan to go for can be just as difficult.
As you’re probably aware, there are three main elements: calls, texts and mobile data. Data is by far the most important, as most contracts will include plenty of calls and texts or impose no limits at all.
We set 3GB as the minimum in the US widget above, and that’s a good baseline to aim for. If you’re on Wi-Fi most of the time, and only use mobile data occasionally while out and about, this should be enough. 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 just 4GB all the way to unlimited data.
The latter is great if you want to use mobile data for lots of video streaming or to replace your home Wi-Fi, but it can also be very expensive. And of course, if the mobile network goes down, you’re left without any 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 via Uswitch in the UK and AT&T in the US.
It’s also important to consider what type of mobile data this is. Almost everyone uses at least 4G connections these days, but 5G continues to grow. If you’re considering 5G, just make sure your phone supports it – some budget handsets are still limited to 4G.
And don’t go for a phone that can only do 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 more popular, as they make it easier to change networks or add a second number. But make sure your phone supports eSIM and read our article on the advantages and disadvantages before you commit to it.
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 for your tablet, you can’t simply take the SIM out of your phone and put it in another device. You need to get a SIM that uses a data-only plan, and don’t forget that not all tablets offer SIM-card slots, in which case you’ll only be able to connect to Wi-Fi.
Our favourite SIM-only deals this month
Here are some great plans that we recommend in the UK:
- Three’s unlimited SIM-only deal means you get all the data you could ever need for £25 per month on a 24-month plan. You also get the first three months for free
- Smarty’s £8 per month plan currently offers 50GB of data and includes free roaming in the EU (up to 12GB per month) with the Three-based operator. A one-month rolling contract means you can cancel at any time
- O2 is currently offering six months of a streaming service of your choice (Disney+, Amazon Prime, Amazon Music Unlimited, Audible, McAfee or Cafeyn) for free when you sign up for selected 24-month SIM plans. All include three months for free, plus free EU roaming up to 25GB per month
- Giffgaff, which uses the O2 network, also has an unlimited data plan for £25 per month. This is an 18-month contract, and includes up to 5GB of EU roaming per month
- Lebara (uses Vodafone network) offers some great light plans, such as the 20GB rolling plan for £10 per month. Free EU and India roaming are included (up to 30GB per month), alongside 100 minutes of international calls to those countries each month
- Spusu‘s best plan offers 40GB of data for just £10.90 per month. It uses the EE network, and you can use up to 10GB per month for roaming in the EU and Switzerland
- Honest Mobile, which uses Three’s network, rewards customers for their loyalty. Its unlimited monthly rolling plan starts at £25 per month, but starts getting cheaper each month, up to 30% less than when you signed up. You also get free EU roaming up to 20GB per month
If you’re based in the UK, you may also be interested in the best SIM deals for kids and best SIM deals for students.
In the US, check out the following:
- Mint Mobile has the best short-term plan in the US right now. You can get unlimited data for just $15 per month on a three-month plan from the T-Mobile-based provider. However, you will need to pay the full $45 upfront
- Visible is a great alternative if you’re looking for something longer term. The Verizon-owned brand offers unlimited 5G data for $25 per month for 24 months, plus unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico
- Twigby, which uses Verizon, is a good option if you don’t need much data. 5GB of 5G data, plus unlimited calls and texts, costs only $10 per month for the first three months. After that, you’ll pay $20 per month
- Good2Go, which uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks, has a wide range of plans available. Among the highlights is unlimited data for $45 per month on a 12-month contract, but there are plenty of other options, including 1-, 3- or 6-month plans, though it’s worth noting that speeds are slowed after you use a set amount of data (max 30GB)
- Boost Mobile uses a combination of Dish, AT&T and T-Mobile networks. It also has unlimited plans for as little as $25 per month on a 12-month contract, with the first month just $12.50
- Go Talk, which uses T-Mobile, has plans starting at $10 per month for 3GB of data and ranging to $25 per month for 10GB of data. A free VPN and anti-phishing tools are also included
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