A SIM only deal represents obtaining everything from the carrier except a device, phone, or tablet. Whether that “everything else” is calls, texts, data, or other unique benefits, it’s up to you to decide. We also won’t discriminate between prepaid, postpaid, and pay-as-you-go SIM cards, and instead help you pick the best in each category after comparing available deals. Moreover, we’ll try to show networks whose roaming fees or roaming packages aren’t exorbitant, allowing you to use the SIM card anywhere in the world. With that said, let’s showcase the best SIM only deals.
1. Three UK
Three UK topped our list of the best European SIM cards like it did this one. It’s hard to argue that the carrier provides the best deals for SIM-only packages. Users get the best value-for-money with a 1-year contract, as it nets them 12 GB of 5G data and unlimited calls and texts for £8/$11 per month. Those who don’t want any commitment can get the same deal for £10/$14, but only 6 GB of data. Three UK also offers cheap roaming packages if you travel outside of the United Kingdom, and have an everything-unlimited plan for £35/$50 per month. Best of all, if you run out of data, you’ll still have unlimited calls and SMS.
2. Smarty
It’s no surprise that Smarty is the runner-up amongst carriers that offer top SIM only deals. After all, they use Three UK’s network. However, they offer better plans for short-term customers, all of which come with unmetered texts and calls and texts, albeit rarely at 5G speeds. But if your smartphone isn’t 5G-ready, you can pay £8/$11 monthly for 12 GB of data. This is only a 1-month contract, unlike Three UK’s 1-year one. Also, there are more data plans to choose from – £10/$14 gives you 30 GB of data while unlimited data puts a £20/$28 dent in your pocket monthly.
3. iD Mobile
iD Mobile is one of the leading SIM only carriers with 5G network coverage in the UK and gradually, worldwide. They offer multiple tiers of both monthly and yearly SIM only payment plans. Even better, they all come with unlimited texts and minutes. We recommend the latter, since iD Mobile offers limited-time deals frequently, and all plans are eligible for unused data roll-over. An example of such deals is paying £10/$14, which usually gets you between 6 GB and 10 GB, while in this case, you get close to 30 GB. Likewise, £15/$21 gets you 50 GB instead of the regular 20 GB.
4. VOXI
VOXI, like Smarty, offers limitless minutes and texts and 12 GB of mostly 4G data, but costs slightly more, at £10/$14 monthly. However, it requires no contracts, making it the preferred SIM only deal for travelers. Also, it comes with unmetered data for major social media networks, chatting apps, and streaming services. Plus, VOXI uses Vodafone’s global network (see entry 8) which means data within Europe has no extra roaming costs. Best of all, you and anyone you invite to join VOXI get a £20/$28 Amazon gift card each.
5. Giffgaff
Tired of UK-based carriers? We understand, but it’s undeniable they offer the cheapest rates and widespread coverage. Take Giffgaff for example, which offers a no-contract plan with unlimited messages and calls as well as 9 GB of 5G data for £10/$14. The more you’re willing to pay, the more data you get on top of it – 100 GB per month will only cost you £20/$28. Going a step further, unlimited costs £35/$49 per month. Even better, you get 1 GB of data free of charge every month you’re a Giffgaff user.
6. Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile is a Canadian mobile network provider with great 5G plans and data roll-over into the next month feature. The only downside is that the best value-for-money requires a 12-month contractual obligation. For example, the £12/14 USD/20 CAD plan comes with limitless messages and minutes, and 30 GB of 5G data. They also have frequent limited-time offers, especially for new users, starting at 28 CAD and going up to 80 CAD. All plans include free SIM card shipping and 2-day delivery with a 15-day money-back guarantee.
7. Lebara
We’re moving on to global carriers with Lebara, which operates in 8 countries. Their plans are ideal for financial minimalists or budget travelers. To demonstrate our point, we’ll use UK plans, because others are similar or identical. The first notable plan is a 3-month half-price £2/$2.8 monthly contract plan (£4/$5.5 per month after) that gives you 1 GB of 4GB of data, unlimited texts, 250 minutes in domestic network, and 50 minutes for 40+ countries. Lebara also has a no-contract £5/$7 plan with 1000 minutes and 1000 texts, 2 GB of data, and 100 minutes to 40+ countries.
8. Vodafone
Vodafone has headquarters in 21 countries and partners with carriers in 49 countries. Moreover, its roaming service works in 168 countries and you’ll get a 3G/4G service (at a minimum) in 74 countries worldwide. But we don’t recommend signing up for yearly commitments. Instead, get a 4G-ready prepaid SIM card for £10/$14 and get 5GB of data and unmetered SMS and calls. Need 5G connectivity? The first available bundle is £30/$42 for 50GB of data. If you need more, go for the £40/$56 5G SIM card to get limitless data plus 25GB of data in 51 locations worldwide.
9. OneSimCard
OneSimCard is an undisputed champion among carriers that offer international SIM only deals. Their primary SIM card, named “The OneSimCard Europe & More” can be shipped worldwide for $4.99 and works in 200+ countries. As if that wasn’t amazing enough, you can receive incoming texts for free anywhere, and free incoming calls in 160+ of those countries. Best of all, this deal will only cost you 20/£14. and comes with 24/7 Customer Support. Additionally, the SIM card supports free voicemail-to-email delivery, and has extremely affordable rates for calls, mobile data, and texts.
10. T-Mobile
T-Mobile dominated our list of the best SIM cards for the USA but ended up at the bottom here. And while it isn’t a great overall choice, you won’t find a better deal for the United States, especially regarding postpaid SIM card plans. Their Magenta plan comes with unlimited data, minutes, and messages on their 4G/5G network and costs $70 monthly. The cheaper one, named Essentials, limits data and costs between $30 and $60 a month based on the add-ons you select. You can also stick with prepaid SIM cards in which case you must part with between $15 and $60 monthly.