Compare SIM Only Deals

How To Compare SIM Only Deals?

If you're comparing products before you buy it's important to know the best way to compare them to make sure you get the best deal. For SIM only deals there are three key things to take into account: Price, Data, Network. You can use the number of minutes and texts to compare deals but in most cases the SIM deals have unlimited allowances for both so we won't discuss them here.

Price: Comparing SIM deals by price is probably the most important factor when choosing the right plan for you. Most customers know roughly how much they want to spend per month so make sure you compare deals in a similar price range. The price of the SIM can drastically change the amount of data you get and the price per GB goes down a lot when you pay more than £10 - £15 per month. If you want an affordable SIM there are many that are £10 or cheaper - Check out our top picks for the best cheap SIM deals. If you can afford to spend more per month on your SIM then there can be big ranges in the data allowances available, for example a 10GB SIM from O2 is £17 but for just £3 more you could get a 100GB SIM from Three

Data: It can be difficult to know how much data you will need when comparing SIMs but the best guide is to know how much data you've used in the past. If you can't get this information from your phone or an app provided by your network you can always ring them to check your past bills. Once you know your rough data usage you can then compare similar plans and find the best price or network that suits you.

Network: It's now easier than ever to switch between mobile networks so it's important to browse the multiple UK networks available to find the right one for you. Most customers will be with one of the bigger networks (Vodafone, O2, EE) and so may choose to stick with them but you should be aware that these networks do not necessarily provide good value for money. When comparing SIM deals make sure to check out some of the alternative networks (Three for good data deals, Voxi for a flexible, no credit check SIM or BT's affordable SIMs for broadband customers). All of the UK mobile networks have benefits and downsides to them so do a little research on things like customer perks, 4g coverage and customer service ratings to jhelp make your decision.

Choosing between a 12 month and 1 month SIM

The length of your SIM deal can have an affect on the price so it's important to know which you're looking for when comparing SIM deals.

12 month SIM deals are cheaper in general than 1 month because you are paying the network for a longer period. There is usually no other benfit in terms of the perks you get but keep in mind that not all networks offer 12 month and 1 month. This can be important when comparing deals because not all networks will have the kind of deal you want

If you don't like the sound of sticking with one SIM deal for 12 months then 1 month SIM deals are much more flexible. Getting a 1 month SIM (sometimes called a "30 day") means that after your one month contract ends you're free to switch to another network or continue your contract for another month. You will pay slightly more per month for the flexibility but for some customers this can be great value for money. If you're looking for a SIM deal that doesn't require a credit check we've put all of the available no credit check SIM deals in one place.

Things to remember when you compare SIM deals

You DO NOT need to stick with your current network: Many people feel like they need to stay with their current network either to keep their number or find a good deal. Keeping your number when you switch networks is a really simple process and it's about to get easier. If you find a good deal on another network you can keep your number AND get a great deal.

There's a SIM deal for every credit history: Some customers get a SIM deal because their credit history prevents them from getting a mobile phone deal and credit checks for a SIM are less stringent. No matter what your credit history is, we believe there's a deal for you and even if you don't actually want your credit checked there are even some options. It's important to judge your own credit score when comparing SIM deals and if you feel like you want something that's a little easier to pass then a 1 month or no credit check SIM might be the right fit.

You will need a handset on the right network: If you have a mobile handset already, it's best to make sure that the SIM contract you've chosen uses a network which the phone is unlocked for. In simple terms this means that if a handset is unlocked for EE you can only use an EE SIM in it. You can easily unlock a phone for a particular network so you can use the SIM you've chosen or if you're buying a new handset just make sure it has been unlocked fully (for all networks) or allows you to use the network you've chosen.