What is a pay as you go SIM and is it right for you?

Is pay as you go cheaper than a contract?

What are the rates of minutes and texts for the typical pay as you go SIM?

If you only use your PAYG SIM as an occasional back up, your cheapest option is probably to buy credit and pay for calls, texts and data usage as and when you need to.
Typical PAYG rates in the UK range from around 1p per minute and text to 25p per minute and 19p per text. Typical rates for data vary from 1p per MB to around 9p per MB.
The table below shows the rates of some of the most popular PAYG networks:

Can you get data on pay as you go?

As you can see from the above tables, data is easily available on virtually all pay as you go SIM deals. And while paying for each MB of data you use individually can be expensive, PAYG bundles provide a very affordable way to get online when you’re out and about.
If you only need a PAYG SIM in order to connect to the internet, you may be better off with a data-only SIM. These deals are aimed specifically at people who need access to mobile internet and offer SIMs preloaded with set amounts of data.

What’s the cheapest pay as you go SIM?

If you want to pay for your minutes, texts and data as and when you use them, the cheapest pay as you go SIM available is from 1pMobile. As the company name suggests, 1pMobile charges just 1p per minute, 1p per text and 1p per MB of data used. This makes it a very affordable option for people on PAYG deals.
If you opt for a pay as you go bundle, you’ll need to look around to find the best deals for your SIM. This will depend largely on how much you want to spend on your SIM every month and how many calls, minutes and MBs of data you think you’ll use. Often, it can work out cheaper to buy a larger bundle of calls, texts and data, especially if your unused credit rolls over to the following month.

Pros and cons of PAYG SIMs

If you’re considering a PAYG SIM, weighing up the pros and cons could help you make up your mind.

• No need to commit to monthly payments
• An affordable way to access calls, texts and data when you’re out and about
• Top up whatever you can afford
• No need to sign up to a 12, 18 or 24-month contract
• You can use your existing handset as long as it’s unlocked

• Can be more expensive than other types of mobile phone deals
• You won’t be able to make calls and texts or use data if your credit runs out or you forget to top up
• You don’t get a handset as part of the deal
• Paying for calls, texts and MBs of data as and when you use them can be expensive
• You’ll need your own unlocked phone

Which is the best pay as you go SIM?

The best pay as you go SIM for cost

If you want a traditional pay as you go SIM – one that lets you pay for your data, minutes and texts as and when you use them – 1pMobile is probably the best option. Very affordable, it offers cheap PAYG rates to users across the country.

The best pay as you go SIM for flexibility

If you want a deal that’s flexible and that fits around your lifestyle, have a look at the PAYG SIMs available from Vodafone. The provider offers a wide choice of bundles and extras, making it easy to find the package that suits you perfectly.

The best pay as you go SIM for everyday use

Moderate phone users will be well served by the PAYG SIMs on offer from GiffGaff. For around £10 per month, the supplier offers 6GB of data and unlimited calls and texts. This allows you to get online and stay in touch with all your friends and family without breaking the bank.

The best pay as you go SIM for data

As we get used to spending more and more of our time online, access to data becomes more important. If you make most of your calls via online apps like Whatsapp, like to stream TV when you’re on the move or make a lot of video calls, you’ll probably want a PAYG SIM that’s packed full of data.
At the moment, the best pay as you go SIMs for data are available from Three. If you have a Three SIM, you can get unlimited data by topping up just £20 per month. As well as all the GBs of internet you can consume, this will also give you unlimited calls and texts, removing pretty much all restrictions from your PAYG SIM usage.

The best pay as you go SIM for speed

If you want access to the fastest data networks around, opt for a pay as you go SIM from EE. The company has some of the best 5G coverage in the UK and so gives its customers access to superfast internet in a number of locations.

What is the difference between SIM only and pay as you go?

When looking for a new SIM for your handset, you’ll come across two main types of SIM only deal: pay as you go and SIM only deals.
If you have a pay as you go SIM, you’ll need to top up your credit manually in order to maintain access to calls, texts and data. The amount you top up is completely up to you and can vary from month to month depending on your requirements.
If you have a SIM-only deal, you’ll still have a contract with your network provider. You’ll agree to pay a set amount every month and will receive a certain amount of minutes, texts and data in return.
Like standard phone deals, SIM-only packages are generally paid by direct debit. This means that you’ll need to ensure you have enough money in your account every month in order to pay your bill. If you don’t have enough in your account, your phone may be cut off.
If you take out a SIM-only deal, you’ll probably sign a contract for a set period of time. This can vary from one month to two years. In general, the longer you sign up for, the better value your deal will be.

What to look for in a PAYG SIM card

• Rate per minute
• Rate per text
• Rate per MB data
• Available bundles
• Customer service
• Coverage

For most people, affordability will be the most important consideration when investing in a new PAYG SIM. Finding a good value deal will allow you to make calls, send texts and get online without blowing your budget.

Which networks offer pay as you go SIMs?

There’s a good choice of companies currently offering pay as you go SIMs to UK customers. Some of the most popular are:

• GiffGaff
• Vodafone
• 1pMobile
• EE
• O2
• Three
• Asda Mobile
• CMLink
• iD Mobile
• Lebara Mobile
• Lycamobile
• Tesco Mobile
• Voxi

It’s worth noting that all of the UK’s pay as you go networks share just four network coverage providers. So no matter which supplier you choose, you’ll either be covered by EE, O2, Three or Vodafone. Finding out which network your supplier uses should give you a better idea of the quality of the coverage in the UK you can expect from your PAYG SIM in your region.

How to top up your pay as you go SIM?

Do I have to top up every month on pay as you go?

While you don’t have to top up your pay as you go SIM every month to keep it active, adding credit on a regular basis can often allow you to take advantage of special deals and offers. This is especially true if you use ‘bundles’ instead of traditional credit.
When you sign up to a new pay as you go deal, make sure you check your supplier’s policies on topping up. In some cases, your SIM can be deactivated if you fail to add credit for a certain number of months.

How long does pay as you go credit last?

A lot of pay as you go bundles only last for a month. At the end of the 30 days, any remaining credit you have will expire and you’ll need to buy new credit.
Some providers, like Three, offer pay as you go credit that doesn’t expire. This can be a good option if you only use your phone very occasionally and don’t want to see your hard earned money disappear.

FAQ

Can you still get pay as you go SIM cards?

Pay as you go SIM cards are readily available from a number of UK mobile phone networks. Some of the most popular networks are Vodafone, Three, O2, EE and 1pMobile.

How to get your phone unlocked?

If you have a handset that’s been locked to a specific network, you can get it unlocked at a number of high street stores. Most phone shops will be able to unlock your phone in just a few minutes and many will do the work for less than £10. Once unlocked, your phone will work on any network. This leaves you free to choose the PAYG SIM that’s right for you.

Are pay as you go SIM cards free?

A lot of network providers supply PAYG SIMs free of charge. However, you won’t be able to use your PAYG SIM until you top up your credit and there won’t be any calls, texts or data available for free.

What's the difference between PAYG SIMs and traditional pay as you go?

PAYG is exactly the same as pay as you go. If you get a PAYG SIM, you’ll need to buy credit before you can start making calls, sending texts and looking at content online.