Pay-as-you-go SIM cards are perfect for those who don’t want to commit to a contract or would prefer not to have to pass a credit check.
What is a pay-as-you-go SIM card?
A pay-as-you-go (PAYG) SIM card lets you pay upfront for mobile credit or a bundle of minutes, texts and data, without signing a long-term contract. You use your allowance until it runs out, then top up when it suits you.
Most PAYG SIMs offer rolling bundles that last 30 days, giving you control over your monthly spending. There’s usually no credit check, and you can often keep your existing number if you switch.
🚩 Bear in mind that PAYG rates can be higher than some pay monthly deals, especially if you use a lot of data.
Benefits of a pay-as-you-go SIM-only deal
With a PAYG SIM-only deal, you keep your existing handset and number, and simply switch the SIM. If you change phones regularly, you can move your SIM between compatible devices without replacing it each time.
There’s no long-term contract. Instead, you pay upfront for credit or a bundle of minutes, texts and data, then top up when your allowance runs out. That makes it easier to manage your spending month by month.
Most pay-as-you-go SIMs don’t require a credit check, which can make them a practical option if you have a low credit score or want to avoid a formal agreement. If you’re comparing options, see our guide to mobile phones for bad credit.
Many UK networks offer PAYG deals, with top-ups typically starting from around £5, depending on the provider and bundle you choose.
💡 Top tip: What to be aware of
Pay-as-you-go SIM cards don’t always offer the lowest rates. If you use a lot of minutes, texts or data, you may pay more overall than you would on a competitive pay monthly contract.
You’ll need an unlocked phone to use a PAYG SIM from a different network. If you bought your handset as part of a contract, it may have been locked to that provider. You can check by inserting a SIM from another network.
Most UK networks now unlock phones for free, either automatically or on request. If your phone is locked, contact your current or previous provider to arrange an unlock before you switch.
How to find the best pay-as-you-go SIMs
The best PAYG deal for you comes down to how much you use your phone.
If you only make occasional calls or send a few texts, a traditional pay-as-you-go tariff could suit you. You top up with credit, and charges are taken for each call, text and MB of data until that credit runs out. However, the cost per minute or MB is usually higher than with a bundle.
For regular use, a 30-day PAYG bundle may offer better value. You pay upfront for a set monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data. When the 30 days end, you can choose a new bundle or set it to renew automatically, similar to a rolling monthly plan but without a long-term contract.
Comparing your average data usage and call time can help you decide which option keeps your costs down.
Not sure how much data you need? Read our guide.
Which networks offer PAYG SIM-only deals?
These days, only very few mobile networks offer ‘true’ pay-as-you-go SIMs, in which you top up your account and pay by the minute, text, or MB of data.
Those networks include the following…
(Costs correct at the time of writing, March 2026, These are the standard pay-as-you-go unit charges before any bundles or add-ons.)
Asda Mobile
Asda Mobile’s PAYG plan is competitive, and you always have the option to buy one of its 30-day bundles from your credit.
Calls (UK mobiles and landlines) | 15p per min |
Texts | 10p |
Data | 10p per MB |
Lebara Mobile
Lebara Mobile specialises in great international calling rates, and those are even baked into its PAYG. If you have any particular location(s) in mind that you want to call, remember to check the rates for the individual country before signing up.
And again, you can switch to a 30-day or even 12-month plan any time you wish.
Calls (UK mobiles and landlines) | 25p per min |
Texts | 19p |
Data | 9p per MB |
International calls | From 1p per min |
International texts | From 6p |
Lyca Mobile
Whatever plan you sign up for with Lyca Mobile, you’ll get free calls and texts to other Lyca Mobile numbers. Rates to other numbers, however, are on the expensive side with PAYG.
Calls - UK landlines | 25p per min (free to other Lyca Mobile users with credit in the last 30 days) |
Texts | 23p (free to other Lyca Mobile users with credit in the last 30 days) |
Data | 15p per MB |
O2
O2 is a great option if you want a PAYG deal from a major network. Its Simply PAYG plans come with ample minutes and texts, plus a little data to get you going. Once that allowance has gone, rates are as follows:
Calls | 30p per min |
Texts | 15p |
Data | £1 for 50MB per day |
Three
Three gives PAYG SIM customers a free 150MB of data that lasts 48 hours every time they top up. Once topped up, costs are as follows:
Calls (UK landlines and mobiles) | 35p per min |
Texts | 15p per text |
Data | 10p per MB |
One-month SIM-only deals
These are perfect for users who want a short-term SIM-only deal with a monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data for a fixed cost amount, without the need to top up once the allowance has been exhausted.
What is a one-month SIM-only deal?
A one-month SIM-only deal is a rolling 30-day plan that gives you a set allowance of minutes, texts and data without tying you into a long contract.
You pay a fixed monthly fee, and your plan renews every 30 days. Because it’s a rolling agreement, you can usually cancel or switch with just 30 days’ notice.
If you use up your allowance before the month ends, you may be charged out-of-bundle rates or choose to buy a data add-on, depending on your provider’s terms.
You can compare current 30-day SIM-only deals to see what allowance suits your usage and budget.
Benefits of a one-month SIM-only deal
One month SIM-only deals are a flexible and cost-effective way to operate a mobile phone contract.
They’re very popular, too – all the leading UK networks offer a wide variety of one-month deals, starting from as little as £5 a month (or even less, if you happen to snag a time-limited discount deal).
Once your first month has ended, you’re free to cancel the contract at any time. You can also usually set it to refresh automatically like a one-month rolling contract, if you don’t want to think about buying it every month.
💡 Top tip: What to be aware of
Some one-month SIM-only deals offer an introductory price for the first month or two, which will increase after the promotional period is up. Usually it won’t be a drastic increase – for example, a £6 plan that’s half-price for the first three months goes back to the normal price – but it’s always good to be aware of the terms and conditions of the deal before signing up.
Some deals may also require a credit check before you sign up.
Is it cheaper to go pay-as-you-go?
While PAYG makes sense for casual users and those concerned about credit checks, often it isn’t the cheapest option.
Pay monthly SIM plans, on both one-month rolling and 12-month deals, almost always offer better value, especially when it comes to data. If you use data a lot, this is usually a better bet. Some network do not check credit scores for one month deals, as these are seen as one off payments rather than contracts. This includes giffgaff and SMARTY.
What is the best pay-as-you-go network in the UK?
EE leading overall experience and consistency, while Three leads in 5G download speeds (Jan 2026). Source Opensignal. The latter is worth bearing in mind as it offers decent PAYG deals. O2 also has excellent, widespread 4G and 5G and its Simply PAYG plans are impressive.
Be aware that smaller networks use the larger networks services. Asda Mobile uses Vodafone, as does Lebara, while Lyca uses O2.
Read more about the best networks in the UK.
Alternative cheap SIMS
Here is a selection of networks that offer cheap SIM only deals and what they've got to offer:
Can I get an unlimited data SIM only deal?
Yes, you can. Plenty of networks, including iD Mobile, VOXI and giffgaff, offer unlimited data SIM only deals.
They’ll probably be the most expensive plans on offer, but it means that you’ll never have to pay extra for accidentally going over your data allowance. Do bear in mind that many unlimited data plans only last for a month – you’ll need to top up again once your month is up.
Visit our page for more on unlimited data SIMs.
Can I get a data-only SIM?
Yes – several major networks offer data only SIMs.
As the name suggests, it’s a SIM plan that only comes with data. It’s useful for tablets, laptops and other mobile broadband devices, where you won’t need to use any minutes or texts.
Plus, you can often get data-only SIM deals on one-month, 12-month and 24-month plans.
The only thing to be aware of is that not all networks allow you to use them in mobile phones – they may be designed only for basic internet-connected devices, and unable to make calls.
Are pay-as-you-go SIM cards being phased out?
While PAYG SIM cards aren’t being phased out, a lot of networks have stopped offering them. That’s because monthly and yearly SIM only deals offer better value and can be easily swapped between devices.
Is there a pay-as-you-go SIM that doesn't expire?
The short answer is no.
But as long as your PAYG SIM card remains active, it should not expire. Three makes a big play of the fact its PAYG allowance is there for as long as you need it.
Some networks require you to top up regularly in order to prevent your SIM from expiring. Be sure to check directly before you top up.
Are 3G networks being retired?
3G networks are being retired — check device compatibility (4G/5G) and your provider’s support pages. For more information check out the Ofcom website.
