The cheapest 4G SIM-only mobile deals

A SIM-only plan can save you money on your mobile phone bill.

That’s because these deals don’t come with a handset, so you only pay for calls, texts and data.

Another plus side is that the contracts are much shorter. Most providers offer the choice of a 30-day rolling plan or 12-month contract.

But to use one you need to be in a position to either pay up front for a new phone or keep your existing handset.

3G or 4G SIM-only?

Nowadays smartphone users need to decide whether they need a 3G or 4G SIM-only deal.

If you’ve got a 4G-ready handset, like the new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, you’ll need a 4G plan in order to get the most out of it.

To make things more complicated, you need to be in an area set up for 4G to use it. Coverage varies from provider to provider. However, you'll be able to use 3G when there is no 4G service.

Older handsets like the iPhone 4 can only run on the 3G network, so there's no point paying more for a 4G contract.

4G is the next generation in mobile data and allows faster browsing, streaming and downloading compared to 3G.

There are only a handful of providers offering 4G-SIM-only plans, these include the major networks EE, Three, O2, and Vodafone as well as mobile virtual network operators (or MVNOs) Tesco Mobile, giffgaff, BT Mobile and Rok Mobile.

Here's what they offer and how they compare.

EE

EE has the widest 4G coverage of any of the providers. Its service covers over 90% of the country and is available in 600 major towns and cities, as well as over 6,000 villages and small towns.

SIM-only customers get access to the EE Film Club, which offers a blockbuster film rental for £1 every week.

EE offers a variety of 30-day and 12-month deals.

30-day deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£12.99	250	Unlimited	250MB
£15.99	500	Unlimited	500MB
£19.99	2,000	Unlimited	2GB
£23.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
£26.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB
£31.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB

12-month deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£9.99	250	Unlimited	250MB
£12.99	500	Unlimited	500MB
£16.99	2,000	Unlimited	2GB
£16.99*	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
£22.99**	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB
£28.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB

* Limited time offer. Ends 14th August 2015.

**Limited time offer. Ends 31st August 2015.

BT Mobile

BT Mobile, which recently launched its service, uses the EE network and so has the same extensive 4G coverage.

BT Mobile only offers its 4G deals on a 12-month contract and the best prices are reserved for BT Broadband customers.

12-month deals

Monthly cost	Texts	Minutes	Data
£5*	Unlimited	200	500MB
£12*	Unlimited	500	3GB
£20*	Unlimited	Unlimited	20GB

*Prices for BT Broadband customers only. Non-BT Broadband customers pay £10 (500MB), £17 (2GB) and £25 (20GB).

Three

Three’s 4G service is limited to 55% of the population, but it’s the only provider to offer unlimited 4G data at no extra cost.

You can use your data allowance as a personal hotspot to create a connection for other devices. On unlimited deals this 'tethering' is capped at 4GB.

Three’s SIM-only plans allow you to use your phone abroad to call, text and use data in certain Feel At Home destinations at no extra cost.

Three offers both 30-day and 12-month SIM-only deals.

30-day deals

Monthly cost*	Minutes	Texts	Data
£14	600	Unlimited	1GB
£19	600	Unlimited	4GB
£20	200	Unlimited	Unlimited
£22	600	Unlimited	8GB
£24	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
£25	600	Unlimited	Unlimited
£27	Unlimited	Unlimited	8GB
£30	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

*All prices include a monthly discount of £5 for choosing to pay by a recurring method like direct debit.

12-month deals

Monthly cost*	Minutes	Texts	Data
£8	200	Unlimited	500MB
£11	200	Unlimited	2GB
£11	600	Unlimited	1GB
£16	600	Unlimited	4GB
£17	200	Unlimited	Unlimited
£19	600	Unlimited	8GB
£21	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
£22	600	Unlimited	Unlimited
£24	Unlimited	Unlimited	8GB
£27	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

*All prices include a monthly discount of £5 for choosing to pay by a recurring method like direct debit.

Rok Mobile

Rok Mobile, is a new MVNO, which uses Three’s network to offer its service.

It’s a unique provider as it only offers one 30-day tariff that comes with a music subscription service included.

There’s also a ‘Test Drive SIM’ that allows you try out the mobile service for 30 days and the music streaming service for two weeks.

30-day deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£9.99*	250	500	500MB
£24.99**	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB

*Test Drive SIM includes access to Rok Mobile music apps for two weeks.

**Price includes a music subscription service to Rok Mobile music.

O2

O2’s 4G service is up and running in 575 towns and cities. It currently covers almost 75% of the population for outdoor coverage.

It also offers 30-day and 12-month 4G SIM-only plans. At the moment O2 is offering 15% off all its pay monthly SIM-Only deals until 30th September 2015.

30-day deals

Monthly cost*	Minutes	Texts	Data
£10.62	300	Unlimited	300MB
£13.17	500	Unlimited	500MB
£18.70	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB
£19.54	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
£23.80	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB

*15% off ordinary tariff price. Offer ends 30ths September 2015.

12-month deals

Monthly cost*	Minutes	Texts	Data
£8.92	300	Unlimited	300MB
£11.47	500	Unlimited	500MB
£13.60	1000	Unlimited	1GB
£15.30	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
£19.54	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
£23.80	Unlimited	Unlimited	7GB
£27.20	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB

*15% off ordinary tariff price. Offer ends 30ths September 2015.

Tesco Mobile

Tesco Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). It piggybacks off O2’s network to provide its service, so covers the same areas for 4G.

It has a wide variety of deals for those looking for a 4G deal on a 30-day , 12- or 18-month contract.

30-day deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£10	500	5000	500MB
£12.50	500	5000	1GB
£15	1500	5000	1GB
£17.50	3000	5000	2GB
£20	5000	5000	3GB
£22.50	5000	5000	4GB
£25	5000	5000	6GB
£27.50	5000	5000	8GB

12-month deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£7.50	250	5000	500MB
£10	750	5000	500MB
£10	250	5000	1GB
£12.50	1000	5000	1GB
£15	3000	5000	2GB
£17.50	5000	5000	3GB
£20	5000	5000	4GB
£22.50	5000	5000	6GB
£25	5000	5000	8GB

18-month deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£10	500	5000	1GB
£12.50	750	5,000	2GB
£15	3000	5000	3GB

Giffgaff

Giffgaff is another MVNO using O2's network.

It offers 4G SIM-only goodybags, which are available as 30-day deals.

30-day deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£12	500	Unlimited	1GB
£15	500	Unlimited	3GB
£18	1,000	Unlimited	5GB

Vodafone

Vodafone's 4G service covers 626 towns and cities.

It offers 4G SIM-only plans on 30-day and 12-month deals.

Selected 12-month deals come with choice of a free Spotify, Now TV or Sky Sports Mobile TV subscription.

30-day deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£11.50	300	500	250MB
£16	600	Unlimited	1GB
£19	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
£24	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
£29	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB

12-month deals

Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
£9.50	300	Unlimited	250MB
£14	600	Unlimited	1GB
£17	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
£22	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB*
£27	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB**
£32	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB**
£40	Unlimited	Unlimited	20GB**

*Comes with six-month Spotify, Now TV or Sky Sports Mobile TV subscription.

**Comes with 12-month Spotify, Now TV or Sky Sports Mobile TV subscription.

The cheapest 4G deals

Here’s how all the 4G SIM-only plans available right now compare on cost.

Provider	Term	Monthly cost	Minutes	Texts	Data
BT Mobile	12 months	£5*	Unlimited	200	500MB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£7.50	250	5000	500MB
Three	12 months	£8**	200	Unlimited	500MB
O2	12 months	£8.92***	300	Unlimited	300MB
Vodafone	12 months	£9.50	300	Unlimited	250MB
EE	12 months	£9.99	250	Unlimited	250MB
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£10	500	5000	500MB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£10	750	5000	500MB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£10	250	5000	1GB
Tesco Mobile	18 months	£10	500	5000	1GB
O2	30 days	£10.62***	300	Unlimited	300MB
Three	12 months	£11**	200	Unlimited	2GB
Three	12 months	£11**	600	Unlimited	1GB
O2	12 months	£11.47***	500	Unlimited	500MB
Vodafone	30 days	£11.50	300	500	250MB
BT Mobile	12 months	£12*	Unlimited	500	3GB
Giffgaff	12 months	£12	500	Unlimited	1GB
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£12.50	500	5000	1GB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£12.50	1000	5000	1GB
Tesco Mobile	18 months	£12.50	750	5,000	2GB
EE	30 days	£12.99	250	Unlimited	250MB
EE	12 months	£12.99	500	Unlimited	500MB
O2	30 days	£13.17***	500	Unlimited	500MB
O2	12 months	£13.60***	1000	Unlimited	1GB
Three	30 days	£14**	600	Unlimited	1GB
Vodafone	12 months	£14	600	Unlimited	1GB
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£15	1500	5000	1GB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£15	3000	5000	2GB
Tesco Mobile	18 months	£15	3000	5000	3GB
Giffgaff	12 months	£15	500	Unlimited	3GB
O2	12 months	£15.30***	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
EE	30 days	£15.99	500	Unlimited	500MB
Three	12 months	£16**	600	Unlimited	4GB
Vodafone	30 days	£16	600	Unlimited	1GB
EE	12 months	£16.99****	2,000	Unlimited	2GB
EE	12 months	£16.99*****	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
Three	12 months	£17**	200	Unlimited	Unlimited
Vodafone	12 months	£17	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£17.50	3000	5000	2GB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£17.50	5000	5000	3GB
Giffgaff	12 months	£18	1,000	Unlimited	5GB
O2	30 days	£18.70***	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB
Three	30 days	£19**	600	Unlimited	4GB
Three	12 months	£19**	600	Unlimited	8GB
Vodafone	30 days	£19	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
O2	30 days	£19.54***	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB
O2	12 months	£19.54***	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
EE	30 days	£19.99	2,000	Unlimited	2GB
BT Mobile	12 months	£20*	Unlimited	Unlimited	20GB
Three	30 days	£20**	200	Unlimited	Unlimited
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£20	5000	5000	3GB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£20	5000	5000	4GB
Three	12 months	£21**	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
Three	30 days	£22**	600	Unlimited	8GB
Three	12 months	£22**	600	Unlimited	Unlimited
Vodafone	12 months	£22******	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£22.50	5000	5000	4GB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£22.50	5000	5000	6GB
EE	12 months	£22.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB
O2	30 days	£23.80***	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB
O2	12 months	£23.80***	Unlimited	Unlimited	7GB
EE	30 days	£23.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
Three	30 days	£24**	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
Three	12 months	£24**	Unlimited	Unlimited	8GB
Vodafone	30 days	£24*******	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
Rok Mobile	30 days	£24.99********	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB
Three	30 days	£25**	600	Unlimited	Unlimited
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£25	5000	5000	6GB
Tesco Mobile	12 months	£25	5000	5000	8GB
EE	30 days	£26.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB
Three	30 days	£27**	Unlimited	Unlimited	8GB
Three	12 months	£27**	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Vodafone	12 months	£27*******	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB
O2	12 months	£27.20***	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB
Tesco Mobile	30 days	£27.50	5000	5000	8GB
EE	12 months	£28.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB
Vodafone	30 days	£29*******	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB
Three	30 days	£30**	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
EE	30 days	£31.99	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB
Vodafone	12 months	£32*******	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB
Vodafone	12 months	£40*******	Unlimited	Unlimited	20GB

*Prices for BT Broadband customers only. Non-BT Broadband customers pay £10 (500MB), £17 (2GB) and £25 (20GB).

**All prices include a monthly discount of £5 for choosing to pay by a recurring method like direct debit.

***15% off ordinary tariff price. Offer ends 30ths September 2015.

**** Limited time offer. Ends 31st August 2015.

***** Limited time offer. Ends 14th August 2015.

******Comes with six-month Spotify, Now TV or Sky Sports Mobile TV subscription.

*******Comes with 12-month Spotify, Now TV or Sky Sports Mobile TV subscription.

********Price includes a music subscription service to Rok Mobile music.

BT Mobile offers the cheapest 4G SIM-only deal right now at £5 a month on a 12-month contract with 500MB of data. However, you need to be a BT Broadband customer to get this deal, if not the price rises to £10 a month.

Tesco Mobile offers the cheapest 4G SIM-only deal open to all at £7.50 a month on a 12-month contract with 500MB of data.

Three is the only provider to offer unlimited 4G data, from £17 a month on a 12-month contract and from £20 a month on a 30-day contract. However, its 4G network is limited so you might not always be able to use the superfast service.

EE offers the widest coverage, but its deals aren’t very generous on data. For £9.99 EE will only provide 250MB on a 12-month contract compared to Three which offers 2GB on a 12-month contract for near enough the same price.

Tesco Mobile is similarly conservative with how much data it offers in each price range, but offers better value compared to O2 which it uses to provide its service.

Vodafone has the most expensive tariff of the bunch at £40 a month on a 12-month deal offering 20GB data, but you also get the choice of an extra freebie, which might swing the deal for you.

Rok Mobile is also worth considering if you also pay for a music streaming subscription and want to consolidate your costs.

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