We round up the best value SIM-Only mobile deals which offer 1GB of monthly data, right now in the UK.
If the thought of a pricey 24-month phone contract makes your throat constrict with fear, like an invisible noose around your neck, you’ve come to the right place. These SIM-Only deals with a decent 1GB of data could be for you.
What is a SIM-Only deal?
Exactly what it sounds like. A SIM-Only deal gives you nothing but the SIM card, to plug into whatever mobile device you have at hand. This will come with a set number of minutes, texts and data allowance each month.
SIM-Only comes in 12-month or even just 30-day contracts, so you’re not tied in for the long-haul. SIM-only deals can also be super affordable too, saving you lots of cash compared with a monthly contract.
You can keep using your old phone if you like, or buy a new handset outright and then try a SIM-only deal, which will often save you cash in the long haul. The tough part is paying for that phone straight off, either by saving up, or using an interest-free credit card.
Is 1GB of data enough?
The amount of data you’ll need is of course a big question and a massive concern for some. As a rule, 1GB is good enough for basic use – emailing, messaging and the rest. Check out our ‘how much data do I need‘ feature for more info. We’ve also compiled a handy guide to check how much data you’re currently using on your smartphone.
If you want to go really cheap, you can get Sky Mobile’s new 500MB contract for just £5 per month, including unlimited calls and texts. But most people need a little more data than that to get by and probably don’t mind paying more than the price of a pint for the peace of mind each month.
Here are some of the best affordable SIM-only deals in the UK, all of which offer you a decent 1GB of free data per month.
For the greatest UK mobile deals right now, check out our special real-time deals page. In here you’ll find the latest deals on great-value SIM Only contracts, for any amount of data and from any UK provider.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: O2
The O2 SIM-Only options fit into two categories: the 30 day rolling contract and the 12-month contract. The longer you commit for, the cheaper the overall cost is. So if you want the freedom of a 30 day contract which you can end month-to-month, you’ll be paying about £18 for 1GB of data with 1,000 minutes and unlimited texts.
If you jump up to the 12-month contract commitment, this price drops to £16 per month for 1GB of data with 1,000 minutes and unlimited texts. That’s a saving of £2 per month for a year-long contract, meaning £24 for the duration.
Check out O2’s SIM-Only deals right now.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: Three
Three also offers SIM-Only deals on both monthly or yearly contracts.
If you opt for the freedom of monthly, then you can get an Essential Plan with 1GB of data, 600 minutes and unlimited texts for £12 per month. Alternatively go for the Three Advanced Plan for £13 and also get personal hotspot support, so you can use your phone as a Wi-Fi connection for you laptop or tablet.
If you want your 1GB of data plus unlimited calls, texts and personal hotspot use, that’ll cost you £18 per month.
Change up to a 12-month contract commitment and you can get 1GB of data with 600 minutes and unlimited texts of the Essential Plan, for £9 per month. Add that hotspot support on the Advanced Plan for £10 per month.
For the full unlimited calls and texts offering with 1GB of data and hotspot use, it’ll cost you £15 per month.
European roaming and some other benefits such as full 4G support are included as standard.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: TalkTalk
As ever TalkTalk is offering deals with plenty of extras. So, at the time of publishing, there is a lot of doubling of data being given away for SIM-Only deals. So if you want that 1GB, you can pay for a 500MB contract with 400 minutes and unlimited texts, on a 12 month contract, for £13 per month.
But there is an even better SIM-Only deal available with the 1GB contract, which now offers 2GB data, 950 minutes and unlimited texts for just £10.50. Lovely stuff.
TalkTalk only offers one 30 day SIM-Only plan, and that only deals out 500MB of data (after doubling up from 250) with 200 minutes and unlimited texts for £5 per month.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: GiffGaff
The SIM-only deals from GiffGaff allow you to change your plan each month and there are plenty to pick from. For 1GB of data, this comes with a GiffGaff Gigabag that costs £7.50 per month – but that doesn’t include free minutes or texts.
To get free allowances, you’ll need to either go lower (with 750MB of data, 250 minutes and unlimited texts for £7.50) or higher (2GB of data with 500 minutes and unlimited texts for £10 per month). All of these plans include 4G connectivity, so whatever data you opt for, you’ll get it plenty fast.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: EE
The EE SIM-Only offerings are slim pickings but there is a 1GB option, on an Essential Plan. This is a 12 month SIM-Only contract deal that includes 1,000 minutes and unlimited texts, which can also be used when travelling in the EU.
At the time of publishing, this is reduced from £16 per month to £14.39.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: Vodafone
Vodafone offers a 30 day contract with 1GB of data, plus 1,000 minutes for £17 per month. This includes international roaming in 50 countries for free.
If you opt for a 12-month contract, you can get the same Essentials plan with 1GB of data and 1,000 minutes – plus that roaming love – for £15 per month.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile offers a 30-day rolling contract option for its SIM-Only deals and at time of publishing are doubling data allowances. Get 2GB of data for the price of 1GB, with unlimited texts and 1500 minutes of calls for just £9 per month.
Or go for the 12-month contract and get the same double 2GB of data with unlimited texts and 1,500 minutes of calls for just £8 per month.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: TPO Mobile (The People’s Operator)
TPO not only offers you good deals but 10 percent of what you pay goes to the charity of your choice.
TPO doesn’t offer 1GB of data exactly, but you can go below with 512MB, 200 minutes and 500 texts for £3.99 per month. Alternatively aim higher, with 2GB of data, unlimited texts and 600 minutes for £6.99 per month.
Both of these options include 4G at the time of publishing, plus they’re 30-day rolling monthly contracts.
Cheapest SIM-Only 1GB deals: Tesco Mobile
Get your 1GB of 4G data with Tesco Mobile on a 12-month SIM-Only contract, which includes 100 minutes and 5,000 texts for £9 per month.
You can also opt for a rolling 30-day monthly contract, which gets you that 1GB of 4G data plus 500 minutes and 5,000 texts for £11 per month.
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