30 Day SIM only deals

Compare 30 day SIM only deals

Need a SIM on a monthly, rolling basis? Check out our latest 30-day SIM only deals.

What’s a 30-day SIM only deal?

Also known as a monthly rolling contract, a 30-day SIM only deal includes the cost of a SIM card, plus a monthly allowance of data, texts and minutes.

Unlike contract mobile phone deals, the handset isn’t included. You need to provide that yourself.

Find out more about SIM only deals.

How do 30-day SIM only deals work?

A 1-month SIM only contract is all about providing a package of services rather than paying for a smartphone. It auto-renews each month, and you pay by Direct Debit so there’s no need to top up your account like pay-as-you-go sims.

If you’ve already got a handset, or you’re happy to buy a new one, it can be a cost-effective alternative to standard mobile phone deals.  Many SIM only deals have a fixed term of 12, 18 or 24 months. A monthly rolling contract gives you more flexibility. You have the freedom to switch or cancel the plan at any time with just a month’s notice. 

Still wondering if a longer-term SIM only contract might be a better fit? Compare 12-month SIM only deals or filter by 18 or 24 months to see what works best for you.

What are the advantages of 30-day SIM only deals?

Fixed monthly payments

Budgeting is easier with a set monthly price. A 30-day rolling contract gives you fewer surprises. But remember, not all services are covered by your allowance. For example, if you’re calling premium-rate numbers, sending picture messages or using your phone abroad. You also have to factor in the one-off cost of a new handset if you haven’t got one.

Wide choice of tariffs

There are plenty of 30-day SIM only contracts to choose from. As well as making it easier to find the right deal, this makes prices more competitive.

Freedom to upgrade – or downgrade

You can easily switch your 30-day SIM contract if you need more or less data or if you’re not using all the features.

5G included

Many 30-day SIM only deals offer 5G – as long as your phone is 5G-enabled and you have coverage in your area. Find out by putting your postcode into Ofcom’s coverage checker.

The chance to find the best provider

You can easily move to a new deal or try out a different network provider with no commitment. You might do this if you see a better offer or your coverage isn’t up to scratch,

Flexibility

A monthly rolling contract gives you freedom to switch contracts if you need to. This works well if you’re staying somewhere on a temporary basis, you’re looking for a stop-gap solution, or can only plan for the short term,

Fewer credit checks

Got a poor credit rating? With 30-day SIM only deals, credit checks are often less stringent or not required at all. This is often the case with smaller, budget-friendly providers like SMARTY.

Added value

Although longer contracts are more likely to include special offers, 30-day SIM only deals also come with discounts and incentives. These may include EU roaming, the promise of no price hikes in 2024, data rolling or three months’ free access to Apple TV+.

What are the disadvantages of 30-day SIM only deals?

A higher monthly tariff

A longer term contract tends to be cheaper. However, 30-day SIM only deals start at around £5 a month for 16GB, so it depends what you’re looking for.

Fewer incentives

The best customer benefits tend to come with longer term SIM only contracts.

You could miss out on better deals

Although it’s easy to switch to a new plan or provider, constantly looking out for better deals can be a hassle. If you’re not making the most of the flexibility, a 12-month SIM only deal or unlimited data SIM only plan might give you more benefits.

Smaller allowances

Monthly SIM only deals may come with less data, although it’s not hard to find deals with unlimited calls and minutes.

Handset not included

You need to buy a new smartphone if you don’t have one. That can be pricey, particularly if you want the latest model.

If you want the handset included in your contract, compare contract mobile phone deals.

What’s the difference between a 30-day SIM only deal and pay as you go?

The main difference is the way you pay.

With a 30-day SIM only deal, your monthly payment covers a set allowance of inclusive data, minutes and texts.

If you’ve got a pay as you go (PAYG) plan, you only pay for what you use. You top up your account each month with credit. Your provider then takes the cost of each call, text and the data you use from that amount.

You may be allowed to roll unused data into the next month or get extra data if you auto-renew.

Can I switch to a 30-day SIM only contract?

Yes – if you’re out of contract, or on a pay as you go (PAYG) plan. Speak to your current provider about getting a refund for any credit left on your PAYG account.

If you’re already on a 30-day rolling contract, you just need to give a month’s notice.

Find out more about switching mobile provider.

How do I cancel a 30-day SIM only deal?

If you want to cancel and move to a new network, follow the same process as switching to a new provider.

  • Let your current provider know that you want to cancel and move to a new network
  • Text PAC to 65075 to get the code you need to port your mobile number across to your new plan.

If you don’t want to take your number with you, get a STAC code by texting STAC to 75075. When you sign up to another 30-day SIM only deal or any new SIM only deal, you’re starting fresh with a new mobile number.

Which networks offer 30-day SIM only deals?

There’s plenty of choice.

The main providers all offer 30-day rolling contracts, as do many of the mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that run on their networks.

Use confused.com to compare 30-day SIM only deals from:

  • Asda Mobile
  • iD Mobile
  • SMARTY
  • Talkmobile
  • Tesco Mobile
  • Three
  • Vodafone.

EE’s SIM only deals don't appear on price-comparison sites anymore, but they also offer monthly rolling contracts.

Where can I find the best 30-day SIM only deals?

There’s no one ‘best’ option. Compare 30-day SIM deals and you can weigh up the pros and cons of available offers based on what you need.

The cheapest 30-day SIM only contract isn’t necessarily the one that’s right for you. For example, if you need unlimited data, prices start at £15 a month. For 16GB of data, it’s more like £5.

How do I choose a 30-day SIM only deal?

You need to know how much data you need. If you’re not sure, check your recent mobile bills by logging into your online account or via the provider’s app.

Read our guide to SIM only deals for more details.

Then you need to think about:

  • How much you want to pay.
  • Some SIM only monthly rolling contracts include a cap on payments, fixed prices for 2024, or initial discounts on the first 3 months.
  • The number of calls and texts you use each month.
  • The download speeds you want.
  •   This is measured in Mbps. Whether you want inclusive roaming. This is especially important if you’re a frequent traveller.
  • What perks are available.
  •   You might get these with your 30-day SIM.

Find 30-day SIM only deals on Uswitch

Browse 30-day SIM only deals on Uswitch to find the right price and data plan for your needs.