By In the UK, Pay As You Go eSIMs are available from giffgaff, Lyca Mobile, Uki Mobile, Vodafone, and VOXI. Compare UK Pay As You Go eSIM providers.
In the UK, it’s currently possible to get a Pay As You Go eSIM from giffgaff, Lyca Mobile, Uki Mobile, Vodafone and VOXI. These Pay As You Go eSIMs will allow you to get connected to the mobile network without the need for a physical SIM card inside your phone. You can also use it to activate dual-SIM functionality on your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel smartphone.
In this article, we’ll look at the availability of Pay As You Go eSIMs in the UK, including the providers available and the best Pay As You Go eSIM deals. We’ll also look at how you can use a Pay As You Go eSIM inside your mobile phone.
| Pay As You Go eSIMs: | £5 per month |
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| Pay As You Go eSIM Providers UK: |
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Best Pay As You Go eSIM
In the UK, it’s now possible to get an eSIM on Pay As You Go, with no need to sign a contract and no need to go through a credit check.
Having an eSIM will allow you to access dual-SIM functionality on newer iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones. For instance, you might be able to have two phone numbers at the same time on your device (e.g. both your work number and your personal number). An eSIM can also improve your mobile coverage by giving you access to another network, as well as giving you an extra allowance of mobile data.
At present, Lyca Mobile is our recommended network if you’re looking for a Pay As You Go eSIM plan in the UK:
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Lyca Mobile
As a special offer for December 2024, you can get Lyca Mobile’s 25GB plan for just £5 per month on an eSIM. Alternatively, there’s 50GB data for £7.50, 100GB data for £10, or unlimited data for £12.50. All of the Lyca Mobile plans work on a Pay As You Go basis so you can easily pause, change or cancel your plan at any time. |
In the UK, Lyca Mobile currently offers the fastest and cheapest way to get connected on a Pay As You Go eSIM. They have a range of eSIM-ready plans from If you’re a UK resident and if you’re happy to sign up to a contract, you can also consider getting a Pay Monthly eSIM.
UK Pay As You Go eSIM Providers
In the following section, we’ll look at the UK’s individual Pay As You Go eSIM providers in more detail.
The fastest way to get a Pay As You Go eSIM, with no contract
Lyca Mobile
| eSIM Delivery: | Instant online delivery (QR code via email) |
| Includes UK Number: | Yes |
| Plans From: | £5 per month |
| Coverage: | Uses EE network – check postcode |
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| Reasons To Avoid: |
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| Get eSIM: | Order Lyca Mobile eSIM (with instant delivery) → |
At present, Lyca Mobile UK offers Pay As You Go eSIMs, with access to 4G and 5G coverage on the EE network.
Their plans start from just £5/month, with an allowance of UK minutes, international minutes, texts and 5G mobile data included. You’ll get a UK phone number (+44) on your Lyca Mobile eSIM, plus instant online delivery so you can start using your new plan straight away.
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25GB data | £5.00 for 1 months, then £10 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 50GB data | £7.50 for 1 months, then £15 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 88GB data | £8.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 100GB data | £10.00 per month 1 month contract | See deal |
| 100GB data | £10.00 for 1 months, then £20 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £12.50 for 1 months, then £25 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
On Lyca Mobile, you’ll get the ability to use your plan abroad at no extra cost in the EU and India (up to 12GB per month on limited data plans, or 35GB per month on unlimited data plans).
For more information, see the FAQs on the Lyca Mobile website.
Flexible Pay As You Go plans, with eSIM swap via app
giffgaff
| eSIM Delivery: | SIM Swap required (using giffgaff app) |
| Includes UK Number: | Yes |
| Plans From: | £6 per month |
| Coverage: | Uses O2 network – check postcode |
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giffgaff is another UK mobile network that offers Pay As You Go eSIMs. Their Pay As You Go plans start from £6/month and give you access to O2’s 5G network with a UK phone number. You’ll also get an inclusive allowance of UK minutes, texts and mobile data.
The main disadvantage of giffgaff’s Pay As You Go eSIM is the rather convoluted process to sign-up. To start off, you’ll need to order a plastic SIM card from the giffgaff website, which will be delivered free of charge to your home address (in the UK or abroad).
When your plastic SIM card arrives, you’ll be able to use the information in that pack to register for the giffgaff app, and to swap your plan from a plastic SIM card onto a giffgaff eSIM. That extra step takes a little bit of time, but you’ll only need to do it once when you sign up.
The following table shows giffgaff’s eSIM-ready Pay As You Go deals:
| Plan | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB data | £6.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 5GB data | £8.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 20GB data | £10.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 26GB data | £12.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 35GB data | £15.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 100GB data | £20.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 100GB data + Always On data | £25.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £35.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
All of giffgaff’s Pay As You Go plans come with inclusive EU roaming (up to 5GB per month).
It’s also possible to use a giffgaff eSIM without any regular monthly fees. Simply opt-out of buying a monthly plan, and you’ll pay 25p/minute, 10p/text and 10p/MB. To keep it active, you’ll need to use your giffgaff eSIM for a chargeable activity at least once every 6 months.
A data-only prepay eSIM from the Airalo app
Uki Mobile
| eSIM Delivery: | Instant online delivery (download via app) |
| Includes UK Number: | No, data-only service (no calls & texts) |
| Plans From: | US$5 (approx £4) for 7 days |
| Coverage: | Uses EE network – check postcode |
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| Reasons To Avoid: |
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| Get eSIM: | Order Uki Mobile eSIM (with instant delivery) → |
Uki Mobile is another provider of Pay As You Go eSIMs for the UK. Available exclusively through Airalo, the Uki Mobile plans start from US$5 (approx £4) for 7 days of use in the UK. This increases up to US$10 (approx £8) if you’re looking for a one-month plan.
Unlike the giffgaff and Lyca Mobile eSIMs, Uki Mobile mainly pitches itself at tourists and visitors to the UK. Although there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to use it as a UK resident, there are two disadvantages to doing so:
- Uki Mobile offers a data-only eSIM. You won’t get a UK phone number included. As such, it isn’t possible to use the Uki Mobile eSIM for calling or texting.
- You’ll need to pay for your Uki Mobile eSIM in US dollars. As it’s a foreign currency transaction, there can be extra fees from your bank. The exchange rate and the resulting price in pounds sterling can also differ over time.
The following table shows the latest Uki Mobile Pay As You Go plans:
| Plan | Data | Plan Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB data | US$5.00 (approx £4.00) 7 days validity | See deal |
| 2GB data | US$7.50 (approx £6.00) 15 days validity | See deal |
| 3GB data | US$10.00 (approx £8.00) 30 days validity | See deal |
| 5GB data | US$15.00 (approx £12.00) 30 days validity | See deal |
| 10GB data | US$22.50 (approx £18.00) 30 days validity | See deal |
| 20GB data | US$36.00 (approx £28.80) 30 days validity | See deal |
With Uki Mobile, it isn’t possible to use your plan abroad in other countries (e.g. if you’re travelling to another European country). If you’re looking for an Airalo eSIM that can also be used in Europe, consider getting a Eurolink eSIM instead.
As a special offer for readers of this website, you can save 10% on your Uki Mobile eSIM when you enter the KEN10 voucher code at checkout. This offer is only available if you’re new to Airalo. If you’re an existing Airalo customer, the KEN5 voucher code will give you 5% off.
A big-name mobile network with Pay As You Go eSIMs
Vodafone
| Setup Method: | Instant setup (QR code via email) |
| Includes UK Number: | Yes |
| Plans From: | £10 per month |
| Coverage: | Uses Vodafone network – check postcode |
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| Get eSIM: |
Order Vodafone eSIM (with instant delivery) → |
If you’re looking for a Pay As You Go eSIM from a big-name mobile network, you can get an eSIM on Vodafone’s Pay As You Go Plus plan from £10. Your Vodafone eSIM will be sent to you with instant online delivery, allowing you to start using it straight away.
One of the benefits of getting a Vodafone eSIM is that it’ll make you eligible for VeryMe Rewards. This is Vodafone’s customer loyalty programme which gives you access to exclusive offers and discounts through their app. This includes discounted cinema tickets and 2-for-1 meals at independent restaurants across the UK. There are also discounts at independent coffee shops and days out for the family.
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8GB data | £10.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| 25GB data | £15.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| 50GB data | £20.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| 150GB data | £30.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data 100Mbps max speed | £40.00 per month No contract | See deal |
Unfortunately, European roaming is not included on Vodafone Pay As You Go eSIMs. If you’d like to use your Vodafone eSIM in Europe, you’ll need to buy one of their roaming extras which start from 3GB data for £9.
Pay As You Go eSIM with unlimited social media & Vodafone 5G coverage
VOXI
| Setup Method: | Instant setup (QR code via email) |
| Includes UK Number: | Yes |
| Plans From: | £10 per month |
| Coverage: | Uses Vodafone network – check postcode |
| Reasons To Buy: |
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| Reasons To Avoid: |
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| Get eSIM: |
Order VOXI eSIM (with instant delivery) → |
In the UK, VOXI now offers Pay As You Go eSIMs with instant online delivery. This is available without the need to get a plastic SIM card first, so you can get connected to their network straight away. On all of VOXI’s eSIM plans, you’ll get unlimited social media, with 4G & 5G coverage from Vodafone. There are also regular VOXI Drop rewards.
On selected plans, you’ll also get Unlimited Music (from £12 per month) and Unlimited Video (from £15 per month).
The following table shows VOXI’s Pay As You Go eSIM deals:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GB data Unlimited Social Media | £10.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| 25GB data Unlimited Social Media Unlimited Music | £12.00 per month No contract | See deal |
Offer ends 14th Feb | 105GB data Unlimited Social Media Unlimited Music Unlimited Video | £15.00 per month No contract | See deal |
| 100GB data Unlimited Social Media Unlimited Music Unlimited Video | £20.00 per month No contract | See deal |
Offer ends 13th Feb | Unlimited data Unlimited Social Media Unlimited Music Unlimited Video | £30.00 per month No contract | See deal |
Other Mobile Networks
Unfortunately, other UK Pay As You Go networks are still yet to offer eSIM on their Pay As You Go plans. This includes Lebara Mobile and SMARTY.
If you’re looking for a long-term eSIM plan, you could consider getting a Pay Monthly eSIM. This is now available from most major network providers, including EE, O2, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Three and Vodafone. See our comparison of the UK’s best eSIM plans.
More Information
For more information, see our guide to eSIMs in the UK. You can also see our list of eSIM-ready phones and the best eSIM deals.
Matthew Donovan said:
Where can you get the Lyca deal for – as quoted – “£1.29pm” ? If I go to the link, the cheapest is £5. Thanks for any clues on that.
Ken replied:
Hi Matthew,
Thanks a lot for the heads up about that. It looks like the £1.29pm deal may have now been removed. I’m currently checking with Lyca and will update ASAP. In the meantime, I do believe their 10GB for £1.49pm deal is still live, so it might be worth grabbing that whilst it’s still available!
Ken
Jason said:
As of April 2024, Vodafone can swap you over to an eSIM on payg. I tested it this week by buying a PAYG sim in a shop, putting it in a phone and registering the account online, waiting a few days, then using the “transfer to eSIM” option in my online account plan settings page and using the “enter EID” option. The eSIM showed up on my iPhone in a few minutes. (Waiting a few days seems to be important, per some forum posts – the eSIM transfer did not work the first day.) The eSIM seems to be identical to the one I got in the shop, same PAYG1 plan. (Pro tip: free text “international” to 2345 for their better international rates like 1p/min to the USA. Or just to activate your sim.)
Christopher James said:
This article isn’t very accurate. There’s a decent amount of prepaid UK esim providers now.
– 3 UK (finally!) offer PAYG eSIM. I activated mine today. Works perfectly with a great activation – and transfer from phone to phone – process.
– eSIM.net, great as always. Supporting Voda & O2, though only downside is slightly higher prices compared to other prepaid providers.
– GiffGaff. I don’t personally like GG. I think their service is woefully poor (still no VoLTE or VoWiFi!), with their eSIM process being equally as dismal. There’s no way to activate against eSIM alone and if you want to transfer to a new phone you are sent a physical sim to then transfer to eSIM. Absolute shambles and so in keeping with everything GG does.
– Lyca, now they use EE they’re actually not completely awful. Why you would use them when eSIM.net and 3 Uk offer eSIM now is beyond me though.
– Spusu, use EE but are missing B20, so forget it. Plus traffic is routed through Austria leaving latency too high. Too expensive and product is lacking. Avoid.
For me, the big hold outs are now Voxi and 1pmobile. Both offer great service yet still no eSIM support. 1pm assured me it’s coming in Q4 ‘23, but I am not holding my breath.
Please update your article to better reflect the state of eSIM on UK PAYG.
Ken replied:
Hi Christopher,
Thanks a lot for this! With regards to Three, I’m not aware they offer eSIM on Pay As You Go. Their website still says you’ll need a ‘Three Your Way’ plan, which is only available on Pay Monthly at the moment. Is this a recent change/development?
Ken