You can get an eSIM plan from just 99p/month in the UK. We compare eSIM-compatible SIM-only deals.

If you have a mobile phone that supports eSIM technology, you can now get an eSIM-ready SIM only deal from just 99p/month. This will allow you to use the eSIM capabilities on your mobile phone, including dual-SIM functionality on an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel smartphone.

In this article, we’ll compare the eSIM-ready SIM Only deals currently available in the UK. We’ll also look at how to set up an eSIM on your phone as it will sometimes require an extra step to move your plan onto eSIM.

Best eSIM Ready Plan

In the UK, it can be useful having an eSIM for your mobile phone. Having an eSIM will allow you to use the dual-SIM functionality on newer iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. For instance, you can have two phone numbers and two plans on your phone at the same time (e.g. both your work phone number and your personal phone number on the same device).

With eSIM, you can also benefit from greater flexibility and lower prices when you travel abroad. This is because the eSIM plan may give you cheaper international roaming than on your regular SIM card.

At present, Lyca Mobile and Vodafone are our recommended networks if you’re looking for an eSIM plan in the UK:

Lyca Mobile

  • Get an eSIM with no contract & no credit check. The UK’s first Pay As You Go eSIM.
  • Get 15GB data for £1.80 per month: Or 100GB data for £7.
  • 4G & 5G coverage from EE. 99% UK population coverage from the EE network.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Galaxy & Pixel. See all Lyca Mobile eSIM compatible devices.

Lyca Mobile is the UK’s first Pay As You Go network to offer a fully-featured eSIM with no contract and no credit check. You’ll pay as little as 99p per month for a Lyca Mobile eSIM, with instant online delivery when you choose the ‘eSIM’ option at checkout.

As a special offer for October 2023, you’ll get 3GB data for 99p per month on a Lyca Mobile eSIM. This special price is valid for valid for 3 months, after which you’ll pay £4.75 per month if you continue using the plan.

If you’re looking for more data, there’s 15GB data for £1.80 per month for 3 months (then £8.50 per month), or 20GB data for £5 per month for 6 months (then £10 per month). Heavy data users can get 100GB data for £7 per month for 6 months (then £20 per month) or unlimited data for £9.99 per month for 6 months (then £25 per month).

All of the Lyca Mobile plans work on a Pay As You Go basis so you can pause, change or cancel your plan at any time.

Get a Lyca Mobile eSIM online →
Vodafone

  • Get your eSIM straight away. Just choose the “eSIM” option at checkout.
  • Get an eSIM plan with unlimited minutes from £7/month: Plus unlimited data from £30.
  • 5G coverage in 100+ towns & cities. Available on 5G plans from £14/month. Learn more.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Galaxy & Pixel. See all Vodafone eSIM compatible devices.

If you’re looking to get a Pay Monthly eSIM with the least amount of hassle, we’d currently recommend ordering an eSIM from Vodafone. You can choose any of Vodafone’s SIM cards online. Just choose the “eSIM” option during checkout and you’ll be sent an eSIM that you can start using the same day.

You can get an eSIM plan from just £7/month on Vodafone with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts & an allowance of data. For faster speeds, you can choose a 5G-ready eSIM from £14 per month. Vodafone’s unlimited data plans are available from £30 per month. Vodafone also offers business eSIM plans if you’re planning to use the eSIM for work.

Unlike the other major networks, there’s no need to get a physical SIM card first before you can convert it into an eSIM on Vodafone.

Get a Vodafone eSIM online →

Unfortunately, eSIM support is still very limited on other UK mobile networks. Many networks are still yet to offer eSIM functionality and those that have it may only offer eSIM on a selection of plans.

Compare SIM Only Deals with eSIM

At present, you can buy an eSIM-ready plan from five UK mobile networks:

  • EE: From £14 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Lyca Mobile: From £0.99 per month (instant eSIM delivery)
  • O2: From £13 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Three: From £5 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Vodafone: From £7 per month (instant eSIM delivery)

The following table shows a list of eSIM-ready plans. You can use the filters to narrow down the list of available options.

How much data do you want on your plan each month?

How long are you willing to commit for on a contract?

Which networks would you be happy to take a plan from?

Showing 183 of 183 price plans that match your criteria

NetworkMinutesTextsDataMonthly
Cost
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£0.99
for 3 months, then £4.75/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£1.29
for 3 months, then £5.90/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited15GB£1.80
for 3 months, then £8.50/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited10GB£1.99
for 3 months, then £6.50/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£5.00
for 6 months, then £10/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£5.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£6.40
for 12 months, then £8/month
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£7.00
for 6 months, then £20/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£7.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£7.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£7.01
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£7.20
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£7.20
for 12 months, then £9/month
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£8.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£8.80
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£8.80
for 12 months, then £11/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£8.80
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£9.60
for 12 months, then £12/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£9.60
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£9.60
for 12 months, then £12/month
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£9.99
for 6 months, then £25/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£10.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£10.40
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£11.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£11.20
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£11.20
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£11.20
for 12 months, then £14/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£11.20
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£12.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£12.80
for 12 months, then £16/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£12.80
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£12.80
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£13.00
for 3 months, then £26/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£13.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited1GB£13.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£13.80
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£14.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited3GB£14.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£14.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£14.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£14.40
for 12 months, then £18/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£14.40
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£14.60
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£15.00
for 6 months, then £30/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited6GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£15.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£15.20
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£15.20
for 12 months, then £19/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£15.40
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£16.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£16.00
for 12 months, then £20/month
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£16.00
for 3 months, then £32/month
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£16.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£16.20
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£16.80
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited12GB£16.99
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£17.60
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£17.80
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£18.00
for 6 months, then £36/month
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited25GB£18.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£18.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£18.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£18.40
for 12 months, then £23/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£18.80
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£19.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£19.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£19.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£19.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£19.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£19.20
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£19.20
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£19.40
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£19.60
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited30GB£19.99
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£20.00
for 12 months, then £25/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited25GB£20.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
O21,000Unlimited1GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£20.40
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£20.80
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited125GB£21.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£21.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£21.20
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£21.60
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£21.60
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£22.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£22.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£22.40
for 12 months, then £28/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£22.80
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited150GB£22.99
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£23.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited80GB£23.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£23.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£23.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited5GB£23.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£23.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£24.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£24.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£24.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£24.00
for 12 months, then £30/month
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£24.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£24.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£24.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£24.40
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited150GB£24.99
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited250GB£25.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£25.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£25.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£25.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£25.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.60
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£26.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited20GB£26.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£26.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£26.60
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£27.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£27.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£28.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£28.00
for 12 months, then £35/month
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£28.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£28.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£29.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£29.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£29.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£29.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£29.60
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£30.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£30.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£30.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited50GB£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£31.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£31.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£31.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£31.60
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£31.99
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£33.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£34.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£34.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£34.99
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£36.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£36.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£37.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£37.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£38.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£38.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£39.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£40.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£41.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£41.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£43.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£43.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£44.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£45.00
Swap needed
12 months

If you choose a plan from EE, O2 or Three, you’ll initially be sent a plastic SIM card in the post. You’ll then need to exchange your plastic SIM card for an eSIM.

How To Order & Set Up An eSIM

If you’re joining Lyca Mobile or Vodafone, you’ll be able to order an eSIM online to start using straight away. Simply choose the “eSIM” option during checkout.

Order Lyca Mobile eSIM Plan →

Order a Vodafone eSIM Plan →

On other mobile networks like EE, O2 and Three, you won’t be able to order an eSIM straight away. This is mostly due to how their internal systems are set up, but also partly for security (so they can verify your address when the plastic SIM card is delivered in the post).

If you’re sent a plastic SIM card to begin with, you can exchange it for an eSIM as soon as you receive it. Just follow the steps below to do this:

  1. Start by ordering your new SIM-only deal. Make sure it’s an eSIM-ready plan before you order.
  2. A plastic SIM card will be sent to you in the post. Put this SIM card inside your mobile phone to activate the new plan.
  3. You can now transfer your plan onto an eSIM. You can normally request a replacement eSIM pack online, at a local store or by calling the customer services team. In some cases, you might need to wait for an eSIM to be dispatched. In addition, it can sometimes take up to 24 hours for your plan to be moved onto an eSIM.
  4. Scan the QR code for the eSIM when you get it. Once your plan has been moved to an eSIM, you’ll be given a QR code to scan on your mobile phone. This will install the eSIM on it.

In the future, when the technology improves, it should be possible to sign up for a plan on any network and to receive it on an eSIM straight away. This would make it a lot faster and more convenient switching to another network.

More Information

For more information, see our in-depth guide to eSIM on UK mobile networks. You can also see our full list of eSIM compatible devices.

Your Comments 31 so far

We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have. So far, we've received 31 comments from readers. You can add your own comment here.

  • Kenny said:

    Hi Ken
    It looks like esims will eventually supercede their physical cousins. This sounds like bad news if you are a light user as you will effectively be forced into paying a monthly cost, which at the moment looks like £7 or 8 minimum. I say this on the assumption that you would upgrade your phone every now and again

    For instance, an iPhone 13 user with a 3 data reward sim or an O2 classic PAYG sim, would only be able to use any newer iPhone with an esim, so to retain their phone number they would have to surrender their data reward or classic sim for an esim and pay a monthly charge

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Kenny,
      Thanks for your comment. This shouldn’t be a problem for a light users, as I expect that all plans will eventually become available on an eSIM. In fact, you can now get Pay As You Go eSIMs in the UK (e.g. from Lyca Mobile) with no need to pay a monthly fee for it.
      Ken

  • L Ubanski said:

    Vodafone UK do not allow for an eSim on their basics package (the £7 and £8 options), even though the application online includes a check box for this. I have just tried and been refused…

  • Madison said:

    Hi Ken – Great article! Thanks for the clear information! We are US citizens, traveling to Scotland this summer for a 3 week trip. We have an iPhone 12 and our current US cell provider does not offer an international plan- just roaming. Can we buy an eSIM from Lycamobile and activate it before leaving the US so it’s ready to use when we arrive?

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Madison,
      Thanks for your comment. Absolutely! You can order your plan in advance, and I think the eSIM will just activate automatically when your phone connects to their UK network (so the 30 days will only start from when you arrive in the UK). I believe their system may still ask you to provide a UK address for delivery, though obviously the eSIM is just sent out to you electronically when you choose that option.
      Hope this helps,
      Ken

Load more comments (26)

Leave a Reply