You can get an eSIM plan from £6/month in the UK. We compare eSIM-compatible SIM-only deals.
If you have a mobile phone that supports eSIM technology, you can get an eSIM-ready SIM only deal from just £6/month. This will allow you to use the eSIM functionality on your phone, including the dual-SIM capabilities of 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 the eSIM on your phone as this will sometimes require an extra step to move your plan onto eSIM.
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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 access the dual-SIM functionality on newer iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. For instance, you might be able to have two phone numbers and two plans on your phone at the same time (e.g. having 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 may give you cheaper international roaming than on your regular SIM card.
At present, Vodafone is our recommended network if you’re looking for an eSIM plan in the UK:
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Vodafone
If you’re looking to get an eSIM plan with the least amount of hassle, we’d 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 £6/month on Vodafone with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts & an allowance of data. For faster speeds, you can choose a 5G-ready eSIM from £11 per month. Vodafone’s unlimited data plans are available from £23 per month. Unlike on the other major networks, there’s no need to get a physical SIM card first before you can convert it into an eSIM. |
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 EE, O2 and Vodafone.
The following table shows a list of these eSIM-ready plans. You can use the filters to narrow down the list of available options.
If you choose a plan from EE or O2, 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
On Vodafone, you can order an eSIM online to start using straight away. Simply choose the “eSIM” option during checkout.
On other mobile networks like EE and O2, you won’t be able to order an eSIM straight away. This is mostly due to how their internal systems are set up and partly also for security (so they can verify your address when the plastic SIM card is delivered).
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:
- Start by ordering your new SIM-only deal. Make sure it’s an eSIM-ready plan before you order it.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Stefan said:
Trusting your statements I purchased an esim from Vodafone. Unfortunately your post here is incorrect. Vodafone users need to have a physical sim from Vodafone to move to an e-sim.
https://support.vodafone.co.uk/SIM/1526155172/I-don-t-have-a-SIM-card-can-I-still-move-to-eSIM.htm
Ken replied:
Hi Stefan,

Thanks for your comment. You can simply choose the ‘eSIM’ option when ordering your plan online – see the screenshot here for an example:
Ken
Petro replied:
Hi, Ken.
I can’t find this when order Pay as you go.
Could you give me the link for this operation?
Thanks.
Ken replied:
Hi Petro,
Sadly, eSIM is only available for Vodafone Pay Monthly customers at present 🙁
Ken
Petro replied:
Thanks, Ken.
Alan said:
As of yesterday 2nd March 22, in an online chat with a Three customer service adviser, following the eSim trial in the North (claimed as successful), there are replacement eSims for those who were in the trial, but no eSims for new customers, and no idea when they may become available.
gary said:
these deals do not exist. voda 6 quid deal is 500megs not 4gb
Ken replied:
Hi Gary,
Thanks for your comment. The way that Vodafone have things set up on their website is a little bit confusing. You’ll get the full 4GB of data as you should. However, this is shown on the checkout page as a 500MB plan with a free 500MB add-on and a free 3GB add-on. This gives you a total of 0.5GB + 0.5GB + 3GB = 4GB of data in total (it’s shown below the option to choose between a SIM card and an eSIM).
Hope this helps,
Ken
gary replied:
Well its taken over a week, but voda have finally admitted they are not going to honour the £6 deal. I think you should remove it from here as its really not worth the pain.
Matthew replied:
A little confusing is putting it kindly. The page resulting from that link is completely incomprehensible. Vodafone are often quite shambolic with misleading information on their website, and poor levels of knowledge in their customer facing staff.
However, as below, 3 also have contrary information relating to esims on their website, with both a guide on how to set it up, and an FAQ stating that they don’t offer it.
ify replied:
Same happened to me.
I am struggling to find this plan everywhere I go