You can get an eSIM plan from just £2.90/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 £2.90/month. This will allow you to use the eSIM capability on your mobile phone, including dual-SIM functionality on the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones.

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 additional 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. For instance, having an eSIM will allow you to use dual-SIM functionality on newer iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones. This will allow you to 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, Spusu and Vodafone are our recommended networks if you’re looking for an eSIM plan in the UK:

Spusu

  • Instant eSIM with no credit check needed. Change or cancel your plan any time.
  • 4G & 5G coverage from EE. 99% UK population coverage from the EE network.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Galaxy & Pixel. See all Spusu eSIM compatible devices.

In the UK, Spusu offers a fully-featured eSIM on a one-month rolling plan. You’ll get access to EE’s 4G & 5G network, with no need to go through a credit check. There’s also instant online delivery when you choose the ‘eSIM’ option at checkout.

As a special offer for December 2024, you can get 16GB data for £3 per month on a Spusu Mobile eSIM. This special price is valid for valid for the first 3 months, after which you’ll pay £8 per month if you continue using the plan.

There are a range of other plans available for customers needing more data (e.g. 30GB data for £9.90 per month).

Get a Spusu Mobile eSIM online →

Vodafone

  • Pay Monthly eSIM with instant delivery. Just choose the “eSIM” option at checkout.
  • Get an eSIM plan with unlimited minutes from £7/month: Plus unlimited data from £23.
  • 5G coverage in 100+ towns & cities. Available on 5G plans from £10/month.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Galaxy & Pixel. See all Vodafone eSIM compatible devices.

If you’re looking for a Pay Monthly eSIM with instant online delivery, we’d currently recommend ordering an eSIM from Vodafone. You can choose any of Vodafone’s SIM cards online. Just choose the “eSIM” option at 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 (with up to 4G speeds). For faster download speeds, 5G-ready eSIM plans are available from £10 per month. Vodafone’s unlimited data plans are available from £23 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 fairly limited on other UK mobile networks. Many networks require you to get a physical SIM card first, before you’re able to convert it for an eSIM at a later date. In addition, eSIM functionality may be restricted to only certain types of plan (e.g. to Pay Monthly contracts).

Compare SIM Only Deals with eSIM

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

  • EE: From £18 per month (SIM swap required)
  • giffgaff: From £6 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Honest Mobile: From £12.15 per month (instant eSIM delivery)
  • Lyca Mobile: From £4.25 per month (instant eSIM delivery)
  • O2: From £5 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Sky: From £6 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Spusu: From £2.90 per month (instant eSIM delivery)
  • 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 246 of 246 price plans that match your criteria

NetworkMinutesTextsDataMonthly Cost
(may rise during contract)
spusuUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£2.90
Instant eSIM
1 month
spusuUnlimitedUnlimited16GB£3.00
for 3 months,
then £8 per month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£4.25
3 months free
Instant eSIM
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£4.50
1 months free
Instant eSIM
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£5.00
for 1 months,
then £10 per month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£5.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£5.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2500Unlimited1GB£5.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£6.00
Swap needed
12 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£6.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£6.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£6.00
Swap needed
1 month
spusuUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£6.90
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£7.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£7.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£7.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£7.50
for 1 months,
then £15 per month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited88GB£8.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£8.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited40GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£8.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£8.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£8.00
3 months free
Instant eSIM
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£8.00
Swap needed
18 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£8.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£8.00
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£8.00
Swap needed
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£9.00
1 months free
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£9.00
Swap needed
24 months
spusuUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£9.90
Instant eSIM
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited60GB£9.99
Swap needed
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£10.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£10.00
for 1 months,
then £20 per month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£10.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£10.00
Swap needed
18 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£10.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited15GB£10.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£10.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
spusuUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£10.90
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£11.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£11.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£12.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£12.00
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited27GB£12.00
Swap needed
18 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited26GB£12.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£12.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£12.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£12.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£12.00
Swap needed
24 months
Honest MobileUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£12.15
Instant eSIM
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£12.50
for 1 months,
then £25 per month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£12.50
3 months free
Instant eSIM
24 months
spusuUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£12.90
Instant eSIM
1 month
spusuUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£12.90
for 3 months,
then £9.90 per month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£13.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£13.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£13.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£13.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£13.00
Swap needed
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£13.50
1 months free
Instant eSIM
12 months
Honest MobileUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£13.50
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£14.00
Swap needed
12 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited10GB£14.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£14.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£14.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£15.00
Swap needed
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£15.00
3 months free
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£15.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£15.00
Swap needed
18 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited35GB£15.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£15.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited3GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£15.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
Honest MobileUnlimitedUnlimited10GB£15.75
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£16.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£16.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£16.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited20GB£16.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£16.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£16.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£17.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£17.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited6GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
Honest MobileUnlimitedUnlimited10GB£17.50
Instant eSIM
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited12GB£17.99
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£18.00
3 months free
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£18.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£18.00
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£18.00
1 months free
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£18.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£18.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£18.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£18.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£18.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£18.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited1GB£18.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£19.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£19.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£19.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£19.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£20.00
Swap needed
18 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited80GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£20.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited6GB£20.00
Swap needed
12 months
O21,000Unlimited1GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited30GB£20.99
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£21.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£21.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£21.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£21.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited12GB£21.99
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£22.00
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£22.00
1 months free
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£22.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited100GB£22.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited20GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£22.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£22.00
Swap needed
24 months
Honest MobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£22.50
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£23.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£23.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£23.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£23.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited5GB£23.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£23.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited30GB£23.99
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited250GB£24.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited50GB£24.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£24.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£24.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£24.00
Swap needed
12 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.00
3 months free
Instant eSIM
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.00
Swap needed
18 months
Honest MobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£25.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£25.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£25.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited80GB£25.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£25.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£26.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£26.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited20GB£26.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£27.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£27.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£27.00
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£27.00
1 months free
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£27.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£27.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£28.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£28.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£28.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£28.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£28.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£28.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£29.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£29.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£29.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
spusuUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£29.90
Instant eSIM
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£30.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited50GB£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£31.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£31.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£31.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£31.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£32.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£32.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£32.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited30GB£32.49
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.99
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£33.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£34.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£34.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£35.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£35.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited150GB£35.49
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited30GB£35.49
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£36.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£36.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£36.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£36.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£38.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£38.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£38.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited150GB£38.49
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£39.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£39.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£40.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£42.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£43.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£44.49
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£45.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£45.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£45.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£46.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£46.49
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£48.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£48.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£51.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£54.00
Instant eSIM
24 months

If you choose a plan from EE, giffgaff, O2, Sky Mobile 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 Honest Mobile, Lyca Mobile, Spusu, or Vodafone, you’ll be able to order an eSIM online to start using straight away. Simply choose the “eSIM” option during checkout.

On the other mobile networks (EE, giffgaff, O2, Sky Mobile 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 sent to you 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 get 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 the SIM card inside your mobile phone to activate the plan.
  3. You can now transfer your plan onto 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 that you can scan on your mobile phone. Alternatively, you might be able to download the eSIM through an app. This will install the eSIM onto your phone.

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 when 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 38 so far

We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have. So far, we've received 38 comments from readers. You can add your own comment here.

  • The £1 Spusu link is no longer working, its no longer listed on their website, nor are they replying to request for an updated link. Fly by night??

    • Hi Paul,
      Many thanks for your comment. I’ve just checked and the £1 deal is still live, as of today. You can find it here (it’s an exclusive deal so you won’t find it if you go directly to Spusu’s website).
      Hope this helps,
      Ken

  • Hi,
    Thank you for the info.
    is it possible to transfer phone numbers between esim like we do with physical sim when we change network provider
    regards
    abbas

    • Hi Abbas,
      Many thanks for your comment. Yes, you can transfer phone numbers on an eSIM in the exact same way that you’d transfer phone numbers on a regular SIM card 🙂 The only exception to this is if you have a data-only/international eSIM as these won’t have a UK phone number.
      Hope this helps,
      Ken

  • Hi Ken, just letting you know that this information has saved me hours of time and more importantly probably hundreds of pounds. I’m looking to buy a phone and my preference is dual sim (work and home) but the best phone I could find – resonably priced, has nano sim and esim.
    I went to three mobile operators shops – EE, Three and O2 to get their best offering for an esim after buying the phone outright. The cheapest for what I needed was £29 per month on a 2 year contract. I’m currently with Giffgaff on a pay monthly £10 per month – but they don’t do esims.
    Your information was invaluable, I’m considering Lyca Mobile that is the same cost on a monthly contract for a much better package. Thanks so much for putting this info out there.

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