You can get a UK Pay As You Go eSIM from Lyca Mobile and Uki Mobile. Compare Pay As You Go eSIMs for the UK.

In the UK, it’s currently possible to get a Pay As You Go eSIM from Lyca Mobile and Uki Mobile. 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: From 99p/month
Pay As You Go eSIM Providers UK:
Compatible Devices:
  • Apple iPhone 11 and newer
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer
  • Google Pixel 3 and newer
  • see more…

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 with no need for a credit check.

Having an eSIM will allow you to access the 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:

Lyca Mobile

  • Get your eSIM straight away. Just choose the “eSIM” option at checkout.
  • 3GB data & Unlimited UK minutes for 99p/month: Or 15GB data for £1.80.
  • 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.

In the UK, Lyca Mobile is the first mobile network to offer a Pay As You Go eSIM. They have a range of eSIM-ready plans from 99p per month, with no contract and no credit check required when you get a Lyca Mobile eSIM. You’ll get instant online delivery of your eSIM: just choose the ‘eSIM’ option when you order your plan online.

As a special offer for October 2023, you can get Lyca Mobile’s 3GB plan for just 99p per month on an eSIM. Alternatively, there’s 15GB data for £1.80, 20GB data for £5, 100GB data for £7 and unlimited data for £9.99 per month.

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.

Get a Lyca Mobile eSIM online →

If you’re a UK resident and are happy to sign up on a contract, you can also consider getting an eSIM plan on contract from EE, O2 or Vodafone.

UK Pay As You Go eSIM Providers

In the following section, we’ll look at the UK’s Pay As You Go eSIM providers in more detail.

Lyca Mobile

In the UK, Lyca Mobile offers a Pay As You Go eSIM from only £0.99/month with no contract and no credit check required. It’s a fully-featured mobile service so you can use it for both calls & mobile data. You’ll also get a UK phone number, along with 4G & 5G coverage on the EE network.

NetworkMinutesTextsDataMonthly
Cost
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£0.99
for 3 months, then £4.75/month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£1.29
for 3 months, then £5.90/month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited15GB£1.80
for 3 months, then £8.50/month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited10GB£1.99
for 3 months, then £6.50/month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£5.00
for 6 months, then £10/month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£7.00
for 6 months, then £20/month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£9.99
for 6 months, then £25/month

To get a Lyca Mobile eSIM, choose your plan from the table above. Be sure to choose the ‘eSIM’ option at checkout. Once your order has been placed, the eSIM will be sent to you straight away via email.

You’ll need to choose the ‘eSIM’ option during checkout.

All of Lyca Mobile’s Pay As You Go eSIM plans come with an inclusive allowance of UK minutes and mobile data. You’ll also get inclusive European roaming. Most Lyca Mobile plans also come with an inclusive allowance of international minutes which is handy if you’d like to call abroad to other countries.

For more information, see the FAQs on the Lyca Mobile website. You can also read our in-depth Lyca Mobile review.

Plans From Data Plans Network

£0.99/month
5GB to unlimited
5G coverage
(powered by EE)

Uki Mobile

Uki Mobile is another provider of Pay As You Go eSIMs in the UK. Available exclusively through Airalo (which calls itself the world’s first global eSIM store), the Uki Mobile plans start from US$10 per month (approx £8.20 per month).

Unlike the Lyca Mobile eSIM, 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Apart from that, you’ll get access to 4G coverage on both O2 and Three when you’re using a Uki Mobile eSIM in your phone. There’s also no contract & no credit check when you sign up for a Uki Mobile plan.

The following table shows the latest Uki Mobile Pay As You Go plans:

NetworkMinutesTextsDataPlan
Cost
NoneNone1GBUS$5.00
(~£4.10)
valid for 7 days
NoneNone2GBUS$7.50
(~£6.20)
valid for 15 days
NoneNone3GBUS$10.00
(~£8.20)
valid for 30 days
NoneNone5GBUS$15.00
(~£12.30)
valid for 30 days
NoneNone10GBUS$22.50
(~£18.50)
valid for 30 days
NoneNone20GBUS$36.00
(~£29.60)
valid for 30 days

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.

Plans From Data Plans Network

US$10/month
(approx £8.20)
1GB to 20GB
4G coverage
(powered by O2)
Uki Mobile offers a data-only eSIM: you can’t use Uki Mobile for phone calls or text messages.

For more information, read our Uki Mobile review.

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 giffgaff who have said they’re still “looking into it”, and other mobile networks such as Lebara, SMARTY and VOXI who are yet to make an announcement.

If you’re looking for an eSIM plan from another provider, you can also consider Pay Monthly eSIMs from Vodafone, EE and O2. For more information, see our guide to eSIM on UK mobile networks and our comparison of the UK’s best eSIM plans. You’ll need to sign up for a Pay Monthly contract to get these other eSIM deals.

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.

Your Comments 4 so far

We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have. So far, we've received 4 comments from readers. You can add your own comment here.

  • Michael said:

    Surprised you haven’t mentioned KeepGo. $3 a year for a UK roaming, data only eSIM. It was someone else commenting on them in the comments on this very website that first piqued my interest!

    • Khairul replied:

      Thank you for this! I’ve been looking for a good-value all-networks roaming SIM for emergency use for quite a while now! This looks perfect!

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