Compare Mobile & SIM Deals
Find the best mobile phone contracts and SIM only deals from leading UK networks — free, independent comparison with no obligation.
The UK mobile market is fiercely competitive, yet millions of people are still overpaying for their phone plan. Whether you are out of contract on an expensive deal, paying for data you never use, or simply want a newer handset at the lowest possible monthly cost, comparing is the single most effective way to cut your bill. SaveCompare brings together deals from all the major UK networks so you can see everything in one place.
SIM Only Deals
Keep your current phone and just pay for data, calls and texts. Plans from £5/month with 30-day or 12-month options.
Compare SIM only deals →Mobile Contracts
Get a new handset bundled with your plan. Spread the cost over 24 or 36 months with inclusive data, calls and texts.
Compare mobile contracts →How to find the best mobile deal in 2026
The first decision is whether you need a new handset or not. If your current phone is still going strong, a SIM only deal will almost always be cheaper — often dramatically so. SIM only plans start from around £5 per month for light users, and even unlimited data SIM plans now cost well under £20 per month from networks like SMARTY and giffgaff.
If you do want a new phone, a pay monthly contract bundles the handset cost into your monthly payment. The key is to compare the total cost over the contract length, not just the monthly price. A deal with a lower upfront cost may end up more expensive overall. We show you the total cost so you can make a fair comparison.
Data is the main variable in pricing. Think about how much you actually use — check your current usage in your phone's settings. Most people use far less than they think, and paying for an unlimited plan when you only use 5GB is a common and costly mistake.
Network coverage matters too. EE, Vodafone and Three all have extensive 5G rollouts in major cities, while O2 is catching up quickly. In rural areas, EE and Vodafone tend to offer the best 4G coverage. Networks like giffgaff (which uses O2's infrastructure) and SMARTY (which uses Three's network) offer the same coverage as their parent networks but at lower prices.
Don't forget about mid-contract price rises. Most major UK networks increase bills by CPI plus 3-4% each April. Some MVNOs like giffgaff and SMARTY fix their prices for the duration of your plan, which can make a meaningful difference over 24 months.
Switching is easy. Since 2019, you can switch by simply texting your current provider for a switching code (PAC to keep your number, or STAC for a new one). The process takes one working day and your new provider handles the transfer.
Compare deals from networks including
Vodafone O2 Three EE giffgaff SMARTYThree steps to a cheaper mobile plan
Why comparing your mobile deal matters
Average SIM only cost
The average UK SIM only deal with 10GB+ data now costs around £8 per month. Many people pay three times this on old contracts.
Overpaying on contracts
Over a third of UK mobile users are still paying for a handset they finished paying off months ago, according to Ofcom.
Average annual saving
Switching from an expired contract to a competitive SIM only deal saves the average person around £180 per year.
Time to switch
Since the auto-switch rules, changing network takes just one working day. No need to call your old provider.
Data Usage Calculator
Not sure how much data you need? Enter your typical usage habits below and we will estimate your monthly data consumption and suggest an appropriate plan size. Most people overestimate their data needs and end up paying for allowances they never use.
Estimates based on average data consumption per activity. Actual usage varies depending on video quality settings, app updates and background data. Check your current usage in Settings > Mobile Data on your phone for a more accurate picture.
Watch out for these mobile deal pitfalls
The headline price of a mobile deal rarely tells the whole story. Here are the hidden costs and common mistakes that catch people out when choosing or staying on a mobile contract.
EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 all increase bills by the Consumer Price Index rate plus 3.9 percentage points each April. With CPI at around 3–4%, that means annual increases of 7–8%. On a £40/month deal, you could be paying £43–£44 by year two. Networks like giffgaff and SMARTY fix the price for the duration of your plan, avoiding this entirely.
Free EU roaming ended after Brexit, and most major UK networks have reintroduced charges. EE charges £2.47/day in Europe, Three charges £2/day on newer plans, and Vodafone charges £2/day. O2 still includes EU roaming for free. If you travel frequently, consider this cost when choosing a network — it can add £30–£50 to a two-week holiday.
A phone contract appears convenient, but you often pay a premium for spreading the cost. For example, a £50/month contract for an iPhone over 36 months totals £1,800. The same phone bought outright might cost £1,100, and a SIM only deal £8/month (£288 over 36 months) — a total of £1,388. That's £412 cheaper. Always compare the total cost of buying separately versus bundling.
The cheapest deal is worthless if you cannot get a signal where you live and work. Coverage varies hugely across the UK, especially in rural areas. Before committing to any network, use Ofcom's coverage checker at coverage.ofcom.org.uk to verify 4G and 5G availability at your postcode. MVNOs use the same masts as their parent networks (giffgaff uses O2, SMARTY uses Three).
Buying a refurbished phone can save 30–50%, but not all sellers are equal. Some offer only 90-day warranties, limited returns or vague grading systems. Stick to reputable platforms like Apple Certified Refurbished, Back Market or Envirofone, which offer at least 12-month warranties. Check the battery health rating — a phone with less than 80% battery capacity will need a replacement battery soon, adding £50–£100 to the real cost.
Mobile comparison FAQs
Yes, almost always. SIM only deals start from as little as £5 per month because you're not paying off the cost of a handset. If your current phone still works well, switching to a SIM only plan is one of the easiest ways to cut your monthly mobile bill.
A SIM only deal gives you a data, minutes and texts allowance without a phone. You use your existing handset. A phone contract bundles a new handset with your plan, spreading the cost of the phone over 24 or 36 months, which makes the monthly cost higher.
Yes. You can keep your existing phone number by requesting a PAC code from your current provider. Text PAC to 65075 from your phone and your current network must provide the code. Your new provider will then transfer the number, usually within one working day.
It depends on your usage. Light users who mainly browse and use social media on Wi-Fi can manage with 2–5GB. Moderate users who stream music and watch occasional video need 10–30GB. Heavy users who regularly stream HD video, game online or tether should look at 50GB or unlimited plans. Check your current usage in your phone settings to get an accurate figure.
Most major UK networks increase your bill each April by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate plus 3.9 percentage points. With CPI at around 3–4%, this means annual increases of 7–8%. On a £40/month contract, you could be paying £43–£44 by the second year. Some MVNOs like giffgaff and SMARTY guarantee fixed pricing for the duration of your plan.
Since Brexit, free EU roaming is no longer guaranteed. EE charges £2.47/day, Three and Vodafone charge £2/day on newer plans. O2 still includes EU roaming for free in most plans. Some MVNOs also include EU roaming. Always check the roaming terms before travelling — charges for a two-week holiday can add £30–£50 to your bill.
5G offers significantly faster download speeds and lower latency than 4G, but coverage is still limited to major cities and larger towns. If you live and work in a well-covered 5G area and regularly stream video or use your phone as a hotspot, the upgrade can be noticeable. For most users outside 5G areas, paying a premium offers no practical benefit.
Refurbished phones can save you 30–50% compared to buying new. Reputable sellers like Apple Certified Refurbished, Back Market and Envirofone grade devices by condition and include warranties of 12 months or more. The main risks are shorter battery life on older models and minor cosmetic imperfections. Always check the battery health percentage and buy from a seller with a clear returns policy.
Coverage varies by location. EE generally has the widest 4G and 5G reach across the UK, followed by Vodafone and Three. In rural areas, EE tends to perform best. Use Ofcom's coverage checker at coverage.ofcom.org.uk to see actual signal strength at your postcode across all four major networks before choosing a provider.
You can leave early, but you will usually face an early termination fee equal to the remaining monthly payments (sometimes with a small discount). If your network raises prices above the rate stated in your contract, you have 30 days to exit penalty-free under Ofcom rules. For SIM only deals on 30-day rolling contracts, you can cancel at any time with 30 days' notice and no penalty.