30-day SIM only deals: best rolling plans & no contract SIMs
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Compare the UK mobile networks that offer rolling SIM only plans with no contracts, learn how they work and check latest prices.
Compare 30-day SIM only plans
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On EE’s network: choose spusu, Lyca Mobile or 1pMobile
We’d say spusu are the first place we’d look on EE. Their entire range of SIM only is based on 1-month rolling contracts. And their prices are usually market leading (see plans here). We also like their benefits.
Lyca Mobile are also a good choice. They do offer longer deals but you can also choose a 1-month pay monthly contract (has a credit check) or monthly pay as you go bundles (doesn’t). There’s little price difference between them.
And then there’s 1pMobile. They have some annual SIM only plans, but mostly focus on low-cost, no-contract 1-month plans. They’ve got a few nice extra benefits, but they’re not quite as market leading as spusu.
You can join EE on a PAYG monthly plan and get 10% off if you set your plan to auto-renew. Or you can get a 1-month contract, but both are more expensive than their long contracts and aren’t something we’d consider.
Useful link: See spusu’s full range of 30-day SIM only deals
On Vodafone’s network: Talkmobile and VOXI are best options
Talkmobile are the best option for 1-month SIM only contracts on Vodafone’s network. Our exclusive hidden 1-month plans almost always undercut their longer 12-month versions. And we like things like their EU roaming.
VOXI sell all their plans as decently priced no-contract 30-day SIM only plans, but are higher in price than Talkmobile’s. Still, these are super flexible and include some outstanding benefits like Unlimited Video.
ASDA Mobile have largely moved over to selling longer SIM only contracts but still have a range of decent PAYG monthly bundles. And Lebara also offer good value 1-month contracts with inclusive international mins.
Vodafone do offer both 1-month SIM only contracts and PAYG monthly bundles, but these are even more expensive than their already highly priced 12 and 24-month contracts. So we’d stick to the providers above.
Useful link: See Talkmobile’s full range of 1-month SIM only contracts
On Three’s network: look at SMARTY, iD and Three themselves
SMARTY are our favourite choice for no-contract 30-day plans on Three’s network. They have some of the lowest priced deals around with no credit checks. You’re free to join and leave as you please.
They’re also great if you want to get your family on their own SIM only plans, as SMARTY give you 10% off each extra plan you sign up to your account. That and their inclusive roaming makes them great for parents.
iD Mobile offer low-cost 1-month SIM only contracts. You will need to pass a credit check for these, but if you can you’ll get access to 1-month plans that are similar in cost to their great value longer contracts.
Three also offer some decent value PAYG monthly bundles which come with a 10% discount if you set them to auto-renew. They also offer some 1-month contracts, but these are more expensive so we wouldn’t bother.
Useful link: See SMARTY’s full range of 30-day SIM only plans
On O2’s network: giffgaff and Tesco are the best options
giffgaff are our favourite choice for no-contract SIM only plans on O2’s network. They offer low prices on their 30-day plans with no credit checks that are similar in price to their longer contracts with nice benefits:
They include EU roaming in these destinations and have recently introduced new network features like WiFi calling. But they’re still relatively low-frills and are more about cheap plans than massive benefits.
Tesco Mobile are another decent option. Their no-contract 30-day SIM only plans are middle-of-the-road in terms of price and don’t require you to pass a credit check. And Clubcard holders can get better deals.
Or you can join O2 on a PAYG monthly bundle, but these are a bit more expensive than the above options. They also offer a range of 1-month contracts, but these are so expensive we can’t see who would join one.
Useful link: See giffgaff’s great value 30-day plans here
How rolling SIM only contracts work
They’re like a short contract that renews each month
✔ Change plans each month as you need
There are now two types of 30-day deal on SIM only, with some small differences between them. There are 30-day rolling contracts and there are 30-day bundles without a contract. Here’s why they’re not the same:
On a 30 day contract, you still sign a contract. But instead of lasting 12 or 24 months, it lasts a month. If you don’t cancel your contract, it will automatically continue for the next month. That’s what “rolling” means.
Nowadays though, there are plenty of 30-day deals with no contract. Instead, you register a debit/credit card and buy a 30-day plan up front each month. This happens automatically each month, unless you turn off “auto-renew”.
In real terms, there’s not a lot of difference in the benefit of either. Contracts you have to give notice to leave, whereas no contract deals you just stop paying and you’re done. Both are good options.
Useful link: Find a 30-day rolling SIM now
They can be more expensive than signing a longer contract
✔ Long plans tend to be cheaper per month
One benefit of 30-day SIMs is that you can change plans each month. That’s helpful if you find you’re paying for more data than you need or constantly paying extra data charges because your plan’s too small.
They also let you leave your network altogether if you find you’re unhappy with their service or if you’ve just found a better deal elsewhere. In both ways you can potentially save a bit of money on a shorter plan.
Networks that have both 1-month contracts and 12-month (or longer) contracts bake in better prices for the longer contracts. So the flexibility you get with 1-month contracts can come at a cost.
But there are a lot of budget networks that only offer 30-day plans, or don’t massively overcharge for their 1-month contracts vs their long ones as you can see above. These can be great if you find the right deal.
Useful link: Compare 12-month and 30-day rolling contract prices
FAQs about 30-day rolling SIM contracts
Yes. If you can either get a rolling 1-month contract SIM like the ones on this page, which will renew every month. Or if you literally only want a single month, take a look at our no contract SIM page.
Your contract will automatically renew and you'll get your new minutes, texts and data for the month. If you ever want to stop your contract, you'll have to contact your network to cancel and give 30 days' notice.
No. Most networks let you cancel at any point during the month and will issue a partial bill for any days outside your normally monthly billing period if you’re on a 1-month contract.
Yes they can but they will have to give you at least one month's notice. You can cancel if you're not happy with the price rise, or switch to a cheaper new customer deal with the same network.
No-contract plans don’t require you to sign up to a contract. This means you don’t have to give 30 days notice to leave or change your plan. You also have to top up to use any extras on no-contract plans, while you’ll be billed for these at the end of the month on 1-month contracts.
Yes for most rolling SIM only contracts, you do have to pass a credit check because you're setting up a direct debit and paying for usage at the end of the month. We have a separate page for no credit check SIMs.
Yes. With rolling contracts, you're free to change to a longer contract SIM only deal if your network offers them. We can't think of any good reasons why a network would stop you doing this.
It's certainly possible to upgrade from a SIM only deal to a phone contract with your network. It's not necessarily an automatic right though. You will still need to pass a further credit check by your mobile provider to get a phone.