If you're looking for a SIM-only deal, Vodafone is a great choice. By grabbing one of its SIM plans, you can keep your phone (or buy a snazzy new one outright), and still get all the benefits of a Vodafone deal. Plus, you're able to change your plan more often, so you always have the best possible SIM.
Vodafone has something for everyone, whatever kind of SIM-only deal you need. Compare its plans right here with our mobile comparison tool - or keep reading to find out more about how to find the deal for you.
Is Vodafone a good network?
You certainly get a lot with a SIM plan from Vodafone.
Vodafone prides itself on reliability and a high quality service. Coverage is excellent – but even better, you’ll get good quality connections. Calls are less likely to drop, and 4G is more likely to be speedy.
Its plans are a little complicated to get your head around, but there’s something for everyone. And once you find one you like, you’ll get a SIM deal teeming with extras. Vodafone customers tend to stick with the network for some time – and for good reason.
What SIM-only deals can I get from Vodafone?
For SIM-only deals from Vodafone, you can choose between 30-day, 12-month, and 24-month contract lengths. It’s better value to choose a longer term plan, and you have more choice at your disposal too.
Unlimited data plans are available, with prices varying depending on what maximum download speed you’re happy with. The maximum 2Mbps speed plan may not be particularly good value (it’s a bit slow), but 10Mbps could be a good compromise if you want to save a few quid.
Its other SIM deals give you monthly data allowances ranging from a smaller 1GB up to a chunky 120GB.
All include unlimited calls and texts, and most include 5G too (if you have a compatible phone).
Finally, you can also include what benefits you want included. You can pick:
- A standard plan – a straightforward mobile service and basic benefits
- A plan with Entertainment – includes an entertainment subscription of your choice, such as Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, or YouTube Premium
- A plan with Xtra benefits – includes additional benefits, such as money off smartwatch connectivity, device care, unlimited picture messages, or inclusive roaming in destinations in Europe and further afield
Pay-as-you-go SIMs are available from Vodafone too.
What benefits does Vodafone offer?
This depends on your plan. If you have a SIM deal with Entertainment or Xtra benefits, you’ll get the benefits outlined above.
All Vodafone customers also get access to VeryMe Rewards. This gives you special treats, discounts, prize draws, cut-price cinema tickets, and exclusive offers at high street stores and discounts.
You’ll get special service benefits included as standard too. For SIM-only customers, this includes help from the in-store Tech Team Experts when you need a hand with anything phone-related.
Best Vodafone SIM-only deals this week
-
Vodafone sim only
4G- 6GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- VeryMe Rewards
- £7.00 per month
12 month contract From Vodafone -
Vodafone sim only
4G- 30GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- VeryMe Rewards
- £8.00 per month
12 month contract From Vodafone -
Vodafone sim only
4G- 30GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- VeryMe Rewards
- £8.00 per month
12 month contract From Vodafone
Cheapest Vodafone SIM-only deals this week
-
Vodafone sim only
4G- 50GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- Special Offers with Vodafone VeryMe
- £10.00 per month
12 month contract From Mobiles.co.uk -
Vodafone sim only
4G- 50GB of 4G data
- Unlimited minutes
- Unlimited texts
- download speed limit
- Special Offers with Vodafone VeryMe
- £10.00 per month
12 month contract From Mobiles.co.uk
The cheapest SIM deals have lower allowances, are often on longer contract terms, and may be missing some of the features and extras of a more premium SIM plan. Existing customers can sometimes snag even better deals too.
To find the cheapest Vodafone SIM option that suits you, just use our comparison table. Narrow the deals down with the filters, then use the 'sort by' toggle to order them by monthly cost. This will push the cheapest deals up to the top so you can see them first.
Best Vodafone SIM-only deals with unlimited data
How does Vodafone compare against other SIM-only networks?
For coverage, Vodafone is on par with other big networks, reaching 99% of us. It’s not quite as wide as EE though, and its 5G network is still a fair bit behind.
However, Vodafone tends to outperform other networks in terms of reliability. Its signal is steady and reliable, and if you can get 4G then you can get it at a usable speed.
For inclusive extras, Vodafone is one of the best, with lots included in its plans. It’s worth comparing your options with O2 and EE here, as they have similar extras available – streaming service subscriptions, exclusive club discounts, free device care, and so on.
And finally, when it comes to cost, Vodafone is unfortunately one of the more expensive networks – the reason being that you get so much more in your plan compared with most networks. You’ll find its SIM deals priced similarly to those from EE and O2, but probably higher than Three and smaller providers.
Alternative SIM-only networks to Vodafone
Take a look at the different SIM-only packages and extras offered by mobile networks:
- O2 - Customers get exclusive offers and vouchers for high street stores, restaurants and events through O2 Priority.
- EE - Six months of Apple Music for free and the best UK network coverage.
- Giffgaff - Great value-for-money 30-day rolling SIM deals
- Three - Reasonably-priced SIM deals with excellent roaming perks
- Smarty - Excellent value SIM-only plans with rewards each month for unused data
What SIM-only deals can I get from Vodafone?
There's a nice range of SIM deals available from Vodafone, with options to suit all kinds of use. You'll find SIMs with small allowances for light users, all the way up to larger ones with lots of data, suitable for mobile fiends who use their phone a lot. Some plans come with a few other special benefits too - read more about those in our full guide to Vodafone.
To see all the SIM-only deals available from Vodafone right now, take a look at our comparison tool here:
How do I choose a Vodafone SIM-only deal?
Finding the right Vodafone SIM deal for you couldn't be easier. Have a look at the deals in our comparison table, and pick the one you like best.
You can adjust the filters at the side to only show the SIMs that fit what you need, and can even compare Vodafone plans with those from other networks too. When you spot one you like, simply select it, and we'll take you straight to Vodafone's website so you can order it.
When you're comparing, think about what's most important from your deal:
Data allowance - How much do you use 4G mobile internet? If you only use your phone to scroll through Facebook, browse the web a bit, and use WhatsApp, you'll be fine with a small allowance. On the other hand, hungrier users who stream on the go, use their phone for work, or download large files may want 10GB or so per month. Most of us, however, will find a data allowance between 2-5GB suits us perfectly.
Calls and texts allowance - Think about how much you make calls on your mobile, and how many SMS texts (not WhatsApp or Facebook messages) you send in a month. Very high allowances are available from Vodafone for quite low prices, so getting enough for your use should be easy.
Contract length - With SIM plans, you usually have a choice between 30-day or 12-month contracts. Longer contracts generally have lower monthly costs, while a 30-day one can be changed at any time. It's worth going for a 12-month deal if you're happy to commit for a full year - though if you want a bit of flexibility, so you can change your monthly allowance or switch networks entirely whenever you like, go for a one-month SIM instead.
Price - On a budget? Set a maximum monthly price using the filter at the side, or sort all the deals by cost to see the lowest-priced ones first. See the section below if you need a bit of help finding the cheapest possible deal.
SIM card type - Make sure you get the right size SIM card for your phone. Most networks these days offer 'combi-SIMs' that can fit any device, so go for one of those if you're not sure.
Are Vodafone SIM-only deals cheaper than contracts?
Yes, in most cases it's cheaper to go SIM-only than to take out a handset contract - partly because it means you won't be paying any interest or extra costs on the phone itself. Buying a phone outright and getting a SIM-only deal to put in it almost always works out cheaper in the long run.
As an extra price-saving bonus, SIM-only contracts usually last a much shorter length of time than ones with a phone… meaning you can switch to a new, even cheaper SIM as soon as you find one.
Can I keep my mobile number if I switch to a Vodafone SIM-only deal?
Yep, you can keep your phone number when you switch mobile networks, regardless of which network you're switching to or from. It's surprisingly hassle-free to sort out, too.
All you need to do is sign up to a new deal, then contact your current network and ask for a PAC - a porting authorisation code. Give it to Vodafone once you have your SIM, and the number should port across within a matter of days.
Do I need an unlocked phone to use a Vodafone SIM?
Yes, your phone needs to be unlocked - or locked to Vodafone - in order to use a Vodafone SIM card.
If you bought your phone outright from a retailer, it should already be unlocked and you have nothing to worry about.
However, if you're using an old phone that you got on a contract, it may be locked to your former network. In that case, you'll need to get it unlocked - but don't worry, as this is easy enough to do.
All you have to do is contact the network it's locked to, and they'll sort it out - sometimes free of charge. They may give you a code to enter, or might be able to it remotely. Your phone will be unlocked and ready for a new SIM in a few days' time.
What size SIM card do I need?
There are four kinds of SIM card, sized to fit different devices:
- Standard SIM - A classic full-size SIM, and the biggest of all. Generally only used in older phones, including old feature phones.
- Micro SIM - A mid-size SIM, smaller than a standard one. Various phones from last few years take this size, including the Samsung Galaxy S5 and iPhone 4.
- Nano SIM - The smallest SIM of all, and usually the SIM of choice for modern smartphones. This is the one you need for an iPhone 5 or newer, Samsung Galaxy S6 or newer, or a Google Pixel, for instance.
- Combi-SIM - A clever three-in-one SIM. You can change the size of this SIM to make it fit in any phone. The majority of networks offer these as standard.
To find out what size SIM you need to get, take a look at your device's manual, or check the manufacturer's website.
If you're still not sure, don't worry - most networks send out combi-SIMs to make life easier.
