Last updated: March 2026 • Reviewed by Compare The Networks
Why Choose a Business SIM Only Deal?
A business SIM only deal is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your team connected. Unlike handset contracts, where a significant portion of your monthly bill goes towards paying off the phone, a SIM only plan covers just the airtime — data, minutes and texts. This means lower monthly costs, shorter commitments and greater flexibility for businesses of all sizes.
Whether you are a sole trader looking for a single line or an IT manager provisioning dozens of handsets, SIM only deals offer genuine advantages. You keep your existing phones (or buy handsets outright at a lower total cost), reclaim VAT on your monthly spend, and avoid being locked into lengthy contracts if your business needs change.
In 2026, competition between the UK’s major networks has driven SIM only prices to historic lows. Plans with generous data allowances start from around £6 per month, and unlimited data options are available from £10 per month on some networks. Below, we compare the latest business SIM only deals from EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 to help you find the right plan.
Business SIM Only Deals Comparison Table
The following table summarises the headline business SIM only plans available from each major UK network. All prices shown are ex-VAT, as is standard for business contracts.
| Network | Data | Contract | Monthly Cost (ex-VAT) | 5G Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three | 1 GB | 24 months | £6.00 | Yes |
| Three | Unlimited Best Value | 24 months | £10.00 | Yes |
| O2 | 5 GB | 12 months | £7.50 | Yes |
| O2 | 100 GB | 12 months | £14.00 | Yes |
| Vodafone | 10 GB | 12 months | £8.00 | Yes |
| Vodafone | Unlimited | 24 months | £16.00 | Yes |
| EE | 10 GB | 24 months | £9.00 | Yes |
| EE | Unlimited | 24 months | £19.00 | Yes |
| Three | Unlimited | 30 days | £14.00 | Yes |
| O2 | 30 GB | 30 days | £13.00 | Yes |
| Vodafone | 25 GB | 30 days | £12.00 | Yes |
| EE | 25 GB | 30 days | £14.00 | Yes |
Prices correct as of February 2026. Deals change frequently — use our free comparison tool or request a quote for the latest pricing.
30-Day vs 12-Month vs 24-Month Contracts
One of the biggest decisions when choosing a business SIM only deal is the contract length. Each option has distinct advantages depending on your business circumstances.
30-Day Rolling Contracts
A 30-day rolling contract lets you cancel or switch plans with just one month’s notice. This is ideal for businesses that are growing quickly, seasonal operations, or companies that want to test a network’s coverage before committing. The trade-off is that monthly prices are typically 15–30% higher than annual contracts for the same data allowance.
30-day contracts are also a smart choice for contractors and freelancers who may need business mobile service for the duration of a specific project rather than year-round.
12-Month Contracts
A 12-month commitment strikes a balance between flexibility and value. You secure a lower monthly rate than a 30-day plan while avoiding a two-year lock-in. O2 and Vodafone both offer competitive 12-month SIM only deals for business customers, and this is the most popular contract length among small businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
24-Month Contracts
If you are confident in your chosen network and want the lowest possible monthly cost, a 24-month contract delivers the best per-month pricing. Three and EE are particularly competitive on two-year SIM only deals. The downside is reduced flexibility — if your needs change or a better deal appears, you will need to wait until the contract ends or pay an early termination fee.
Unlimited Data Business SIM Only Options
For businesses whose employees rely heavily on mobile data — whether for video calls, cloud-based applications, tethering laptops or working in the field — an unlimited data SIM only deal removes any concern about overage charges or throttled speeds mid-month.
Three continues to offer the most affordable unlimited data business SIM, currently from £10 per month on a 24-month contract. This includes unlimited 5G data with no fair usage cap for on-device usage. Vodafone’s unlimited plans start around £16 per month and include their Xtra benefits such as a global roaming day pass. EE’s unlimited plans are priced from £19 per month but come with the UK’s widest and fastest 5G network.
If your team regularly needs unlimited data, you can explore our dedicated comparison of unlimited data business mobile plans for a more detailed breakdown of fair usage policies, tethering allowances and speed tiers.
VAT Benefits of Business SIM Only Deals
One of the most significant financial advantages of a business mobile contract is VAT recovery. When you take out a SIM only deal as a business (whether as a limited company, partnership or sole trader), the contract is priced exclusive of VAT. This means you can reclaim the 20% VAT on your monthly bills, effectively reducing your cost by a fifth compared to an equivalent consumer plan.
For example, a plan advertised at £10 per month ex-VAT would cost £12 including VAT. A consumer paying the same £12 on a personal contract cannot reclaim any VAT. Over 12 months, that £24 saving per line adds up — especially if you have multiple lines across your business.
To reclaim VAT, ensure the contract is in your business name (or your name as a sole trader) and that you receive proper VAT invoices from your network provider. Your accountant can then include these in your quarterly VAT return.
How to Choose the Right Business SIM Only Deal
With so many options on the market, narrowing down the right plan can feel overwhelming. Here are the key factors to consider:
1. Coverage in Your Area
The cheapest deal is worthless if the network does not have strong coverage where your team works. Before committing, check each network’s coverage map for your office location, key client sites and any areas where your employees travel regularly. EE generally offers the widest 4G and 5G coverage, while Three has been expanding its 5G footprint aggressively in urban areas.
2. Data Requirements
Audit your current data usage. Most networks allow you to check this in your account settings or on the app. If your team predominantly uses email and light web browsing, 5–10 GB per line may suffice. For video conferencing, streaming or tethering, 25 GB or unlimited is more appropriate. Over-estimating data is less costly than under-estimating, as out-of-bundle data charges can be steep.
3. Contract Flexibility
Consider how your business might change over the contract period. If you are hiring and may need additional lines, check whether your chosen network allows you to add lines mid-contract at the same rate. If you anticipate downsizing, a 30-day or 12-month contract is safer than a 24-month commitment.
4. International Usage
If your team travels abroad regularly, roaming costs can become significant. Vodafone’s business plans include roaming in selected European destinations, and EE offers roaming passes as bolt-ons. Three’s Go Roam has been revised since Brexit, so check the current terms carefully. For businesses with frequent international callers, compare inclusive international minutes across providers.
5. Multi-Line Discounts
If you need five or more SIM only lines, most networks offer tiered discounts that can reduce per-line costs by 10–25%. Our multi-line business mobile deals page has a detailed breakdown of volume discount tiers by network. It is worth requesting bespoke quotes for larger orders, as published prices are often negotiable.
Find the Best Business SIM Only Deal for Your Needs
Our free comparison service takes the hassle out of finding the right plan. Tell us what you need and we will provide impartial quotes from all major UK networks — no obligation, no cost.
Get a Free QuoteNetwork-by-Network Overview
EE Business SIM Only
EE offers the UK’s largest and fastest 5G network, making it a strong choice for businesses in urban areas and cities. Their business SIM only plans start from £9 per month for 10 GB and go up to £19 per month for unlimited data. All EE business plans include unlimited UK calls and texts, inclusive EU roaming (up to a fair use limit), and access to their Smart Benefits programme which bundles in perks like Apple Music, BT Sport or an additional data pass.
Vodafone Business SIM Only
Vodafone’s business SIM only range is competitively priced, starting from £8 per month for 10 GB. Their Pro Xtra plans include one Xtra benefit of your choice — options include a global roaming day pass (useful for international travellers), entertainment subscriptions, or additional data. Vodafone also stands out for its business-grade security tools and dedicated account management for businesses with five or more lines.
Three Business SIM Only
Three consistently offers the lowest-priced business SIM only deals. Their plans start from just £6 per month for 1 GB and their unlimited data plan at £10 per month is the cheapest on the market. Three’s 5G rollout has been rapid, and their network is particularly strong in cities. The main consideration is rural coverage, where Three still lags behind EE and Vodafone in some areas.
O2 Business SIM Only
O2’s business SIM only plans start from £7.50 per month for 5 GB. Their 12-month contracts offer a good balance of flexibility and value. O2 Business also provides the O2 Priority app with exclusive discounts, and their Switch Up programme allows eligible customers to change their plan mid-contract. For businesses that value reliable urban coverage and straightforward pricing, O2 is a solid choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a business SIM only deal?
A business SIM only deal is a mobile plan that provides data, minutes and texts without including a handset. You receive a SIM card to use in your existing phone. Prices start from around £6 per month ex-VAT, making them significantly cheaper than bundled handset contracts. You can reclaim VAT on business SIM only deals, and contract lengths range from 30 days to 24 months.
Q: Can sole traders get business SIM only deals?
Yes, absolutely. Sole traders and self-employed professionals qualify for business SIM only deals from all major UK networks. You do not need a Companies House registration. Most providers will ask for your business name, trading address and a form of business identification such as a UTR number. See our sole trader mobile deals guide for more details.
Q: Are 30-day business SIM only contracts available?
Yes. EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 all offer 30-day rolling business SIM only contracts. These plans give maximum flexibility — you can cancel or change with 30 days’ notice. Monthly prices are typically higher than 12 or 24-month contracts, but there is no long-term lock-in.
Q: How much data do I need on a business SIM only plan?
This depends on your usage habits. For basic email, messaging and light web browsing, 5–10 GB is usually sufficient. If you regularly use video conferencing (Zoom, Teams), stream content or tether your phone to a laptop, 25–50 GB is more appropriate. For employees who use their phone as a primary internet connection, unlimited data plans offer peace of mind and start from £10 per month.
Q: Can I keep my existing number when switching?
Yes. Request a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) from your current provider by texting PAC to 65075. Give this code to your new network when activating your SIM. The number transfer typically completes within one working day, and your old contract will be cancelled automatically once the port is complete.
Q: Do business SIM only deals include 5G?
Most business SIM only plans from all four major UK networks now include 5G access at no additional cost. You will need a 5G-capable handset and be in an area with 5G coverage. EE has the widest 5G coverage in the UK as of 2026, followed by Three, Vodafone and O2.
Making the Switch: How It Works
Switching to a new business SIM only deal is straightforward and can usually be completed within 24 hours. Here is the process:
- Compare deals — Use our free comparison to find the best plan for your needs, or contact our team for a personalised quote.
- Request a PAC code — If you want to keep your current number, text PAC to 65075 from the mobile you wish to transfer. Your current provider must respond within one minute with your PAC code, which is valid for 30 days.
- Place your order — Sign up for your new business SIM only deal and provide your PAC code during the order process.
- Receive and activate your SIM — Your new SIM will arrive within 1–3 working days. Insert it into your phone and follow the activation instructions. Your number will transfer automatically, typically within one working day.
- Set up billing — Ensure the account is in your business name for VAT reclaim purposes. Set up direct debit for your monthly payments.
If you are ordering multiple SIM only lines for your team, networks can often expedite delivery and provide pre-activated SIMs to minimise downtime.
Why Compare Business SIM Only Deals with Us?
Compare The Networks is a free, impartial comparison service for UK businesses. We do not favour any particular network — our goal is to help you find the plan that genuinely fits your requirements and budget. Our advisors can provide personalised quotes from all major networks, handle the switching process for you, and ensure you get any available multi-line or promotional discounts.
Whether you need a single SIM for yourself or dozens for your team, we are here to help. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote, or explore our other comparison pages for cheap business mobiles and business mobile deals with handsets.