giffgaff SIM Only Deals

Looking for a cheap, flexible mobile plan with no long contract? Giffgaff SIM only deals are some of the most popular in the UK, and for good reason. Plans start from just £6 a month, include unlimited calls and texts, and run on O2's network, which covers 99% of the UK population. Whether you need a tiny data bundle for light browsing or a full unlimited plan for streaming and hotspotting, Switch makes it simple to compare every giffgaff option.

Switch tips

Why Choose Giffgaff SIM Only Deals?

Giffgaff is an MVNO, a mobile virtual network operator. It doesn't own its own masts; instead it runs on O2's infrastructure, giving you near-identical coverage at a fraction of the cost of a standard O2 contract. Because giffgaff keeps overheads low (no high street shops, no traditional call centre), those savings go straight into your monthly bill.

In the Ofcom 2025 service quality report, giffgaff scored 94% overall customer satisfaction, well above the industry average. It also won Mobile Network of the Year at the 2025 industry awards.

Plans from £6/month — unlimited calls and texts included on every plan
No contract required — all monthly rolling goodybags are one-month plans, cancel anytime
No credit check — none on rolling monthly or Pay As You Go plans
5G at no extra cost — included on compatible devices without a price premium
Earn payback rewards — refer friends, help in the community forum, earn cash or credit

Giffgaff SIM Only Plans at a Glance

Data	Price/month	Calls & Texts	5G	Contract
2GB	£6/month	Unlimited	Yes (device dependent)	30-day rolling
5GB	£8/month	Unlimited	Yes	30-day rolling
15GB	£12/month	Unlimited	Yes	30-day rolling
25GB	£15/month	Unlimited	Yes	30-day rolling
50GB	£20/month	Unlimited	Yes	30-day rolling
Unlimited	£25 to £35/month	Unlimited	Yes	30-day or 18-month

← Swipe to see all columns →

What Makes Giffgaff Different

No Credit Check

Giffgaff runs no credit check on any rolling monthly or PAYG plan, one of the best SIM options if you want to avoid hard searches on your credit file.

No Long Contract

Every standard goodybag is a 30-day rolling plan. Cancel, change, or upgrade any time, no exit fees, no awkward calls to your old provider.

5G Free on All Plans

5G is included at no extra cost on every giffgaff goodybag. You get O2's 5G network in hundreds of UK towns and cities — just need a compatible handset.

Payback Rewards

Refer friends, help others in the giffgaff community forum, and earn payback points: convert to cash, top-up credit, or donate to charity.

Giffgaff Network Coverage: Is It Good Enough?

Coverage Type	Giffgaff (via O2)	Notes
4G Population Coverage	99%	Same infrastructure as O2
4G Avg Download Speed	~17 to 18 Mbps	More than fast enough for streaming and browsing
5G Availability	Hundreds of UK towns/cities	Included free on all plans
5G Avg Speed	110 to 140 Mbps	In supported areas with a compatible device
EU Roaming	Up to 5GB included	Beyond 5GB: charged at 10p/MB
Wi-Fi Calling (VoLTE)	Available	Needs a compatible device

← Swipe to see all columns →

Which Giffgaff Plan Is Right for You?

Not sure how much data you need? Here is a quick guide based on typical monthly usage:

Light user (under 5GB) — Social media, WhatsApp, emails, and maps off Wi-Fi. A 2GB or 5GB goodybag covers most light users comfortably.
Moderate user (5 to 15GB) — Regular streaming of YouTube or Spotify on the go, video calls, some app downloads. The 15GB plan is a solid middle ground.
Heavy user (15 to 50GB) — You use your phone as a hotspot, stream HD video daily, or work remotely on mobile data. The 50GB plan gives headroom without paying unlimited prices.
Power user (Unlimited) — You work from your phone, travel frequently, or stream everything. The unlimited plan removes all data anxiety for one flat monthly fee.

The beauty of giffgaff is you're never locked in. If you take the 15GB plan and find you're running short, you can start a bigger goodybag next month, or even before your current one ends.

How to Get a Giffgaff SIM Only Deal: 4 Simple Steps

The whole process takes under 10 minutes

1Step

Compare Plans on Switch

Use Switch's comparison tool to filter giffgaff SIM only deals by data, price, and contract length. See every available goodybag side by side.

2Step

Order Your Free SIM

Giffgaff posts a free triple SIM (fits standard, micro, and nano slots) to your address in 2 to 3 working days. Alternatively, activate an eSIM instantly if your phone supports it.

3Step

Activate and Choose Your Goodybag

Go to giffgaff.com/activate, enter your code, choose your goodybag, and you are live. The whole process takes under 10 minutes from start to connected.

4Step

Keep Your Number (Optional)

Text PAC to 65075 for free to get your porting code from your old network. Give it to giffgaff and your number transfers within one working day, automatically.

Giffgaff Roaming: Using Your SIM Abroad

Giffgaff lets you use your plan allowance in the EU and a number of selected countries at no extra cost. Up to 5GB of your monthly data is available abroad. Once you exceed 5GB, data is charged at 10p per MB, so monitor usage if you're travelling for longer periods.

Outside the EU, you'll need credit to use data roaming. Calls and texts abroad are charged at standard rates. Always check giffgaff's roaming page before travelling to a non-EU destination.

eSIM and Wi-Fi Calling on Giffgaff

Giffgaff fully supports eSIM. If your phone has a built-in digital SIM slot (most phones from 2019 onwards), you can activate your plan instantly without waiting for a physical SIM in the post. Ideal if you're switching last minute or travelling.

Wi-Fi Calling (VoLTE) is also available on giffgaff, so you can make calls and send texts over a Wi-Fi connection when mobile signal is weak. If you live in an area with patchy indoor reception but a solid broadband connection, this makes a real practical difference.

Common Questions Before You Switch

Do I Need to Unlock My Phone?

Yes, your handset must be unlocked to use a giffgaff SIM. Most phones bought recently from UK retailers are already unlocked. If not, your current network must unlock it for free by law.

Can I Keep My Current Number?

Yes. Text PAC to 65075 (free) to get your porting code from your old network. Provide it to giffgaff during activation and your number transfers automatically within one working day.

What Exactly Is a Goodybag?

Giffgaff's term for its monthly bundles. Each goodybag is a 30-day rolling plan with a set data allowance plus unlimited UK calls and texts. You can auto-renew or start a new goodybag early if you run out of data.

Is There an 18-Month Option?

Yes, giffgaff offers 18-month SIM only contracts on certain plans, including unlimited data. Key advantage: giffgaff doesn't apply mid-contract price rises on 18-month deals, unlike most larger networks.

Is Giffgaff Good for Business Use?

Giffgaff is primarily aimed at personal users. For business mobile plans it's worth comparing dedicated business SIM options through Switch, where you can find plans with priority support, itemised billing, and VAT invoices that giffgaff doesn't offer.

Giffgaff vs Other Budget SIM Only Networks

Feature	Giffgaff	SMARTY	Lebara	Sky Mobile
Network	O2	Three	Vodafone	O2
Starting price	£6/month	£5/month	£5/month	£6/month
5G included	Yes	Yes	No (most plans)	Yes
Credit check	No	No	No	Yes (some plans)
EU Roaming	Up to 5GB free	Some plans	Paid extra	Included
Unlimited data	Yes (from £25)	Yes (from £18)	No	Yes (from £30)
eSIM support	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

← Swipe to see all columns →

FAQs

How much do giffgaff SIM only deals cost?

Giffgaff SIM only deals start at £6 per month for 2GB of data with unlimited calls and texts. Plans go up to £35 per month for an unlimited data goodybag. All plans are month-to-month with no long contract required.

Does giffgaff do a credit check?

How fast is giffgaff 5G?

Can I use giffgaff in the EU?

How long does a giffgaff SIM take to arrive?

Can I change my giffgaff plan every month?

What happens to my giffgaff credit if I switch?

Latest from our experts

Mobile14 min read

When Was the First Mobile Phone Invented?

Find out when the first mobile phone was invented, who made it, and how cell phones evolved decade by decade from 1973 to 2025. UK-focused complete history.

Energy Guides10 min read

What Is a Utility Bill? UK Guide with Examples

Find out what counts as a utility bill in the UK, what's on one, how to use it as proof of address, and how to cut your household costs.

Mobile Guides16 min read

How to Get a PAC Code | Keep Your Mobile Number (2026 Guide)

Learn how to get a PAC code in seconds, port your mobile number to any UK network, and switch without losing your number, full 2026 guide.

Mobile Guides12 min read

Best Mobile Network UK: Coverage and Signal Compared (2026)

Compare the best mobile network UK coverage for 2026. See how EE, O2, Vodafone and VodafoneThree rank on signal, 5G, speed and price.