Ireland’s best SIM-only deals

Find and compare cheap SIM-only deals in Ireland. Whether you’re looking for a budget mobile plan or unlimited 5G, you’ll get the best SIM-only deals here.

Plan type
Data
Network
More filtersLess filters
11 results.
Sorted by year 1 cost
€14.99 Plan
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited
Data
uses Vodafone's network
€14.99
per month
€14.99 Activation fee
Download Speed limited to 5Mbps
First Month Freei
Available when joining Clear Mobile. Subject to eligibility. T&C's apply.
€12.99 if joining from GoMo, Tesco, 48, Eir or Three network
GoMo Go More
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited 5G
Data
uses eir's network
€14.99
per month
€14.99 Activation fee
connect - 30 Day
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited 5G
Data
€19.99
per month
for 12 months, then €29.99 p/m
Annual price increase applies
Discount available to existing eir Broadband customersi
€9.99 p/m for 12 months, €19.99 p/m thereafter.
€20 All In SIM Only
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
100GB
Data
uses Three's network
€20
per month
300 international minutes
Price freeze commitmenti
Price freeze commitment applies to all new customers that sign up to one of our mobile bill pay price plans before 31/03/2024. Price Freeze commitments means that your monthly recurring charge will not change for the duration of your minimum term.
48 Mobile

No contract 48 SIM-only deal

Order your free 48 SIM today. 99% population coverage powered by Three, Ireland’s largest network provider. One time activation fee €12.99.

Mobile Unlimited Plan
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited
Data
uses Three's network
€20
per month
for 12 months, then €25 p/m
Discounts available to existing Virgin Media Broadband customersi
€20 per month lasting price over the lifetime of your plan or €15 per SIM with Virgin Media’s Multi-SIM offer. T&C's apply.
complete - 30 Day
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited 5G
Data
€24.99
per month
for 12 months, then €34.99 p/m
Annual price increase applies
200 international minutes and texts
Discount available to existing eir Broadband customersi
€14.99 p/m for 12 months, €24.99 p/m thereafter.
3 Bill Pay Unlimited SIMO 12m
12 months
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited 5G
Data
€17.49
per month
for 6 months, then €34.99 p/m
Annual price increase applies
60 International Minutes/Texts
RED Unlimited SIM Only
12 months
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited
Data
€25
per month
for 6 months, then €35 p/m
Annual price increase applies
Download Speed limited to 10Mbps, Unlimited European calls & texts, 100 International minutes & texts 
3 Bill Pay Unlimited SIMO 30 Day
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited 5G
Data
€34.99
per month
Annual price increase applies
60 International Minutes/Texts
RED Unlimited 30 Day Sim Only
30 days
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited
Data
€35
per month
Download Speed limited to 10Mbps, Unlimited European calls & texts, 100 International minutes & texts 
RED Unlimited Max SIM Only
12 months
Contract
Unlimited
Texts & Minutes
Unlimited 5G
Data
€35
per month
for 6 months, then €45 p/m
Annual price increase applies
500 International minutes & texts, Unlimited calls to Europe and selected countries

What is a SIM-only plan?

It’s a mobile phone contract that includes only minutes, texts and data. You don’t get a new phone with a SIM-only deal; you only pay for airtime.

There are two ways to pay for a SIM-only deal.

  • Bill pay: A monthly, no-strings-attached, rolling contract.
  • Prepay: Simply pay for your airtime upfront. Also known as Pay As You Go.

SIM-only plans are cheaper than plans which include a mobile phone because you’re not paying to spread the cost of the new phone.

Remember that discount prices can increase after the introductory period, but you can move on to a cheaper deal and keep your number.

What are the advantages of a SIM-only deal?

Switching to a SIM-only, bill pay deal is ideal if you don’t want a new phone and are not locked into a mobile contract. The downside of a bill pay SIM is you don’t get a new phone, and you may need to unlock your phone.

A prepay SIM is a flexible option if your usage varies or you don’t want to commit to a monthly bill. With a pay as you go plan you can just top up with data, calls and texts whenever you need.

Here’s how bill pay and prepay SIM only compares:

SIM-only bill pay

  • Cheaper deals
  • Short contracts
  • No tie-ins or penalties
  • No topping up
  • Keep your number

SIM-only prepay

  • Useful for under 18s
  • For those with a poor credit history
  • If you use lots of data for music & streaming
  • If you don’t have a bank account

How to compare SIM-only packages

To get the best SIM-only deal for your needs, think about how you use your phone and consider what’s important to you.

Here are some questions to guide your choice:

  • Do you really need an unlimited data plan?
  • How many calls and texts do you make?
  • Do you make international calls or need EU roaming?
  • If you’re a light user, could a prepay SIM work out cheaper?
  • Do you want the security of a 12-month plan or the freedom of a 30-day rolling contract?
  • Do you want superfast 5G data, and what’s 5G coverage like in your area?

Once you’ve determined your data usage and the type of plan that suits you best, Switcher.ie’s SIM-only comparison can help you compare deals.

We’ll show you all the best mobile bill pay or SIM-only offers on the market, with key features highlighted, so you can simply choose the best plan for your needs.

What are the cheapest SIM-only plans?

The cheapest plan may not always be the best deal, so it’s important to compare all plan features - like data, contract type and coverage - before choosing.

Compare low-cost, flexible deals from MVNOs like 48, An Post Mobile, Clear Mobile, GoMo and Tesco Mobile, using our comparison tool above.

Should you get a 5G data plan?

It depends on the age of your smartphone and how you use your mobile.

If you use your mobile for watching movies, online gaming and video calling and live in an area with good 5G coverage, then it’s worth considering because all the latest Samsung and iPhones are 5G enabled.

However, if your smartphone is mainly used for calls, messaging and surfing, it’s probably not worth paying extra for a 5G data plan.

Learn more about 5G in our guide How 5G mobile works in Ireland.

Can you get a SIM-only deal for international calls?

There are some SIM-only deals that offer EU, UK or international calls as part of your monthly plan. This type of plan is ideal if you regularly make overseas calls.

Most of Ireland’s top network providers offer international calls or roaming data plans, although expect to pay more if you need lots of international minutes.

Are refurbished phones any good?

As inflation bites and consumers become more cost-conscious and sustainably aware, sales of refurbished phones jumped 5% last year.

If you’re on a tight budget, consider buying a pre-owned phone. A refurbished phone is ideal if you want to buy a phone outright and keep monthly costs down with a SIM-only deal.

Our guide Should you buy a refurbished phone? can help you decide if it’s right for you.

How to switch your mobile phone provider

Switching your mobile phone network is simple; just pick a plan, and your new provider will handle the rest. You can even take your number with you.

Just remember to check you’re out of any contract before signing up for a new plan. This will ensure you avoid early exit fees, which can be high.

If you have a bill-pay deal, you’ll need to contact your current provider to cancel your plan, and once you’ve paid your final bill - cancel any direct debits.

The only difference you’ll notice when you change providers is the cost. You may also get a variation in signal, but check network coverage before you make the switch.

SIM-only FAQs

Can I keep my mobile number?

Yes, this is called ‘porting’ your number and makes changing network a much smoother process.

Keeping your number means you won’t have to tell all your friends and family your new number or risk losing contact with anyone.

Your new network will guide you through the steps you need to take to port your mobile number

How much data do I need?

The amount of data you need will depend on what you use the internet for on your mobile phone.

If you mainly use the data on your phone to browse the internet and send messages via Whatsapp or other messaging services, you’d be considered a light user. Streaming a lot of video content or online gaming would make you a heavy user.

Data packages are normally measured in GBs, which is 1,024MBs. Here are some examples of data usage:

  • visiting a website uses up around 1MB
  • watching TV shows or movies on Netflix uses about 1GB for every hour of SD video
  • streaming TV and movies in HD uses about 3GB per hour

Is a 30-day or 12-month SIM-only contract best?

The kind of contract you go for will totally depend on your circumstances.

If you’d like to try a new provider and want to test out the service and coverage, you could opt for a shorter-term contract to try it out.

Longer contracts tend to be cheaper, however, so if you’re happy to lock in for longer, you could save money in the long run.

Which mobile networks provide SIM-only plans?

In Ireland, SIM-only deals are provided by these networks:

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