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Prepaid eSIMs for the United Kingdom: the best options (2023)

We've looked at eSIM options for the UK for you! This is what you need to know

Published: Oct 10, 2022

Table of content:

What's the best option for staying connected in the UK?
The best prepaid eSIM plans for the UK.
The most competitive options: Nomad & Ubigi
O2: the best option with a local supplier
Airhub: the best option for traveling to several countries
KeepGo: the best option for heavy data users
Mobile subscriptions: do local operators offer eSIM (O2, EE, Vodafone)?
Is there 5G in the UK?
Conclusion

Photo by Heidi Fin on Unsplash

For years, the UK has been one of the most visited countries in the world. Tourists flock here to soak up the stunning scenery, explore energetic London, discover world-class museums and learn about British history on many levels.

What are the best data plans for venturing into the country? Which eSIM would work best? We find answers to these and other questions in the article below.

Last updated March 4, 2023

Table of content:

What's the best option for staying connected in the UK?
The best prepaid eSIM plans for the UK.
The most competitive options: Nomad & Ubigi
O2: the best option with a local supplier
Airhub: the best option for traveling to several countries
KeepGo: the best option for heavy data users
Mobile subscriptions: do local operators offer eSIM (O2, EE, Vodafone)?
Is there 5G in the UK?
Conclusion

What's the best option for staying connected in the UK?

If you are planning to visit the UK, whether you are going on a business trip or just for pleasure, you will need internet and telephone access. Since the country is no longer part of the European Union, using your local SIM card could incur an expensive bill and roaming charges (although many providers have no roaming charge agreements). valid roaming with the UK - see below).

To avoid this, we suggest getting a prepaid data plan. Here you have two options. You can either buy a prepaid SIM card or get an eSIM. If you don't have a next-gen phone, you'll have to stick with traditional SIM cards. But if your device is eSIM compatible, this is a much more convenient option. Here's why.

European Union travellers: Your current mobile subscription may still offer "free roaming" across the UK. Brexit is quite recent and most telecom operators have decided to keep the free roaming agreement which is still valid in the EU despite Brexit. you might want to check that out!

The best prepaid eSIM plans for the UK.

eSIMs are digital SIM cards and therefore very convenient. eSIMs are "embedded SIMs" or simply a new version of SIM card technology. It uses a reprogrammable chip that sits inside your device. Typically, to install an eSIM, you need to scan a QR code with your smartphone or install your eSIM through the provider's mobile app if they allow it. The biggest advantage of an eSIM is that it is much faster and easier to switch between different mobile networks. Here are the best prepaid eSIM options for the UK.

The most competitive options: Nomad & Ubigi

If you're looking for lots of data at a good price, one of the best plans is offered by Nomad. Its "UK 20GB" plan is valid for 30 days and includes 20GB of data at 4G/LTE speed. Currently, you can get $1 off your purchase with our 'ESIMSIO' voucher. This means the bundle can be purchased for $29 (was $30). Note that you will be connected to the EE network (formerly Everything Everywhere).

Data

20 GB

Validity30 day(s)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Data only

Network(s) : EE (4G, 5G)

Special Offer : $1 OFF

United Kingdom 20 GB

Nomad

$20.00

$21.00

$1.00/GB

Learn more ›

Another great option for travelers is Ubigi's "United Kingdom" plan. For $12 you will get 10 GB of data valid for 30 days. What's great about this plan is the fact that it works in more areas than just the UK. You can also use it in Guernsey, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and Jersey. Once your data allowance is consumed, you can easily add more.

Data

10 GB

Validity30 day(s)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Data only

Ubigi

$12.00

$1.20/GB

Learn more ›

O2: the best option with a local supplier

If you prefer to get the reliability and speeds of direct access to a local provider, the O2 10GB - Europe plan is a great option. It is slightly more expensive than the other options, but it will offer 10 GB of data valid throughout Europe. As a nice bonus, you also get free calls on the O2 network throughout Europe, which is great if you're traveling with friends and family and you're all using this plan.

Data

10 GB

Validity30 day(s)

33 countries

Data and Phone number*

O2 Go - Europe

O2 - by SimOptions

$24.90

$2.49/GB

Learn more ›

Airhub: the best option for traveling to several countries

For adventurers planning to travel to multiple countries - not just the UK - a great plan is the "30GB Europe Plan". Provided by Airhub, this plan offers 30 GB for 14 days. What's good is a 4G data only eSIM. Under this plan, you will have Internet access in 38 countries, including France, Belgium, Jersey and many other places.

Data

30 GB

Validity14 day(s)

38 countries

Data only

Special Offer : 3% OFF

Europe 30GB Data with Calls 14Days

Airhub

$38.80

$40.00

$1.29/GB

Learn more ›

KeepGo: the best option for heavy data users

Data

50 GB

Validity365 day(s)

25 countries

Data only

Antares

KeepGo

$100.00

$2.00/GB

Learn more ›

Mobile subscriptions: do local operators offer eSIM (O2, EE, Vodafone)?

If you're staying long-term (at least several months) in the UK, your best option might be to get an eSIM subscription and sign up directly with one of the local telecom providers. This will probably be the better option price-wise and more affordable than getting a prepaid eSIM.

If you want to get an eSIM on UK mobile networks, you have three options. On EE, you can get one on Pay Monthly, Small Business, and SIM Only plans. But to use one, you will first need a regular SIM card. Then you can order an eSIM and replace your traditional SIM.

On O2, however, you can change your Pay Monthly contract to an eSIM. Three – another UK mobile network – is set to launch its eSIM this year. Vodafone offers perhaps the easiest option. You can simply order an eSIM online and start using it immediately.

Without EE, O2 and Vodafone, it is also possible to buy an eSIM from roaming providers. On esims.io you will find many different plans. You can choose one, according to your needs and desires. Most eSIMs work with the O2 network and Vodafone.

Is there 5G in the UK?

Although 5G was officially introduced in the UK at the end of May 2019, it still only works in certain areas. Currently it is offered by all four major networks - EE, Vodafone, Three and O2. Now it is available in 55 locations including London, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Lancaster, Cardiff, Gatwick, Liverpool, Plymouth, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton.

Conclusion

eSIM is definitely a great option for getting mobile data if you're traveling to the UK. We hope the few options we've suggested will meet your data needs. Otherwise visit esims.io and choose from many other options available for the UK.