Which networks offer eSIMs on Pay As You Go?

While eSIMs have been around for a long time, these embedded SIM cards still aren’t supported by all UK networks, and even fewer offer them on Pay As You Go.

That said, you do have some options if you want to get an eSIM on a Pay As You Go plan. We’ll cover them below, and if you’re not sure what an eSIM is – or why you might want one – check out our guide covering what is an eSIM and which networks/phones support eSIMs.

Note also that you need a phone that supports eSIMs in order to use one, but these are widely available, and the guide above details many of your options.

Which networks offer eSIMs on Pay As You Go?

At the time of writing, eight UK networks officially offer eSIM on Pay As You Go. These include O2, Three, Vodafone, Giffgaff, iD Mobile, Lebara, Lyca Mobile and Tesco Mobile.

Recommended eSIM PAYG deals

	5GB data 1000 mins & unlimited texts	£2.50 Buy Now
	27GB data Unlimited mins & texts	£10 Buy Now
	120GB data Unlimited mins & texts	£13.50 Buy Now
	Unlimited data Unlimited mins & texts	£20 Buy Now
	Unlimited data Unlimited mins & texts	£31.50 Buy Now

The cheapest eSIM available on Pay As You Go costs £2.50 on Lyca Mobile, which gets you 5GB of data, and 1000 minutes and texts. Three also have a standout deal that bags you 120GB of data, unlimited minutes and unlimited texts for just £13.50.

O2

O2 was later than some to start offering eSIMs on Pay As You Go, but it does now. However, you have to go to an O2 store to get an eSIM for Pay As You Go, so this can’t be done online.

The network hasn’t outlined how to switch from a physical SIM card to eSIM if you already have a Pay As You Go plan, so we’d suggest getting in touch with its customer services for assistance there.

Three

Three is another major UK network that offers eSIMs on Pay As You Go, but unlike with O2 you can request an eSIM at checkout when ordering your Pay As You Go SIM card – just tap the eSIM option.

Or if you already have a physical SIM card, just get in touch with Three to switch to an eSIM.

Vodafone

Vodafone also supports eSIMs on Pay As You Go plans.

It’s simple to get an eSIM on Vodafone too, because you can request one during checkout, then simply follow the instructions that Vodafone will email to you to activate it.

If you already have a physical SIM card on Vodafone, then just contact the network to switch to eSIM.

Giffgaff

With Giffgaff, you can get an eSIM straight away as a new customer by downloading the Giffgaff app, toggling the eSIM option on the dashboard, and then choosing a plan.

If you already have a physical SIM then you can switch by opening the Giffgaff app and heading to Account > SIM > Replace my SIM > Switch to a new eSIM, then simply follow the steps to install your new eSIM.

iD Mobile

iD Mobile also offers eSIMs on Pay As You Go, and it makes the process of getting one simple by allowing you to select an eSIM during the process of placing your order.

Then simply download the eSIM via the QR code that iD Mobile will email to you. Or, if you want to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM, just get in touch with iD Mobile.

Lebara

Lebara also offers eSIMs on Pay As You Go but the network doesn’t actually offer any Pay As You Go packs – all of its bundles are recurring SIM Only deals.

So if you do choose to Pay As You Go on Lebara you’ll be paying rates of 25p per minute, 19p per text, and £93 per GB (charged per KB), so this isn’t a cheap option. To get an eSIM on Pay As You Go you also first need to purchase a plan with an eSIM, and then switch to Pay As You Go after at least one monthly payment.

Further complicating matters, Lebara only offers eSIMs for the iPhone Air at the time of writing, so this won’t be a viable option for most people.

Lyca Mobile

Lyca Mobile also lets you use an eSIM with its Pay As You Go plans, and better yet you can request one when placing your order. Just tap the eSIM option during checkout.

You’ll then receive an email containing an eSIM QR code. Just point your phone’s camera at this, and follow the prompts to install it.

If you already have a physical SIM card with Lyca Mobile, then you can switch to an eSIM by ordering and setting up the eSIM as above, and then heading to your Lyca Mobile online account, then going to SIM Management > SIM Swap, and selecting the option to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM.

Tesco Mobile

Tesco Mobile’s site doesn’t make it clear whether eSIMs work with Pay As You Go or just Pay Monthly, but a customer service agent assured us that you can access them on Pay As You Go.

Getting one at checkout doesn’t appear to be an option online, but you can give Tesco Mobile a call or head in store to get one, or to switch to one if you already have a physical SIM card.