Author Topic: Best PAYG sims? (Read 9993 times)

BillT · « **on:** October 20, 2024, 03:47:22 pm »

Like most prudent types. I have a cheap punting smartphone which gets used intermittantly only for this hobby. It has no personal numbers saved. And Ive deliberately never phoned any number on it that is in anyway linked to me. I bought the phone with cash and top ups are bought with cash as well.

Currently I have a Vodafone PAYG sim card in the phone. The problem is that when I top it up with a tenner. I get 30 days free calls and texts and iirc 5gb of data. After 30 days its all wiped and then I would have to top up again. Which is obviously a pain, as I have to go to my local convenience store to get the top up voucher and then activate it.

So I'm thinking of changing it. Going to the Vodafone site is akin to trying to find a cure to a terminal illness. Lots of info and very little to understand. Seems you only get the option of these "bundles" unless you sign up and give them payment details. Which I dont want to do clearly!

Pre-requisites
1) That if I top up a tenner it doesnt just delete it all after a month or whatever. But lasts until Ive used it up. 180days is probably ok if it HAS to have a time limit
2) I can use the £10 top up for a mixture of calls/texts and data for occassional whatsapp messages. It doesnt matter if it costs £1 for 50mb or something silly. Its not going to get hammered on social media.
3) It doesnt have to be Vodafone. The smartphone was bought unlocked to any network. But it does need to be able to be bought in most convience stores. So the well known networks like O2, Lebara, Lyca, EE etc are all fine alternatives.

Over to you guys.

meptalon · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2024, 04:15:47 pm »

I found Lebara to be quite OK with some of their entry-level SIMs. You can get some for £5/month at normal price and even £2.99 at a discount. Calls and texts and not unlimited, but for a punting SIM, largely enough. Even got a monthly 2GB data on the 2.99 one, and that cumulates when unused (up to 3 month iirc).

Ex: External Link/Members Only

snaitram99 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2024, 05:15:55 pm »

I think as an existing customer you can switch to PAYG1, which does what you want as long as you don't go too long without making a call or text, but they don't make this too obvious and try to put everyone on a repeating bundle. It's what I have I believe on an old Samsung text and calls only phone as I never switched over to bundles.

I get topup vouchers in cash over the counter at random shops and negotiate the tediously long automated process to just put the code number in, ignoring the attempts to get me to buy a bundle. I use it about once a week. Texts seem to be expensive and run down the balance quickly so best to put enquiry all in one rather than engage in text tennis. Calls seem to be better if their comms are decent and can deal with all in one call.

Try searching payg1 on Vodafone website.

martin1964 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2024, 07:02:48 pm »

Lyca are pretty good, their cheapest bundle is £5 and it lasts a month, half the cost of Vodafone. They run off EEs network.

You must use the phone once every 120 days with a chargable event (ie call or SMS or data) otherwise you get disconnected.

However.....

You can also prevent this from happening by doing the below. I managed to get this out of Lyca customer services, not sure if it is well known or not. So for £5 a year you can prevent your number from being disconnected without making any chargeable events.

SMS are 23p a pop so not cheap out of bundle. Lyca do eSIMs as well so for those with a newish smartphone you can have your punting phone run alongside your normal handset which is useful for me as it saves carrying two phones but I know that for some this will be an issue, partners prying, risk of leaving phone in SP house if rapid exit needed etc.

Normally we will keep your number for 120 days if you do not use our service. However, you may also keep your Lycamobile number for up to 1 year without using our service. Just dial *139*9999# from your Lycamobile and follow the instructions on the screen. Please be aware that there will be a fixed annual fee of £5 which will be deducted from your balance.

tynetunnel · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2024, 08:53:15 pm »

Quote from: BillT on October 20, 2024, 03:47:22 pm

Seems you only get the option of these "bundles" unless you sign up and give them payment details. Which I dont want to do clearly!

I think all recommendations you have so far received would need you to at the very least provide some personal details to the provider, which runs the real risk of them, for example, writing to you and that letter arriving in the post for prying eyes to query. “Why are Lebara writing to you about a mobile number you don’t own since you’re with EE?” for example

I have a ‘3’ physical sim, which I bought a few years back in Argos, for cash. I top it up in convenience stores, for cash. It is however expensive as 3 raised payg prices significantly a few years back. It needs a chargeable call or text to be made every six months, to keep the number live. I looked on Argos and can’t see anything suitable, but I’m sure you could buy one for cash in a corner shop and top up with a voucher, paid for in cash.

snaitram99 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2024, 11:05:51 pm »

According to Vodafone:

"If you're an existing Vodafone customer, you can start using our Pay as you go 1 plan by either texting PAYG1 to 49503 or calling us on 41146, free from your Vodafone mobile"

He is a existing customer, so the texting option should work.

fastcar669 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2024, 07:22:04 pm »

Have a look at Scancom on Amazon, they do various sim packages for fixed price or monthly - I just got a data only unlimited SIm for #99 which lasts until xmas 25

Leisure Suit Larry · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2024, 02:05:59 am »

The Scancom SIM cards on Amazon are a very good deal. They do one for 50 quid, which tops up monthly with 25GB of data automatically, until Feb 2027. I have one, it works fine. It's data only though, you don't get a number so not a perfect solution unless you're savvy enough to use it with VOIP.

robsmith149 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2024, 12:26:51 am »

I use RWG , dirt cheap and credit does not expire, double top ups twice a year so £10 for a fiver lasts ages.

Plan R · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2024, 04:29:27 am »

Even though vodaphone will be doubling* the price of their 'Pay as you go 1' tariff from one to two pound for a days use, I still think it's the best tariff for punters.

This is because (apart from no monthly fee and only being charged on the day you use the phone and all that), it also provides the reassurance that,
if you've had enough credit to make even one text or call..that means you have used one pound off your balance
and therefore you've now got unlimited texts and calls from then on until midnight that day.

Meaning that if say..the SP flakes and you need to call someone else, or if you get lost or delayed and need to text or call the SP a couple of extra times,
you always know you'll have enough and won't need to top up in any way.

Another tariff might work out a few pence cheaper per text - but you're always having to be aware (mid travel-to-punt).. 'have I got enough credit left?'
Not a problem with Vodaphone PAYG1 tariff - it'll keep going till midnight, no matter how much you text or call.

*Goes up from 11th December 2024 I believe.

Plan R · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2024, 04:37:48 am »

Vodaphone PAYG1 credit does not expire..
External Link/Members Only

(I haven't got shares in Vodaphone btw)

snaitram99 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2024, 09:38:04 am »

Quote from: Plan R on October 24, 2024, 04:37:48 am

Vodaphone PAYG1 credit does not expire..
External Link/Members Only

(I haven't got shares in Vodaphone btw)

It says the credit doesn't expire but you have to keep your SIM active by making a chargeable activity within 180 days at the most, which is kind of contradictory.

Also the increase to £2 is news to me. They are obviously continuing to push people towards bundles.

Plan R · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2024, 07:44:21 pm »

I wasn't aware of the 180 day rule, useful to know.
I never encounter that as I've either tee'd up a punt or used my punting phone to find my mislaid main phone by at least once in 6 months.sso works for me.
Agreed they not so subtly steer users towards bundles, they do this in their written guides and in their recorded messages..they just assume the user is on a 'bundle' tariff.

TheJoker147 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2024, 06:45:22 pm »

Are there any PAYG SIMS that support eSIM? Would be much easier to hide than a "burner" phone.

big-al93 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2024, 10:58:48 am »

Quote from: TheJoker147 on October 25, 2024, 06:45:22 pm

Are there any PAYG SIMS that support eSIM? Would be much easier to hide than a "burner" phone.

Why would you need an eSIM for that? Most phones support dual SIM which would work in the same way. However for most a completely different handset is a better option for lots of reasons.

shed · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2024, 07:19:47 pm »

Quote from: big-al93 on October 26, 2024, 10:58:48 am

Why would you need an eSIM for that? Most phones support dual SIM which would work in the same way. However for most a completely different handset is a better option for lots of reasons.

Apple, Samsung, pixel etc have e SIM. Most Chinese phones do dual sim

holeymoley · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2024, 01:14:08 am »

Quote from: meptalon on October 20, 2024, 04:15:47 pm

I found Lebara to be quite OK with some of their entry-level SIMs. You can get some for £5/month at normal price and even £2.99 at a discount. Calls and texts and not unlimited, but for a punting SIM, largely enough. Even got a monthly 2GB data on the 2.99 one, and that cumulates when unused (up to 3 month iirc).

Ex: External Link/Members Only

I’ve been using Lebara for quite a while now, £5 usually lasts me for 3 months as I am not a prolific punter due to health issues. Totally anonymous btw.

kingmg · « **Reply #17 on:** October 29, 2024, 01:20:31 pm »

Vodafone preloaded sim card off ebay for 20ish quid. They are obviously sims stolen from foodbank or charities. Can also get one from a charity for free if you plead poverty. I've been using one for my main sim

Captainhowdy666 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 29, 2024, 02:43:49 pm »

Quote from: kingmg on October 29, 2024, 01:20:31 pm

Vodafone preloaded sim card off ebay for 20ish quid. They are obviously sims stolen from foodbank or charities. Can also get one from a charity for free if you plead poverty. I've been using one for my main sim

Jobsagoodun
Seen a few with £5 that don’t expire, will be perfect for a once a month punter like me

JMitchell · « **Reply #19 on:** October 29, 2024, 03:58:34 pm »

Lyca for sure

dadio · « **Reply #20 on:** October 29, 2024, 04:18:03 pm »

I'm surprised that the O2 classic 321 PAYG sim hasn't been mentioned.
3p for calls per minute
2p per text
1p per MB data.
Doesn't expire once topped up. Have been using for a number of years.
O2 doesn't sell it directly but you can pick one up on eBay/Amazon for around 99p

FiveKnuckles · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2024, 07:41:19 am »

Currently have the following:

RWG Mobile PAYG. 5p call and text. 1p meg data.
Must make 1 call every 90 days to keep SIM active. Got tbh and say the reception isn't the best in my area. Support and top-up done through online chat/email, so get a fictitious email account! Easy to disable adult filter with a email request.
They often gave a 2-for-1 promo where you top-up £5-10 and get double, lasting ages.
Cheapest PAYG considering it only cost £5 to run the SIM, keeping to 90 day rule.

O2 Classic 321. (3p call, 2p txt, 1p meg data). Buy SIM eBay 99p. *They will stop selling these Sims soon, but the 321 pack will continue for customers, unless they change t&c.
IMO, the best reception out of all the mobile providers. Top-up with shop bought voucher for anonymity.
Now I'm told you need to top-up once every 180 days to keep SIM active (£20 year), and you keep all the credit, so if you're an infrequent user, you can accumulate a lot create over time
*There are O2 forum chat post that suggest you only need make 1 call every 180 days to keep SIM active, rather than top-up.
To turn off adult filter, you need give debit card for check.

Dropping the following;
1p mobile. They changed T&C. Must spend £10 every 60 days. If you don't spend £10, they will extract the difference from your credit balance. Essentially, you need top up every 2 months, makin it £60 a year to run.
Reception not the best either.

bigandslick · « **Reply #22 on:** November 04, 2024, 04:29:18 pm »

Slightly late to the thread .. but my current set up is quite good ( alt least for me)..

I have the Vyke app - I install it on the day of the punt - and uninstall it after the punt - though have an account there.
It gives me a UK mobile number - I pay using revolut - where you can 'hide a transaction' - should your other half - got access.
On the punting day - I add another account to my Whatsapp using the Vyke number - Whatsapp sends a text to the Vyke number with a code - and once that is entered in Whatsapp - you can message on Whatsapp with the SP - with the Vyke number.

After punt :
- Delete additional Whatsapp account
- Uninstall Vyke
- The only trace that is left is a transaction of £3-£15 in my revolut app - which is hidden.

No punting phone needed.

kingmg · « **Reply #23 on:** November 08, 2024, 04:50:10 pm »

The sim with 40gb Vodafone for sale on ebay.Aries in price but can get for free if you call charities food banks etc

big-al93 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 08, 2024, 06:55:06 pm »

Quote from: kingmg on November 08, 2024, 04:50:10 pm

The sim with 40gb Vodafone for sale on ebay.Aries in price but can get for free if you call charities food banks etc

If you can afford to punt, you shouldn't be hitting up charities/ food banks to try to get free calls to prossies imho. These services are streched to breaking point as it is, and the sim cards are required for those having to job hunt and bid on social housing.

Shutty238 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 14, 2024, 08:46:55 pm »

Hi, can anyone recommend a new SIM card for my punting phone? Ideally a true PAYG with no contract, no minimum top up. Basically just text send & receive & minimal data to keep WhatsApp ticking over.
Thanks

lostandfound · « **Reply #26 on:** November 14, 2024, 08:56:04 pm »

I recently got an O2 PAYG SIM that seems OK.

daviemac · « **Reply #27 on:** November 14, 2024, 08:57:47 pm »

Quote from: Shutty238 on November 14, 2024, 08:46:55 pm

Hi, can anyone recommend a new SIM card for my punting phone? Ideally a true PAYG with no contract, no minimum top up. Basically just text send & receive & minimal data to keep WhatsApp ticking over.
Thanks

I've merged this with the already running thread on the subject.

kingmg · « **Reply #28 on:** November 17, 2024, 05:53:35 pm »

Quote from: big-al93 on November 08, 2024, 06:55:06 pm

If you can afford to punt, you shouldn't be hitting up charities/ food banks to try to get free calls to prossies imho. These services are streched to breaking point as it is, and the sim cards are required for those having to job hunt and bid on social housing.

I use for my main sim and don't have a punting phone

Steamycollar · « **Reply #29 on:** November 19, 2024, 09:53:58 am »

Quote from: bigandslick on November 04, 2024, 04:29:18 pm

Slightly late to the thread .. but my current set up is quite good ( alt least for me)..

I have the Vyke app - I install it on the day of the punt - and uninstall it after the punt - though have an account there.
It gives me a UK mobile number - I pay using revolut - where you can 'hide a transaction' - should your other half - got access.
On the punting day - I add another account to my Whatsapp using the Vyke number - Whatsapp sends a text to the Vyke number with a code - and once that is entered in Whatsapp - you can message on Whatsapp with the SP - with the Vyke number.

After punt :
- Delete additional Whatsapp account
- Uninstall Vyke
- The only trace that is left is a transaction of £3-£15 in my revolut app - which is hidden.

No punting phone needed.

Do you have to give vyke all your personal info? Trust pilot (take with a pinch of salt) but alot of bad reviews have you had any issues with expirys etc. Thanks

Bunbury · « **Reply #30 on:** November 19, 2024, 02:54:53 pm »

I use Giff Gaff. Just top up when my credit expires. No time limit as I’ve gone months without using it.

big-al93 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 19, 2024, 04:25:35 pm »

Quote from: kingmg on November 17, 2024, 05:53:35 pm

I use for my main sim and don't have a punting phone

That doesn't make it any better, if you can't afford a phone SIM, whether contract, sim only or PAYG and need to use charity, but can afford to punt, then I'd suggest your priorities are a little askew.

Watts.E.Dunn · « **Reply #32 on:** November 19, 2024, 04:52:42 pm »

Quote from: lostandfound on November 14, 2024, 08:56:04 pm

I recently got an O2 PAYG SIM that seems OK.

Seems that O2 are closing their PAYG SIM service but such as Providers using O2 like Giffgaff are continuing..

Bru1901 · « **Reply #33 on:** November 23, 2024, 03:20:28 am »

Lebara and lycamobile offer 5 quid a month bundles

Spusu also is cheap.

Lyca offer esim too so you can sign up and dump.

Safe enough to show on your cc bills and you van use disposable ccs to ensure you dont get charged again

Glesgaboy · « **Reply #34 on:** November 23, 2024, 11:52:01 am »

Quote from: Watts.E.Dunn on November 19, 2024, 04:52:42 pm

Seems that O2 are closing their PAYG SIM service but such as Providers using O2 like Giffgaff are continuing..

It’s just their payg data plans they are stopping atm.
External Link/Members Only

sancho.panza · « **Reply #35 on:** January 19, 2025, 09:33:56 am »

Have been using 1penny mobile for a few years but as has been said previously their t&c's change makes them now poor vfm for a punting phone.

Have just ordered a classic o2 321 sim on eBay for £0.20 as the seller had an 80% off voucher

Thanks to everyone for their input, and perhaps this could be made a sticky?

Glesgaboy · « **Reply #36 on:** January 24, 2025, 08:44:04 pm »

I bought same with a tenner loaded for £8.50. Jobs a good un👍🏻

palatino · « **Reply #37 on:** February 27, 2025, 09:40:56 pm »

How about GiffGaff?

£6 buys 1Gb Pay as you go for 1 month. If I use that number to set up a second WhatsApp account (using WhatsApp business), I should be able to keep that WhatsApp number, even when I'm out of plan with GiffGaff.

Will this work?

PabloHobo · « **Reply #38 on:** February 27, 2025, 10:50:52 pm »

Smarty has been my go to for a while now, flexible contracts and never lets me down although I'm pretty sure they're all much of a muchness these days

palatino · « **Reply #39 on:** February 28, 2025, 12:26:56 pm »

Quote from: palatino on February 27, 2025, 09:40:56 pm

How about GiffGaff?

£6 buys 1Gb Pay as you go for 1 month. If I use that number to set up a second WhatsApp account (using WhatsApp business), I should be able to keep that WhatsApp number, even when I'm out of plan with GiffGaff.

Will this work?

To answer my own question: it was all easy and straightforward, until I registered the giffgaff number with WhatsApp Business. Within seconds, a messsage popped up "This account can no longer use WhatsApp business", claiming "recent activity on this account does not follow the WhatsApp business messaging policy". Obviously, I hadn't done any messaging yet, and all the information I provided had been my first name and "other" as line of business.

AlwaysLooking · « **Reply #40 on:** March 03, 2025, 10:55:23 am »

My punting phone was brought in a well know supermarket (every little helps) with cash. Last for 6 months after a chargeable call/text. Last time I topped up just asked for a £10 top up at customer services, and paid cash. Nothing links it to me.

ScouserRod · « **Reply #41 on:** March 04, 2025, 04:24:58 pm »

I use the Tesco Pay as you go SIM in my Main Phone- no problem
Cheap and Cheerful
Mainly use WhatsApp for calls and messaging !!

Good-timer · « **Reply #42 on:** March 04, 2025, 08:04:40 pm »

Quote from: AlwaysLooking on March 03, 2025, 10:55:23 am

My punting phone was brought in a well know supermarket (every little helps) with cash. Last for 6 months after a chargeable call/text. Last time I topped up just asked for a £10 top up at customer services, and paid cash. Nothing links it to me.

How ofter do you need to top it up? And when you do how does it work ... a top up card in store payed by cash?

AlwaysLooking · « **Reply #43 on:** March 05, 2025, 09:49:57 am »

Quote from: Good-timer on March 04, 2025, 08:04:40 pm

How ofter do you need to top it up? And when you do how does it work ... a top up card in store payed by cash?

I prob top up once a year or so. Don't punt much, so don't use the phone that much.

Last time I got a top up, ask for £10 top up for PAYG. I paid cash, they handed me a receipt with a code on it. Phoned a number from the mobile, entered the code, got more credit :-)

starman · « **Reply #44 on:** March 05, 2025, 02:56:13 pm »

Quote from: AlwaysLooking on March 05, 2025, 09:49:57 am

Last time I got a top up, ask for £10 top up for PAYG. I paid cash, they handed me a receipt with a code on it. Phoned a number from the mobile, entered the code, got more credit :-)

That's what I do. Bought a £15 EE PAYG sim from the supermarket a couple of years back (cash). When the credit drops below a fiver I top up with a £10 voucher paid for by cash from the supermarket. Text the code to EE top up and away I go. The only problem is if the top up takes the balance to £15 or more they convert it into a monthly pack which runs out after 4 weeks, so I make sure when I top up it's below £15.

kingmg · « **Reply #45 on:** March 12, 2025, 11:38:09 pm »

Go into o2 shop with fake name and fake email and ask for the national databank. Free sim and voucher top up each month

FiveKnuckles · « **Reply #46 on:** March 13, 2025, 12:00:54 am »

Retired a old number so activated another O2 classic 321 SIM.

You can pick these up on fleabay for 99p. I believe O2 stores no longer sell these and it's 3rd party channel until the stock is exhausted, or sim card registration date expires.
- online account registration is (Micky mouse) name, DOB n+ email address. Then input SIM phone number and it's registered. Last latest card had 31 May 25 expiry.
- pop down to a shop that has the green top-up sign and ask for £10 O2 top-up. Input the 16 digit code to load.
- Now here's the feature we all want... Make 1 call every 180 days to keep the SIM active. To be on the safe sides make a call every 4 months and spend 9p a year minimum.

Good-timer · « **Reply #47 on:** April 24, 2025, 05:53:14 pm »

These 3g sim cards will no longer work by the end of the week. Are there any other pay as you go sims out there that do not expire after 30 days unless topped up?

Good-timer · « **Reply #48 on:** April 24, 2025, 05:54:39 pm »

This will be disconnected by the end of the week apperently

Quote from: FiveKnuckles on March 13, 2025, 12:00:54 am

Retired a old number so activated another O2 classic 321 SIM.

You can pick these up on fleabay for 99p. I believe O2 stores no longer sell these and it's 3rd party channel until the stock is exhausted, or sim card registration date expires.
- online account registration is (Micky mouse) name, DOB n+ email address. Then input SIM phone number and it's registered. Last latest card had 31 May 25 expiry.
- pop down to a shop that has the green top-up sign and ask for £10 O2 top-up. Input the 16 digit code to load.
- Now here's the feature we all want... Make 1 call every 180 days to keep the SIM active. To be on the safe sides make a call every 4 months and spend 9p a year minimum.

robsmith149 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 24, 2025, 06:05:46 pm »

Quote from: Good-timer on April 24, 2025, 05:53:14 pm

These 3g sim cards will no longer work by the end of the week. Are there any other pay as you go sims out there that do not expire after 30 days unless topped up?

RWG

Author Topic: Best PAYG sims? (Read 9993 times)

Member Benefits