UK eSIM: Data Only or Calls & SMS

What's the best eSIM for the UK?

AloOui UK eSIM starts at $3.54 for 1GB over 7 days. Need a UK number? Plans with calls and SMS start at $12.60 for 1GB, 20 minutes and 20 SMS. Your QR code arrives by email.

Quick plan summary

• Fixed data: 1GB–50GB total, with 7-, 15- or 30-day validity depending on the package. A 100GB/30-day data-only option is also available.
• Unlimited Lite: 1GB/day at high speed, then up to 512 kbps.
• Unlimited Essential: 1GB/day at high speed, then up to 1.25 Mbps.
• Unlimited Plus: 2GB/day at high speed, then up to 2 Mbps.
• With a UK number: 1GB–50GB with calls and SMS, or Unlimited for 30 days with 500 minutes and 500 SMS.

Key facts

• Coverage: United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is not a Europe roaming plan.
• Fixed data: 1GB/7 days, 2GB/15 days, or 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB and 100GB/30 days. Each allowance is for the whole plan, not per day.
• Unlimited Lite: 1GB/day high-speed, then up to 512 kbps for the rest of that day.
• Unlimited Essential: 1GB/day high-speed, then up to 1.25 Mbps for the rest of that day.
• Unlimited Plus: 2GB/day high-speed, then up to 2 Mbps for the rest of that day.
• Additional Unlimited data-only options: choose 5, 10, 15 or 30 days using the linked V2 selections below. These do not include a UK number, ordinary calls or SMS.
• Unlimited with calls and SMS: 30 days with a UK number, 500 minutes and 500 SMS. Calls and SMS have their stated allowances.
• Activation: travel-plan validity begins when the eSIM connects to a partner network in the UK, not installation alone.
• Compatibility: an eSIM-compatible, carrier-unlocked device is required. Check your exact model and regional version.
• Delivery: QR code by email after purchase. No physical SIM or ID verification is required for the AloOui purchase.

Compare UK travel eSIM plans

Lite, Essential and Plus have daily high-speed allowances followed by reduced speeds. Actual speed depends on signal, congestion, device and location; no tier guarantees a particular connection speed.

Unlimited options for work and travel

Choose an Unlimited data-only option if you primarily use online tools and messaging apps. Choose Unlimited for 30 days with 500 minutes and 500 SMS if you also want a UK number for clients, appointments, hotels and callbacks. The data package and the calling and texting allowances are separate.

Review your selected package's usage, speed and hotspot rules before relying on it for demanding work or streaming.

Which UK eSIM should I choose?

Maps, tickets and messages: fixed 3GB or 5GB suits lighter use between Wi-Fi connections. Balanced daily travel: Essential provides 1GB of high-speed data each day. More uploads and shared data: Plus doubles that daily high-speed allowance to 2GB. Business contacts and local calls: compare Unlimited for 30 days with a UK number, 500 minutes and 500 SMS.

Fixed-data options with a UK number, calls and SMS

Choose these directly in this product's selector. Each includes a UK number and the listed total allowances.

• 1GB/7 days: 20 minutes and 20 SMS.
• 2GB/14 days: 40 minutes and 40 SMS.
• 5GB/30 days: 100 minutes and 100 SMS.
• 10GB/30 days: 200 minutes and 200 SMS.
• 20GB/30 days: 300 minutes and 300 SMS.
• 50GB/30 days: 450 minutes and 450 SMS.
• Unlimited/30 days: 500 minutes and 500 SMS.

Data-only plans support internet-based calling and messaging apps but do not include native calls, SMS or a UK number. Check the purchased calls/SMS option's permitted calling destinations and exclusions. Receiving SMS does not guarantee verification-code acceptance by every bank, app or website.

UK networks and hotspot sharing

The travel range lists Three UK, O2 UK and Vodafone UK with 4G/5G on applicable options. The V2 data-only and 500-minute/500-SMS options list O2 UK without a specified network generation. Network access depends on the selected package; up to 5G where available applies only to eligible options.

Hotspot sharing uses your selected package's allowance and speed limits. Check its sharing rules before relying on laptop use. Device support and local reception also affect the connection.

Install before departure, activate in the UK

1. Check that your exact device model and regional version support eSIM and that your phone is carrier-unlocked.
2. Install the emailed QR code over stable Wi-Fi and follow the order's instructions. Label the line AloOui.
3. Restart after installation. In the UK, enable AloOui, select it for mobile data and enable data roaming on that line as instructed.

Installation alone does not start travel-plan validity. Validity starts when the eSIM connects to a partner network in the UK. Keep data roaming off on your home line and avoid automatic data switching. Follow the purchased calls/SMS option's specific setup instructions.

APN and troubleshooting

Follow the APN and credentials supplied with your order. This product's current setup guidance lists data.esim with username and password blank where manual setup is needed. Confirm AloOui is selected for mobile data and roaming is enabled as instructed, save/select the APN and restart or briefly toggle airplane mode.

Use automatic network selection first; if needed, try a partner in your delivery instructions. Keep the installed eSIM and your QR code private. Do not delete the profile while troubleshooting. Contact the AloOui Help Center with your order details, phone model, location and error message. AloOui provides 24/7 human support.

Need help choosing?

Use Shop with AI on the AloOui website or app. Tell it your UK trip length, data needs and whether you need a UK number, calls or SMS, then review the recommended option before buying.

Download AloOui for an easier shopping experience: App Store or Google Play.

Also visiting Europe? Compare UK & EU Prepaid

For a UK-and-Europe itinerary with a UK number, compare these separate fixed-data purchases. Each includes 50 minutes and 50 SMS, usable from any of the 30 included destinations to numbers in any of those destinations. They do not add European roaming to the UK plans above.

• UK & EU: 2GB for 7 days
• UK & EU: 5GB for 14 days
• UK & EU: 10GB for 30 days
• UK & EU: 20GB for 30 days

Included destinations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

Check every stop. Norway, Iceland and other destinations outside this list are not included. Data is one total pool shared across the purchased duration and included destinations, not a daily allowance. Calls/SMS to unlisted destinations and premium-rate services are not included. Crossing a border does not reset the data pool or package validity.

For these UK & EU products, the UK number is valid for six months only and the maximum top-up window is six months. Those periods are separate from the purchased 7-, 14- or 30-day package and do not supply six months of included allowances. Check actual expiry and compatible top-ups; a top-up does not automatically extend the number or reset the window.

Prices may change. Always check the product page for the latest prices before purchasing.

Other separate regional data options

Compare Europe+, Europe Extra, Europe + USA or Europe + USA + Business Hubs. For wider routes, compare Global, Global Light, Global Standard and Global Max. Check each product's own destinations and terms: these are separate purchases, not added coverage on your UK plan.

UK eSIM FAQs

Does it work on my phone?
Use an eSIM-compatible, carrier-unlocked device. Check your exact model and regional version.

When does the plan start?
Travel-plan validity starts when the eSIM connects to a partner network in the UK, not installation alone. Follow your number-enabled option's activation instructions.

Is hotspot allowed?
Check the selected option's sharing rules. Shared use draws from the same allowance and speed limits, and needs a compatible device and network.

Do I get a UK number?
Only number-enabled options include one. Choose 1GB–50GB with the stated minutes and SMS, or Unlimited for 30 days with 500 minutes and 500 SMS. Data-only options do not include a number.

Which networks does it use?
Applicable travel options list Three UK, O2 UK and Vodafone UK. V2 data-only and 500-minute/500-SMS options list O2 UK. Check the network details for your selection.

Does unused data extend my plan?
No. Choose both the allowance and duration for your trip. Remaining data does not extend the purchased validity.

For more on choosing a local number, read the UK eSIM with calls and SMS guide.