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What’s better: SIM only contract or Pay As You Go?
4 minute read
When it comes to SIM only plans, they’re not a one-size-fits-all. You can renew your plan every month automatically (monthly rolling), pay for it each month without committing (pay as you go), or you can sign up for a contract (18 month plans). But what’s best for you?
Well, it depends. There are pros and cons for all types of SIM only plans, which is why we’re here to give you the facts so you can make the right choice.
What is a SIM only contract?
Put simply, a SIM only contract is a set package of minutes, texts and data fixed at a price that you pay monthly until the end of your contract term.
For many people, a SIM only contract is a great choice because it saves you from having to top up or renew your data package month by month. Payments can be set up automatically and won’t change for your contract period. A lot of SIM only contract plans also give you special perks, like access to new products ahead of others.
If it’s a contract you’re after, why not check out giffgaff’s all-new good contracts? Our good contracts are even better than most traditional mobile contracts, giving you the flexibility to switch your plan up or down without fees. Need more data? Switch up. Need less data? Switch down.
What is a pay as you go (PAYG)?
Pay as you go lets you pay for your calls, texts and data as you use them.
Pay as you go plans are very flexible, as you only pay for what you use. There are no contract commitments, so the amount you pay is up to you.
Most importantly of all, you can end it at any time without any fees or penalties. This is a good option for people who don’t use their phone often or are travelling and only need it for a short amount of time in a particular country.
But wait! With giffgaff pay as you go plans, you can get a bundle of data, plus free unlimited UK texts for a whole month with no commitment. When your bundle runs out, buy another or set it up for monthly rolling! It’s as simple as that.
Which SIM only deal is better for me?
Deciding between a monthly SIM only contract or PAYG really depends on your circumstances, but we’ve made a list of pros and cons for each to help you find the best fit for you.
Compare SIM only contracts
| Traditional contracts | giffgaff good contracts |
|---|---|
| You’re locked into your contract once you start, and it can be very difficult to leave without paying a significant fee if your circumstances change. | ✓ We offer fair exit fees. If you decide a contract isn’t right for you, you’ll only have to pay 50% of your remaining plan, multiplied by the number of months you have left. |
| With most providers, once you’ve chosen your plan you are stuck with it. | ✓ Our good contracts let you switch plans during your term. So if you’re using more or less than you expected you can change plans for no extra charge. |
| Data abroad is not always included in your contracts, so you may be charged unexpected costs when you travel. | ✓ With giffgaff contracts you get 5GB of EU roaming included for free. |
| With most other providers, you’ll usually have to be credit checked to sign up for a contract. | ✓ There are no credit checks with our SIM only contracts. So long as you keep up with your payments, we’ll keep up the data. |
Compare pay as you go deals
| Traditional pay as you go deals | giffgaff pay as you go |
|---|---|
| Can be more expensive than a contract depending on how much you use your phone. | ✓ All our pay as you go plans come packed with data, plus free UK texts and calls. |
| You can’t go over your allowance for the month. | ✓ You can change or buy additional data plans as much as you want depending on how much data you need each month. |
| You might need to remember to top up your balance every month. It isn’t automatic payments like a monthly contract. | ✓ All our pay as you go plans last for 1 month or you can set it up for auto-renew. |
| Individual charge for texts and calls is slightly higher than when they are part of a contract deal. |
Looking for something in the middle? We also offer monthly rolling plans, giving you all the flexibility of pay as you go, while letting you set your data package to automatically renew at the end of each month.
Check out our unpacking SIMs guide to find out more about giffgaff’s range of SIM only deals and our brand new good contracts.
