Best Unlimited Data eSIM Deals in the UK

Quick answer: If you want a UK phone number, unlimited UK mobile data and an eSIM instead of a plastic SIM card, start with Lyca Mobile Unlimited or 1pMobile Unlimited for flexible 30-day plans on the EE network. Compare Lyca's 24-month Unlimited plan if you're happy with a longer commitment, and Sky Mobile Unlimited if O2 coverage suits you better. These are different products with different payments, fair-use terms and roaming, and the cheapest first payment isn't necessarily the best deal.

Ready to compare eSIM-ready tariffs? Use the eSIM filter in our live unlimited SIM comparison to see offers with recorded eSIM support, then open Full plan details and the existing View Deal button. One important exception: an operator may offer eSIM at checkout even where our deal record has no confirmed eSIM flag. For that reason, also check the specific 1pMobile Unlimited plan rather than relying on filtered results alone. For smaller allowances, see our UK eSIM comparison.

An eSIM is the digital form of a mobile SIM. It doesn't make a weak network faster, remove fair-use policies or turn a 24-month contract into a rolling plan. What matters is whether your phone and the exact unlimited tariff support eSIM, whether the signal works where you live and what you'll pay over the whole period.

Visiting Britain for a few days? This guide covers ordinary UK mobile plans, generally with a UK number for calls and texts. A short-stay travel data eSIM may suit you better, but its "unlimited" service can come with daily high-speed thresholds, speed reductions or hotspot limits. Don't compare its headline price with a UK monthly contract until you've checked what each one includes.

Which UK unlimited eSIM deal is right for you?

This is a suitability table, not a cheapest-first ranking. The linked Lyca, 1pMobile and Sky offers lead to specific DealPriceCheck tariff pages with the existing partner View Deal button. The other operators are included because someone with better signal on another network shouldn't be steered towards the wrong product.

Is a UK unlimited data eSIM different from a normal unlimited SIM?

No. On the same eligible tariff, a physical SIM and an eSIM generally give the same UK data allowance, number, calls and texts. eSIM changes how the line is installed and moved between devices, not the radio coverage behind it.

The benefit is convenience. You can download an eligible plan, keep a second line on a dual-SIM phone and skip waiting for a card. The catches are practical: your phone must support eSIM, the operator must allow it on that tariff and device, and moving an eSIM to another phone can need a fresh activation code or a call to support.

That's why a plan labelled "Unlimited SIM-only" isn't automatically an unlimited eSIM deal. Some providers support eSIM only on certain devices, account types or purchase routes, and others let existing customers convert a physical SIM but restrict first-time digital orders. See our guides to what an eSIM is and which UK networks support eSIM for the wider picture. This page focuses on choosing an unlimited plan.

UK phone plan or unlimited travel eSIM?

A visitor who stays long enough to need a UK number may prefer a qualifying rolling UK eSIM. But Lyca's UK-plan activation instructions require activation in the UK, and pay-monthly contracts can carry address, payment and eligibility requirements. Don't assume that buying a UK plan remotely means it will activate abroad.

Lyca Mobile Unlimited eSIM: a strong start on EE coverage

Lyca offers eSIM-ready unlimited plans on EE's UK network, with both flexible and longer-commitment routes. EE is the network and Lyca is your provider, so identical EE premium features, speeds, support or roaming aren't guaranteed.

Lyca UK Plan Unlimited: 30-day eSIM

Choose this if you want unlimited UK voice and data without a two-year minimum. Lyca's rolling UK Plan Unlimited offers 5G on eligible devices, standard UK calls and texts and an eSIM option in its ordering journey. Selected international minutes and roaming benefits add value only if you use them.

Three details are worth comparing against a 24-month plan:

• A 30-day renewal isn't a calendar month. To stay covered for a full year you may need more than twelve renewals.
• A first-order discount may not apply to later renewals. Compare the amount charged after the promotion, not the price at the top of the order form.
• The unlimited UK allowance is subject to fair-use terms, and the included roaming allowance is not unlimited. The named rolling product publishes a 35GB data limit in eligible EU and India destinations, plus a separate 5GB allowance in China. These are roaming restrictions on a UK Unlimited product, not extra unlimited data; the applicable destinations and checkout terms control.

If you may move house, change network or leave the UK, paying a bit more per renewal can be sensible. If you know you'll stay on the same network for two years, the flexibility may not be worth the premium.

Compare this product: Lyca UK Plan Unlimited, 30-day rolling. Check the eSIM selection, recurring amount and eligible destinations, then use the existing View Deal on the product page.

Lyca 24 Month Unlimited: compare the total, not the promotional month

This suits someone who wants a steady main line and is willing to commit. It is eSIM-enabled, uses EE coverage and offers unlimited UK data with specified international and roaming extras. The named 24-month Unlimited product currently specifies 30GB EU roaming; that is different from both the rolling plan's eligible-destination allowance and Unlimited Plus. Lyca's pay-monthly guidance says a credit check is part of applying.

If the offer starts with discounted months and then rises, both periods count. A contract can have no annual mid-contract price rise and still cost more once its introductory discount ends, because those are two separate mechanisms.

Don't pick a 24-month deal from the first six payments, and don't buy one for a short trip. The Lyca 24-month Unlimited tariff page shows the current schedule and its tracked buying link.

Lyca Unlimited Plus: pay more only if you use the extras

Unlimited Plus is a separate named product, not a faster version of ordinary eSIM. The current 24-month Plus product specifies 35GB EU roaming, versus 30GB on standard 24-month Unlimited, and advertises different international-calling benefits. The extra cost is worthwhile only if the named benefits cover countries and numbers you really call. If you use WhatsApp for calls and rarely travel, a pricier international-minutes package is wasted money.

Start with Lyca Unlimited Plus plan details and compare its full minimum cost and conditions with the standard 24-month Unlimited. Don't assume international minutes or EU roaming apply to every country or call type.

1pMobile Unlimited eSIM: a flexible EE alternative

1pMobile is another partner to check beside Lyca. It offers a 30-day Unlimited UK data Boost on EE's network, with unlimited standard UK calls and texts. Its eSIM guidance says new customers can select eSIM when ordering a plan and install it with the supplied QR code. The 1pMobile Unlimited card has a tracked View Deal button.

Check the eSIM choice before payment. 1pMobile says new customers can select eSIM when ordering a plan, but our Unlimited deal record does not independently certify eSIM on that exact product. It may therefore be absent from an eSIM-filtered catalogue even though the operator supports digital orders. Use the specific Unlimited plan page, follow its existing tracked View Deal, and confirm you can select eSIM for your handset and Unlimited Boost before completing checkout. If no eSIM option appears, don't buy expecting automatic conversion.

Compared with Lyca's 30-day Unlimited, weigh the renewal amount, any international minutes you need and the heavy-use and roaming rules. 1pMobile's Unlimited Boost policy refers to 500GB of use in a relevant Boost period, with possible speed management in busy locations under its terms. It is not an automatic stop at 500GB. The normal EU roaming cap for Boosts above 14GB is 14GB. On the named Unlimited Boost, additional roaming data beyond that cap is charged at 1p per MB, equivalent to roughly £10 for one extra GB. That is a materially different cost from using unlimited data in Britain. The operator also describes automatic £10 usage-balance top-ups when credit falls below £2. Before travelling, check your credit, automatic top-up settings and spend controls to avoid a surprise payment.

A simple payment structure and no long commitment are useful, but a frequent traveller may prefer a different roaming allowance. Compare 1pMobile Unlimited with Lyca's 30-day Unlimited on the same underlying network. Neither is an EE-branded service.

Sky Mobile Unlimited eSIM: a different network, not just a different price

Sky is the natural alternative to Lyca when O2 coverage works better at home, indoors or on your regular journey. Its Unlimited SIM-only product supports eSIM and 5G on compatible devices, and Sky's help pages describe an eSIM installation journey through your account, with the eSIM sometimes available digitally shortly after an eligible order.

The big difference is commitment. The Sky Unlimited offer compared here is a 24-month plan, not a 30-day prepaid option. Sky permits price changes during the minimum term, so don't treat the opening monthly price or the current card's minimum-cost figure as a guaranteed final 24-month bill.

Sky is worth comparing if:

• O2 is clearly more reliable than EE where you live, especially indoors.
• You prefer Sky's account and service arrangements and accept the named contract.
• You need a normal UK voice line with eSIM and don't need a short-term exit.

It's a weaker fit if you want a brief stay or lots of included European roaming. Sky's Roaming Passport Plus normally involves a charge for eligible 24-hour periods, and roaming fair use still applies to Unlimited. The conditions and cost differ from Lyca's plan-specific included roaming. Check whether a benefit on your own Sky account changes the charge.

See the offer: Sky Mobile Unlimited, contract and eSIM details. The page keeps the verified View Deal route.

Does Lebara offer an unlimited eSIM?

Lebara earns a place in the comparison. It is an established Vodafone-based provider with unlimited UK plans and suits people who call abroad often. But it isn't an equally simple new-customer eSIM choice.

Lebara's official eSIM help says new customers can currently order an eSIM through a restricted iPhone Air joining route, while existing customers have a separate conversion process through customer support. A stated future rollout is not confirmation that a new customer on an Android phone or a different iPhone can place an eligible Unlimited eSIM order. Eligibility must be checked on the joining flow, not inferred from general eSIM support.

That matters more than a small price difference: a buyer who needs immediate digital activation on another handset could end up with a plan they can't install. Our Lebara page lists qualifying unlimited products with tracked buying buttons, but the plan-level eSIM field is limited or not stated on those cards. Treat them as candidates only after you've confirmed eSIM eligibility for your exact device, and whether you're joining or converting an existing account.

If you do qualify, compare Vodafone reception and international minutes against Lyca's EE-based plans. If you don't, use a more clearly documented eSIM route.

Which other UK unlimited eSIM networks should you consider?

SMARTY and iD Mobile are real alternatives on Three-based coverage. They belong in an honest comparison because, in some areas, the best signal won't come from either of our leading partner options.

SMARTY Unlimited is a rolling service, and the operator publishes an eSIM ordering process for new customers. Existing customers can request a digital replacement in their account. Its instructions warn that replacing a SIM can disconnect the old one, so do it when you have Wi-Fi and email access. Compare its offers on our SMARTY page.

iD Mobile Unlimited comes on different contract terms, with eSIM on eligible plans. It states that its pay-monthly unlimited options, including the one-month product, need a credit check, so they aren't prepaid no-credit-check bundles. See iD Mobile's plans and judge whether the shorter commitment justifies the recurring cost.

A cheaper plan on another network saves nothing if calls drop at home or data fails on your commute. Use Ofcom's Map Your Mobile to check predicted 4G and 5G indoor and outdoor signal on EE, O2 and Three, then test locally if you can. Those predictions don't guarantee coverage in a particular room.

How much does an unlimited eSIM really cost over a year or two?

Separate four things first: the billing period, any introductory discount, the minimum commitment and possible future price changes. The eSIM itself doesn't make a plan cheaper. Here are two illustrative offers that aren't current provider prices:

These are hypothetical calculations, not a quote. Twelve 30-day renewals cover 360 days rather than 365; the thirteenth renewal is paid in full even though it extends beyond the year. The columns are not equivalent contracts: the second buyer remains committed for 24 months. For a real comparison, set the dates you need service, count every payment required and include known fees and contract liabilities. Where a price change is permitted but its amount is not stated, show it separately without inventing a figure.

This also shows why "no mid-contract price rises" and "same price every month" differ. A scheduled step-up after an introductory discount is known on day one, while a clause allowing later price adjustments works differently. Our 30-day vs longer unlimited guide goes deeper on commitment maths.

Ready to compare current prices? Use the unlimited data comparison and filter for eSIM-labelled plans, then check Lyca 30-day, Lyca 24-month or Sky Unlimited as appropriate. For 1pMobile, open its specific Unlimited card separately, because the eSIM filter may omit an untagged eligible order. These illustrative figures are not a current tariff quote.

Is "unlimited" really unlimited on an eSIM?

"Unlimited" describes the domestic data allowance. It doesn't promise unrestricted use. Operators can have personal-use policies, traffic management, device restrictions or roaming caps, and some sell unlimited allowances at different maximum speeds.

Read these four terms before you order:

Someone using their phone normally may never meet a heavy-use condition, while a person running a household's streaming and backups through a hotspot should read the exact terms. Don't describe a fair-use trigger as an automatic data cut-off unless the terms say so. A digital SIM changes none of this. Our unlimited fair-use guide covers network policies, and our hotspot and tethering guide explains why a phone hotspot and a voice SIM in a permanent router aren't always treated the same.

Can you use an unlimited eSIM as home internet?

Possibly. Choose unlimited if you have frequent, sustained use that really needs the data. Check that the plan permits your device, measure evening signal indoors and think about upload speed and congestion. If several people share the connection, a dedicated mobile broadband product may fit better technically and contractually.

A dual-SIM phone can hold a main voice line and a separate data line. That's convenient, but don't assume the second line includes a UK number or unrestricted tethering, particularly if it is a travel eSIM.

Which unlimited eSIM is best for European roaming?

Don't judge roaming by the UK "Unlimited" label. A plan that wins on domestic data can lose badly if you spend weeks abroad.

• Lyca: the named 30-day Unlimited product publishes a capped roaming allowance for eligible destinations, and its 24-month Unlimited and Unlimited Plus products have different named limits and international benefits. Check the destination list and the specific bundle.
• Sky: Roaming Passport Plus charges daily in qualifying destinations, and a data fair-use limit applies. It may suit you for one account or particular destinations, but it isn't free EU roaming.
• iD Mobile: inclusive roaming on eligible plans carries a separate roaming-data fair-use limit, whatever the UK allowance.
• Lebara: settle eSIM eligibility before comparing any roaming or international-calling benefit.

Roaming means using the SIM abroad. International calling means ringing an overseas number, often from Britain. They can have different included countries and fees. Check your actual destinations in our EU roaming guide.

How do you activate an unlimited eSIM on iPhone or Android?

You need a compatible, unlocked phone, an eligible plan and access to the provider's activation method. Use stable Wi-Fi during installation, because your old SIM may stop working during a conversion or transfer.

Before you buy

1. Check that your exact handset supports eSIM and that the operator accepts it for the plan. Dual-SIM capability alone doesn't guarantee compatibility with every provider.
2. Find out whether you can order a new eSIM or only convert an existing SIM. They are different journeys.
3. Confirm whether the plan is for your normal UK number, an extra number or a data-only line.
4. Keep access to the purchase email and provider account, because some activations use a QR code or link.
5. If you're changing an existing line, check whether the old SIM disconnects immediately and whether a replacement carries a charge.

iPhone setup

On supported models, open Settings → Mobile Service → Add eSIM (labels may vary), then use the provider's method: a QR code, in-app activation, a transfer or another supplied route. Apple's iPhone eSIM instructions explain the supported methods. Adding an eSIM isn't always the same as moving your old UK number.

Android and Pixel setup

On a compatible Google Pixel, the usual path is Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Set up an eSIM. Follow the network's code or app prompts and the device's instructions. Google's Pixel eSIM guide covers the steps. Samsung and other Android menus differ, and the operator's activation rules take priority.

What if activation fails?

Check that the order is eligible and activated, that your phone is on Wi-Fi and that you're following the latest instructions for that account. A transfer QR code may not be reusable. Don't repeatedly delete a working eSIM, and don't assume that scanning the original code on a new phone moves the line. Contact the operator for a replacement or authorisation when needed.

Can you keep your UK number when switching to an unlimited eSIM?

Yes, normally. If you're changing UK mobile provider, text PAC to 65075 from the old line and give the code to the new provider through its porting process. To check contract and exit details first, text INFO to 85075. Ofcom's switching guidance explains number transfers.

Order and install the new eSIM as the provider instructs and schedule the number transfer. Don't cancel the old line separately first if you still need its number. If you're only converting a physical SIM to eSIM with the same operator and account, you don't usually need a PAC. That is a replacement and activation process, not a provider switch.

You can normally keep another line active on a dual-SIM phone, but check which line handles calls, mobile data and roaming. The wrong default data line can run up charges, especially abroad.

Is a 100GB or 200GB eSIM better value than unlimited?

It may be. Before you commit to two years of unlimited data, look at your last three billing periods and how often you really go over a large allowance. Someone whose busiest month is 65GB has different needs from a person regularly using 250GB for work and streaming.

These are decision ranges, not official provider thresholds. Choosing unlimited for convenience is reasonable, but check the price gap. Our 100GB vs unlimited guide covers allowance sizing, and the eSIM deals catalogue lets you compare finite plans before you pay extra for data you may never use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best unlimited data eSIM in the UK?

For a flexible EE-based UK eSIM, compare Lyca UK Plan Unlimited and 1pMobile Unlimited, and confirm the eSIM choice at each checkout. For a longer EE-based commitment, compare Lyca's 24-month offers. For O2 coverage, compare Sky Mobile Unlimited. If Three works better where you live, SMARTY and iD Mobile are real alternatives. The best plan depends on your postcode, term, total price and eligibility.

Can I get unlimited data on a 30-day eSIM?

Yes. Lyca offers a qualifying rolling 30-day Unlimited plan with an eSIM choice, and 1pMobile describes choosing eSIM with a new 30-day Unlimited Boost order. SMARTY also publishes eSIM ordering for new customers and sells rolling unlimited plans. Confirm the renewal method and the plan's eligibility, because 30-day rolling isn't the same as a 24-month commitment and not every monthly plan is prepaid.

Which UK unlimited eSIM has no credit check?

Don't decide from "eSIM" or "SIM-only" alone. Lyca's pay-monthly contracts state a credit check, while eligible prepaid and PAYG products use a different joining route. 1pMobile describes its prepaid Boost plans as no-credit-check, subject to normal joining requirements, and iD Mobile says its unlimited pay-monthly options need one. See our no-credit-check guide and read the checkout terms.

Can I use an unlimited eSIM with a UK mobile number?

Yes, on a qualifying UK voice SIM-only plan. Lyca, Sky and other domestic providers offer normal mobile numbers. Some travel eSIMs give data only and can't receive ordinary calls or SMS, so check that you're choosing a UK phone plan and not a short-stay data package.

Does an unlimited eSIM have unlimited hotspot data?

Not automatically. The same domestic allowance can normally serve the phone and an allowed hotspot, but fair-use, traffic-management and device restrictions still apply. Some operators allow phone tethering but not unrestricted permanent-router use. Check the named contract before replacing home broadband.

Does an eSIM give better 5G signal or faster speeds?

No. A digital SIM doesn't strengthen the radio connection. Your host network, tariff speed tier, phone, location and congestion decide performance, and an unlimited allowance can coexist with a capped speed. Compare Ofcom's coverage predictions and the plan's terms.

Is Lyca's unlimited eSIM the same as an EE unlimited SIM?

No. Lyca uses EE's underlying network but sells its own plans, billing, roaming conditions and support. Some EE-branded features are product-specific and don't transfer to Lyca, so compare network performance and the price of the features you'll use.

Does Lebara offer an unlimited data eSIM for everyone?

No universal new-customer availability is established. Lebara has an eSIM service, but its official help currently limits new-customer ordering to an iPhone Air route, and existing customers use a separate conversion process. Check eligibility on your exact handset before you pay for any Lebara Unlimited offer.

Is unlimited data included abroad on a UK eSIM?

Usually not. The domestic unlimited allowance and the roaming policy are separate. Lyca uses named roaming caps, Sky has a charged roaming pass and other networks apply their own fair-use conditions. Check the destination, included data and costs before you travel.

Can I install an eSIM while I am outside the UK?

It depends on the operator and product. A travel eSIM may be designed for remote installation, but some UK mobile plans need first activation in the UK. Lyca's UK product instructions specify UK activation, so check that before you rely on a new line for an airport arrival or an overseas move.

Can I move my unlimited eSIM to a new phone?

Usually, through the operator's transfer or replacement process, but the original QR code may not be reusable. Some phones support direct transfer with particular operators, while others need a new code and may disconnect the old line first. Keep Wi-Fi and account access ready when you move it.

Can I keep my number when changing to eSIM?

Yes. Switching UK provider normally involves a PAC to keep your number, while converting an existing SIM to eSIM with the same provider uses that operator's replacement route. The difference matters, because starting a second eSIM order can give you a second number instead of moving the first.

Verdict: which unlimited eSIM should you buy?

Start with your coverage, then your minimum term. For EE-based service, compare Lyca's rolling Unlimited eSIM with 1pMobile Unlimited for flexibility, and look at Lyca's 24-month Unlimited if you expect to keep the line. For O2 reception, Sky's Unlimited eSIM gives a different network but needs careful attention to the minimum contract and price changes.

If you need Vodafone-based service, look into Lebara's eSIM restrictions before you treat any offer as suitable. If Three works better, compare SMARTY and iD Mobile. No affiliate relationship should override weak coverage or unsupported activation.

Compare and buy: check unlimited eSIM-labelled offers using the eSIM filter and follow the exact plan's Full plan details → View Deal. Also compare 1pMobile Unlimited directly, since its eSIM support must be selected at checkout rather than inferred from our current card flag. If a 100GB or 200GB plan meets your needs for less, use the eSIM comparison catalogue instead.

DealPriceCheck compares selected UK SIM-only offers and may earn commission on qualifying partner purchases. Plan availability, eSIM eligibility, charges and terms can change. Check the named product and the provider's checkout before ordering.

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