Just data.
No calls, no texts, no fuss.
Data-only SIM cards for tablets, iPads, dongles, and routers. Compare the best deals from UK networks and only pay for what you actually need.
A data SIM gives your tablet, dongle, or router mobile internet without paying for extras the device will never use. The best price per GB we track is iD Mobile's 110GB plan at £10 per month on a 12-month term with 5G as standard. For no contract, Talkmobile's 80GB at £8.95 per month rolls monthly, and for routers running as home broadband, Chattr's unlimited plan at £15 per month has no price rises and no contract.
Best data SIM deals right now
One honest note before you compare: every SIM below includes calls and texts. Standard plans have become so cheap that dedicated data-only SIMs rarely beat them on price any more, so the smart move is simply putting a cheap standard SIM in your tablet, dongle, or router and ignoring the minutes. The number that matters is the price per GB.
iD Mobile 110GB (12 month)
Talkmobile 80GB (30 day)
VOXI 60GB (30 day)
Chattr Freedom One (Unlimited)
Asda Mobile Unlimited (12 month)
VOXI Unlimited (30 day)
Prices checked August 2026 and may change. Click through to see current offers and confirm availability.
What actually is a data-only SIM?
It is exactly what it sounds like. A SIM card that gives you mobile data but skips the calls and texts. You pop it into a tablet, a dongle, a mobile router, or any device that takes a SIM, and that device gets internet access wherever there is a 4G or 5G signal.
Here is the reality of the market in 2026 though: dedicated data-only SIMs have mostly stopped making sense, because standard SIM plans with calls and texts included now cost the same or less. Competition has pushed prices so low that the calls and texts are effectively free. That is why every plan we compare on this page includes them. Your iPad will never make a phone call and your dongle will never send a text, and that is fine, you are not paying anything extra for the parts the device ignores. Compare on data allowance and price per GB and the right answer falls out.
What devices work with a data SIM?
Tablets and iPads
The most common use. Get your tablet online anywhere without relying on public WiFi or draining your phone's hotspot.
Laptops
Many modern laptops have a SIM slot built in. A data SIM means you are online the moment you open the lid.
Mobile routers
MiFi devices and home routers like the GigaCube need a data SIM to broadcast WiFi. Great for holiday lets or temporary setups.
Dongles
Plug a dongle into your laptop and you are online. Simple, portable, and no separate device to charge.
How much data do you actually need?
If you are using a tablet mostly for browsing, emails, and occasional YouTube, 30 to 50GB a month is usually plenty. If you stream a lot of video or use it as a proper work device, 100GB gives you room to breathe. If you are putting the SIM into a router as a home broadband replacement, unlimited data is worth the extra cost.
iD Mobile's 110GB plan at £10 per month is the best balance of data, price, and network quality for most people, at the best price per GB we track. If you want no contract, Talkmobile's 80GB 30-day plan at £8.95 is the best flexible option, and for routers, Chattr's unlimited plan at £15 has no price rises. See our unlimited data SIM page if you need more than 100GB per month.
Can I put a regular SIM in a tablet?
Yes, and it will work fine. The tablet will just ignore the calls and texts part of the plan. But you are paying for something you are not using. A data-focused plan often works out cheaper for tablet use specifically. It is worth checking the data allowance and price per GB rather than just the headline monthly price.
Questions people ask
A data-only SIM gives a device mobile internet access without calls or texts. You put it in a tablet, dongle, router, or laptop with a SIM slot and that device gets online using 4G or 5G. Because you are not paying for calls or texts, the data is often cheaper per GB than a standard SIM plan.
Any device with a SIM slot that connects to mobile data. The most common are tablets and iPads, mobile WiFi hotspots, 4G or 5G dongles, mobile broadband routers, and laptops with a built-in SIM card slot.
Yes, it works fine. The tablet will use the data allowance and ignore the calls and texts. The reason data-focused plans are often better for tablets is that you are not paying for minutes and texts you will never use, which usually means more data for the same price.
For light use like browsing and email, 20 to 30GB is usually enough. For regular video streaming, 50 to 100GB gives you room. If you are using a tablet or router as your main internet connection at home, unlimited data is worth considering. Streaming one hour of HD video uses roughly 3GB.
A data SIM goes into a device you already own. A mobile broadband plan usually comes bundled with a device like a hotspot or router. If you already have the hardware, a data SIM is almost always cheaper. If you need the device too, a mobile broadband bundle is worth comparing. See our portable WiFi and dongle guide for hardware options.
Related deals and guides
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