The mobile networks in the UK are catching up with broadband in regards to both data speeds and data restrictions. Not so long ago, only a handful of networks would offer limitless data plans, but now in 2020 there are many networks in the UK with unlimited data deals. In fact, with so many offers on the market, it can get a bit confusing, but Half Cooked is here to simplify things.
In this article, you’ll find all the unlimited data plans on the market from each UK based mobile network, pros and cons and our overall breakdown.
These networks offer Unlimited Data Plans:
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Half Cooked’s Overall Winner
We believe Three Mobile is still the best network when it comes to unlimited data plans. The carrier offers competitive prices, many perks including 4G Calling & Wi-Fi Calling and most importantly 5G speeds at no extra cost.
Three also offers great flexibility, while rewarding commitment with better prices. You can also get an unlimited pay as you go deal on the Three network.
Table of Contents
1. Networks with Unlimited Data Plans
2. Networks Without Unlimited Data Plans
3. Half Cooked’s Overall Winner
Networks with Unlimited Data Plans
Three
Pro’s
- Truly unlimited data plans. No caps, no restrictions in the UK.
- Both pay monthly and pay as you go plans are fairly priced.
- 5G at no extra cost.
Con’s
- Network coverage is not as good as EE or Vodafone.
- 12GB/month fair usage limit in ‘Go Around the World’ countries.
The Three Network is famed for its SIM Only deals with unlimited data at great prices. The mobile network operator offers four different unlimited data plans, including a pay as you go alternative.
Three offers truly unlimited data on its SIM Only, PAYG and contract handset deals and they all come with 5G at no extra cost. We call it truly unlimited for a reason, as there are no speed restrictions or fair usage data limits on Three, plus you can tether to any number of devices you wish to. However, these price plans aren’t allowed for commercial usage.
With Three’s ‘Go Roam’ scheme, in European destinations, customers can use up to 20GB/month of their data allowance at no extra cost. If you pass the fair usage limit, you’ll be subject to surcharges. If you’re in a ‘Go Roam Around the World’ destination, the fair usage limit is 12GB/month.
Three Unlimited Data Plans
| 24 Months plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £11/month then £22/month Half price for first 6 months |
| 12 Months plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £24/month |
| 1 Month plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £26/month |
| PAYG Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £20 |
EE
Pro’s
- Best network coverage and data speeds in the UK.
- Data gifting up to 100GB/month.
Con’s
- There is a fair usage limit and also a tethering limit.
- A bit pricey, but plans have great value.
The largest mobile network operator in the UK currently offers only one SIM Only unlimited data plan and it comes with 5G data speeds. This plan can also be purchased with a pay monthly phone deal..
EE’s ‘Data Gifting Feature’ can be used with the unlimited data plan, however, you can only share a maximum of 100GB of data with other users.
EE’s unlimited data plan comes with certain restrictions such as 1000GB/month fair usage limit and you can tether to a maximum of 12 devices. As for travelling abroad you’re allowed to use 50GB data per month.
EE Unlimited Data Plan
| 18 Months Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £34/month |
Vodafone
Pro’s
- Many different offers to choose from.
- Great network coverage.
Con’s
- Speed restrictions on Lite and regular plans.
- A bit pricey, but they offer great value.
When it comes to network coverage and data speeds Vodafone is second only to EE. The network offers a wide range of unlimited plans, including a PAYG bundle with 5G. Vodafone’s unlimited deals for SIM Only and phone plans come in three different types and they’re called Unlimited Lite, Unlimited and Unlimited Max. First two have data speed restrictions, respectively at 2Mbps and 10Mbps. However, Unlimited Max offers the fastest available download speeds.
Unlimited Lite is a good choice if you’re mainly planning to browse the web and stream music. Unlimited can handle full HD video streaming and gaming. You can also add an ‘Entertainment Package’ to 12 month or 24 month Unlimited and Unlimited Max deals for an extra £7/month.
There are no limitations in regards to fair usage or tethering on Vodafone, however you can’t use the unlimited data services for commercial purposes.
As for international roaming, there’s a 25GB/month data usage limit. You can freely roam in 51 locations on Unlimited Lite and Unlimited. Unlimited Max plans increase the number of countries you can roam to 81, which is the highest any network in the UK offers.
Vodafone Unlimited Data Plans
 Unlimited LiteMaximum download speed 2Mbps | 24 Months Plan 12 Months Plan 1 Month Plan - Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £22/month £24/month £28/month |
| 24 Months Plan 12 Months Plan 1 Month Plan - | £26/month £28/month £32/month |
| Unlimited Maximum download speed 2Mbps | Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | |
| Unlimited Max Fastest available download speeds | 24 Months Plan 12 Months Plan 1 Month Plan - Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £30/month £33/month £37/month |
| Unlimited PAYG Bundle 5G Download Speeds | Unlimited 5G data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £50 PAYG |
O2
Pro’s
- Offers some great perks.
- Customisable phone plans.
Con’s
- Fair usage limit at 650GB/month.
- A bit pricey, however, offers good value.
The O2 Network proposes two different unlimited data schemes for SIM only plans and pay monthly phones.
There are key restrictions though, as there’s a 650GB fair usage limit and you can tether to a maximum of 12 devices. When roaming you’re allowed to use 20GB data per month. O2’s unlimited plans don’t offer 5G speeds at the moment, but we expect that to change some time soon.
O2 Unlimited Data Plans
| 18 Months plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £33/month |
| 12 Months plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £35/month |
SMARTY
Pro’s
- Monthly rolling plan, offers great flexibility.
- Cheapest SIM Only unlimited data plan.
Con’s
- No 5G, Wi-Fi or 4G Calling.
- Only 35 roaming destinations in the EU.
Powered by Three, SMARTY offers a SIM Only unlimited data plan which provides great value. It comes with zero restrictions at a very competitive price. On top of that, it’s a 1-month rolling plan, so you’re not locked into a long term commitment.
However, compared to its parent network SMARTY doesn’t offer any 5G coverage, nor does the network provide important features like 4G Calling & Wi-Fi Calling. You don’t get as many roaming destinations either.
Inclusive roaming data is capped to 20GB/month on the carrier. There are no phone deals on SMARTY.
| 1 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £18/month |
Superdrug Mobile
Pro’s
- Offers great value, one of the most affordable unlimited price plans.
- If you’re a regular Superdrug user, you’ll get benefits using the store.
Con’s
- No 5G or perks like 4G Calling & Wi-Fi Calling etc.
- Not the best 4G download speeds or network coverage.
There are no data caps or speed restrictions on Superdrug Mobile, meaning it’s a truly unlimited data offer. The operator also allows you to tether and roam freely, including free roaming in the EU countries. Don’t forget to read our Superdrug Mobile Review to discover all the other great features of the network!
Superdrug Mobile Unlimited Data Plan
| 1 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £20/month |
VOXI
Pro’s
- Monthly rolling plan, offers great flexibility.
- Has unlimited 5G Speeds!
Con’s
- No Wi-Fi or 4G Calling.
- A bit pricey, but offers great value.
VOXI is a low-cost sub-brand of Vodafone. The virtual mobile network operator used to have an age restriction to join, but customers no longer have to be under 30 to sign up.
The carrier’s unlimited plan is branded as their ‘Endless Data’ plan and it stays true to the name. No speed restrictions on VOXI and you can tether to any number of devices as long as you’re not using the network for commercial purposes.
VOXI’s unlimited data plan comes with 5G, which is a rare sight among the MVNOs. The ‘Endless Data’ plan is capped at 25GB in VOXI’s Europe Zone destinations till you renew your plan.
| 1 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £30/month |
iD Mobile
Pro’s
- Monthly rolling plan, great flexibility.
- The network has both 4G Calling & Wi-Fi Calling.
Con’s
- No 5G coverage.
- More expensive than SMARTY, but has more perks.
This mobile virtual network (MVNO) is also powered by Three Mobile and it offers a monthly rolling unlimited data plan. You can tether freely on iD Mobile and compared to SMARTY you get more inclusive roaming destinations. Plus, the carrier provides 4G Calling & Wi-Fi Calling features. These two perks are rarely offered by MVNOs.
There is no fair usage limit on iD Mobile, however, commercial usage is not permitted. The network doesn’t offer any 5G services at the moment.
| 1 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £25/month |
giffgaff
Pro’s
- Monthly rolling plan, great flexibility.
- Competitive prices offering good value.
Con’s
- No 5G coverage.
- After the first 80GB, data speeds will be capped at 384Kbps between 8am and midnight.
Run by the O2 Network, giffgaff brings a different approach to pay monthly plans with ‘goodybags’. The bags offer great flexibility, but they don’t offer as great value as they once did and they aren’t the only flexible deals out there anymore. The network has a ‘goodybag’ called ‘Always-On-Data’ and it’s an unlimited data plan.
Always-On has 4G data speeds, but only for the first 80GB of usage. Past that point your download speeds will be capped at 384Kbps between 8am and midnight till you renew your ‘goodybag’. giffgaff will provide 5G coverage in the future, but at the moment customers can only get 3G/4G services.
giffgaff Unlimited Data Plan
 | 1 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £25/month |
Virgin Mobile
Pro’s
- Great network coverage, access to the fastest data speeds by piggybacking on EE.
- Truly unlimited with no restrictions or speed caps etc.
Con’s
- You’ll need to be a Virgin TV or Broadband member to be eligible for unlimited data.
- Unlike most MVNOs, Virgin locks you in for a year or longer.
Using the EE Network, Virgin Mobile offers great network coverage and decent 4G data speeds. The carrier has an unlimited data scheme, but only if you’re already a Virgin TV or Virgin Broadband customer.
The network also requires you to sign up for either 12 months or 24 months. As long as you’re not using the service for commercial purposes you’re good to tether on Virgin Mobile. There’s also no mention about any fair usage policy while using your SIM in the UK. As for roaming in the UK, you’re given about 15GB data per month. There’s no set in stone number so you’ll have to use Virgin’s EU fair usage calculator.
Virgin Mobile Unlimited Data Plan
| 24 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £27/month |
| 12 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £30/month |
BT Mobile
Pro’s
- Great network coverage, fastest data speeds and awesome perks!
- Truly unlimited. There are no speed restrictions, fair usage policies or tethering limits.
Con’s
- You must have BT Halo to be eligible for these plans.
- The network requires you to commit for a long time (12 months to 18 months).
There’s a 15GB allowance when you’re travelling in ‘Roam Like Home’ countries though. The carrier offers two different unlimited data deals, one for 12 months and the other for 18 months. These deals include BT Sport on the app too.
BT Mobile Unlimited Data Plan
| 18 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £20/month |
| 12 Month Plan Unlimited data Unlimited mins Unlimited texts | £25/month |
Networks Without Unlimited Data Plans
Other Mobile Networks
The list below includes the rest of the mobile networks operating in the UK, but not offering an unlimited data plan of any sorts.
UK Networks Without Unlimited Data
| Network | Maximum Amount of Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | 100GB | £20-25-30/month |
 | 20GB | £20/month |
 | 10GB/12GB if you have Plusnet broadband | £10/month |
Half Cooked’s Overall Winner
We believe Three Mobile is still the best network when it comes to unlimited data plans. The carrier offers competitive prices, many perks including 4G Calling & Wi-Fi Calling and most importantly 5G speeds at no extra cost.
Three also offers great flexibility, while rewarding commitment with better prices. You can also get an unlimited pay as you go deal on the Three network.