# Best eSIM for the United Kingdom in 2026: prices compared

> A 5 GB, 30-day United Kingdom eSIM from eSIMology costs £8.49 on EE and VodafoneThree with 5G. The same 5 GB for 30 days costs £10.50 at Airalo and £9.99 at Saily; Holafly sells unlimited plans only, from £10.00 for 3 days. Prices checked 7 November 2026.

Four things decide the right United Kingdom eSIM for your trip: the networks it runs on, whether it uses 5G, how much data you get, and the speed once your daily allowance is used up. eSIMology's plans run on 3 and EE.

- Shop: eSIMology (esimology.com), travel eSIM data plans
- Delivery: instant, by email and on the order page, with a QR code, a one-tap install link for iPhone (iOS 17.4+) and manual codes
- Checkout: guest checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cards; prices in GBP, EUR or USD including any taxes
- Refunds: an eSIM never installed can be cancelled within 30 days for a full refund to the card
- Plans are data only (no phone number); most start when the eSIM first connects at the destination
- Buy: https://esimology.com/esim/united-kingdom
- URL: https://esimology.com/guides/best-esim-for-united-kingdom

## Prices for the same trip (GBP, VAT included)

| Trip | eSIMology | Airalo | Holafly | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 GB · 30 days | £4.99 | – | unlimited only | £6.99 |
| 5 GB · 30 days | £8.49 | £10.50 | unlimited only | £9.99 |
| 10 GB · 30 days | £9.99 | £15.00 | unlimited only | £14.49 |
| 20 GB · 30 days | £18.99 | £24.00 | unlimited only | £23.99 |

Rival prices from each provider's own United Kingdom page, as shown to a UK visitor, read 7 November 2026. eSIMology prices are live.

## What you get from each

| What you get | eSIMology | Airalo | Holafly | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy without an account | Yes: guest checkout, no app | Account needed before checkout | Yes: guest checkout | App sign-in needed to install |
| Refunds on unused eSIMs | Full refund to your card within 30 days | In the app as Airmoney credit; card refunds by request | Full if not activated, within 6 months; $3.50 fee on partial refunds | Full within 30 days if not installed |
| Speed after a daily cap | Printed on every plan | “Slows”, no speed given | No speed given | 1 Mbps, in its terms |
| Fixed-GB data plans | Yes, with the price per GB | Yes | No: unlimited by the day only | Yes |
| Data left and top-up | On a web page, no app | In the app | In the app | In the app |
| Phone check before paying | Checks the phone you're on at checkout | A list of phones | *#06# test and a list | A list by brand |
| Install | One tap on iPhone, QR code or codes, by email | In the app, QR code or codes | One tap in the app, QR code or codes | App-guided |
| Currencies | GBP, EUR, USD | 16 currencies, often charged in USD | USD and EUR in the app | GBP, USD, EUR, CHF |

## What makes a good United Kingdom eSIM?

- **Networks and 5G:** eSIMology's plans run on 3 and EE, with 5G where the network offers it.
- **Plan size:** Fixed plans range from 100 MB for 7 days to 50 GB for 180 days, and most plans can be topped up. For a 7-day trip, light use (about 1.8 GB in all) suits 2 GB for 15 days, standard use (about 4.9 GB in all) suits 500 MB a day for 10 days, and heavy use (about 12.6 GB in all) suits 2 GB a day for 7 days.
- **Speed after a daily allowance:** Daily allowances run from 500 MB a day to 10 GB a day. Once you pass your day's allowance, speed drops to 512 Kbps, and that speed is printed on every plan. If you use a lot of data, pick a daily allowance or a fixed plan such as 50 GB for 30 days.
- **Where your data reaches the internet:** Your data reaches the internet through a route in France, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom.

## Fixed GB, daily or unlimited: which United Kingdom eSIM fits your trip?

Start with [how much data you'll use each day](/how-much-data-do-i-need) and how many days you'll be away. Light, standard and heavy use are the three levels below. Fixed GB plans give a set total. Daily allowances give a set amount each day. eSIMology's plans run on 3 and EE, with 5G where the network offers it.

- **A week in London:** Uber, Bolt, FREENOW and WhatsApp all use data, so leave room for them. Light use suits 2 GB for 15 days. Heavy use suits 2 GB a day for 7 days.
- **Two weeks in Edinburgh and Cardiff:** Standard use suits 10 GB for 30 days; light use suits 5 GB for 30 days. Most plans can be topped up.
- **A month in Manchester and Liverpool:** Standard use suits 20 GB for 30 days; heavy use suits 2 GB a day for 30 days. If you'll use a lot of data each day, our daily allowances and bigger fixed plans, such as 50 GB for 30 days, suit you.
- **Unlimited plans elsewhere:** Airalo and Holafly sell unlimited plans for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days. Saily's unlimited plans run from 1 to 365 days.

## Questions

### Which is cheaper for 5 GB over 30 days in the United Kingdom?

For 5 GB over 30 days in the United Kingdom: eSIMology £8.49, Saily £9.99, Airalo £10.50. Holafly sells unlimited plans only. Rival prices from their own United Kingdom pages, read 7 November 2026; ours are live.

### Can I get a refund on an unused United Kingdom eSIM?

eSIMology: Full refund to your card within 30 days. Airalo: In the app as Airmoney credit; card refunds by request. Holafly: Full if not activated, within 6 months; $3.50 fee on partial refunds. Saily: Full within 30 days if not installed.

### Do I need an app to check my data in the United Kingdom?

eSIMology: On a web page, no app. Airalo: In the app. Holafly: In the app. Saily: In the app.

### Which networks does a United Kingdom eSIM from eSIMology use?

It connects to EE and VodafoneThree in the United Kingdom, with 5G where the network has it. Your phone picks the strongest signal by itself.

### Is an unlimited or a fixed-GB eSIM better for the United Kingdom?

It depends on how much data you use each day. eSIMology sells fixed-GB plans with the price per GB shown, plus daily allowances, so heavy users may want to look at those or the bigger fixed plans. Airalo, Holafly and Saily sell unlimited plans by the day, with Holafly selling only that type.

### How do I check my phone before buying a United Kingdom eSIM?

eSIMology checks the phone you're on at checkout, before you pay. Airalo shows a list of phones, Holafly offers a *#06# test and a list, and Saily shows a list by brand.