SMARTY SIM: the deals, the network, and what it costs abroad

What SMARTY SIM only deals were listed on 10 November 2026?

SMARTY sells one kind of plan: a rolling monthly SIM with no minimum term, paid in advance. Its SIM only page says there are no annual price rises and no credit check, and every plan with calls includes unlimited UK calls and texts. These were the SMARTY SIM only deals when we read the page:

The homepage banner describes the 80GB offer as "double data, same great price". Neither offer showed an end date when we read the pages, so treat both as limited and check before you buy. With the offer on, the £15 plan gives the same 200GB as the £17 plan.

SMARTY also lists data-only plans, which suit a tablet, dongle or a second phone: 2GB for £5, 15GB for £9, 40GB for £13, 100GB for £17 and unlimited for £20. If you run out mid-month, an add-on costs £1 per GB and, SMARTY says, never expires while you have a live plan.

This is desk research from SMARTY's own pages. We have not bought or tested a SMARTY plan.

What network does SMARTY use?

Three. SMARTY's help centre says its network comes from "Three UK, who provides SMARTY's network". Since Three merged with Vodafone UK, SMARTY says your SIM can also connect to Vodafone sites where they give a better signal. It says this started in August 2025 and is rolling out across the UK, with over 1,000 sites already live when the article was written. You do not need to do anything for it to work.

SMARTY's homepage claims 99% UK outdoor population coverage on its 4G network.

How do you get a SMARTY SIM card or SMARTY eSIM?

SMARTY offers a free SIM by post, and its sim only page invites you to "order your free sim today". When it arrives, you activate it through the Activate SIM option on SMARTY's site or in its app. The pages we read did not set out the order steps in more detail.

The SMARTY eSIM is the quicker route. SMARTY's eSIM page says new customers can get an eSIM straight away when they join. Activation works like this:

1. Scan the QR code from the email SMARTY sends.
2. Enter the 4-digit confirmation code, which comes in a separate email.
3. Turn Wi-Fi off and make a call or send a text to confirm you are connected.

SMARTY says activation can take up to 2 hours, though it is usually quicker. Existing customers can switch by ordering a replacement SIM and choosing eSIM. The eSIM page did not list any fee.

Does SMARTY work in Europe?

Yes. SMARTY's roaming page says that in the EU, calls and texts work as they do at home, and you can use up to 12GB of your monthly data allowance at no extra cost. On a 5GB plan, your limit is your 5GB. If you need more than 12GB, you buy a data add-on.

SMARTY's Europe list had 44 entries when we read it. It includes the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Gibraltar, San Marino, Vatican City, the Canary and Balearic Islands, Madeira, the Azores and the French overseas territories. Switzerland, Turkey and Monaco were not on the list, so plan for those separately.

Calls, texts and data on cruise ships and in-flight networks are not covered by any allowance, and are charged from your "Out of plan" add-ons.

What does SMARTY roaming cost outside the EU?

Outside the EU your plan allowance does not apply at all. SMARTY says data, calls and texts will not work unless you have bought "Out of plan" add-ons, which act as a pay-as-you-go balance. Unused add-on money carries over.

The United States page showed these rates:

At 10p per MB, one gigabyte costs about £102. That is the figure to keep in mind. We only read the US page; SMARTY's Price Guide PDF has the other countries, and we did not read it.

When is a travel eSIM cheaper than a SMARTY SIM abroad?

In the EU, almost never for a short holiday. Your 12GB is already paid for, and on the 80GB or larger plans that 12GB cap is the only limit. Only a heavy user on a long trip, or someone going to Switzerland or Turkey, needs anything else.

Outside the EU, almost always. Here are travel eSIM prices we verified on each seller's own site in August 2026:

USA

Airalo 10GB for 7 days at $21.50; Saily 10GB for 30 days at $22.99; Nomad 10GB for 30 days at $25

Turkey

Airalo 10GB for 7 days at $14.50; Saily 10GB for 30 days at $15.99

Switzerland

Nomad 10GB for 30 days at $20.50; Airalo 10GB for 7 days at $21.50

A single gigabyte on SMARTY in the USA costs more than four times any of those 10GB plans. If you are flying to New York, buy an eSIM before you go, keep the SMARTY line on for texts, and turn its data roaming off. Our USA SIM card guide and cheapest eSIM table compare more options.

Who does a SMARTY SIM suit?

SMARTY suits UK residents who want a cheap, cancellable plan with no price rises and who mostly travel within the EU. The 12GB EU allowance covers most holidays. It suits anyone heading to North America, Asia, Switzerland or Turkey badly, because there is no daily roaming pass: you either pay per MB or use a travel eSIM. For the network SMARTY runs on, see our Three UK guide and Three roaming guide, which cover a wider roaming zone.