Best SIM Only Deals Ireland (Live Prices, Updated Daily)
From SmartSaver.ie, Ireland's independent comparison site. Prices and rates in this guide are checked daily.
Compare Ireland's best SIM only deals from €8/month. GoMo, 48, Clear Mobile, Lycamobile ranked and compared.
By SmartSaver Team | Published 1 January 2026 | Updated 8 July 2026 | 8 min read
Topics: best sim only deals ireland, sim only ireland, cheap sim deals, sim only comparison
The Irish SIM-only market has never been more competitive. Budget networks (GoMo, 48, and Clear Mobile) have driven prices down. The cheapest SIM-only plan right now is €9/month (lycamobile), and the cheapest unlimited-data plan is €10/month (lycamobile). Here's our ranked comparison of every SIM-only deal available in Ireland right now.
Prices and rates on this page update automatically from provider websites, checked daily. Correct as of 4 August 2026.
Cheapest SIM-Only Plans Right Now (Live)
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data | 5G | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycamobile | Ireland Plus | €9/mo | 30GB | Yes | Three |
| Tesco Mobile | €10 SIM Only | €10/mo | 5GB | No | Three |
| Lycamobile | Unlimited Plus | €10/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Three |
| Lycamobile | National S | €10/mo | 5GB | Yes | Three |
| Lycamobile | Europe Plus | €10/mo | 5GB | Yes | Three |
| Lycamobile | Asia Plus | €10/mo | 3GB | Yes | Three |
| Sky Mobile | 10GB | €10/mo | 10GB | Yes | Three (partner network) |
| 48 Mobile | Student 100GB | €10.99/mo | 100GB | No | Three |
Live data from SmartSaver.ie, checked daily. Prices correct as of 2026-08-04. Full comparison: https://www.smartsaver.ie/mobile
Best SIM Only Deals at a Glance
| Rank | Provider | Price | Data | 5G | Best For | |------|----------|-------|------|----|----| | 🥇 | 48 | €12.99 | 200GB | ✓ | Best overall value | | 🥈 | Lycamobile | €10 | Unlimited | ✗ | Budget users | | 🥉 | GoMo | €14.99 | 120GB | ✓ | Eir network fans | | 4 | Clear Mobile | €12.99-€14.99 | Unlimited | ✗ | Light data users | | 5 | Tesco Mobile | €15 | 15-30GB | ✗ | Clubcard holders | | 6 | Virgin Media | €14.99 | Unlimited | ✗ | Three network |
#1: 48 - Best Overall Value
€12.99/month | 200GB 5G data | Three network48 is Ireland's best value SIM-only deal for most people. You get 200GB of 5G data, unlimited calls and texts, all for €12.99 per month with no price increases.
What you get:- 200GB 5G data (enough for almost everyone)
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 17GB EU roaming data
- Price locked for life
- No activation fee on current offers
- Online-only customer service
- Roaming can be patchy (some users report issues in UK/EU)
- Three network: check coverage in your area first
48 edges out GoMo for the top spot because you get more data (200GB vs 120GB), 5G included, and a lower price (€12.99 vs €14.99).
Read our full 48 review#2: Lycamobile Go Unlimited - Cheapest Option
€10/month | Unlimited data | Eir networkLycamobile's Go Unlimited plan offers the lowest price for unlimited data in Ireland. At just €10 per month, it's hard to beat for budget-conscious users.
What you get:- Unlimited data (fair use applies)
- Unlimited national calls and texts
- 100 international minutes to 34 countries
- ~12GB EU roaming data
- No contract
- No 5G
- Speed can be slower during peak times
- Customer service is basic
- Must port your number to get €8 promotional price
Lycamobile is ideal for light-to-moderate users who prioritise price over speed.
Read our full Lycamobile review#3: GoMo - Best for Eir Network
€14.99/month | 120GB 5G data | Eir networkGoMo started the budget SIM revolution in Ireland. While no longer the cheapest, it remains a solid choice, especially if Eir has the best coverage in your area.
What you get:- 120GB 5G data (fair use)
- Unlimited calls (45,000 minutes fair use)
- 10,000 texts
- 16GB EU roaming data
- Price for life guarantee
- €14.99 activation fee (covers first month)
- 120GB limit vs 48's 200GB
- €2/month more expensive than 48
- Online-only support
GoMo was voted Best Value Mobile Network 2025 by Switcher.ie. The Eir network offers excellent coverage, especially in rural areas where Three can be weaker.
Read our full GoMo review#4: Clear Mobile - Unlimited but Slow
€12.99-€14.99/month | Unlimited data (5Mbps cap) | Vodafone networkClear Mobile offers truly unlimited data with no fair use cap, but there's a significant catch. Speed is capped at 5Mbps, which affects streaming quality and downloads.
What you get:- Unlimited data (no fair use limit)
- Unlimited calls
- 10,000 texts
- 19GB EU roaming data
- VoLTE and WiFi calling
- Vodafone network
- Speed capped at 5Mbps (can't stream HD video smoothly)
- No 5G
- €14.99 normally, €12.99 if switching from GoMo/48/Eir/Three/Tesco
The 5Mbps cap is dealbreaker for many. It's fine for browsing and standard definition video, but frustrating for downloads, HD streaming, or video calls.
Read our full Clear Mobile review#5: Tesco Mobile - Best for Clubcard Holders
€15/month | 15-30GB data | Three networkTesco Mobile offers solid value, especially if you already shop at Tesco. Clubcard registration doubles your data allowance.
What you get:- 15GB data (30GB with Clubcard)
- Unlimited calls
- 3,000 texts to Tesco Mobile
- ~7GB EU roaming data
- In-store customer service available
- Collect Clubcard points on top-ups
- Less data than competitors
- No 5G
- Only 3,000 texts to Tesco Mobile (not unlimited to all networks)
- EU roaming allowance is lower
Tesco Mobile suits people who value in-person support and already have a Clubcard.
Read our full Tesco Mobile review#6: Virgin Media Mobile - Best for Three Network
€14.99/month | Unlimited data | Three networkVirgin Media Mobile uses the Three network and offers genuinely unlimited data with no fair use cap stated.
What you get:- Unlimited data (fair use ~200-250GB)
- 10,000 minutes and texts
- 27GB EU roaming data
- Three network with 99% 4G coverage
- No 5G
- Year one promotional pricing often increases in year two
- Online and phone support only
Virgin's EU roaming allowance (27GB) is the most generous of the budget networks.
Cheapest Unlimited-Data Plans (Live)
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data | 5G | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycamobile | Unlimited Plus | €10/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Three |
| Lycamobile | Go Unlimited | €11/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Three |
| 48 Mobile | Unlimited 5G | €12.99/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Three |
| Clear Mobile | Unlimited 5G | €12.99/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Vodafone (partner) |
| Lycamobile | National Unlimited | €12.99/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Three |
| GoMo | GoMo Mobile | €14.99/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Eir (owned by Eir) |
Live data from SmartSaver.ie, checked daily. Prices correct as of 2026-08-04. Full comparison: https://www.smartsaver.ie/mobile
*Offers vary, check current promotions
Which Network Has the Best Coverage?
All three main networks cover 99%+ of Ireland's population, but coverage varies by location:
Eir (GoMo, Lycamobile): Strong in rural areas, good motorway coverage, expanding 5G in cities. Three (48, Tesco, Virgin): Good urban coverage, can be weaker in rural areas, widespread 5G. Vodafone (Clear Mobile): Generally reliable, but some rural areas have gaps where 3G was switched off without 4G upgrade. Recommendation: Check coverage at your home and workplace before switching. Use each network's coverage checker or ask friends/family on that network.How to Switch (Keep Your Number)
Switching mobile network in Ireland is simple:
You don't need to contact your old provider: the new network handles everything.
Full guide: How to switch mobile networkBest SIM Only Deal by Use Case
Best for data-heavy users: 48 (200GB 5G for €12.99) Best for budget users: Lycamobile (€10/month unlimited) Best for international calls: Lycamobile (100 minutes to 34 countries included) Best for EU roaming: Virgin Media (27GB roaming data) Best for 5G: 48 (cheapest 5G plan at €12.99) Best for reliability: GoMo (Eir network, widely praised) Best for in-store support: Tesco Mobile (Tesco stores nationwide)What About the Big Networks?
Eir, Three, and Vodafone's own plans cost significantly more than their budget brands:
| Provider | Comparable Plan | Price | |----------|----------------|-------| | Eir | Unlimited 5G | €29.99/month | | Three | Unlimited 5G | €34.99/month | | Vodafone | Unlimited+ | €35/month |
You're paying €15-20/month extra primarily for:
- Phone support (not just online)
- In-store service
- Loyalty rewards
- 5G on Vodafone/Eir plans
For most people, the budget networks offer identical coverage at half the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 120GB or 200GB enough data?
For almost everyone, yes. The average Irish smartphone user consumes about 13GB per month. Even heavy users rarely exceed 50GB unless they're tethering or streaming constantly without WiFi.
Do budget networks have worse coverage?
No. GoMo uses the exact same Eir network as Eir customers. 48 uses Three's network. Clear Mobile uses Vodafone's. The infrastructure is identical.
What's the catch with "unlimited" plans?
Most "unlimited" plans have fair use policies:
- GoMo: 120GB data, 45,000 minutes, 10,000 texts
- Clear Mobile: Truly unlimited data, but capped at 5Mbps
- Lycamobile: Fair use applies (typically 100GB+)
Can I keep my number?
Yes. Porting your number is free and takes 1-2 business days.
What happens if I go over my data?
- 48: Charged at out-of-bundle rates
- GoMo: Speed may be reduced to 3-5Mbps
- Clear Mobile: No limit (already speed-capped)
Summary
Our top pick is 48: a huge 5G data allowance on the Three network at a price locked for life. It's the best combination of price, data, and speed (current price in the live table above). Budget alternative: Lycamobile if you don't need 5G and want the absolute lowest cost. Currently the cheapest plan is €9/month (lycamobile). Eir network preference: GoMo if Three coverage is weak in your area.Ready to switch? Compare all plans with our mobile comparison tool or read our detailed provider reviews below.
---
Prices and rates on this page update automatically from provider websites, checked daily. Correct as of 4 August 2026.
Prices in the live tables refresh automatically from our daily scrape of provider websites.---