1 GB
UK 4-network
£2.40a month per active SIM, ex VAT
Order 1 GBA Hologram Alternative for UK Devices
How Hologram's pay-per-MB global IoT SIM compares with ThingSIM's monthly UK multi-network plans, with prices checked on each provider's own website on 3 November 2026.
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Hologram's and ThingSIM's own websites. Sources are listed at the end. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you buy.
Hologram is a US company selling a global IoT SIM priced per megabyte in US dollars, with an eUICC that can take profiles from several carriers. ThingSIM is a UK seller of multi-network SIMs on monthly allowances in pounds. Hologram suits fleets that cross many countries; ThingSIM suits devices that live in the UK.
For the full field of UK options, see the best IoT and M2M SIM cards in the UK.
At a Glance
| Hologram (self-service) | ThingSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Pay as you go per MB, monthly | Monthly per active SIM, billed monthly in advance |
| Data price | $0.03 per MB, plus $1 a month per SIM | 1 GB a month for £2.40 on UK 4-network |
| SIM card | $3 per SIM | £2.00 once, trio card or eSIM |
| SMS | $0.19 per outbound SMS, inbound free | SMS supported |
| UK networks named | EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree, non-steered (in Hologram's UK guide) | O2, Vodafone, Three and EE (4-network), or O2, Vodafone and Three (3-network) |
| eSIM | eUICC to SGP.02 and SGP.32; MFF2 available | eSIM delivered as a QR code |
| Static IP | Not published; private APN and custom APN/VPN offered as add-ons | £8 a month per SIM |
| Technologies in the UK | 2G, 4G, 5G, NB-IoT and LTE-M | 2G, 4G, LTE-M and NB-IoT |
| Company | Hologram, Chicago, USA | Netavo, a UK network services provider |
Hologram prices are in US dollars as its pricing page shows them; ThingSIM's are in pounds excluding VAT. Hologram's Custom tier has discounted rates, data pools and multi-year prepaid options on request, with no published figures.
What 1 GB a Month Costs
Hologram does not publish a 1 GB bundle on its self-service tier, so this is arithmetic from its published rate: 1,024 MB × $0.03 = $30.72 in data, plus the $1 monthly charge per SIM. On ThingSIM, 1 GB on UK 4-network is £2.40 a month.
Where Hologram Is the Better Fit
Fleets across many countries. Hologram advertises more than 550 networks in over 190 countries and territories, and its eUICC can switch carrier profiles over the air. ThingSIM's published plans are for the UK; Europe is priced per project.
Very small usage. At $0.03 per MB, a device that sends a megabyte or two a month costs little more than the $1 monthly charge.
5G. Hologram lists 5G among its UK technologies. ThingSIM's plans are 4G, LTE-M, NB-IoT and 2G.
Where ThingSIM Is the Better Fit
Devices that use tens of megabytes or more a month. Per-MB pricing climbs quickly with routers and cameras; a ThingSIM allowance is a fixed monthly price.
A UK bill in pounds. ThingSIM charges in pounds with UK VAT and is operated by a UK company. There is no currency conversion on the card statement.
A cap instead of a surprise. A ThingSIM pauses at its allowance rather than charging for every extra megabyte, and the portal emails at 80% and 100% of the allowance.
Remote access priced up front. A static public IP is £8 a month per SIM.
Common Questions
Is Hologram available in the UK?
Yes. Hologram's UK guide says its SIM has non-steered access to EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree, with self-service plans from $0.03 per MB.
Which is cheaper for a 4G router in the UK?
For a router using 1 GB or more a month, ThingSIM's fixed allowance costs less than Hologram's per-MB rate. See setting up a 4G router for sizing the allowance.
Do I need an eUICC for a UK-only device?
No. A device that stays in the UK needs a SIM that uses the strongest UK network where it is installed, which a multi-network SIM already does. Profile switching matters more for devices that move between countries. See IoT eSIM or physical SIM.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026.
- Hologram pricing: hologram.io/pricing
- Hologram UK guide (networks, technologies, UK support): hologram.io/blog/cellular-iot-sim-guide-uk
- Hologram eUICC: hologram.io/products/global-iot-sim-card
- Hologram company address: hologram.io/contact
- ThingSIM prices: thingsim.com/plans
Recommended plan
UK 4-network, 1 GB a month
Roams across all four UK networks and uses whichever is strongest where the device is.
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