1 GB
UK 4-network
£2.40a month per active SIM, ex VAT
Order 1 GBA Things Mobile Alternative for UK Devices
How Things Mobile's pay-per-MB IoT SIM compares with ThingSIM's monthly UK multi-network allowances, with prices checked on each provider's own website on 3 November 2026.
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Things Mobile's and ThingSIM's own websites. Sources are listed at the end. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you buy.
Things Mobile charges for the data a SIM actually uses, per megabyte, from prepaid credit. ThingSIM charges a fixed monthly price for an allowance. The first suits devices whose usage is tiny or unpredictable; the second suits devices that use a steady amount and should cost the same every month.
For the full field of UK options, see the best IoT and M2M SIM cards in the UK.
At a Glance
| Things Mobile | ThingSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Prepaid credit, charged per MB | Monthly per active SIM, billed monthly in advance |
| UK data price | €0.10 per MB with no monthly fee, or €0.02 per MB with a €2 monthly fee per SIM | 1 GB a month for £2.40 on UK 4-network |
| Other fees | €0.25 a month for each operator network a SIM uses that month; €3.00 a month per account for the IoT Portal | None beyond the plan and the one-off SIM charge |
| SIM card | €0 for the card, €2.50 activation (€3.00 for MFF2) | £2.00 once, trio card or eSIM |
| UK networks named | O2, Hutchison (Three) and Vodafone | O2, Vodafone, Three and EE (4-network), or O2, Vodafone and Three (3-network) |
| When data runs out | Credit is topped up, manually or automatically | The SIM pauses; upgrade it at once or wait for the reset |
| eSIM | eUICC and SIM-on-chip (MFF2) | eSIM delivered as a QR code |
| Static public IP | €25 activation and €2.00 a month | £8 a month |
| Minimum order | None | None; up to 25 SIMs online |
| Company | Things Mobile Srl, Milan, Italy | Netavo, a UK network services provider |
Things Mobile's rates are in euros and exclude VAT where due; its plan pages say they are valid from 2 February 2022. ThingSIM's prices are in pounds excluding VAT.
What 1 GB a Month Costs
Things Mobile does not publish a 1 GB monthly price, so this is arithmetic from its published per-MB rates. 1 GB is 1,024 MB:
- Without a subscription: 1,024 × €0.10 = €102.40 in data.
- With the subscription: 1,024 × €0.02 = €20.48, plus the €2 monthly fee.
Both are before the per-network access fee and the portal fee. On ThingSIM, 1 GB on UK 4-network is £2.40 a month.
Where Things Mobile Is the Better Fit
Paying only for what is used. There is no allowance to choose: a SIM is charged for the megabytes it sends, from credit you top up, with no minimum quantity.
Devices that travel widely. Things Mobile advertises coverage in more than 165 countries on one SIM. ThingSIM's published plans are for the UK; Europe is priced per project.
Where ThingSIM Is the Better Fit
Steady, predictable usage. Routers, CCTV, signage and card terminals use tens or hundreds of megabytes a month. A fixed allowance gives the same bill every month, and a SIM that runs out pauses instead of draining credit.
EE coverage. ThingSIM's UK 4-network SIM includes EE alongside O2, Vodafone and Three. Things Mobile's UK multi-operator page names O2, Hutchison and Vodafone.
Fewer line items. ThingSIM has no per-network fee and no portal fee: the plan, the one-off £2.00 SIM charge and any extras you choose, such as a static IP.
Common Questions
Is Things Mobile or ThingSIM cheaper?
For a UK device, ThingSIM usually costs less at every allowance it sells. 50 MB is £0.90 a month on UK 4-network, against €5.00 at Things Mobile's €0.10 per MB, and 250 MB is £1.20 against €25.00. Things Mobile's case is coverage in more than 165 countries and paying per megabyte.
Does a ThingSIM need data roaming switched on?
Yes. A ThingSIM connects to UK networks as a roaming SIM, so allow data roaming in the device's mobile settings.
Can I keep Things Mobile in a second SIM slot?
Yes, in a dual-SIM router. Each SIM is billed by its own provider. See setting up a 4G router.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026.
- Things Mobile, plan without subscription: thingsmobile.com/business/plans/pay-per-use-plan-without-subscription-fee
- Things Mobile, plan with subscription: thingsmobile.com/business/plans/pay-per-use-plan-with-subscription-fee
- Things Mobile SIM card and activation: thingsmobile.com/business/plans/free-sim-card
- Things Mobile public fixed IP: thingsmobile.com/business/plans/public-fixed-ip-option
- Things Mobile UK networks: thingsmobile.com/the-best-multi-operator-roaming-sim-card-/the-best-multi-operator-sim-card-in-uk
- Things Mobile UK IoT SIM page: thingsmobile.com/the-best-iot-sim-card-in-the-world/the-best-iot-sim-card-for-united-kingdom
- Things Mobile company details: thingsmobile.com/business
- 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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