# A 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. Choosing a SIM · Published 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](/best-iot-sim-card-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](/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](https://www.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](https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/pay-per-use-plan-with-subscription-fee) - Things Mobile SIM card and activation: [thingsmobile.com/business/plans/free-sim-card](https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/free-sim-card) - Things Mobile public fixed IP: [thingsmobile.com/business/plans/public-fixed-ip-option](https://www.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](https://www.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](https://www.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](https://www.thingsmobile.com/business) - ThingSIM prices: [thingsim.com/plans](/plans) ## Recommended plan 1 GB, UK 4-network: £2.40 a month per active SIM, ex VAT. Source: https://thingsim.com/things-mobile-alternative