Cheap SIM Only Deals

Get 1GB of data, minutes and texts from $10/month

​Updated: November 2017
Smartphone contracts can end up costing a lot every month – but if you separate your phone from your mobile provider you can save a lot with a SIM-only deal.

Whatever your needs and habits, there's a good chance you're paying to much at the moment. Switching to a cheaper provider is easy and you can keep your number with no hassle. 

This guide lists everything you need to know when looking for a new SIM only plan and our own top picks for low, medium and high data users. 

"SIM Only" Must Know Information

SIM only means you are not paying for a phone

All SIM only plans only cover a service which includes data, minutes and/or texts. You don't pay anything with regards to a phone device, as each plan requires you to have an existing phone.

The known networks are NOT the cheapest in most instances

New Zealand's recent arrival of Skinny Direct and Warehouse Mobile offer cheaper data and calling bundles than the likes of Spark, Vodadone and 2Degrees. If you're with a big network, you're probably overpaying. 

Most contracts are for 30 days or one month only

This means you've got more flexibility to cancel, upgrade or downgrade the plan you pick. You can switch providers without paying penalties. 

Even though contracts are 30 days, you will probably have a credit check done

While this is mostly a formality, but if you do have bad credit your application may be declined and you will need to stick to a pay-as-you-go SIM provider. Also, if you're already paying off a phone you may be flagged as higher risk.

Check the promotion and special offer details

There is no point signing up to an offer that locks you in for 12 months if the offer pricing or bonus data/minutes only applies for the first 3 months. Check out exactly what you’re paying over the entire contract period.  

Pick a SIM Only plan that offers the allowance you NEED

Don’t overpay for things you don’t need. If you have internet at home and don’t watch TV on your phone, it’s unlikely you’ll need 10GB of data and unlimited minutes. 

You'll need to have an unlocked phone

Check your phone, as some phones from Telecom, Vodadone, Skinny and 2degrees will be SIM locked to their networks. You can find out if the phone is locked by putting a SIM from another provider. To unlock your phone, you’ll need an IMEI number - you can find it by dialing *#06# on most phones or look for it on the label in the battery compartment, or on the box the phone came in.

Each provider’s website gives guidance about unlocking a phone, which is free if your phone is out of contract, or around $30 if it’s in contract. Phones bought from overseas or via trademe will specify if they are unlocked or locked, so always buy an unlocked phone to save any hassle and extra costs.

Check the signal strength where you live and work

There is no point picking a provider if it doesn’t work in your lounge or bedroom. These links just need your address to show if you’ll get 3G or 4G

Switching from a contract to a SIM deal? Tell your current service provider ASAP!

Monthly plans usually require a month in advance notice, so as soon as you know you’re leaving the plan, advise your provider. You will have to pay the final month’s bill, so it’s best to buy the new provider’s sim first and organize your new deal to start as your current provider’s billing month finishes, therefore avoiding being stranded and paying twice for two plans at changeover time.  

Keeping your number is easy

Once you have a new provider’s SIM, you can submit a change of number request online via their website. It’s usually processed in one working day and you can call the new provider’s support team if you have any issues. 

Our SIM Only Best Buys

Once you know which network(s) cover your home and work locations, and you know how much data you’ll need, look for the best deals that fit this. We’ve listed our best buys below, sorted by value for money and user types (low, medium and heavy).
 
As 4G covers around 90% of Kiwi homes and workplaces, all the below best buys come with 4G data unless otherwise stated.

Low Users

For light users who want the convenience of a reasonable data limit and enough minutes, these are our best buys with 1GB+ data a month. 
What you get: 1GB data/month, New Zealand calls at 4 cents/minute, texts at 2 cents, 90 day rollover for credit
Price: $10-12/month​
Link: warehousemobile.co.nz
Warehouse Mobile offers a flexible, cash saving mix and match plan. Every month you can top up $10, and select data “packs”, for a light user that will be either 500MB ($4) or 1GB ($8). The remaining $2 in credit buys you 100 texts or 50 minutes (or a bit of both of course).
The remaining dollar credit rolls for 90 days, but any remaining “pack” data will only roll if you buy another “pack” before it expires.
 
With no contracts, Warehouse Mobile offers a super cheap data/phone/text service for low users and/or the budget conscious. 
 
Need-to-knows
  • No contracts, just top up when you need to – unused credit (but not data or text/phone packs) rolls for 90 days
  • Tethering is permitted within your data allowance.
  • You can keep your existing number
  • Warehouse Mobile may increase the price at any time
  • No credit check required, and you can be online in minutes with a new SIM.
  • Uses an 0284 number

Medium Users

For users wanting at least 3GB of data and 250 minutes, we’ve listed our two best buys below. 
What you get: 3GB data/month, unlimited texts and minutes within New Zealand and to Australia, free voicemail
Price: $35/month
Link: SkinnyDirect.co.nz​
For not much more than $1/day, the Skinny Direct plan runs on the Spark 4G network. It’s a one month rolling contract so it’s flexible, and the data rollsover too. You can only buy it online, meaning you won’t be able to troubleshoot any issues at a Spark or Skinny retailer. However, if you are happy to skip the face to face customer service, Skinny Direct offers big savings to a medium data user.

This plan offers excellent value for anyone who uses around 3GB a month and makes a decent amount of calls. It's available to new customers, and existing Skinny customers who want to change plan.
 
Need-to-knows
  • 1 month rolling contract.
  • Tethering is permitted within your data allowance.
  • You can keep your existing number
  • Skinny Direct may increase the price at any time
  • You'll need to pass the credit check to get the plan
  • There is no top up - when you sign up for Skinny Direct, you register your credit or debit card allowing you to buy plans and add-ons by using your card, without having to top up. You are billed every 30 days for $35 plus any add-ons you select.

High Users

For the data demons, these are our two top picks with more than 8GB of 4G data each month, as well as a reasonable number of minutes.
What you get: 10GB data/month, unlimited texts and minutes within New Zealand and to Australia, free voicemail
Price: $50/month
Link: SkinnyDirect.co.nz​
Skinny Direct’s 10GB plan runs on the Spark 4G network, which is arguably New Zealand’s most comprehensive. It’s a one month rolling contract so it’s flexible, and the data rolls over too. You can only buy it online, meaning you won’t be able to troubleshoot any issues at a Spark or Skinny retailer. However, if you are happy to skip the face to face customer service, Skinny Direct offers big savings to a medium data user.
​
This plan offers excellent value for anyone who uses around 10GB a month and makes a decent amount of calls. It's available to new customers, and existing Skinny customers who want to change plan.
 
Need-to-knows
  • 1 month rolling contract.
  • Tethering is permitted within your data allowance.
  • You can keep your existing number
  • Skinny Direct may increase the price at any time
  • You'll need to pass the credit check to get the plan
  • There is no top up - when you sign up for Skinny Direct, you register your credit or debit card allowing you to buy plans and add-ons by using your card, without having to top up. You are billed every 30 days for $35 plus any add-ons you select.
What you get: 10GB data/month, unlimited texts and minutes within New Zealand and to Australia
Price: $55/month
Link: 2degreesmobile.co.nz
2Degrees offers a 10GB on a one month rolling contract so it’s flexible, and the data carryover too.
This plan offers descent value for anyone who uses around 10GB a month and makes a decent amount of calls. It's available to new customers, and existing 2Degrees customers who want to change plan. 

Currently, the 2Degrees offering is exactly the same as Skinny Direct’s 10GB plan, but 10% more expensive. If 2Degrees offers your location a better coverage than Spark (which powers the Skinny Direct network), it’s the better choice. 

Need-to-knows
  • 1 month rolling contract.
  • Tethering is permitted within your data allowance.
  • You can keep your existing number
  • 2Degrees may increase the price at any time
  • You'll need to pass the credit check to get the plan

Best Buys for Specific Purposes

Best Entertainment & Media Plan

What you get: 1GB (+ 1GB Bonus Data for 12 months), 300 minutes, unlimited New Zealand texts + Free Spotify and Lightbox Access - $39.99/month
Price: $39.99/month
Link: spark.co.nz
Good use for 2GB of monthly data which you can rollover to a maximum of 3.5GB. The value of Spotify ($14.99/month) and Lightbox ($12.99/month) brings the data/minutes/text cost down to ~$12 a month if you paid outright for these subscriptions. 
 
You'll need to commit to a 12-month contract, and the bonus 1GB per month data is only for the first 12 months.
 
This is a fairly decent meaty all-inclusive offering from Spark, although 2GB may be a bit of a challenge for more aggressive data users. It's available to new customers, and existing Spark customers who want to change plan. 

Need-to-knows
  • 1 month rolling contract.
  • Tethering is permitted within your data allowance.
  • You can keep your existing number
  • Spark may increase the price at any time
  • You'll need to pass the credit check to get the plan

Best Free Data/Minutes Plan

What you get: 200MB or 75 minutes every month for installing an app on your pnone that plays adverts.You can also install 2talk ​for an additional 15 free minutes a month to New Zealand landlines. 
Price: $0
Link: skinny.co.nz
Good use for 2GB of monthly data which you can rollover to a maximum of 3.5GB. The value of Spotify ($14.99/month) and Lightbox ($12.99/month) brings the data/minutes/text cost down to ~$12 a month if you paid outright for these subscriptions. 
 
You'll need to commit to a 12-month contract, and the bonus 1GB per month data is only for the first 12 months.
 
This is a fairly decent meaty all-inclusive offering from Spark, although 2GB may be a bit of a challenge for more aggressive data users. It's available to new customers, and existing Spark customers who want to change plan. 

Need-to-knows
  • No top up needed, just get the SIM and install the apps
  • Watch the video outlining the offer for more details. 
  • Tethering is permitted within your data allowance.
  • You can keep your existing number