Last updated: August 2026
There is no single best contract deal. The best one depends on where you live, how much data you use and what you can carry for two years — so this page is a method rather than a list.
Step one: coverage, before anything else
The cheapest contract on a network with poor signal at your home is the worst deal available to you. Nothing else on this page matters until this is settled.
Test at the places you actually use your phone. See how to check network coverage.
Step two: size the allocation from your bills
Your last three months of usage will tell you what you need. Both directions cost money:
- Over-buying — paying monthly for data you never use
- Under-buying — out-of-bundle rates, which is where surprise bills come from
Step three: decide whether you need a handset at all
If your current phone still works, SIM-only is dramatically cheaper, easier to be approved for, and often month-to-month. This is the single biggest saving available to most people.
See SIM only vs phone contract and SIM only deals.
Step four: compare on the total
Monthly × term, plus any upfront amount. A lower monthly over a longer term routinely costs more — which is precisely why longer terms are advertised on the monthly figure.
Step five: check what happens when things change
Before signing, ask what early cancellation costs, whether out-of-bundle spending can be capped, and what an upgrade would involve. These are cheap questions to ask now and expensive ones to discover later.
See best contract deals South Africa, best network for phone contracts, cheapest cellphone contracts, which is the best phone contract and cellular contract deals.
Frequently asked questions
Which network has the best deals?
Whichever covers where you use your phone. Coverage comes first.
What is the biggest saving available?
Moving to SIM-only if your current phone still works.
How should I compare offers?
Monthly × term, plus upfront — never the monthly alone.
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Pricing, coverage and terms are set by providers and change regularly. This is general information, not financial advice.