SIM Only Deals Under R100 | ContractDeals.co.za

Last updated: August 2026

SIM only deals under R100 are the entry point of the South African contract market. At this level you are buying a small amount of connectivity cheaply, and the useful thing to understand is what that realistically covers, because expectations set too high here lead to out-of-bundle charges that undo the saving.

Used deliberately, this tier is genuinely good value. Used as a main line by someone who streams video, it usually is not.

What this budget realistically covers

Allocations at this level suit light, predictable use. Messaging, email, navigation and browsing sit comfortably within most plans here. Video streaming does not, and is almost always the reason a bundle at this level runs out early.

That makes this tier well suited to a few specific situations rather than to general use.

A second line or backup SIM.
A phone used mainly on WiFi at home and work, needing data only in between.
A child’s first phone, where a small allocation is a feature rather than a limitation.
A tablet used occasionally away from WiFi.

The trap at this level

Out-of-bundle rates matter more here than in any other band, because small allocations run out sooner. A cheap plan plus regular out-of-bundle usage frequently costs more than a larger plan would have.

Before choosing, ask two things: what the out-of-bundle rate is, and whether spend can be capped. If you routinely exceed the allocation, stepping up to SIM only deals under R200 is usually cheaper than topping up repeatedly.

Compare by network

Provider	What to check
Telkom	Usually the largest allocation at this price.
Cell C	Competitive; confirm roaming quality locally.
MTN	Own network consistency.
Vodacom	Widest coverage, smallest allocation at this price.

Since no handset ties you in, switching later is easy. See networks.

Before you apply

Check your phone is unlocked and supports the bands.
Confirm porting to keep your number.
RICA — proof of identity and address.
Credit assessment on contract plans, at a low threshold at this level. Prepaid involves none.

See apply for a SIM only contract, SIM only deals, cheap SIM only deals or best contract deals South Africa.

Frequently asked questions

Is under R100 enough for a main phone?

Only if you are mostly on WiFi and do not stream video on mobile data. Otherwise a higher tier usually works out cheaper than repeated top-ups.

What uses up a small bundle fastest?

Video streaming, by a wide margin, followed by video calls and app updates over mobile data.

Is prepaid better at this level?

Prepaid avoids any commitment and any credit check, but generally costs more per gigabyte. Contract is cheaper per unit if you use it consistently.

Can I cap out-of-bundle spending?

Many providers allow it. Ask specifically, since this is the main risk at this tier.

Can I keep my number?

Yes. Number portability applies across South African providers.

More comparisons

Pricing, availability, bundle structures, coverage and approval criteria change regularly and are set by the provider. Confirm all current terms directly with the network before applying.