5G is now available with low-cost SIM-only and prepaid plans. Among the offers checked below, SIM.de lists a 25 GB plan at €6.99 per month; three prepaid plans with 25 GB cost €8.99 every four weeks. Coverage, data usage, contract length and total cost also matter when choosing a plan.
Prices checked on 1 November 2026. These examples are German smartphone plans without a new handset. The SIM.de offer is advertised until 3 November at 11:00. Extra promotional data and switching bonuses are excluded from the comparison.
Low-cost 5G plans: a current selection
The table compares four offers with 25 GB each. It helps put base prices and billing periods into context. Smaller packages may cost less if you use little data; if you stream frequently away from Wi-Fi, include larger packages in your comparison.
| Plan | Data allowance | Base price | Billing |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM.de 25 GB (promotion) | 25 GB | 6,99 € | per month |
| LIDL Connect Smart S 5G | 25 GB | 8,99 € | every 4 weeks |
| ALDI TALK Kombi-Paket S | 25 GB | 8,99 € | every 4 weeks |
| ja! mobil Prepaid Smart | 25 GB | 8,99 € | every 4 weeks |
How to read the table: Base prices exclude a handset and any extra charges or credits. A starter pack, activation fee, top-up and temporary benefits can change the amount you pay initially. SIM.de offers contract variants with different activation charges, among other differences. Check the selected variant in the contract summary. Sources: SIM.de, LIDL Connect, ALDI TALK and ja! mobil.
Monthly or every four weeks: compare like with like
Four weeks means 28 days. That plan renews more often than one billed monthly. To compare prices, spread the four-week charge across a calendar year: price × 365 ÷ 28 ÷ 12. A charge of €8.99 every four weeks works out at approximately €9.77 per calendar month.
For a monthly contract, add the base charges over your chosen period, the activation fee and mandatory extras. Then subtract credits you can reliably obtain and divide the total by the number of months. Include cashback only when you can meet its conditions and reasonably expect the payment.
Worked example using hypothetical figures: 24 months at €9.99 plus a €19.99 activation fee total €259.75, or about €10.82 per month.
How much data do you need?
Start with your usage over the last three months. Your provider’s app usually shows billed mobile data; your phone can also break usage down by application. Allow some headroom for travel, navigation and months when you use less Wi-Fi.
- Mostly Wi-Fi, little video on the move: A small data package may be enough. Compare its price with the next size up.
- Regular streaming and tethering: Check actual usage and the speed available after the allowance runs out. Buying extra data can become expensive.
- Unlimited on demand: Check whether you have to activate extra data packages manually. That works differently in everyday use from a continuously unlimited allowance.
Check coverage where you use the phone
Check your home, workplace and regular journeys on coverage maps. The Federal Network Agency’s mobile monitoring map predicts outdoor coverage. For indoor use, test a suitable SIM at the actual location. Our availability guide and article on 5G coverage and range explain how to do this.
5G access requires an enabled plan and a compatible smartphone. The plan may cap the data rate, while radio conditions and cell load also affect performance. Check eSIM, VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling and roaming if you need them. See 5G frequencies and bands for the radio background.
Six checks before changing plans
- Check data usage and coverage where you use the service.
- Write down the base charge, billing period, activation cost and any later price changes.
- Read the terms for throttling, automatic paid data add-ons or manual top-ups.
- Check the minimum term and notice period of both your existing and new contracts.
- Ask the new provider to port your number and match the account details. Porting a mobile number before the old contract ends leaves that contract running until its end date.
- Save the contract summary and check the selected plan variant before ordering.
Number porting is free of charge. A contract that has automatically renewed after its minimum term can be cancelled with one month’s notice. The Federal Network Agency explains switching providers and porting numbers and contract terms.
Are you choosing a plan for a 5G router?
For a home connection, the comparison changes: household data usage, permission to use the SIM in a router, any address restriction, upload speed, telephony and remote access to your home network all matter. See Switching from DSL to LTE or 5G and our 5G router article.
Sources and maintaining this comparison
Checked on 1 November 2026 against the directly linked provider information. The selection contains four 25 GB offers and covers part of the market. When ordering, use the contract summary, price list and service description shown at that time. Provider links in this article are ordinary source links without affiliate identifiers.
- SIM.de: current plans and contract variants.
- LIDL Connect: Smart S 5G product information sheet.
- ALDI TALK: Kombi-Paket S and ja! mobil: Prepaid Smart.
- Federal Network Agency: mobile coverage, plus the provider-switching and contract guidance linked above.