Compare Hotspot Plans- Switch & save $600/yr

The cheapest hotspot plans: Starting at $6

Unlocking the most affordable hotspot plan is all about leveraging the competitive rates offered by low-cost carriers. You'll get the same coverage for a fraction of the cost without the worry of hidden fees and price hikes. Here are the best value providers to consider.

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Are you looking for the cheapest data plan for a mobile hotspot? At MoneySavingPro, our priority is to save you money, that's why we love Mobile Virtual Network Operators.

Also known as MVNOs, these low-cost carriers offer data plans starting under $10 per month and are powered by the main US networks, so you don't have to give up coverage that you love.

Data-only plans are great for peace of mind when you're traveling, so you know you'll always have access to the internet and below are some of the best deals to help you find the right plan for you.

Image of cell phone with Tello
Tello 2GB data plan
Best cheap data plan
$6/mo
Image of cell phone with Tello
Tello 10GB data plan
Best eSIM data plan
$15/mo
Image of cell phone with US Mobile
US Mobile unlimited data plan
Best unlimited data only plan
Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile 5GB data plan
Image of cell phone with Tello
Tello unlimited data plan
$25/mo

The best mobile hotspot plans in March 2024

Best cheap data plan

Tello 2GB data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$6/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$828 in annual savings

Best eSIM data plan

Tello 10GB data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
10GB
data
$15/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$720 in annual savings

Best unlimited data only plan

US Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with US Mobile
  • Verizon & T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$29/mo
See at US Mobile

*30 Day FREE Trial

5 Read our US Mobile review
$594 in annual savings

Mint Mobile 5GB data plan

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
5GB
data
$15/mo*
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2 Read our Mint Mobile review
$720 in annual savings

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

Red Pocket 20GB data plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T & Verizon coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
20GB
data
$40/mo
4.1 Read our Red Pocket review
$420 in annual savings

US Mobile 2GB data plan

Image of cell phone with US Mobile
  • Verizon & T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$10/mo*
See at US Mobile

*30 Day FREE Trial

5 Read our US Mobile review
$780 in annual savings

How to choose the best value hotspot data plan

What network coverage do you prefer?

Low-cost carriers operate on the same 5G & 4G LTE networks as major carriers. T-Mobile boasts the fastest 5G speeds, according to this Opensignal 5G experience report 2023. If there's a particular network you prefer, choose an MVNO that operates on that network. Use our coverage checker to find the best carrier coverage in your area.

How much data do you need?

Do you really need an unlimited data plan? The big wireless companies want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. However, if you spend most of your time at home or work on Wi-Fi, it's likely you won't use a lot of data for things like video streaming, and your usage will be much lower. You can choose a data plan tailored to your needs with cheap cell phone providers, meaning you can pay less if you use less data. But if you do choose an unlimited data plan, be aware that high-speed data is normally capped.

Is hotspot data included?

Most carriers allow mobile hotspot use but have a data cap on the amount of data that can be used via tethering. The limit depends on the carrier and plan you choose. Some carriers offer specific mobile hotspot plans.

What's the monthly price?

While big wireless unlimited plans cost around $75-90 per month, MVNOs offer the best prepaid data plans, ranging from $5-35 per month without sacrificing wireless coverage and data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some carriers include these in the price, whereas the major providers, such as Verizon and AT&T, don't.

How many lines do you need?

With big wireless, you only get the advertised price if you buy four lines. With MVNOs, the price you see is the price you pay, even for one line. Many low-cost carriers now offer additional discounts for multi-line plans.

Can I bring my own device or buy a new one?

While the big three love keeping their customers locked into a constant device upgrade cycle, MVNOs encourage you to bring your own device. This means you take back control and only change your device when it suits you.

Are there any promotions?

Big wireless promotions can seem good at a glance. But once you read the fine print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year contracts. Many MVNOs offer short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is much more transparent.

What perks are included?

Most big wireless plans include "free" TV subscriptions; however, these usually turn into a paid subscription that is automatically added to your bill a few months down the line. A few low-cost carriers, such as US Mobile, do offer plan options with free subscription services, but we generally recommend keeping these subscriptions separate so you don't end up paying for things you don't need.

How long is the contract?

Low-cost carriers have no contracts, offering more flexibility. However, some, like Mint Mobile, require you to sign up for a 3-month plan minimum, but their cheap data plans still offer better value for money than the big 3 wireless carriers.

Compare the best cheap data plans to ensure you find the best deal.


The cheapest T-Mobile hotspot plan

Tello unlimited data plan
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • No talk and text
  • Unlimited data
$25/mo
See at Tello

T-Mobile vs Tello comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year

Carrier Network Coverage 4G/5G Data Price Annual Cost
T-Mobile T-Mobile 4G & 5G Unlimited $75/mo $900/yr
Tello T-Mobile 4G & 5G Unlimited $25/mo $300/yr
Savings $50/mo $600/yr

Check out our review of the cheapest T-Mobile hotspot plans


The cheapest Verizon hotspot plan

US Mobile 10GB data plan
  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • No talk and text
  • 10GB data
$15/mo*
*$180 for 12 Mths Service
See at US Mobile

Verizon vs US Mobile comparison

Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $720 per year

Carrier Network Coverage 4G/5G Data Price Annual Cost
Verizon Verizon 4G & 5G Unlimited $75/mo $900/yr
US Mobile Verizon 4G & 5G 10GB $15/mo $180/yr
Savings $60/mo $720/yr

Check out our review of the cheapest Verizon hotspot plans


The cheapest AT&T hotspot plan

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
$12.50/mo*
*50% Off 1st Mth
See at Boost Mobile

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $612 per year

Carrier Network Coverage 4G/5G Data Price Annual Cost
AT&T AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited $75/mo $900/yr
Boost Mobile AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited $25/mo $288/yr
Savings $50/mo $612/yr

Check out our review of the cheapest AT&T hotspot plans


Compare the cheapest prepaid hotspot plans

Carrier Network Data Price
Red Pocket 1GB data plan AT&T & Verizon 5G/4G Coverage 1GB $10/mo
Tello 10GB data plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 10GB $15/mo
Mint Mobile 20GB data plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 20GB $15/mo $25/mo
Boost Mobile unlimited data plan AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $12.50/mo $25/mo
US Mobile unlimited data plan Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $15/mo $29/mo

Cheap hotspot plans FAQs


Recap: What is the best cheap hotspot plan?

Finding the best prepaid hotspot plan doesn't have to be overwhelming. With MVNOs, there's a variety of plans to suit all needs and budgets.

Customize your plan or go for unlimited data, with MVNOs, you have plenty of options to choose from.

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