The Best Hotspot SIM Card in 2023

What is the best data SIM cards for hotspots?
Boost Mobile: 5GB data SIM for $15/mo
99% coverage 4G & 5G speed Bring your phone No contracts
1GB 4G/5G Data
$6 per month
Network: T-Mobile
2GB 4G/5G Data
$10 per month
Network: Verizon & T-Mobile
View Plan * 100 Days FREE Trial
5GB 4G/5G Data
$15 per month
Network: AT&T & T-Mobile
10GB 4G/5G Data
$20* per month
Network: T-Mobile
View Plan * Only $60 for 3 Months
Unltd 4G/5G Data
$29 per month
Network: T-Mobile
2GB 4G/5G Data
$10 per month
Network: AT&T & T-Mobile
5GB 4G/5G Data
$15 per month
Network: T-Mobile
6GB 4G/5G Data
$20 per month
Network: Verizon & T-Mobile
View Plan * 100 Days FREE Trial
15GB 4G/5G Data
$25* per month
Network: T-Mobile
View Plan * Only $75 for 3 Months
Unltd 4G/5G Data
$12.50* per month
Network: AT&T & T-Mobile
View Plan * 50% Off First Month
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Disclaimer: MoneySavingPro is a free price comparison service but we do not provide service directly. We do our best to keep all the information up to date but there may be some discrepancies between the price you pay.

Big savings, no compromises
Nationwide Coverage Powered by the major networks
Bring your own phone Keep your existing phone and number
5G & 4G data speeds Same fast speeds as the big guys
No contracts Flexible and commitment-free
Customize your plan Only pay for what you use
Buy online No need to visit a store
Lady floating over network logos
Stop the Unlimited Data Plan Rip Off!
Carrier Network Data Price   Annual  
Verizon Verizon 4G & 5G Unlimited* $80/mo $960/yr
US Mobile Verizon 4G & 5G 5GB $15/mo $180/yr
*Avg. data usage only 3-5GB Savings $65/mo Savings $780/yr
By
Rob Webber
Rob Webber

Rob Webber

Founder

About Rob

Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

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5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services

- Last updated on January 20th, 2023

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No matter how much data you're looking for, the cheapest hotspot SIM card can be found with low-cost carriers like US Mobile.

MVNOs, operate on the same cell towers as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile so depending on the carrier you choose you'll receive the same nationwide coverage, but at half the price.

We've compared the cheapest hotspot SIM card deals from all low-cost carriers to help you find the cheapest hotspot SIM card.

Best Hotspot SIM Card
Tello SIM card vertical

Tello: Cheapest SIM card for hotspot

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

0 mins

0 texts

1GB 4G/5G Data

$6
5
Pros
  • No contract. No bulk buying.

  • 24/7 friendly customer support

  • 4G LTE/5G nationwide coverage

  • Free Hotspot & Wi-Fi Calling

  • Free international calls to 60+ countries

Cons
  • No roaming

  • Coverage in rural areas

This Tello SIM kit includes 1GB data for $6 for 1 month of wireless service. Tello internet plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Tello review

Tello Plans
  • Tello SIM card: $6/mo

  • Tello SIM card: $10/mo

  • Tello SIM card: $15/mo

  • Tello SIM card: $20/mo

  • Tello SIM card: $25/mo

  • Tello SIM card: $29/mo

See Tello phone plans

US Mobile SIM card vertical

US Mobile: Best prepaid SIM card for hotspots

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless network coverage

0 mins

0 texts

4GB 4G/5G Data

$15

* 100 Days FREE Trial

4.5
Pros
  • Flexible, no contract plans

  • 24/7 customer service

  • 5G coverage available

Cons
  • No international calling

  • Phone selection

This US Mobile SIM kit includes 4GB data for $15 for 1 month of wireless service. US Mobile internet plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read US Mobile review

US Mobile Plans
  • US Mobile SIM card: $10/mo

  • US Mobile SIM card: $15/mo

  • US Mobile SIM card: $20/mo

  • US Mobile SIM card: $26/mo

See US Mobile phone plans

Mint Mobile SIM card vertical

Mint Mobile: Best hotspot SIM card for 5G

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

0 mins

0 texts

10GB 4G/5G Data

$20*

* Only $60 for 3 Months

4.5
Pros
  • Offers the latest phones with 0% finance

  • Prepay months in bulk for more savings

  • Reliable network coverage

  • Works with most GSM phones

Cons
  • No family plans

  • Minimum 3 months

This Mint Mobile SIM kit includes 10GB data for $20 for 3 months of wireless service. Mint Mobile internet plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Mint Mobile review

Mint Mobile Plans
  • Mint Mobile SIM card: $15/mo

  • Mint Mobile SIM card: $20/mo

  • Mint Mobile SIM card: $25/mo

See Mint Mobile phone plans

Tello SIM card vertical

Tello: Best hotspot SIM card for unlimited

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

0 mins

0 texts

Unlimited 4G/5G Data

$29

Cheapest SIM cards for mobile hotspots

Carrier

Network

Data

Price

Tello SIM card - Horizontal Tello

T-Mobile

1GB

$6/mo

US Mobile SIM card - Horizontal US Mobile

Verizon & T-Mobile

2GB

$10/mo

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile

AT&T & T-Mobile

5GB

$15/mo

Mint Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Mint Mobile

T-Mobile

10GB

$20/mo

Tello SIM card - Horizontal Tello

T-Mobile

Unltd

$29/mo


Mobile hotspot SIM card benefits

  • Lower price: MVNOs offer affordable plans when purchasing a SIM card with one of these low-cost carriers. With all the same options available, even the best GPS tracker SIM card deals, but at half the price of going direct to one of the big three.

  • Same excellent coverage: You'll find a great selection of deals on an AT&T data SIM card, Verizon data SIM card, or T-Mobile data SIM card. Being powered by the main networks, you'll get access to the same good coverage.

  • No annual contracts: With the best prepaid data SIM card deals they offer a monthly rolling contract, with no 24 or 12 months commitment or hidden fees.

  • 4G LTE data speeds: Operating on the same US networks, you'll have access to the nationwide 4G LTE data speeds.

  • 5G network: If your mobile device is compatible you can find deals on the best 5G SIM card with low-cost carriers, offering 5G at no extra cost on their data-only SIM cards.

  • Unlimited plans: If you use a lot of data for browsing the internet, video streaming, listening to music or you're looking for the best hotspot SIM card for tethering, the good news is you can get unlimited hotspot data for half the price.

  • Mobile devices: You'll find a range of the best iPad SIM card and the best Tablet SIM card deals to help you stay connected with a data-only SIM card for your device.

  • High-speed hotspot data: Ideal for travelers, you can stay connected on your laptop, even if there's no WiFi using cellular networks.


Best hotspot SIM card on T-Mobile

Tello 5GB plan

0 mins

0 texts

5GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo

T-Mobile wireless network

Compare: T-Mobile hotspot SIM cards


Best hotspot SIM card on Verizon

US Mobile 15GB plan * 100 Days FREE Trial

0 mins

0 texts

15GB

4G/5G data

$26 /mo

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless networks

Compare: Verizon hotspot SIM cards


Best hotspot SIM card on AT&T

Red Pocket 5GB plan

0 mins

0 texts

5GB

4G/5G data

$25 /mo

AT&T & Verizon wireless networks

Compare: AT&T hotspot SIM cards


What is a hotspot SIM card?

A data only SIM card is a SIM card that doesn't come with any minutes or text messages. You only receive data.

Prepaid data SIM cards are absolutely perfect if you need an iPad SIM and you want to go online but there's no WiFi available.

Those who would use a data-only SIM card are mainly those who have a data-only device, like an iPad or a hotspot device. That way, they can access the internet in areas where WiFi is not accessible. For instance, say that WiFi is not accessible in a certain location but the 4G LTE or 5G wireless network is available.

Someone in need of internet access for business, school, etc. would then be able to secure mobile broadband internet via tablet or mobile hotspot and bring your own phone plan. That way, the person can connect to the internet and check anything essential.

Hotspot SIM card sizes

There are different sizes of SIM cards. What you need for a SIM card size is dependent on the device you own.

Most mobile hotspots require a nano SIM card. While older hotspots may require either a micro SIM card or a standard SIM card.

Most SIM cards are 3-in-1 tri-cut, meaning that they're one size fits all. Simply cut the card to the size you need to fit the device.

Switch to a cheap hotspot data plan

Switching to a cheaper carrier is simple.

  1. Pick a plan. Consider how many connected devices you have and then choose the amount of data you need. Not sure? Get a clearer picture with our data usage calculator.

  2. Prepare to make the switch. Make sure your current account is paid up and in good standing. If you're bringing a mobile hotspot device with you, make sure it's unlocked to use on another carrier.

  3. Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your new one is ready to go. You'll get a data only SIM card from your new provider. Follow their instructions to activate your new plan.


Hotspot SIM card FAQs

Can I get a SIM card for my hotspot?

Yes. You can get a cheap prepaid data SIM card which is ideal for mobile hotspots and tablets.

What is the best mobile hotspot SIM card?

The best hotspot data plan depends on how much data you need and your budget. Estimate how much data you really use so you're only paying for what you need.

What is the cheapest hotspot data SIM card?

The cheapest data only SIM cards start at $5 per month. Low-cost carriers have a selection of data plans so you only need to pay for the data you use.


Recap

With MVNOs the cheapest hotspot SIM card is easy to purchase online and is sent straight to your door.

If you're looking to get an unlimited hotspot allowance, make sure to check the carrier's fine print as unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited.

With a hotspot SIM card, you can use it with your hotspot devices to tether your laptop so you can check emails, browse the internet, and more even when there's no Wi-Fi connection.