The Best Prepaid Data SIM Card in 2023

What is the best prepaid data SIM?
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
We currently have no deals for that combination, please change the filters
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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.

Rob's Expertise

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 25th, 2023

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

You'll find the cheapest prepaid data SIM card deals from low-cost carriers like US Mobile and Mint Mobile.

These low-cost carriers, also known as MVNOs, are powered by the same major networks but with prices starting as low as $10 a month you could save up to $600 a year.

At MoneySavingPro we like to make it as easy as possible to find your perfect prepaid data SIM card, so we've compared the deals available from all MVNOs for you below.

Best Prepaid Data SIM Card
Tello SIM card vertical

Tello: Cheapest prepaid data SIM card

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 data SIM card for iPad

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 prepaid data SIM card for 5G coverage

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 prepaid data SIM card for unlimited data

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

0 mins

0 texts

Unlimited 4G/5G Data

$29
Red Pocket SIM card vertical

Red Pocket: Best prepaid data SIM card for hotspots

AT&T & Verizon wireless network coverage

0 mins

0 texts

20GB 4G/5G Data

$40
3.5
Pros
  • Nationwide coverage

  • No contracts

  • Latest selection of phones

Cons
  • Account dashboard needs work

  • No 0% financing options on latest phones

  • Customer service

This Red Pocket SIM kit includes 20GB data for $40 for 1 month of wireless service. Red Pocket internet plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T & Verizon 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read Red Pocket review

Red Pocket Plans
  • Red Pocket SIM card: $10/mo

  • Red Pocket SIM card: $25/mo

  • Red Pocket SIM card: $40/mo

See Red Pocket phone plans

Cheapest prepaid data only SIM cards

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


Prepaid data 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.


Cheapest prepaid data SIM on T-Mobile

Tello 5GB plan

0 mins

0 texts

5GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo

T-Mobile wireless network

Compare: T-Mobile data SIM cards


Cheapest prepaid data SIM on Verizon

US Mobile 6GB plan * 100 Days FREE Trial

0 mins

0 texts

6GB

4G/5G data

$20 /mo

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless networks

Compare: Verizon data SIM cards


Cheapest prepaid data SIM 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 data SIM cards


What is a prepaid data 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 a bring your own phone plan. That way, the person can connect to the internet and check anything essential.

Data 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.

The iPad requires a nano SIM card. While older tablets 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.

How to switch to a prepaid data SIM 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.


Prepaid data SIM card FAQs

Can I get a prepaid data SIM card?

Yes. You can get a cheap prepaid data SIM card which is ideal for tablets and iPads. Data only plans start at just $6 per month.

What is the best prepaid data SIM card?

The best prepaid 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 prepaid data SIM card?

The cheapest data SIM card starts 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

MVNOs like Ultra Mobile offer the cheapest prepaid data SIM card deals, while still giving you access to the same quality coverage.

With these prepaid data SIM cards, there's no long-term contract, so you have the freedom to amend your plan or cancel and change carriers at any time.

Depending on how much data you're looking for you could save hundreds of dollars on a data-only SIM card for your tablet or mobile device.