The best AT&T data only plans in 2023
We compared the best data only plans on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks: Switch & save $600/yr
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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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Amanda has 20+ years of experience as an educator. Her teaching career, paired with her love for research and technology, has led her to MoneySavingPro. Her personal experience with eSIMs and MVNOs after switching her entire family away from big wireless in the last few years has taught her the ins and outs of the industry. And saved her hundreds per month.
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Last updated on November 15th, 2023
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Knowing you have a Wi-Fi connection even when you're away from home can bring peace of mind, and the best bit is that data only plans on the AT&T network don't have to be expensive.
At MoneySavingPro, we've got a great solution to soaring data plan bills with AT&T MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). Some of these low-cost carriers have been around for years, but they're now growing in popularity with good reason.
These affordable plans are powered by the AT&T network, so you'll receive the same coverage but with half-priced plans. You could save up to $600 per year with one of these alternative carriers.
Cheapest AT&T data plans in December
1. Best prepaid AT&T data only plan: Boost Mobile 2GB
- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks Boost Mobile operates on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- No talk and text
- 2GB data
- $780 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Boost Mobile 2GB vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$10/mo
Boost Mobile data only plans allow customers to enjoy the same 5G & 4G LTE network coverage on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks at a significantly lower cost.
Whether you're a casual or heavy user, there's a wide range of data allowances available, starting from 2GB and going all the way up to unlimited. Check out our review about the best AT&T prepaid hotspot plans.
Pros
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE coverage
- Wide range of data options
- Mobile hotspot access
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- International roaming is limited
- Boost Mobile offers various data allowances, including unlimited plans that provide up to 30GB of high-speed data for customers who require a significant amount of data usage.
- If mobile hotspot data is important to you, it's advisable to verify if your data-only plan includes this feature.
- Their international roaming options are limited and come at an extra expense. However, by utilizing an eSIM, customers have the option to add international roaming for over 100 countries.
2. Best AT&T data plan for tablets: Boost Mobile 5GB
- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks Boost Mobile operates on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- No talk and text
- 5GB data
- $750 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Boost Mobile 5GB vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$5/mo*
$15/mo*$15 for 3 months service
Boost Mobile data only plans allow customers to enjoy the same 5G & 4G LTE network coverage on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks at a significantly lower cost.
Whether you're a casual or heavy user, there's a wide range of data allowances available, starting from 2GB and going all the way up to unlimited. Check out our review about the best AT&T tablet plans.
Pros
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE coverage
- Wide range of data options
- Mobile hotspot access
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- International roaming is limited
3. Best AT&T data plan for hotspots: Boost Mobile Unlimited
- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks Boost Mobile operates on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- No talk and text
- Unlimited data
- $612.50 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Boost Mobile Unlimited vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo*50% Off 1st Mth
Boost Mobile data only plans allow customers to enjoy the same 5G & 4G LTE network coverage on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks at a significantly lower cost.
Whether you're a casual or heavy user, there's a wide range of data allowances available, starting from 2GB and going all the way up to unlimited. Check out our review about the best AT&T hotspot plans.
Pros
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE coverage
- Wide range of data options
- Mobile hotspot access
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- International roaming is limited
4. Best AT&T unlimited data only plan: Boost Infinite Unlimited
- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks Boost Infinite operates on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- No talk and text
- Unlimited data
- $600 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Boost Infinite Unlimited vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$25/mo*
* $25/mo Forever
Introducing the Boost Infinite plan - a single, all-inclusive package at a fixed price. Powered by the reliable AT&T and T-Mobile networks, Boost Infinite offers simplicity and convenience. For just $25, you can enjoy 5G connectivity on one of the leading networks, with unlimited data (up to 30GB of high-speed data). Check out our review about best AT&T unlimited hotspot plans.
Pros
- AT&T and T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G coverage
- Unlimited plan (capped at 30GB high-speed data)
- Set price of $25 a month
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- International features are an add-on
- For just $25, enjoy unlimited talk, text, and data (up to 30GB of high-speed data).
- There are no unexpected charges or undisclosed fees, only taxes. And there's no contract, so you can switch whenever you wish.
- Boost Infinite offers roaming in Mexico and Canada (with a limit of 1GB) but at an extra cost.
How to choose the best AT&T data only plan
Does AT&T have coverage in your area?
Various AT&T MVNOs operate on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network. According to a GSW Best Network OneScore (2022), AT&T outperforms the competition in terms of overall reliability. If you're a new AT&T customer, use our coverage map checker to find the best cellular coverage in your area.
How much data do you need?
Do you honestly need an unlimited data plan? Despite what AT&T may claim, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. So, if you're like me and spend most of your day on Wi-Fi while at home or work, your data usage is likely much lower. MVNOs offer tailored-made data plans, so you can get the best AT&T data only plan and only pay for what you use.
Is hotspot data included?
Most AT&T MVNOs allow hotspot data usage, but there may be limits, so read the fine print. There are a few AT&T unlimited hotspot plans if this is an important feature. Likewise, some AT&T low-cost carriers even provide AT&T data only plans on the AT&T network for select devices like iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots. Compare the best AT&T hotspot plans to find the perfect one for your needs.
What's the monthly cost?
While AT&T charges around $65-100 per month for unlimited data plans, the best AT&T tablet plans present budget-friendly data only plans ranging from $5-25 monthly, all without compromising coverage and data speeds. Beware of hidden fees and taxes; companies like AT&T will charge for data overages.
How many lines do you need?
With AT&T, you only get the advertised discounted price if you buy 4 lines. AT&T MVNOs offer straightforward pricing, whether you have one or more lines. And many low-cost carriers on the AT&T network now extend additional discounts for multi-line plans.
Can I bring my own device or buy a new one?
Unlike AT&T, which wants to keep you in the never-ending loop of device upgrades, MVNOs actually recommend bringing your own device to AT&T. This puts you back in control, allowing you to change your device only when it suits you. If you do have your heart set on buying a new device, many MVNOs provide financing options and refurbished device deals.
Are there any deals or promotions?
AT&T's promotions and bundling deals may appear enticing initially, but a closer look often reveals the need to purchase unnecessary items and commit to lengthy contracts. MVNOs frequently offer short-term introductory discounts for new customers with transparent pricing.
Are there any free perks?
AT&T has included "free" subscriptions in the past to premium channels like HBO Max, but these tend to turn into paid services and automatically hike your monthly bill after the introductory period. Even some affordable carriers, like US Mobile, have plan choices that include free subscription services. It's recommended to keep these subscriptions separate in order to prevent unnecessary expenses.
Don't forget to explore data only plans across all networks to secure the best coverage and deal for your needs.
AT&T data plans FAQs
Yes, you can get data only plans on the AT&T network. A low-cost carrier, such as Red Pocket Mobile, can offer plans at half the price while operating on the nationwide network.
Of course, the best value plan is based on personal needs. However, a data plan from an AT&T MVNO such as Red Pocket can provide a low-cost option.
Data only plans are designed for customers who primarily use data on their devices without the need for voice or text services. It's common for iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspot devices to have this type of data plan. These plans also typically come with larger data allowances compared to traditional phone plans, making them ideal for heavy data users without access to a Wi-Fi connection.
AT&T offers a variety of pricing options for data only plans. MVNO data only plans are your best bet to get the most data at the lowest price.
AT&T has a widespread and reliable network coverage for their data only plans. However, it's always recommended to check the coverage map for your specific location to ensure optimal service.
AT&T data only plans are compatible with a wide variety of devices. This includes smartphones, tablets, mobile hotspots, laptops with built-in cellular connectivity, and other devices that support data-only SIM cards.
Recap: What is the best data only plan on AT&T?
Choosing a data only plan from an AT&T MVNO can save you hundreds on your monthly bill.
Not all MVNOs offer data only plans. However, there are still plenty of plans that can provide you with what you need at an affordable price.
Data plan guides
- The 5 Best Data Only Plans
- The 5 Best Tablet Data Plans
- The 5 Best iPad Data Plans
- The 5 Best MiFi Plans
- The 5 Best BYOD Plans
- The 5 Best Prepaid Data Plans
- The 5 Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans
- The 5 Best 5G Hotspot Plans
- The Best Verizon Data Only Plans
- The Best AT&T Data Only Plans
- The Best T-Mobile Data Only Plans
MoneySavingPro methodology
At MoneySavingPro, we're all about finding and sharing affordable cell phone plans that offer the best value for money. We put a lot of care into looking at all the options out there, focusing on what's best for you, the consumer. Our goal is to help you save money by showing you cheaper alternatives to the expensive plans from the big wireless companies.
With over 10 years of experience in the industry, we intentionally don't recommend plans from the big wireless networks in our reviews. This is because of how they handle their pricing and fees and their lack of transparency.
AT&T MVNOs operate on the same AT&T network, and we research each AT&T low-cost carrier with the features and benefits it offers. This includes coverage, easy activation, eSIM compatibility, multiline discounts, and special discounts for specific demographics such as military, students, seniors, and more.
We also examine additional perks like pay-as-you-go options, unlimited plans, kids plans, senior plans, and smartwatch plans, evaluating them for their individual benefits and overall value.
We did consider these other AT&T alternatives, Cricket Wireless, Straight Talk, and Consumer Cellular, but we discounted them because we still don't consider these to be good value for money.
We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content every 3 months. To make sure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.
