The best tablet data plans in 2025

If you're looking for the best tablet plans without the expensive price tag you're in the right place.

With MVNOs (or Mobile Virtual Network Operators) you'll find affordable data-only plans for your tablet starting from as little as $10 a month, and powered by the same US networks there's no sacrifice on quality coverage.

Offering prepaid data plans, you don't need to worry about overage charges, you only pay for what you need.

We've compared the best tablet plans below to help you find the right data-only plan for your tablet.

Tello offers the best data only plan for low data users

Tello unlimited data only plan for $10/mo

• T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
• No talk and text with 5GB data
• Instant online activation

5

Read our Tello review

See at Tello

If you're looking for a budget-friendly data-only plan, Tello delivers high-speed data on T-Mobile's network with no contracts, no hidden fees, and total flexibility.

With customizable plans, you can choose only the data you need, whether for light browsing, remote work, or streaming on the go. Mobile hotspot is included with all plans, with a 5GB allowance on unlimited, letting you stay connected across multiple devices.

Getting started is easy-activate your plan instantly with eSIM, or have a SIM card shipped to your home for quick setup.

I looked into Metro by T-Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and Boost Mobile. Metro's plans cost more and require in-store activation. Ultra Mobile is good for international calling, but its pricing is higher. Boost Mobile offers competitive rates, but data plan choices are limited.

For a reliable, no-contract data plan at an unbeatable price, Tello is an excellent choice.

• Only pay for the data you need – Custom-build your plan for light, moderate, or heavy usage.
• Reliable 5G & 4G LTE speeds – Powered by T-Mobile's network, without the premium price.
• Quick and simple activation – eSIM setup in minutes, or get a physical SIM card shipped.

Visible offers the best unlimited data only plan

Visible unlimited data only plan for $25/mo

• Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
• No talk and text with unlimited data
• Instant online activation

3.4

Read our Visible review

See at Visible

Visible offers an affordable unlimited data plan on Verizon's network, providing reliable coverage with no contracts or extra fees.

For $25/month, you get unlimited data with mobile hotspot access, making it a great option for tablets, mobile hotspots, and other devices. Hotspot speeds are capped at 5-10 Mbps, but the overall data plan still delivers solid performance on Verizon's nationwide 5G & 4G LTE network.

With eSIM activation, you can set up your plan instantly, skipping the wait for a physical SIM card. While there are no family discounts or priority data options, Visible remains one of the most cost-effective unlimited data choices on Verizon's network. Support is available online only.

• Unlimited data for $25/month – Get reliable Verizon network coverage at an affordable price.
• Mobile hotspot included – Use your data on other devices, though hotspot speeds are limited to 5-10 Mbps.
• Quick and easy activation – Instant eSIM setup lets you start using your plan in minutes.

Total Wireless offers the best 100GB data only plan

Total Wireless 100GB data plan for $50/mo

• Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
• No talk and text with 100GB data
• Instant online activation

4

Read our Total Wireless review

See at Total Wireless

Total Wireless delivers a high-capacity data-only plan with 100GB of high-speed data for $60/month, giving you fast and reliable mobile internet on Verizon's 5G & 4G LTE network.

Designed for tablets, mobile hotspots, and other data-heavy devices, this plan ensures smooth streaming, video calls, and work-from-anywhere flexibility.

Unlike many prepaid options, this plan offers higher speeds and a generous data cap, but it doesn't include multi-line discounts or unlimited data. Support is available online only, making it ideal for independent users who prefer managing their plan digitally.

• 100GB of high-speed data – Perfect for remote work, online gaming, or high-definition streaming.
• Verizon's coverage – Strong 5G & 4G LTE service for mobile broadband users.
• No contracts, no hidden fees – Flat $60/month pricing with total plan flexibility.

How to choose the best data plan for tablets

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 best AT&T data plan for tablets

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan

• AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
• Unlimited talk and text
• Unlimited data

$25/mo

See at Boost Mobile

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

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

Check out our review of the best AT&T tablet data plans

The best T-Mobile data plan for tablets

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

Check out our review of the best T-Mobile tablet data plans

The best Verizon data plan for tablets

Check out our review of the best Verizon tablet data plans

Compare the cheapest data plans for tablets

Tablet data plans FAQs

Recap: What is the best data plan for tablets?

The best prepaid tablet data plans will be different for everyone, depending on how much data you want, network coverage, budget, and other wireless service needs.

MVNOs operate on the same main wireless networks so that you can check coverage details in your area for the best low-cost carrier for you.

Data plan guides

• Best Data Only Plans
• Best Tablet Data Plans
• Best iPad Data Plans
• The Best Mobile Hotspot Plans
• Best BYOD Plans
• Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans
• Best Data Only Plans on Verizon
• Best Data Only Plans on AT&T
• Best Data Only Plans on T-Mobile

How we choose the best providers and data plans

To select the best carriers and data plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.

Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:

1. Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
2. Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
3. Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
4. Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
5. Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.

Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.

We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.