Best BYOD plans in 2024

Same coverage: Cut your bill by $600 per year

Big Wireless
$75
/mo
Unlimited data
$900/yr
vs
Tello on T-Mobile
Tello logo on tablet
$25
/mo
Unlimited data
$300/yr
See Deal
Visible on Verizon
Visible logo on tablet
$25
/mo
Unlimited data
$300/yr
See Deal
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If you're looking to bring your own device to another carrier and just want a data only plan that doesn't cost you hundreds every month, you've come to the right place.

At MoneySavingPro we love MVNOs. These low-cost carriers have plans starting from as low as $5 a month, and they operate on the major networks, so you don't have to sacrifice your coverage.

With a BYOD plan, you can choose from a range of data allowances and we've broken down some of the best below.

Best BYOD plans on T-Mobile

Top 3 data plans from low-cost carriers with T-Mobile coverage to consider.

Cheap T-Mobile data only plan

Tello 5GB data plan

Tello logo on tablet
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
5GB
data
$10/mo
5Read our Tello review
$780 in annual savings

Best value prepaid data plan on T-Mobile

Mint Mobile 15GB data plan

Mint Mobile logo on tablet
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
15GB
data
$15/mo*
$20/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2Read our Mint Mobile review
$675 in annual savings

Best unlimited data plan on T-Mobile

Tello unlimited data plan

Tello logo on tablet
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

Best BYOD plans on Verizon

Top 3 data plans from low-cost carriers with Verizon coverage to consider.

Cheap Verizon data only plan

Total Wireless 15GB data plan

Total Wireless logo on tablet
  • Verizon coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
15GB
data
$30/mo
2Read our Total Wireless review
$540 in annual savings

Best value prepaid data plan on Verizon

Total Wireless 40GB data plan

Total Wireless logo on tablet
  • Verizon coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
40GB
data
$40/mo
2Read our Total Wireless review
$420 in annual savings

Best unlimited data plan on Verizon

Visible unlimited data plan

Visible logo on tablet
  • Verizon coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
3.4Read our Visible review
$600 in annual savings

Best overall BYOD plan

Tello unlimited data plan

Tello logo on tablet
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • No talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

How to choose the best bring your own device 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 best AT&T BYOD plan

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
$25/mo*
*$25/mo forever!

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

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

CarrierNetwork Coverage4G/5G DataPriceAnnual Cost
AT&TAT&T 4G & 5GUnlimited$75/mo$900/yr
Boost MobileAT&T 4G & 5GUnlimited$25/mo$300/yr
Savings$50/mo$600/yr

Check out our review of the best AT&T BYOD plans


The best T-Mobile BYOD plan

Tello unlimited data plan
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • No talk and text
  • Unlimited data

T-Mobile vs Tello comparison

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

CarrierNetwork Coverage4G/5G DataPriceAnnual Cost
T-MobileT-Mobile 4G & 5GUnlimited$75/mo$900/yr
TelloT-Mobile 4G & 5GUnlimited$25/mo$300/yr
Savings$50/mo$600/yr

Check out our review of the best T-Mobile BYOD plans


The best Verizon BYOD plan

Check out our review of the best Verizon BYOD plans


Compare the cheapest BYOD plans

CarrierNetworkDataPrice
Tello 5GB data planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage5GB$10/mo
Ultra Mobile 10GB data planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage10GB$19/mo$29/mo
Mint Mobile 20GB data planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage20GB$15/mo$25/mo
Total Wireless 40GB data planVerizon 5G/4G Coverage40GB$40/mo
Visible unlimited data planVerizon 5G/4G CoverageUnltd$35/mo$45/mo

Bring your own device FAQs


Recap: What is the best MiFI plan?

Mobile Virtual Network Operators make it easy for you to bring your own device.

If you're not looking to upgrade to the latest gadget, you could save hundreds of dollars by just purchasing a data only SIM card kit from one of these carriers.

With low-cost carriers like Mint Mobile and Tello, you'll find the best value plans, and there are no contracts, so you have the flexibility to change your plan at any time.

Data plan guides

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.