How to choose the best value data only 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 cheap 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 prepaid data plans to ensure you find the best deal.
The cheapest T-Mobile data plan
T-Mobile vs Tello comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Tello | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | ||
Check out our review of the cheapest T-Mobile data only plans
The cheapest Verizon data plan
- Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- No talk and text
- 10GB data
Verizon vs US Mobile comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $684 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| US Mobile | Verizon 4G & 5G | 10GB | $18/mo | $216/yr |
| Savings | $57/mo | $684/yr | ||
Check out our review of the cheapest Verizon data only plans
The cheapest AT&T data plan
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data
AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Boost Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | ||
Check out our review of the cheapest AT&T data only plans
Compare the cheapest prepaid data only plans
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 5GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $10/mo |
| Mint Mobile 15GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $15/mo |
| US Mobile unlimited data plan | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $15/mo |
| Visible unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
| Boost Mobile unlimited data plan | AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
Data only plans FAQs
Data-only plans are normally used for tablets or mobile hotspots. They're plans that only include a data limit, no calls, and texts, and are ideal if you need to access the internet while you're on the go.
MVNOs have a wide range of data-only plans. Operating on the same cell service as the three major networks, you can expect the same coverage, but these alternative carriers offer low-cost plans starting from around $6 a month.
Recap: What is the cheapest data only plan?
Looking for internet access on the go? MVNOs offer a wide selection of data-only plans at a fraction of the cost of going direct to Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
Operating on the same networks as the big three, you don't have to sacrifice quality for affordability. With carriers like US Mobile and Red Pocket, you'll find data-only plans starting at under $10 monthly.
You could opt for a set data plan rather than an unlimited one to save money. After all, unlimited never really means unlimited, and on average, we only tend to use around 3 to 5GB of data per month.
Cheap data plan guides
- The Cheapest Data Plans for Tablets
- The Cheapest Data Plans for iPads
- The Cheapest Hotspot Plans
- Best Prepaid Data Plans for Tablets
- Best Prepaid Data Plans for iPad
- Best Prepaid Hotspot Plans
- Best Prepaid Internet Service
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
