Looking for the best 5G Internet plan? With MVNOs you'll find a great selection of data only plans with a range of data limits including unlimited.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are alternative carriers that are powered by the main US networks, offer all the same perks, but with plans starting as low as $5 per month. You could save yourself up to $600 a year on your cell phone bill with one of their low-cost plans.
We've broken down some of the best 5G data only plans below including pros and cons to help you find the best deal for you.
5G internet plans
Tello 1GB plan: Best prepaid 5G internet plan
US Mobile 4GB plan: Best 5G internet plan for iPads
Mint Mobile 10GB plan: Best 5G internet plan for hotspots
Tello Unlimited plan: Best 5G internet plan for unlimited data
Red Pocket 20GB plan: Best 5G internet plan for tablets
Best prepaid 5G internet plan
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 1GB
- Price
- $6/mo
This Tello data only plan includes 1GB data for only $6 per month. Tello internet plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Tello Unlimited Talk & Text | 0GB | $8 |
Tello 1GB | 1GB | $10 |
Tello 2GB | 2GB | $14 |
Tello 5GB | 5GB | $19 |
Tello 10GB | 10GB | $24 |
Tello Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $29 |
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
Best 5G internet plan for iPads
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 4GB
- Price
- $15/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial
This US Mobile data only plan includes 4GB data for only $15 per month. US Mobile internet plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks.
| Plan | Data | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
US Mobile 500MB | 500MB | $5 | ||
US Mobile Unlimited Talk & Text | 0GB | $8 | ||
US Mobile 2GB | 2GB | $12 | ||
US Mobile 5GB | 5GB | $15 | ||
US Mobile 15GB | 15GB | $20 | ||
US Mobile 25GB | 25GB | $25 | ||
US Mobile Unlimited Data Basic | Unlimited | $35 | ||
US Mobile Unlimited Data Premium | Unlimited | $45 | ||
* FREE 10-Day Trial | ||||
Pros
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
Cons
No international calling
Phone selection
Best 5G internet plan for hotspots
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 10GB
- Price
- $20/mo
This Mint Mobile data only plan includes 10GB data for only $20 per month. Mint Mobile internet plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Mint Mobile 4GB | 4GB | $15 |
Mint Mobile 10GB | 10GB | $20 |
Mint Mobile 15GB | 15GB | $25 |
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $30 |
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
Best 5G internet plan for unlimited data
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $29/mo
This Tello data only plan includes unlimited data for only $29 per month. Tello internet plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Tello Unlimited Talk & Text | 0GB | $8 |
Tello 1GB | 1GB | $10 |
Tello 2GB | 2GB | $14 |
Tello 5GB | 5GB | $19 |
Tello 10GB | 10GB | $24 |
Tello Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $29 |
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
Best 5G internet plan for tablets
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 20GB
- Price
- $40/mo
This Red Pocket data only plan includes 20GB data for only $40 per month. Red Pocket internet plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Red Pocket 500MB - 12 Mths | 500MB | $5 * Only $60 for 12 Mths Service |
Red Pocket 3GB - 12 Mths | 3GB | $15* * Only $180 for 12 Mths Service |
Red Pocket 10GB - 12 Mths | 10GB | $23* * Only $270 for 12 Mths Service |
Red Pocket 25GB - 12 Mths | 25GB | $30* * Only $360 for 12 Mths Service |
Red Pocket 100GB - 12 Mths | 100GB | $38* * Only $450 for 12 Mths Service |
Pros
Nationwide coverage
No contracts
Latest selection of phones
Cons
Account dashboard needs work
No 0% financing options on latest phones
Customer service
Cheapest 5G internet plans
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB plan | 1GB | T-Mobile | $6/mo |
| US Mobile 2GB plan | 2GB | Verizon & T-Mobile | $10/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Boost Mobile 5GB plan | 5GB | AT&T & T-Mobile | $5/mo** 66% Off for 3 Months |
| Mint Mobile 10GB plan | 10GB | T-Mobile | $20/mo |
| Tello Unlimited plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $29/mo |
5G internet benefits
Mobile Virtual Network Operators offer affordable prices to get access to faster data speeds with their 5G internet plans.
Whether you're looking for 5G home internet or 5G internet on the go, there's something for everyone with a range of benefits.
- Save money: Wireless providers offer cheap data only plans that can reduce your phone bill by up to $600 a year.
- Good coverage: Using the same networks as the three main providers, you'll get the coverage reliability that you're used to.
- No commitment: No annual contract means no early termination fees if you want to amend your plan or changes carriers, you can cancel at any time.
- Custom plans: Pick how much data you want, ranging from 1GB up to unlimited.
5G internet features
- 5G home internet: For qualifying customers, 5G wireless could be ideal if you're in a rural area and could be a competitor to satellite internet.
- 4G LTE data speeds: If 5G is unavailable in your area, you'll get access to their high-speed 4G LTE data speeds.
- Unlimited data: If you're a heavy data user, you can get an unlimited data plan at half the cost compared with one from one of the big three.
Best 5G internet provider on T-Mobile
Compare: T-Mobile 5G internet plans
Best 5G internet provider on Verizon
Compare: Verizon 5G internet plans
Best 5G internet provider on AT&T
Compare: AT&T 5G internet plans
Carrier customer service
As you can see in the comparison chart below smaller carriers crush the competition in terms of customer service:
| CARRIER | TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
|---|---|
| Tello | 4.6 |
| US Mobile | 4.6 |
| Red Pocket Mobile | 4.5 |
| T-Mobile | 1.5 |
| Verizon | 1.3 |
| AT&T | 1.2 |
Comparing 5G internet providers
Price is just one aspect of choosing a data only plan for laptops, tablets, or mobile hotspot devices.
- Coverage: All three major networks now have some form of 5G coverage. T-Mobile has the most extensive 5G network, with AT&T coming in second and Verizon bringing up the rear. With 5G availability changing so quickly it's important to check the carrier's 5G coverage map to see how they measure up in your area.
- Speed: 5G speeds can vary quite a bit. For the most part you'll experience at least twice the speeds of 4G LTE data. In the few locations where ultra-wideband (or mmWave) 5G is available, you can get up to 10x times those speeds. Keep in mind that mmWave is still very sparse and only available in very localized areas, like big buildings and stadiums.
- Data allowance: Some MVNO monthly plans offer up to 20GB of high-speed data. Others have unlimited data only plans. Choose the provider that gives you the best fit. Most carriers make it easy to add more data if you run out before the billing cycle is over. Also bear in mind that unlimited data only plans aren't really unlimited. There's usually a data cap and when you reach it you'll be slowed to 3G speeds or lower.
- Device compatibility: In order to get the fastest wireless for your data only devices they need to be compatible with 5G technology. Just like with 5G cell phones there are now 5G compatible devices available like 5G tablets and mobile hotspot devices.
How to switch to a cheap 5G internet plan
Even if you already have a 5G data only plan switching is easy when you're ready to save money.
- Customize your plan. Pick a plan that fits your usage instead of overpaying for data you won't use. Not sure how much you need? Our data usage calculator can help with that.
- Prepare for the switch. If you already have a data only plan make sure your bill is paid off. Any mobile hotspot devices you own should be unlocked for use with another carrier.
- Set up your new plan. You'll get a data only SIM card from your new provider, either in the mail or from a store. Simply pop it into your tablet or mobile hotspot and follow the carrier's instructions to activate it.
5G internet FAQs
What is the best 5G internet plan?
The best value 5G prepaid plans are available from MVNOs running on the main wireless networks like US Mobile and Mint Mobile. They give you access to the same 5G coverage as the big network but at a significantly lower cost.
Which provider offers the cheapest unlimited 5G internet?
Tello offers the cheapest unlimited 5G internet plan, it costs only $29 per month.
Recap
Data only plans are ideal if you travel or are away from home and want the peace of mind knowing you can access the internet, and MVNOs can save you hundreds of dollars.
Operating on the three major networks, you'll get access to 5G where it's available depending on the network you choose.
You could save further money by estimating your monthly data usage. On average we only use around 3 to 5GB of data per month, so could you choose a set data plan rather than unlimited? Unlimited never really means unlimited, and with a data cap that once reached your speeds will be slowed considerably.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tello | Prepaid 5G internet | 0 | 0 | 1GB | $6/mo |
 US Mobile | iPad 5G internet | 0 | 0 | 4GB | $15/mo |
 Mint Mobile | Hotspot 5G internet | 0 | 0 | 10GB | $20/mo |
| Tello | Unlimited 5G internet | 0 | 0 | Unlimited | $29/mo |
 Red Pocket | Tablet 5G internet | 0 | 0 | 20GB | $40/mo |
