By Rob Webber - Last updated on
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No matter how much data you need, you'll find the best data-only plans from a Mobile Virtual Network Operator who could save you hundreds of dollars without compromising quality.
MVNOs operate on the same cell towers as the main US networks, but with plans at half the price, they offer the best budget option.
We've compared all data-only plans from MVNOs to help you find the best options for you.
How much is a data only plan?
Tello: Best prepaid data only plan
US Mobile: Best data only plan for iPads
Mint Mobile: Best data only plan for 5G coverage
Tello: Best data only plan for unlimited data
Red Pocket: Best data only plan for mobile hotspots
- 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
- 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
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 10GB
- Price
- $20/mo** Only $60 for 3 Months
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* * Only $45 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile 10GB |
10GB |
$20* * Only $60 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile 15GB |
15GB |
$25* * Only $75 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data |
Unlimited |
$30* * Only $90 for 3 Months |
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
- 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
- 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
Best prepaid data only 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** Only $60 for 3 Months |
| Tello Unlimited plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $29/mo |
Data only plan benefits
With a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, you'll find an affordable price on data-only mobile plans for tablets and other mobile gadgets.
There's a variety of deals including mobile hotspot and 5G internet plans, so you'll find something suitable for everyone. Whether it's for watching Netflix, checking emails, or browsing the internet.
- Same nationwide coverage: Operating on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon's networks you'll get the same cellular service you're used to. You can find the best coverage in your area with our coverage map.
- Low price: MVNO data-only plans offer a good choice of plans at budget-friendly prices.
- No long-term commitment: There's no need to be stuck in an expensive contract that doesn't work for you. With MVNOs there's no contract, so you can change carriers at any time to make sure you have the best option for you.
- Bring your own device: With technology ever-changing, you don't have to upgrade to the latest device with these low-cost carriers. They give you the option to bring your own device so there's no hefty upfront fee.
Data only plan features
- 4G LTE data speeds: Get access to 4G LTE data internet speed from wireless providers, helping you to stream video, listen to music or browse the internet.
- 5G speeds: With an MVNO, 5G is supplied at no extra cost. As long as your phone is compatible, you can access top speeds where it's available.
- Mobile hotspots: Whether you have a separate hotspot device or you want to use your phone's hotspot, a data-only plan with a low-cost carrier offers the best budget option.
- Unlimited data: How much data do you need? If you're looking to get an unlimited data only plan you'll find a range of affordable options with wireless providers like Mint Mobile.
Best data only plan on T-Mobile
Compare: T-Mobile data only plans
Best data only plan on Verizon
0 mins
0 texts
6GB
4G/5G data
$20 /mo
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Compare: Verizon data only plans
Best data only plan on AT&T
Compare: AT&T data only plans
Carrier network coverage
| NETWORK | OVERALL | RELIABILITY | SPEED | DATA | CALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Coverage | 95 | 96 | 94 | 96 | 94 |
| AT&T Coverage | 94 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 92 |
| T-Mobile Coverage | 86 | 88 | 82 | 89 | 82 |
Source: Rootmetrics
Carrier customer service
Wondering about customer support with a smaller company? On average MVNOs score much higher customer ratings than the major carriers. Check out the comparison chart below:
| 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 data only plans
Price is just one factor to consider when shopping for a data only plan for laptops, tablets or WiFi hotspot devices.
- Coverage: Data only SIM cards give you an internet connection over a cellular network. So you want to make sure you pick the one with the best coverage in your area. All three major networks have pretty solid nationwide coverage. For the best rural network coverage look at smaller carriers that offer Verizon data only plans. In urban areas T-Mobile data only plans offer great service and extensive 5G coverage.
- Speed: You need your plan to keep up with your demanding data only devices. With a mobile internet plan on one of the major 4G LTE networks you shouldn't have any issues with speed. The only time you might run into a problem is if you run out of high-speed data. Even unlimited data only plans usually have a data cap. Once you've hit it you might experience 2G or 3G data speeds for the rest of the billing cycle.
- Data allowance: Low cost carriers are known for their flexibility. Customize your plan to fit your needs, whether that's 1GB or 20GB of high-speed data per month. You can get unlimited tablet data, just keep in mind that unlimited doesn't mean unlimited at 4G and 5G speeds. It's simple to add more high-speed data if you need to though.
Switch to a cheap data only plan
Don't worry if you've already got a data only plan. Switching is simple.
- Pick a plan. Consider how many connected devices you have and then choose the amount of data you need. Not sure? Get a clearer picture with our data usage calculator.
- Prepare to make the switch. Make sure your current account is paid up and in good standing. If you're bringing a mobile hotspot device with you, make sure it's unlocked to use on another carrier.
- Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your new one is ready to go. You'll get a data only SIM card from your new provider. Follow their instructions to activate your new plan.
Data only plans FAQS
Who has the best data only plan?
The best value data only plans are available from low-cost carriers such as Tello, Mint Mobile, and US Mobile with plans ranging from just $6-30 per month.
Who has the cheapest unlimited data only plan?
Tello offers the cheapest unlimited data only plan, it costs only $29 per month.
Recap
With Mobile Virtual Network Operators you'll find a low price on a data-only plan without sacrificing features or coverage.
Data-only plans are a great way to stay connected to the internet using cellular service when there's no Wi-Fi available. Operating on the main US networks, you'll get the same internet speed with 4G LTE data or 5G speeds, where it's available.
If you're looking for unlimited plans, there's plenty to choose from at an affordable price, however, is it truly unlimited data? Make sure to check the carrier's fine print as unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited.
| Carrier | Best for... | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tello |
Best prepaid data plan | 1GB | $6/mo |
 US Mobile |
Best iPad data plan | 4GB | $15/mo |
 Mint Mobile |
Best 5G data plan | 10GB | $20/mo |
|
Tello |
Unlimited data plan | Unltd | $29/mo |
 Red Pocket |
Best hotspot data plan | 20GB | $40/mo |
Rob has 15+ years experience in the US and UK running price comparison sites for cell phone plans, smartphone deals, TV, and internet. He loves thinking outside of the box to build tools that empower consumers to make more informed decisions.