Choosing the best iPad cellular data plans is easy with Mobile Virtual Network Operators (also known as MVNOs).
Offering a range of cheap data-only plans to choose from, you don't have to sacrifice quality for the price. Operating on the main US networks, you'll receive the same coverage you're used to, but at half the price.
We've selected the best iPad data-only plans across all low-cost carriers to help you find the best deal for you.
Cheapest iPad cellular plans in 2023
Tello 1GB plan: Best cheap iPad data plan
US Mobile 4GB plan: Best prepaid data plan for iPad
Mint Mobile 10GB plan: Best 5G data plan for iPad
Tello Unlimited plan: Best unlimited data plan iPad
Red Pocket 20GB plan: Best SIM card for iPad
Best cheap iPad data 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 prepaid data plan for iPad
- 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 data plan for iPad
- 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 unlimited data plan iPad
- 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 SIM card for iPad
- 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 iPad cellular data 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 |
iPad data plan benefits
Low cost carriers called MVNOs are great for cell phone plans. But these smaller carriers also pack a punch if you need a cheap mobile hotspot plan.
Need an internet service plan for your iPad? Want to save money without sacrificing your wireless network or data speeds?
You've got it. Forget the major carriers. Get T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T data plans at up to 50% savings.
- Nationwide coverage: Smaller cell phone carriers operate on the exact same networks as the big three carriers. Many already offer 5G network coverage where it;s available at no extra cost.
- High-speed data: Get hotspot services on the same networks the big providers use. You'll get the same lightning-fast hotspot speeds you're used to, ideal for streaming video and playing games.
- Much lower prices: MVNOs have lower overhead costs because most of them operate solely online. That means you pay less for your mobile internet plan.
- No contracts: Low-cost carriers don't make you sign contracts. Switch carriers any time you find a better deal on a mobile hotspot plan.
- Bring your own device: No need to buy an expensive hotspot from the carrier. Bring your own device to save even more money.
- Customize your plan: Choose the data only plan that fits your needs. Get anywhere from 1 GB of data per month all the way up to unlimited.
- Great customer support: Customer service ratings are consistently higher with MVNOs.
Best iPad data plan on T-Mobile
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile 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 | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | 10GB | $20/mo | $240/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | |
Compare: T-Mobile iPad data plans
Best iPad data plan on Verizon
Verizon vs US Mobile comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $648 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| US Mobile | Verizon 4G & 5G | 15GB | $26/mo | $312/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $54/mo | $648/yr | |
Compare: Verizon iPad data plans
Best iPad data plan on AT&T
AT&T vs Red Pocket 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 | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Red Pocket | AT&T 4G & 5G | 5GB | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | |
Compare: AT&T iPad data 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
Concerned that low-cost carriers won't have good customer service? Don't be, on average MVNOs score much higher customer ratings than the big networks as you'll see in 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 iPad data plans
In addition to price, the right tablet data plan for you depends on several factors:
- Coverage - Mobile coverage used to be a big deal. Now, all of the major mobile networks boast very similar coverage areas. When you're shopping for a data only plan you'll want to look at the 4G LTE coverage in the locations you'll be using your device. If you travel and need mobile data usage during those times check those zip codes as well.
- Speed - You'll want fast internet if you're powering compatible devices like your iPad or tablet. The good news is that most carriers deliver a 4G LTE connection to enabled devices. This means that if your hotspot device or smartphone is capable of handling LTE speeds then you will have a high-speed connection. Even better, many low-cost carriers give you 5G data speeds were available at no extra charge.
- Data allowance - Your data usage will inform your decision as to what data allowance you need to buy. Packages are available in various sizes to meet all data usage needs, from 500 MB to unlimited. Of course the smaller the data bucket the less you'll pay. It's easy to add more data if you run out.
Switch to a cheap iPad data plan
Changing your data only plan is simple and hassle-free.
- Pick a plan - Customize your plan to fit your needs. Get just a little bit or set up your iPad with unlimited data. Not sure how much you need? Check out our data usage calculator to find out.
- Prepare to make the switch - Make sure your old bill is paid off and your mobile hotspot is unlocked to use on another carrier.
- Set up your new account - Keep your current iPad plan active until your new one is set up. If you're buying a new device it should come all ready to go. If not you'll get a new SIM card in the mail. Just follow your provider's instructions to activate it.
Bring your own device
iPads can cost up to $1,000. The most economical choice is to bring your own device to your new carrier. Benefits of keeping your own tablet include:
- Avoiding monthly device payments or a large upfront outlay
- Getting the most out of your tablet's lifespan instead of creating more e-waste
- Keeping all of your data like photos and passwords rather than having to transfer everything to a new device
If you bring your Apple iPad to a new carrier you'll need to make sure that it's unlocked from your current carrier.
iPad data plans FAQs
How can I get a SIM card for my iPad?
If your tablet or iPad has a SIM card slot then you can get cellular data coverage.
What is the best cellular data plan for an iPad?
Yes, you can purchase a cellular data plan from numerous low-cost carriers.
Who has the cheapest iPad data plan?
The cheapest iPad data plans are available from low-cost carriers, such US Mobile, Tello and, Red Pocket. They have data plans starting $5 per month.
Recap
Getting a data-only SIM card for your iPad is quick and easy with low-cost carriers like Mint Mobile, Red Pocket, and US Mobile. Simply order online and the SIM card is sent straight to your door.
Some MVNOs offer a mobile hotspot allowance so if your iPad has hotspot capabilities you can use it to tether to your laptop when you're away from home without Wi-Fi.
Being powered by the same major US networks means you'll get access to their 4G LTE data speeds, and the fast 5G speeds, where it's available, depending on which carrier you choose.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tello | Cheapest iPad plan | 0 | 0 | 1GB | $6/mo |
 US Mobile | Prepaid iPad plan | 0 | 0 | 4GB | $15/mo |
 Mint Mobile | 5G iPad plan | 0 | 0 | 10GB | $20/mo |
| Tello | Unlimited iPad plan | 0 | 0 | Unlimited | $29/mo |
 Red Pocket | iPad SIM card | 0 | 0 | 20GB | $40/mo |
