You don't always have access to Wi-Fi when you need it.
There are times you may need to log on for work, send a few emails, or access something online while out and about. A mobile hotspot plan makes doing so a breeze.
With a simple pocket-sized device and an affordable mobile data plan you can hop on the internet on your computer, tablet, or any other connectable device no matter where you are.
| Cheapest hotspot plan | Tello |
| Prepaid hotspot plan | US Mobile |
| 5G hotspot plan | Mint Mobile |
| Unlimited hotspot plan | Tello |
| BYOD hotspot plan | Red Pocket |
| Hotspot SIM card | Tello |
Best cheap mobile hotspot 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. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Tello review
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
Benefits
Service on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Money-back guarantee on phones (no refunds on plans)
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or choose from a modest selection of new or refurbished devices
Keep your current phone number
Use of your plan data as a mobile hotspot through your phone is allowed
Use your minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Minutes to other countries available as add-on
24/7 customer service
Best prepaid hotspot plan
- 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. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's US Mobile review
Pros
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
Cons
No international calling
Phone selection
Benefits
Coverage on either the T-Mobile or Verizon network
Risk-free trial: Full refund within 14 days or before 1000 talk, text, or MB's is used
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own GSM or CDMA phone or choose from a small selection of phones for sale
Keep your own phone number
Mobile hotspot use available as add-on option with unlimited data plans
International roaming plans available with eSIMs
Add-ons available for talk, text, and data, with rollover
24/7 customer support
Best hotspot plan for 5G
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 10GB
- Price
- $20/mo** Only $60 for 3 Months Service
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. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Mint Mobile review
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
Benefits
Operates on the nationwide T-Mobile network
7-day money-back guarantee
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your phone or buy a Mint Mobile device
Keep your phone number
Using your phone as a mobile hotspot is permitted
Free calling to Canada & Mexico, affordable rates to 160+ other locations
Flat-rate international roaming available as an add-on feature
Customer service by phone on weekdays and weekends, 24/7 by virtual chat
Best hotspot 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. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Tello review
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
Benefits
Service on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Money-back guarantee on phones (no refunds on plans)
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or choose from a modest selection of new or refurbished devices
Keep your current phone number
Use of your plan data as a mobile hotspot through your phone is allowed
Use your minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Minutes to other countries available as add-on
24/7 customer service
Best bring your own device plan
- 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. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Red Pocket review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Red Pocket 500MB | 500MB | $10 | View Plan |
Red Pocket 3GB - 12 Mths | 3GB | $15* * $180 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
3GB | $20 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 10GB - 12 Mths | 10GB | $22* * $270 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Red Pocket 25GB - 12 Mths | 25GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
10GB | $30 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 50GB - 12 Mths | 50GB | $37* * $450 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
25GB | $40 | View Plan | |
50GB | $50 | View Plan |
Pros
Nationwide coverage
No contracts
Latest selection of phones
Cons
Account dashboard needs work
No 0% financing options on latest phones
Customer service
Benefits
Operates on all four networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fees
Bring your own GSM or CDMA device and keep your phone number
Mobile hotspot/tethering allowed with your plan data
Free international calling to 70+ countries
Customer service available in English, Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish via chat or phone
Best hotspot SIM card
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $15/mo
This Tello data only plan includes 5GB data for only $15 per month. Tello internet plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Tello review
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
Benefits
Service on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Money-back guarantee on phones (no refunds on plans)
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or choose from a modest selection of new or refurbished devices
Keep your current phone number
Use of your plan data as a mobile hotspot through your phone is allowed
Use your minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Minutes to other countries available as add-on
24/7 customer service
Cheapest hotspot data plans in 2022
Mobile hotspot plan benefits
With MVNOs you can access the internet wherever you are with your mobile hotspot and a data only plan.
You can use your tablet, iPad, or other hotspot devices for video streaming, checking email, or browsing the internet when you're away from home. Depending on your location you'll be able to connect with nationwide coverage from the major US networks; Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
- Lower prices: Save money on your mobile hotspot data with a plan from low-cost carriers like US Mobile.
- No long-term commitment: There's no contract, so you're not locked to one carrier and can change plans whenever it suits your needs.
- Bring your own hotspot device: If you love your current Wi-Fi hotspot there's no need to upgrade, you can bring your own device for easy activation.
- Same coverage: Powered by the same major US networks you can expect the coverage you know and love.
Hotspot plan features
- 4G LTE data: Get 4G LTE data speeds so you can stream video, listen to music or browse the internet even when traveling.
- 5G data: Operating on the same US networks means you get access to their 5G coverage, where it's available.
- Unlimited data: How much data do you need? Get unlimited high-speed data plans for your mobile hotspot at an affordable price.
- Buy online: Low-cost carriers are online-based, making it easy to pick your data only plan without having to leave the house, and get it sent straight to your door.
Best mobile hotspot plan on T-Mobile
T-Mobile vs Tello comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Tello | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | 5GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $660/yr | |
Compare: T-Mobile mobile hotspot plans
Best mobile hotspot plan on Verizon
0mins
0texts
6GB
4G/5G data
$20/mo
$3.33 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Verizon vs US Mobile comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $720 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 | 6GB | $20/mo | $240/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $60/mo | $720/yr | |
Compare: Verizon mobile hotspot plans
Best mobile hotspot 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 mobile hotspot plans
Best prepaid hotspot data plans
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB data only plan | 1GB | T-Mobile | $6 |
| Mint Mobile 4GB data only plan | 4GB | T-Mobile | $15** Only $45 for 3 Months Service |
| US Mobile 6GB data only plan | 6GB | Verizon & T-Mobile | $20* Free 10 Day Trial |
| Mint Mobile 15GB data only plan | 15GB | T-Mobile | $25** Only $75 for 3 Months Service |
| Tello unlimited data only plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $29 |
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 |
Mobile hotspot plans pros & cons
Pros
- No contracts: It's easy to switch if you find a better internet plan from another carrier.
- Flexible plans: Choose the amount of data that you want to pay for.
- Cheaper for all your wireless needs: Get a cheap cell phone plan and mobile hotspot features all from one low-cost carrier.
Cons
- Limited availability: Not all MVNOs sell data only SIM cards. Several do though, so you can typically find what you need at a great price.
- Relies on cellular signal: Mobile hotspots use your carrier's wireless network coverage. So if you're in an area with a spotty signal your hotspot will be spotty too.
Mobile hotspot vs tethering
There are two types of mobile hotspot plans available through smaller carriers.
Mobile hotspot
- Requires a separate portable device that provides internet to things like your laptop or tablet.
- It's handy if you need to power multiple connected devices at a time.
- It has its own data allotment so you don't have to worry about using up your phone plan.
Tethering
- Most modern smartphones have a feature that lets you share your phone data with other devices.
- You need a cell phone plan that specifically allows you to share your data.
- It can be a drain on battery life.
- There's typically a data cap on how much of your phone plan you can use as a hotspot.
Switch to a cheap mobile hotspot 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 tablet 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 mobile hotspot device active until your new one is set up. If you're buying a new Wi-Fi device it should come all ready to go. If not you'll get a new SIM card in the mail or in a store. Just follow your provider's instructions to activate it.
Comparing mobile hotspot plans
In addition to price, the right mobile hotspot 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 laptop and 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 hotspot speeds where available at no extra charge.
- Data Allowance - Your mobile hotspot 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.
Mobile hotspot plans FAQs
Who has the best mobile hotspot plans?
The best hotspot plan is personal to you. There are some great value deals with low-cost carriers like US Mobile, especially for light use.
Who has the cheapest mobile hotspot plan?
You'll find the cheapest hotspot plans with a low-cost carrier like US Mobile or Tello. Running on the same major networks offering you nationwide coverage but with prices starting from as low as $6 a month.
Recap
The takeaway from all of this information is that MVNOs are changing the mobile data landscape. You have more options than ever for cheap plans that meet your needs.
The most convenient way to handle all of your data needs is to consolidate everything into one package.
Rather than purchasing separately, consider building your own cell phone plan with service for your phone and your data only devices.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tello | Cheapest hotspot plan | 0 | 0 | 1GB | $6/mo |
 US Mobile | Prepaid hotspot plan | 0 | 0 | 4GB | $15/mo |
 Mint Mobile | 5G hotspot plan | 0 | 0 | 10GB | $20/mo |
| Tello | Unlimited hotspot plan | 0 | 0 | Unlimited | $29/mo |
 Red Pocket | BYOD hotspot plan | 0 | 0 | 20GB | $40/mo |
| Tello | Hotspot SIM card | 0 | 0 | 5GB | $15/mo |
