If you're looking for the best tablet plans without the expensive price tag you're in the right place.
With MVNOs (or Mobile Virtual Network Operators) you'll find affordable data-only plans for your tablet starting from as little as $10 a month, and powered by the same US networks there's no sacrifice on quality coverage.
Offering prepaid data plans, you don't need to worry about overage charges, you only pay for what you need.
We've compared the best tablet plans below to help you find the right data-only plan for your tablet.
| Cheapest tablet plan | Tello |
| Prepaid tablet plan | US Mobile |
| 5G tablet plan | Mint Mobile |
| Unlimited tablet plan | Tello |
| Tablet SIM card | Red Pocket |
Cheapest tablet data only 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 data plan for tablets
- 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 5G data plan for tablets
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 10GB
- Price
- $20/mo** 3 Months FREE: $60 for 6 mths 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 unlimited data plan for tablets
- 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 SIM card 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. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Red Pocket review
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
Tablet data plans
Tablet data plan benefits
There are a number of reasons why Mobile Virtual Network Operators offer the best data only plans. With no contract, their prepaid data plans give you the freedom to choose the best carrier for your favorite connected devices.
Depending on your needs, there are plenty of benefits to prepaid plans with something for everyone, including 5G internet.
- Save money: Get the cheapest tablet data plans from low-cost carriers, with prices half the cost of a plan with one of the big three.
- Same great coverage: There's no sacrificing your coverage with MVNOs as they're powered by the same major networks. You can check your coverage details using your ZIP code.
- No contracts: With no commitment, you're free to change your hotspot or tablet data plan if your needs change.
- Bring your own capable device: If you don't want to upgrade your device, it's easy to bring your own device.
- Customize your plan: Choose how much data you need for your mobile device, from 1GB up to unlimited high-speed data.
Tablet data plan features
- High-speed data: Operating on the main US networks, you'll get access to 4G LTE data along with 5G where it's available.
- Mobile hotspot: Make sure your iPad, tablet, or other connected device has a high-speed data plan so you can use your device as a hotspot when traveling.
- Unlimited data: If you're a heavy data user, there are cheap unlimited data only plans available.
Best Verizon data plan for tablets
0mins
0texts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Compare: Verizon tablet data plans
Best T-Mobile data plan for tablets
0mins
0texts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
Powered by: T-Mobile
Compare: T-Mobile tablet data plans
Best AT&T data plan for tablets
Compare: AT&T tablet data plans
Best data plans for tablets
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 2GB data only plan | 2GB | T-Mobile | $10 |
| Mint Mobile 4GB data only plan | 4GB | T-Mobile | $15** 3 Months FREE: $45 for 6 mths service |
| Mint Mobile 10GB data only plan | 10GB | T-Mobile | $20** 3 Months FREE: $60 for 6 mths service |
| Tello unlimited data only plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $29 |
| Boost Mobile 5GB data only plan | 5GB | AT&T & T-Mobile | $5** 66% Off for 3 Months |
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 tablet 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.
Tablet data plans FAQs
Can I get a data plan for a tablet?
Yes, you can purchase a cellular data plan from numerous low-cost carriers.
Who has the best tablet plan?
The cheapest tablet data plans are available from low-cost carriers, such as US Mobile, Tello, and Red Pocket. They have data plans starting at $6 per month.
Recap
The best tablet plans will be different for everyone, depending on how much data you want, network coverage, budget, and other wireless service needs.
MVNOs operate on the same main US networks, so you can check coverage details in your area for the best low-cost carrier for you.
If you're looking for unlimited data, be sure to check the carrier's terms as unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tello | Cheapest tablet plan | 0 | 0 | 1GB | $6/mo |
 US Mobile | Prepaid tablet plan | 0 | 0 | 4GB | $15/mo |
 Mint Mobile | 5G tablet plan | 0 | 0 | 10GB | $20/mo |
| Tello | Unlimited tablet plan | 0 | 0 | Unlimited | $29/mo |
 Red Pocket | Tablet SIM card | 0 | 0 | 20GB | $40/mo |
