Cheap data only plans
Don't want to pay for minutes and texts? MVNOs offer great value data only plans ideal for making sure you can connect to the internet wherever you are.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are powered by the same three US networks, but being based online they don't have the expensive costs of physical stores, sales staff or advertising so they can pass on the savings to their customers.
We've compared a range of data only plans with all MVNOs below, including pros and cons as well as user reviews, to help you find the best deal.
| Prepaid data plan | US Mobile |
| Unlimited data plan | Mint Mobile |
| 5G data plan | Ultra Mobile |
| Tablet data plan | Red Pocket |
| Hotspot data plan | Mint Mobile |
Best cheap data only plans
Cheapest prepaid data only 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
Cheapest unlimited data only plan
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** Only $90 for 3 Months Service
This Mint Mobile data only plan includes unlimited data for only $30 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
Cheapest 5G data only plan
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 3GB
- Price
- $24/mo
This Ultra Mobile data only plan includes 3GB data for only $24 per month. Ultra 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 Ultra Mobile review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Ultra Mobile 250MB - 12 Mths | 250MB | $10* * $120 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
2GB | $14* * $168 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
3GB | $20* * $240 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
6GB | $25* * $300 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
15GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
Unlimited | $40* * $480 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Pros
Simple account dashboard
Unlimited international talk and text
Nationwide coverage
Cons
Customer service
Benefits
Coverage provided on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own compatible GSM phone or buy one from Ultra Mobile
Mobile hotspot use supported
Unlimited global texting and unlimited calling to 80+ countries
International roaming credits available in $5, $10, or $20 denominations
International plan tier comes with uTalk - a feature that gives you up to 1250 bonus minutes to your choice of 39 additional destinations
Customer service available by phone, email, and chat from 6am to 6pm every day
Cheapest data plan for tablets
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 1GB
- Price
- $10/mo
This Red Pocket data only plan includes 1GB data for only $10 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 | $22.50* * $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 | $37.50* * $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
Cheapest data plan for hotspots
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- 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 data only plan on T-Mobile
0mins
0texts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: T-Mobile
Compare: T-Mobile data only plans
Best data only plan on Verizon
0mins
0texts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Compare: Verizon data only plans
Best data only plan on AT&T
Compare: AT&T data only plans
Cheapest prepaid data only plans
| Carrier | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB data only plan | 1GB | $6 |
| Mint Mobile 4GB data only plan | 4GB | $15** Only $45 for 3 Months Service |
| US Mobile 6GB data only plan | 6GB | $20* Free 10 Day Trial |
| Mint Mobile 15GB data only plan | 15GB | $25** Only $75 for 3 Months Service |
| Tello unlimited data only plan | Unltd | $29 |
Data only plans FAQs
What are data only plans?
Data only plans are normally used for tablets or mobile hotspots. They're plans that only include a data limit, no calls and texts, and are ideal if you need to access the internet while you're on the go.
What are the cheapest data only plans?
MVNOs have a wide range of data only plans. Operating on the same cell service as the three major networks you can expect the same coverage, but these alternative carriers offer low-cost plans starting from around $6 a month.
Recap
Looking for internet access on the go? MVNOs offer a wide selection of data only plans at a fraction of the cost of going direct to Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T.
Operating on the same networks as the big three, you don't have to sacrifice quality for affordability. With carriers like US Mobile and Red Pocket you'll find data only plans starting from under $10 a month.
To save more money you could opt for a set data plan rather than unlimited. After all, unlimited never really means unlimited and on average we only tend to use around 3 to 5GB of data per month.
