Cheapest data only SIM card in 2022
Data only SIM cards are ideal for iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots. You'll find the best value SIM cards with MVNOs.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are low-cost carriers that operate on the same major US networks, but offer discounted cell phone plans. Growing more popular, there's so much choice when it comes to carriers and plans.
At MoneySavingPro we like to take away the confusion and overwhelm, so we've compared and broken down the best data only SIM cards.
Take a look below to find your perfect deal.
| Prepaid data SIM | Mint Mobile |
| iPad data SIM | US Mobile |
| Hotspot data SIM | Ultra Mobile |
| Tablet data SIM | Mint Mobile |
| Alarm data SIM | Red Pocket |
Best cheap data SIM cards
Cheapest prepaid data only SIM card
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 4GB
- Price
- $15** Only $45 for 3 Months Service
This Mint Mobile SIM kit includes 4GB data for $15 for 3 months of wireless service. 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 data only SIM card for iPad
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 6GB
- Price
- $20* Free 10 Day Trial
This US Mobile SIM kit includes 6GB data for $20 for 1 month of wireless service. 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 data only SIM card for hotspots
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 3GB
- Price
- $24
This Ultra Mobile SIM kit includes 3GB data for $24 for 1 month of wireless service. 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 SIM card | 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 only SIM card for tablets
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 10GB
- Price
- $20** Only $60 for 3 Months Service
This Mint Mobile SIM kit includes 10GB data for $20 for 3 months of wireless service. 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 data SIM card for alarm systems
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 1GB
- Price
- $10
This Red Pocket SIM kit includes 1GB data for $10 for 1 month of wireless service. 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 SIM card | 500MB | $10 | View Plan |
Red Pocket 3GB SIM card | 3GB | $15* * $180 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
3GB | $20 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 10GB SIM card | 10GB | $22.50* * $270 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Red Pocket 25GB SIM card | 25GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
10GB | $30 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 100GB SIM card | 100GB | $37.50* * $450 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
25GB | $40 | View Plan | |
100GB | $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
Data only SIM benefits
There's a range of benefits to choosing a data-only SIM card from a low-cost carrier, whether you're looking for the best SIM card for alarm systems or the best data only SIM card for hot-spotting, you'll find the cheapest price with MVNOs.
- Lower price: MVNOs offer affordable plans when purchasing a SIM card with one of these low-cost carriers. With all the same options available, even the best GPS tracker SIM card deals, but at half the price of going direct to one of the big three.
- Same excellent coverage: You'll find a great selection of deals on an AT&T data SIM card, Verizon data SIM card, or T-Mobile data SIM card. Being powered by the main networks, you'll get access to the same good coverage.
- No annual contracts: With the best prepaid data SIM card deals they offer a monthly rolling contract, with no 24 or 12 months commitment or hidden fees.
- 4G LTE data speeds: Operating on the same US networks, you'll have access to the nationwide 4G LTE data speeds.
- 5G network: If your mobile device is compatible you can find deals on the best 5G SIM card with low-cost carriers, offering 5G at no extra cost on their data-only SIM cards.
- Unlimited plans: If you use a lot of data for browsing the internet, video streaming, listening to music or you're looking for the best hotspot SIM card for tethering, the good news is you can get unlimited hotspot data for half the price.
- Mobile devices: You'll find a range of the best iPad SIM card and the best Tablet SIM card deals to help you stay connected with a data-only SIM card for your device.
- High-speed hotspot data: Ideal for travelers, you can stay connected on your laptop, even if there's no WiFi using cellular networks.
Cheapest data only SIM card on T-Mobile
0mins
0texts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: T-Mobile
Compare: T-Mobile data SIM cards
Cheapest data only SIM card on Verizon
0mins
0texts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Compare: Verizon data SIM cards
Cheapest data only SIM card on AT&T
Compare: AT&T data SIM cards
Best SIM cards with data only
| Carrier | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB data only SIM kit | 1GB | $6 |
| Mint Mobile 4GB data only SIM kit | 4GB | $15** Only $45 for 3 Months Service |
| US Mobile 6GB data only SIM kit | 6GB | $20* Free 10 Day Trial |
| Mint Mobile 15GB data only SIM kit | 15GB | $25** Only $75 for 3 Months Service |
| Tello unlimited data only SIM kit | Unltd | $29 |
What is a data SIM card?
A data only SIM card is a SIM card that doesn't come with any minutes or text messages. You only receive data.
Prepaid data SIM cards are perfect if you need a tablet SIM card and you want to go online but there's no WiFi available.
Those who would use a data-only SIM card are mainly those who have a data-only device, like a tablet or a hotspot device. That way, they can access the internet in areas that WiFi is not accessible. For instance, say that WiFi is not accessible in a certain location in Maine, but the 4G LTE network is available.
Someone in need of internet access for business, school, etc. would then be able to secure mobile broadband internet via tablet or mobile hotspot and a bring your own phone plan. That way, the person can connect to the internet and check anything essential.
Data SIM card sizes
There are different sizes of SIM cards. What you need for a SIM card size is dependent on the device you own.
The iPad requires a Nano SIM card. Older tablets might require either a micro SIM card or a standard SIM card.
Most SIM cards are 3-in-1 tricut, meaning that they're one size fits all. Simply cut the card to the size you need to fit the device. Before you buy a device, make sure you know what size SIM card you'll need to activate it.
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 SIM card FAQs
Can I get a data only SIM card?
Yes. You can get a data only SIM card which is ideal for tablets and hotspots.
What is the best data only SIM card?
The best data only plan depends on how much data you need and your budget. Estimate how much data you really use so you're only paying for what you need.
What is the cheapest prepaid data SIM?
The cheapest prepaid data SIM plans start at $5 per month. Low cost carriers have a range of data plans so you only pay for what you use.
Recap
MVNOs can save you hundreds of dollars on your data only plan, and with no contracts you have the flexibility to change or cancel at any time.
Do you really need unlimited data? On average we use around 3 to 5GB of data per month, so it's worth checking your data usage to see if you can choose a set data only SIM card.
Data only SIMs use a cellular network to provide you access to Wifi. If you're unsure on the best network you can check coverage using the ZIP code of the areas you plan to travel to.
