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Best prepaid T-Mobile BYOD plan
Tello 2GB data plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- No talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
With Tello data-only plans there are no hidden charges or lengthy contracts, accommodating everyone from occasional to heavy data users. Check out our review about best prepaid hotspot plans on T-Mobile.
Pros
- T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G coverage
- Wide range of data choices
- Free mobile hotspot included
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- Powered by T-Mobile's network, offering unbeatable benefits without breaking the bank.
- Build your own plan based on your data usage to save money.
- Being online-based means you can order your SIM card conveniently at home.
- Cheap data only plans that are perfect for iPad, tablet, or mobile hotspot devices.
Best T-Mobile data only plan
Mint Mobile 20GB data plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- No talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Mint Mobile data only plans have 5G and 4G LTE wireless coverage powered by the T-Mobile network, giving the same great service at a more affordable price.
Their range of data allowances includes an unlimited plan with up to 40GB of high-speed data. By committing for longer, you can save even more money. Check out our review about best data only plans on T-Mobile.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Wide range of data options
- Free mobile hotspot with all plans
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- Limited customer service
- 3-month minimum sign-up
- Mint Mobile offers high-speed data plans with 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage powered by T-Mobile.
- Mobile hotspot access is included with all plans, allowing you to tether your phone to other devices. There is a 10GB hotspot data limit on the unlimited plan.
- A 3-month minimum commitment is required, with 3, 6, and 12-month pricing plans available after the initial period. The longer you stay, the more you save.
- A hassle-free 7-day money-back guarantee is available.
- You can bring your own device and use the Mint Mobile app to monitor usage easily.
- International roaming comes at an extra cost.
How to choose the best T-Mobile BYOD plan
Does T-Mobile have coverage in your area?
T-Mobile MVNOs are powered by the same 5G & 4G LTE network. T-Mobile scores the highest for the fastest 5G speed, according to this Opensignal 5G Experience Report 2023. If you're new to T-Mobile, you can use our coverage checker to find the best cell phone service in your area.
How much data do you need?
Do you really need a T-Mobile unlimited data plan? They want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. However, if you spend most of your time at home or work on Wi-Fi, it's likely your cellular data usage for things like video streaming will be much lower. You can choose a data plan tailored to your needs with the best data only plans, meaning you can pay less if you use less.
Is hotspot data included?
Most T-Mobile MVNOs allow mobile hotspot data usage but have a data cap on the amount of data that can be used via tethering. The limit depends on the carrier and plan you choose. T-Mobile mobile hotspot plans offer plenty of affordable plans to compare.
What's the monthly price?
T-Mobile unlimited plans cost around $75-90 per month, while T-Mobile tablet data plans with their low-cost carriers range from $10-50 per month. So you don't have to sacrifice wireless coverage and data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some carriers include these in the price, whereas some may have additional taxes and fees.
How many lines do you want?
With T-Mobile, you only get the advertised price if you buy four lines. With MVNOs, the price you see is the price you pay, even for one line. Many low-cost carriers on the T-Mobile network now offer additional discounts for multi-line plans.
Can I bring my own device or buy a new one?
While T-Mobile loves keeping its customers locked into a constant device upgrade cycle or offering free phones or device accessories, you can bring your own device to T-Mobile; in fact, they encourage it. So as long as you have a capable device that's compatible with the network, you can save even more money.
Are there any deals or promotions?
T-Mobile promotions can seem good at a glance. But once you read the fine print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year contracts. Many MVNOs on T-Mobile's network offer short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is much more transparent.
Can I get any free perks?
Many T-Mobile plans include "free" TV subscriptions; however, these usually turn into a paid subscription that is automatically added to your bill a few months down the line. A few low-cost carriers, such as US Mobile, do offer plan options with free subscription services, but we generally recommend keeping these subscriptions separate so you don't end up paying for things you don't need.
How long do I have to commit?
Low-cost carriers on the T-Mobile network are prepaid, so no credit approval is needed, and there are no contracts, offering more flexibility. However, some, like Mint Mobile, require you to sign up for a 3-month plan minimum, but their cheap data plans still offer better value for money than the big 3 wireless carriers.
Check out our T-Mobile data only plans to ensure you find the best deal.
Cheap T-Mobile bring your own device plans
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 2GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $6/mo |
| Tello 5GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $10/mo |
| Mint Mobile 15GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $15/mo |
| Tello unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
| Ultra Mobile unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $31/mo |
If T-Mobile isn't giving you the best coverage, check out the best Verizon BYOD plan and the best AT&T BYOD plan.
T-Mobile BYOD FAQs
Yes, you can bring your own device to T-Mobile. In fact, T-Mobile MVNOs like Mint Mobile often encourage you to bring your own compatible device to save money.
As long as your phone is compatible, you can bring your own device when moving over to T-Mobile. If you're not sure your phone is compatible, you can check your IMEI number.
Yes. Buying an unlocked device means it's not locked to just one specific network. You can compare a selection of T-Mobile compatible phones to choose from.
Recap - What is the best T-Mobile BYOD plan?
MVNOs make it easy to switch carriers and bring your own device. You can get more bang for your buck with these low-cost plans and only pay for what you need.
Although only a small selection of data plans are available, they have a range of data limits to suit everyone and at affordable prices.
Why not switch your cell phone plan to a low-cost carrier at the same time? MVNOs offer flexibility with no contracts, so if your needs change, you can amend your plan or cancel at any time.
T-Mobile data plan guides
- Best Data Only Plans on T-Mobile
- Best Tablet Data Plans on T-Mobile
- Best iPad Data Plans on T-Mobile
- Best Hotspot Data Plans on T-Mobile
- Best BYOD Plans on T-Mobile
- Best Prepaid Hotspot Plans on T-Mobile
- Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans on T-Mobile
- Best Data Only Plans
- Best Tablet Data Plans
- Best iPad Data Plans
- Best Mobile Hotspot Plans
MoneySavingPro methodology
At MoneySavingPro, we're all about finding and sharing affordable cell phone plans that offer the best value for money. We put a lot of care into looking at all the options out there, focusing on what's best for you, the consumer. Our goal is to help you save money by showing you cheaper alternatives to the expensive plans from the big wireless companies.
With over 10 years of experience in the industry, we intentionally don't recommend plans from the big wireless networks in our reviews. This is because of how they handle their pricing and fees and their lack of transparency.
T-Mobile MVNOs operate on the same T-Mobile network, and we research each T-Mobile low-cost carrier with the features and benefits it offers. This includes coverage, easy activation, eSIM compatibility, multiline discounts, and special discounts for specific demographics such as military, students, seniors, and more.
We also examine additional perks like pay-as-you-go options, unlimited plans, kids plans, senior plans, and smartwatch plans, evaluating them for their individual benefits and overall value.
We did consider these other T-Mobile alternatives: Straight Talk, Metro by T-Mobile, Google Fi, and Consumer Cellular, but we discounted them because we still don't consider these to be good value for money.
We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content every 3 months. To make sure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.
