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Finding the cheapest tablet data plans doesn't have to be hard work or overwhelming.
MVNOs, also known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators, offer affordable data-only SIM cards for your tablet. Powered by the cell towers of the big three, you'll receive the same coverage at half the price.
With their prepaid plans, you don't have to worry about additional charges at the end of the month, you only pay for what you need.
We've compared the cheapest tablet data plans from all MVNOs below to help you find the right deal for you.
Top 3 data plans from low-cost carriers with T-Mobile coverage to consider.
Cheap T-Mobile data only plan
Tello 5GB 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 tablet data 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 value prepaid data plan on T-Mobile
Mint Mobile 15GB 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 prepaid hotspot 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.
Best unlimited data plan on T-Mobile
Tello unlimited 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 unlimited 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
The table below demonstrates that choosing the Tello unlimited data plan would save you $600 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile directly.
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile coverage at a fraction of the cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
*$45 for 3 Months
|
|
| T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | |
| Unlimited data *not unlimited | 5GB data | 15GB data | Unlimited data |
| $75/mo | $10/mo | $15/mo* | $25/mo |
| $900/yr | $120/yr | $225/yr | $300/yr |
| 1.4 on Trustpilot | 4.5 on Trustpilot | 3.3 on Trustpilot | 4.5 on Trustpilot |
| Annual savings | $780/yr | $675/yr | $600/yr |
Top 3 data plans from low-cost carriers with Verizon coverage to consider.
Cheap Verizon data only plan
Total Wireless 15GB data plan
- Verizon coverage
- No talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Check out our review about best tablet data plans on Verizon.
Pros
Cons
Best value prepaid data plan on Verizon
Total Wireless 40GB data plan
- Verizon coverage
- No talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Check out our review about best prepaid hotspot plans on Verizon.
Pros
Cons
Best unlimited data plan on Verizon
Visible unlimited data plan
- Verizon coverage
- No talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Check out our review about best unlimited hotspot plans on Verizon.
Pros
Cons
The table below demonstrates that choosing the Visible unlimited data plan would save you $600 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from Verizon directly.
| Verizon | Verizon coverage at a fraction of the cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Verizon 4G & 5G | Verizon 4G & 5G | Verizon 4G & 5G | |
| Unlimited data *not unlimited | 15GB data | 40GB data | Unlimited data |
| $75/mo | $30/mo | $40/mo | $25/mo |
| $900/yr | $360/yr | $480/yr | $300/yr |
| 1.2 on Trustpilot | 1.3 on Trustpilot | 1.3 on Trustpilot | 1.5 on Trustpilot |
| Annual savings | $540/yr | $420/yr | $600/yr |
Best overall tablet data plan
Tello unlimited 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 tablet data plans.
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
How to choose the best value tablet data plan
- Network coverage: Low-cost carriers operate on the same 5G & 4G LTE networks as major carriers. T-Mobile boasts the fastest 5G speeds, according to this Opensignal 5G experience report 2023. If there's a particular network you prefer, choose an MVNO that operates on that network. Use our coverage checker to find the best carrier coverage in your area.
- Data allowance: Do you really need an unlimited data plan? The big wireless companies 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 you won't use a lot of data for things like video streaming, and your usage will be much lower. You can choose a data plan tailored to your needs with cheap cell phone providers, meaning you can pay less if you use less data.
- Hotspot data: Most carriers allow mobile hotspot use 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. Some carriers offer specific mobile hotspot plans.
- Price: While big wireless unlimited plans cost around $75-90 per month, MVNOs offer the best prepaid data plans, ranging from $5-35 per month without sacrificing wireless coverage and data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some carriers include these in the price, whereas the major providers, such as Verizon and AT&T, don't.
- Number of lines: With big wireless, you only get the advertised price if you buy 4 lines. With MVNOs, the price you see is the price you pay, even for one line. Many low-cost carriers now offer additional discounts for multi-line plans.
- Bring your own device or buy new: While the big three love keeping their customers locked into a constant device upgrade cycle, MVNOs encourage you to bring your own device. This means you take back control and only change your device when it suits you.
- Deals & promotions: Big wireless 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 offer short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is much more transparent.
- Perks & add-ons: Most big wireless 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.
- No contracts: Low-cost carriers have 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.
Compare the best cheap data plans to ensure you find the best deal.
The cheapest T-Mobile tablet plan
T-Mobile vs Tello comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Tello | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | ||
Check out our review of the cheapest T-Mobile tablet plans
The cheapest Verizon tablet plan
Check out our review of the cheapest Verizon tablet plans
The cheapest AT&T tablet plan
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data
AT&T vs Boost Mobile 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 | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Boost Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | ||
Check out our review of the cheapest AT&T tablet plans
Tablet data 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, so you can typically find what you need at a great price.
- Relies on a 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.
Compare the cheapest prepaid tablet data plans
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 5GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $10/mo |
| Ultra Mobile 10GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $19/mo |
| Mint Mobile 20GB data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 20GB | $15/mo |
| Total Wireless 40GB data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 40GB | $40/mo |
| Visible unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $35/mo |
Tablet data plans FAQs
Yes, you can purchase a cellular data plan from numerous low-cost carriers online.
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: What is the best cheap tablet plan?
Getting a tablet data-only plan doesn't have to mean another expensive monthly cost. With MVNOs, there's a range of plans to choose from, and depending on how much data you want, plans can start from as little as $10 a month.
It's easy to choose your plan online and have it sent straight to your door, so you can pop your new data-only SIM card into your tablet and be up and running in no time.
Operating on the same wireless networks means you'll receive access to their 4G LTE data and fast 5G speeds, where it's available, depending on the carrier you choose.
Cheap data plan guides
- The Cheapest Data Plans for Tablets
- The Cheapest Data Plans for iPads
- The Cheapest Hotspot Plans
- Best Prepaid Data Plans for Tablets
- Best Prepaid Data Plans for iPad
- Best Prepaid Hotspot Plans
- Best Prepaid Internet Service
How we choose the best providers and data plans
To select the best carriers and data plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.
Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.
