Best cheap data plans of 2024

There’s so much competition in the wireless space nowadays that it’s never too hard to find great cheap data plans. Just like the best cell phone plans, carriers both big and small have a diverse array of options when it comes to data allotments too. Not only that, but it’s also now easier than ever to switch from one operator to the other.

Most of the time, prepaid carriers (or Mobile Network Virtual Operators) are the best way you can get cheap data. That said, the big three (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) also offer data-heavy plans that often also come with additional perks like unlimited hotspot functionality, international calling and texting benefits, and much more. So, to help you out, we’ve rounded up some of the best cheap data plans available out there.

If you want to save even more money on your phone bill, consider taking a look at our guide to the best MVNO deals of the month. 

At a glance

Best overall

Many Americans use significantly less data than they think. If that includes you, why not consider reducing your monthly bill by getting only what you need from your cell phone plan?

Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan is the best cheap cell phone plan overall, as it has enough data for most light users, as well as unlimited talk and text. Mint Mobile is an MVNO that starts you out with a three-month plan at a low introductory price. You can keep this rate if you renew for 12 months, though you have to pay the entire amount in advance. After that, you can go for a shorter renewal, but your monthly price will be a bit higher.

Mint Mobile is now owned by T-Mobile and uses the carrier’s 5G infrastructure to give you solid coverage. You can buy a phone through the carrier but if your existing device is already paid off and unlocked, you can bring it over to Mint Mobile and it’ll work without issues. In any case, make sure you check your phone’s compatibility on Mint Mobile’s website before moving ahead.

Mint Mobile also allows you to use your data as a hotspot, and calling to Mexico and Canada is included with this plan too. If you need more data, you can either add 1GB or 3GB at a time, or simply upgrade to a higher plan by paying the price difference.

Best unlimited

People rely on their phones these days more than ever, and many just want a ton of data without having to think about how much they’ve used. Luckily, there are quite a handful of great unlimited options available out there. While most of these plans can reduce your speeds if you use too much data, your connectivity won’t be completely cut off. Moreover, hitting these upper limits is pretty difficult.

Visible uses Verizon’s network infrastructure to offer coverage through LTE and 5G networks, and its prices are inclusive of all taxes and fees. You’ll need a compatible phone with VoLTE support (on Verizon) to get started, but most new devices such as Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 8 and latest iPhones support it.

While the base plan is still good enough for most users, we suggest going for Visible Plus. Priced at $45 per month, it not only gives you unlimited talk and text, but also 50GB of premium data on Verizon’s super-fast ‘Ultra-Wideband’ 5G network. Other benefits include unlimited hotspot usage, talk and text to Mexico and Canada with 500MB of daily roaming data, and 500 minutes of talk time to more than 30 nations around the world.

Best affordable

Sometimes less is more, and that is often the case with data too. There may be users who don’t even use 2GB of data per month, or those who just need a few minutes of talk time. If that sounds someone like you, we suggest going for Tello, as it can help you save a lot on your phone bill.

Tello lets you customize your phone plan exactly the way you want, both in terms of talk time minutes and data. From 1GB to unlimited data and from 100 minutes to unlimited talk time, there are many options to choose from. You can even opt for no data or no talk time at all. Some of the perks offered by Tello include hotspot usage, free texts, and hassle-free upgrade/downgrade.

Using T-Mobile’s network, Tello also offers some pre-configured plans to save you the trouble of having to mix and match things yourself. The base plan is Economy, which offers 2GB of data and unlimited talk and text for $10 per month. The highest plan includes unlimited data capped at 35GB, and costs $25 per month. You also get free calling to Mexico, India, Canada, and several other countries. Tello’s selection of phones is a bit limited and includes mostly refurbished and pre-owned options, but you can bring over most of the best unlocked phones to the network.

Best for seniors

Many carriers offer discounts on their best phone plans for seniors, and it can be a good way (for eligible users) to avail get service at lower prices. However, even if you are someone who doesn’t need too much data or a plethora of extra features, these plans guarantee you’ll only get what you actually need.

As one of the three big carriers in the United States, T-Mobile has a trio of plans for users aged 55 and above. Of these, the least expensive is the Essentials Choice 55 plan, which costs just $30 per month (taxes and fees extra) with autopay discounts. Unfortunately, this plan is only available for one or two lines.

Speaking of benefits, T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 gives you 50GB of premium data on the carrier’s excellent 5G network, complete with unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot usage, spam and robocall protection (via Premium Scam Shield), weekly free stuff, and more. You can also enjoy texting while abroad and use 2G data in Mexico and Canada.

Best for data sharing

Utilizing the network infrastructure of both T-Mobile and Verizon, US Mobile is easily one of the best MVNO carriers in the United States. Its portfolio includes a bunch of unlimited plans having loads of data, but what if you want to share your data with multiple devices?

This is where US Mobile’s ‘Shareable Data’ offering comes into the picture. Basically, this plan lets you buy data in chunks of 2GB, 6GB, 12GB, and 30GB, at monthly prices of $10, $18, $25, and $50, respectively. This data pool can be easily shared between multiple devices (including tablets) across multiple lines.

It’s worth mentioning that all the above-mentioned prices include one line, as well as all taxes and fees. You can add more lines at a price of $8 per line, and each line gets unlimited talk and text, premium data, and hotspot functionality. The more lines you get, the more you can save.

If you need more data, you can add it anytime for $2 per GB. Also, your unused data gets rolled over into the next month’s allotment.

Best for families

Signing up for multiple lines via family plans is a great way of saving money on your mobile service. While most prepaid carriers require you to pay the full price for the first line, postpaid operators such as T-Mobile offer significant discounts if you bring in multiple members of your family to the network.

T-Mobile’s Magenta plan is one of the best family-centric wireless service options out there. At $70 per month (taxes and fees extra) it’s definitely not as cheap as some of the carrier’s other plans, but there are a lot of things bundled in that make the price almost seem justified.

Each line on the Magenta plan gets 100GB of premium data, which is plenty for the needs of just about everyone. You also get mobile hotspot functionality with 5GB of high-speed data, Wi-Fi calling, as well as unlimited talk and text on the T-Mobile 5G network. Not only that, but the plan also includes 5GB high-speed roaming data in Canada and Mexico, in-flight connectivity, six months of Apple TV+, and more. And of course, you can pick from any of the best T-Mobile phones to enjoy all the benefits that the Magenta plan comes with.

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How to choose

How much data do you really need?

Before choosing a carrier and/or a wireless plan, it’s important to spend some time thinking your requirements. The vast majority of plans now come with unlimited talk and text, so the primary factor to take into account is data. Fortunately, most (if not all) modern phones can tell you how much data you typically use in the settings. If not, you can simply take a look at your past bill and get an idea of your mobile data (not Wi-Fi) needs.

If you use a significant amount of data (e.g., more than 30GB) in a month, it might be a good ideal to go for an unlimited plan such as Visible Plus. Its 50GB premium data allotment should be sufficient for all your needs, and you’ll get super-fast speeds on Verizon’s Ultra-Wideband 5G network. There’s also mobile hotspot functionality, as well as a few nice international perks.

Of course, the 5GB plan of Mint Mobile is an easy recommendation as the best overall option, but only if you don’t use too much data. If you’re over the age of 55, the T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 is worth taking a look at. For just $30 per month, it offers 50GB premium data, texting while abroad, and even some weekly free stuff.

The second important thing to consider is device compatibility. If you’ve already got an unlocked phone, you’re a step ahead and can start looking at the plans. On the other hand, if you’re stuck with a carrier-locked phone or/and are ready to get a new one, you can get almost any phone unlocked and have it activated on the new carrier of your choice. From super affordable options to the best Android phones, there’s no shortage of options in the market.

Get the plan that’s best for you

It goes without saying that the best plan — no matter how much (or how little) data or talk time it offers — will be the one that works best for you, and that’s not always going to be the cheapest option. Saving money is important, but if you go for a plan that offers too little for your needs, you may find yourself running out of data when you actually need it. Similarly, there’s no point getting an unlimited plan if you mostly stay at home and your device is always connected to your Wi-Fi network. You should choose an option that matches your usage requirements, rather than adjusting your usage to your plan.

• Carrier deals: Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | Visible