Best Hotspot Data Plans 2024
Apr 29, 2024 | Share 
Brand Guides
-
Best overall
T-Mobile 10GB- $30.00/mo.*
- Quick compatibility with multiple Wi-Fi hotspots
- T-Mobile phone plan required
- Limited 4G network size
-
Best for 5G
Verizon Pro- $40.00–$60.00/mo.
- Easy access to ultrafast 5G network
- Lots of data for the price
- Higher price for non–Verizon phone customers
-
Best for international travel Verizon TravelPass
- $10.00/day
- Flexible service
- Easy access to Wi-Fi when you need it
- Connectivity limited to Verizon customers
-
Best prepaid option
Visible+ phone plan- $45.00/mo. (after first month)
- Lots of hotspot data
- Connectivity to most smartphones
- Slow speeds (10Mbps or less)
-
Best for cell phone hotspots
T-Mobile Go5G Plus
- $100.00/mo. (for one line)
- Lots of data included
- Phone plan and perks included
- High price
*Per connected device with AutoPay. Plus Taxes & fees.
Data effective 4/29/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Mobile hotspots let you connect to the internet anywhere you can get a good cell signal, but you need a hotspot data plan to actually connect.
If you have a smartphone, you can probably use it as a mobile hotspot but your data will be limited to just a few GB every month. If you need to connect to a hotspot more than a few times a month, we recommend getting a mobile hotspot device instead. When you do, you will need a separate data plan for a better deal and more flexibility.
See our guide below to the best data plans from the nation’s biggest cellular providers—including data-only plans for standalone hotspots and cell phone plans that include a usable amount of hotspot data. We have top picks for monthly data packages, prepaid data, and even international roaming.
Our top pick: Which hotspot plan is best?
The best mobile hotspot plan is T-Mobile’s 10GB plan. It gives you 10GB of data to use on a T-Mobile–approved personal hotspot for $30 a month, with lots of options to buy more data through a “data pass” if you run out.
There is also a 5GB plan that costs $20 per month and 2GB for $10—either way you’re getting a solid deal for a hotspot-only plan, especially in comparison to other providers’ offerings. You also have a few different Wi-Fi hotspots to choose from that work on T-Mobile’s network, including Inseego’s 5G MiFi M2000.
Pro tip:
You can always use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot instead of using a standalone hotspot. It won’t be able to connect as many devices, and you may not get as much data either. But it’s a good way to go if you need a hotspot device only a few times a month. To learn more, read our guide to Wi-Fi tethering on your phone.
The five best mobile hotspot data plans
- Best overall: T-Mobile 10GB
- Best for 5G: Verizon Pro
- Best for cell phone hotspots: T-Mobile Go5G Plus
- Best Best for AT&T: AT&T PREPAID 50GB
- Best prepaid option: Visible+ phone plan
- Best for international travel: Verizon TravelPass
Best mobile hotspot data plans
| Plan | Best for | Price | Data allowance | Get it | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| T-Mobile 10GB | Best overall | $30.00/mo.* | 10GB/mo. (can order more GB w/ data pass) | View Plan |
| | Verizon Pro | Best for 5G | $60.00/mo. (w/ existing Unlimited phone plan), $90.00/mo. (w/out phone plan) | 100GB of 4G LTE/5G, then reduced to 600Kbps | |
|
| T-Mobile Go5G Plus | Best for cell phone hotspots | $90.00/mo. | 50GB/mo. (followed by unlimited 3G speeds) | View Plan |
| AT&T Prepaid 50 GB | Best for AT&T | $55.00/mo. (w/ autopay) | 50GB/mo. | |
|
| Visible+ phone plan | Best prepaid plan | $45.00/mo. (plus price of hotspot)† | Unlimited (max 10Mbps speeds, connects only one device at a time, speeds may slow after 50GB) | View Plan |
| | Verizon TravelPass | Best for international travel | $10.00/day | 2GB per day | View Plan |
Data as of 4/28/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Per connected device with AutoPay. Plus Taxes & fees.
†See full disclaimer.
What should you look for in a hotspot data plan?
The best mobile hotspot plans give you the most Wi-Fi data possible for every dollar you spend. The plan you pick should operate over a large enough network that you’ll get internet wherever you use it. It should also be compatible with a good-quality hotspot device that gives you fast speeds and lets you connect at least 10 devices.
Most hotspot plans give you a set amount of data per month. But if you’re traveling or need a Wi-Fi hotspot only intermittently, consider getting a prepaid plan so you pay for only the amount of data you need.
If you want to know more about the nitty gritty on what makes a hotspot plan worthwhile, read our hotspot features guide.
Pro tip:
Still shopping for a personal hotspot to use on your data plan? Take a look at our guide to the best mobile hotspots for a breakdown of the fastest and most useful hotspot devices for work, travel, and 5G.
How long does 100GB of data last?
A hotspot plan with 100GB of data lasts you a week or less of heavy, continuous daily use or a month of light use.
Hotspot data plans give you significantly less internet data to consume than you would get from a standard residential Wi-Fi plan. Cell phone companies have limited capacity to support internet customers, so data comes at a premium. You have to budget your use because unlimited, high-speed data usually isn’t an option.
Measuring data usage for different hotspot tasks
| Activity | How much data it uses | How much it takes to use 10GB | How much it takes to use 100GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checking 25 emails | 10MB | Check 25,000 emails | Check 250,000 emails |
| Posting to social media | 90MB per hour | 111 hours (4.6 days) | 1,111 hours (46 days) |
| Streaming music | 55MB per hour | 181 hours (7.5 days) | 1,818 hours (75 days) |
| Downloading a six-page PDF | 5.9MB | Download 1,694 PDFs | Download 16,949 PDFs |
| Downloading an HD movie file | Approx. 4GB | Download two movies | Download 25 movies |
| Downloading video game or game update | Approx. 20–60GB | You can’t even download one game | Download 1–5 games |
| Making a video call in SD | 340MB per hour | Make 29 hour-long calls | Make 294 hour-long calls |
| Making a video call in HD | 2GB per hour | Make 4 hour-long calls | Make 50 hour-long calls |
| Streaming video in SD | 500MB per hour | Stream 20 hours of video | Stream 200 hours of video |
| Streaming video HD | 2GB per hour | Stream 5 hours of video | Stream 50 hours of video |
| Streaming video in 4K | 8GB per hour | Stream 1.2 hours of video | Stream 12.5 hours of video |
Data from Omni Data Usage Calculator.
When you’re using a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can do a lot of basic stuff like emailing, posting to social media, sending texts over WhatsApp and streaming the occasional YouTube video in SD resolution without making a big dent in your data cap.
Other heavy-duty activities use a ton of data. Downloading and streaming video are the biggest culprits, so it’s best to keep those tasks to a minimum. When you can, use free Wi-Fi from places like libraries and hotels.
Activities to avoid when using a hotspot:
- Uploading large files (10GB or more) to a cloud drive
- Downloading large files
- Making video calls in HD
- Streaming video in HD or 4K
- Hosting a livestream
Best overall—T-Mobile 10GB
$10.00/mo.
(with option to buy more)*
- Data allowance: 10GB/mo.
- Network access: 5G, 4G LTE
- Compatible hotspots: Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G, Alcatel Linkzone, Franklin T10 Mobile Hotspot
*Per connected device with AutoPay. Plus Taxes & fees.
T-Mobile has the most flexibility when it comes to hotspot data. It’s cheap to start out and you can pay upfront for more internet data throughout the month. This plan is ideal if you need your hotspot device at irregular intervals. Get it if you regularly spend large blocks of time traveling on the road or working remotely out of town.
The 10GB plan gives you a good chunk of data to start out with and costs just $30 a month—a steal compared to the steep dollar-for-data prices that other providers have.
There are also plans that offer 5GB and 2GB of data if you want to smart small.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Multiple plan options
Cons:
- Smaller network compared to AT&T and Verizon
- Fewer compatible standalone hotspot devices
Best for 5G—Verizon Pro
$40.00-$60.00/mo.
Starting price
- Data allowance: 100GB of 4G LTE/5G, then reduced to 600Kbps
- Network access: 4G LTE, 5G, 5G Ultra Wideband (C-band and millimeter-wave)
- Compatible hotspots: Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G UW, Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW, Verizon Global Modem USB730L (also works with your own unlocked device)
When you want plenty of hotspot data and a network you can rely on from almost anywhere, this is the data plan to pick. Verizon’s Pro plan gives you a big, 100GB chunk of high-speed internet data to work with and the fastest 5G speeds possible.
When you’re in major cities, you can enjoy 5G Ultra Wideband coverage. That includes both millimeter-wave and C-band frequency channels, and Verizon is expanding C-band nationwide. If you’re a little farther out, you get access to Verizon’s huge 4G LTE network.
This plan isn’t affordable enough to justify using this as your permanent home Wi-Fi option (that’s what Verizon 5G Home Internet is for). And unfortunately, it costs $20 more per month if you order the plan without already having a Verizon Unlimited phone plan. You’ll want this plan if you’re a heavy-duty hotspot user with some serious data demands. If that’s not you, you can probably manage with a cheaper plan.
Pros:
- Compatibility with the best hotspot devices
- Excellent speeds
Cons:
- Expensive price
- Limited availability of 5G
Best for cell phone hotspots—T-Mobile Go5G Plus
$100.00/mo.
- Data allowance: 50GB/mo. of 4G LTE/5G data, after which speeds are reduced to 3G levels
- Network access: 4G LTE, 5G
- Compatible hotspots: your phone’s built-in hotspot
T-Mobile’s flagship unlimited phone plan gives you a dazzling 50GB of high-speed data each month to use on the hotspot built in to your phone. So you’ll have a bunch of data to use per month with your phone’s built-in hotspot. Unless you’re a huge hotspot-data user, you likely won’t need to pay extra for a separate hotspot and data plan.
Pros:
- Doubles as phone plan
- Includes lots of data
Cons:
- Comes at a high price
Pro tip:
Like AT&T and Verizon, T-Mobile gives hotspot users access to its budding 5G network, which is faster and more responsive than 4G. Take a look at our 4G vs. 5G guide to learn more about what sets the two apart.
Best for AT&T—AT&T Prepaid 20 GB
$25.00/mo.
(w/ AutoPay)
- Data allowance: 20GB/mo.
- Network access: 4G LTE, 5G
- Compatible hotspots: Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot Router, Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro, Unite Express Explorer 2
This simple prepaid plan gives you 20GB of data for $25 a month (when you pay for a year at a time). It’s a decent amount of data, and you can add an additional 5GB for $10. If you want to pay for one month at a time, you can choose from other prepaid plan options: $35/mo. for 15GB or $55/mo. for 30GB.
We like that you can get this plan without a credit check, and the add-ons are inexpensive and convenient. However, none of AT&T’s prepaid plans offer enough data for a month of light internet use.
If you’re logging on every day, we recommend looking into AT&T’s 5G home internet plan, AT&T Air . You can get speeds up to 22gMbps and unlimited data for $35 per month if you have an AT&T mobile phone plan. If AT&T doesn’t offer home internet in your area, T-Mobile 5G home internet is another great option.
Pros:
- Simple prepaid setup
- Great hotspots to choose from
Cons:
- Confusing plan options
- High price for the amount of data you get
Best prepaid option—Visible+ phone plan
$45.00/mo.
- Data allowance: Unlimited (max105Mbps speeds, connects only one device at a time, speeds may slow after 50GB)
- Network access: 4G LTE, limited 5G
- Compatible hotspots: Your phone’s built-in hotspot
Prepaid provider Visible runs over Verizon’s network and gives you unlimited hotspot data with some caveats (albeit big ones). This is a cell phone plan, so the hotspot data you’ll get will work over your phone’s built-in hotspot. You can get all the data you want all month long—the only catch is that your speed will be limited to 10Mbps, and you can connect only one device at a time to the hotspot.
That probably won’t work for some people—for example, it’s not a practical option for coworkers who need Wi-Fi on a shared hotspot connection while attending a conference away from the office. But if you can manage with the limitations, this is still a decent option that can give you reliable hotspot connectivity over a major U.S. cellular network at a cheap price.
Pros:
- Unlimited data
- Cheap price
Cons:
- Very slow hotspot speed
- Connectivity for only one device at a time
Best for international travel—Verizon TravelPass
$10.00/day
- Data allowance: 2GB/day
- Network access: Verizon networks in 208 countries
- Compatible hotspots: Verizon-compatible phones
The best way to get internet when you’re traveling internationally is by getting a SIM card from an international cell carrier in the country you’re traveling to. That or just stick with hotel and restaurant Wi-Fi.
But if you’re already a Verizon phone customer, you can take advantage of its TravelPass plan to get hotspot Wi-Fi data while you’re abroad. The TravelPass includes unlimited calls, texts, and 2GB of combined phone and hotspot data per day. It costs $10 a day to use in 208 other qualifying countries, including the UK, France, Germany, China, and Brazil. That’s not a whole lot of data but it’s enough to let you check your email, make some calls, and update Instagram with your awesome travel photos.
Better yet, you aren’t charged the $10 on any day you don’t use data. Iff you’re traveling abroad but don’t get online or send and receive texts, you won’t be charged.
Pros:
- Accessible service in 135+ countries
- Flexible usability
Cons:
- Expensive price
- Inconsistent internet service depending on which country you’re in
Hotspot data plan features
Most hotspot plans are relatively straightforward—you pick from what your cellular provider offers you when you buy a hotspot. But you don’t have to limit yourself to your cellular provider: you can also shop around for other providers that give you more data, have a larger cellular network, or a hotspot data plan that leaves room for international roaming.
How much data should you get?
You can pay a relatively small amount of money for a couple GB of data per month, or you can go all out and fork over $50 per month for 30GB or more. Most plans work on a month-to-month basis, but some plans give you a prepaid option and/or let you top up with more data when you need to. That’s a good way to go if you use a hotspot once or twice a month and don’t want to pay a monthly fee.
Sadly, you won’t get nearly as much data from a hotspot plan as you would from a home internet plan over a connection like fiber or cable. Cellular companies just don’t have the same capacity to serve our ravenous Wi-Fi needs in the way internet providers do.
But you’ll still have enough data to last you several days and maybe even a few weeks, depending on what you use the hotspot for.
Pro tip:
Prepaid data plans are often easier to get and sometimes give you more data for how much you pay. You’re also more likely to get a prepaid plan that works with your own unlocked hotspot (as opposed to one you have to buy directly from the provider). Our favorite prepaid data plan is the Visible phone plan .
Which carriers have an unlimited data plan?
Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all have unlimited data plans for hotspots. But that comes with a major caveat—each provider limits the amount of high-speed data you can get on a hotspot device. Usually you’ll get somewhere between 15–30GB of high-speed data. After you’ve used it up for the month, your hotspot will be “deprioritized” and revert to 3G speeds, which can be as slow as 128Kbps (or 0.128Mbps). Unfortunately, it’s uncommon to find truly unlimited plans for hotspots.
Is there a truly unlimited hotspot data plan?
No, you can’t find a truly unlimited hotspot data plan. While many hotspot plans are technically unlimited, they all come with limits on the total amount of premium 4G LTE and 5G data you can use. Either you commit to a monthly plan with a set limit, or you buy a prepaid data plan that requires you to buy more data once you’ve run out.
It’s impossible to get totally unlimited hotspot data because cell phone companies don’t have the network capacity to support full-time internet users on the scale of home internet providers. In order to get internet without any data restrictions, you need a broadband internet plan over a fiber, cable or 5G home internet/fixed wireless connection.
You might also want to consider satellite internet. Elon Musk’s Starlink offers unlimited data from virtually anywhere for $150, plus $599 for the equipment. It’s not cheap, but the customers we talk to say it works better than hotspot data if you’re on the road full time.
Wireless network size
Hotspot devices depend on cellular service to give you Wi-Fi access, so you’ll want your data plan to be on a big cellular network. If you’re traveling a lot—say, planning a cross-country road trip or flying to different cities for business—consider getting a plan on the biggest U.S. cellular network possible.
Here’s a breakdown of American cellular providers, according to the size of their wireless networks:
- Verizon—Largest network nationwide
- T-Mobile—Second-largest network nationwide
- AT&T—Third-largest network nationwide
- UScellular—Fourth-largest network nationwide
International roaming
Not every hotspot plan will let you access the internet while traveling abroad. But you can get cellular access from a local provider—just plug the new SIM card into your unlocked phone. Or you can pick a Wi-Fi hotspot and data plan from an American cellular company that gives you cellular access overseas.
Going with a local provider when traveling abroad is usually cheaper and gives you more options to choose from. But that may be difficult if you’re planning to visit a lot of countries in a relatively short period. Going with a set plan from your current provider or a data plan option like Solis’s Global Daypass can save you the headache and confusion of figuring out cellular options in a foreign country.
Our verdict
If you’re shopping for a hotspot data plan, you can’t go wrong with T-Mobile’s 2GB plan for the affordable price and large nationwide network access. It also works with a lot of great Wi-Fi hotspots, so you’ll have reliable Wi-Fi as you’re on the go.
But plenty of other providers have excellent hotspot plans too. Sign up with Verizon for a 5G hotspot data option or seek out Visible for a simple hotspot package.
FAQ about hotspot data plans
Can you get a truly unlimited hotspot plan?
No, you cannot get an unlimited hotspot plan. Although Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Visible all technically have unlimited hotspot plans, each plan comes with strict limits on the amount of premium, 4G LTE and 5G data you can use per month. When you run out of that premium data, your speeds slow to a crawl, effectively requiring you to pay for more data or deal with a non-working hotspot.
Unfortunately, no hotspot plans we are aware of give you totally unlimited high-speed data with no limits on speeds or the number of Wi-Fi devices you can connect.
Which mobile carrier has an unlimited hotspot plan?
No mobile carrier has a totally unlimited hotspot plan, but T-Mobile’s hotspot plans give you the most flexibility to buy data whenever you want. If you run out of your data allotment, simply buy a “data pass” to re-up your supply.
Is hotspot data the same as mobile data?
Yes, hotspot data is basically the same as mobile data—both come from a cellular carrier and give you wireless internet access. The key difference is how the terms are used. Mobile data generally refers to data for a cell phone plan, while hotspot data is strictly for phone hotspots and personal Wi-Fi hotspots.
How much does a hotspot plan cost per month?
Hotspot plans cost around $50 per month, especially if you want wide network coverage and a lot of data. But if you’re ok with less data you can find cheaper plans for as little as $10 per month. On the other end, you can also find plans with a lot of data that can cost upwards of $90 per month.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. HighSpeedInternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Author - Peter Holslin
Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and journalism from New York City’s The New School University in 2008 and went on to contribute to publications like Rolling Stone, VICE, BuzzFeed, and countless others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on covering 5G, nerding out about frequency bands and virtual RAN, and producing reviews on emerging services like 5G home internet. He also writes about internet providers and packages, hotspots, VPNs, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
Related Posts
