When you use links on our website, we may earn a fee.

5 Best Hotspot Data Plans

In a world where staying connected is non-negotiable, the significance of a reliable hotspot data plan cannot be overstated. Whether you're a digital nomad working from a coffee shop, a student studying in a library, or someone who relies on fast internet on the go, hotspot data plans offer convenience and practicality that a data plan alone doesn’t.

Essentially, a hotspot data plan allows you to turn your smartphone into a portable internet hub, providing internet access to devices like laptops and tablets. Perfect for those moments when public Wi-Fi just won't cut it, these plans cater to a wide range of people – professionals requiring constant connectivity to casual users who want the freedom to stream, work, or connect wherever they are. In this guide, we’ll walk through the digital connectivity landscape to help you find the best hotspot data plans that ensure you stay effortlessly linked to the online world.

Table of Contents

  • Best Hotspot Data Plans
  • Things To Consider When Buying
  • How We Chose

Mint Mobile Unlimited  »

Mint Mobile Unlimited

Offers 3-, 6-, and 12-month plans with savings for longer durations

No lengthy contracts

10 GB of mobile hotspot data

No in-person customer service

Data speeds are lowered after threshold is reached

If you’re looking for a balance of quality internet connection and budget-friendly prices, Mint Mobile Unlimited is a great plan to consider. Mobile hotspot is included at no extra charge, and the 10 GB hotspot threshold with the Unlimited plan is generous, considering the low monthly starting price of $30. We like that no contracts are required, and you just have to choose between a three-, six- or 12-month plan. The longer you commit, the greater your savings. With a clear focus on user freedom, Mint Mobile supports the “bring your own everything” (BYOE) concept, offering easy migration of your current phone and number.

Mint Mobile Unlimited features unlimited talk and text, high-speed data, and additional perks, like free calls to Mexico and Canada. The plan seamlessly transitions between 5G and 4G LTE, providing robust 5G coverage across over 6,000 cities. If you find yourself not in need of the 40 GB of monthly data the unlimited plan provides, you can always downgrade your plan allotment while still being able to draw on your monthly data to use a mobile hotspot. There are a few downsides of Mint Mobile to consider, including the lack of physical store locations for help, but overall, Mint Mobile Unlimited is an excellent mobile hotspot data plan for the average user.

Tello Data  »

Tello Data

Low monthly price

Flexible plans can be upgraded and downgraded at any time

5 GB of hotspot data

Limited hotspot allotment

Speeds slow after 35 GB of data

No plan perks or extra features

Tello Data, our top pick for the best budget hotspot data plan, stands out for its affordability and flexibility. Tello offers plans as cheap as $9 per month, but we recommend the provider’s Data plan that comes with unlimited high-speed data and 5 GB of mobile hotspot data. There are no contracts or fees with any Tello plan, and you’ll have the ability to upgrade or downgrade your plan, or even cancel a line, at any time.

That being said, for a mobile hotspot, 5 GB of data isn’t a lot for heavier usage. This amount will get you less than 100 hours of basic internet browsing. However, if you only rely on your mobile hotspot data sporadically, the Tello Data plan is a great way to save money by not paying for more than you need. Plus, all of Tello’s plans include free international calls to over 60 countries, 5G coverage when applicable, and Wi-Fi calling and text.

Verizon Pro  »

Verizon Pro

Reliable, widespread coverage

100 GB of premium mobile hotspot data

5G Ultra Wideband access

Hotspot data plan must be purchased in addition to an existing Verizon data plan

Expensive for non-Verizon phone customers

For anyone who needs a large amount of reliable hotspot data with access to high-speed 5G networks, Verizon Pro offers 100 GB of high-speed data per month, giving you the ability to browse or stream virtually unlimitedly. With an extensive network covering 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G, and 4G LTE in select areas, this plan ensures a reliable and high-speed connection. If you do reach your 100 GB per month data cap, speeds will reduce to 3 Mbps for the remainder of your billing cycle.

Keep in mind that the cost for this mobile hotspot plan comes on top of your regular monthly phone plan rate. The Verizon Pro mobile hotspot plan costs $60 per month with an existing Verizon Unlimited plan. Otherwise, the price rises to $90 per month if you are not an existing Verizon Unlimited customer. However, if you’re in need of a secure, mobile hotspot for any use, Verizon Pro offers a good alternative to the typically low thresholds of hotspot data.

T-Mobile Go5G Plus  »

T-Mobile Go5G Plus

50 GB of mobile hotspot data included

In-flight connection

15 GB of data in Canada and Mexico and 5 GB of international data

Expensive monthly cost

During congestion, customers using more than 100 GB of data may see slower speeds until the next billing cycle

T-Mobile Go5G Plus is our top pick for users who travel. The plan offers unlimited high-speed data that includes 50 GB of high-speed hotspot data. After 50 GB, hotspot data speeds will be reduced to 3G but hotspot usage is still available. Beyond domestic data benefits, Go5G Plus offers 15 GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico and 5 GB of high-speed data internationally in over 215 countries, after which you still get unlimited data but at a speed of 256 Kbps.

At $90 per month (after autopay), T-Mobile Go5G Plus is not a budget-friendly plan, although the benefits may outweigh the cost for the right users. If you rely on mobile hotspot data for streaming or working, this plan offers reliable connectivity all around the country. Plus, with the added travel benefits built into the phone plan, you will be able to access the internet regardless of where in the world you decide to visit. The company advertises that they do not require an annual service contract, which offers more flexibility to users.

Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited  »

Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited

Straightforward pricing without added taxes and fees

No contracts or long-term plans

25 GB of mobile hotspot data

Data speeds may be reduced after 35 GB of regular usage

Fewer plan perks and features

Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited is our pick for the best prepaid plan, offering users a transparent and contract-free mobile experience. With no added taxes or fees, subscribers enjoy straightforward pricing, knowing exactly what they're paying for each month. The top plan costs $60 per month after autopay and includes 25 GB of mobile hotspot data.

While Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited runs on T-Mobile’s high-speed network, the main downside of its plans is the data caps. While unlimited high-speed data is technically offered, speeds may be capped after 35 GB of usage until the next billing cycle. Plus, Metro by T-Mobile’s price tag keeps costs low for full-functioning data and phone service but leaves out certain features, like international data service or streaming subscriptions, that other carriers’ plans include. With those limitations in mind, Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited is still a solid pick for a lower-cost prepaid plan with enough mobile hotspot data to be more than sufficient for basic monthly internet usage.

The Bottom Line

Hotspot data plans can be a bit tricky to compare because the best option for you will depend on a variety of factors, including price, data usage, speeds, and coverage. We found that Mint Mobile Unlimited, cost-effective, contract-free, and coupled with attractive features, like Wi-Fi calling and a 10 GB mobile hotspot threshold, may be a good option for many users. However, frequent travelers may find T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus plan, with a 50 GB mobile hotspot and international data features, more helpful, and heavy data users should opt for the Verizon Pro 100 GB mobile hotspot. Before choosing a plan, it’s best to determine your needs and go from there.

Things To Consider When Buying a Hotspot Data Plan

When you're thinking about getting a hotspot data plan, the first thing to check is the coverage. You want to make sure that the plan works well in the areas where you often need or anticipate needing internet service. A good plan should cover many different places, so you can connect without any issues. It's not just about the big cities. You also need to check if it works well in the areas you go to regularly. “Even the best providers have coverage gaps,” says Eric Plam, president at Solis, a global retailer of Wi-Fi hotspots. “Research potential dead zones, and consider whether alternative plans might be needed.”

This is important whether you're using it at home, work, or when you're out and about. Whether you're a professional who travels for work or a student who needs the internet on campus, having good coverage is key. Your hotspot should be a reliable partner, making sure you always have a solid connection, so before you decide on a hotspot data plan, think about where you need it most and choose one with the coverage that fits your routine.

“The lower the data limit, the less data you get to use,” David Henry, president and general manager of Connected Home Products and Services at NETGEAR, says. “It’s important to assess your application usage and purchase a data plan accordingly.”

Take a close look at both the overall data limit and any potential constraints on high-speed data. Understanding your data consumption patterns is important here – from streaming videos and music to browsing and file downloads. If your activities lean towards data-intensive tasks, a plan with a generous overall data limit is going to be really important. Additionally, you’ll want to be mindful of any restrictions on high-speed data, as some plans may reduce speeds after a certain threshold. This consideration becomes particularly significant if you rely on speedy connections for work or entertainment.

How fast your internet is matters a lot. It's important to choose a plan that not only gives you speedy internet but also makes sure it's reliable. Plam suggests keeping in mind what data-heavy activities you’ll be using your hotspot for, as things like streaming and video conferencing require faster connection speeds than browsing through web pages. When considering your internet speed, you’ll also want to see if there are any speed limits after you use a certain amount of data. Some companies throttle data at a point, even when unlimited high-speed data is advertised. Keep this in mind while choosing, and be sure you get a plan that will guarantee you enough high-speed mobile hotspot data without limits.

When you're looking at hotspot data plans, the price you pay each month is going to be a big factor. You want to compare the costs of different plans to find one that doesn't break your budget but still gives you what you need. Check out what each plan offers in terms of data limits, speeds, and any extras they might throw in, and then see how all of that matches up with the price they're asking for. Some plans might be cheaper but have fewer features, while others could be a bit more expensive but come with cool extras. Think about how much internet you usually use and find the right balance between what you can afford and what the plan gives you.

“Look beyond the headline price and factor in any activation fees, monthly service charges, and potential overage fees,” says Plam. “Be sure to check if there are extra charges used for roaming or using abroad.”

Contract Length

When you're looking at hotspot data plans, don't forget to check the contract length. Some plans want you to commit for a certain period, while others give you the freedom to go month-to-month. Think about what works best for you – whether you like the stability of a longer commitment or the flexibility of a shorter one. Consider the potential fees tied to different contract lengths, since sometimes, if you want to end the contract early or make changes, there might be extra charges. Going for a contract can lower your monthly costs, but it means sticking around for a set time. If you go month to month, you have the flexibility to make changes, but it might cost a bit more each month. The key is to pick the contract length that suits your lifestyle and plans.

How We Chose the Best Hotspot Data Plan

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, our contributor did a deep dive into the world of hotspot data plans, meticulously researching every available option and considering all important features. She also spoke with several experts in the field of tech, including the president of a mobile internet company, and the president and general manager of a networking hardware company, to create this list of the Best Hotspot Data Plans. We took that information and compared various factors between plans, including upfront cost, hidden fees, data speed, roaming options, and others. While the best hotspot data plan will depend on a variety of needs and factors, we found several plans that will be reliable and fast for the average user.

Why Should You Trust Us?

Our team is a powerhouse of expertise and experience, filled with people who have spent years researching, testing, and reviewing products, plans, and services. Anne Taylor, the author of this piece, has over five years of journalism experience covering products and services that make our lives better. She has written for LifeSavvy, Bustle, Elite Daily, and Inverse. To Anne, a good hotspot data plan will have the features you’ll use at a fair price point – no reason to pay extra for things you don’t need.

Hotspot Data Plan FAQ

“Most of the carriers that offer unlimited data usually cap the data after a certain limit,” says Henry, president and general manager of Connected Home Products and Services at Netgear. Typically, these plans provide a certain amount of high-speed data for hotspot usage, and once that threshold is reached, the speed may be reduced for the remainder of the billing cycle. You can determine your true data cap by reading through the terms and conditions of each plan, or by contacting customer support. You should also keep in mind that mobile carriers may update their plans occasionally, so it’s worthwhile to check this information often, especially if you have noticed a reduction in speed.

This will depend on how the hotspot data is used. For example, 100 GB of hotspot data will let you browse through web pages for about 1,200 hours but only download or HD stream videos for about 50 hours. (For reference, there are about 730 hours in one month.) Most people will have a range of activities they use with their hotspot data, so it is impossible to accurately estimate how long this much data will last. If you are wondering how long 100 GB will last for you, it would be a good idea to test it out for a month or two, keeping track of how you are using your hotspot data and how much you are using.

“The average person’s data needs vary widely based on lifestyle and online habits,” said Plam. He suggested that light users who check email and browse web pages occasionally may be happy with 5 GB of mobile hotspot data while extreme users who broadcast livestreams and upload large videos regularly may need 80 GB or more per month. To get a better estimate of the amount of data you’ll need, Plam, president at Solis, a global retailer of Wi-Fi hotspots, recommends considering your typical online activities, the resolution of your streaming, and the number of devices that will be using the hotspot.

The monthly cost of a hotspot data plan will vary significantly between carriers and individual plans. The monthly costs of plans on this list range from $14 to $90 per month. Budget plans tend to have fewer features, slower speeds, and lower data caps than more expensive plans. Some carriers may run promotions that offer a lower initial cost. It's important to check with specific carriers for the most up-to-date pricing information, as well as to compare different plans to find one that suits your needs and budget.

A mobile hotspot and Wi-Fi serve similar purposes in providing wireless internet access, but there are differences in their performance, coverage, and usage scenarios. A mobile hotspot should not replace your home Wi-Fi connection, but it can be a handy backup resource at home and a vital one on the go.

Public Wi-Fi connections, for example, those at coffee shops, libraries, or other public establishments, are often free and readily available, making them a convenient choice for work, browsing, or streaming on-the-go. Hotspot data, however, offers more protection for users when compared to public Wi-Fi. The connection a mobile hotspot provides is a private network that requires authentication, whereas a public, open Wi-Fi network lacks that private security. Dually, a private hotspot via mobile data on your smartphone can often provide faster speeds than an overcrowded public network.

About Our Team

Anne Taylor

Anne Taylor

Contributor

Rachel Hisle

Rachel Hisle

Associate Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

  • Electronics

The Best Wi-Fi Hotspot

The Fi-Fi hotspots from Verizon and Sprint, tested for this review of the best wi-fi hotspot.

If you lean on your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot so often that you suffer from constant data-cap and battery anxiety, it might be time to upgrade to a dedicated hotspot. The Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L is one of the older models available and isn’t as fast as some newer devices, but it remains the most reliable choice when your phone’s mobile-hotspot features aren’t an option. Although it doesn’t support 5G, the MiFi 8800L takes advantage of the largest LTE network in the US, which remains fast in its own right and has data plans that are now a lot more generous.

Everything we recommend

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L

Best overall wi-fi hotspot.

The 8800L works on the fastest, most reliable LTE network and has sufficient battery life to crank through all but the longest workdays.

Buying Options

best mobile hotspot plans for business

T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000

Best 5g wi-fi hotspot.

The M2000 connects to T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G network for fast service that’s increasingly available throughout the US. It also provides adequate battery life and comes with decent pricing options.

Most people who need only occasional internet access for their own laptop should just tether to their phones, but the Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L does the job more reliably and for much longer periods. Its battery lasts through all but the longest workdays—it averaged almost 11.5 hours in our tests in late 2020 and early 2021—and it has a USB-C port that you can use to charge your phone or tablet if necessary. And because the hotspot itself charges via that same port, you can use the AC adapter from a USB-C laptop or Android phone to recharge it, saving on bag space. Verizon just launched a 5G hotspot to take advantage of growing network coverage with next-generation speeds, but until we test that model, the 8800L remains a good, reliable value.

Meanwhile, Verizon’s LTE coverage still tops surveys for nationwide service—especially in places where free public Wi-Fi is scarcest. (For more on why Verizon’s network is superior, read our guide to the best cell phone plans .) Since our last update to this guide, Verizon has helped its cause by rolling out a new set of data-only hotspot plans, both postpaid and prepaid, that offer far more data than you’d get via mobile hotspot on even its most expensive smartphone plans.

Although 5G broadband has a reputation for overpromising and underdelivering, T-Mobile’s implementation of the next generation of mobile broadband benefits from a network offering a combination of speed and coverage that AT&T and Verizon began matching only in early 2022 with their deployments of “C-band” 5G . The T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 may not tap into the network’s 5G frequencies every time you use it, but your odds of seeing the network’s fastest 5G speeds remain better with T-Mobile than with those two rival carriers. This hotspot also offers a simple touchscreen interface, decent battery life, and the lowest price of any 5G hotspot. T-Mobile, however, has not updated the pricing of its hotspot plans to match the increasingly generous rates of its competitors, even if its approach remains simpler.

The research

Why you should trust us, do you need a hotspot, or is your smartphone enough, a 5g reality check, how we picked and tested, our 4g pick: verizon inseego jetpack mifi 8800l, our 5g pick: t-mobile inseego 5g mifi m2000, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve covered the wireless industry since about 1998, including writing dozens of reviews of devices and services for The Washington Post, USA Today, Fast Company, Yahoo Finance, Discovery News, PCMag, Boing Boing, VentureBeat, CNN Money, and others such as trade publications Light Reading and Fierce Telecom. And in July 2021, I put in more than a thousand miles of drive-testing from Baltimore to Atlanta for PCMag’s Fastest Mobile Networks project. I also maintain Wirecutter’s guide to cell phone plans .

I’ve relied on wireless broadband during business travel since at least 2008—back when that required plugging a PCMCIA card into my work laptop—and I’ve alternately praised and cursed Wi-Fi hotspots from all of the nationwide wireless carriers in the years since.

Just about every smartphone available now can act as a hotspot, sharing your data signal over Wi-Fi with your tablet, laptop, or other devices. And in recent years, more generous tethering options have made it mostly unnecessary to buy and manage a separate device: On AT&T’s and Verizon’s cheapest unlimited-on-phone plans that allow hotspot use, the hotspot caps are now up to 15 GB and 25 GB, respectively. So if you need a hotspot for only short periods, such as when you’re sending some files from your laptop or browsing a few websites, your phone will suffice.

But if you expect to travel a lot and have business income on the line, using a dedicated hotspot can be more reliable than tethering from your phone, and the hotspot’s long-lasting internal battery lets you keep your phone (and its battery) free for other things.

If you’re on an older but cheaper phone plan and don’t want to switch, the math may tilt more heavily toward getting a hotspot. But if you’ve been on a data plan for years and haven’t comparison-shopped lately, consider doing so; data has gotten cheaper at all three major carriers over the past few years. If you’re not sure how generous your carrier is with hotspot usage under your current plan, check your statement or get in touch with customer service.

You can buy a smartphone plan with 50 GB of mobile-hotspot use (via Verizon’s Get More Unlimited , with AT&T’s Unlimited Elite and T-Mobile’s Magenta Max each offering 40 GB). But at that point the power-consumption issue reinforces the case for a dedicated hotspot—burning through 40 GB to 50 GB of tethering on your phone would destroy its battery.

The advent of 5G wireless broadband at all three carriers has added further complications. T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G and AT&T’s and Verizon’s newer C-band 5G each provide much faster speed than LTE can manage without the crippling range limits of the ultra-fast millimeter-wave 5G that Verizon latched on to early on. But although T-Mobile has had a hotspot compatible with its best 5G since late 2020, Verizon did not ship a C-band model to go with the service it launched in 46 mostly urban markets this January until March; AT&T, which debuted its C-band 5G in a mere eight markets nationwide (PDF) , introduced a C-band hotspot of its own only in April.

Before the first 5G networks launched, part of the telecom industry publicized the next generation of mobile broadband with near-magical predictions of the things that 5G could make possible: Self-driving cars! Robot surgery! Robot surgery in the back of self-driving cars!

The appropriate image for 5G is not an autonomous vehicle scooting through traffic or a robot wielding a scalpel. Instead, picture a layer cake.

Speeds and distances of different 5G signals

The top of the cake is millimeter-wave 5G, which occupies hitherto-vacant transmission frequencies with immense capacity and speed (up to 2 Gbps in practice) but vanishingly little range. Verizon says the range is up to 1,500 feet unobstructed , and forget indoors—structures and even trees block those signals. The middle layer represents mid-band frequencies—namely, the 2.5 GHz spectrum that T-Mobile got when it bought Sprint, and now the 3.7 GHz to 3.98 GHz C-band frequencies that AT&T and Verizon bought in early 2021—that can achieve speeds in the hundreds of megabits per second at a range of a mile and change.

The widest layer, at the bottom of our metaphorical cake, is 5G on today’s low-band frequencies, which doesn’t get much faster than existing 4G networks but should offer lower latency while matching today’s coverage. And 5G is more efficient with data overall than 4G is, so you can still get a boost in speed—especially over time, as more data moves to other frequencies. Meanwhile, in rural areas , T-Mobile has been optimizing 5G for coverage, not speed.

In short, “5G” can mean different things, and you shouldn’t buy a 5G device just because of that alphanumeric identifier. You should know the 5G service you’re likely to get and how that will improve on 4G’s potential before you commit to new hardware.

Fortunately, the 5G story doesn’t end here. The federal government has been working to find and free up mid-band spectrum to complement the existing airwaves , with further mid-band auctions coming over the next few years. A year from now, 5G may work much better than it does today—but you may have to buy new hardware to enjoy it on those new frequencies.

Two wi-fi hotspots stacked on top of one another during testing.

Here’s what we look for in a hotspot:

Network: Reliability is the reason to buy a hotspot, starting with the network behind it. If a network doesn’t offer a good, fast connection, there’s no point. Between coverage and speed, however, we’ll take coverage. A 20 Mbps connection in a rural area, for example, matters more than a 100 Mbps connection in a city, where Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, restaurant, shopping mall, or other venue isn’t far away.

We assess 5G on the same scale. Gigabit speeds confined to a block or just a street corner help much less than 200 Mbps connections available across a neighborhood.

Battery life: Your hotspot should be able to last a full workday and give you plenty of breathing room. Though 10 hours advertised run time is the absolute minimum worth considering, the best hotspots can approach 20 hours.

Wi-Fi flexibility: In addition to support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi to give you a choice between range and performance (the former reaches farther from a hotspot, whereas the latter is faster and less subject to interference from other devices), a hotspot’s support for Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, offers the fastest possible tethering and reduced interference with other wireless networks when you use it with Wi-Fi 6–compatible devices.

Universal charging: The large battery on most hotspots should also be able to lend a charge to a phone or tablet over standard USB cables, by which we mean USB-C, now the standard for charging laptops and Android phones.

USB tethering: If you’re in an area crowded with hotspots and other Wi-Fi signals, your hotspot’s ability to connect to a laptop with a USB cable lets you avoid Wi-Fi congestion.

Easy-to-use interface: You shouldn’t have to guess or break out the manual to change basic settings—you should be able to change them by tapping the hotspot’s screen.

We’ve gone through five rounds of hotspot testing since 2014, and until recently each round has involved testing in multiple cities across the country. The pandemic quashed that for our latest round, but we did test this set of hotspots in urban and suburban spots in and around Washington, DC.

Measurements with the Speedtest site and app informed our decision, but we focused mostly on network reliability and coverage, with the battery life and usability of each hotspot as secondary considerations. We’ve tested these models on a range of devices; in our latest test round, our devices consisted of an iPad mini 5 tablet, a Google Pixel 3a phone, and a late-2017 HP Spectre x360 laptop.

The Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L, the best overall hotspot.

Despite a lack of 5G support, the Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L is the best hotspot for most people because of its exceptional coverage, reliable LTE performance, and good battery life, as well as carrier service plans that offer far more data than the competition. The 8800L has been around for a while, having shown up at Verizon in November 2018 —but because hotspots are updated so infrequently, that makes it less of a fossil than its age might suggest.

The 8800L supports LTE Advanced , an upgrade to the LTE network standard that can dramatically increase throughput and reliability, both already strengths of Verizon. LTE Advanced allows a device to use multiple frequency ranges simultaneously, alongside License Assisted Access , another advance that allows a carrier to shift some traffic into unlicensed spectrum when that’s available. More than once, we saw this hotspot achieve download speeds faster than those of a Verizon mmWave-compatible 5G hotspot in the same location.

Verizon data-plan options

Verizon’s newer C-band 5G network is far more useful than its mmWave 5G offering. But that service had only a partial rollout in January 2022, leaving out such larger markets as Atlanta, Denver, and Washington, DC, and the carrier did not ship a C-band–compatible hotspot until March, when it introduced the $300 Orbic Speed 5G UW .

That said, if speed is your priority over coverage, the third-party tests that continue to rate Verizon’s coverage highly, and which led us to recommend Verizon as the best wireless carrier for coverage , now give top performance honors to its competitors. PCMag, for example, rated T-Mobile as the fastest mobile network in America in 2021 after awarding Verizon first place in its 2020 testing . RootMetrics, which performs automated drive-testing much like PCMag’s, judged AT&T slightly better than Verizon in a round of tests done in the second half of 2021 that found that T-Mobile’s 5G beat everybody else’s in metro areas. Network-testing firm Opensignal reported in early 2021 , based on crowdsourced data from phones running its software , that T-Mobile’s 5G was faster than AT&T’s and Verizon’s, even after their respective C-band 5G launches.

Throughout our testing, the 8800L connected with boring reliability. Download speeds during our last round of testing, from December 2020 to March 2021, peaked at 284 Mbps along Pennsylvania Avenue in southeast DC but averaged 119 Mbps over that time. Uploads averaged 23 Mbps. More recent spot tests, in 2022, found that this performance persists.

The 8800L’s dual-band Wi-Fi router allows you to simultaneously connect on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands; it also offers a guest network, but that feature isn’t on by default. The 8800L can connect up to 15 devices via Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). That older protocol loses a bit of performance and reliability in comparison with the current Wi-Fi 6, assuming you have devices that also support Wi-Fi 6—but we doubt that makes a huge difference in practice.

With a laptop tethered to the hotspot and playing NASA TV’s YouTube stream continuously, the 8800L’s replaceable battery averaged 11 hours 26 minutes over three tests. That’s well short of Verizon’s advertised battery life of “up to 24 hours” yet also more than enough for a punishing workday. And now that most laptops and Android phones ship with USB-C chargers, we appreciate the compatibility that the 8800L’s USB-C port offers. If you don’t have a charger with you, the 8800L can also charge a phone over USB-C, as long as the hotspot has at least a 25% charge.

The Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L, shown plugged in.

This hotspot also offers USB tethering from that port, which in our tests worked without issue on an HP Spectre x360 laptop over a random USB-C cable. The 8800L’s guest-network mode reduces the anxiety of giving your wireless password to somebody you just met, and its touchscreen lets you check and adjust basic settings easily, although anything more complicated requires visiting Verizon’s web admin interface.

This model also features an option that business travelers will appreciate whenever they hit the road again: a Stealth Mode setting (which would be better named “small hotel room mode”) that turns off its screen and sound.

A person using the touchscreen on the 8800L wi-fi hotspot.

The real reason to get this hotspot, advanced age and all, is the choice of high-usage-friendly rate plans that Verizon introduced in July 2021 . But if you want the best prices on large amounts of data, you need to have an existing monthly unlimited plan with Verizon.

If you don’t already have a phone on Verizon, your best deal on data for a Wi-Fi hotspot is the less-obvious option of Verizon’s prepaid hotspot plans . If you need a lot of data, you won’t do better than Verizon’s monthly 150 GB plan for $100 standalone (but just $70 if you have an existing and active Verizon prepaid phone account). Verizon’s monthly 100 GB prepaid plan, $80 by itself or $50 with a phone, also represents a great deal.

Verizon’s two cheapest prepaid plans, 25 GB for $60 ($30 with an existing Verizon prepaid phone line) and 5 GB for $40 ($10 with a Verizon prepaid phone line) exclude 5G. They also provide less data than all but one of Verizon’s monthly unlimited smartphone plans.

If, on the other hand, you have a Verizon smartphone plan already, its monthly hotspot plans make more sense. The Premium plan includes 150 GB and costs $110 a month standalone, and the Pro plan covers 100 GB and costs $90 a month standalone—but they drop to $80 and $60, respectively, if you have any of Verizon’s current unlimited-on-phone smartphone plans. And if you have Verizon’s Do More Unlimited ($80 on a single line) or Get More Unlimited ($90) plan, the 150 GB hotspot subscription costs just $60 and the 100 GB option drops to just $40.

After those, the $40 Plus plan adds 50 GB but requires a postpaid smartphone plan, while the $20 Essential plan offers just 15 GB and omits mid-band and mmWave 5G. Subscribing to Do More or Get More cuts those plans’ rates to $20 and $10, respectively.

Note that exceeding those caps through the hotspot leaves you throttled to a useless 600 kbps data speed.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The battery life of Verizon hotspots has gone down over the life of this guide; the 11 hours and change we observed from the 8800L in our latest tests should get you through even a lousy workday but won’t suffice to recharge your phone much.

Changing the 8800L’s default alphanumeric password and other advanced settings requires logging in to the my.jetpack site from a device connected to the hotspot. The my.jetpack URL may not work everywhere in the world—it’s a sort of hack that Verizon employs, and you may need to type the backup local IP address of 192.168.1.1 instead. By default, the 8800L’s admin password matches its Wi-Fi password; we advise changing that.

Some owners—both in reviews on Verizon’s site and in comments here on this guide—have complained about unwanted reboots on the 8800L. We haven’t seen that problem on either of two different review units we’ve tested.

The best 5G hotspot, the Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 from T-Mobile.

The impressive T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 is that carrier’s first new hotspot in years, and it brings reliable 5G speed in a compact package with decent battery life. T-Mobile backs that up with pricing that’s simpler and more affordable than what the other nationwide carriers offer.

The M2000 connects to T-Mobile’s already-fast 4G LTE as well as its two bands of 5G: nationwide low-band 5G that isn’t much faster than 4G, plus mid-band 5G that delivers a dramatic leap in speeds in areas with the necessary coverage. The hotspot doesn’t support the millimeter-wave 5G that represented T-Mobile’s first stab at 5G , which the company has since mostly stopped talking about .

When it comes to speed, the more important thing here is what T-Mobile is doing with the frequencies that came with its purchase of Sprint. During our test period, that portion of the network often delivered speeds above 150 Mbps, maxing out at 236 Mbps in a park in Arlington, Virginia.

Third-party tests also give top network-speed honors to T-Mobile. PCMag, for example, rated T-Mobile as the fastest mobile network in America in 2021 after awarding Verizon first place in its 2020 testing . Another network-testing firm, Opensignal, reported in early 2021 , based on crowdsourced data from phones running its software , that T-Mobile’s 5G was faster than AT&T’s and Verizon’s, even after those carriers launched their C-band 5G. RootMetrics, which performs automated drive-testing much like PCMag’s, judged AT&T slightly better than Verizon in a round of tests done in the second half of 2021 but still found that T-Mobile’s 5G beat everybody else’s in metro areas.

T-Mobile prepaid data plans

T-Mobile’s coverage maps identify this faster 2.5 GHz coverage, which it markets as Ultra Capacity, in a darker shade of magenta—and in markets like Washington, DC, that deep purple covers most of the city and its nearby suburbs. The M2000 itself, however, doesn’t offer a hint as to whether you’re on T-Mobile’s lesser or greater 5G.

Otherwise, the M2000 offers a pleasant experience. All of our test devices connected to its primary network on the first try and stayed connected. The M2000 supports the current Wi-Fi 6 standard, a bit of future-proofing that allows for better performance and reliability as you upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 devices.

The M2000 offers a guest network disabled by default, with a weird wrinkle: Activating the guest Wi-Fi requires taking one of the two Wi-Fi bands (the lower-performance but longer-range 2.4 GHz band or the fast but shorter-range 5 GHz band) away from the primary network. In addition, during our tests the guest network failed to work once on an HP Spectre x360 laptop, for reasons Windows couldn’t explain in a “Can’t connect to this network” error; after we restarted the PC, the guest network functioned fine.

Both the primary and guest networks come with randomly generated alphanumeric passwords, which you can change on the hotspot’s web admin page (accessible at a my.mifi address that may not load; the IP address 192.168.1.1 also gets you there). You can connect a nearby device without a password—in our tests, we did so with the Spectre x360 laptop—by tapping a button on the hotspot, though this method uses the aging, less-secure WPS standard.

You can also connect a device via USB tethering: Plug a cable into the hotspot and the device, and then select Access internet (USB & WiFi) and OK in the menu on the M2000. In our tests that method worked on the first try with our HP laptop. The same USB-C port can recharge an external device, but after connecting the gadget in question, you need to remember to choose that option (select Universal Charging on the touchscreen and then tap OK ); otherwise, the hotspot will charge from the connected device instead.

Battery life on the M2000 averaged 9 hours 30 minutes over three tests. That’s not great, but it is certainly usable, and the hotspot’s USB-C port lets you use any other charger in addition to the one it comes with.

T-Mobile’s data pricing is refreshingly simple: The carrier sells prepaid access only on a standalone basis , with the best deal being 50 GB of 5G data for $50 a month. Getting 30 GB for $40 a month isn’t bad, either, but stepping below that leaves you at just 10 GB for $30–a moderate level of data use you could feasibly cover with your phone’s mobile-hotspot feature at a lower cost, since T-Mobile’s Magenta Max and its 40 GB hotspot allowance adds only $15 a month to its standard Magenta plan.

The T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000’s battery life could be a lot better, considering the fairly large size of this hotspot. Future, more efficient 5G-capable chips should almost certainly improve on that performance. Those future hotspots might also support more mid-band frequencies than the four 5G bands the M2000 supports.

T-Mobile’s overall 5G coverage can also be a problem; in non-urban environments, anyone who sees the vision of 5G expressed in T-Mobile’s ads may be disappointed by what they actually get on their own devices.

And yes, $335 or so is a lot for any hotspot—especially if T-Mobile’s network progress, including its own upcoming C-band, renders this device obsolete in a year or two.

New hotspots come out less frequently than new smartphones, and many hotspot models for sale at the big three carriers have been out for more than a year. With both AT&T and Verizon having finally introduced C-band 5G hotspots (which we look forward to testing soon), only T-Mobile is in line to ship a new hotspot anytime soon.

In March 2022, Verizon quietly introduced the $300 Orbic Speed 5G UW hotspot to coincide with its growing 5G coverage. We’ll test that model for a future update, when the hardware and network are both available.

Looking past the hardware to the networks, the expansion of C-band 5G at AT&T and Verizon will be the thing to watch. Each carrier has sunk billions of dollars into spectrum auctions to fill the gap between millimeter-wave and low-band 5G in their respective 5G architectures. Verizon says it will expand its C-band 5G to Atlanta and Washington, DC, this year , with further expansion coming in 2023, while AT&T’s big C-band expansion won’t come until next year, when the carrier predicts it will cover 200 million people .

The $400 Verizon Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW replaces the dreadful Inseego 5G MiFi M1000 and looks almost identical to T-Mobile’s M2000 when powered off aside from the Verizon 5G logo on its back. But although it’s cheaper and lighter than its bulky predecessor and can share all of its bandwidth via Wi-Fi, it suffers from the same severe coverage limits of Verizon’s millimeter-wave 5G.

After walking around with an M2100 in hand, we concluded that Verizon’s already underwhelming millimeter-wave coverage maps were aspirational at best. Most often, 5G coverage would emerge only in isolated patches of the advertised coverage area; more than once, I struggled to keep the Verizon hotspot on a 5G signal long enough to get a photo of it showing “5G UW” on its display . And since these high-frequency bands can’t penetrate buildings without repeaters, the real-world utility of this network and this hotspot dwindles further.

Plus, the M2100 suffers from the worst battery life of all the hotspots we tested, at an average of 8 hours 10 minutes, and it currently carries the second-highest price.

AT&T discontinued its previous 5G hotspot, the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro , months before its April 2022 introduction of two new 5G-compatible models . The Netgear Nighthawk M6 , $310, doesn’t support AT&T’s fastest 5G and so should be a nonstarter, while the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro , $460, does. But the M6 Pro’s price is more than 50% above the $300 list price of Verizon’s most comparable Orbic 5G hotspot. And although we haven’t been able to test either model, we’d have a much easier time testing the Verizon hotspot on C-band in the 46 markets Verizon has already turned on than in AT&T’s eight C-band markets (Austin, Chicago, Dallas–Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando).

If you happen to live in any of those eight markets, however, AT&T’s standalone hotspot rates have greatly improved since 2020 and now top out with a prepaid deal, 100 GB for $55, that beats Verizon’s pricing. But there’s a huge gap in AT&T’s prepaid lineup below that tier, as your only cheaper options are a 15 GB plan for $35 a month and a 20 GB option that runs $25 a month but requires paying for 12 months in advance ($300 up front). The carrier’s postpaid plans are less helpful: 40 GB for $75 a month or 25 GB for $50. The sole option to add hotspot data to an existing smartphone plan, at 15 GB for $25, looks worse, failing to match the mobile-hotspot allowance you can get on an AT&T smartphone plan and offering less bytes for the buck than in Verizon’s add-on.

At all three carriers, you can still find older hotspots that lack touchscreens and charge via old-school Micro-USB cables. Those models are now sufficiently far behind the times in their support for LTE and Wi-Fi standards that you should avoid them entirely.

Other carriers

Prepaid LTE hotspots can seem appealing , but on closer inspection the deals don’t offer as much data as you can get through a plan that allows mobile hotspot on a smartphone. They can work if you need a little hotspot bandwidth a few times a year in a location where your regular carrier’s connectivity lags—for that, we suggest looking at the prepaid hotspot data allotments you can buy from sibling services Net10 and Straight Talk , both of which offer 10 GB for up to 60 days for $50. For most people, though, the best option for temporary tablet or laptop bandwidth is the smartphone already in their pocket or purse.

If you need constant hotspot connectivity without data-cap issues but don’t require much speed or multiple devices online, Verizon’s prepaid brand Visible just might work. Its $40 single-user plan (you can drop that cost to $25 a month if you get three other people to join a Party Pay group) includes unlimited data via mobile hotspot subject to two constraints: “Mobile hotspot with unlimited data at speeds up to 5 Mbps, limited to one device,” as its fine print says.

Visible customers have reported in posts on the r/Visible subreddit that this slow, single-device hotspot feature really is unlimited, and Visible publicist Lindsey Cohen confirmed in an email to us that it comes with “no cap on usage.” For customers with a simple computing situation (say, they use only a laptop or an iPad) stuck with terrible bandwidth (such as an aging DSL connection), that arrangement just might work, even if they need to buy a separate phone to avoid tying up their current handset with hotspot duty.

Dave Andersen, Mobile performance in the US part 1: performance across the entire United States , RootMetrics , February 22, 2017

Sue Marek, Mobile Network Experience Report, January 2020 , Opensignal

Meet your guide

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Rob Pegoraro

Further reading

Our three picks for best Android and iPhone gimbal, displayed in a row in tripod position, with a smartphone mounted on each one.

The Best Android and iPhone Gimbal

by Geoffrey Morrison and Signe Brewster

If you want smoother, more professional-looking video from your smartphone, the Insta360 Flow is the best gimbal.

An iPhone and an Android smartphone lying face up next to each other showing their home screens.

iPhone vs. Android: Which Is Better for You?

by Andrew Cunningham

With thousands of hours testing phones and tablets , we know iOS and Android. We can help you decide which is better for you—or if it’s even worth switching.

An iPhone with its locks screen showing 3:01 p.m., to the left of an Android smartphone, also with its lock screen showing 3:01 p.m. Both are sitting on a light blue background.

How to Switch From iPhone to Android

by Roderick Scott

Switching from iPhone to Android is a big change, but it doesn’t have to be a hard one.

An iPhon shown charging vertically on the Belkin Boost Charge Wireless Qi charging stand.

The Best Qi Wireless Charger for iPhone and Android Phones

by Nick Guy

We’ve spent over 900 hours testing Qi wireless chargers, and we’ve found great models across a wide spectrum of styles.

Best mobile hotspots in 2024

The best mobile hotspots can keep your devices connected when there's no Wi-Fi around

best mobile hotspots

Best overall

Best for AT&T

  • Best for 5G

Best for T-Mobile

Best for travelers

Also consider

  • What to consider
  • How we pick

1. The quick list 2. The best overall 3. Best for AT&T 4. Best for 5G connectivity 5. Best for T-Mobile 6. Best for travelers 7. Also consider 8. What to consider 8. How we choose

Turn to one of the best mobile hotspots when you need to stay connected even when Wi-Fi is spotty or non-existent. Take a hotspot with you when you hit the road for work or travel for pleasure, and a solid connection to your cellular network of choice is usually a click or two away.

Yes, many of the best cell phone plans let you use your phone as a mobile hotspot, and that can be helpful in a pinch. But a standalone hotspot offers you a more persistent connections. Your phone is often busy doing other things — making phone calls, sending and receiving email, catching up on Slack, Twitter, or the latest news. If you don't want the potential disruption or bandwidth limitations of your phone's hotspot, a standalone hotspot can provide additional connectivity. 

What's more, that smartphone you're carrying around is likely your personal device. If so, you're not going to want to burn up your cellular data allocation for anything other than personal use. That's why a mobile hotspot is a very important tool for mobile workers and frequent business travelers.

Whether you're stuck someplace with dodgy Wi-Fi or you want to stay connected no matter where you happen to roam, the best mobile hotspots can keep you connected. And with 5G networks expanding, 5G hotspots are now more widely available with the promise of faster download speeds. In fact, there are even some with Ultra Wideband and mmWave connectivity.

Here's a closer look at the best options for a mobile hotspot. 

The quick list

Not only is it the best mobile hotspot you can get, but it's also the best choice if you're a Verizon customer. The Orbic Speed 5G UW offers speedy 5G coverage courtesy of super-fast Ultra Wideband and mmWave-based 5G coverage.

Read more below

AT&T's best mobile hotspot is the Netgear Nighthawk M6, offering up to 12 hours of battery life along with up to 32 active connections to keep everything you have connected to the internet.

Best for gaming

The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro provides adequate 5G speeds thanks to AT&T's 5G Plus network for the fastest data speeds; both on the up and downlink. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 6. These features make it perfect for gaming.

You won't have to spend a fortune on the Franklin Wireless JEXtream RG2100, which is great if you're on a tighter budget. You'll have access to the network's vast 5G network along with a promised all-day battery life.

Take the worry about traveling abroad because the Skyroam Solis Lite is portable enough to take with you, while offering support in 130-plus countries. It also functions as a battery bank too.

Also Consider

Here's another ultra-affordable option for T-Mobile customers with the Franklin T10 Mobile Hotspot. You'll be able to tap into its Wi-Fi 5 network and T-Mobile's 4G LTE network for light web surfing.

The best mobile hotspots

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Best mobile hotspot overall

1. orbic speed 5g uw, specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Verizon customers will want to turn to the Orbic Speed 5G UW, which not only connects to the carrier's nationwide 5G coverage but also its super-fast Ultra Wideband service in the areas where the mmWave-based 5G connectivity is available. Up to 30 Wi-Fi-enabled devices can connect to the Orbic Speed, and the hotspot's dual-band Wi-Fi 6 support should translate to fast data speeds.

At 9.91 ounces, this is one of the heavier hotspots we've seen and the promised 12 hours of continuous battery life is nothing to write home about. Still, the reason to turn to the Orbic Speed is support for faster 5G speeds via Verizon's C-Band 5G .

At $299, this is pricier than T-Mobile 's 5G hotspot, though you can spread out monthly payments of $8.33 over 36 months.

Best mobile hotspot for AT&T

2. netgear nighthawk m6.

Like Verizon's 5G hotspot, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 weighs about the same and promises up to 12 hours of continuous use. This AT&T-friendly hotspot includes a removable battery, though, so you can always swap in another power pack to keep the 5G connectivity going.

You can connect up to 32 devices to the Netgear Nighthawk M6, which is two more than Verizon's 5G hotspot supports. The M6 costs a hair more than the Orbic Speed 5G UW at $309, but 36 monthly payments reduce the cost to $8.62 per month. 

Best mobile hotspot for 5G connectivity

3. netgear nighthawk m6 pro.

You'd think there's little difference between the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro and the standard M6, save for the black exterior that the Pro offers. But there's an important difference hidden in the specs — the Nighthawk M6 Pro can connect to AT&T's 5G Plus network for the fastest speeds.

5G Plus isn't exactly as widespread as AT&T's nationwide 5G network — as of this writing, it's only available in 43 cities as well as a number of stadiums, arenas and airports. If your travels take you to where 5G Plus is an option having a hotspot that can deliver those faster speeds should help justify the Nighthawk M6 Pro's higher price. As a result, these faster speeds are ideal for gaming.

And you will pay more for this hotspot over the M6 despite the fact that they share many other features. (The Pro model does support the more cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 6 in addition to its 5G Plus compatibility.) The Nighthawk M6 Pro costs $459, though that breaks down into monthly payments of $12,78 over 36 months.

Best mobile hotspot for T-Mobile

4. franklin jextream rg2100.

T-Mobile subscribers can turn to one of the more affordable mobile hotspots for 5G connectivity. And that's great news since T-Mobile can currently lay claim to having the largest and fastest 5G network in the country.

T-Mobile's 5G coverage currently reaches 321 million people; of that, 235 million people have access to the carrier's faster Ultra Capacity 5G. The good news with the T-Mobile 5G Hotspot is that it supports Ultra Capacity in addition to the Extended Range 5G.

A massive 5,000 mAh battery promises all-day battery life, and the Franklin JEXtream RG2100 can connect up to 20 devices simultaneously. This hotspot is also pretty compact compared to what other carriers offer for 5G connectivity, so it's easy to tote around.

The T-Mobile 5G Hotspot costs $198.

Best mobile hotspot for travelers

5. skyroam solis lite.

If you're heading overseas, having a mobile hotspot that can keep you connected regardless of where you are is a good tool to bring along. The Skyroam Solis Lite is portable enough to take with you, and it promises connectivity in 130-plus countries. All you have to do is fire up the hotspot and you should be connected (provided you've signed on to one of Skyroam's data plans, of course).

Up to 10 devices can connect to the Solis Lite at any one time, and the device is rated to last up to 16 hours on a charge. Data starts at $9 for 1GB of Skyroam's global plan, so you'll want to use data judiciously, but this is a good solution for staying connected when you're abroad and don't want to rely solely on your international phone plan .

6. Franklin T10 Mobile Hotspot

T-Mobile customers who don't care about 5G can turn to the company's LTE hotspot. The Franklin T10 is a replacement for the T9 model that used to be on offer at the carrier. This version supports Wi-Fi 5 and used a USB-C port to charge instead of the micro-USB port of its predecessor.

The T10 is fairly compact, which is great for portability, but not so much for the size of the screen or the battery. You can connect up to 15 devices simultaneously.

The T10 hotspots costs $90, but like T-Mobile's 5G hotspot, you can get the device for free (in the form of 24 monthly bill credits) by opening a new line of data.

What to consider when shopping for a mobile hotspot

Before you shop for a mobile hotspot, consider if you even need one. If your cell phone plan includes hotspot data at LTE speeds, that may be good enough for staying connected (assuming you don’t plan on using more data than your allotted hotspot amount). If your mobile plan only allows 3G hotspot speeds — or doesn’t support hotspot data at all — you’ll want to consider a separate device.

After considering what network you’ll be using — unless you want separate bills for cellular connectivity, you’ll probably want to stick with the carrier who already provides your smartphone service — make sure to find out how many devices can connect to the mobile hotspot and whether that limits fits your needs. 

You’ll also want to pay attention to the size and weight of the mobile hotspot, making sure it’s something you can easily tote around. How you plan to use the hotspot — is this for international travel or just about having backup connectivity on the go — is another consideration since some hotspots are designed specifically for overseas use.

5G mobile hotspots tend to cost more than their LTE counterparts, though prices have come down considerably as 5G becomes more widespread. The typical 5G mobile hotspot costs around $300, though we've seen some like T-Mobile's new 5G hotspot that cost around $200. 

If you’re going to buy a hotspot using your current cellular provider, you should expect to pay $10 to 15/month for the additional cellular connection, plus the cost of the device. If you’re getting new service with a new provider, you can expect to pay around $60 a month for 10GB of data.

How we pick the best mobile hotspots

We look to feature hotspots from a number of wireless providers, so that we can help people find the right device for their network. We also try to include hotspots that are capable of both 5G and LTE connectivity to meet different use cases.

We turn to user reviews to help us refine our selections, and we also consider the price, feature set and portability of the devices we include in our final list of the best mobile hotspots.

More from Tom's Guide

  • Best international phone plans in 2024
  • The best portable chargers and power banks in 2024
  • Best cell phone plans in 2024

Get the BEST of Tom’s Guide daily right in your inbox: Sign up now!

Upgrade your life with the Tom’s Guide newsletter. Subscribe now for a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and hottest deals. Elevate your everyday with our curated analysis and be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets.

Jeffery Battersby is a writer, actor and raconteur, in addition to being an Apple certified trainer, a project manager and a specialist in smartphones, small business information technology, productivity software and office tools. He is based in the greater New York area and has contributed to Macworld as well as Tom's Guide.

  • Philip Michaels

Super Bowl 2024 — how Verizon got Las Vegas ready for the biggest game of the year

Get a free $200 Target gift card with Verizon's 5G Home Plus Internet

Android 15 could make it harder for hackers to access your accounts — here’s how

  • Random_Tech_Guy Potentially interesting & useful article, thanks. Unfortunately in my experience as a traveler for work & pleasure is that unless one lives & works downtown in a major metro area, the Achilles heel of these devices is challenges with reception / signal strength. What this has to do with this article is that the solution to many reception problems is to at least mention/consider hotspot devices that support optional external (TS9) antenna connections. Unfortunately, I didn't see any mention of this in the article - either yes or no whether any of the devices listed here as 'best' in class provide this capability. Please consider updating this article to 1) Identify whether each device supports external antenna(s), and 2) Include at least one device which does support TS9 antenna connections - and preferably under$300, as the majority are over $500, limiting the market / interest for the typical user. Reply
  • kelemvor4 I completely agree with @Random_Tech_Guy; External antenna connections are a critical feature for some of us and the lack thereof is a deal-breaker. It would be nice if you included that tidbit so we didn't have to research the option ourselves. @admin, please consider updating the article. Reply
  • View All 2 Comments

Most Popular

By Olivia Powell December 11, 2023

By Anthony Spadafora December 10, 2023

By Jennifer Rizzuto, Jane McGuire December 08, 2023

By Frances Daniels December 04, 2023

By Frances Daniels November 25, 2023

By Frances Daniels November 23, 2023

By Kate Kozuch November 21, 2023

By Dan Cavallari November 20, 2023

By Rod Lawton November 14, 2023

By Jonathan Knoder October 25, 2023

By Kate Marshall October 18, 2023

  • 2 5 easy ways to keep your kitchen sink area organized
  • 3 PSVR 2 one year later — here’s the good and the bad after 12 months
  • 4 You can change your Google Pixel's screen resolution to save battery life — here's how
  • 5 Forget biceps curls — I did 50 kettlebell crush curls every day for one week, here's what happened
  • 2 You can now create custom Chrome themes using AI — here’s how
  • 3 Wyze security camera breach is another reason why you should look at privacy shutters — here’s what I recommend
  • 4 7 best Coen brothers movies, ranked
  • 5 5 easy ways to keep your kitchen sink area organized

Wi-Fi logo on a phone Best hotspot plans feature image

Best hotspot plans of 2023

If you need mobile internet, you have tons of options. We can help you sort out the best hotspot plans for you.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

The Internet is a basic requirement for existence at this point, but choosing the right hotspot plan can be difficult. But, using public Wi-Fi has its own set of risks, especially if it’s free. Considering you are likely carrying a 5G-capable internet device in your pocket, why not make your own hotspot? And for that, you need the best hotspot plan.

There are more than 500 million public hotspots in the world but more than 7 billion smartphones, and many phones offer tethering options that turn them into makeshift hotpots. Sometimes the best, however, is not necessarily the phone in your pocket. Rather, the best might require a hotspot device to connect, offered by numerous carriers and third-party vendors. We tend to take the internet for granted at this point in its evolution but not all of us are connected all the time. Sometimes we need some 5G or 4G LTE help to get on the web. Especially if we are holed up with too many family members at a remote cabin in Michigan where the Wi-Fi is akin to two soup cans with string. 

A mobile hotspot plan offers you the ability to connect to the internet securely. It’s your own personal ISP. While that’s not necessarily true, as all hotspot plans are through a major (or minor) carrier, it’s your connection that works just for you from wherever. If you travel for work, you probably could use a reliable connectivity source. If you like having the internet out in the woods where there is no Wi-Fi but somehow a 5G signal, a hotspot is your choice. The best hotspot plans ensure you’ll never have to go camping without access to online Mario Kart sessions ever again.

Best overall: T-Mobile Magenta MAX

Best no-contract: straight talk wireless, best 5g speed: verizon pro, best international: solis global pay-per-gb, best for streaming: at&t 100 gb plan, how we picked the best hotspot plans.

Choosing a hot spot plan is different than buying a gadget. There are more variables involved that you have to consider. For instance, your current cellular carrier may offer a substantial discount for hot spot usage, which can seriously skew the numbers. In order to choose the best hot spot plans, we considered the specific needs of various people from casual browsers to serious power users. We relied on a combination of personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, company reputation, and spec comparisons. 

We included most of the major carriers, as well as some of the smaller names in the space who offer more niche plans. If you already have an account with a major cellular carrier, we suggest starting there. 

Things to consider before buying a hotspot plan

While you can just go out and buy a hotspot and get your internet, there are some factors to consider before buying. When it comes to a hotspot, the differences between services offered come down to the things you’d expect: price, network, plan details, and so on. Before buying a hotspot plan, you’ll at least want to consider how much data you might be using. Keep your expectations realistic. Even the best hotspot plans can’t typically handle long Netflix marathons.

All the major carriers offer hotspot plans. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T each sell devices and plans. Aside from that, minor carriers like U.S. Cellular, Cricket, and Straight Talk Wireless offer hotspot plans. Then there are virtual carriers that usually piggyback off of the major carriers. Visible is a solid example of one of those carriers. Considering all this, you’ll generally want to dance with the one that brought you. That is, if you already use one of these carriers for your main smartphone, that’s likely your best bet.

Prices can be all over the place for hotspot plans. Either there is a flat monthly fee or a per GB usage fee. This shouldn’t be the factor that totally influences your decision, as each pricing stage offers something different. Some of the pay-per-GB plans, for instance, are great for international travel. Verizon offers a discount on hotspot plans if you already have a Verizon phone. You can expect to pay on average around $40-$60 a month for most hotspot plans. This is cheaper than most ISP monthly costs.

Most hotspot plans do not offer unlimited data. If you are expecting your phone carrier, with whom you may have unlimited data, to have a hotspot plan without a data cap you may be disappointed. Regardless, most hotspot data plans offer enough GB of data to cover whatever you are working on. Pay attention to what is offered by your current phone carrier, you may get a good deal on hotspot data plans. Additionally, check what happens when you exceed your data cap. Does it cut off? Are there additional charges or slower speeds? Each carrier handles overages a bit differently and it can get very costly if you’re not careful.

Network size

Unlike the standard internet delivered through Wi-Fi, the signal coming through hotspots uses cellular signals. The best you can hope for is a good 5G signal if you are in a 5G area. More often than not you’ll get 4G LTE or, at worst, 3G. So you’ll want to check if the carrier supporting the hotspot is loaded with 5G towers. All the major carriers are expanding their 5G networks and it’s debatable who has the widest coverage. You’ll want to check coverage maps in relation to where you are going to need a hotspot in order to determine the largest, best network. 

Cell or mobile

Do you want to use your cellular device as a hotspot or do you want to purchase a dedicated hotspot device? That’s the question you’ll have to answer before choosing a hotspot plan. If you have very little to do besides uploading a few files from your work laptop here and there, or answering some email, your smartphone should do the trick. If you are planning on sitting down and pumping out Powerpoint presentations for eight hours from a lawn chair on the beach, then you might want a dedicated device.

The best hotspot plans: Reviews & Recommendations

T-Mobile Magenta MAX

Why it made the cut: The top hotspot plan on most lists, the T-Mobile Magenta MAX plan is a phone plan with a hotspot plan built in. 

  • 40 GB Premium data cap
  • Smartphone hotspot
  • 5G Unlimited data
  • Plenty of data
  • One plan for phone and hotspot
  • Large 5G network
  • 5G speeds can be slow
  • Price is on the high end

If you already have T-Mobile or are thinking of switching, the $85 T-Mobile Magenta MAX plan is for you. The bonus with this plan is not just that it offers you a hotspot without another device but that it’s an unlimited data plan. The catch is that after you use 40 GB of hotspot data, it reverts to 3G speeds for whatever you use after (per month). 

As long as you have a limited amount of devices connected to your hotspot (say, like one or two) then even 3G speeds can give you up to 3 Mbps. That’s not terrible for doing basic tasks. While the plan is meant to be used through your phone, you can still use a hotspot device instead. Depending on the model phone you have, this might be a good tack to take. Some models get mighty hot when pulling double duty. Regardless, the T-Mobile Magenta MAX plan offers you a hotspot option without necessarily having to buy another device. 

Straight Talk Wireless

Straight Talk

Why it made the cut: Of all the ancillary carriers out there, Straight Talk offers one of the more compatible hotspot plans.

  • No contract
  • Starts at $15/month
  • 4G LTE data

Pros: 

  • Good download/upload speeds
  • No contract, no cancel fee
  • GB pricing better the more you purchase
  • No 5G service
  • Limited network size

Straight Talk Wireless is known for its pay-as-you-go plans. If you don’t want a contract then this is the hotspot plan you are looking for. Plans range from $15/month for 2 GB of data to $75/month for 20 GB of data. Either plan delivers a moderate 31.1 Mbps download and 15.6 Mbps upload speeds. That’s not too shabby and comparable to some basic Wi-Fi services. The catch is that it’s all delivered across a 4G LTE network, likely piggybacking off a larger carrier’s tower. 

With a Straight Talk Wireless hotspot device, you can connect up to 10 devices at a time. This is probably the way to go here, as with 4G LTE you probably don’t want to burden your phone with being the community hotspot. The no-contract deal is a handy thing to have (or not have), especially when you only need to use a hotspot for a limited time. Straight Talk Wireless isn’t the only carrier out there to offer a no-contract hotspot plan, but it has some of the best plan options. 

Verizon Pro

Why it made the cut: The Verizon Pro is another hotspot plan from another major carrier. It makes sense if you already use Verizon.

  • 100 GB of Premium data
  • 5G/4G LTE speeds
  • Discount with a phone plan
  • 5G millimeter-wave compatibility
  • 100GB is all you get

With the Verizon Pro hotspot plan, once you go over 100 GB of data, you get whacked down to a meager 600 Kbps. That’s weak sauce but at least there are no extra charges for going over. The Verizon Pro plan offers a $30 discount down to $60 if you already have a Verizon phone plan. That’s not too shabby for 100 GB of data. Verizon has one of the fastest 5G networks out there, utilizing the millimeter-wave 5G in limited areas, mid-band 5G in others. Like the other major carriers, Verizon is working on expanding that network. 

If you use a hotspot a lot, then you’ll want a plan that takes advantage of those 5G speeds where available. While with this plan you can use your smartphone as a hotspot, Verizon’s Jetpack device has long been a reliable hotspot. Many businesses use the Jetpack for connectivity, which means its been field-tested plenty. You know what you are getting with Verizon, and the Verizon Pro hotspot plan takes full advantage of the growing 5G service network.

Solis Global Pay-Per-GB

support.skyroam

Why it made the cut: The Solis Global Pay-Per-GB hotspot plan can be used almost anywhere around the world.

  • 1 GB data cap
  • International use
  • Easy pricing
  • Network in 135+ countries
  • No contracts
  • Speeds dependent on geography
  • Have to purchase 1 GB at a time

With the Solis Global Pay-Per-GB Subscription, getting internet access from anywhere in the world is a relatively simple process. It should be noted that there are two ways to get the internet when you are traveling out of the country. The first is to buy a phone in your host country, with a new SIM. The second is to bring an international hotspot. There is a third option, but if you use your phone for the internet outside of the country, your phone bill would make Elon Musk do a spit take. 

If you aren’t sure how much data you are going to use, and need a fairly cheap option then this is it. At $12 a GB of data using the Solis Lite hotspot, you know what you are getting. Need another gigabyte? That’ll be another $12. There is no bulk pricing plan; it’s just the single plan. Of course, if you do use the Solis Global Pay-Per-GB Subscription hotspot plan, then you are at the speed whims of your host country’s cell towers. This is solid as a backup plan if you get into a real jam overseas.

AT&T 100 GB Plan

Why it made the cut: The AT&T 100 GB plan is one of several hotspot plans offered by AT&T, one of the major carriers.

Specs 

  • 100 GB Data
  • 5G/4G LTE Speeds
  • Unlimited data options
  • Unlimited plan comes with Hulu & HBO Max
  • Works with Netgear hotspot devices
  • 100 GB for $55
  • Plan has to be ordered in store
  • Works best for existing customers

If you are an existing customer with AT&T then you really don’t need to shop around. The AT&T 100 GB hotspot plan is one of several prepaid and postpaid hotspot plans offered by AT&T. If that’s too much data, there is a 25 GB plan for $50 per month or a 40 GB plan for $75. If it’s not enough data, there is a postpaid $75 per month unlimited plan that allocates 15 GB for hotspots, while the $85 unlimited elite plan allocates 40 GB. The unlimited plans are phone plans, while the prepaid plans are best for mobile hotspots or tablets.

The best hotspot plan is the 100 GB plan for $55 a month. Comparable to the Verizon Pro hotspot plan, that’s a good deal for 100 GB. This is a good amount of data if you are planning on spending your hotspot time streaming movies. While only the unlimited plans come with Hulu and HBO Max, you probably already subscribe to those. Speeds vary as AT&T is still working on expanding its 5G network, but you’ll at least get 4G LTE in most areas.

Q: Does a hotspot work without Wi-Fi?

Yes. That’s the entire point of a hotspot. A hotspot, unlike a Wi-Fi device, uses cellular connectivity, not a home network, to deliver the internet. Instead of connecting to an ISP running cable into your home, it connects to a cellular carrier. This makes hotspots ideal for connecting your devices to the internet on the go. Hotspots are then reliant on the speed of the connected cellular carrier. While some speeds can get up to 5G, most of the time you’ll at least see 4G LTE speeds.

Q: Can I use a hotspot for home internet?

Technically, you can. However, using a hotspot for home internet can be kind of limiting in its ability to handle large bandwidth events such as multiple device streaming. If you live alone and have very little to do on the internet and don’t mind mediocre download and upload speeds, then a hotspot for your home internet can be a money saver. Generally, hotspots are used as temporary or necessary internet connectivity solutions, not as long-term static solutions. 

Q: What happens if I use all my hotspot data?

This varies by your hotspot plan. Some plans offer more data at an additional cost, while other plans throttle your speed after the initial data has been used up. Other plans offer pay-as-you-go options, using incremental chunks of data. Check this carefully when you purchase a hotspot plan, as there is nothing stopping carriers from implementing outlandish fees if you exceed your data caps. 

Q: Can I use a hotspot for Zoom?

Yes. While the connection might not be perfect, Zoom also isn’t perfect so it’s a wash. If you have a good 5G connection with your hotspot, then video conferencing isn’t off the table. If you drop down to a 3G connection in a bad signal area, then you might want to stick to voice calls. There is little difference between using a laptop through a hotspot or just using your phone for Zoom calls.

Q: How good is hotspot Wi-Fi?

Hotspot Wi-Fi is generally limited to a shorter range than traditional Wi-Fi. Most hotspot devices run Wi-Fi 6 to allow for greater device connectivity. These two factors make hotspot Wi-Fi the best option for portability. It’s all about being able to connect on the go, so hotspot devices aren’t built to act as standard Wi-Fi routers.

Q: Which is better, a hotspot or home Wi-Fi?

Neither is better, neither is worse. Each serves a different purpose. When you can’t take your home Wi-Fi network with you, you take a hotspot. Both provide connectivity to the internet. A hotspot device creates its own Wi-Fi network through a cellular signal, while your home Wi-Fi distributes its signal off of a hard line to the ISP.

Final thoughts on the best hotspot plans

One of the hardest things about shopping for the best hotspot plan is deciding whether or not you want to switch carriers. Chances are, you are going to stick with whatever carrier you already use and piggyback a hotspot plan onto your existing phone plan. This is the easiest solution. If you do find yourself in the market for a new phone carrier, or plan to use a hotspot enough that it could stand to have its own dedicated line, then shopping around can’t hurt. The best hotspot plan is the one that works best for your needs—whether those be price, data, speed, or some combination—and there is a plan somewhere that will work perfectly. 

Like science, tech, and DIY projects?

Sign up to receive Popular Science's emails and get the highlights.

The Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans

  • Cell Phones

If you aren’t regularly connected to Wi-Fi, you may be looking for a cell phone plan that includes a high allotment of mobile hotspot data.

I’ve researched the phone plans that are currently available from both major providers and low-cost MVNOs to find hotspot plans with the most high-speed data, the best prices and the best features. In this article, I’ll share my top picks for the best unlimited hotspot plans as well as those that offer less data but better prices.

This article was updated in December 2023 and I review it every three months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here .

Visible+ logo

  • Unlimited mobile hotspot at speeds up to 5Mpbs
  • Unlimited talk, text and data (50GB of premium data on Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network before deprioritization; 5G-compatible phone required)
  • One of the cheapest prices for unlimited mobile hotspot data

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate logo

  • Unlimited premium data on Verizon’s fastest 5G network (Ultra Wideband)
  • 60GB of premium mobile hotspot data per month

T-Mobile Go5G Plus logo

  • High-speed premium mobile data that never slows based on usage
  • 50GB of high-speed hotspot data before reduced speeds

AT&T Unlimited Premium logo

  • Unlimited high-speed data that can’t be slowed based on usage
  • 50GB of high-speed hotspot data per line before reduced speeds

Choosing the Best Hotspot Plan

When it comes to choosing the best cell phone plan for you, the amount of hotspot data included is a big factor to consider. If you don’t have a stable connection to Wi-Fi, you may sometimes need to turn your phone into a hotspot so that you can share your data with other devices. 

While it’s nearly impossible to find a completely unlimited high-speed hotspot plan, several providers offer a high allotment of high-speed hotspot data, an unlimited amount at slowed speeds and data-only plans.

Some service providers, such as T-Mobile and Xfinity, advertise free Wi-Fi hotspot locations throughout the country if you already have service with them, but know that you’ll have to be in specific locations to access the free hotspots.

If you need hotspot data wherever you are via your phone, these are great plans to consider.

Below, you’ll find my top picks for the best hotspot plans:

  • Visible: Best Cheap Unlimited Hotspot Plan
  • Verizon Unlimited Ultimate: Most High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Data
  • T-Mobile Go5G Plus: Best Hotspot Plan for Travel
  • AT&T Unlimited Premium: Best AT&T Hotspot Plan

The Best Prepaid Hotspot Plans

The best data-only hotspot plans.

If you’re looking for a plan with the highest allotment of high-speed mobile hotspot, shopping for a phone plan from a major provider may be the best option for you. Postpaid plans from Verizon Wireless include mobile hotspot with high-speed allotments up to 60GB. T-Mobile and AT&T include postpaid unlimited plans with up to 50GB of high-speed hotspot data each month before reduced speeds.

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get unlimited mobile hotspot data with your phone plan, Visible is one prepaid MVNO worth considering. With Visible’s $45 plan, you can get unlimited mobile hotspot at max 5Mbps speeds.

Of course, with a postpaid cell phone plan from a major service provider, you can expect faster download speeds as well as a higher monthly price. Each of these providers also offers data-only plans for cheaper monthly prices, but these plans don’t include any additional mobile data, minutes or texting.

Here are the plans with the most high-speed mobile hotspot allotment from each of the major carriers. I’ve also included Visible as the best alternative to a postpaid plan with unlimited hotspot.

Best Cheap Unlimited Hotspot Plan

If you’re looking for a cheap, completely unlimited hotspot plan, Visible is hard to pass up. However, you won’t have access to high-speed hotspot data. Visible’s plans include unlimited talk, text and 5G mobile data starting at $25 per month. Each plan also includes unlimited mobile hotspot data with max speeds of 5Mbps. While it isn’t high-speed hotspot data, it is truly unlimited. Visible+ also offers 50GB of premium network experience on Verizon Wireless’ 5G Ultra Wideband network, which means you shouldn’t experience any deprioritization on your mobile data or hotpsot speeds until you’ve used 50GB of data for the month. Visible+ costs $45 per month.

You may also be able to bring your own phone to Visible and save even more. To see if yours is compatible, visit Visible’s website . Also, be sure to check out our full Visible review for more information before switching. 

Other Cheap Hotspot Plans To Consider:

  • Mint Mobile (Review) offers a three-month unlimited plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data (40GB high-speed). The plan also includes 10GB of mobile hotspot. It costs $30/month, but you’ll have to prepay for three months in advance to get the best price as a new customer.
  • Spectrum Mobile (Review) offers 5GB of high-speed hotspot followed by unlimited 600 kbps hotspot data for $29.99 per month.
  • Boost Unlimited (Review) offers 30GB of high-speed mobile data that can be shared via hotspot for $60 per month. If you’re willing to commit for 12 months, you can get 12GB of high-speed mobile hotspot per month for $300 upfront. That works out to be $25 per month before taxes and fees. However, I recommend trying out at least one month of service with Boost Mobile before committing to a full year.
  • T-Mobile Essentials offers unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds for $60 per month for one line.
  • Consumer Cellular (Review) offers an unlimited plan with 50GB of high-speed data (including hotspot) for $50 per month. 

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate

Most High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Data

While Visible offers one of the most affordable unlimited mobile hotspot plans, Verizon Wireless offers one of the most expensive. However, if you’re shopping for the absolute highest amount of high-speed mobile hotspot data, the price may be well worth it to you. 

Verizon Wireless’ Unlimited Ultimate plan costs $90 for one line of service (plus taxes and fees; autopay and paper-free billing required), but multiline discounts are available. The plan includes unlimited mobile data on Verizon’s fastest 5G Ultra Wideband network as well as 60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot. Once you’ve used 60GB, speeds will be reduced for the remainder of the month. 

Verizon’s new plans also allow you to add additional perks at $10 per month per perk. One of the perks is 100GB of Mobile Hotspot, which you can add to increase your monthly high-speed mobile hotspot limit. This perk can be added or removed at any time. 

Data-only plans from Verizon include 5GB for $40, 25GB for $60, 100GB for $80 and 150GB for $100 per month. These plans do not include any mobile data, talk or text, but you can get a discount up to $30 per month if you add an active Verizon Prepaid account.

If you’re thinking about switching to Verizon, you may be able to bring your own phone for additional savings. Simply check your phone’s compatibility online before switching.

T-Mobile Go5G Plus

Best Hotspot Plan for Travel

If you’re looking for a large amount of high-speed hotspot data from a major carrier, Go5G Plus offers the most from T-Mobile. This plan includes 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data followed by unlimited mobile hotspot data at slower speeds. It also includes completely unlimited mobile data with high-speed access that never slows. The plan also includes additional perks like T-Mobile’s “New in Two” upgrade program and a basic Netflix subscription. It costs $95 per month for one line, plus taxes and fees, with an autopay discount.

If you’re a frequent traveler that relies on mobile hotspot, this plan may be the best option for you. In Mexico and Canada, you’ll have unlimited talk/text and up to 15GB of high-speed data followed by unlimited data at 256Kbps that can be shared via mobile hotspot. In over 215 other countries, you can enjoy unlimited talk/text and up to 5GB of high-speed data followed by 256Kbps speeds. Additionally, this plan includes full-flight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available. 

Other plans from T-Mobile begin as low as $50 per month for the Essentials Savings plan, which includes unlimited hotspot at 3G speeds, unlimited talk, text and mobile data with reduced speeds after 50GB. Data-only plans from T-Mobile begin at only $5, but offers vary based on location. You can visit T-Mobile’s website to see what data-only plans are available in your area.

You may also be able to bring your own phone instead of buying a new one. Before you switch to T-Mobile, be sure to check your phone’s eligibility online .

AT&T Unlimited Premium

Best AT&T Hotspot Plan

AT&T offers a few different unlimited data plans, but the only one that’s truly unlimited with no data cap/slowed speeds is the Unlimited Premium plan. This is also the best hotspot plan from AT&T with 50GB of high-speed hotspot data. For $85 per month for one line, AT&T offers unlimited talk, text and high-speed data that never slows based on usage. This plan includes a six-month subscription to Stadia Pro. 

For a cheaper AT&T hotspot plan, consider Unlimited Extra for $75 per month for one line with 15GB of hotspot data and 50GB of high-speed mobile data. AT&T also offers data-only plans that can be used as mobile hotspot data starting at $35 for 15GB. These plans don’t include any additional mobile data, talk or text. 

Before you switch to an AT&T plan, be sure to check your phone’s compatibility to see if you can bring it with you to save even more money.

Prepaid plans are another great option to consider. With a prepaid phone plan, you won’t need a credit check and you’ll pay only for what you use. Still, you can find prepaid phone plans that offer a significant amount of high-speed hotspot data. You can choose a hotspot plan from a prepaid MVNO or a prepaid data plan from a major carrier. 

Here are my top picks for the best prepaid hotspot plans:

The Best Prepaid Hotspot Plans:

  • Visible (Review) is the absolute cheapest unlimited hotspot plan available. The standard plan costs $25 per month per line for new customers, and it includes unlimited talk, text, mobile data and mobile hotspot. However, mobile hotspot download speeds are limited to 5 Mbps and data deprioritization can kick in at any time. For a better mobile hotspot experience, consider Visible+ for $45
  • Mint Unlimited (Review) is a phone plan that allows you to prepay for the first three months of service and then prepay for annual service to keep the same low price. This plan includes unlimited talk, text and data as well as 10GB of mobile hotspot for $30 per month. After 40GB of premium mobile data, speeds will reduce. 
  • T-Mobile Prepaid (Review) offers unlimited talk, text and data for $50 per month with unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds. After you’ve reached 50GB of high-speed mobile data, speeds will be reduced.

Other Prepaid Hotspot Plans To Consider:

  • Boost Unlimited (Review) is another prepaid option that offers unlimited talk and text plus 30GB of high-speed hotspot data before reduced speeds for $60 per month. Boost’s Unlimited Annual plan is another great prepaid hotspot plan to consider if you’re willing to commit to the phone service for a full year. This plan costs $300 for 12 months ($25 per month plus taxes and fees) and includes unlimited talk, text and 35GB of high-speed data that can be shared via mobile hotspot. It runs on AT&T’s network.
  • AT&T Prepaid (Review) offers 15GB of high-speed data (but not 5G) for $40 per month that can be shared via mobile hotspot.

If you just need hotspot data but don’t need talk, text or mobile data, there are a few data-only hotspot plans worth considering. These plans range from 1-100GB of monthly mobile hotspot data, which means you may be able to use your smartphone as a hotspot without purchasing a separate hotspot device. Be sure to check device compatibility online before purchasing a plan. 

Keep in mind that data-only hotspot plans aren’t an affordable replacement for home internet; you’ll likely find a better overall price with Wi-Fi depending on how often you use the internet at home. If you already have a phone plan, you may be able to access free hotspot locations, like libraries and coffee shops, throughout the country. 

If you are looking for hotspot data that you can share from your own device, these data-only plans are worth considering:

The Best Data-Only Hotspot Plans:

  • Tello Mobile (Review) offers a data-only plan beginning at $5 per month for 1GB of mobile hotspot data. If you’re looking for the cheapest option available, Tello Mobile is worth considering. 
  • Verizon Plus offers 50GB of mobile hotspot data for $40 per month. This is a great price for a significant amount of hotspot data.
  • AT&T Prepaid offers 50GB of mobile hotspot data for $55 per month or 100GB for $90 if you need even more. If you need a large amount of hotspot data, this is a great prepaid data-only plan worth considering.

Other Data-Only Hotspot Plans To Consider:

  • Cricket Wireless (Review) offers 20GB of hotspot data for $35 per month.
  • Metro by T-Mobile (Review) offers 30GB of hotspot data for $40 per month.
  • Verizon Premium Hotspot Plan offers 150GB of premium mobile hotspot data then unlimited lower-speed data for $110 as a standalone plan. Verizon customers with a smartphone on an eligible unlimited plan can add the Premium Hotspot plan for $80 per month.

Team Clark’s Methodology

For the purposes of this review, Team Clark determined that the top things customers care about when it comes to hotspot plans are price, network reliability/coverage, hotspot data allotment and overall satisfaction.

Various staff members tried out each of these popular cell phone providers to get a feel for their reliability and service. We have linked to Clark.com’s individual reviews of those providers.

I researched more than 70 phone plans at the time of writing and analyzed the following characteristics when determining the “best” options for each category:

  • Network reliability
  • Network coverage
  • Monthly data allotments
  • Monthly data hotspot allotments and speeds
  • “Bring your own device” availability
  • Deals and discounts (loyalty, autopay, additional lines, etc.)
  • Online reviews from real customers

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a cell phone plan with hotspot data, you can find plans as cheap as $25 per month. For this price, you can get truly unlimited hotspot data with a max speed of 5Mbps with Visible’s basic plan. For $45, you can also get 50GB of premium network experience with Visible+.

Phone plans from major carriers will give you a higher allotment of hotspot data, but they also come with a higher price. Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate plan is one of the best. It includes 60GB of premium hotspot data followed by unlimited at slower speeds for $00 per month, and you can add 100GB of high-speed mobile hotspot for $10 more per month at any time. T-Mobile Go5G Plus also costs $90 per month and it includes 50GB of high-speed hotspot followed by unlimited mobile hotspot at slower speeds. Plus, you can use your data internationally and enjoy free in-flight Wi-Fi. On AT&T’s network, AT&T Unlimited Premium also includes 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot, which makes it a slightly better deal for $85 per month.

Prepaid plans and data-only plans are also great options to consider when hotspot is your biggest priority. For these plans, check out Visible, Mint Mobile, T-Mobile, Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless for some of the best deals.

Keep in mind that data-only hotspot plans aren’t an affordable replacement for home internet ; you’ll likely find a better overall price with Wi-Fi depending on how often you use the internet at home. Also, some service providers like T-Mobile and Xfinity advertise free hotspot locations throughout the country if you already have service with them, but know that you’ll have to be in specific locations to access the free hotspot.

For even more options, be sure to read our guide on  the best cell phone plans and deals available now . Once you’ve decided on a new phone plan and you’re ready to make the switch,  check out this guide  that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process.

Did we miss a plan on our list or did you find a better deal?  Let us know in our Clark.com Community  or check out  the latest conversations around cell phones.

  • December 5, 2023: Updated Tello Mobile’s plans
  • December 5, 2023: Renamed T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus superlative as “Best Hotspot Plan for Travel”
  • December 5, 2023: Replaced Verizon Unlimited Plus with Verizon Unlimited Ultimate and renamed its superlative as “Most High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Data”
  • December 5, 2023: Updated T-Mobile Essentials Saver to T-Mobile Essentials (no longer available for one line)
  • August 7, 2023: Moved Visible to the #1 spot under “The Best Prepaid Hotspot Plans”
  • May 30, 2023: Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan now offers 10GB of hotspot data (previously 5GB) and 40GB of high-speed mobile data (previously 35GB)
  • May 30, 2023: Visible’s basic plan now costs $25 for new customers; removed Party Pay discounts
  • May 30, 2023: Replaced Verizon’s Do More plan with Verizon’s myPlan Unlimited Plus
  • May 30, 2023: Replaced T-Mobile’s Magenta Max with the new Go5G Plus plan (10 more GB of mobile hotspot)
  • The best deals at Amazon right now

5 Reasons Sam’s Club Is Better Than Costco

  • 7 Easy Ways To Lower Your Cell Phone Bill
  • The Best Cell Phone Service: Coverage Maps
  • Best Cell Phone Plans in 2024: The Cheapest Plan for Every Need
  • The #1 Mistake People Make When Switching Cell Phone Carriers

The Best Mobile Hotspots, According to Our Experts

Need your laptop online but don’t have Wi-Fi? You need a hotspot.

portable mobile wifi hotspots

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

If you travel often or like to work on the go, you should consider investing in a mobile hotspot. These pocket-size wireless routers generate a small, private Wi-Fi network, allowing you to connect a laptop, tablet , and other devices to the same cellular data network as your phone. Instead of draining your phone's battery and data plan in just a few minutes, these devices use a separate plan that you'll buy through your carrier. Since they’re dedicated routers, hotspots offer better performance, supporting a larger number of devices and delivering better battery life than a tethered phone.

If you’ve never used (or even heard of) a mobile hotspot before, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about them, including how they work, and to pick the right one for you, and the best mobile hotspots from the top carriers.

The Best Mobile Hotspots

  • Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E Mobile Hotspot
  • Best Value: Verizon Wireless Jetpack MiFi 8800L Mobile Hotspot
  • Best Pay-As-You-Go: GlocalMe DuoTurbo 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
  • Best For Verizon: Orbic Speed 5G UW Mobile Hotspot
  • Best for T-Mobile: Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G Mobile Hotspot
The Expert (Eric Frederiksen): I've reviewed computers and networking gear, including routers and mobile devices, for over 10 years at publications like TechnoBuffalo , The Tech Report , and Popular Science . I also worked for an Internet Service Provider for over 8 years, and have a strong understanding of different routers, types of internet connections, and the way internet speed works. I’ve brought mobile hotspots with me on international trips to places like Japan and New Zealand to make sure I can always get a secure signal.
The Expert (Brandon Carte): I’ve compared dozens of hotspots for 5 years now, and feel confident recommending the best Wi-Fi hotspots available on- and off-contract to keep you connected on the go. As a remote worker, I’ve been knee-deep in customer and editorial reviews, and I’m an active member of the “DigitalNomad” and “GoRVing” subreddits.

What to Consider in a Mobile Hotspot

Spectrums and bands.

The primary differentiator between affordable and expensive mobile hotspots is their capacity to pick up a wider range of frequency bands, allowing them to provide faster speeds in high-traffic areas. Your access to certain frequencies will also vary based on your carrier and data plan.

While 4G LTE has been the network of choice for Wi-Fi hotspots, 5G hotspots are becoming increasingly popular. Despite the way it's advertised by mobile carriers, 5G is not a monolith, though. We've been promised speeds that should be starting our phones on fire, but if you see a 5G indicator in the upper-right corner of your phone, you probably know that that's not the truth.

When you break it down, there are six types of service that you might encounter at any given time and place, including three versions of 5G. Having a hotspot that supports the speediest bands will unlock the potential for higher speeds when these networks are available, but you won’t get blazing fast uploads and downloads all the time. Your actual performance at any given moment will come down to what carrier you use and their coverage in your location.

4G and 4G LTE are the most ubiquitous networks, with 97 percent coverage in the United States, nearly 100 percent in South Korea and Japan, according to SpeedChecker . A 4G signal offers speeds up to 150 Megabytes per second for downloads and 50 Mbps on uploads. It isn’t all that fast compared to 5G, but it’s the baseline for mobile internet and the norm outside of major metropolitan areas.

Low-band 5G runs up to 200 Mbps, which still feels incredibly fast to this nerd who grew up watching 5 MB mp3 files take half an hour to download over dial-up. This isn’t that much faster than 4G LTE, and sometimes it isn't faster at all; the movie we've been talking about might download in 15 minutes or half an hour. Low-band 5G also has a wide range–-about 10 miles– so it’s the 5G service you're most likely to get. That said, carriers are always upgrading and updating, so your mileage may (and will) vary, and hopefully improve over time.

Mid-band 5G is the sweet spot. At up to 500 Mbps, you could download a huge movie on a strong mid-band in just a few minutes. It's also much easier to pick up, with a wider 1-3 mile range and less finicky signal.

5G Millimeter-wave (mmWave) is the "download Zack Snyder's Justice League in a few seconds" signal. It’s blazing fast, delivering up to 2 Gigabits per second, but only works in small pockets: Ideally, you want your hotspot about 1,500 feet from a signal tower, outdoors with an unobstructed view of the antenna. Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee demonstrated the tech a few years ago and, while it really is that fast in perfect conditions, your connection probably won’t be. Practically speaking, it’s nice to have but I wouldn’t get too hung up on buying a hotspot that supports it.

Your Service Provider & Coverage

As with selecting a phone, your cellular service provider will dictate the quality of your coverage as much as the hotspot itself. Every provider, whether it's one of the big three—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile—or another company, has a list of recommended compatible models for their network, and may have specific requirements for hotspots outside of that list. They'll also likely have hotspot-specific plans, as mobile hotspots generally use a lot more data than most of us do with our phones.

Ideally, you'll want to think about where you plan to use the hotspot and check your provider's coverage map. It doesn’t make sense to spend a ton on a great hotspot and plan if your provider doesn't have coverage in that area.

International Use

If you're buying a mobile hotspot specifically for international travel, you should take a little time to figure out which cellular bands your carrier will be able to provide wherever you plan to go. Depending on the region, your service quality may vary wildly. It pays to plan ahead so you don’t wind up bringing an expensive hockey puck on an important business trip.

We like GSM Arena's Network Coverage database, which is relatively current compared to many of the outdated options you'll find in a quick search.

Are You Renting or Buying?

In most cases, buying a hotspot is like buying a phone. You purchase your hardware, either all at once or on a plan, as well as pay a monthly fee for service. However, there are a few independent manufacturers, including GlocalMe , TravelWiFi and Solis WiFi , which let you rent a hotspot and pay for both hardware and service by the day.

While it will make financial sense for frequent fliers to buy their own hotspot, if you are going on a rare, extended business trip or plan to take a long sojourn into the wilderness, renting a hotspot for a couple of weeks may be a better fit than buying a hotspot that will feel outdated in just a few years.

Battery Life

Pay attention to how long the hotspot will last before needing a charge. The best hotspots will stay powered on for at least 12 hours. That said, your hotspot’s battery will vary based on how you use it. Your wattage may vary depending on how hard you're pushing your mobile hotspot of choice–the number of devices, what users are doing with their connections, how long they're doing it for, and even things like the wireless band they're connecting at might affect battery life.

Most mobile hotspots that we looked at, both for this article and in general, have removable batteries, which you can replace or even upgrade for less than $20. At that price, I’d strongly recommend buying an extra battery or two–especially if you’re going camping and won’t have easy access to power.

Special Features

In addition to the basic function of generating Wi-Fi on the go, many hotspots offer additional features, such as an ethernet port to set up a wired connection, or the ability to act as a portable charger , which can come in handy if you really need to top off.

How We Selected The Best Mobile Hotspots

To select the best mobile hotspots, we spent years researching and testing devices from various manufacturers and carriers. In subsequent updates, we’ve changed recommendations based on the release of new models, as well as updates to carrier networks. Most recently, we’ve updated the picks based on the recent increases in 5G support and carrier coverage. As always, we picked these hotspots based on their price, overall reliability, and battery life to determine our top picks.

This guide focuses specifically on portable hotspots for individual use, which differ from mobile routers and cellular modems like the fan-favorite Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G , which act as a single access point but offers the ability to share multiple internet sources. Those larger devices are much larger and often require additional components or an antenna to connect to a satellite network like Starlink , making them a great fit for RV owners and van-lifers, but not for remote workers and frequent fliers. It’s a different kind of device, so we've omitted them from this guide.

Podcasters, bloggers, and full-time remote workers Ava Waits and Dylan Houston of “the boondachshunds” published a useful blog with tips on how to stay connected on the road that will likely appeal to people in search of a mobile router and modem setup.

Lastly, even though I've listed the full prices of the mobile hotspots we recommend, you can buy most of them in low monthly installments with a qualifying data plan. (Just note that this option isn’t available for our unlocked and pay-as-you-go picks.)

Whether you're looking for an ultra fast 5G hotspot or an affordable unlocked option to use with your existing plan, there's a mobile hotspot out there for any use case and budget.

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E Mobile Hotspot

Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E Mobile Hotspot

There’s no single best mobile hotspot, since most people’s needs (and performance) are carrier dependent. Still, Netgear’s Nighthawk M6 Pro is one of the most enticing options we’ve found. On the cellular side, the M6 Pro connects to the full range of modern frequency bands, ranging from the outdated-but-still-kicking 3G, to US standards like 4G LTE, and 5G, as well as the ultra-fast 5G mmWave signal.

On the broadcasting side, it supports Wi-Fi 6E, the current wireless standard, for a potential throughput of 3,600 Mbps within the local network. If you want wired connectivity to the device, it also jumps the Ethernet port up from 1 Gbps to 2.5 Gbps.

It has its flaws: The M6 Pro isn’t well-equipped for international travel and its advanced feature set makes it expensive, even though most people won’t get the chance to take advantage of mmWave all that often. Still, in the right spot, with the right carrier, you’ll forget you aren’t on your home internet.

Verizon Wireless Jetpack MiFi 8800L Mobile Hotspot

Jetpack MiFi 8800L Mobile Hotspot

Verizon doesn't sell the Jetpack 8800L directly anymore, but it's still easy to find new or refurbished online, and it delivers decent specs for a song. It offers 4G LTE connectivity over Wi-Fi 4, and a replaceable 4400 mAh battery to ensure that you can stay online as long as you need to.

There's a guest option, too, if you want to let someone use your wireless network without giving them network access to your own devices. You can also use it as a backup battery bank via its USB-C port—another reason to pick up an extra battery for your bag.

GlocalMe DuoTurbo 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

DuoTurbo 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

If you don't want to fuss with contracts—or add a line to your current data plan—consider this mobile hotspot from GlocalMe.

It’s an attractive-looking touch screen hotspot that's about the size of a smartphone — just much thicker. It comes with 1GB of global 4G LTE data, 8GB of data in the U.S., and works in over 100 different countries. It also features two modems, one for operations and the other for backup, to ensure your connection keeps stable.

The touch screen hotspot offers 12 hours of battery life and has a built-in USB-C port for fast-charging other devices. It supports up to 10 simultaneously connected devices. GlocalMe also allows users to download a free app to track their data usage and add more data to their line in the event that they run out. Their data rates vary based on location — check out their pricing here .

Orbic Speed 5G UW Mobile Hotspot

Speed 5G UW Mobile Hotspot

Verizon has been expanding its 5G network in the last few years, focusing especially on the 5G mid-band section of its network. If you're looking for 5G speeds from the Verizon network, then the Orbic Speed 5G is the way to go. It’s competitively priced, and supports Verizon’s 5G mid-band and mmWave networks. The biggest downside of this device is a lack of TS9 Antenna ports to expand its range for picking up stronger cellular signals.

Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G Mobile Hotspot

MiFi X Pro 5G Mobile Hotspot

Also available on Verizon .

If you’re on T-Mobile, the Inseego MiFi X Pro will give you access to the provider’s 5G networks, giving you faster download and upload speeds. Not only can it connect to up to 32 devices, but it also has an ethernet port for wired connections. You can expect 18 hours of battery life before it will need charging with the included USB-C cable.

In PCMag’s review , critic Dave LeClair says he was able to achieve download speeds up to 600 Mbps, which is plenty fast for streaming video.

“The new model carries over everything we liked about the previous model, and introduces some welcome improvements such as an ethernet port and the ability to connect even more devices via Wi-Fi,” he says.

Netgear Nighthawk M6 5G Wi-Fi 6 Mobile Hotspot

Nighthawk M6 5G Wi-Fi 6 Mobile Hotspot

The Nighthawk M6 Pro is the best of the best, but the standard Netgear M6 is still an amazing option if you're looking for an unlocked hotspot with a ton of bells and whistles.

The last-gen Nighthawk M6 (sans Pro) is an extremely capable hotspot that you can add to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile plans. Like the M6 Pro, it connects up to 32 devices via 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. It only supports Wi-Fi 6, not 6E, though that won't be a noticeable issue for most users. It also has an Ethernet port to set up a wired connection.

Its 5,040 maH battery should last through a work day, and when the hotspot dies, it recharges quickly thanks to its speedy USB-C port. We'll add that Netgear has a companion app for its hotspots, which lets you manage the Wi-Fi connections for all of your devices, adjust settings, check usage, and view media files.

Not everyone needs the best of the best, but if you want a high-end hotspot for slightly less, this is the move.

GlocalMe G4 Pro Mobile Hotspot Router

G4 Pro Mobile Hotspot Router

If you're going all over the world, GlocalMe's G4 Pro is a great choice. Though it doesn’t have 5G support, it more than makes up for that with highly flexible plans. GlocalMe offers daily and weekly pay-as-you-go data plans tailored to different countries, so you can buy data plans for different countries as you need them.

GlocalMe boasts connectivity in 144 countries (out of 195 total). Compared to more expensive models, you can't connect as many devices or connect as quickly, but you can go anywhere and you'll have lots of options for how much you want to pay.

The plans can get wonky, though: The cheapest options are very cheap–A 500MB day pass costs $2–but the most expensive options can get expensive, like the $1,399 “CEO exclusive” plan. That makes this a great option for travelers, who need Wi-Fi support in bursts, rather than remote workers who plan to use it regularly all year round.

Q+A With Networking Expert Eric Frederiksen

line break

Who needs a Mobile Hotspot?

I would recommend mobile hotspots to frequent business travelers, content creators, campers, and anyone who regularly needs to get online using devices other than their phone away from their home network. Tethering your devices to phone for internet service can offer a quick fix in a jam, but will drain your phone quickly, leaving you in a bind.

If you know you’re going into a situation where you need to work online and won’t have access to good internet, a mobile hotspot beats the alternatives every time, including free public Wi-Fi.

The larger question for many folks is whether you rent your mobile hotspot or should you buy one and set up a monthly plan. If you travel rarely but need steady access, you can probably get by with a rental–no need to buy a piece of expensive hardware that'll just sit in your closet for 350 days or more a year.

If you travel frequently for work, spend your weekends in the woods, or are traveling internationally to cross countries off your bucket list every few months, it will likely be worth it to buy your device and get a plan that caters to your needs.

Can I replace my home internet with a mobile hotspot?

We wouldn’t recommend it. Most home internet plans do not feature a data cap, so even if the bandwidth on your hotspot was as good as your home internet, which isn’t likely, you will eat through your hotspot plan quickly unless you reduce your internet usage.

According to a 2023 report from research firm OpenVault , the average American internet user downloads over 500GB of data per month. Even the heftiest hotspot data plan barely dents that--Verizon top plan offers 150GB per month. (Fun fact: The newest Call of Duty, Modern Warfare III , is 214GB. And that’s before you start playing.)

How can I increase my cellular signal reception?

If you're planning to be out in the sticks, you'll probably want to pick a mobile hotspot with ports for TS9 antennae, such as the Netgear Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro . These accessories, which range from small stalks that cost less than $20 and sit on a shelf to directional antennae that cost hundreds of bucks , give your hotspot better reception.

Headshot of Brandon Carte

Brandon Carte has been covering technology at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been writing about the latest gadgets, appliances, and scouring the internet for the products that make life easier. His reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com , Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify, and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.

Headshot of Eric Frederiksen

Eric Frederiksen is a freelance writer who covers technology, video games, and media for a variety of publications including Popular Mechanics , GameSpot , Playboy , Batman-News , and more. In his spare time he tinkers with his computer, plays video games, and cooks.

preview for HDM All sections playlist - Best Products

Smartphone & Mobile Phone Review Guide for 2024

magsafe cases

Tested: Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24+ Smartphones

person scanning boarding pass on someone's smartphone

How to Add Tickets to Apple Wallet

collection of flip phones

The Mental Health Benefits of Ditching Your iPhone

samsung galaxy s24 ultra case

11 Editor-Endorsed Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Cases

iphone, bark phones, nokia 2780 flip phone

The Best Phones for Kids

samsung galaxy s24 trio

A Guide to Shopping for a New Samsung Galaxy Phone

a hand holding a cell phone

Hate Your Smartphone? Get a Flip Phone Instead

google pixel 8 and pixel 8 pro

Reviewed: Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro

foldable phones

Tested: the Best Foldable Phones of 2023

best iphones of 2023

Our Guide to the Entire Apple iPhone Lineup

android phones 2023

The Best Android Smartphones for Every Budget

  • Back to stores
  • Find a Verizon Store
  • Request a Store Appointment
  • Australia (eng)
  • Deutschland (de)
  • France (fr)
  • Great Britain (eng)
  • Netherlands (eng)
  • Singapore (eng)
  • Business Unlimited

Business Unlimited plans

Switch and get truly unlimited data, plus double the premium hotspot data with select plans.

  Select the number of lines to see how your Business Unlimited plan monthly price would change.

Plans available with a month-to-month or device payment agreement. Prices include $5 savings per month per line when you sign up for Auto Pay and paper-free billing. 

Enjoy your business essentials.

$70 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$60 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$45 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$40 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$35 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

  • 5G/4G LTE Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your smartphone and mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access is not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • Unlimited talk, text & data Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your smartphone and mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access is not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. In times of congestion, your mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). After 5 GB/line/month, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps for the rest of the month.
  • Mobile hotspot data In times of congestion, your mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). After 5 GB/line/month, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps for the rest of the month.
  • Call Filter Reduce spam calls with call screening, auto-blocking and easy reporting of unwanted numbers. Activation required. Terms apply.
  • 480p video streaming Video streaming at 480p.

Boost your productivity.

$80 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$55 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$50 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

  • 5G Ultra Wideband Our fastest 5G network experience. 5G access requires a 5G-capable device.
  • 100 GB Premium Network Access Get 100 GB of premium smartphone data per line per month. In times of congestion, your 5G and 4G LTE smartphone data may be temporarily slower than other traffic after 100 GB premium network access/line/mo. There is no network management for 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • 100 GB premium mobile hotspot data After 100 GB line/mo premium hotspot data, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • Call Filter or Call Filter Plus Call Filter: Reduce spam calls with call screening, auto-blocking and easy reporting of unwanted numbers. Call Filter Plus: Adds caller ID, spam look up and risk meter, a personal block list and the ability to block by category. Activation required. Terms apply.
  • Business Mobile Secure Help protect and manage your company devices with this bundle of security features curated specifically for small businesses. Lookout for small business: Helps keep your data safe with anti-phishing and Wi-Fi network protections. Mobile Device Management: Lets you manage and apply controls across company smartphones and tablets. Dedicated chat support: Expert help via Chat for onboarding, setup and troubleshooting of your security features. Activation required. $5/device monthly charge offset by $5 credit while on qualifying price plan. Terms apply.
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area. High-definition 1080p video streaming on 5G / 4G LTE when you activate it in your plan settings. Otherwise video streaming at 480p.
  • TravelPass (2 days per month) Get 2 TravelPass days each month. Each TravelPass day gives you 24 hours of unlimited talk and text, 2GB of high speed international data then unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter. TravelPass days do not carry over and expire at the end of each month. TravelPass is available in 210+ countries and destinations. 5G or 4G world device required.

Get more of what you need.

$85 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$75 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

  • Unlimited Premium Network Access Get unlimited premium smartphone data that isn’t slowed based on how much data you use. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • 200 GB premium mobile hotspot data After 200 GB line per month premium hotspot data, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • TravelPass (4 days per month) 4 TravelPass days are included each month. Each TravelPass day gives you 24 hours of unlimited talk and text, 2GB of high speed international data then unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter. TravelPass days do not carry over and expire at the end of each month. TravelPass is available in 210+ countries and destinations. 5G or 4G world device required.
  • 50% off on Unlimited Pro Tablet plan

Caret

 Choose the Business Unlimited tablet plan that works best for you.

Tablet Start

Save $10/mo when you add a line.

Unlimited data so you can work as flexibly as you need

  • 5G/4G LTE Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your smartphone and mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access, machine to machine services and mobile hotspot are not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.

Save 50% with Business Unlimited Pro smartphone plan.

Unlimited mobile hotspot data so you can meet on the go

  • 5G/4G LTE 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. Not available for machine to machine services. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • 35 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data; in times of congestion, your tablet data may be temporarily slower than other traffic after 35 GB/line/mo premium network access (network management).
  • 15 GB Premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower speed data After 15 GB/line/mo premium hotspot data, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE & 5G Nationwide) and 3 Mbps (5G UW).
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area.

 Choose the Business Unlimited laptop plan that works best for you.

Start Laptop

Unlimted data to help you take on the day

  • 5G/4G LTE Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic. 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access and machine-to machine services are not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.

Up to 4K video streaming to help you meet in HD

  • 50 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) laptop and mobile hotspot data. After 50 GB/line/mo premium network access, data reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area. High-definition 1080p video streaming on 5G/4G LTE when you activate it in your plan settings. Otherwise video streaming at 480p.

 Choose the Business Unlimited mobile hotspot plan that works best for you.

Plus Data Device

Enough data for easy hotspot streaming and to meet on the go

  • 60 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, and 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data. After 60 GB/line/mo premium network access, data reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area. 720p video streaming on 5G/4G LTE.

Pro Data Device

Plenty of data to stay productive during those longer workdays

  • 100 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data. After 100 GB/line/mo premium network access, data reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G ) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.

Choose the Business Unlimited smartwatch plan that works best for you.

Standalone Smartwatch

Premium data so you don’t miss a beat at work

  • 15 GB of premium 5G/4G LTE data Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data. After 15 GB premium data/line/month, data reduced to speeds up to 200 Kbps for the rest of the month. 5G access requires a 5G capable device. Not available for 5G Ultra Wideband access, mobile hotspot or machine to machine services. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. Additional terms apply.

Numbershare Smartwatch

Your connected smartwatch can use your mobile number

  • 22 GB of premium 5G/4G LTE data Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data. After 22 GB premium data/line/month, data reduced to speeds up to 200 Kbps for the rest of the month. 5G access requires a 5G capable device. Not available for 5G Ultra Wideband access, mobile hotspot or machine to machine services. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. Customer must also subscribe to select smartphone data plan. Both smartphone & smartwatch plans must be part of same sub-account. Additional terms apply.

New plan + new device

Find the plan that fits your budget and business needs, then check out our devices page for the 
latest smartphones.

New plan + your own device

See if your device is compatible with our network, then get started.

What are the benefits of Verizon Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans?

Verizon Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans provide unlimited data, talk and text on Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks. Plans also include access to Verizon’s business-class features, such as mobile hotspot data, call filtering, video streaming and mobile device management (available with select plans). Customers can choose from a variety of plans with different features to meet their business needs.

Can I add multiple lines to a Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plan?

Yes, Verizon’s Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans allow you to add multiple lines. There are multiple options for businesses, ranging from single-line plans to multiple-line plans. The amount of lines you select is based on your company’s requirements.

Do Verizon Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans offer any international benefits?

Yes, unlimited talk and text is available in Canada and Mexico along with 2 GB of high speed data per day with unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter. If more than 50% of your total talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is in Canada or Mexico, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited. Additionally, Verizon Business Unlimited Plus 5G and Unlimited Pro 5G plans offer TravelPass that include international talk and text in over 210 countries and destinations.

Can I bring my own device or do I need to purchase a new device with the Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plan?

Verizon’s Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans offer the flexibility to bring your own device (BYOD) or purchase new devices . If you already have compatible devices, you can simply activate them on a Business Unlimited plan. Alternatively, Verizon offers a wide range of devices for purchase if you prefer new devices for your business.

Are there unlimited data plans for other devices?

Yes, Verizon offers a variety of plans with unlimited data for tablets, laptops, smartwatches and hotspots. This provides the right solution for businesses requiring reliable connectivity while on the go.

Offer and Pricing Details

All Offers:  Offers available to new business customers only, subject to credit review. Not available in all areas/locations. Depending on speed tier purchased, promotional pricing for Internet and voice guaranteed for 12 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 13 with 2 year contract), or 24 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 25 with 2 year contract), or 36 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 37 with 2 year contract) or 60 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 61 with 2 year contract) (60 month guarantee not available in all areas where Fios is sold) subject to continuation of qualifying products; price guarantee applies to base monthly rate only; excludes optional services and equipment charges; prices subject to increase thereafter. With no annual contract, price increases to then current market rate subject to the applicable guarantee period. Select installation charges may be waived. Additional charges apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. $49 activation fee may apply. Offers may be fulfilled via bill credit(s); other taxes, fees & terms apply.  Early termination fees  for a 2 year contract: 35% of base monthly charges for unexpired term. 2 year term automatically renews at then-current term rates unless canceled within 30 days prior to or 60 days after the term is renewed.  Money Back Guarantee  (MBG) is available with 2 year contract only and requires cancellation within 30 days of installation; excludes subscriptions, per minute usage, labor/material charges in excess of standard installation and month-to-month service plans, including Fios TV service. Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change. Phone equipment purchase required with VoIP, starting at $85. Equipment must be returned within 30 days of cancellation. Equipment restocking fee may apply if order is canceled or service is terminated within 30 days. MBG and/or promotional offers do not apply to service ordered for temporary, short term or special events.  Firm Price Quote  is valid for 5 business days and is an estimate based on current pricing, promotions and taxes that are subject to change. Quote does not include additional charges for nonstandard installations. Verizon Wi-Fi available in select areas with qualifying packages. Software limitations and other terms apply. Visit business.verizon.net/wifi for details.  Offers are available for a limited time only and are subject to change without notice.  Wired speeds advertised. Wired & wireless speeds vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See  www.verizon.com/yourspeed  for more info. Service availability varies.

Fios Internet & Phone Bundle (VSB):  Usage charges apply on basic line. Activation fee of $49 may apply based on speed tier purchased. Wireless Verizon Router is available for$399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change. Backup battery available for Fios voice services & E911. VSB not available with 2048/2048 Mbps Internet (2 Gigabit Connection).

Fios Internet & Business Digital Voice (BDV) Bundle:  Pricing for BDV line(s) with the Fios bundle: For speeds 200/200 Mbps and higher: the first BDV line is available for $20/mo. and $25/mo. for each addl. line. Pricing reflected in the cart. No annual contract required. $49 activation fee may apply. Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental). Wireless router models and prices are subject to change. Business Digital Voice requires phone equipment purchase starting at $85.00.

Basic Internet & Phone Bundle : $49.00 activation fee applies with 2 year contract; $99.00 activation fee applies with no annual contract. Wireless router available for $49.00, subject to change. Basic Internet will be provisioned at our fastest speed available at your location of up to 1Mbps, 3Mbps, 5Mbps, 7Mbps or 10-15Mbps based on VZ line qualifications requirements.

$5/month Auto Pay & Paper-Free Billing discount:  For new and existing Fios Internet or Basic Internet customers on select plans. May not be combined with all offers. $5/mo. discount begins when you sign up for Auto Pay (ACH or debit card only) & paper-free billing (registration on  verizon.com/mybusiness  required). $5 discount will be applied each month as long as auto pay and paper-free billing stay active.

$85 Business Digital Voice Phone Discount:  Offer available on select IP Phones with purchase of a new Fios Internet and Business Digital Voice bundle with a two year agreement. Fulfilled via bill credit. Taxes apply. Limit one discount per phone model. Restocking fee may apply if canceled within 30 days. Available to select customers in select areas only. Offer ends 3.31.24.

Included Router Rental Fee:  Available only to Fios Internet customers on the Gigabit Connection plan (up to 940/880 Mbps) or 2 Gigabit Connection plan (up to 2048/2048 Mbps) where available. Qualifying customers will receive a monthly bill credit for the applicable monthly router rental fee for as long service with qualifying plan is on the account.  Promo credits end when eligibility requirements are no longer met.  If your Fios service is cancelled, you must return the Fios router subject to Verizon’s standard return policy. 

Fios Switching Allowance Offer:  Offer for new business customers in select areas only who sign up for qualifying Fios internet service with a two year agreement (subject to credit review) and who terminated their prior internet service and incurred an early termination fee (ETF). To redeem offer, you must email documentation of the ETF from your prior service provider w/in 30 days after receipt of final bill. Offer fulfilled via a bill credit to your Verizon account in the amount of the billed ETF, up to $1,500. Credit will be issued starting after 30 days of service, and will appear on your Verizon bill within 2-3 billing cycles. You remain solely responsible for paying the ETF to your prior service provider. Offer is non-transferable, has no cash or refund value, and may not be combined with all offers. Other terms apply. Offer ends 3.31.24.

Visa Prepaid Card Offers : Businesses who sign up for qualifying Fios Internet with our mid-tier or high-tier speeds with a two-year agreement will receive a Visa Prepaid Card, with the Visa Prepaid Card amount based on speed tier purchased, as follows: (i) $100 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 500/500 Mbps Internet; or (ii) $500 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 940/880 Mbps Internet (Gigabit Connection) or 2048/2048 Mbps Internet (2 Gigabit Connection). May only be combined with select offers. Only available in select locations, including the Philadelphia metro area, parts of New York state and parts of central Massachusetts. Call or visit the website to confirm availability.  Visa Prepaid Card is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 12 months, funds do not expire and may be available after card expiration date, fees may apply. Terms and conditions apply.  Must register for card online and keep qualifying Verizon service for 60 days from install, with no past-due balance 65 days from install. Card mailed within 90 days of install date. Limit one card per account. Other card terms and conditions apply. Offers end 3.31.24.

Visa Prepaid Card Fast Start Offers : Businesses who sign up for qualifying Fios Internet with our mid-tier or high-tier speeds with a two-year agreement will receive a Visa Prepaid Card, with the Visa Prepaid Card amount based on speed tier purchased, as follows: (i) $400 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 500/500 Mbps Internet; or (ii) $800 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 1 Gig Internet (940/880 Mbps) or Fios 2 Gig Internet (2048/2048 Mbps). May not be combined with all offers. Not available in all locations, including the Philadelphia metro area, parts of New York state and parts of central Massachusetts. Call or visit the website to confirm availability.  Visa Prepaid Card is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 12 months, funds do not expire and may be available after card expiration date, fees may apply. Terms and conditions apply.  Must register for card online and keep qualifying Verizon service for 60 days from install, with no past-due balance 65 days from install. Card mailed within 90 days of install date. Limit one card per account. Other card terms and conditions apply. Offers end 3.31.24.

Fios Business Internet/Business Unlimited Offer:  Offer available to new and existing business customers in select areas only who sign up for both: (i) a qualifying Fios Business Internet plan & (ii) a qualifying Verizon Wireless Business Unlimited plan (eligible smartphone required, device payment purchase or bring your own device). Existing customers are eligible with Fios Business Internet plan upgrade or Business Unlimited plan upgrade or a new line, as applicable. Customers with Fios Gigabit Connection (speeds up to 940/880 Mbps) or Fios 2 Gigabit Connection (speeds up to 2048M/2048M), where available, and Verizon Wireless Business Unlimited Pro plan (at least 1 line) are eligible for a total credit of $80/mo, all other combinations of service plans are eligible for a total credit of $40/mo. Offer fulfilled as a credit of $20/mo. or $40/mo. each to your Fios and Verizon Wireless bills, for a total credit of $40/mo or $80/mo as applicable. Credit is fulfilled at an account level and only one promotional credit per account. Discounts are applied once both services are activated. All discounts apply as long as Verizon provides & business maintains both services at the qualifying levels. Limited time offer.

$100 One-Time Discount:  Offer available only to business customers who are new to Verizon and who sign up for a qualifying Fios Business Internet plan and a qualifying Verizon Wireless Business Unlimited plan. Existing Verizon customers are not eligible. One time $100 discount offer fulfilled as a bill credit to your Verizon Wireless account and will appear within 1-2 billing cycles. May only be combined with select offers. Limited time offer.

Fios Internet Only:  $49 activation fee applies based on speed tier.  Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change.

Basic Internet Only: $49.00 activation fee applies with 2 year contract; $99.00 activation fee applies with no annual contract. Wireless router available for $49.00, subject to change. Verizon Basic Internet will be provisioned at up to 1Mbps, 3Mbps, 5Mbps, 7Mbps or 10–15Mbps based on VZ line qualifications requirements. Availability subject to final confirmation by Verizon.

Preferred Voice Only:  Offer available to new and existing customers. Requires 2-yr term agreement. Includes unlimited direct-dialed voice calls to anywhere in the US. Selected activation and installation charges are waived. Additional charges may apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. Additional Universal Service Fee, taxes and other charges apply. Call detail is not provided for unlimited calling.

Business Digital Voice (BDV) Only:  Offer available to new customers with 100 voice lines or fewer in select areas only, subject to credit review. BDV requires an existing Internet connection of 5Mbps or higher. $99.99 activation and $200 installation fees apply. Additional charges apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. Phone equipment purchase req’d, starting at $85.00. Call detail is not provided for unlimited calling.

Fios TV:  Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change.. $99.99 activation and $89.99 installation fees (first three existing TV outlets) apply. Additional charges apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. $11.99/mo. HD set top box, franchise and regulatory fees, up to $8.89 Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee, $11.49 Broadcast Fee, other taxes and fees apply. Equipment shipping charge may apply. Program availability varies by location. Number of channels is approximation. High Definition (HD) TV with HD STB required for HD programming. Certain TV plans, Pay Per View (PPV) and Subscription or fee-based Video On Demand (VOD) are not permitted for viewing in restaurants, bars or other customer service areas. Channel lineup is subject to change and not all channels will be available at all times. Blackout restrictions apply. Month-to-month service without an annual contract required.

Fios TV Mobile app:  Req. compatible device and Fios® TV. Content restrictions may apply. Fios Internet req’d for in-office use. Full channel access and DVR streaming require Fios Multi-Room DVR enhanced or Premium Service. Max. combined 5 simultaneous live TV streams and/or DVR streams per media server. Streaming of TV shows and movies On Demand included in your plan is available to all business customers. Streaming of rented/purchased TV shows and movies On Demand is only available to Private Viewing business customers. Requires acceptance of Terms of Service and Private Viewing conditions at  verizon.com/mybusiness . Early access to Fios TV Mobile app begins with activation & ends upon installation or in 14 days, whichever comes first. Wireless data charges may apply.

Veterans / Active Military offer:  Offer available to eligible and verified members of the U.S. military and U.S. Veterans in select areas with Business Fios Internet with a two year agreement, subject to credit review. Not available in all areas/locations. Upon military service verification through Veterans Advantage, eligible customers will receive a discount in the amount of $5/month for speeds up to 500M/500M; or $10/month for 940/880 Mbps and 2048/2048 Mbps (where available), for as long as that customer maintains qualifying Business Fios Internet service. Not available for month-to-month plans. Eligible customers must complete the military service verification process within 30 days of the order to get the discount.

Business Internet Secure:  Available to businesses with 19 employees or less. Requires current Fios Business Internet service. Business Internet Secure licenses are sold in packs of 5, 10, and 25 with one license covering one device (laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet). One license pack at a time per customer account. Prices are monthly and exclusive of taxes and fees. Terms and conditions apply. System requirements: Windows 7 and above; Mac OSX 10.9 and above; Android OS 5.0 and above, or Apple iOS 10.0 and above.

Let’s connect.

Call Sales 800-526-3178

Have us contact you Request a call

Already have an account?    Log in Explore support More ways to connect with us

8 Best Mobile Hotspots (Portable WiFi) for Remote Work and International Travel

Isn't hunting for WiFi, like searching for a hidden treasure, just the worst? We get it.

That's why we've whipped up our top 8 picks for the best mobile hotspots (also known as portable WiFi devices) for remote work and travel . We listed key features, pricing, and pros and cons for each MiFi device.

Ready to maximize on-the-go connectivity? Let's see how you can simplify your remote working life with this new shining piece of tech.

Best Mobile WiFi Hotspots For Remote Work and International Travel

  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/03/simo-solis-mobile-hotspot--1---2-.webp
  • Title: Simo Solis Lite
  • Description: The Globe-Trotter's Companion
  • Target: 1-simo-solis-lite-the-globe-trotters-companion
  • Price: 139.99
  • Link: https://soliswifi.co/products/solis-lite-hotspot?rfsn=7506940.acb928&ref=freakingnomads.com
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/07/netgear-m6-pro-mobile-wifi-hotspot.png
  • Title: Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E
  • Description: Cutting-Edge Device for the Tech-Savvy Digital Nomad
  • Target: 2-nighthawk-m6-pro-5g-wi-fi-6e-mobile-hotspot-cutting-edge-device-for-the-tech-savvy-digital-nomad
  • Price: 853.32
  • Link: https://amzn.to/46jw72J
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/03/netgear-nighthawk-M1-mobile-hotspot.webp
  • Title: Netgear Nighthawk M1
  • Description: Powerhouse for Remote Teams
  • Target: 3-netgear-nighthawk-m1-powerhouse-for-remote-teams
  • Price: 299.00
  • Link: https://amzn.to/40R3n0b
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/03/GlocalMe-G4-Pro-mobile-wifi-router.webp
  • Title: GlocalMe G4 Pro
  • Description: No SIM Card, No Problem
  • Target: 4-glocalme-g4-pro-no-sim-card-no-problem
  • Price: 169.90
  • Link: https://amzn.to/3n6Cw0p
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/07/Huawei-E5576-508-4G-mobile-wifi-hotspot-portable-wifi-1.jpg
  • Title: Huawei E5576-508 4G
  • Description: The Budget-Conscious Nomad's Choice
  • Target: 5-huawei-e5576-508-4g-the-budget-conscious-nomads-choice
  • Price: 91.99
  • Link: https://amzn.to/3NMC4Or
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/03/sapphire-3-mobile-wifi-router.webp
  • Title: Sapphire 3 by TravelWiFi
  • Description: The Digital Nomad's Sleek Powerhouse
  • Target: 6-sapphire-3-by-travelwifi-the-digital-nomads-sleek-powerhouse
  • Price: 149.00
  • Link: https://amzn.to/3THSlH5
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/03/indeego-mobile-wifi-router.webp
  • Title: Inseego MiFi M2000 Hotspot
  • Description: The 5G Speedster
  • Target: 7-inseego-mifi-m2000-hotspot-the-5g-speedster
  • Price: 109.97
  • Link: https://amzn.to/3nbdcXb
  • Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2023/03/keepgo-mobile-wifi-router.webp
  • Title: Keepgo
  • Description: The Pay-As-You-Go Option
  • Target: 8-keepgo-the-pay-as-you-go-option
  • Price: 129.00
  • Link: https://www.keepgo.com/products/keepgo-lifetime-mobile-travel-wifi-hotspot

What is a Portable WiFi Hotspot, and Why Do I Need One?

A portable WiFi hotspot is a device that takes a mobile cellular connection and rebroadcasts it as WiFi, allowing multiple devices to connect wirelessly.

It's similar to using a smartphone as a mobile hotspot but is a dedicated device with its own battery and is a versatile and convenient way to let you access the internet on the go.

Unlike traditional WiFi hotspots fixed to a specific location, a mobile hotspot is portable and can be carried with you wherever your travels take you, enabling you to connect devices like laptops , tablets, and other smartphones.

It is like having your very own pocket-sized WiFi buddy that you can take anywhere. And it's truly a lifesaver for digital nomads, remote workers, travelers, or just about anyone who needs to stay connected while out and about.

The 3 Portable WiFi Hotspot Options For International Travel and Remote Work

Before we get started, let's quickly go over the three types of portable WiFi devices you might encounter as a digital nomad and remote worker:

Mobile Wifi Hotspots

These pocket-sized gadgets automatically connect you to a cellular network and create a WiFi network for your MiFi devices. They're handy, easy to use, and often work with multiple cell phone carriers.

Portable WiFi Routers

Like mobile hotspots, portable WiFi routers offer extra perks like Ethernet ports and external antenna support. However, keep in mind they might need a separate USB port, modem, or SIM card.

These little devices plug directly into your laptop or computer, giving you a personal internet connection. But unfortunately, they're usually tied to a Wi-Fi connection from a specific carrier and require a separate data plan.

The 8 Best High-Speed Portable WiFi Hotspots For Remote Work and Travel

1. simo solis lite : the globe-trotter's companion.

simos solis lite 4g mobile wifi hotspot

The Simo Solis Lite is a pocket WiFi device with an eye-catching bright orange cover. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and light enough to carry around in your pocket or bag. With its 4G LTE connectivity, built-in power bank, remote camera, and intelligent assistant, the Solis Lite is an all-in-one solution for digital nomads on the go. In addition, the device allows you to purchase daily or monthly WiFi packages, which work in over 135 countries. The Solis Lite is not extremely cheap (although it's still reasonably affordable), but its versatility and features make it a popular choice for many international travelers and remote workers.

Key features:

  • Coverage in over 135+ countries
  • 4G LTE connectivity
  • Built-in 4700 mAh Power Bank
  • Remote camera and smart assistant

Pros and cons:

Price: $139.99.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

2. Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E Mobile Hotspot : Cutting-Edge Device for the Tech-Savvy Digital Nomad

netgear m6 pro 5g wifi hotspot

The Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E Mobile Hotspot is a cutting-edge portable WiFi with a sleek black exterior and a user-friendly touchscreen. This powerful device offers ultra-fast internet speeds and the latest WiFi technology, making it an excellent choice for digital nomads who need a high-performance portable WiFi solution. With support for up to 32 devices and impressive battery life, the Nighthawk M6 Pro portable WiFi mobile hotspot is perfect for those who demand the best connectivity. However, it comes with carrier compatibility limitations and a higher upfront cost.

  • 5G connectivity
  • WiFi 6E technology
  • Connect up to 32 devices
  • 5200 mAh battery

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Price: $853.32

3. netgear nighthawk m1 : powerhouse for remote workers.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

The Netgear Nighthawk M1 is a sleek, modern-looking mobile hotspot with a robust build. It's larger than other options on our list, but its impressive 4G LTE connectivity, long-lasting battery life, and Ethernet port make it well worth the extra size. With the ability to connect up to 20 devices, the Nighthawk M1 is perfect for remote workers with multiple devices or remote teams working in diverse locations. Although it has a higher upfront cost and limited carrier compatibility, the Nighthawk M1's powerful performance makes it a top contender for international travelers who demand the best.

  • Connect up to 20 devices
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Ethernet port for wired connections

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Price: $306.13

Or if you want to learn more about the Netgear Nighthawk M1 , read our full review below:

best mobile hotspot plans for business

4. GlocalMe G4 Pro : No SIM Card, No Problem

best mobile hotspot plans for business

The GlocalMe G4 Pro is a sleek, futuristic device with a shiny black exterior and a high-resolution touchscreen. It's slim and lightweight, making it an ideal travel companion. Thanks to its integrated Cloud SIM technology, the G4 Pro offers 4G LTE connectivity in over 140 countries without needing a local SIM or card. With the ability to connect up to 10 devices and a built-in power bank, the G4 Pro is perfect for digital nomads prioritizing convenience and versatility in their portable WiFi devices.

  • Coverage in over 140 countries
  • Supports up to 10 devices
  • Data by gb, day, or year, pay as you go.
  • Built-in power bank
  • No contract, no fees

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Price: $169.90

5. huawei e5576-508 4g : the budget-conscious nomad's choice.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

The Huawei E5576-508 Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot is a budget-friendly yet powerful choice for digital nomads needing a reliable, fast internet connection. This SIM card-operated MiFi device, compatible with various GSM carriers, delivers 4G LTE speeds and supports up to 16 devices. While its battery life is a modest six hours, its quick streaming capabilities make up for this. Despite minor drawbacks, its affordability, speed, and connectivity make it a commendable alternative for remote workers looking for a budget-friendly mifi device.

  • Connect up to 16 devices
  • 1500mAh battery for up to 6 hours of working
  • Supports Micro SD card up to 32GB

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Price: $91.99

6. sapphire 3 by travelwifi : the digital nomad's sleek powerhouse.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

The Sapphire 3 portable hotspot sports a slim, lightweight design, perfect for international travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers always on the move. Its minimalist exterior houses an array of features, making it a top choice for those seeking a reliable, hassle-free WiFi hotspot. With coverage in over 130 countries and the ability to connect up to 10 devices, this portable hotspot is a dream come true for remote workers and travelers alike.

  • Coverage in over 130 countries
  • Connect up to 10 devices
  • 4GB of free global data
  • 12-hour battery life
  • Optional SIM card slot

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Price: $149.00

7. inseego mifi m2000 hotspot : the 5g speedster.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

The Inseego MiFi M2000 Hotspot is a futuristic-looking MiFi device with a glossy black exterior and a high-resolution touchscreen display. Its slim design and lightweight build make it easy to carry around during your nomad travels. An Inseego 5g MiFi m2000 addition, the device stands out with its blazing-fast 5G connectivity, support for up to 30 devices, and long battery life. Although it may have limited carrier compatibility and a higher upfront cost, the Inseego MiFi M2000 Hotspot is a top choice for digital nomads prioritizing speed and performance in their portable WiFi devices.

  • WiFi 6 technology (connect up to 30 devices)
  • 5040 mAh battery
  • Touchscreen display for device management

Price: $109.97

8. keepgo : the pay-as-you-go option.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Keepgo is a pocket-sized device with a clean and minimalistic design, featuring a smooth white exterior and a small LED display. It's straightforward to set up and use, making it an excellent option for digital nomads who prefer a pay-as-you-go plan. The device offers 4G LTE connectivity in over 100 countries and supports up to 15 devices. Although the data speed may be limited after reaching the daily cap, the convenience of having a data plan with no expiration date makes Keepgo an attractive choice for digital nomads who value flexibility.

  • Coverage in over 100 countries
  • Connect up to 5 devices
  • Pay-as-you-go data plans

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Price: $129.00

Other remote work gear you may also be interested in:.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

What Should I Consider Before Buying a Wi-Fi Hotspot Device For Remote Work and Travel?

So, now you have a pretty good idea of the best mobile hotspots for working remotely out there. But before you commit to a portable WiFi hotspot device, you should consider a few factors to ensure you're making the best choice for your needs. Let's see which ones.

Data Plans and Cost

So, you're comparing WiFi devices, huh? First, take a good look at their data plans, and weigh up the cost, any limitations, and how flexible they are. You'll find some offer pay-as-you-go, while others want you to commit to a monthly subscription or even a contract. To get the best bang for your buck, think about your usage habits and find a plan that fits like a glove without emptying your wallet. Plus, check if the device lets you switch plans easily, just in case your data needs to change from month to month.

Coverage and Compatibility

Secondly, you should ensure it buddies with your favorite carriers and can tag along to the countries on your travel list. Different gadgets support various networks and frequencies, so do some detective work on coverage areas to ensure you stay connected no matter where you roam . And if you're a real globe-trotter, go for a MiFi device that plays well with multiple regions.

Battery Life

As a digital nomad or remote worker, you also need a WiFi device with a battery that won't quit. Look for one with enough juice to keep you connected during your epic adventures without constantly hunting for a power outlet. If you can find a replaceable or external battery device, even better! But remember, battery life can vary depending on things like signal strength and how many devices are connected.

Speed and Connectivity

We know that fast and reliable internet is like the Holy Grail for digital nomads. So, when checking out portable WiFi devices, pay attention to their max speeds and how many devices they can handle at once. If you're part of a team or have a bunch of gadgets to connect, make sure the device can cope without turning into a digital snail. Just keep in mind that actual speeds can change depending on network traffic and coverage where you're at.

Security Features

You've gotta keep your connection safe and secure while working remotely. So, pick a portable WiFi device that's got your back with solid security features like password protection, VPN compatibility , and automatic updates. With these defenses, you can work and travel with peace of mind, knowing you're protected from cyber baddies.

Size and Portability

Last but not least, size matters when you're a digital nomad, and packing light is absolutely necessary. Go for a compact, lightweight WiFi device that's easy to slip into your bag or pocket without weighing you down. Find a tough yet user-friendly design to enjoy stress-free connectivity wherever you travel.

Alternatives to Portable Internet Hotspots for Remote Workers and International Travelers

While a mobile hotspot can be a great solution, other options are available. Below are some alternative connectivity options to consider.

International SIM Cards

An international SIM card can be used in multiple countries, preventing you from buying a new SIM card when you cross a border. In addition to international roaming plans, many companies offer affordable data plans that can be activated for a certain amount of time or data usage. This option can be helpful for digital nomads who stay in one location for an extended period or prefer to use their cell phones only as a hotspot. Some companies that offer internal SIM cards are Gigsky , OneSimCard or TravelSim.

If you don't want the hassle of changing SIM cards every time you switch networks or travel to another country, then eSIMs would be a great alternative. With an eSIM, you can easily activate a new plan through your phone data settings without the hassle of visiting a local store or waiting in line at the airport to buy physical SIM cards. eSIMs can be a game-changer for digital nomads who value convenience and flexibility. Nowadays, many great providers such as Holafly offer reliable eSIMs worldwide, giving you the chance to stay connected wherever you are.

Local Prepaid Data Plans

Another option is to purchase a local SIM card or prepaid data plan in the country you're visiting. This option can be more affordable than using an international SIM card or a portable WiFi hotspot device, and you can take advantage of local discounts or promotions. However, this option can be more time-consuming and require research to find the best plan for your needs.

CoWorking Spaces and Cafes with WiFi

If you're looking for a temporary solution, you can always rely on co-working spaces or cafes with WiFi. Many cafes offer free WiFi, and co-working spaces offer a dedicated workspace with fast internet speeds. These options can be ideal for digital nomads who only need to work a few hours or want a change of scenery. However, keep in mind that not all cafes or co-working spaces offer reliable internet access, so it's best to research beforehand.

So, What's The Best Internet Hotspot For Remote Work and International Travel?

Alright, let's cut to the chase! Which mobile hotspot should digital nomads and remote workers pick?

After checking out tons of hotspots, we've realized there's no one-size-fits-all answer for every digital nomad. Each gadget has unique perks and quirks, catering to various needs and wallets.

If you're a globetrotter who wants it all, Simo Solis Lite has got your back with its excellent features. For remote teams needing a powerful connection, look no further than the Netgear Nighthawk M1 , which can connect up to 20 devices. If you're watching your budget, the Huawei E5576-508 4G has you covered, while the GlocalMe G4 Pro is perfect for those who love convenience and want to avoid bothering with SIM cards.

The sleek Sapphire 3 by TravelWiFi keeps things simple and hassle-free, while the pay-as-you-go Keepgo hotspot is perfect for flexibility. For speed demons, both the Inseego MiFi M2000 and Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E are top choices, thanks to their next-level tech.

So, what's the bottom line? The best mobile hotspot for digital nomads comes down to your preferences, travel plans, and connectivity needs. Weigh the pros and cons of each device, and you'll find the perfect sidekick for your nomadic adventures!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is portable wi-fi worth it for travelers.

A portable Wi-Fi device is a good investment for frequent travelers who need to use the Internet on various devices, including laptops, while abroad.

Why Use a Mobile Hotspot Device Over a Smartphone's Hotspot Feature?

Mobile hotspot devices have their own battery, are way faster, offer more flexibility, can connect more devices, provide privacy, and, above all, won’t drain your smartphone’s battery.

Do portable Wi-Fi hotspots work anywhere?

Hotspot functionality depends on the cellular data plan and network coverage of the provider. It's essential to check the carrier's coverage maps before purchasing a hotspot​​.

Why should I need a portable mobile hotspot?

Mobile hotspots are beneficial for remote workers needing reliable and secure access to corporate resources, sales or business development employees using collaboration tools, and customer service employees requiring quick access to information​​.

How Many Devices Can Connect to a Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Most hotspots can connect at least five devices simultaneously, with higher-end models supporting 10 or more. However, connecting many devices can reduce data speed for each connected device​​.

Are there hotspots that work on cruise ships or in open water?

Hotspots typically connect to local towers, so they do not offer service in open water or on cruise ships​​.

Which hotspot is best for countries in the Middle East?

Devices like the Simo Solis Lite often provide good coverage in the Middle East. Plans and data capacities can vary, so it's best to check specific coverage and plan details​​.

Is there in-flight Wi-Fi available through these hotspots?

As at the time of writing, most portable hotspots do not offer in-flight Wi-Fi, though some providers may be planning to include this feature in the future​​.

Which device is recommended for live streaming, like Instagram videos, abroad?

Devices that do not throttle 4G speeds, such as Keepgo with an upgraded 4G data package, are recommended for live streaming activities​​.

For frequent short trips, which hotspot device is recommended?

For individuals traveling several times a year for short durations, purchasing a device like the Simo Solis Lite and activating it for each trip is a practical option​​.

What are the hotspot options for countries with limited service, like Montenegro?

In countries where hotspot providers do not offer service, the best option is often to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival​​ or an eSIM.

What are the Strongest and Fastest Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots?

Devices like the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro are known for their strength and speed, offering features like Wi-Fi 6E and 5G capabilities​​.

Ready To Get Your High-Speed Mobile Hotspot?

If you want to receive digital nomad guides like these, sign up for our free newsletter and get upcoming articles straight to your inbox!

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Sign up for our Newsletter

Receive nomad stories, tips, news, and resources every week.

100% free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

You can also follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Group if you want to get in touch with other members of our growing digital nomad community!

We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!

Disclosure: Hey, just a heads up that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that, if you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission that helps us create helpful content for the community. We only recommend products if we think they will add value, so thanks for supporting us!

How to Set Up and Manage an eSIM on iPhone

Best wi-fi options to get reliable internet anywhere, 17 tips to master the digital nomad lifestyle.

History Computer

Unlimited Mobile Hotspot Plans: Full Comparison and How to Decide Which One Is Best

L et’s say you’re a nomadic worker. You work while traveling the world. Or, you simply need an internet connection for all your devices without investing in a router . What’s the fix? Unlimited mobile hotspot plans.

These mobile plans are exactly how they sound. They come with unlimited data and let you convert your phone into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.

How do you find the best plan for your phone? Below, we compare some of the best unlimited mobile hotspot plans. Keep reading to find a buyer’s guide at the end to help you choose the right plan for your needs.

What Is a Mobile Hotspot?

All modern phones can share the internet with other devices through a feature called a mobile hotspot. Using this feature, you can turn your phone into a Wi-Fi “router,” providing internet access to other devices.

For instance, when you turn on this feature , your devices, like gaming consoles, tablets, and laptops , can connect to the internet using your phone’s network as the Wi-Fi .

A mobile hotspot plan is the mobile data plan a mobile carrier offers. Some common carriers include Karma, Verizon, T-Mobile, UScellular, AT&T, and Cricket Wireless.

Mobile hotspot plans differ based on many factors, such as their speeds, pricing, and data usage limits. You’d want a high data usage limit when you connect multiple devices to the same phone. What if it’s unlimited? That way, you never run out of data for the month.

Best Unlimited Mobile Hotspot Plans

Before we compare the best unlimited mobile hotspot plans, let us clarify what ‘unlimited’ means. In this context, unlimited doesn’t necessarily mean without limitation. It means a limit that a single user or a family won’t hit in a month.

For example, some mobile carriers offer up to 100 GB a month. Meanwhile, others don’t have a premium data cap but won’t let you connect more than one device at a time. Here’s a comparison of the best unlimited mobile hotspot plans to choose from.

T-Mobile Magenta MAX: Best Overall

Hotspot Features : 40GB of high-speed mobile hotspot. Unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds after you use up the 40GB.

Price: $170 per month

T-Mobile Magenta MAX has one of the best unlimited mobile hotspot plans. Some features of the Magenta MAX plans include:

  • All Fees Included: The price you pay for the plan is everything you owe. It includes service fees and tax. So you don’t have to worry about hidden costs.
  • Nationwide G5: With T-Mobile, you get 5G bars nationwide. The company claims to have the largest 5G network in America.
  • Dedicated Customer: If you have any queries or need to change your plan, a team of experts will help you.

When you get this plan, you also get plenty of entertainment benefits for free. For example, the Magenta Max comes with two Netflix screens and Apple TV+. Besides the Magenta Max, two other T-Mobile plans come with unlimited 5G.

The Go5 Plus costs $150 per month and has these perks:

  • Unlimited premium data
  • Netflix for two screens
  • 50 GB mobile hotspot

The Go5G plan It costs $130 per month. It has unlimited talking and texting, Wi-Fi calling, and the following hotspot features:

  • 15 GB high-speed mobile hotspot
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G speeds after you use up 15 GB

AT&T Unlimited Extra Plan: Best Prepaid Option

Hotspot Features : 15GB of high-speed hotspot data per line, with speed reduced to 128kbps after 15GB

Price: $40 per month

All of AT&T’s data plans have the following features:

  • Unlimited Texting : You can text from the US to 200 countries across the world – no cap.
  • Unlimited Talking and Data: All plans come with unlimited data, text, and talk between Canada, Mexico, and the US. Do note that roaming could be at 2G speeds.
  • AT&T ActiveArmor Mobile Security: It helps protect your device and data from malicious threats.

The AT&T Unlimited Extra Plan comes with 15GB of hotspot data per line per month. After you use up the initial 15GB, the hotspot still works, but the speed is lowered to 128kbps.

Remember that $40 is for one line. You can get the plan for multiple lines if you need more high-speed hotspot coverage.

Verizon Premium: Best Speed

Hotspot Features : 150GB of high-speed hotspot data

Price: $80 per month

The Verizon Premium plan is ideal for users who want the most out of their mobile hotspot. It comes with 150 GB of mobile hotspot data. The speed is lowered to 600kbps after you use up 150 GB.

You also get 5G ultra wideband access, allowing you to access the fastest connections in 5G areas. The plan also offers a premium streaming quality of 4K UHD when you get the 5G Ultra band and 720p on 4G LTE or 5G .

If you don’t need as much data, the Verizon Pro will be a good option for you. It costs $60 and offers 100 GB high-speed hotspot data with 5G UltraWideband access.

Visible Plus: Best Budget Offer

Hotspot Features : 50GB of hotspot data up to 5Mbps speed

Price: $45 per month

Both Visible and Visible + are good options for people looking for unlimited mobile hotspot plans. The Visible Plan costs $30 monthly, but you get a $5 discount for your first month. It includes the following:

  • Unlimited talk, data, and text
  • 5G & 4G LTE
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot (speeds may be temporarily lowered when the network is facing heavy traffic)
  • Spam protection
  • Unlimited text and talk for Canada and Mexico

Meanwhile, the Visible + plan costs $45 per month and offers a $10 discount on the welcome offer. It has the same features as the Visible plan in addition to the following:

  • 5G Ultra Wideband
  • Premium Network Experience
  • Unlimited data roaming in Canada and Mexico
  • International calling to more than 30 countries from the US
  • International texting to over 200 countries from the US

Boost Mobile Ultimate Unlimited: Best for 4G LTE Users

Hotspot Features : 50GB of 4G LTE hotspot data

The Boost Mobile Ultimate Unlimited plan has 50GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, making it great for people who do not have 5G-enabled phones. You also get the following features:

  • Tridal Premium: The plan gives you access to curated content, videos, and exclusive music.
  • HD Streaming : HD videos stream at 1080p, while music plays at 1.5Mbps. Games can go up to 8 Mbps.
  • International Connect Plus: You can make unlimited landline calls to more than 70 countries. The plan offers 200 free mobile mobiles to more than 50 countries. You also get unlimited international texting.

How to Choose the Best Unlimited Mobile Hotspot Plans?

Since there are so many unlimited mobile hotspot plans, choosing one can be tricky. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best plan.

The speed of your hotspot will determine how fast you access the internet. Some plans offer high-speed 5G, while others are limited to slower 4G LTE speeds.

When selecting hotspot plans based on the speed, you should also consider your device. Some devices are not 5G-enabled, so there’s no point in paying more for a 5G hotspot.

Stick to a 4G LTE hotspot like the one from Boost Mobile. But if your device has 5G Ultra enabled, you can choose T-Mobile Magenta MAX for good speed. You get 5G speeds for the first 40GB and then 3G afterward.

Postpaid vs. Prepaid

A prepaid plan has a fixed charge that you pay before the plan begins. Meanwhile, a postpaid plan is paid at the end of the month. The former is better if you don’t want to end up paying extra for an overuse of data.

Data Allowance

As you can see above in our list of the best unlimited mobile hotspot plans, the high-speed data allowance ranges from 15GB to 150GB. It’s up to you to choose the limit based on your needs.

If you plan to use the hotspot connection for gaming and streaming, opt for 50GB to 100 GB. If you only use it for work or while traveling, the 15GB plan will suffice.

Most mobile carriers have 5G coverage nationwide. However, that is not always the case. Some carriers may not have over 4G coverage for remote or rural areas.

Should You Use Unlimited Mobile Hotspot for Home Internet?

Using a mobile hotspot for home internet is generally not a good idea. For one, it’s more expensive than a broadband plan from an Internet Service Provider.

Mobile hotspot plans also have a smaller data usage limit than broadband plans. Suppose you’re a family of five. A 50GB hotspot plan might not be enough for you, especially if you use the internet for streaming and gaming.

Using a hotspot for home internet might be a good option if you live alone and have a spare phone. Otherwise, you should use a mobile hotspot for traveling or when working away from home. For example, a mobile hotspot will be your portable internet connection if you’re traveling across the country in an RV.

Wrapping Up

Summing up, there are many unlimited mobile hotspot plans with distinct benefits. We especially like the T-Mobile Magenta MAX for its high-speed internet, as you get 3G access even after you use the initial 40GB. However, it comes at a hefty price tag.

The Verizon Premium works wonders if you need another option at half the price. It offers 150GB of high-speed internet. Even after exceeding this limit, the speed is decent at 600Kbps.

At the end of the day, you should choose a plan keeping your needs in mind. Make sure you consider the speed, device capabilities, additional features, price, and data limit before buying a plan.

The post Unlimited Mobile Hotspot Plans: Full Comparison and How to Decide Which Is Best appeared first on History-Computer .

Unlimited Mobile Hotspot Plans: Full Comparison and How to Decide Which One Is Best

  • Compare Providers
  • Review Providers

Best 5G Hotspot Data Plans

Take your 5G hotspot to the max with one of these 5G-friendly data plans.

' src=

  • Widest 5G access
  • No C-band access (for now)
  • Incredibly fast mmWave and C-band 5G speeds
  • Lots of data
  • High price for non-Verizon subscribers
  • Large amount of hotspot data
  • 5G phone plan included
  • High price for a phone plan
  • Lots of data for affordable price
  • C-band and mmWave 5G access
  • Limited selection of 5G hotspots
  • Cheap price
  • Unlimited hotspot data
  • 5 Mbps max hotspot speeds

Data effective 9/19/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

* $60.00/mo. (w/ existing Unlimited phone plan), $90.00/mo. (w/out phone plan)

You know what they say—a hotspot is only as good as the data plan that comes with it. That’s especially true for 5G hotspots. 5G is still pretty new, and the speeds and performance you get from a 5G device depends heavily on the cellular carrier’s 5G network.

There are only a few 5G hotspots on the market, but most data plans these days include 5G network access. Not all 5G data plans are the same, though—depending on where you live and how you use your hotspot, your needs may vary. T-Mobile has fast and affordable plans, but Verizon can get you gigabit speeds in select metro areas. AT&T has sluggish 5G speeds but decent reach.

Below we dig deep into the best 5G hotspot plans to go with your spiffy 5G hotspot device. Keep reading for all the details on pricing, data allotments, and speeds.

  • Best 5G hotspot data plans
  • What to look for
  • Best overall
  • Best for mmWave/C-band
  • Best 5G phone plan
  • Best prepaid plan
  • Best budget option
  • Specs and features

Our pick: Which 5G hotspot data plan is best?

T-Mobile 2GB is the best 5G hotspot data plan you can get. It gives you 2 GB of data per month for just $10 a month; if you run out, you can buy more data with a “data pass.” We love this plan because it’s easy, flexible, and cheap. Sure, you don’t get a whole lot of data, but that also means you don’t have to commit to a high price upfront to get more data than you need. Plus, T-Mobile has the fastest average 5G speeds and the best availability and reach of all the 5G providers.

Take a look at our guide to the best 5G hotspots to pick out a device that works best with your 5G hotspot plan.

There are only a handful of 5G hotspots out there, but we have the scoop on which ones get you the fastest speeds for the lowest prices.

The 5 best 5G hotspot data plans

  • Best overall: T-Mobile 2GB
  • Best for mmWave and C-band: Verizon Pro
  • Best 5G phone plan: T-Mobile Magenta Max
  • Best prepaid plan: AT&T Prepaid 50 GB
  • Best budget option: Visible phone plan

Compare 5G hotspot data plans

Data as of 10/17/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*Average speed data taken from Opensignal 5G Experience Report , July 2022.

† Price at time of writing

What should you look for in a 5G hotspot data plan?

You should look for a 5G hotspot data plan that connects you to a fast and widely available 5G network. You should get a plan that’s compatible with trustworthy and affordable 5G hotspots and 5G phones. Of course, it’s also important to find a plan that’s affordable and that gives you enough data for your needs.

Take a look at our section on 5G hotspot plan specs farther down on this page for more details about the best 5G plans and networks.

Do you need a 5G hotspot?

Most internet users don’t need a 5G hotspot. They’re expensive and sometimes can be hard to find due to product shortages. You can save money by using the hotspot on your 5G phone or even using a 4G LTE hotspot.

But you should get a 5G hotspot if you travel regularly and need a reliable device with fast speeds—5G hotspots can hit speeds up to 1 Gbps in some areas. A 5G hotspot works best in downtown areas and urban centers (where 5G speeds are fastest), and its Wi-Fi 6 capabilities ensure you get a strong connection even when you’re sharing with a dozen users or more.

Depending on where you live, you may be better off getting a hotspot data plan tailored more for 4G LTE—an older but more common cell phone standard. See our best hotspot data plans for the scoop.

Best overall—T-Mobile 2GB

$10.00/mo.*.

  • Data allowance: 2 GB/mo.
  • 5G network access: Mostly mid-band 5G (no C-band)
  • Avg. 5G speeds: 171.0 Mbps
  • Compatible hotspots: Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 , T-Mobile 5G Hotspot

*Per connected device with AutoPay. Plus Taxes & fees.

T-Mobile’s 2GB is the easiest, cheapest hotspot plan around—you pay just $10 a month, and you can top up your data with a data pass if you ever run out. T-Mobile has the most widely available 5G network with the fastest average speeds, so you’re going to get solid performance on a regular basis when you power up your hotspot.

Although it’s tempting to go for a plan that comes with a whole bunch of data, the truth is that many people don’t need a lot of hotspot data. If you use it only occasionally, a couple gigs is just fine. But you can add more whenever you want with T-Mobile’s hotspot data pass. Here’s a breakdown of the additional data pass packages you can get:

  • 5 GB for $20
  • 10 GB for $30
  • 30 GB for $40
  • Cheap price up front
  • Lots of flexibility to buy more data
  • Small amount of data (although you can buy more)
  • No C-band access

Best for mmWave/C-band 5G—Verizon Pro

$60.00/mo. (w/ existing unlimited phone plan), $90.00/mo. (w/out phone plan).

  • Data allowance: 100 GB of 4G LTE/5G, then reduced to 600 Kbps
  • 5G network access: Mid-band 5G, 5G Ultra Wideband (C-band and millimeter-wave 5G)
  • Avg. 5G speeds: 72.8 Mbps
  • Compatible 5G hotspots: Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW , Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G UW

Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G is an amped-up version of the network that uses millimeter-wave and C-band spectrum to give users gigabit speeds in parts of major cities and urban areas. If you live in an area with easy access to Ultra Wideband, this plan can give your 5G hotspot a massive speed boost, making it easier to use with large groups or handle high-bandwidth activities like 4K streaming or even hosting a livestream.

Keep in mind that Ultra Wideband isn’t as widely available as regular 5G. Millimeter-wave and C-band frequencies have shorter ranges than mid-band 5G spectrum, so you can only find Verizon’s Ultra Wideband in select cities. (You can see where on Verizon’s 5G coverage map .)

That said, this is still a great plan even if you can’t get Ultra Wideband. Verizon’s nationwide 5G has solid speeds and this plan gives you much more data than most hotspot plans for a reasonable price. And it’s even cheaper when you combine it with a qualifying Verizon phone plan.

  • Extremely fast 5G speeds in metro areas
  • Top-rated 5G hotspots
  • Slower speeds outside of urban centers

Best for 5G phone hotspots—T-Mobile Magenta Max

  • Hotspot data allowance: 40 GB/mo. of 4G LTE/5G data, after which speeds reduced to 3G levels
  • Compatible hotspots: Your phone’s built-in hotspot

Depending on your budget and schedule, you may be better off getting a regular phone plan with hotspot data instead of a hotspot and hotspot plan. Standalone 5G hotspots are quite expensive (usually at least twice as much as standard 4G LTE hotspots) and relying on your phone’s hotspot means you can save money by buying one less 5G device.

Magenta Max is T-Mobile’s flagship unlimited plan, and it’s the best phone plan you can get for 5G hotspotting. You get the same excellent 5G hotspot speeds and availability from T-Mobile as you would from T-Mobile’s hotspot plan. And you get a nice chunk of hotspot data to cover you for big work trips and vacation stays.

The plan also comes with unlimited premium phone data, subscriptions to Netflix and Apple TV+, and a 12-month trial of Paramount+ Essential. So it’s a killer deal all around.

  • Fastest average 5G speeds
  • Unlimited high-speed phone data

Best prepaid plan—AT&T Prepaid 50 GB

$55.00/mo. (w/ autopay).

  • Data allowance: 50 GB/mo.
  • 5G network access: Mid-band 5G, C-band, millimeter-wave
  • Avg. 5G speeds: 53.6 Mbps
  • Compatible hotspots: Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro

Most hotspot plans give you a fairly small amount of data, so AT&T’s Prepaid 50 GB plan is worth considering just because it gives you a nice chunk to work with. That makes it great for longer trips and working with big groups, and the fact it’s prepaid means you don’t have to commit to a year-long plan if you’re planning to use a hotspot temporarily.

There are some drawbacks to this plan: AT&T has only one 5G hotspot, and it’s extremely expensive and not always available for purchase. And AT&T’s 5G speeds are lackluster compared to those of rivals T-Mobile and Verizon. It’s easier to use this plan with a 4G LTE hotspot, since those cost less and still get you a strong connection.

  • Fair price for lots of data
  • Simple prepaid setup
  • Limited 5G hotspot selection
  • Slowest average 5G speeds

Best budget option—Visible phone plan

  • Data allowance: Unlimited (max 5 Mbps speeds, connects only one device at a time)
  • 5G network access: Low- and mid-band 5G
  • Avg. 5G speeds (on hotspot): 5 Mbps

Visible’s standard phone plan gives you unlimited hotspot data and access to Verizon’s nationwide 5G. This is one of the cheapest phone plans on the market, and its max speed of 5 Mbps works fine if you’re using a hotspot only for occasional email duties and other small tasks.

Still, while the plan technically gives you access to 5G, the hotspot function is obviously capped in such a way that you don’t get to take advantage of 5G’s high speeds. Get this plan if you need something simple and easy. But if you want to get the most out of your hotspot’s 5G capabilities, pick one of the plans above.

  • Unlimited data
  • Slow hotspot speed
  • Connectivity for only one device at a time
  • No C-band or mmWave 5G

5G hotspot plan specs and features

You want the same things in a 5G hotspot data plan that you would want in any hotspot plan—a sufficient amount of data, wide network coverage, and all at an affordable price. But if you’re shopping specifically for a 5G-oriented data plan, then you should also consider the kinds of speeds you can get from the plan’s carrier and the size of the carrier’s 5G network.

Want to know more about how hotspots work? See our guides below for the scoop on the types of hotspots and hotspot plans you can get from T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T:

  • Everything You Need to Know About T-Mobile Hotspots
  • Everything You Need to Know About Verizon Hotspots
  • Everything You Need to Know About AT&T Hotspots

5G hotspot speeds

*Data from Opensignal 5G Mobile Network Experience Report , July 2022.

T-Mobile has the fastest nationwide 5G speeds, with average download speeds coming in at 171.0 Mbps. Verizon comes in second place with average speeds of nearly 73 Mbps. The main benefit of 5G is that you get faster speeds than you would on a 4G hotspot, so going with a plan from one of these providers ensures you get the most out of your 5G connection.

5G hotspot network size

*Marks the % of time the user is on the 5G network when using their phone. Data from Opensignal 5G Mobile Network Experience Report , July 2022.

Since 5G is new, you likely won’t have access to it all the time. But that doesn’t mean your connection is going to drop out entirely just because you can’t get 5G—your phone or hotspot simply reverts to a 4G LTE connection when 5G isn’t available.

According to recent data from Opensignal, T-Mobile has the best availability and widest reach of the three main cell carriers with 5G networks. Of all the time T-Mobile users spend on their 5G devices, about 40% is spent on a 5G network; when they’re not on the network, their phones revert to 4G LTE.

T-Mobile users also are able to access 5G in the highest number of geographic areas—out of everywhere they use their phone, they’re able to find 5G networks more than three quarters of the time. AT&T has the second-best availability, with users spending 18.7% of their phone time on 5G.

Verizon has faster speeds than AT&T, but lesser reach. That’s one thing to keep in mind: even if you can’t get the fastest speeds on AT&T, it’s encouraging to know you spend more time with faster 5G speeds when you have an AT&T hotspot plan.

How much data do 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 30 GB or more. Most plans work on a month-to-month basis, but some plans offer 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.

But you should still have enough data to last you several days—maybe even a few weeks, depending on how you use the hotspot.

Get 5G home internet for more data and faster speeds

If you want to use a hotspot as your primary internet connection, you’re probably better off using 5G home internet from a provider like T-Mobile or Verizon. 5G home internet works more like a traditional internet provider, giving you unlimited data with no caps for a similar price or even less than what you’d pay for a hotspot plan with less data.

5G home internet doesn’t give you the mobility of a hotspot. It comes with a router that’s set up to work in a fixed location—at your house, for example. But it’s a great way to go for internet users who seek out hotspots for a permanent internet connection as an alternative to inefficient or expensive setups like DSL and satellite internet.

Best 5G home internet plans

*w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas. w/ Auto Pay and select 5G mobile plans. Available in select areas.

† w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.

‡ Price includes $5 Auto Renew discount. Taxes and fees extra. Additional device purchase required.

#Plan availability varies. Check availability at starry.com/internet. New customers save $10/mo off select plans for their first year of service. Terms & Conditions Apply. 

Our verdict

You really can’t go wrong with T-Mobile for anything hotspot related—it has a formidable 5G network, a great 5G hotspot, and the most affordable and flexible hotspot plans. Verizon’s 5G hotspot plans cost a bit more, but it’s another great option because its 5G hotspots are top of the line, and you get access to incredibly fast speeds in urban areas.

We’re a bit more skeptical about AT&T, mostly because of the carrier’s slower-than-average 5G speeds and the exorbitant price of its only 5G hotspot. But AT&T’s prepaid hotspot plan comes at a good price for the amount of data you get.

Related content

  • Best 5G Hotspots
  • 4G vs. 5G—What’s the Difference? 
  • The Truth Behind 5G Conspiracy Theories

FAQ about hotspot data plans

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.

1. Francesco Rizzato, Opensignal, “ 5G Experience Report ,” July 2022. Accessed September 20, 2022.

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 - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the University of Evansville and has found her niche writing about home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

Related Posts

Linksys Hydra 6 featured image

Office Technology | Buyer's Guide

6 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2024

Published January 18, 2024

Published Jan 18, 2024

Corey McCraw

REVIEWED BY: Corey McCraw

Sam Dadofalza

WRITTEN BY: Sam Dadofalza

This article is part of a larger series on VoIP .

  • 1 Best Business Cell Phone Plans Compared
  • 2 Verizon: Best for Mobile Hotspot and Premium Data
  • 3 RingCentral: Best for Streamlined Call Distribution
  • 4 AT&T: Best for Mobile Security
  • 5 Nextiva: Best for Toll-free Calling
  • 6 T-Mobile: Best for Global Communications
  • 7 Google Voice: Best for Budget-conscious Freelancers
  • 8 How We Evaluated the Best Business Cell Phone Plans
  • 9 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • 10 Bottom Line

The best business cell phone plans offer unlimited calls, texts, and mobile data, support remote work via mobile hotspot access, and enable communications with overseas contacts. They provide robust mobile security through proprietary apps for spam call detection and safe browsing. The plans have valuable add-on features such as subscriptions to streaming services and business tools. In this article, we outlined our top picks for business cell phone plans:

  • Verizon : Best for mobile hotspot and premium data
  • RingCentral : Best for streamlined call distribution
  • AT&T : Best for mobile security
  • Nextiva : Best for toll-free calling
  • T-Mobile : Best for global communications
  • Google Voice : Best for budget-conscious freelancers

Best Business Cell Phone Plans Compared

Verizon: best for mobile hotspot & premium data.

Verizon logo

What We Liked

  • Unlimited calling and texting in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
  • TravelPass offers 24 hours of unlimited talk and text in overseas locations and 2GB of high-speed international data
  • Huge discounts on tablets when subscribed to the Unlimited Pro plan

Where It Falls Behind

  • Expensive subscription plans, with the entry-level package starting at $70 per line, per month
  • Caller ID and personal block list feature are not available in the base-level plan
  • Mobile security requires a separate activation fee of $5 per device

Verizon Monthly Pricing*

  • Business Unlimited Start 5G: $70 per line for unlimited talk, text, and data, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data, 5GB of 5G and 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, call filter, and 480p video streaming
  • Business Unlimited Plus 5G: $80 per line for 100GB of premium smartphone data and mobile hotspot data, enhanced security features, up to 4K video streaming, and TravelPass for two days (24 hours of unlimited talk and text, 2GB of high-speed international data, and then unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter)
  • Business Unlimited Pro 5G: $85 per line for unlimited premium smartphone data, 200GB of premium mobile hotspot data, TravelPass for four days, and 50% off on tablet plan

*Pay only $35, $45, or $50 per line for the tiered subscription plans when you get five or more lines. Secure $5 savings per month when you sign up for Auto Pay and paper-free billing.

Verizon is our top provider in this list of the best business cell phone plans, offering a generous allotment for mobile hotspot and premium data. This allows on-the-go professionals to have fast access to the internet wherever they are. The provider features 200GB of premium mobile hotspot data in its most expensive plan. While its direct competitor, AT&T, has the same maximum cellular data, Verizon’s mobile throttling speed is more tolerable.

AT&T slows down the speeds to a maximum of 128Kbps when you reach the data usage threshold. Verizon, on the other hand, reduces the speed to 600Kbps for 4G LTE and 5G and 3Mbps for 5G Ultra Wideband. Meanwhile, its premium data has no cap and won’t slow down based on the data used. On top of the excellent data offerings, Verizon has a range of business cell phones for small businesses, carrying top brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google.

The downside of using Verizon is that some of its call filtering features, like caller ID and personal block list, are not available in the entry-level plan. You must upgrade to the second-tier package, which costs $80 per line, monthly, to access those tools. Other business cell phone plans providers have these call filtering capabilities in their base-level subscription packages. You’ll save more with RingCentral , for instance, as it’s priced at $30 per user, per month.

Verizon Features

A smartphone screen showing Verizon’s spam filter feature, which is set to block high-risk phone calls and send them to voicemail.

Block high-risk calls automatically using Verizon’s spam filter. (Source: Verizon )

  • Call filter: Screen and block incoming spam calls and those from unwanted numbers. Upgrade to Call Filter Plus to access caller ID for robocall control and total spam protection.
  • Business Mobile Secure: Get alerts when a device tries to connect to unsecured Wi-Fi. It protects your phone against phishing and other cybersecurity risks.
  • Bring your own device (BYOD) : Verizon allows users to keep their smartphones and numbers when switching to the provider. Simply check your eligibility, bring your smartphone and number, and activate them with one of Verizon’s unlimited business plans.

RingCentral: Best for Streamlined Call Distribution

The RingCentral Logo.

  • Free local and toll-free numbers in all plans
  • 99.999% uptime guarantee, which translates to less than six minutes of annual downtime
  • Up to 200 video meeting participants
  • Only offers up to 200 business texting credits per user
  • Phone rentals are only available for those tied to a multi-year contract
  • Unlimited storage for files is locked behind the most expensive plan

RingCentral Monthly Pricing*

  • Core: $30 per user for unlimited domestic calling, local or toll-free numbers, 100 toll-free minutes, 25 short messaging service (SMS) credits, and multi-level auto-attendant
  • Advanced: $35 per user for 1,000 toll-free minutes, 100 SMS credits, advanced call queues, automatic and on-demand call recording, and up to eight-digit phone extensions
  • Ultra: $45 per user for 10,000 toll-free minutes, 200 SMS credits, and unlimited storage for files, messaging, and recordings
  • Free trial: 14 days

*Save up to 33% by paying annually. Volume discounts for 50-plus users are available.

RingCentral ranks second on our list of the best small business cell phone plans, most suitable for teams wanting to improve call management. Its wide array of voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) features route phone calls to team members more efficiently. For one, the multi-level auto-attendant automatically directs calls to the right departments based on the caller’s key presses. Its call queue accommodates up to 25 waiting calls.

The VoIP phone system supports various call routing modes: round-robin, sequential, and simultaneous. Aside from organizing the flow of inbound calls, these distribution methods ensure you won’t miss important customer queries.

Before choosing RingCentral, note that it only provides a maximum of 200 SMS credits per user. If you frequently send texts for marketing or customer service, explore other best cell phone plans businesses use, like Verizon and AT&T , which offer unlimited texting.

RingCentral Features

RingCentral interface showing the voicemail tab with a message from "Sara Bennett".

Get an overview of all your voicemail messages on RingCentral. (Source: RingCentral )

  • Visual voicemail: Access and manage your voicemail through RingCentral’s admin portal. Instead of listening to audio files and playing them repeatedly to get the details of the message, read the voicemails. Users have the option to preview, delete, and forward these messages.
  • Team huddle: Let team members hold spontaneous virtual meetings that resemble face-to-face, informal huddles. Easily host audio and video conferences where participants come and go as they please.
  • Video conferencing: Host virtual meetings for up to 200 participants. If you get the large meeting add-on, your sessions will be able to accommodate a maximum of 500 attendees.

AT&T: Best for Mobile Security

AT&T logo

  • Unlimited texting from the U.S. to 200+ countries
  • All subscription plans feature mobile app security
  • Waived activation fees for new customers who buy plans and devices online
  • More expensive subscription plans compared to other providers listed here
  • 5G+ is available in limited parts of select cities only
  • Hotspot data speed slows to a maximum of 128Kbps when your allotted data is consumed

AT&T Monthly Pricing*

  • Standard: $70 per line for unlimited talk, text, and data within and between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, 5G/5G+ access, 5GB of mobile hotspot data, basic ActiveArmor security, and standard-definition video streaming
  • Advanced: $80 per line for 100GB of mobile hotspot data, advanced ActiveArmor security, and high-definition 1080p video streaming
  • Premium: $90 per line for 200GB mobile hotspot data, high-definition 4K video streaming, and unlimited talk, text, and data in Latin America

*Pay only $40, $45, or $50 for the tiered subscription plans when you get six or more lines. Secure a $10 discount when you sign up for AutoPay and paperless billing.

AT&T is the best cell phone plan for businesses prioritizing the privacy of confidential company information. Among the providers mentioned in this list, it offers the most comprehensive mobile security through the AT&T ActiveArmor app. This app offers spam risk call blocking, safe browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and identity monitoring. The last one involves tracking the dark web for your personal information.

On top of these key features, you’ll be able to receive data breach alerts, run reverse number lookups, identify unknown caller details, and get information about your Android smartphone if it gets lost or stolen. While AT&T offers excellent mobile security among the best cell phone plans for small businesses listed, its data offering may be a deal-breaker. It slows down the hotspot data to a maximum of 128Kbps when the user hits their data cap.

In contrast, Verizon’s mobile throttling speed is 600Kbps, a more acceptable speed for professionals who need to stay connected. Consider this option if you need internet access when working remotely. The provider offers some valuable mobile security features as well, such as Wi-Fi protection and robocall blocking.

AT&T Features

An iPhone showing the settings for cellular data options with the data roaming toggled on and the voice and data configured to LTE.

Turn on data roaming when traveling internationally. (Source: AT&T )

  • Video streaming: Watch shows on your smartphone in standard definition, high-definition, or ultra-high definition, depending on your plan. To control data usage, AT&T’s Video Management feature automatically renders streaming video in standard definition.
  • International roaming: Call, text, and use mobile data in Latin America with no usage limits. This lets you communicate with colleagues and customers whenever needed, wherever you may be.
  • Mobile hotspot: Plug your devices into your hotspot and secure your internet connection instantly. With AT&T’s broad coverage nationwide, you’ll connect and work remotely without the hassle.

Nextiva: Best for Toll-free Calling

The Nextiva Logo.

  • High-definition voice is featured in all subscription plans
  • Number porting is free of charge
  • Lets users bring their own device
  • Only allows a 45-minute duration in video calls
  • SMS isn't available in the entry-level plan
  • Users must upgrade to the most expensive package to access call recording and voicemail transcription

Nextiva Monthly Pricing*

  • Essential: $30.95 per user for free local and toll-free numbers, up to 1,500 toll-free minutes, auto-attendant, and call history
  • Professional: $35.95 per user for up to 3,000 toll-free minutes, multi-level auto-attendant, voicemail-to-SMS, and a maximum of 1,000 messages sent and received per user
  • Enterprise: $45.95 per user for up to 12,500 toll-free minutes, call recording, a maximum of 2,000 messages sent and received per user, and voicemail transcription

*Save up to 33% by paying annually. Volume discounts are available for more than four users.

Nextiva is included in this list of the best cell phone plans for small businesses, ideal for companies catering to a national client base because of its generous toll-free minute allowance. It offers a maximum of 12,500 toll-free minutes, allowing customers from different parts of the country to reach out to the business without any charge.

The provider’s call management features, specifically the multi-level auto-attendant, call queueing, call park, and five-digit phone extensions, make accommodating several customer queries easier. The threaded conversations, which put all customer interactions from different channels in one interface, help users be more organized in addressing concerns.

One disadvantage you need to know before subscribing to Nextiva is that its video calls only last for 45 minutes. Consider other best cell phone plans for businesses if you frequently go on long video calls for client and team discussions. RingCentral is a good option, as its video meetings have a duration of 24 hours.

Nextiva Features

Nextiva settings displaying the user's name, status, and the features from top to bottom: "Call Settings," "Preferences," "About," "Help," and "Sign Out".

Set your status on Nextiva to let colleagues know if you’re available for a call. (Source: Nextiva )

  • Call recording: Capture phone calls and store the recordings to secure a reliable reference for business deals and agreements. These files may serve as training materials for new customer service representatives in the future.
  • Call presence: Know who among colleagues is available for calls. The phone system’s presence displays user status: available, on a call, unavailable (do not disturb), or offline.
  • Call pop: See who’s on the other end of the line before answering a call. Refer to the call pop feature to know the customers’ last interaction, account value, and experience score or customer sentiment.

T-Mobile: Best for Global Communications

T-Mobile logo

  • Offers valuable productivity tools, like Microsoft 365 license
  • Add-ons, like extra high-speed hotspot and high-definition streaming, offer flexibility when users need additional data
  • All plans have dedicated customer care services
  • Wi-Fi for traveling isn't available in the entry-level plan
  • Reverse number lookup tool is only available at the most expensive subscription package
  • Netflix subscription is locked behind the Ultimate plan

T-Mobile Monthly Pricing*

  • Select: $60 per line for 50GB of premium data, unlimited mobile hotspot with 5GB of data, unlimited international texting and up to 5GB of data in 11 countries, and unlimited calling, texting, and data in Mexico and Canada with up to 5GB of data
  • Advanced: $70 per line for 100GB of premium data, unlimited mobile hotspot with 50GB of data, four full-flight Wi-Fi sessions a year, and secure Wi-Fi without additional charge
  • Ultimate: $85 per line for unlimited premium data and unlimited mobile hotspot with 100GB of data

*Pay only $25, $30, or $40 per line for the tiered subscription plans when you get six lines.

T-Mobile is our top pick for international communications among the listed small business cell phone plans, given its attractive travel benefits. For one, you’ll have access to in-flight Wi-Fi with streaming on select airlines, namely Alaska, American, Delta, and United. To use the service, you must have your Wi-Fi calling settings enabled. The in-flight solutions cover video streaming, text and picture messaging, visual voicemail, and over-the-top messaging.

On top of that, you have unlimited international texting and data in more than 215 overseas locations. The high-speed data is capped at 5GB per month, and the unlimited data is up to 256Kbps. If you’re traveling to Mexico or Canada, maximize the unlimited talk, text, and data of up to 5GB.

One downside of choosing T-Mobile is that the business cell phone plan has a more expensive subscription when you want to secure unlimited premium data. You must upgrade to its highest-tier package, which costs $85 per line, monthly. Verizon is slightly more affordable at $80 per line.

T-Mobile Features

A smartphone screen showing T-Mobile’s scam shield app with an alert that the scam block is on and that 72 spam calls were blocked in the last 30 days.

Block spam calls automatically using T-Mobile’s Scam Shield app. (Source: T-Mobile )

  • Microsoft 365 access: Higher T-Mobile plans like the Advanced and Ultimate packages come with a single Microsoft Office license. Access popular productivity tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and collaboration features, such as Microsoft Teams and OneDrive (1TB cloud storage).
  • Scam Shield: This feature automatically identifies and prevents spam calls, which may put your security at risk or negatively affect productivity. It features a caller ID that displays callers’ information even on numbers not registered on your contact list. Additionally, it provides a proxy number to keep your real phone number private.
  • T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get exclusive access to free offers and attractive deals from different brands on T-Mobile’s app. The perks include prizes and discounts on food, fuel, hotel stays, gadgets, and app subscriptions.

Google Voice: Best for Budget-conscious Freelancers

Google Voice logo

  • Service level agreement (SLA) is offered in all subscription plans
  • Offers seamless access to other Google apps, like Calendar and Meet
  • Google AI blocks spam calls automatically
  • Doesn’t have call recording in the entry-level plan
  • Users must subscribe to the most expensive package to access advanced reporting
  • Lacks advanced VoIP features other providers offer, like toll-free minutes and call monitoring

Google Voice Monthly Pricing

  • Personal: Free for one user, local phone number, unlimited calls and text messages within the United States (U.S.), and voicemail
  • Starter: $10 per user for up to 10 users, calls to the U.S., Canada, and most European countries, unlimited text messaging within the U.S., voicemail transcription, and integration with Calendar and Meet
  • Standard: $20 per user for unlimited users, multi-level auto-attendant, ring groups, and eDiscovery for calls, voicemails, and text messages
  • Premier: $30 per user for unlimited international locations, advanced reporting, and automatic call recording

Google Voice is our top-recommended small business phone plan for budget-conscious freelancers, as it’s the most affordable solution in this list. For only $10, you’ll have unlimited calls within the U.S., Canada, and select European countries and unlimited texts within the U.S. Solopreneurs who only need a second phone number and unlimited domestic calling will benefit from the Personal plan, which is free of charge.

The VoIP provider is likewise an excellent option for freelancers who are already working with other Google products. It seamlessly integrates with Calendar and Meet, so if you need to switch to a longer huddle with colleagues and clients, the video conferencing feature is easily accessible.

But unlike other small business VoIP services , Google Voice doesn’t have advanced VoIP tools like toll-free minutes and call monitoring. RingCentral is your best option if these features are essential to your business communications. It offers up to 10,000 toll-free minutes and call monitoring tools, like whisper, barge, and takeover.

Google Voice Features

A smartphone screen showing an alert of an incoming Google Voice call labeled as "Suspected spam caller".

Get spam call alerts from Google Voice. (Source: Google Voice )

  • Multi-level auto-attendant: Send callers to different departments by letting them choose from a phone menu. Record your greetings using Google Voice’s text-to-speech tool or uploading a professionally recorded audio.
  • Enhanced spam protection: The phone system automatically labels spam calls as such using advanced artificial intelligence. On top of this, it marks suspicious text messages on Android and iOS devices.
  • Ring groups: Delegate a ring group to a specific Google Voice user. A ring group manager will be able to configure the ring group members, call routing rules, ring duration settings, and working hours.

Manage your VoIP costs better by exploring pay-as-you-go and prepaid VoIP options. Take into account your business and communication priorities as you consider the providers mentioned in our buyer’s guide.

How We Evaluated the Best Business Cell Phone Plans

To assess the providers objectively, we developed a scoring rubric that takes into account companies’ considerations when choosing business cell phone plans. These factors include subscription costs, essential features like unlimited calling, spam call blocking, and international calling, and customer service hours. The popularity of each vendor was likewise a part of our assessment.

Learn how we evaluated the top cell phone plans for business by clicking on the tabs below:

  • General Features
  • Advanced Features
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Expert Score

20% of Overall Score

To determine if the vendors have an accessible pricing point, we considered the entry-level plan’s fees and the number of subscription packages offered. We assigned higher points to those providing annual and volume discounts and free plans.

25% of Overall Score

The general features we looked at were unlimited calling, call forwarding, and call routing. Similarly, we assessed how robust the third-party integrations are.

The niche features include tools improving security and international communications. We gave more points to those with spam blockers, in-flight texting, and international calling support. Those with video meeting features earned more points as well.

10% of Overall Score

Since not all users are tech-savvy, we considered how easy it is to set up accounts and maximize the features offered by the provider. We checked if the vendors’ proprietary apps’ interfaces are beginner-friendly.

The customer support channels we included in our evaluation were live chat, phone, and email. We considered the schedule of customer service, giving more points to those with 24/7 operations.

15% of Overall Score

The vendors’ standout features and ease of use were part of our expert score. We checked third-party review websites to evaluate their level of popularity among professionals. In addition, we evaluated the feature inclusions for every subscription plan to determine if they provide great value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is the best cell phone carrier for coverage.

According to the Federal Communications Commission’s national broadband map, AT&T and Verizon have the broadest 4G LTE coverage, covering 56.95% and 55.9% of the country, respectively. Meanwhile, T-Mobile covers 35.3%. AT&T and Verizon are excellent options if you prioritize coverage.

How fast is Verizon’s 4G LTE?

Verizon 4G LTE can accommodate download speeds between 5 and 12Mbps and upload speeds between 2 and 5Mbps.

How do I choose the best cell phone plan?

In a nutshell, these are the factors you must consider when comparing cell phone plans:

  • Data and voice coverage: Check the carriers’ coverage maps to see if your business areas are included. Ask contacts as well which providers work well in different locations.
  • Device options: If you plan to get a new device, see if your carrier offers your preferred brands and models. Meanwhile, if you plan to stick to your existing phone, ensure your phone plan provider supports BYOD.
  • Plan inclusions: Compare the high-speed data limits for each provider’s unlimited data offerings. If you frequently travel for work, check if there’s mobile hotspot access included in the plan. Those traveling overseas should benefit from a package that features international coverage. If you choose VoIP platforms, check if the plan includes a toll-free minute allowance and robust call routing tools.
  • Subscription rates: Determine how much you will spend on your mobile plan each month. When comparing quotes, consider the taxes and fees on top of the subscription rates. Note that some providers offer discounts for bulk lines and enrollment in AutoPay and paperless billing. VoIP vendors provide discounted prices for those who choose annual billing.

Bottom Line

Your cell phone plan of choice ultimately depends on your calling and texting habits, travel frequency, and monthly budget. The best providers offer affordable packages, unlimited calling, and essential features like call forwarding and call routing. They offer robust support for remote work and mobile security and make availing new devices easier.

In our evaluation, Verizon reigns supreme over the best business cell phone plans, especially for on-the-go employees who need reliable internet connection wherever they are. With its broad coverage nationwide, premium data offerings, and unlimited talk and text features, you’ll be able to stay connected to your customers and colleagues, regardless of your location.

Visit Verizon

About the Author

Sam Dadofalza

Sam Dadofalza

Sam is an office tech writer at Fit Small Business, covering various topics including virtual phone systems, contact center platforms, and unified communications tools. She produced content for the digital marketing campaigns of small businesses from different industries and countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Join Fit Small Business

Sign up to receive more well-researched small business articles and topics in your inbox, personalized for you. Select the newsletters you’re interested in below.

Home > Services > Phone

DRAFT: REWRITE: The 5 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2023

Teltik

Data as of 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *Price available when purchasing 6+ lines. One line with autopay discount starting at $60

Tin Calano

We are committed to sharing unbiased reviews. Some of the links on our site are from our partners who compensate us. Read our editorial guidelines and advertising disclosure .

Business.org’s 5 best business cell phone plans

At&t: best full-featured plans.

Looking for a broad choice of bells and whistles? As a telecom behemoth, AT&T has plenty of cell phone features and packages to offer businesses—around 20 plan variations, small to large. All plans include free US roaming, unlimited talk and text messages, as well as unlimited texting outside of the country. Basic features like call forwarding, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and conference calling also come standard with all AT&T business cell phone plans, along with bring-your-own-phone support.

AT&T's business cell phone plans

Data as of 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Business Unlimited plan prices start at $30 a month per line when you sign up for 6+ lines, or $60 a month for one line. Data is unlimited, but speeds may slow down after reaching the GB included in each plan.

AT&T business plans can also accommodate up to 10 lines per account, and they come fully loaded with perks like AT&T ActiveArmor SM mobile security and Video Management. Video Management automatically optimizes streaming video on your phone to 480p so you can watch webinars on the go without dealing with a blurry picture.

Each plan also includes a decent array of iOS and Android smartphone options and even a few good old flip phones. Users can save money when bundling AT&T-owned DIRECTV services (because, again, telecom behemoth). Military veterans can also qualify for a 25% discount on Business Unlimited plans.

Users are eligible for a discount if they elect for autopay and paperless billing, but this discount is only applied until after two pay periods. We don't know why the discount cannot be applied earlier in the billing process, but we do find it frustrating.

T-Mobile: Best flexible plans

Not sure exactly what you’ll need in a mobile plan besides future adaptability? T-Mobile, the third-largest wireless service in the US, offers three business plans, all packed with unique features that set T-Mobile apart from the rest. The German-owned company has also earned a reputation for stellar customer service and was the first to eliminate annual contracts (an idea that stuck—none of the plans reviewed on this page require contracts). In April 2018, the company announced its intention to merge with Sprint under the T-Mobile banner.

T-Mobile's business cell phone plans

Data as of 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *Price available with 6+ lines

All of T-Mobile’s Business cell phone plans offer the same basic features:

  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data on their network
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot
  • Scam Shield
  • Unlimited calling and texting to Mexico & Canada
  • Unlimited video streaming

In addition, all T-Mobile Business plans include DIGITS, an app that allows you to access up to five phone numbers on a single device. That means you could answer calls to your work number and personal number on one device—no more packing two phones in your bag every day. DIGITS also lets you share your phone number across multiple devices, so you can answer on your phone, smartwatch, tablet, or computer.

T-Mobile’s Business plans cover up to 12 lines. If you need more than 12 lines, you’ll need to sign up for the Enterprise Phone Plan (13+ lines). This includes a fixed rate of $285 per month for 13 lines, plus $25 per month for each additional line. 

T-Mobile plans also allow bring-your-own-device convenience, or you can buy phones upfront with a single payment (there are nearly 40 iOS and Android phones to choose from).

I couldn't find solid info verifying this pricing so I'm not sure if it's still accurate

Now that T-Mobile and Sprint have been merged for almost six months, some significant changes have taken effect. T-Mobile’s website is now the only place businesses can sign up for Sprint or T-Mobile business phone accounts.

Sprint still has an active business website for previous users but all new plans will be sold by T-Mobile on its website.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Verizon: Best growing business plans

Serving over 150 million customers, Verizon isn’t just big, it’s BIG. Such a mobile mammoth might not seem like the obvious choice for a small business, but for what it lacks in a personalized customer service reputation, Verizon more than makes up for by offering every cell phone feature there is, as well as dominant US, and near-dominant global, coverage. Like McDonald’s and Marvel movies, Verizon is everywhere.

Verizon's business cell phone plans

Data as of 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *With 5+ lines

While business owners can get business cell phone plans with limited data, we recommend choosing an unlimited plan if you have multiple employees (or do a lot of work via cell phone).

Verizon’s Business Unlimited cell phone plans are scalable for multiple employees. With plans starting at just $30 per line, Verizon Business Unlimited plans are an attractive option, whether you’re running a tiny company with no expansion plans, a medium-sized business with an eye toward growth, or a large enterprise with heavy cell phone requirements.

Verizon Business Unlimited Plus and Pro plans also include a TravelPass (2–4 days per month), so you can do business around the world. Each plan also includes unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada.

Verizon doesn’t skimp on device choices either. There are nearly 100 iOS and Android phones and tablets available—including the Verizon Orbic Speed, a mobile hotspot device that can connect 10 devices to an 802.11 ac Wi-Fi network.

If your company requires truly “unlimited” cell phone service and scalability to grow, and is in the position to pay for functionality with frills, Verizon Business Unlimited is the way to go. Bare-bones operations, however, might want to look elsewhere.

Each of our recommendations has its strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes the most difficult part about finding a phone system is determining exactly what you need and don't need. The best place to start is separating your needs between installing a new system, replacing a system, or expanding an existing system.

If you are having trouble sorting out exactly what your phone needs are, use this tool to help you understand what the best options are for your unique needs.

MintMobile: Most affordable plans

We are sure you’ve seen the commercials with Ryan Reynolds talking about this phone carrier business with a fox logo called Mint Mobile. In fact, a lot of Mint customers were drawn to Mint because of Ryan Reynolds's Hollywood looks, but that’s not the only thing Mint has to offer.

Mint is inexpensive and transparent, compared to other cell phone carriers with hidden fees and seemingly random regulations.

MintMobile's business cell phone plans

These are the prices for new customers and will last up to three months. After the third month, you are eligible to sign up for a 3, 6, or 12-month contract on one of the tiered plans, all $35/mo/user or under, which is astronomically less than other providers.

MintMobile is no fuss, and you really do feel like you must be tricking the rest of the world with its pricing. The only issue is that MintMobile is an online company, and coverage is not completely everywhere yet. There are still some coverage gaps in the West, namely Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona. If you live east of the Rocky Mountains, you are good to go!

Teltik: Best perks plans

If you’re a strapped startup, New Jersey’s Teltik can get you up and running on the cheap. Teltik is a reseller service operating on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE and 5G network, meaning it can offer the reliability and reach of a giant provider at smaller-company prices. Teltik also has the advantage of being completely US-based, with 24/7 local customer service that’s not outsourced overseas.

Teltik's business cell phone plans

3 more (non-business) cell phone plans reviewed by business.org.

Teltik appears to have a dozen plans, but they’re mostly just variations of the essential plan that offers all the expected basics. Not coincidentally, the features mirror those of T-Mobile, as they’re on the same network.

The most basic plan starts at $20 a month and includes unlimited calling and texting, mobile hotspot service, and unlimited data—with a 2 GB cap on 5G speeds (meaning your speed gets throttled to 128 Kbps if you use more than 2 GB of data in a month). From there, you can upgrade your plan to include more 4G or 5G data and more mobile hotspot data. Upgraded plans cost anywhere from $30 to $40 per month, and they all include one cloud-phone VoIP line—perfect for small businesses looking to save on all their telecommunications needs.

One distinctly entertaining feature (pun intended) of Teltik’s business plans? You get unlimited media streaming from over 40 music services (including Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music) and more than 100 video services (including YouTube, Netflix, and any other channel you can think of). That means you can stream as much TV as you want without it eating into your data. It’s almost as if Teltik doesn’t want you to get any work done.

Another thing you need to know: Teltik doesn’t sell phones. Instead, the company operates on a strict bring-your-own-device basis. Any unlocked phone will work with its network, as will any T-Mobile device, of course. However, you will have to spend $10 plus shipping and handling to buy a new SIM card for each of your devices (unless they’ve already got brand-new, unused T-Mobile SIM cards).

Boost Mobile

The takeaway

Assess your company’s current cell phone usage and projected future needs before diving into any plan. What looks like a great deal could turn out to be more than you actually need—or you may have initially underestimated your business’s cell phone requirements. Also, if your company has both cell phone and regular office phone needs, look into bundling. The larger telecom providers offer both types of phone coverage, and bundling services is an easy way to save money in the long run.

Don’t want to carry around separate phones for work and personal calls? With the right VoIP service, you don’t have to. Check out our favorite business VoIP providers to see which ones offer on-the-go business phone capabilities.

Business cell phone plan FAQs

If you have several employees working outside of the office on a regular basis, desk-bound phones obviously aren’t going to work for them. Some may be only calling and texting while others will be checking email, using GPS navigation, and accessing the internet for work, but a cell phone is a must for employees in the field.

If you’re a one-person operation accountable to only yourself, you could get by with a personal cell plan. Keeping track of multiple employees’ hours, data, and providers, however, would be an extra headache you don’t need. For streamlining and collaboration purposes, a business cell phone plan would be the easier route.

Most of the plans we’ve reviewed here offer unlimited data—domestically, at least—so hitting the data ceiling won’t likely be an issue. But if you want to forecast how much data your business uses every month, or want to figure out how much premium data you’ll need, providers make data plan estimators available on their websites. Or you could use a third-party calculator app.

BYOD stands for bring your own device . Another common term is BYOP for bring your own phone . This means that employees are using their personal phones, tablets, or laptops on their own carrier plans for work or that they’ve put those devices on the company’s plan. The upside? It’s less expensive than buying devices. The downside? Extra security concerns.

In the annoying absence of Wi-Fi, you can use a cell phone signal to connect a wireless device to the internet by switching on the mobile hotspot option and simply treating it like a Wi-Fi router. For multiple device connections, a dedicated hotspot (such as Verizon’s Orbic Speed ) can provide a faster, and more stable, connection.

Business owners weigh in

best mobile hotspot plans for business

Methodology

To find the best business cell phone options, we considered pricing plans, customer support, and data limits. We also looked at the variety of contracts and whether these plans were flexible with discounts. 

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

best mobile hotspot plans for business

5202 W Douglas Corrigan Way Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Accounting & Payroll

Point of Sale

Payment Processing

Inventory Management

Human Resources

Other Services

Best Small Business Loans

Best Inventory Management Software

Best Small Business Accounting Software

Best Payroll Software

Best Mobile Credit Card Readers

Best POS Systems

Best Tax Software

Stay updated on the latest products and services anytime anywhere.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use  and  Privacy Policy .

Disclaimer: The information featured in this article is based on our best estimates of pricing, package details, contract stipulations, and service available at the time of writing. All information is subject to change. Pricing will vary based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the customer’s location, package chosen, added features and equipment, the purchaser’s credit score, etc. For the most accurate information, please ask your customer service representative. Clarify all fees and contract details before signing a contract or finalizing your purchase.

Our mission is to help consumers make informed purchase decisions. While we strive to keep our reviews as unbiased as possible, we do receive affiliate compensation through some of our links. This can affect which services appear on our site and where we rank them. Our affiliate compensation allows us to maintain an ad-free website and provide a free service to our readers. For more information, please see our  Privacy Policy Page . |

© Business.org 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

Verizon and other US carriers want you to ditch your grandfathered plan — should you?

Verizon logo on phone stock photo

We’ve all been there: You found a phone plan that you’re reasonably happy with, and then suddenly your carrier changes it all up with new offerings. The good news is that carriers typically don’t force consumers to change phone plans every time they update their options. There are a few reasons for this. The most obvious reason is customer retention. A carrier would rather you stay with an older plan than jump ship entirely. There are also legal reasons why your older plan may be protected.

Unfortunately, in the current economy, carriers are doing whatever they can to encourage users to move to another 5G plan . In this guide, we explain what a grandfathered phone plan is and how each carrier currently handles its legacy plans. Beyond this, we’ll also take a look at which carrier does the best job here and if there are any worthwhile alternatives to explore.

What is a grandfathered cell phone plan?

The concept of grandfathering traces its roots back to post-Civil War America, where many lawmakers enacted voting restrictions on former Confederates. However, exceptions were made for those whose grandfathers had full voting rights before the war. Upon further investigation, I found that while there are legal arguments for the concept of grandfathering in the United States, it’s not necessarily endorsed by the FTC or any other government body.

There are provisions in place to prevent a company from abruptly altering any agreed-upon promises made to a consumer. This is precisely why carriers require you to sign their terms of agreement. This legal document not only details what the plan offers but typically includes a clause stating that the carrier can modify terms on legacy plans no longer offered by the company. The exact wording, of course, may vary.

The bottom line is carriers aren’t legally obligated to keep legacy plans the same as they were when you signed up, as long as the terms and conditions clearly state the carrier has the right to make changes over time. That said, making frequent changes to plans could potentially anger consumers and might even lead to class-action lawsuits for bad business practices.

Ultimately, grandfathered plans allow carriers to provide you with time to adjust, but you shouldn’t assume that you will always have access to these legacy plans without modifications, such as price increases or changes to the network, including the phasing out of older technologies like 3G. This is precisely what we’re observing from carriers now, as they increase prices or attempt to move consumers to newer plans without their express consent. Let’s take a closer look at how each carrier is currently managing its legacy unlimited phone plans.

Verizon logo on smartphone with a colored background Stock photo 3

Verizon won’t force you to change your grandfathered phone plan anytime soon, but it clearly wants to encourage you to switch voluntarily by driving up the prices. Historically, Verizon has raised grandfathered pricing before, though it is usually a rare move. Not so much anymore. In 2023 alone, Verizon increased the pricing of legacy plans twice: first, by adding a $2 per month ‘Plan Rate Adjustment’ fee to older plans in June, and then again with a $3 to $5 increase, depending on the plan, in August.

Unsurprisingly, legacy Verizon subscribers did not take well to the price hikes. To make matters worse, Verizon revealed in early 2024 that it wasn’t done raising prices yet. Starting March 1, 2024, customers on select older unlimited mobile plans will see an increase of $4 per line.

Are Verizon legacy plans still worth it over the current tier?

Are these grandfathered plans still worth keeping in 2024? It depends on the specific legacy plan in question.

Currently, when signing up for a new Verizon plan, you can choose from three different MyPlan options, with prices ranging from $65 to $90 per line. Discounts are available for multi-user accounts. These plans offer similar access to LTE and 5G networks as the legacy More plans, but they include virtually no perks. However, you have the option to purchase perks, often bundled, for $10 each. The bundles include Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN+, Netflix/Max, an Apple One perk, and many more. You can learn more about the perks and plans in our Verizon plans guide.

Considering the vast array of legacy plans, and given that most Verizon legacy subscribers are on an older More plan, let’s compare the most basic and most expensive MyPlan options to their similar legacy counterparts. Please note that the pricing for the legacy plans reflects the upcoming March increase:

The Start Unlimited plan had few perks, making its increased price of $79 per line difficult to justify, especially when the Unlimited Welcome plan is only $65 per line. However, opting for the newer plan would mean losing out on hotspot access, though you can add 100GB for just $10. Therefore, if you’re on an entry-level plan, the price hike might mean you’d be better off switching to something newer. The situation is quite different for Verizon’s higher-end plans.

MyPlan Unlimited Welcome starts at $90 per line, compared to $111 for the Get More Unlimited plan, but the latter includes numerous extras, such as the Hulu/Disney Bundle, Google Play Pass, Apple Music, one Travel Pass each month, and 600GB of Verizon Cloud data. The My Plan option doesn’t include any perks by default, but you can pile up the equivalent perks for an additional $50 a month, increasing the price to between $140 and $102 per line. Despite these increases, the older legacy plan remains considerably cheaper overall and is the better option, even though the newer plan may offer better promotional deals when it’s time to upgrade your device.

ATT logo stock image 2

Just like Verizon, AT&T won’t force you to change your plan but it isn’t above raising the price. AT&T increased its legacy plans back in August of 2023. The exact increase varied significantly depending on the legacy plan. Despite a lot of digging around, it was hard to get exact numbers for every legacy plan but it looks like most of them increased by at least $5-10 in 2023.

Specifically, hotspot/laptop users on the Unlimited Plus, Choice, and Choice II plans were targeted with a $10 per month increase. The original Unlimited Elite plan also experienced an increase of $2.50 per month per line. Beyond these, many other plans saw increases, although it’s more difficult to determine the exact amounts.

Unfortunately, AT&T isn’t stopping there with its price hikes. It recently announced plans to raise the cost of grandfathered phone plans by as much as $12 for family plans and $6 for single-line users. This latest increase will apply to all legacy plans, including those that already saw increases last year.

Are AT&T legacy plans still worth it over the current tier?

For those with a mobile hotspot or laptop connected to an older Unlimited Choice plan, this plan remains hard to beat even with increases of $10 or more per month. However, justifying it might become more challenging with the next round of price increases. Still, you benefit from truly unlimited data on the go, which is perfect for full-time RVers and those living in rural areas reliant on 4G for internet access. It’s important to note, though, that the original Choice plan was limited to 3Mbps speeds, making it a significantly better deal primarily for Choice II subscribers.

As for the rest of AT&T’s legacy plans, their value will depend on your specific needs and plan details. Since 2018, AT&T has offered three main plans, although their structure, pricing, and naming conventions have evolved. Currently, the cost ranges from $66 to $86 per line, with prices decreasing for family plans. Frankly, the original Starter plan offered a no-frills experience, and the new Starter SL isn’t much different—just a few dollars more expensive with a few minor changes. For most, there’s nothing particularly special about the older Starter plan, so it might not be worth keeping as price increases will lead to a similar overall experience.

For Elite users, the situation differs. Let’s take a closer look:

As you can see in the chart, although Premium is technically cheaper even with price increases, the difference is not that substantial. The two plans are quite similar, but a significant distinction is that Premium offers much more hotspot data and eliminates Max. Let’s be honest, most of us don’t use nearly as much hotspot access, so we’re losing more than we’re gaining. If you’re currently using Max and wish to retain it, single-line subscribers will find themselves paying close to $106 per month in total if they switch to Premium. If Max isn’t a priority, then a newer plan might be a more suitable option.

T Mobile logo on phone stock photo

T-Mobile spent many years building up its image as the cool kid who breaks all the rules and cares for its customers, making its recent approach towards legacy customers all the more disappointing. Late last year, many T-Mobile customers voiced their outrage upon discovering that T-Mobile was preparing a limited test to automatically transition customers from older plans to newer ones. This affected not only older tiers like Select Choice and T-Mobile One but also relatively newer retired plans like Magenta. While T-Mobile made it clear that consumers could opt out, this assurance did little to mitigate the backlash. Eventually, T-Mobile retracted this plan.

Will T-Mobile raise its prices for legacy customers now that it knows its migration plan isn’t going to work? It’s a bit complicated, truth be told. During his tenure with T-Mobile, John Legere’s numerous promises complicate any rapid policy reversals. T-Mobile was likely aware of this and attempted to be sneaky here, but that clearly didn’t work either. Since then T-Mobile has announced that its Price Lock promise will no longer apply to new customers but legacy customers shouldn’t see any change.

Are T-Mobile legacy plans still worth it over the current tier?

Given that T-Mobile’s grandfathered plans have not seen any price increases, these plans are still the best option for most legacy customers. They are not only more affordable but also offer better perks than newer T-Mobile plans. It’s also worth noting these legacy T-Mobile plans are both cheaper and better than current and grandfathered plans on Verizon and AT&T.

Which of the big three carriers handles legacy plans the best?

Sprint Verizon T Mobile and Verizon carriers stock photo

None of the US carriers have done a great job with handling their legacy customers recently. T-Mobile’s initial plans to change customer plans without direct intervention came as an unwelcome surprise. Although it’s commendable that T-Mobile listened and reversed course, the situation still cast the carrier in a negative light. Meanwhile, Verizon and AT&T may not be overtly forcing their users onto more expensive plans, but the effect is essentially the same due to price increases.

Currently, T-Mobile manages its legacy plans the best, having not introduced steep increases like its competitors. However, this approach seems less about genuinely wanting to assist consumers and more about managing perception and optics.

If you’re contemplating switching carriers due to price hikes and are looking for a carrier that won’t unexpectedly raise rates or migrate you without consent, the decision is challenging. Of course, T-Mobile will likely continue its current course of avoiding price increases just so it doesn’t end up with a class-action lawsuit on its hands. Still, the same won’t apply to new customers going forward. Similarly, we can’t trust AT&T and Verizon won’t continue to push consumers to switch by progressively devaluing their old plans. For those seeking greater flexibility from their carrier, a prepaid option might be worth considering.

Why prepaid might be a better option for many US consumers

Google Fi Wireless logo on smartphone with SIM card and SIM ejector next to it Stock photo 1

In America, we’re accustomed to obtaining service directly from network providers, but this isn’t necessarily the case elsewhere. In much of Europe, smaller MVNOs, typically offering prepaid services, are favored. Postpaid carrier plans are more commonly used for enterprise and business purposes in many European countries. MVNOs not only promote deeper competition and price reductions but also operate on the same networks as the larger carriers. If you’re tired of price hikes and are looking for an option that’s easier to switch when necessary, prepaid services are hard to beat.

While some MVNOs might offer a less-than-optimal experience due to congestion and throttling, other prepaid carriers, such as the Verizon-owned Visible and Google Fi Wireless , provide exceptional service that rivals that of the major carriers. For instance, Google Fi offers extremely competitive pricing, starting at just $20 per line for 6 lines, including data usage in Canada and Mexico, and 5GB of hotspot access. The Unlimited Plus Fi plan, at $40 per line for 6 lines, offers even more impressive perks than those currently available from US carriers, including calls from the US to over 50+ destinations, unlimited data in over 200 countries, 100GB of Google One storage, and even a full year of YouTube Premium for new subscribers. While throttling is a possibility, my years of experience with Google Fi have been largely trouble-free.

For more insights, check out our guide to the best prepaid phone plans to discover even more options.

IMAGES

  1. Mobile Hotspot Plans A Breakdown Of The Best Hotspot Plans

    best mobile hotspot plans for business

  2. Best Mobile Hotspot Cell Phone Plans

    best mobile hotspot plans for business

  3. New T-Mobile Small Business Plans

    best mobile hotspot plans for business

  4. 10 Best Boost Mobile Plans with Hotspot 2022

    best mobile hotspot plans for business

  5. Best Mobile Hotspot Plans

    best mobile hotspot plans for business

  6. The best mobile hotspot plans right now (August 2021)

    best mobile hotspot plans for business

VIDEO

  1. How to setup a mobile hotspot 2023

  2. T-Mobile Portable HotSpot Unboxing

  3. Mobile Hotspot

  4. মোবাইল Hotspot এর লিমিট সেট করার উপায়

  5. Wifi Internet Hotspot business

  6. Best Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots 2024 [don’t buy one before watching this]

COMMENTS

  1. Best Hotspot Data Plans of 2024: Expert Picked

    Best Overall: Mint Mobile Unlimited » Jump to Review ↓ Best Budget: Tello Data » Jump to Review ↓ Best for Heavy Data Users: Verizon Pro » Jump to Review ↓ Best for Travelers: T-Mobile...

  2. The Best Mobile Hotspots for 2024

    Netgear Nighthawk M6 (Unlocked) Best Unlocked Hotspot Jump To Details $649.99 at Amazon $699.99 Save $50.00 See It Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro (AT&T) Best AT&T Hotspot Jump To Details $459.99...

  3. Best Hotspot Data Plans 2024

    View Plan Read Review Best for 5G Verizon Pro $60.00/mo. (w/ existing Unlimited phone plan), $90.00/mo. (w/out phone plan) Easy access to ultrafast 5G network Lots of data for the price Higher price for non-Verizon phone customers View Plan Read Review Best for international travel Verizon TravelPass $5.00-$10.00/day Flexible service

  4. Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans of 2024

    Brand Guides Best overall Visible+ phone plan $45.00/mo. Unlimited hotspot data (with limitations) Talk/text included Max 5Mbps speeds View on Visible Read Review Best for speed Verizon Pro $60.00/mo. (w/ existing Unlimited phone plan), $90.00/mo. (w/out phone plan) Easy access to ultrafast 5G network Lots of data for the price

  5. The 2 Best Wi-Fi Hotspots of 2024

    Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L Best overall Wi-Fi hotspot $80 from Amazon $200 from Best Buy Our pick T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 Best 5G Wi-Fi hotspot $100 from Amazon Our pick...

  6. Mobile Hotspot Devices for Business

    Price Color Want to bring your own device? Quickly check compatibility. Choose a plan, review your order, check out and you're done! Get started TCL LINKZONE 5G UW Starts at $8.33/mo for 36 months, 0% APR Retail Price: $299.99 Compare Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G UW Starts at $9.72/mo for 36 months, 0% APR Retail Price: $349.99 Compare Orbic Speed 5G UW

  7. Best mobile hotspots in 2024

    1 Orbic Speed 5G UW Check Price 2 Netgear Nighthawk M6 Check Price 3 Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro Check Price 4 Franklin JEXtream RG2100 Hotspot for T-Mobile Check Price 5 Skyroam Solis Lite View 6...

  8. The best mobile hotspot plans for 2024: Verizon is arguably in the lead

    Andrew Grush • January 22, 2024 Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority While it's possible to connect a laptop to your phone as long as your plan supports hotspot mode, this isn't always ideal.

  9. The Best Mobile Hotspots for 2024

    Brand Guides Best overall T-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G $264.00 Most generous data plan Widest 5G availability View on T-Mobile Read Review Best Verizon hotspot Verizon Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW $399.99 Intuitive touchscreen Long-lasting battery View on Verizon Read Review Best AT&T hotspot NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router $246.99

  10. Best hotspot plans of 2023

    Best hotspot plans of 2023. If you need mobile internet, you have tons of options. We can help you sort out the best hotspot plans for you. slide 1 to 3 of 3. Best overall. T-Mobile Magenta MAX ...

  11. The Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans

    Mint Mobile (Review) offers a three-month unlimited plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data (40GB high-speed). The plan also includes 10GB of mobile hotspot. It costs $30/month, but you'll have to prepay for three months in advance to get the best price as a new customer. Spectrum Mobile (Review) offers 5GB of high-speed hotspot ...

  12. Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans of 2024

    T-Mobile | Go5G Plus | $90/month—Best unlimited mobile hotspot plan for 5G. For exceptional 5G mobile hotspot connectivity, T-Mobile's Go5G Plus is the, well, go-to. You'll tap into the Un-carrier's best-in-class 5G network with a whopping 53% nationwide footprint. Go5G Plus touts benefits like a 50GB high-speed mobile hotspot tethering ...

  13. Business Unlimited Data Plans (13+ Lines)

    See full terms Featured tablet plans. Business Unlimited for Tablets with 10GB high-speed hotspot data. $20/line Pricing with Autopay & elig. payment method and addition of a voice line. Plus taxes and fees. See full terms Business Unlimited with 20GB high-speed hotspot data. $30/line

  14. The 7 Best Mobile Hotspots of 2024

    The Best Mobile Hotspots. Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E Mobile Hotspot. Best Value: Verizon Wireless Jetpack MiFi 8800L Mobile Hotspot. Best Pay-As-You-Go: GlocalMe DuoTurbo 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot. Best For Verizon: Orbic Speed 5G UW Mobile Hotspot.

  15. Business Phone Plans with Unlimited Data

    iPhone 15 - Get 4 On Us. Plus, 4 new lines for $25/line/mo. Contact us Unlimited business phone plans to fit every need. More of what you and your business need. All unlimited business cell phone plans on our 5G network are packed with incredible benefits and value—with no annual contracts.

  16. Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans Of 2024

    Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans Advertiser Disclosure Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans Of 2024 By Deane Biermeier Contributor Reviewed By Samantha Allen Editor Published: Nov 28, 2023, 2:00pm...

  17. Our Best Unlimited Mobile Hotspot Plans

    Plan benefits: • 10GB of 5G & 4G LTE included. • Up to 5GB high-speed data in Can/Mex. • Up to 10 GB High Speed Data. • Up to 5GB high-speed internet in 215+ countries & destinations. • $5 disc. Per line up to 8 lines w/AutoPay & elig. Payment method.

  18. Business Unlimited Phone Plans

    Plans also include access to Verizon's business-class features, such as mobile hotspot data, call filtering, video streaming and mobile device management (available with select plans). Customers can choose from a variety of plans with different features to meet their business needs.

  19. AT&T Business Wireless

    AT&T offers a range of wireless solutions for your business, including IoT devices, mobile hotspots, data-only plans, and portable WiFi routers. Connect to the AT&T network and enjoy fast, reliable, and secure internet access for your devices. Learn more about AT&T wireless products and services for your business needs.

  20. 8 Best Portable Hotspots for Remote Work & Travel (2024)

    The 8 Best High-Speed Portable WiFi Hotspots For Remote Work and Travel. 1. Simo Solis Lite: The Globe-Trotter's Companion. The Simo Solis Lite is a pocket WiFi device with an eye-catching bright orange cover. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and light enough to carry around in your pocket or bag.

  21. Unlimited Mobile Hotspot Plans: Full Comparison and How to Decide ...

    Here's a comparison of the best unlimited mobile hotspot plans to choose from. T-Mobile Magenta MAX: Best Overall. Hotspot Features: 40GB of high-speed mobile hotspot. Unlimited hotspot data at ...

  22. Best 5G Hotspot Data Plans

    T-Mobile 2GB is the best 5G hotspot data plan you can get. It gives you 2 GB of data per month for just $10 a month; if you run out, you can buy more data with a "data pass.". We love this plan because it's easy, flexible, and cheap. Sure, you don't get a whole lot of data, but that also means you don't have to commit to a high price ...

  23. 6 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2024

    In this article, we outlined our top picks for business cell phone plans: Verizon: Best for mobile hotspot and premium data. RingCentral: Best for streamlined call distribution. AT&T: Best for mobile security. Nextiva: Best for toll-free calling. T-Mobile: Best for global communications.

  24. 5 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2023

    Choosing between business mobile plans and carriers for your small company just got easier: Business.org breaks down the data about the best cell phone plans. Best full-featured plans AT&T Wireless Starting from$30.00/line/mo No overages Unused data rollover View Planson AT&T's websiteRead Review Most flexible cell phone plans T-Mobile Starting from$25.00*/line/mo In-flight texting and data ...

  25. Is a grandfathered phone plan still worth it amid US carrier price hikes?

    For those with a mobile hotspot or laptop connected to an older Unlimited Choice plan, this plan remains hard to beat even with increases of $10 or more per month.