Best No Data Plans: Talk & Text Plans Starting at $0/month

Our pick for best no-data plan in 2025 is TextNow's $0 Free Flex plan, but we also highlight other good choices for international roaming, add-ons and more.

Unlimited data plans seem to get all the attention, but not everyone needs unlimited data. In fact, some people may not need a data plan at all. According to OpenSignal, most mobile on-screen time is spent on Wi-Fi (77%-88%) rather than on mobile data. So if you’re connected to Wi-Fi most of the time anyway – even when away from home taking advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots – why pay for a data plan you don’t need?  

You do, however, still need access to your phone number for calling and texting, which means you’d be looking for a talk & text only plan. You’d be surprised at how hard those plans are to find, so we compiled a list of the best ones, giving you a clear comparison between the different features and prices. 

Summary: Best No Data Plans

Category	Provider	Plan Name	Price per Month
Best Overall	TextNow	Free Flex Data	$0
Best Under $10	RedPocket Mobile	Essentials	$10
Best for Seniors	Tello	Unlimited Minutes	$8
Best for Add-Ons	US Mobile	2GB	$10
Best for International Roaming	Google Fi Wireless	"Pay-By-The-Gig" Flex Plan	$20 (+ $10 per GB)

Best Overall No Data Plan TextNow Free Flex Data
Price $0
Network Nationwide 5G network
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perks Up to 1GB for essential apps like email, maps, finance, and rideshare; exclusive offers, discounts, and rewards
Price $0	Network Nationwide 5G network	Talk & Text Unlimited	Perks Up to 1GB for essential apps like email, maps, finance, and rideshare; exclusive offers, discounts, and rewards
Our Take Something as simple and crucial as a phone number shouldn't cost a lot – in fact, TextNow believes that it shouldn't cost anything at all. You can't get any cheaper than free, and the added essential data makes for a nice piece of mind while out that you can still access rides, directions, your banking info, and your email – just in case.
Pros & Cons Pros $0 month indefinitely, with no fixed contract or commitment. Free essential service with affordable add-ons available. Unlimited calling and texting to Canada & Mexico (plus hundreds of other affordable international calling options also starting at $0). Exclusive deals and discounts from popular brands in-app. Cons No eSIM support. Free phone service is supported by in-app ads, which some people may not like.

STOP! Paying for phone service

With TextNow, you get unlimited talk & text, plus essential data, for $0/month. Stay connected without paying a penny on your phone bill.

Download Now Download Now

Download Now

Scan QR code or select store link

• 
• 
• 

Best No Data Plan Under $10 RedPocket Mobile Essentials
Price $10
Network Choice of AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perks 1GB of 5G data.
Price $10	Network Choice of AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon	Talk & Text Unlimited	Perks 1GB of 5G data.
Our Take If you're looking for a talk & text only plan that also comes with a little data for emergencies, this is a decent price at $10/month, but that price depends on bringing your own device. RedPocket sells phones but most require more expensive plans and deals may come as a monthly billing credit over time.
Pros & Cons Pros Can connect to all 3 networks. 1GB of data included. Free calling to 20 countries included. No price increases as long as you keep your plan. Cons Taxes and fee are extra (vary by state). Monthly price only valid if bringing your own compatible phone. Rebates and discounts typically reserved for higher-cost plans and have requirements to qualify.

Best No Data Plan for Seniors Tello Unlimited Minutes + Free Text
Price $8
Network T-Mobile
Talk & Text Unlimited
Price $8	Network T-Mobile	Talk & Text Unlimited
Our Take This plan is great for seniors who don't want any extras. The unlimited minutes plan is affordable at $8, but you can also choose fewer minutes (100, 300 or 500) to cut the price to as low as $5/month.
Pros & Cons Pros Simple, clear phone plan. Free international calls to 60+ countries. Website lets you calculate taxes & fees before purchase so you know the full price you'll pay. Cons No physical stores, which may be a limitation for people who prefer to receive in-person assistance. If you choose no data at all, your texting is limited to SMS messages only (no pictures, videos or emoji).
Other Senior Phone Plans If you're looking for a phone plan for seniors specifically, check out the full guide to the best senior cell phone plans.

Best No Data Plan for Add-Ons US Mobile By the Gig 2GB
Price $10
Network All 3 (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon)
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perks 2GB data included.
Price $10	Network All 3 (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon)	Talk & Text Unlimited	Perks 2GB data included.
Our Take While this plan does come with some data, it is as affordable as the next cheapest talk & text only plan, giving you more value for your money.
Pros & Cons Pros Access to all 3 networks. 2GB of data included, and data can be shared across multiple lines. Taxes and fees included in price. Cons Quality varies across networks. For example, their Dark Star (AT&T) network has lower data priority unless you pay for an add-on. Some people claim US Mobile has poor customer service.

Best No Data Plan for International Google Fi Flexible (Pay by the Gig)
Price $20 (plus $10 per GB)
Network T-Mobile
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perks Connect laptops and tablets at no extra charge; VPN by Google for online privacy.
Price $20 (plus $10 per GB)	Network T-Mobile	Talk & Text Unlimited	Perks Connect laptops and tablets at no extra charge; VPN by Google for online privacy.
Our Take Google Fi Wireless' flexible plans allow you to enjoy unlimited talk & text, including free texts from the U.S to over 200 destinations, and while traveling internationally, making it a great plan for frequent travellers who don't want or need additional data. Note that rich messaging, or MMS, which includes picture and video messaging, voice notes, and GIFs will require a data connection. In that case, you will pay by the GB, starting at $10.
Pros & Cons Pros The data you buy is also available in 200+ destinations, letting you roam internationally without having to swap in an international SIM card. eSIM support. International texting included to 200+ destinations, both domestically and while traveling. Cons Expensive for a talk & text only plan. If you do end up using some data consistently, you can find more affordable options.
Other Phone Plans for International Roaming If you're looking for an affordable way to stay connected while travelling abroad, look for an international SIM card that can cost less than most data roaming packages.

Methodology: How we picked the best no data plans 

Shopping around for a phone plan can be overwhelming. Different data options, varying price points, and competing networks – it’s a lot to dig through. While it's true that there are significantly more unlimited data plans to choose from, picking the best no data plan still takes some expertise, so we took these factors into consideration:

• Price

• Network coverage

• Real user reviews

Each of these factors are considered with its own weight, leading to a score that helps us determine the best picks.  

Beginner’s guide to no data plans  

What is a no data plan? 

A no data plan is also categorized as a talk & text only plan, and that's exactly what it is – a phone service that only grants you cellular access for your calls and texts through your phone number. A classic talk & text only plan does not give you mobile data access to any apps that require an internet connection (email, social media, browsers, streaming, etc.). It’s important to note that your phone will still be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network to use those other apps, but when not on Wi-Fi you will only be able to use your default messaging and calling app. But some plans listed as talk & text only do include a small bit of data, and may offer the option to buy more when needed.

No data plans can be a good, low-cost way to add a phone plan for kids so they can stay in touch with parents.

How does a no data plan work?  

A no data plan might not have any mobile data access, but it will still need a SIM card to connect your phone to the cellular network. The SIM card connects to your provider’s network to be able to pass back the cellular access to your phone for your calls and texts. It also allows you to switch to a data plan whenever you want, as that SIM card can be configured to allow mobile data access.  

Can I use a no data plan with just Wi-Fi? 

Yes, as long as you have a phone that can connect to a Wi-Fi network, you can still use it for calling and texting with your no data plan, and use Wi-Fi for accessing everything else on it. You'd need to be on Wi-Fi for RCS messaging to work, since that type of text uses data.

What kind of phone do I need for a no data plan? 

You probably know of smartphones – phones that can access the internet and support apps. But what you may not know is that there are also “dumb phones” still around – phones that only have messaging and calling services and cannot connect to the internet or download any apps. Back in the day, these were primarily flip phones.  

While dumb phones are a lot rarer nowadays, they’re not completely extinct. Some people still prefer to use them with a talk & text only plan. And while that is possible (TextNow’s plans being an exception), we would still recommend searching for the best smartphone deal instead. You never know when you might need access to the internet on your phone (urgent lookup of a phone number, mobile banking money transfer/account lookup, etc.), and having a phone that can connect to Wi-Fi readily can be a real time saver.  

Which carrier has the best talk & text coverage?  

Regular talk & text coverage will look very similar to a network’s 4G/LTE or 5G network coverage. According to Allconnect, if you’re looking for the best all-purpose LTE coverage in the U.S, that would be Verizon with its 4G LTE service available to 70% of the nation.  For 5G coverage, however, Verizon has the least amount of coverage. Instead, T-Mobile has the best, with 54% of national coverage, the most out of any providers.  

How to pick out the best no data plan 

 1. Price 

Set a budget that makes sense for your monthly expenses. While most talk & text only plans are going to be significantly cheaper than data plans, some can still run you $20/month, which is the same price as some affordable unlimited data plans. Find a plan that brings you the most value for the price, and make sure it’s actually competitive with the cheapest phone plans out there.  

2. Coverage 

You can get the best, most affordable data plan there is, but if the coverage in your area isn’t great, you’re never going to be able to get your money’s worth. Look up the coverage first, then decide on a plan based on the network that’s available in your area.    

3. Reviews 

Getting a talk & text only plan is less common in today’s data-heavy world, so you might have a harder time getting recommendations from people you know. Look up real reviews of plans you find through websites like Trustpilot or Reddit, or simply search the provider name and "consumer reviews."  

How to activate a no data plan  

All you need is a SIM card – whether physical or an eSIM – from the provider you choose.  

To get that SIM, head to the provider's website (or go into a store where applicable) to purchase your desired plan and the SIM for activation. 

>> Read More: How to activate a SIM card.

Frequently asked questions about talk & text only plans

Related Posts

09.03.25

Best Affordable Unlimited Data Plans 2025, Starting at $0

by Valeria

09.05.25

Best Tablet Data Plans

by Valeria

09.05.25

Best Free Texting Apps

by Valeria

09.03.25

Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans in 2025: The Ultimate Guide to Finding an Affordable Phone Plan

by Valeria