Best Tablet Data Plans for 2026

Our 2026 pick for the best tablet data plan overall is Tello's affordable 10GB plan, which doesn't require pairing with phone service. The best iPad data plan is Verizon's Unlimited prepaid plan.

Like smartphones, cellular-enabled tablets can connect to a mobile data network outside of Wi-Fi, allowing you to continue working, chatting, streaming, and more without interruption. Where they differ from a smartphone is they're not able to support native calling & texting, so to connect them, you’d have to purchase a data-only plan. The “Big 3” networks (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) offer the most data-only plans, but smaller providers called MVNOs also have worthwhile plans to check out, which is why we’ve put together a list that encompasses all the best tablet data plans. 

Summary: Best Tablet Data Plans

Best Overall Tablet Data Plan

Best iPad Data Plan

Best Unlimited Data Tablet Plan

Cheapest Tablet Data Plan

Best Hotspot Data Tablet Plan

Best Tablet Plan From the 'Big 3'

Methodology: How to evaluate the best tablet data plans

When looking at tablet data plans, it’s important to recognize that unlike smartphone plans, unlimited data is not necessary for most situations. Most tablet plans are used for travel or by parents who need internet connection for their kids’ tablets while in the car or on vacation. Evaluating the different tablet data plans, then, includes reviewing: 

• Network coverage 

• Price  

• Hotspot availability and limit 

• Ease of activation 

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 tablet data plans

What is a tablet data plan?

A tablet data plan is not unlike a smartphone data plan, minus the talk & text element. A smartphone plan, even an unlimited data plan, comes with (usually) an unlimited talk & text offering as part of the plan as well. Since a tablet normally doesn’t come with native calling & messaging apps, a plan tailored for it only includes data. This allows you to use the tablet to access and use internet-based apps like social media, video/streaming, email, browser, and more when away from Wi-Fi.  

Who needs a tablet data plan?

Smartphones are an integral part of everyday life, but as powerful and convenient as they are, they can't quite fulfill all possible mobile needs. Tablets are a great solution: They offer a larger screen that's still portable, with the benefit of connecting to a data network to use outside of Wi-Fi for ease and comfort. The people who need those benefits include:

• Traveling/remote professionals. There are a lot of professions that require you to have access to email, documents, and even video work calls while you're at the airport, in a taxi, or any other part of a commute. Data-enabled tablets are a great way to work on-the-go comfortably. International SIM cards, in particular, are a great way to access data while traveling abroad.
• Parents with kids. Keeping a young child entertained during long car rides, airport waits, air travel, or even just in waiting rooms is no easy feat. A tablet that's easy for them to hold and interact with is a welcome asset during those times.
• Students. While laptops are a necessity for college, the smaller and more portable tablet can assist with long study sessions or reading periods outside of the traditional dorm/library. A tablet can allow students to take their studies outside or to the coffee shop comfortably.
• Field workers/contractors. These lines of work can benefit from a data-enabled tablet that allows workers to use them for inspection reports, blueprints, photos, or job tracking.

Types of tablet data plans

Tablet data plans can vary based on your needs and preferences. If you require premium data with a higher data allowance, your best option would be a postpaid plan. Postpaid plans tend to be more expensive than prepaid plans, are billed at the end of a billing cycle, and usually require a longer commitment. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more flexibility with an affordable plan that can be changed as needed, a prepaid plan would be a more suitable choice.  

Other data plan types include:  

• Limited data plans: Plans that have a cap on how much data you get per billing cycle, for example 10GB.  

• Unlimited data plans: Plans that let you use as much data as you want, but often at a slower speed after you hit a certain amount. For example, you may get 20GB of high-speed data before speeds are slowed for the rest of the billing cycle.

• Pay-as-you-go data plans: Plans that aren’t run on a monthly cycle but simply include a set amount of data that you can top up as you run out (e.g. Google Fi’s $10 per GB offer).  

How to pick out the best tablet data plan

Picking out the best tablet data plan involves a few easy steps that act as a checklist based on how you plan to use your tablet:  

1. Determine how much data you need.  
   There are no solid stats currently on how much data most tablet data plans use, so it’s hard to know whether you need an unlimited data plan or can get away with something like 10GB. Follow the same steps we usually recommend for phone plan shoppers to determine how much data you need: figure out what apps are going to be most used over mobile data and decide based on how many MBs and GBs those use on average. 
2. Determine if you will need hotspot data.  
   If you’re anticipating using your tablet or iPad to hotspot your phone or any other devices, make sure you look for a plan that supports it and has a decent hotspot data allowance (more than 5GB).  
3. Set your budget.  
   Tablet data plans tend to be cheaper than phone plans, but it’s still important to be realistic and look for a plan that fits within your budget.  
4. Look up the coverage  
   Just like for a phone plan, it’s imperative that wherever you’re taking your tablet to, there will be a reliable network to connect to. If you’re specifically looking to use it for travel, find a data plan that supports data roaming.  

How to activate a tablet data plan

Tablet data plans are activated the same way smartphones are – with a SIM card. That can include both a physical SIM card and a digital eSIM. The activation steps are not that different from activating a SIM card on a phone, but we recommend you follow these additional steps:  

• Make sure your tablet supports cellular.  
  Not all tablets are cellular or data-enabled, so it’s important to first check that they have the necessary bands to connect to a mobile data network. Look for terms like “Wi-Fi + Cellular,” “LTE,” or “5G” in the model name. Another way to confirm is to check whether it has a SIM card slot on the side, or if it’s listed to support eSIM (you can check the model specifications on the maker's website).  

• Check that your connection is working.  
  Whenever you activate a new device, the last step should always be to check that it’s working. In the case of a tablet, the only thing you’d want to check is the mobile browser (or any internet-based app).  

How to use a tablet data plan as a hotspot

Tablet data plans are convenient for sharing mobile data connection with other devices, which is why most plans come with a higher allowance of hotspot data in comparison to other smartphone data plans.  

Here are the steps to using your tablet as a personal hotspot:  

1. Ensure your data plan supports hotspotting 
2. Turn on your Hotspot Setting.  
   On an iPad:  
   - Go to Settings -> Personal Hotspot  
   - Turn on “Allow Others to Join”  
   - Set or view your Wi-Fi password  
   On an Android Tablet:  
   - Go to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Hotspot & Tethering  
   - Tap “Wi-Fi Hotspot”  
   - Turn it ON 
   - [Optionally] set a Network Name and Password
3. Other devices can now connect via Wi-Fi using your iPad or tablet’s name 

Frequently Asked Questions about tablet data plans