Having access to limitless mobile data on your smart device comes with many benefits. The most obvious one is stopping you from incessantly checking how much data remains. As a bonus, you avoid the possibility of getting a hefty bill for overstepping the limit and don’t have to resort to using public Wi-Fi. But perhaps the best advantage is the freedom to do anything you wish: download or stream music, movies, or TV shows, read news or e-books, use social media apps, play video games, and even send free SMS or call via VoIP. With that said, let’s dive into our choices for the best SIM card for unlimited data.
1. Three
Three, a UK-based carrier, is our top SIM card choice for unlimited data. They pride themselves on having 99.8% coverage of the country with the 3G and 4G network, but also offer 5G connectivity in select areas. Additionally, for only £26 or $36 per month for a pay-as-you-go SIM card, you get unlimited texts and calls within the country. But more importantly, you get infinite data in the UK and 71 destinations worldwide. If you’re fine with the contract, the price drops to £20 or $27.5 per month on 1-year and 2-year plans. Note that the latter plan lets you pay half-price (£10 or $14) for the first 6 out of 24 months.
2. iD Mobile
iD Mobile is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that uses Three’s UK network – 5G included. Another thing that’ll astound you positively is the pricing. We’re talking £20 or $27.5 monthly on a 1-month plan, £18 or $25 per month on a 1-year plan, and only £16 or $22 monthly on a 2-year plan. As if that wasn’t extraordinary, each plan comes with unlimited texts and minutes. Furthermore, the data is unmetered in 50 destinations worldwide. As you’ll see shortly, others charge roaming separately. So, we can’t help but wonder how iD Mobile is even profiting.
3. O2
We know the UK providers can get boring, but they undoubtedly offer top SIM card plans for Europe and many other countries. This one, in particular, offers month-to-month plans for unlimited data, minutes, and texts for £36 or $50 and access to their 4G and 5G network. If you opt for a 1-year plan, it’ll cost you £33 or $45.5, while a 2-year plan costs £25 or $34.5. Also, unlike the no-contract plan, these permit roaming at no extra cost in 75 countries, including the United States. They also come with gifts, for example, 6 free months of Apple Music or Disney+.
4. Giffgaff
We promise this is the last one. Giffgaff is a United Kingdom-based carrier with an ever-expanding 4G and 5G network. What’s more, they only offer no-contract SIM-only plans, which you can top up or cancel at any given time. Because the SIM card itself is free, it’ll only cost you £35 or $48 per month to get unlimited data and 20 GB of roaming data across Europe. Since you can’t run out of it in the UK, if you’re traveling to other countries, we suggest activating the “Always On” data pack. It’ll cost you £25 or $34.5 monthly but grant an extra 20 GB of data in Europe.
5. US Mobile
It’s time for an unlimited data SIM card provider in the United States. US Mobiles stands out for their widespread 4G and 5G network in the country as well as the ability to build a payment plan. We’re talking micro-managing numbers and/or excluding features you don’t need completely. Sadly, this only lets you get a limited (albeit high) number of data. The secret of boundless data lies in family plans. To clarify, you’ll get unlimited everything for $45/£32.5 (1 user), $30/£21 (2 users), or $25/£18 (3 and more users) per account. Furthermore, you get free access to 10+ paid gaming, streaming, and audio subscriptions.
6. Vodafone
Vodafone has networks in 22 countries worldwide and uses other carrier’s networks as a partner in 48 others. Moreover, the carrier permits roaming in 168 countries, 74 of which support 3G and 4G connectivity, and some even 5G. With that said, the 30-day plans for unlimited everything will cost you as follows: £36/$50 (max speed 2 Mbps), £40/$55.5 (max speed 10 Mbps), and £45/$62.5 (no speed limit, 5G maximum). Yearly and bi-yearly plans reduce the price slightly, e.g., 5G plan is now £33/$45.5 and £30/$41.5 monthly, respectively. You also get free subscriptions for paid audio, gaming, and video streaming services.
7. Lebara Mobile
Lebara Mobile operates networks in 8 countries: Netherlands, Denmark, France, Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. They try to dominate every market separately by offering desirable services only, unsurprisingly, Therefore, you won’t always find a boundless data offer. However, in countries where it’s available (mainly Switzerland and the UK), you can expect to pay £17 or $24 for limited speed after the first 3 GB of high-speed Internet. For unlimited top-speed Internet, you must part with around £25 or $34.5.
8. Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is an American mobile network provider well-known for the promotions of one of its owners, actor Ryan Reynolds. The carrier distinguishes itself for its 3-month plans that come with unlimited talking, texting, and 4G and 5G (only the first 35 GB) data at $30 per month when you first sign up. Afterward, you can continue with 3, 6, and 12-month plans, with prices of $40/$29, $35/£25.5, and $30/£21, respectively. Plus, you can save more by signing up for two or more lines. Finally, Mint Mobile 24/7 Customer Service has an average response time of 2 to 3 minutes.
9. Felix Mobile
Unlimited plans don’t seem to sell in Australia, hence why the major carriers avoid offering this option. Luckily, we and Felix Mobile, which uses Vodafone’s 3G and 4G network, have you covered. The carrier only offers a single no-contract plan, which costs AUD35 or $25.5 or £18.5 monthly, but the first 3 months are at half the price. Additionally, even though the data usage is unmetered and you’re getting limitless texting and calling, the speed is capped at 20 Mbps. Know that you’re helping a great cause as well. Felix Mobile plans to use the proceeds to eventually plant 1 million trees worldwide.
10. Verizon
None of the US-based carriers we mentioned were the most-used providers, obviously. The reason is the cost – they’re way pricier compared to the options we mentioned above. And, although T-Mobile might have better speeds and coverage, Verizon is about 20% cheaper on average. For example, the unlimited text, calls, and 4G/5G data plans cost $70 or £50.5 plus taxes and fees for one line. This drops to $60/£43.5 (2 lines), $45/£32.5 (3 lines), and $35/£25.5 (4 lines). However, you’ll get a 6-month free subscription to Disney+, discovery+, Google Play Pass, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade.