Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans
We spent more than a week analyzing the top options for unlimited hotspot service.
Whether you’re a road warrior or a road tripper, hotspots are the best way to get internet access when you’re not home. Xfinity’s local network offers unlimited hotspot access on its nationwide network for internet customers, while Verizon’s hotspot plans come with great bundle prices and massive data allotments.
Compare unlimited hotspot plans head to head
| Provider | Price | Hotspot data options | Overage fee | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $19.99–$85.00/mo. | N/A | N/A | |
| Verizon | $20.00–$80.00 w/phone plan | 15GB–150GB | N/A |
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Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
First things first—you’ll be out of luck if you’re looking for a truly unlimited hotspot plan. Most internet service providers (ISP) and carriers have abandoned hard data caps but frequently have soft ones. Once you exceed this cap, you’ll have slower internet speeds for the rest of the month.
Xfinity’s hotspot network is the closest thing to an unlimited hotspot plan. Although it’s not a mobile hotspot service, you’ll still get nationwide hotspot availability, low rates, and steady speeds with Xfinity. And although Verizon’s hotspot plans don’t offer truly unlimited data, its 150GB plan is the next best thing.
Best unlimited hotspot plans in depth
Hotspots offer mobile internet access, but they vary from traditional ISP plans in a few areas. Let’s explain what you need to know about our top unlimited hotspot plan picks.
Best ISP unlimited hotspot plan—Xfinity
Pros
- Wide availability
- Unlimited data
Cons
- Slow download speeds
- No mobile hotspot option
Xfinity’s hotspot network doesn’t check off all the boxes for an unlimited hotspot, but it’s still a great deal for subscribers. The network, free for Xfinity internet subscribers, features more than 22 million nationwide hotspots in areas like parks and coffee shops. You’ll simply connect your device once you’re near a hotspot to get internet access.
Notably, Xfinity doesn’t have a data cap on its hotspot network. With support for up to 10 devices, you’ll also have enough room to connect kid tablets and laptops to the internet.
But at the same time, there’s a reason why Xfinity’s hotspot network is more of a subscriber add-on versus a standalone service. With download speeds around 25Mbps, it’s not meant to be a total internet replacement—you’ll run into problems if you want to download movies or other large files.
Plus, you can only use Xfinity’s hotspots when you’re physically near a hotspot location. Unlike mobile carriers, Xfinity doesn’t sell a physical hotspot device, so you’ll be out of luck if you’re on the road between hotspot locations and need internet access. Still, Xfinity’s hotspot network can be a great fit if you’re a part-time road warrior and don’t want to invest in a full mobile hotspot plan.
Best mobile unlimited hotspot plan—Verizon
Pros
- A huge data cap
- No overage fees
Cons
- Bundle requirements for the best pricing
- Higher prices for hotspot-only service
You’ll be set with Verizon’s Premium hotspot plan if you’re a road warrior tired of hitting your hotspot data cap every month. Verizon’s Premium hotspot plan comes with a whopping 150GB of monthly full-speed data, so you’ll have ample flexibility if you regularly download or stream content while on the road. By comparison, T-Mobile and AT&T’s hotspot plans top out at 100GB per month.
Plus, Verizon doesn’t charge overage fees if you go past your data allotment. As with other mobile carriers, Verizon will temporarily throttle your plan’s speeds for the rest of the month if you exceed the cap, but you won’t have to pay additional charges.
But Verizon’s pricing model for its hotspot plans is a slight downer. Verizon’s Premium plan costs $80 monthly, but you’ll only get this rate if you’re a Verizon mobile customer with a qualifying plan. If you’re searching for hotspot-only service, you’ll have to pay an additional $30 monthly.
But if you’re searching for the biggest mobile hotspot plan, you’ll be more than satisfied with Verizon’s Premium plan. It’s not fully unlimited, but with 150GB of monthly data, you’ll have enough data for your household’s on-the-road internet needs.
Other top providers
Our runner-up hotspot options don’t check off as many boxes as our top picks. But if you’re seeking hotspot alternatives, they’ll still fit your hotspot needs.
Spectrum
Pros
- Has a nationwide hotspot network
- Is free for subscribers
Cons
- Has only local hotspot access
- Is more expensive than Xfinity
As with Xfinity, Spectrum has a nationwide network of local internet hotspots, and it’s free to use for Spectrum internet customers. But Spectrum’s internet plans start at $39.99 monthly, while Xfinity offers more budget-friendly plans that start at $19.99 per month.
T-Mobile
Pros
- Affordable and flexible hotspot plans
- Wide availability and 5G coverage
Cons
- Plans that top out at 100GB
- Limited hotspot selection
T-Mobile’s hotspot plans offer stellar pricing and flexibility for subscribers, as they start at only $10 monthly, offer contract-free service, and include 5G service. However, T-Mobile’s plans top out at 100GB compared to Verizon’s 150GB Premium plan. Plus, T-Mobile’s hotspot lineup includes multiple 4G-only hubs that aren’t worth your time.
What to look for
Data usage
When deciding on a data plan, ensure you’re not paying for data you won’t use. A 5GB or 10GB hotspot plan will provide ample headroom if you simply need to answer emails or watch YouTube videos. But if multiple people need the internet for work and regular Netflix streaming, you’ll want to upgrade to a larger 50GB or 100GB plan.
Using a smartphone as a hotspot
Cell phone plans frequently let you use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot. If you’re working under a budget or traveling solo, we’d generally recommend using your smartphone over getting a separate hotspot plan.
But if you’re traveling with a group that needs remote internet access, you’ll want a dedicated hotspot. Hotspots can support multiple devices simultaneously and have large batteries capable of supporting long internet sessions. Smartphones aren’t equipped to get more than a few devices online at the same time.
Hotspot for home internet
If your home’s in a rural area that doesn’t have ISP coverage, a hotspot can be a last-ditch alternative for internet service. However, we’d recommend seeing if 5G home internet providers service your area, as they have no data caps, affordable rates, and don’t require a separate cell phone plan.
Check out our 5G home internet and rural internet guides to learn more about both alternative internet options.
Are unlimited hotspots worth it?
We’d recommend a hotspot plan if you’re frequently on the road and need a reliable way to get multiple people online remotely.
Xfinity offers the best local hotspot service for internet subscribers thanks to its nationwide hotspot network and low internet prices. As for Verizon, its Premium hotspot plan includes the most data for mobile hotspot users.
Best unlimited hotspot plans FAQ
Does Verizon charge for hotspots with unlimited data?
Verizon charges between $20 and $80 for its monthly hotspot plans when you bundle them with a cell phone plan.
Does unlimited data mean unlimited hotspot?
Unlimited data typically doesn’t include unlimited hotspot usage. Hotspot data is calculated separately from your mobile data usage on mobile plans.
Does AT&T have unlimited hotspot data?
AT&T doesn’t have unlimited hotspot data. Once you exceed your monthly data cap with AT&T, you’ll be charged a $10 per 5GB overage fee.
Does T-Mobile have unlimited hotspot data?
As with most providers, T-Mobile has a soft data cap on its hotspot plans. You’ll still have internet access if you exceed your hotspot plan’s data limit, but your internet speeds will be slower for the rest of the month.
Methodology
To rank the best unlimited hotspot plans, we evaluated hotspot options from all the major ISPs and mobile carriers. We narrowed each provider’s top plans based on factors including monthly data allotments, overage fees, and coverage network.
For more on our process, see our How We Rank page.
