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February 13, 2025
Best No Data Plans: Talk & Text Plans Starting at $0/month
Written by Valeria
Tips & Tricks
Unlimited data plans seem to be getting all the attention these days, but the truth is, not everyone needs an unlimited data plan. In fact, some people may not need one at all. According to OpenSignal, most mobile on-screen time is spent on Wi-Fi (77-88%) rather than on mobile data, so it’s fair to say that if you’re connected to Wi-Fi most of the time anyway – even when away from home – why pay for a data plan you don’t need?
It’s important to distinguish that you would still need access to your phone number for calling and texting, in which case, you’d be looking for a talk & text only plan. You’d be surprised at how much harder 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.
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Summary: Best no data plans
| Category | Provider | Plan Name | Price per Month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |
|
Free Essential Data | $0 | |
| Best Under $10 |
|
Unlimited Essentials | $10 | |
| Best for Seniors |
|
Unlimited Minutes | $8 | |
| Best for Add-Ons |
|
2GB | $10 | |
| Best for International |
|
Unlimited International Plan | |
Best Overall No Data Plan
TextNow
Price $0
Network Nation's largest 5G network
Phone Plan Free Essential Data
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perks
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, and your email – just in case.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- $0 month indefinitely
- No contracts or commitments.
- Essential data included for free.
- Unlimited calling and texting to Canada & Mexico also included (plus hundreds of other affordable international calling options that also start at $0).
- Offers exclusive deals and discounts from popular brands in-app.
- No eSIM support.
- Free phone service is supported by in-app ads, which some people may not like.
Best No Data Plan Under $10
Red Pocket Mobile
Price $10
Network Choice of: AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon
Phone Plan Unlimited Essentials
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perks
- 1GB of 5G Data
Our Take if you're looking for a talk & text only plan that also comes with some amount of data for emergencies, this is a decent price at $10/month, but beware that you can only keep that price if you bring your own device. Buying any of Red Pocket Mobile's phones will bring your monthly cost up, as they offer a "rebate" that is included in the monthly price instead.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Affordable.
- Can connect to all 3 networks.
- 1GB of data included.
- Free calling to 20 countries included.
- Monthly price only valid if bringing your own compatible phone.
Best No Data Plan for Seniors
Tello
Price $8
Network T-Mobile
Phone Plan Unlimited Minutes + Free Text
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perk N/A
Our Take This plan is a great for seniors who don't want any extra muss and fuss. The unlimited minutes plan is $8, which is already an affordable price, but if calling isn't a priority, you can choose lower minutes (100-500), starting at just $5/month.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Simple, clear phone plan.
- Free international calls to 60+ countries
- No physical stores, which may be a limitation for some seniors who prefer to receive more hands-on assistance.
Best No Data Plan for Add-Ons
US Mobile
Price $10
Network All 3 (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T)
Phone Plan 2GB
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perk
- 2GB of 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.
- Data can be shared across multiple lines.
- Some people claim US Mobile has poor customer service.
Best No Data Plan for International Texting & Calling
Lyca Mobile
Price $19 $10
Network T-Mobile
Phone Plan Unlimited International Plan
Talk & Text Unlimited
Perk 3GB of data included.
Our Take This plan is made for international texting and calling, giving you unlimited talk & text to 100 countries, plus 3GB of data nationwide. For a limited time, with their 47% price discount, this is a worthwhile plan to subscribe to.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- 3GB of data included.
- eSIM support.
- Unlimited international talk & text to 100 countries.
- BYOP only.
- Without current price discount, this would not be a worthwhile plan if you're just looking for talk & text only.
Methodology: How we picked the best no data plans
Shopping around for a phone plan is overwhelming, between different data options, varying price points, and competing networks – it’s a lot to dig through. While it is true that there are significantly more unlimited data plans to choose from, picking the best no data plan still takes some expertise, with considerations related to price, network coverage, and real user reviews taken into account.
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, which is exactly what it is – a phone service that only grants you cellular access for your calls and texts through your phone number. It does not give you mobile data access for any apps that require an internet connection (email, social media, browser, 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 without Wi-Fi, you will only be able to use your default messaging and calling app.
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 also allow mobile data access in that case.
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 Wi-Fi for accessing everything else on it.
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 “dumbphones” 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, with some design exceptions.
While dumbphones 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 even Reddit!
How to activate a no data plan
All you need is a SIM card – whether physical or eSIM – from the provider you choose your plan from.
To get that SIM, head over to the provider's website (or go in store where applicable) to purchase your desired plan and the subsequent SIM for activation.
If you have any questions or comments, send us a note at [email protected]!
