Best Data-Only SIM Plans In Australia | Canstar Blue

Oct 30, 2024

Posted by Emma Bradstock 29/10/2024

Fact Checked

If you’re looking to connect your tablet, dongle or phone to the internet without access to WiFi and aren’t looking for talk and text capabilities, a data-only SIM might be the right choice for you.

Data SIM plans are great if you only need to connect your tablet or dongle to the internet and there are plenty of data-only plans out there. But which telcos offer data-only SIM cards and are they right for you? Read on to find out everything you need to know about data-only SIM plans.

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A data-only SIM is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, a SIM card that only offers access to mobile data using a mobile network. This means that it doesn’t come with traditional calling and texting capabilities, although you may have an identification number or phone number assigned to the SIM card for identification purposes.

While some providers might refer to these products as data-only plans it’s worth noting that these plans are essentially a mobile broadband product. Typically if you buy a mobile broadband plan, you’ll receive a data-only SIM card and if you’re buying a bundled product, you’ll also get a device, such as a dongle.

This terminology can be confusing, so if you’re looking for a data-only SIM and see a telco referring to its mobile broadband plans, these terms can be generally considered interchangeable. The biggest difference will be whether it’s a bundled product (with a device) or just the SIM card and plan. However, it’s still worth double checking that the plan is right for your needs before signing up.

Even if you use data more than calls and SMS, a data-only SIM card might not be a good long-term alternative to a standard mobile phone plan for your smartphone.

Many companies and services — such as online banking — will require a phone number as part of your details and will send verification codes to you via SMS. Even if there is a phone number attached to the data-only SIM, you might not receive these verification codes to your phone.

However, if you have a dual-SIM phone, and you want a plan with more data as a backup, you can have your data-only SIM running at the same time as your standard phone plan’s SIM.

Many telcos offer data-only plans or mobile broadband plans, in addition to a range of other phone and internet services. The big three mobile network providers — Telstra, Optus and Vodafone — all offer data-only SIM plans, in addition to plans bundled with a device. However there are also many smaller providers that offer data-only SIM plans.

Some data-only plans might be available as postpaid plans where you’re billed monthly, while others may be offered on a prepaid basis, with a set expiry period such as 28-days or even long-term plans with a 365-day expiry period.

Below we’ve compared a range of data-only plans from select providers, however there are plenty of other providers offering data-only SIM plans on the market that aren’t listed below.

Popular internet provider Aussie Broadband offers a simple selection of month-to-month data-only SIM plans — which it also refers to as mobile broadband plans. You’ll have the choice between a couple of 4G-only plans, along with some 5G-compatible plans, however you will need to BYO device. Aussie Broadband’s data-only plans use the Optus mobile network.

The following table shows selected published Aussie Broadband mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.

20GB Mobile Broadband Plan

min. cost $25 over one month billing period

45GB Mobile Broadband Plan

min. cost $40 over one month billing period

120GB Mobile Broadband Plan

min. cost $60 over one month billing period

220GB Mobile Broadband Plan

min. cost $70 over one month billing period

Tangerine, which operates on the Telstra network, offers a small range of month-to-month data-only SIM plans with 4G and 5G network access, however all plans have speed caps in place.

The following table shows a selection of published Tangerine mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

100GB Plan

min. cost $34.90 over first month

200GB Plan

min. cost $49.90 over first month

400GB Plan

min. cost $64.90 over first month

Another Optus network MVNO, Southern Phone offers a range of data SIM plans, which are all available on a 12-month contract and are currently only available with 4G access.

The following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

X Small

min. cost $180 over 12 month plan period

Small

min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period

Medium

min. cost $480 over 12 month plan period

Large

min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period

More, which is another Telstra MVNO, offers a small range of data-only plans, all with 5G network access, however speeds are capped to either 100Mbps or 250Mbps depending on the plan you choose.

The following table shows a selection of published More Telecom 5G mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

100GB Plan

min. cost $40 over first month

200GB Plan

min. cost $55 over first month

400GB Plan

min. cost $70 over first month

Popular prepaid provider ALDI Mobile offers a simple selection of data-only plans on the Telstra network, however these plans are only available with 4G coverage and may have speed caps applied. These plans are also prepaid and over a 365-day expiry period.

The following table shows a selection of published ALDI Mobile mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

$95 Data Pack

min. cost $95 over 365 days

$240 Data Pack

min. cost $240 over 365 days

$365 Data Pack

min. cost $365 over 365 days

Amaysim — another popular prepaid phone plan provider — offers a simple range of data-only SIM plans on the Optus 4G and 5G networks. All plans are prepaid and on a 28-day expiry period and come with unlimited databanking, however speed caps are applied to all plans.

The following table shows a selection of published Amaysim mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Sim Only 7GB

min. cost $15 over 28 day billing period

Sim Only 50GB

min. cost $40 over 28 day billing period

Sim Only 90GB

min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period

Belong, which is a Telstra subsidiary, offers a small selection of month-to-month mobile broadband (data-only) plans, with 4G and 5G Telstra network coverage — although speed caps are applied to all plans.

The following table shows selected published Belong mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.

Small

min. cost $15 over one month billing period

Medium

min. cost $35 over one month billing period

Large

min. cost $70 over one month billing period

Telstra offers a wide range of phone and internet options to suit different needs, and in addition to its mobile broadband plans bundled with a device, it also offers data-only SIM plans. Plans include uncapped 4G and 5G speeds, along with no excess data charges, so you can continue using your data at 1.5Mbps capped speeds if you use up your inclusions.

In addition to its standard monthly data-only plans, Telstra also offers prepaid data-only SIM plans over a range of expiry periods, including 28-day or 12-months.

The following table shows a selection of published Telstra mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Small

min. cost $25 over one month

Medium

min. cost $58 over one month

In addition to its range of mobile broadband plans bundled with a device, you can pick up a data-only SIM from Optus which includes 5G network access, no excess data charges (data is capped at 1.5Mbps after you’ve used up your inclusions), along with a range of other benefits such as entertainment add ons and data sharing.

Optus also offers prepaid data-only plans with your choice of 30-day or 365-day expiry periods.

The following table shows a selection of Optus mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.

Choice Plus Data Plan

min. cost $20 month to month

Vodafone, like Telstra and Optus, offers the option to buy a mobile broadband plan bundled with a device, or as a data-only SIM plan. These plans are fairly simple with no excess data charges, which means speeds are capped at 2Mbps once you’ve used up your data inclusions, however plans may only have 4G network access.

If you prefer prepaid, Vodafone offers a selection of prepaid data-only SIM plans, which run over 30-day or 365-day expiry periods.

The following table shows a selection of published Vodafone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Small Data SIM Only Plan

min. cost $20 over first month

Large Data SIM Only Plan

min. cost $40 over first month

As with any mobile or internet plan, there’s always a few pros and cons that you should consider before signing up. Below is a breakdown of some of the major advantages and disadvantages of data-only SIM plans.

Pros:

Cons:

Data-only SIM cards can be installed and used similarly to traditional SIM cards, in that you place the SIM card in the relevant SIM card slot in your phone, tablet or device. If you plan on using separate SIM cards in the same phone — such as one for traditional talk and text and one for data only — ensure that you have a dual SIM phone, otherwise you will have to manually swap out the SIM cards.

Once the SIM has been inserted into your phone, tablet or device, complete the setup prompts, and then your SIM card should be good to go. If you’re having trouble with setup, you can always get in touch with your telco for help.

Some models of tablets come with a slot for a SIM card, which means that if you’re looking to connect to the internet and scroll the socials while you’re out and about, then a data-only SIM plan might be the thing you’re looking for.

While it’s not standard, there are some laptops with SIM slots built in, allowing you to connect to the internet through a data-only SIM, without the need for a dongle.

These create a hotspot that you can connect your devices to, which means that you can get access to WiFi where there is a mobile network signal. These devices can come in the form of a portable modem, where you can connect multiple devices via the devices’ WiFi network, or a USB dongle that can be plugged directly into your computer.

If you either have a dual SIM device, or are not interested in making calls or sending texts, then a data-only SIM can work in your smartphone, however some providers may have conditions, limits or charges around using it as a mobile phone service.

Keep in mind that you will only be able to use data functions such as scrolling social media, web browsing or using messenger apps to keep in touch with friends and family. Some apps like banking and social media, may also require a text message verification, so not having a phone number could cause some problems.

If a data-only SIM plan is right for you, you might be wondering how much data you’ll need on the plan. Considering that these plans use a mobile network and may be used for just one device (such as a tablet or smartphone), you might find it easy to consider it similar to data usage as on a mobile phone plan.

For more information on mobile data and how much you’ll need for certain activities and usage levels, you can check out our mobile data usage guide.

If you’re using a data-only SIM for mobile broadband with a modem or dongle, you’ll need to consider how many devices will be using the dongle or modem’s WiFi (if applicable) and the sorts of activities you’ll be using your data SIM for. High-intensive activities such as video streaming and gaming will use more data than activities like web browsing and checking emails. If you’re unsure of how much data you might need, look for a plan that can be topped up/recharged or without a contract, so you can adjust your usage as needed.

Data-only SIMs service a market that’s after portable internet for devices such as tablets and mobile broadband modems. While these plans can technically be used in a smartphone, they’re not meant to replace a traditional phone service — even if you use mobile data more than call and text inclusions. If you’re after a mobile phone plan with big data inclusions, there are plenty of options available.

Whether you have a tablet that you want to connect to the internet without relying on WiFi, or you have your own mobile broadband modem or dongle to use when on the go, a data-only SIM might be just what you need.

It’s also worth noting that data-only plans aren’t meant to replace home internet connections like NBN or home wireless broadband. Typically the data inclusions on data SIM plans are smaller than what is on offer with NBN and most home wireless plans, so these plans might not be suitable for heavy data users. However these plans can come in handy as a backup or to supplement your home internet connection.

If a data-only plan is right for you, it’s important to compare a wide range of plans from different providers on all three mobile networks, to find a plan that suits your needs, fits your budget and that you’ll have network coverage for.