Which MVNOs allow tethering?

Which MVNOs allow tethering?

You never know exactly when you'll have a solid Wi-Fi connection for your tablet or computer which is why it's great to be able to share your phone's data connection. While using a mobile hotspot, or tethering, isn't a great solution for your home internet, it can be great to know you have a backup plan. If you're looking for a tethering mobile hotspot plan that works with your preferred network these are some of the best options available. These days, most MVNO carriers offer hotspot data with most if not all of their plans so you might even already have some data.

Share your mobile data with plans from these MVNOs

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Mint Mobile

From $15/mo. at Mint Mobile

Simple choices

Mint Mobile offers data packages in 4GB, 10GB, or 15GB chunks and lets the customer save money by buying more than one month at a time, with maximum savings at 12 months. There's also an unlimited plan that comes with 5GB of hotspot data. Using the T-Mobile network, Mint Mobile lets you use your data allowance for hotspot and standard phone usage. If you're not sure if this is the pick for you, the network lets you check out the discounted three-month service.

Google Fi

Best for international use

Google Fi's biggest trick is using a combination of T-Mobile towers, U.S. Cellular towers, and contracted Wi-Fi to create a strong coverage map across the country on compatible phones. Not only that, but you can roam internationally on two of Fi's plans. Fi plans are either flexible with service starting at $20 and charging $10 per gigabyte used. The smaller unlimited plan comes with 5GB of hotspot data while Unlimited Plus can use all of its 50GB of high-speed data.

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Pick the right MVNO for your data needs

It can be hard to know exactly how much data you'll need on your hotspot. For the most part, you should be making use of public or private Wi-Fi networks as much as possible with your tablet or PC. If you find you just need a little extra coverage for light web browsing, something like Mint Mobile makes a lot of sense because you can share your data with your phone plan and won't need to pay any more for your plans. Mint also gives you unlimited 2G speed data if you use up your data allowance so you're never completely cut off.

If you are looking to use your data all the time or want the flexibility to do some streaming, Visible offers the best solution with its rates coming in under most other unlimited plans while offering great coverage on the Verizon LTE network. With unlimited hotspot data at 5Mbps, you won't be watching in 4k, but streams around 720p or lower should work without issue and the speed should be more than fast enough for the majority of web browsing and even social media.