Your Guide to the Best Portable Internet Options

Read on for our breakdown on the best portable internet plans, plus getting, using, and understanding different types of portable internet.

Our top five recommendations run the full portable internet gamut: cellular internet and satellite internet, broken down into prepaid plans for hotspot devices, data plans great for phone tethering, and satellite internet and satellite phone plans. At a glance, you can get a good idea of which fall into your price range and which might be best for your situation.

Portable internet primarily falls into two categories: satellite internet and cellular networks. Each type has its own pros and cons.

Currently, the only portable satellite internet options are Starlink Mobile (also known as Starlink Roam) and satellite phones, although these are restricted to communication only and don’t generally provide true internet access. The main advantage of satellite is availability—you can connect nearly anywhere. However, these plans are much more expensive, especially if you want high-speed data.

Cellular connections, like 4G LTE and 5G, make excellent portable internet options. You can either get a standard mobile plan and use your phone as a hotspot, or you can opt for a dedicated hotspot and plan—this may be better for heavy users or those who need to share their connections. The main downside of cellular is that coverage isn’t always available when you need it—if you’re relying on it for emergency communications, this can be a big issue.

Portable internet services offer respectable speeds that allow you to stream HD video, make video calls, download large files, and send emergency communications. That said, don't expect fiber-level performance.

Starlink Mobile's base plan offers speeds up to 50Mbps. Less than Starlink Standard (Residential) or other providers like Viasat—but you can't take these services on the road. Plus it's possible to get even faster speeds with a Priority plan.

Cellular internet is theoretically faster, especially if you can get 5G coverage. However, these speeds are highly variable and depend on your provider's coverage at your location. T-Mobile's Home Internet service advertises speeds up to 245Mbps, which gives you a decent idea of what to expect in high-coverage areas.

Most portable internet plans either come with an allotment of high-speed data or unlimited data. The latter is much more expensive, so you'll really need to determine how much you'll need. A small allotment of a few gigabytes is usually enough for a long weekend trip. Still, an unlimited plan may be worth it for an extended journey or nomad living in general. Read our guide to help you determine how much data you need. 

Typically, if you run through your allotment of high-speed data, most providers reduce your speed to the bare minimum without cutting you off completely, allowing you to purchase more. 

When it comes to cellular internet, there are two main options: using a dedicated hotspot device and plan or using your phone as a hotspot with a “regular” mobile plan. Each approach has its pros and cons.

Most smartphones have built-in hotspot functionality, and many (though not all) cell plans include at least some hotspot data. You likely already have portable internet in your pocket.

That said, the hotspot feature can quickly drain your phone’s battery and shorten its lifespan. If you make heavy use of the hotspot feature, you may want to grab a dedicated hotspot device. Most carriers sell these devices, but there are plenty on the market that are compatible with the big carriers and simply need a SIM card. Hotspot devices come in different varieties with varying prices, Wi-Fi strength, and provider compatibility. Read our guide on hotspot devices.

Similarly, many phone plans include some hotspot data. However, it may be limited in speed, and a lot of plans share the same data allowance between phone and hotspot use, meaning you could eat through all your personal phone data just by streaming some Netflix on a road trip.

Prepaid data plans are perfect to pair with a hotspot device and provide a dedicated pool of data specifically for that purpose. Most cellular providers offer these—again, here’s T-Mobile’s selection of plans. Prices range from $10.00 to $50.00 per month, and you can often add more data as needed.

If you only use the feature occasionally or are the only person connecting to the hotspot, your phone is probably fine. However, if you use it a lot or need to connect multiple devices simultaneously, you may have a better experience with a dedicated hotspot device.

The Big Three US carriers all offer essentially nationwide 4G LTE coverage and extensive 5G coverage. T-Mobile is the clear winner regarding availability, while Verizon has the least coverage of the three major carriers.

While local coverage can vary greatly, the whole idea of portable internet is being able to take it wherever you need it. That means T-Mobile is likely the way to go.

You can check coverage using the FCC’s interactive map. You can use this same tool to check coverage for nearly any internet type and provider.

Mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, can be an excellent alternative to the major carriers. MVNOs like Mint Mobile and Visible are almost always much more affordable, and, since they use the same networks, performance is often just as good.

• Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network.
• Visible uses the Verizon network.
• Twigby uses Verizon.
• Boost Mobile uses either T-Mobile and AT&T, depending on the area.

Two things to watch for with MVNOs: they tend to offer less hotspot data than the major carriers, and speeds can occasionally suffer due to data deprioritization. This happens when the provider they rent network space from slows speeds in order to provide a better experience for its own customers, typically during times of heavy congestion.

Satellite internet remains one of the best options for portable internet access. This is especially true if you need to use your internet in remote areas that may not have cell service. Currently, the best (and only) portable satellite internet service is Starlink Mobile (also known as Starlink Roam).

Starlink Mobile offers several options depending on where you plan to travel and how fast you want your satellite internet. Starlink Mobile Regional lets you connect anywhere within the continent you activate it in. The Mobile Global plan lets you go globetrotting with your Starlink. Just be aware you can't use it in countries where it is not authorized. Both services provide unlimited data and only work while stationary.

Starlink Mobile Priority plans are much more expensive but offer so much more versatility. A Priority plan works globally and lets you access Starlink's top speeds within the allotment of priority data. Most significantly, the Priority plans let you connect while in motion using the High-Performance Starlink dish. These are luxury plans, usually sold under Starlink's Maritime brand. 

Starlink Mobile uses the Standard kit, but be aware that if you change from a fixed, residential plan to a mobile one, you can't switch back and will have to buy a new kit. 

In Summer 2024, Starlink announced a new kit, the Starlink Mini. This will include a cheaper Mobile plan and more portable hardware. We'll update this page as more information becomes available.

If you primarily need portable internet for emergency communications, not things like streaming, you might consider a satellite communicator. We recommend the Garmin inReach Mini 2 and accompanying service plan. It allows you to send messages (up to an unlimited amount, depending on your plan) from anywhere in the world, making it an excellent choice for staying safe in remote places.

Some iPhone models also offer satellite SOS features. This is okay for getting emergency help, but it’s not really a substitute for a true satellite phone.

RVs present an interesting situation for internet. You may want access in remote locations, but you also need access while moving, which requires specific equipment. Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots work well while moving, but coverage in remote areas can be spotty. On the other hand, satellite is ideal for use in remote locations, but it requires specialized (and expensive) equipment to get a signal on the go.

For this reason, we have a few different recommendations for RV owners to consider:

When going with Starlink Mobile, remember it's not the same as Starlink Standard, so be careful when you choose the right one when you sign up. Once you're signed up, you'll need the Starlink app to guide you through installation. Most people say it's fairly easy, but check out our Starlink Customer Service guide if you encounter any problems.

If you go the mobile hotspot route to get internet for your RV, just remember that T-Mobile Home Internet isn't the same thing as its hotspot RV internet options. T-Mobile Home Internet is meant for a fixed location, and moving it from your home address will break the terms of service, so you could get booted from it. Fortunately, T-Mobile announced an upcoming Away plan for its 5G internet, which is planned to be released sometime in 2024.

For other hotspots like Mint Mobile's, just make sure you have an unlimited plan with enough high-speed data for your needs. And, of course, your provider allows you to turn your phone into a hotspot that other devices can attach to. You may also want to add a Wi-Fi extender for extra reach on your wireless network.

Truckers that spend a lot of time on the road need internet that’s fast and reliable, but it also needs to be able to work in rural areas and truck stops out in the middle of nowhere. However, satellite isn’t necessarily practical—carting a dish and providing power to a modem are inconvenient at best and impossible at worst.

For that reason, a Wi-Fi hotspot is almost certainly the best internet option for truckers. The catch is finding one that works well outside of urban areas. T-Mobile or Verizon are probably your best bet for strong coverage. You can also pair with a cell phone booster for added signal strength.

Boating takes all the challenges of RVs and kicks them up a couple notches. Unless you’re sitting in port for an extended period of time, your boat is rarely stationary. If you go out far at all, you almost certainly lose your cell coverage. Lastly, smaller boats may not have a convenient spot to mount a satellite dish, further limiting your options.

As such, the best option for your boat depends a lot on how you use it. If your yacht or other large vessel has space for satellite dishes, you can opt for the exorbitantly expensive Starlink Maritime satellite internet for boats. This gets you the best boating internet experience currently available, starting at $250 per month, plus another $2,500 upfront for hardware.

For the rest of us, a portable hotspot is the way to go. T-Mobile’s devices are a solid choice if you spend enough time on the water to justify a separate hotspot device and plan. If you just need the hotspot occasionally, a mobile hotspot plan should be plenty—we like Mint Mobile.

At SatelliteInternet.com, we base our analyses on thorough research, including customer interviews, first-hand testing, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. We also dive deep to get all the details on plans, fees, and future developments. We then bring this info together in one place so you can find it easily. Finally, we use our satellite internet industry expertise to help you make the best decisions you can for your household. As always, thanks for reading!

Many, if not most, Airbnb rentals will have Wi-Fi access. Ultimately, it’s up to the hosts of the Airbnb whether they want to offer it or not—often, the listing will highlight if they do.

That said, using these networks could pose a security risk—the host has the password as well, and could therefore see the activity on the network. For this reason, bringing your own hotspot could be a good idea.

Yes, with the right plan. In fact, many mobile providers are now offering home internet packages that use 4G LTE or 5G data.

The speeds are often more than fast enough—the main consideration is data usage. If you use your home network heavily, such as for frequent video streaming, you may want to opt for an unlimited plan.

Many cell phone providers now offer home internet, including Verizon and T-Mobile. This is essentially a hotspot for your home, feeding high-speed 4G LTE or 5G data to your devices. The prices are often quite reasonable, too. For example, T-Mobile’s plans start at just $30 per month.

Essentially, nothing—mobile data and Wi-Fi work more or less the same. You may see a speed difference if you’re in an area without high-speed mobile data coverage. The main thing to watch for is accidentally using up a limited mobile data plan—Wi-Fi won’t count towards that limit.