Shared data plans let multiple people on the same account draw from a single pool of data each month.
In general, these plans are outdated and most people should look for other plan options. However, for the families or small groups who don't use much mobile data every month, they can be a smart, cost-effective choice for service.
While shared data plans were once common across most carriers, they've largely been replaced by unlimited family plans or limited data plans with individual lines. That said, a handful of carriers still offer them, including US Mobile, Google Fi, Spectrum Mobile, and Xfinity Mobile.
Let's dive into data sharing and see if this is the right kind of phone plan for your family.
Shared mobile data vs. individual plans
When shopping for a multi-line cell phone plan, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to go with individual data or a shared data plan.
Individual data plan: This is the most common option. Each person on the account gets their own separate data allowance, usually a set amount of data (limited plan) or an unlimited tier. What each person uses has no impact on anyone else's data.
Shared data plan: Everyone on the account draws from the same pool of data each month, no matter how many lines are on the plan. If your household uses a modest amount of data, this can be a more affordable since you're not paying for unused data. The downside is that one heavy user can easily eat through everyone's shared pool, and topping off your allotment can be expensive. Because of these drawbacks, shared data plans have become less popular and much harder to find.
Quick comparison: Shared data vs. individual data
| Shared data | Individual data | |
|---|---|---|
| How data works | All lines draw from one shared pool. | Each line has its own data allowance. |
| Best for | Low-data households | Moderate or heavy-data users |
| Cost | Cheaper for low-data groups | Cheaper with unlimited multi-line discounts |
| Availability | Increasingly rare | Widely available from most carriers |
Who are shared data plans for?
Shared data plans tend to work best for families or small groups who don't use much data. Ideally, your entire family's data usage should not be more than 10GB/month.
After that point, the cost of buying more data is usually more expensive than simply purchasing a small limited plan from the start.
Pros:
- Unused data from light users benefits the whole group
- Can be more cost-effective for low data users
Cons:
- Heavy users can eat through the shared allowance quickly
- Buying additional data mid-month is expensive
- Less common now, so fewer carrier options to choose from
Help me build a family plan
Building a family plan that actually works for your family and meets your budget is hard. You need to know factors like pricing, carriers, and how much data your family uses in a month.
Check out our family plan builder guide for step-by-step instructions on picking the right one.
What carriers offer shared data plans?
Shared data plans are becoming harder to find. Even AT&T—which was the last major carrier to offer them—recently killed its Mobile Share Plans. With the average user needing 10–15GB of data per month, the pricing simply doesn't work for most people anymore, which is why we don't list any shared data plans in our best family plans guide.
That said, if you really want a shared data plan, you can still find them from MVNOs like US Mobile, Google Fi, Spectrum Mobile, and Xfinity Mobile.
US Mobile By the Gig
US Mobile's By the Gig plan is one of the best shared data options available today. Its plans are available on all of the major networks, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. These plans also include unlimited talk and text, and the shared data can be used as a mobile hotspot. You'll need to pick an initial allotment for your plan, then add additional lines. Here's how the pricing works:
- 2GB for $10/month
- 5GB for $15/month
- 10GB for $20/month
- 20GB for $35/month
- Additional lines are $8/each
- Mid-month top ups are $2/GB
|
US Mobile
10GB By the Gig Plan
$20.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
|
Google Fi Flexible
Unlike US Mobile's By the Gig plan that gives you an allotment upfront, Google Fi's Flexible plan allows you to only pay for what you use. It operates on T-Mobile's network domestically, but it also includes access to the widespread international roaming that Google Fi is known for at no extra cost.
The pricing per line gets cheaper the more people you add, but the data is fairly expensive at $10/GB. Here's how it works:
- Plans start at $20/month for one person, dropping to $17–$18 per person for larger groups.
- Data costs $10/GB (charged as you go).
- After using 15GB, Google Fi slows your speeds to 256Kbps for the rest of the cycle.
- Data can be used for mobile hotspot .
- Offers international coverage in 200+ countries is charged at the same $10/GB rate.
|
Google Fi Wireless
Flexible + 1GB data
$30.00/mo
|
Spectrum Mobile By the Gig
Spectrum Mobile's By the Gig plan is only available to Spectrum Internet customers. It runs on Verizon's network, but it's fairly expensive. Each line starts at $20/month, then additional data is $5/GB. Here's what's included:
- Plans start at $20/month and include 1GB of data per line.
- Additional data is $5/GB.
- Gives you unlimited talk and text.
- Speeds will be reduced if any line exceeds 5GB/month of data usage.
- If you change internet providers, a $10/line fee is added to your plan.
|
Spectrum Mobile
By the Gig
$20.00/mo
+ $20 Upfront
|
Xfinity Mobile By the Gig
Xfinity Mobile also offers a By the Gig shared data plan, though this plan is no longer listed on its website. Instead, you must call Xfinity support to sign up. You should also note this is one of the most expensive shared plans currently available.
Like Spectrum Mobile, it's only available to existing Xfinity Internet customers and offers service on Verizon's network. Here's what's included:
- Plans start at $20/month per line for 1 GB of shared data.
- Additional data is $20/GB.
- Speeds reduced to 1.5 Mbps after 20GB usage in one month.
- Includes unlimited talk and text.
- If you change internet providers, a $25/line fee is added to your plan.
|
XFINITY Mobile
1GB By the Gig Plan
$20.00/mo
|
Shared data plan FAQs
Are family plans the same as shared data plans?
Not necessarily. A family plan simply means a multi-line plan for a group, while a shared data plan specifically means everyone draws from the same pool of data. All shared data plans can be considered family plans, but most family plans don't use shared data.
Can I track how much data each person uses?
Yes, most carriers let the family plan account holder monitor everyone's data usage through their website or app. Some carriers also allow individual account members see their usage, like Visible's Inner Circle plans.
Are all shared data plans limited?
Yes, all shared data plans are limited. They are built around a fixed pool of data by design, which is one of the reasons they've become less common as unlimited plans have become more popular.
Are shared data phone plans more expensive?
It depends on your usage. For individuals or groups who don't use much data, shared data plans can be cheaper. However, if your group exceeds its allotted pool and needs a top off, shared data plans can quickly become much more expensive than limited or even unlimited plans. For example, Xfinity Mobile charges $20/GB for its By the Gig plan, meaning a person using just 3GB of data would pay $60/month. That's more expensive than Xfinity Mobile's $50/month Premium Unlimited plan.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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