Compare pocket Wi-Fi plans
Get instant mobile internet access wherever you are for as little as $19 per month or pay a bit more for unlimited data.
Key takeaways
- Pocket Wi-Fi is an easy and affordable way to connect all your gadgets to the internet while outside the home.
- To get connected, you'll need a pocket Wi-Fi modem and a data-only mobile plan, which can usually be bundled together.
- Plans prices range from $19 a month to $395 for a full year, with options for unlimited and endless data.
What is pocket Wi-Fi and how does it work?
Pocket Wi-Fi is a portable internet solution for laptops, tablets and other mobile gadgets.
They consist of a compact, battery-powered modem and a data-only SIM card, which are sometimes bundled together under a single plan.
Because pocket Wi-Fi relies on 4G and 5G networks, it will work wherever your phone gets a signal.
It's basically a mobile hotspot that fits inside your bag or pocket.
Compare pocket Wi-Fi broadband plans
To get online with pocket Wi-Fi, you'll need a data-only SIM plan.
These plans are usually cheaper than equivalent mobile phone plans, with prices starting at under $20 a month for 20GB of data.
Some plans come with the Wi-Fi modem included, while others require you to bring your own (BYO).
Our table below shows plans from our database with at least 20GB. (Keep in mind that bundling a modem will increase the monthly cost of your plan.)
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How we picked these
Vodafone pocket Wi-Fi
Vodafone has 3 month-to-month mobile broadband plans, ranging from $35 for 35GB to $55 for 65GB. There are also a range of 365 day plans available which start at $160 for 85GB.
All plans are SIM-only, so you'll need to bring your own compatible modem (BYO). The device allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, but it only provides access to Vodafone's 4G network.
Other providers that sell mobile broadband plans on the Vodafone network include Kogan Mobile, iiNet, TPG, Cmobile
Optus pocket Wi-Fi
Optus only has 1 data-only plan for pocket Wi-Fi available. It comes with 30GB data for $25 a month.
Optus has 2 data-only plans for pocket Wi-Fi available: 10GB for $15 a month or 100GB for $35 a month.
Telstra pocket Wi-Fi
Telstra offers 2 month-to-month mobile broadband plans, ranging from $30 for 30GB to $65 for 100GB. There's also a 12-month pre-paid data plan for $200 with 180GB on activation.
All plans can be bundled with a range of pocket Wi-Fi modems including the Telstra-branded models optimised for the Telstra network.
What's better: Mobile data or pocket Wi-Fi?
These days, most mobile phone plans come with pretty generous data allowances.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) latest Internet Activity Report, the average Aussie uses around 13GB of mobile data per month.
Meanwhile, the average data allowance on an entry-level plan is 17GB per month.
This means you don't need pocket Wi-Fi if your usage rates are average - just hotspot from your phone instead.
On the other hand, if you enjoy gaming and streaming on the go, a pocket Wi-Fi modem is a much better solution.
Here are some of the benefits it offers over hotspotting from your phone:
- Increased data value. Because you're only paying for data, the cost is cheaper than a full-fledged phone plan. In our database, the average cost of data-only plan is 17 cents per gigabyte. For SIM-only phone plans, the cost jumps to 56 cents per gigabyte.
- Improved coverage: Even though they connect to the same mobile networks as your phone, pocket Wi-Fi modems often deliver a stronger signal due to having larger antennas. A phone's hotspot connection can also slow down when you're making calls or using apps.
- Longer battery life: Hotspotting from your mobile phone drains the battery faster. As soon as it dies, your Wi-Fi connection is gone. A pocket Wi-Fi device will offload the strain.
- Home internet back-up. If your home internet modem lacks 4G/5G, a pocket Wi-Fi device will keep you online during NBN outages.
Can you get unlimited data on a pocket Wi-Fi plan?
You can get unlimited data on SpinTel's $49.95 Mobile Broadband Unlimited plan which runs on the Optus 4G network. This plan requires you to rent a Netgear AC800S pocket Wi-Fi modem for an extra $10 a month.
Other plans come with what's known as "endless data". You can exceed your data cap on these plans without being charged anything extra. However, the catch is that your download speeds will be slowed to just 1.5Mbps-2Mbps until the next billing cycle.
Pocket Wi-Fi vs Wi-Fi dongles
When you search online for pocket Wi-Fi devices, you'll usually see Wi-Fi dongles pop up too.
These devices also connect you to the internet using Wi-Fi.
While they serve the same purpose, pocket Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi dongles differ in a few important ways.
Here's what sets them apart.
| Feature | Wi-Fi Dongle | Pocket Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Connects 1 device via a Wi-Fi adapter | Connects multiple devices via a Wi-Fi hotspot |
| Power source | Powered by the connected device's USB port | Battery powered and rechargeable |
| Portability | Ultra-compact (USB stick-sized) | Larger, but still pocket-sized |
| Battery life | Zero - powered via USB port | Typically 6–15 hours |
| Extra features | Internet access only | May include SD card slot, ethernet port or power bank function |
| Price | $20-$100 | $50-$200 |
In short, pocket Wi-Fi allow you connect multiple devices to the internet at once. Wi-Fi dongles are only suitable for a single device.
For most users, pocket Wi-Fi is a better bet even if you're only connecting 1 device. Being battery powered means you don't need to waste a USB port - instead, just stash it in your bag.
Plus, it's good to have the option to hotspot extra devices just in case you need it. (Letting a friend hop onto your Wi-Fi, for example.)
Frequently asked questions
Don't need a plan that comes with a dongle or pocket Wi-Fi? Check out our guide on data SIMs
Images: Telstra & Vodafone
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Data only SIM plans
Data only SIM plans can be easily inserted into your iPad or tablet for wireless Internet on the go.
Every site only gives information on plans for dongles. I want to know about the dongles, like where can I buy one, how much they are, how to use them, what’s the comparison and are they all compatible with Mac lap tops?
Hi Danni, We only cover mobile and internet plans and not tech specific comparisons for wi-fi dongles. However, if you type ‘best wi-fi dongles’ your search results should be a bit more focused to what you’re looking for :)