Not everybody needs data on their phone plan! If you’re not spending much time scrolling socials or browsing the web while you’re not connected to WiFi, or only use your phone for calls and texts, it might be worth looking into plans that don’t include data. Low data plans are usually suited for seniors, children or even just light phone users.
However, data-less plans are extremely hard to come by, so your options may instead be a low-data plan or a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) set-up. In this Canstar Blue guide, we outline some of your options so that you can make the choice that’s right for you and find the best mobile plan with or without data to suit your needs.
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Are there phone plans without data?
There have been mobile plans without data in the past, however they are no longer available. However, this doesn’t mean that there are no options. There are plenty of plans on the market that offer a small amount of data or even PAYG plans wherein you can use the credit however you like. In some situations, having even a small amount of data might be useful.
Cheapest no-data phone plans
There are very few mobile plans that only have phone calls and texts included, with the majority of phone plans having some kind of data inclusions. In fact, your best bet for a phone plan is going to be low-data plans as opposed to no-data plans.
Low-data plans are good for having a back-up plan when you’re out and about, for checking things on the internet or finding directions and using maps. There are a variety of low-cost, low-data plans on offer to suit different needs and budgets. To find the best no-data phone plan, it is best to compare different plans and providers to ensure that you’re getting the best deal for you.
Prepaid Plans Under $10
Here is a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database for $10 or less, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Compare more cheap prepaid mobile plans using our comparison tool. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
Postpaid Plans Under $10
Here is a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database for $10 or less, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Compare more cheap postpaid mobile plans using our comparison tool. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
Cheapest PAYG phone plans
If you have decided that you really don’t want data, the next best thing is a Pay As You Go (PAYG) plan, wherein you just pay for credit and use that how you wish, much like the original prepaid plans. This is different to what are now called prepaid plans and long expiry plans, which usually have a set amount of calls, texts and data.
For example, a phone call might cost $0.09 per minute, a gigabyte of data up to $10, which is deducted from your credit balance after use. There are plenty of providers that offer PAYG plans to choose from, varying in cost, time periods and plan inclusions available. Prepaid PAYG plans are offered by big and small providers, including:
PAYG Telstra Plans
The following table shows selected Telstra Long Life Plus plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $20 over 45 day expiry |
N/A | $20 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $30 over 186 day expiry |
N/A | $30 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $50 over 186 day expiry |
N/A | $50 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $70 over 365 day expiry |
N/A | $70 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $100 over 365 day expiry |
N/A | $100 | Go To Site |
 View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
PAYG Vodafone Plans
The following table shows selected Vodafone Pay and Go plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
$30 Pay and Go Starter Pack
min. cost $30 over 180 day expiry |
PAYG | $30 | |
|
$40 Pay and Go Starter Pack
min. cost $40 over 365 day expiry |
PAYG | $40 | |
|
$50 Pay as You Go Starter Pack
min. cost $50 over 365 day expiry |
PAYG | $50 | |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
PAYG Optus Plans
The following table shows selected Optus Long Expiry plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Long Expiry $10
min. cost $10 over 45 day expiry |
N/A | $10 | |
|
Long Expiry $20
min. cost $20 over 90 day expiry |
N/A | $20 | |
|
Long Expiry $30
min. cost $30 over 186 day expiry |
N/A | $30 | |
|
Long Expiry $40
min. cost $40 over 186 day expiry |
N/A | $40 | |
|
Long Expiry $50
min. cost $50 over 186 day expiry |
N/A | $50 | |
|
Long Expiry $60
min. cost $60 over 365 day expiry |
N/A | $60 | |
|
Long Expiry $70
min. cost $70 over 365 day expiry |
N/A | $70 | |
|
Long Expiry $80
min. cost $80 over 365 day expiry |
N/A | $80 | |
|
Long Expiry $100
min. cost $100 over 365 day expiry |
N/A | $100 | |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
PAYG Amaysim Plans
The following table shows selected of Amaysim Pay As You Go plan from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products from a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Basic As You Go
min. cost $10 over 365 days |
NA | $10 | |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
PAYG ALDI Mobile Plans
The following table shows selected ALDI Pay As You Go plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Pay As You Go $15
min. cost $15 over 365 days |
PAYG | $15 | |
|
Pay As You Go $25
min. cost $25 over 365 days |
PAYG | $25 | |
|
Pay As You Go $35
min. cost $35 over 365 days |
PAYG | $35 | |
| View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
How much data do I need?
It doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of data, even if it’s just for Googling directions or contacting someone outside of your voice and messaging apps. To determine just how much data you need, it is important to consider what you would be using the data to do.
For example, if you’re just using maps, occasionally doing some web browsing and checking an email or two, spending less than 10 hours a month connected to mobile data, you’d probably be okay with between 1GB and 10GB of data per month.
Should I get a low-data plan?
If you’re someone that doesn’t do a whole lot of web browsing or social media scrolling while you’re not connected to WiFi, there’s no point paying for a whole boatload of data that you’re simply not going to use. However, data is one of those things that you’d rather have and not need, than need and not have, so a low-data plan may be the solution to meet your needs.
There are a range of low-data plans around the $10 per month mark, including unlimited standard talk and text, so having a little bit of data isn’t necessarily going to break the bank.
However, if you are certain that data is not for you, there are PAYG options that are still available to keep you connected.
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