Best mobile data deals in South Africa 2024 (plus the worst)

Best mobile data deals in South Africa 2024 (plus the worst)

Heavy internet users have every reason to smile since more pocket-friendly data deals continue to hit the market. It is time for the online community to enjoy full-blown internet access after spending restless months pushing for the #datamustfall campaign. ISPs continue to shed off expensive plans even as the market opens for a price war competition. So, what are the best mobile data deals in South Africa?

Best and worst mobile data deals South Africa
A woman using a smartphone while sipping a drink. Photo: pixabay.com, @Averyanovphoto
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Hunting for the cheapest data bundles in South Africa is still challenging, one of the reasons being the numerous options available. The problem is a cause of concern, given that regular data users are not yet aware of emergent and more affordable ISPs. Similarly, some customers are not informed about the newest data plans rolled out by established ISP companies.

Best mobile data deals in South Africa (plus the worst)

The inception of LTE-A significantly stirred the internet provision markets, making them highly competitive. As a result, consumers are now experiencing full-time internet connections with faster download rates and browsing speeds.

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Since worst and best are subjective terms, what you consider the best data bundle or ISP might not be the same for another person. People not only compare prices to the amount of data but also consider the speed, how long the data will be valid, and other factors.

Since it is becoming almost impossible to avoid data-hungry applications, consider using these cheapest data bundles in South Africa. Test several packages and ISPs to find the most suitable one:

1. Vodacom data deals

Vodacom has some of the cheapest prepaid mobile data in South Africa. The 30-day once-off data bundles are among their most affordable packages. Here are their prices:

DATA

PRICE

VALIDITY

50MB

R12

30 days

150MB

R29

30 days

325MB

R55

30 days

500MB

R79

30 days

1GB

R99

30 days

3GB

R299

30 days

4GB (REDHOTOFFER)

R299

30 days

5GB

R349

30 days

10GB + 10GB Free

R469

30 days

20GB

R699

30 days

2. Cell C data bundles

This is a cost cost-friendly communication company. Cell C tariff plans and airtime prices are highly affordable and competitive. Here are the costs for Cell C data bundles valid for 30 days:

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DATA

PRICE

VALIDITY

40MB Anytime

R12

30 days

65MB Anytime

R20

30 days

200MB Anytime

R29

30 days

600MB Anytime

R49

30 days

1.5GB Anytime + 1GB Nite

R80

30 days

2GB Anytime + 2GB Nite

R100

30 days

3GB Anytime + 3GB Nite

R149

30 days

4GB Anytime + 4GB Nite

R199

30 days

6GB Anytime + 5GB Nite

R249

30 days

12GB Anytime + 7GB Nite

R299

30 days

7GB Anytime + 10GB Nite

R399

30 days

3. MTN data deals

MTN offers cutting-edge monthly data plans for as little as R20. Improve your internet experience by subscribing to these MTN prepaid data bundles in South Africa in 2024:

DATA

PRICE

VALIDITY

100MB

R20

30 days

150MB

R29

30 days

200MB

R39

30 days

350MB

R60

30 days

500MB

R75

30 days

750MB

R89

30 days

1GB

R99

30 days

4. Telkom data deals

Telkom mobile data bundles provide reliable internet connection and enable fast downloads and browsing speeds. Provided below are Telkom Anytime data prices in South Africa.

DATA

PRICE

VALIDITY

25MB

R7.30

30 days

50MB

R14.65

30 days

100MB

R29.25

30 days

250MB

R39.50

30 days

500MB

R69.60

30 days

1GB

R100

30 days

How to buy data on Telkom

Dial *180# and select Telkom data specials. Alternatively, make your purchase through the self-service portal accessible on the company portal, visit a Telkom shop or even a mobile-based application. Prepaid plans come with minimal to no Telkom data contracts.

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5. SmartMobile mobile data deals

SmartMobile has some of the best mobile data deals in South Africa. It is also among the most reliable South African ISP companies. Here are SmartMobile's prices for the 30-day data bundles:

DATA

PRICE

VALIDITY

25MB

R8

30 days

50MB

R12

30 days

100MB

R20

30 days

250MB

R35

30 days

500MB

R49

30 days

1GB

R89

30 days

Which network has the cheapest data in South Africa?

Here is a comparison of the 1GB data packages from five leading ISPs in South Africa:

OPERATOR

DATA

PRICE

SmartMobile

1GB Anytime

R89

Vodacom

1GB Anytime

R99

MTN

1GB Anytime

R99

Cell C

1GB Anytime or 2GB Nite data

R100

Telkom

1GB Anytime or 1GB Nite data

R100

Please note that the Cell C Nite Data is valid between 01:00 and 07:00, while Telkom's Night Surfer Data is valid between 00:00 and 07:00.

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Which network has the best data deals in South Africa?

Please note that all mobile data deals in South Africa are bound to change from time to time. Here is a comparison of the 10GB data packages valid for a month from the top 5 ISPs in Mzansi:

OPERATOR

DATA

PRICE

VALIDITY

Vodacom

10GB

R605

30 days

Telkom

10GB

R505

30 days

Rain

10GB

R500

30 days

MTN

10GB

R499

30 days

Cell C

10GB

R499

30 days

Can you get unlimited data?

Several ISPs in South Africa offer unlimited data. These bundles help heavy internet consumers sustain their online presence without digging deeper into their wallets.

Which network has the cheapest unlimited data?

The cheapest unlimited data packages in South Africa are the 1MB per second WIFI deals. Most Mzansi ISPs had divided this service into three different deals, personal, premium, and business/office. Here is a price comparison from three leading companies:

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OPERATOR

DATA SPEED

PERSONAL

PREMIUM

BUSINESS/OFFICE

Afrihost

1MB per second

R45

R205

R316

Web Africa

1MB per second

R46

R69

R209

Vox Africa

1MB per second

R99

R99

R99

Vox Africa's 1MB per second WIFI service does not have different personal, premium, and business/office packages. Meanwhile, the second cheapest unlimited data packages in Mzansi are the 2MB per second WIFI deals:

OPERATOR

DATA SPEED

PERSONAL

PREMIUM

BUSINESS/OFFICE

Axess

2MB per second

R84

R285

R416

Afrihost

2MB per second

R87

R317

R417

Web Africa

2MB per second

R59

R89

R309

Vox Africa

2MB per second

R149

R149

R149

Cybersmart

2MB per second

R195

-

R329

Mweb

2MB per second

R99

R99

R99

Which mobile network is best in SA?

Vodacom and MTN are two of the best cell phone network in South Africa, with a long history of offering internet-enabling services.

First-time subscribers often find it hectic to identify the worst and best mobile data deals in South Africa due to the overwhelming choices in the market. Therefore, it would help if you refer them to our guide on the cheapest data plans for them to make informed buying decisions.

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DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

READ ALSO: Cheapest uncapped WIFI without a landline in South Africa

Briefly.co.za also posted some of the cheapest uncapped WIFI without a landline in South Africa. These internet services are offered on a monthly, annual, semi-annual, and quarterly subscription basis.

Uncapped WIFI means there is no threshold. Therefore, you will not experience slow speed, unlike capped WIFI, whose speed reduces when you use the internet up to a specific limit.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Peris Walubengo avatar

Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo has vast experience in search engine optimization through digital content generation, research, editing, and proofreading. She joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019 and completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.