New tool: Compare mobile data prices for prepaid bundles

Technology in SA
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I have just added another free tool to the site, a tool to compare prepaid mobile data prices.

The idea is simple. Prepaid data pricing in South Africa is a mess, because every network packages data, validity and bonus gigs in a slightly different way, so comparing them in your head is almost impossible. This tool does the work for you. You tell it roughly how much data you use in a month, and it instantly ranks the cheapest deal across Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom, plus the MVNOs Melon, AirMobile, Capitec Connect, FNB Connect and Nedbank Connect.

A few things I tried to get right.

It ranks on anytime data, the data you can actually use during the day. Free late night data shows up as a bonus and only counts if you tell it you can use data after midnight.

Telkom sells most of its prepaid data in three and six month bundles rather than monthly ones, so those appear in a separate bulk buy section, with the real upfront price and the per month equivalent, instead of pretending it is a normal monthly deal.

Melon includes unlimited calls and SMS on every plan, so if you make a lot of calls the tool flags that for you.

The MVNOs all ride on the big networks, so your coverage matches the host network. Melon, AirMobile and Nedbank Connect run on MTN, while Capitec Connect and FNB Connect run on Cell C. One nice quirk, Capitec Connect data does not expire, and you get 20% extra free if you link the SIM to your Capitec bank account. Nedbank Connect is the newest addition. It also rides MTN and its data prices match AirMobile to the rand, but it is open only to people who already hold a Nedbank account.

One honesty note on Cell C. Their own site only shows bundle prices once you enter a SIM number, so I am pulling those figures from a data price tracker rather than from Cell C’s own checkout. Treat them as a close guide and confirm in the Cell C app before you buy. The same “check before you buy” rule applies to everyone, Cell C is just the one I could not read straight off the source.

Prices were checked on 30 May 2026. Networks change their deals often, so always confirm the current price on the operator’s own site or app before you buy.

Try it here: Cheapest Mobile Data in South Africa (2026) | Compare

I would love to hear what you actually pay for data each month, and whether the tool lands on the same deal you already use. If I have missed a network or an MVNO you rate, tell me and I will look at adding it.

Update, 3 June 2026: added Nedbank Connect (thanks Nebula for the suggestion).

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Ja this is actually useful. Out here on the plaas we dont have fibre or anything like that, everything runs on prepaid data. I been with the same network for years just because I cant be bothered to work it out, but I know im probably paying too much. Will have a look at this tool. My son keeps saying I must switch but I just want to know the numbers properly before I do anything. Good initiative Daniel, these networks make it complicated on purpose I think.

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Thanks Johan, that is exactly the kind of person I built it for.

Quick heads up for anyone following this one. I have expanded the comparator since I first posted it. On top of Vodacom, MTN and Telkom, it now also covers Cell C and four MVNOs, namely Melon, AirMobile, Capitec Connect and FNB Connect. So if you are out on the plaas and just want the cheapest gig that runs on a decent network, there are a lot more options to weigh up now.

One correction on my original post too. I first said Melon runs on Cell C, but it actually runs on MTN these days, the same as AirMobile. Capitec Connect and FNB Connect are the ones on Cell C. I have fixed that above.

Johan, if you tell me roughly how much data you go through in a month, I will tell you what the tool reckons is your cheapest move.

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JohanBloem you sound exactly like my brother in law, been on the same network since the flip phone days and just pays whatever they ask. Worth running your numbers Johan, those MVNOs surprised me. Capitec Connect especially, the wife switched and she’s paying half what she used to for the same gigs.

Daniel nice one, this is the sort of thing that actually helps ordinary people. One thing I’ll add from years of dealing with people’s setups, a cheap gig is no good if the signal where you live is rubbish, so check the coverage on your own stoep before you jump networks. Out my way the MTN tower gives me one bar on a good day, doesn’t matter how cheap the data is if it won’t load.

Out on the plaas Johan you’ll know what I mean. Good initiative though, I’ll send this to the kids so they stop telling me I’m being robbed and actually show me the numbers.

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What about including other MVNOs, e.g. Nedbank (but need to be an account holder). Also most people will want some voice/sms and a bundled approach such as Melon is very attractive. Should have a separate bundling comparison.

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Good shout, Nebula. Nedbank’s on the list for the next update. The bundling idea is a fair one too, plenty of folks need voice and SMS alongside their data, so I’ll look at adding a view that factors those in. Melon is a good example of why that matters, you are not just buying gigs there. Thanks for the nudge.

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Quick update, Nebula. You were spot on, Nedbank Connect is now in the tool. Turns out it runs on MTN and its data prices match AirMobile to the rand, so I’ve added it with a note that it is open only to Nedbank account holders, and that you can get the same deal on AirMobile without the account. Thanks for the push.

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