5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage

Avoid excess data usage charges on your smartphone or tablet

By
Bradley Mitchell
Bradley Mitchell
Writer
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • University of Illinois
An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking.
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Updated on October 3, 2024
Reviewed by
Jerrick Leger
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Reviewed by Jerrick Leger
    Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.
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    Unless you have an unlimited data plan for your smartphone or tablet, your service plan limits the amount of data you can use every billing cycle.

    To avoid exceeding these limits and incurring excess billing charges, monitor your data usage on a smartphone or tablet using one of these popular apps.

    Some of the apps are free, while others charge a small fee. Some are available for iOS and Android, while others are available only for iOS.

    01
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    DataMan

    DataMan data usage monitoring app
    What We Like

    • Easy-to-visualize alerts about potential overages.

    • Hour-by-hour grid helps visualize usage patterns.

    • App for watchOS.

    What We Don't Like

    • App instructions are sometimes confusing.

    • A blend of simplicity and in-depth reporting.

    The DataMan app for iOS devices reports usage only for a device's cellular communication and also for Wi-Fi connections.

    It tracks cellular and Wi-Fi in real time and has a "smart forecast" feature that predicts if you'll stay within your data cap.

    DataMan has a handy widget for checking your usage at a glance, and the app alerts you before you reach your data cap.

    This iOS app is $0.99 and offers a Pro subscription as a monthly or annual in-app purchase with more functionality. The app is compatible with iOS 16.6 or watchOS 9.6 or later.

    02
    of 05

    myAT&T

    myATT app data usage information
    What We Like

    • Assesses usage against carrier's stats.

    • Looks at whole account, not just the device.

    • Entire AT&T portfolio, including DSL and DirecTV.

    What We Don't Like

    • User complaints that app is inaccurate.

    • Clunky card-based app design.

    AT&T subscribers can use the myAT&T app to stay on top of their accounts, view official data usage reports, and perform other account administration functions. Information for all accounts is available on the main screen of the app.

    Use the app to monitor your usage, manage your wireless account, view billing details, pay your bill, upgrade your phone or plan, and make changes to your plan.

    The free app is compatible with iOS 15 and Android 7.0 and up.

    Text myATT to 556699 from any device, and the company sends a link to download the app.

    Download For:

    03
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    My Data Manager VPN Security

    My Data Manager data usage monitoring app
    What We Like

    • Good reports.

    • Checks account-level, not only device-level, usage.

    What We Don't Like

    • Embedded VPN on a free product is dicey.

    • User complaints in the App Store about the VPN.

    Take control of your data with the free My Data Manager app on your mobile device. Use the app every day to track how much data you use and receive alerts before you fly past your data limit.

    The free iOS version of the app is called My Data Manager VPN Security and says it "secures your internet traffic with VPN technology and encrypts your unprotected data" and tracks how much data you use per app. The Android version sticks to monitoring data usage.

    Usage-monitoring features of both apps include the ability to monitor mobile, roaming, and Wi-Fi connections. It supports custom usage alarms to avoid overage charges and offers shared and family plans with tracking across all members' devices.

    The free app is compatible with iOS 14.1 and later and Android 6.0 and later.

    Download For:

    04
    of 05

    My Verizon

    My Verizon Mobile app for monitoring data usage
    What We Like

    • Clean, crisp design.

    • Account-level view into your Verizon relationship.

    • For a carrier-designed app, it gets good ratings.

    What We Don't Like

    • Limited usage reporting.

    • Emphasis on upsells.

    Verizon Wireless subscribers can use the free My Verizon app to check official data usage against plan limits. It works best with recent or unlimited plans.

    The My Verizon app offers basic data-monitoring capabilities as well as additional services such as reviewing and managing your plan, viewing and paying your bill, getting on-demand support, and shopping for new devices and accessories.

    The free app is compatible with iOS 14.0 and up and Android 7.0 and higher.

    Download For:

    05
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    Data Usage

    Data Usage data usage monitoring app
    What We Like

    • Clean user interface.

    • Align the app to your service contract.

    • Notification system for overage risk.

    What We Don't Like

    • No recent updates.

    • Device requirements for the Android app.

    • Manufacturer contact information is unclear.

    The Data Usage app is easy to install and uses theme colors that change to reflect current usage status. This app includes all the essential features of a data-monitoring system, including the ability to track over time periods that match your billing cycle.

    It monitors mobile data and Wi-Fi in real time and lets you set usage alerts. Data Usage can help you set daily quotas and predict when you'll go over your limits.

    The iOS app is $0.99 and requires iOS 9.0 or later. It works with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. A Pro in-app upgrade includes additional options for custom usage counters.

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