Top 5 Apps for Monitoring Mobile Data Usage

Unless you have an unlimited data plan for your smartphone or tablet, you have a service plan that limits the amount of data you can transfer online every billing cycle. To avoid exceeding these limits and incurring excess billing charges, monitor data usage on a smartphone or tablet using one of these popular apps. Some of the apps are free; others charge a small fee.

Data Usage

What We Like

Clean user interface.
Align the app to your service contract.
Notification system for overage risk.

What We Don't Like

No updates since 2017.
Device requirements for the Android app.
Not enough downloads for a star rating in the iOS App Store.

The Data Usage app is easy to install and uses theme colors that change to reflect current usage status. The app includes all the essential features of a data monitoring system:

The ability to track over time periods that match a user's billing cycles
Separate tracking for real-time monitoring of cellular and Wi-Fi data
Historical usage reports
Ability to set thresholds and receive notifications for exceeded limits
Predicting when you will go over your limits and setting daily quotas

An available Data Usage Pro app for iOS includes additional options for configuring customized trackers that might appeal to techies.

The iOS app requires iOS 9.0 or later. The Android app requirements vary by device.

Data Usage for Android

Data Usage for iOS

DataMan Pro

What We Like

Easy-to-visualize alerts about potential overages.
Hour-by-hour grid helps you visualize usage patterns.
App for watchOS.

What We Don't Like

App instructions are sometimes confusing.
A blend of simplicity and in-depth reporting makes for a mixed metaphor of an app.

The DataMan Pro app for iOS devices bills itself as "your superweapon against overage." This app reports usage not only for a device's cellular communication but also for Wi-Fi connections. Key features include:

Tracks LTE, 4G, 3G, and Wi-Fi
Maps locations where you use data
Supports rollover and carryover data
Maintains an hourly and daily history
Works with all carriers
Generates smart forecasts to predict whether you'll stay within your data cap
Displays real-time stats
Makes intelligent suggestions for usage limits
Includes watchOS 4 app

Download DataMan Pro for iOS

My Data Manager

What We Like

Good reports and detailed, if boring, user interface.
Checks account-level, not just device-level, usage.

What We Don't Like

Embedded VPN on a free product is a warning sign for potential data and privacy risks.
User complaints in the App Store about the VPN.

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

Features of the My Data Manager app include:

Monitors mobile, roaming, and Wi-Fi
Supports custom usage alarms to avoid overage charges
Supports shared and family plans and tracks usage across all members' devices
Maintains history of data consumption
Monitors apps to see which ones consume the most data each month

One thing to take particular note of is the embedded VPN. Not only does this introduce data and privacy risks, but there are several user complaints about the VPN.

Download My Data Manager for Android

Download My Data Manager for iOS

myAT&T

What We Like

Works with AT&T to assess usage against the carrier's own stats and account-level information.
Looks at the whole account, not just the device, to assess overages.
Combines entire AT&T portfolio, including DSL and DirecTV.

What We Don't Like

Recent user complaints that the app is significantly 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 for their accounts, 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
Make changes to your plan

Download myAT&T for Android

Download myAT&T for iOS

My Verizon

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 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 capability, and you can: