Top 10 Cheapest Data Bundles In South Africa (2025)

We use data for everything we do. Determining the cheapest data bundles and providers in South Africa is a compilation headache. This is because of the marketing tactics of the network providers who like to occasionally drop prices so low, so as to send ripples through the markets, and attract all the new customers they can, before they reset the prices right back up to where they were before.

However, by looking at the bigger, more stable data bundles especially by examining the prices over a longer period of time, you can find that it is possible to determine the cheapest data bundles in South Africa with relative accuracy.

The following paragraphs contain information about the cheapest data bundles on offer in the South African market, and also some information about the providers.

Top 10 Cheapest Data Bundles in South Africa 

1. MTN 15 MB Hourly (R 2/hour – ~R 0.13/MB)

  • Data: 15 MB
  • Validity: 1 hour
  • Price: R 2
  • Rate: ~R 0.13/MB
  • Why it’s cheap: Offers ultra‑low cost burst access for very light usage. At only 15 MB/hour for R 2, it’s cost‑effective if you just need a quick check or messaging access.

2. MTN 1 GB Hourly (R 30/hour – ~R 0.029/MB)

  • Data: 1 GB
  • Validity: 1 hour
  • Price: R 30
  • Rate: ~R 0.03/MB
  • Use case: Ideal if you need a sizable chunk quickly. Tens of times cheaper per MB than many daily bundles.

3. MTN One‑Day 25 MB (R 5 – ~R 0.20/MB)

  • Data: 25 MB
  • Validity: 1 day
  • Price: R 5
  • Rate: ~R 0.20/MB
  • Good for: Users needing very minimal daily access.

4. MTN One‑Day 50 MB (R 8 – ~R 0.16/MB)

  • Data: 50 MB
  • Validity: 1 day
  • Price: R 8
  • Rate: ~R 0.16/MB

5. Vodacom Daily 20 MB (Midnight bundle – R 5 – ~R 0.25/MB)

  • Data: 20 MB
  • Validity: until midnight of purchase
  • Price: R 5
  • Rate: ~R 0.25/MB
  • Note: Activatable via midnight bundles, useful for ultra‑budget usage during night time.

6. Vodacom Weekly 120 MB (R 17 – ~R 0.14/MB)

  • Data: 120 MB
  • Validity: 7 days
  • Price: R 17
  • Rate: ~R 0.14/MB

7. MTN Daily Social: 500 MB (R 5 – social apps only – ~R 0.01/MB)

  • Data: 500 MB
  • Validity: 1 day
  • Price: R 5
  • Rate: ~R 0.01/MB—but restricted to apps like WhatsApp, Facebook
  • Super‑cheap if you only use social.

8. Vodacom Monthly Prepaid 240 MB (R 29 – ~R 0.12/MB)

  • Data: 240 MB
  • Validity: 30 days
  • Price: R 29
  • Rate: ~R 0.12/MB

9. MTN Prepaid Monthly 100 MB (R 20 – ~R 0.20/MB)

  • Data: 100 MB
  • Validity: 30 days
  • Price: R 20
  • Rate: ~R 0.20/MB
  • Entry tier: Great for basic standby usage, SMS + light browsing.

10. Cell C Everyday 1 GB + Night 2 GB Monthly (R 100 – ~0.03 R/MB total)

  • Data: 1 GB daytime + 2 GB night
  • Validity: 30 days
  • Price: R 100
  • Effective rate: ~R 0.03/MB
  • Reasonable volume + carry‑over possibly.

Honourable Mentions & MVNO Picks

These bundles offer excellent data-per-Rand but slightly higher price or limitations:

Capitec Connect / Afrihost (MTN MVNO)

  • Afrihost mobile data: 1 GB for R 30, 3 GB for R 90, 10 GB for R 150 with 3‑month rollover window—very cost‑effective (~R 0.015–0.05/MB).
  • Capitec Connect offers data that does not expire, which is unique in SA’s market.

Rain Data‑Only SIM (limited coverage)

  • Offers packages such as 10 GB (5 GB day + 5 GB night) for R 59 (~R 0.0059/MB) – extremely cheap.
  • Coverage is limited and may rely on limited LTE/5G in select provinces.

Telkom Night Surfer / LTE

  • Telkom’s “Night Surfer” plan: Unlimited during 00:00–07:00 for R 250 per month, plus top‑up bundles (e.g. 7 GB for R 99 daytime). Combined plan can cost ~R 348 with very heavy night‑time allowance.

Why These Made the Top 10

We selected these bundles based on:

  • Lowest cost per MB, especially for limited or app‑dedicated data.
  • Absolute price—starting offers under R 10 – R 20.
  • Flexibility—short‑term, monthly, night‑only, rollover where applicable.
  • Inclusivity—only bundles that are currently advertised and available without complicated contracts.

Cheapest Bundles at a Glance

Rank Provider Bundle Validity Data Price (ZAR) Approx. Cost/MB
1 MTN Hourly 15 MB 1 hr 15 MB R 2 R 0.13/MB
2 MTN Hourly 1 GB 1 hr 1 GB R 30 R 0.03/MB
3 MTN One‑Day 25 MB 1 day 25 MB R 5 R 0.20/MB
4 MTN One‑Day 50 MB 1 day 50 MB R 8 R 0.16/MB
5 Vodacom Midnight Daily 20 MB until midnight 20 MB R 5 R 0.25/MB
6 Vodacom Weekly 120 MB 7 days 120 MB R 17 R 0.14/MB
7 MTN Daily Social 500 MB 1 day social‑only R 5 R 0.01/MB (social only)
8 Vodacom Monthly Prepaid 240 MB 30 days 240 MB R 29 R 0.12/MB
9 MTN Monthly Prepaid 100 MB 30 days 100 MB R 20 R 0.20/MB
10 Cell C 1 GB day + 2 GB night Monthly 30 days 3 GB total R 100 R 0.03/MB

🔍 Tips Before You Buy

1. Coverage Matters

  • MTN and Vodacom offer the most extensive network coverage nationwide.
  • Cell C, Rain, and MVNOs may be cheaper but could suffer in rural or fringe areas.

2. Rollover Policy

  • Afrihost / Capitec MVNO options offer data rollover, something most big operators don’t allow.

3. Social‑Only Bundles

  • Plans like MTN’s Daily Social allow truly unbeatable rates—but are restricted to platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp.

4. Activation Codes / Methods

  • Most bundles are activated via USSD codes: e.g. MTN 1362#, Vodacom *135#, Telkom *180#. Apps like Vodapay or MyMTN often show better deals.

5. Validity & Re‑purchase Frequency

  • Hourly and daily bundles require frequent manual purchase; if that’s inconvenient, consider weekly or monthly options.
  • Some monthly bundles allow carry‑over if repurchased before expiry.

Additional Options Worth Exploring

The following may be cost effective, depending on each individual’s data usage.

Telkom offers various pricing tiers, including Once‑Off and recurring bundles; their Night Surfer plan is attractive if you’re comfortable with early‑morning unlimited usage.

MVNOs like Spot Mobile, Afrihost, or Melon Mobile often offer attractive packages—e.g., Afrihost’s 10 GB for R 150 with rollover.

Final Thoughts

  • For ultra‑budget, occasional use, MTN’s hourly bundles (R 2 for 15 MB or R 30 for 1 GB) give you top‑tier bang per Rand.
  • If you just need social media access, MTN’s 500 MB daily social bundle at R 5 is unbeatable at ~R 0.01/MB.
  • For basic standby or light monthly data, Vodacom’s 240 MB for R 29, or MTN’s 100 MB for R 20 are solid.
  • If you need more data and want overall value, the Cell C 1 GB day + 2 GB night for R 100 is great.
  • Looking for longer‑term rollover and minimal fuss? Consider Afrihost on MTN, or Capitec Connect for non‑expiring data.
  • Rain’s 10 GB for R 59 is ludicrously cheap—but network coverage may be patchy depending where you are.

Which to Choose?

  • If you only need data occasionally and want lowest cost: go with MTN hourly or one‑day bundles.
  • If social apps are all you need: MTN’s Daily Social bundle.
  • For light monthly needs under 500 MB: Vodacom or MTN entry plans.
  • For more volume and day‑night flexibility: Cell C’s 1 GB+2 GB bundle.
  • For bigger volumes and rollover: Afrihost / Capitec / Rain, if you’re in an area with coverage.

Remember:

  • Prices and availability can change—always check the operator’s official website or app before purchase.
  • Check your coverage in your area—some cheap bundles are only viable in cities with good signal.
  • Social bundles do not support full browsing or streaming—only designated apps.
  • Some deals require dialing specific codes or activating special tariff profiles first.

Wrap‑Up

Here’s a recap of the top 10 cheapest data bundles in South Africa right now, focusing on absolute cost, cost per MB, and practical usefulness. Whether you want tiny bursts for messaging, or affordable performance for social media, or larger packages with night-time data and rollover, there’s something here for almost every light data user.

Let me know if you’d like help comparing for a specific use case (e.g. streaming, heavy browsing), or want details on how to activate any of these on your device.