Advertisement
Helium Mobile is rolling out multiple plan changes that will directly impact existing customers, according to several reports from Reddit users (1, 2) and updates to the company's help & support pages. The changes are set to take effect on January 27, 2026, and include new charges on its free plan, how data works on that plan, as well as the discontinuation of its legacy paid plans. Helium Mobile is a wireless provider that uses T-Mobile’s network along with Helium’s own crowd-sourced built wireless infrastructure for coverage.
Helium’s “Free” Plan Will No Longer Be Fully Free
One of the most notable changes is that Helium Mobile’s Zero plan will no longer be completely free. Customers on the plan will now be responsible for paying federal and state taxes and fees. Additionally, some users will have less data to use with their plan. Helium Mobile has changed the plan such that only 1GB of data will be available to use over T-Mobile's nationwide network. The other 2GB of free data will only be available to you if you are in an area covered by the Helium Network.
Federal taxes are expected to be just pennies, but state and local wireless fees can add up, potentially pushing the monthly cost of the plan above $1 or more, depending on location.
The Zero plan currently includes:
- 100 minutes
- 300 text messages
- 3GB of data
Legacy $5 and $20 Unlimited Plans Are Being Discontinued
Helium Mobile is also eliminating its legacy $5 and $20 unlimited plans. A Helium Mobile help and support webpage says customers who don't switch plans on their own will automatically be switched to Helium's $15/month "Air" plan, which includes 10GB of data. Automatic switchers will receive a 1GB complimentary data boost. Customers automatically switching to the plan from the $5 plan will also receive a $10 account credit.
Subscribers who elect to change plans on their own instead of automatic switching are being offered two promos.
- Switch to the Air or $30 Infinity plan (36GB) and receive 50% off the plan price for 1 year, plus $50 in Cloud Points
- Switch to the Zero plan and receive $10 in Cloud Points
Helium says its Cloud Points can be redeemed for gift cards to the movies, restaurants, ride shares, to pay for your monthly bill or to purchase add-ons. Cloud Points are also earned by customers simply by using the data their plans come with.
Helium limits how often its subscribers can switch plans to once every 60 days, so if you do need a new plan from them take a minute to make sure you are getting what you really want and need.
A Look Back at Helium Mobile’s Original Plans
Helium Mobile’s now-discontinued $5 plan launched during the company’s beta phase in August 2023 in the Miami, Florida area. The plan included unlimited talk, text, and data, with the first 30GB at high speeds.
That offering was followed by a nationwide $20/month unlimited plan launch in December 2023.
A summary of Helium's changes can be found in the table below.
| Plan | Price | Data | Talk & Text | Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero (Old) | $0 | 3GB | 100 min / 300 txt | Taxes & fees included, up to 3GB T-Mobile data |
| Zero (New) | $0 + taxes | 3GB | 100 min / 300 txt | Taxes & fees now charged only 1GB of free data to use on T-Mobile, 2GB on Helium |
| $5 Unlimited | $5 | ~30GB HS | Unlimited | Discontinued |
| $20 Unlimited | $20 | ~30GB HS | Unlimited | Discontinued |
| Air | $15 | 10GB | Unlimited | Default replacement plan |
| Air (Auto-Switch) | $15 | 11GB* | Unlimited | *Includes 1GB bonus & $10 account credit |
| Infinity | $30 | 36GB | Unlimited | 50% off if switched manually, $15/month |
Editor's Take
Helium had been eating the cost of the taxes on its free plan since it launched nearly one year ago. The company has received funding from venture capital over the years including $200 million from multiple sources in 2022.
The elimination of legacy plans, the reduction of free data available to use on T-Mobile's network, and the decision to pass taxes and fees onto customers may indicate that Helium’s investors are beginning to look for a return on their investment, or that the company is shifting toward a more sustainable cost structure after burning through early-stage capital.
Even with taxes and fees being now being charged for their free "Zero" plan, it still provides excellent value to consumers. However, there is an alternative free plan provider out there if this change makes you want to switch providers.
TextNow has offered a free plan for a few years, and does not charge taxes and fees. Their free plan uses T-Mobile's network for coverage and includes unlimited talk and text and free data restricted for usage with select services such as email, GPS and rideshare apps. They also offer on-demand paid data such as unlimited data for $2.99 per day. However, voice calls use VOiP, and talk and text requires the use of their app.
Helium Mobile
This article is part of our Helium Mobile coverage. Jump to the BestMVNO Helium Mobile brand hub for plans & deals or browse the latest news.
they no longer limit how often you can switch plans. the account is cancelled if you don’t use data once in 90 days so not good for travelers.
I was an original beta tester and was on the 5 dollar plan. Isn’t the end of the world that it is ending but the the staff on the Reddit forums have been less than professional and I have seen several post get pulled that reference the original email stating “ Participating users will receive the Unlimited Plan Beta promo price for as long as they remain a Helium Mobile subscriber. Service cancellation forfeits this special rate.” I mean I get that they need to pivot but their approach and handling give me the impression there is chaos internally
Zero plan 3GB data has been degraded also. You fail to mention that previously all 3GB were available on T-Mobile cellular network if needed. After January 27 only 1GB will be available on mobile network, the other 2GB are only available on Helium hotspots.