Cellular Trail Camera Data Plans Compared: Which is Best?

Probably no other technology has impacted deer hunting more than cellular trail cameras in the last 10 years. Initially, they were very expensive and required you to add a line to your cell phone plan, limiting their usefulness. As with most technology, though, the prices came down with time and increased availability, and most camera companies now offer their own data plans. 

While it’s great that you can now buy a good cellular trail camera for less than the cost of a traditional trail camera just a few years back, the cost of a data plan can quickly add up for those running multiple cameras or getting lots of photos. If you’re looking to purchase a new camera, you need to not only consider the cost of the camera, but also the data plan, as that expense will likely surpass the cost of the camera in a short time. 

While I’ve been fairly happy with my Moultrie cell cams, as I set out to purchase some additional cameras, I decided to research the various data plans for my own benefit. And I figured as long as I was doing the research, I might as well share what I’ve learned here on Get Outdoors! South. I hope it’s a helpful resource for you as well.

What’s the Best Data Plan for You?

So, what’s the best data plan for your application? It really depends on how many cameras you plan to run, and how many photos you get per camera. If you’re a public land hunter like myself, who sets up cameras on trails, scrapes or natural pinch points, and doesn’t get a lot of photos, then one of the plans with a  free option may be the perfect option. That includes Spypoint and Wildgame Innovations.

If you’re planning on running multiple cameras and getting lots of photos, then Stealth Cam, Tactacam, or Wildgame Innovations may be your best bet. I will note that Tactacam has a great reputation and seems to be the camera of choice for many cellular trail cam users currently. I haven’t personally used a Tactacam, but it will likely be my next purchase.

To get an idea of which plan is best for running multiple cameras, we looked at the cost of running four cameras with unlimited photos. Those results are shared below.

Cost to run 4 cameras with unlimited photos

Camera Manufacturer	Monthly Cost
Browning	$71.96
Bushnell	$60.00
Covert	$80.00
Moultrie Mobile	$58.96
Muddy	$60.00
Spypoint	$60.00
Stealth Cam Fusion	$25.00
Tactacam	$49.00
Wildgame Innovations	$48.00

Summary

As the price of cellular trail cameras continues to drop, more and more deer hunters will take advantage of the advanced technology and benefits they provide. But it’s important for would-be users to look beyond just the cost of the camera and understand what it’s going to cost to continue operating the camera through deer season and often beyond. Hopefully this article cleared up some of the questions and confusion around those data plans so you can make an informed choice about your next (or first) cellular trail camera.