Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for determining a data transmission mode, and a computer storage medium. The method includes: determining, by a terminal, a small data transmission mode corresponding to service data based on a preset policy, where small data refer to data of which data amount is less than or equal to a preset value; acquiring, by the terminal, the small data transmission mode supported by the base station through a system message; and transmitting, by the terminal, the service data through the small data transmission mode; where the small data transmission mode comprises at least one of: the terminal migrates from an inactive state to a full connection state, and transmits the service data in the full connection state; or the terminal transmits the service data in the inactive state.