Nowadays, it’s practically not possible to avoid a cellphone plan. But that doesn’t mean you’re limited to expensive contracts with major carriers. There are many low-cost cellphone plans available to maintain you connected without overpaying.
Whether you’re searching for unlimited data, overseas calling or an inexpensive plan for talk and text, you might have options. This guide will walk you thru six low-cost plans in the marketplace today. Keep reading for tips about how low-cost cellphone plans work and the way to find one of the best company for you.
Our Top Picks for the Best Low cost Cell Phone Plans
The 6 Best Low cost Cell Phone Plans Reviews
Most inexpensive cellphone providers are often called mobile virtual network operators or MVNOs. An MVNO cuts costs by leasing access to a serious cellphone provider’s network. The primary advantage of this technique is that it’s more cost-effective for the client, while still providing the identical coverage as a serious network. Nevertheless, MVNO customers may be deprioritized in busy areas, and a few budget cellphone corporations offer fewer perks and upgrades than major providers.
So, is a budget-friendly cellphone plan best for you? That is determined by what you’re searching for. The suitable low-cost service might provide all of the covers and features you would like while still helping you save. Below are six of one of the best low-cost cellphone plans available today. Read on for an honest review of every, including pros, cons and why we selected it.
Why we selected it: Tello Economy is an inexpensive cellphone plan that is reliable and transparent. That is among the best cellphone plans for individuals who don’t use loads of wireless data.
- Super low-cost plan
- Allows international calls
- Unlimited talk and text
- No contract required
- Limited data allowance
- No discounts for multiple lines
Tello is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide network, which provides 5G or 4G LTE coverage throughout 60% of the U.S.
At $10 per thirty days, the prepaid Economy plan is Tello’s most cost-effective option. With unlimited calls and texts, it’s ideal for somebody who uses their phone primarily for talking and texting. Free international calls are also included.
Tello Economy offers 1GB of information per thirty days. There isn’t a fee for those who use greater than this, but your data speed might be significantly reduced to 2G. For reference, an hour of browsing social media uses about 156MB or 15.6% of 1GB. Watching Netflix, however, uses about 1GB per hour.
Alongside the Economy plan, Tello also offers a no-data plan for individuals who only use their phones to text and call. Tello’s other plans are also inexpensive — you may make a choice from 2GB, 5GB, 10GB or unlimited data, and also you’re capable of customize the variety of minutes per thirty days you would like.
Tello Mobile offers a 24/7 customer helpline and has overall excellent customer reviews, with a rating of 4.5/5 stars on one third-party review site. Nevertheless, this isn’t one of the best plan for those who do loads of browsing, listening or watching. But for those who want an easy, low-cost plan for calling and texting, Tello Economy is among the best in the marketplace.
Why we selected it: Visible Unlimited is a low-cost plan with no contract and unlimited data. It’s option for a family or person that desires to get monetary savings without having to observe their data usage.
- Broad coverage through Verizon’s network
- High-speed data with no caps
- Choice to upgrade to Visible+ for more features
- No hidden taxes or fees
- Family plans aren’t customizable
- No discounts for multiple lines
- Data may be slow in high-traffic areas
Visible is a prepaid cellphone plan that runs on Verizon’s nationwide network. Covering 99% of the populated continental U.S., Verizon has probably the most extensive coverage of all major carriers.
Visible customers have access to fast 5G data wherever they go. Nevertheless, they might be deprioritized on the Verizon network in busy areas.
Monthly pricing for a person is $30 per thirty days, and $5 per thirty days for Visible+. Visible also offers a $20 rebate whenever you refer a friend to the plan (your friend may even get $20 off their first bill). There are not any caps on high-speed data for each member. Taxes and costs are included within the upfront cost.
A few of Visible’s extra features include an infinite mobile hotspot, unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada and spam protection. If you happen to use an Apple Watch or other smartwatch, you may add it to your plan for an extra $5 per thirty days.
Unfortunately, Visible doesn’t have one of the best reviews for customer support. Online complaints on sites just like the BBB report poor communication and difficulty contacting the corporate.
That said, there are not any contracts, and you may cancel your plan at any time. As most customer complaints check with device upgrades, we recommend connecting your individual functioning phone to Visible’s service.
This plan is best for somebody who wants unlimited data and multiple lines with no long-term commitment.
Why we selected it: AT&T Next Up is one in all the most affordable ways to upgrade to the most recent smartphone. With this plan, you may upgrade your phone yearly so long as you have paid off 50% of your current device.
- No upgrade or activation fees
- Get a brand new device yearly
- Works with all AT&T data plans
- Costlier than other plans
- Customers must meet certain credit requirements
- No pay-as-you-go option
If you happen to’re the form of one who all the time wants the newest tech, you would possibly want to think about AT&T Next Up. With this program, you get a 36-month contract to repay your recent phone. When you’ve made 50% of the payments, you might have the choice to trade it in for an early upgrade or keep paying it off.
Most recent phones can be found through Next Up, including the iPhone 14, Galaxy S23+ and Google Pixel 7. There isn’t a fee to upgrade and activate your recent device, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely free. You’ll still must pay taxes on the total retail price of the brand new phone.
AT&T Next Up isn’t a prepaid plan or MVNO — it isn’t as budget-friendly as a number of the other options on this list. However it is solution to save in your device upgrades. The plan allows you to bundle your cellphone service and device payments. For instance, for those who upgrade to a tool with a retail price of $799, you may pay $22.22 per thirty days for the device, plus a $6 monthly Next Up fee on top of your postpaid cellphone plan.
As a serious provider, AT&T offers widespread coverage and 24/7 customer support. Some customer complaints on the BBB report a scarcity of transparency in device upgrade pricing and contract length requirements.
Bear in mind that the AT&T Next Up plan is proscribed to existing customers or recent customers in good credit standing. If you happen to’re working in your credit, a prepaid plan could be best, but for those who enjoy regular device upgrades, AT&T Next may very well be option for you.
Why we selected it: Mint Mobile Unlimited stands out from the opposite pay-as-you-go plans for its low price and adaptability. You possibly can pay prematurely for a 3, six or 12-month period, in addition to select an information amount that most closely fits your needs.
- Select your pre-paid period
- Low price for unlimited data
- No hidden fees or charges
- Option so as to add data as you utilize it
- Must be paid prematurely
- Data speeds decelerate for those who overuse
- No month-to-month option
Mint Mobile is a prepaid coverage provider that runs on T-Mobile’s prolonged network. While Mint Mobile doesn’t offer a month-to-month prepaid plan, the Unlimited option is our top pay-as-you-go plan. Its low price and offers as much as 35GB of high-speed data per thirty days, plus unlimited texts and calls. If you happen to use greater than 35GB in a month, your data will decelerate but remains to be unlimited.
Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan offers one of the best value, at $30 per thirty days for 12 months paid in full. You possibly can access discounted rates through the Family plan starting with just two lines (the precise discount per line varies depending on each user’s plan). You possibly can connect your individual phone to Mint’s service or buy a brand new one through the provider.
Mint Mobile has 3.5/5 stars out of over 10,000 reviews on one popular third-party online review platform, with customers reporting helpful live chat support and reliable customer support. Nevertheless, it’s rated 1.18/5 stars from just 371 customers on the BBB. That low rating could also be resulting from a history of old or outdated complaints, as Mint remains to be a growing company, however it’s a vital consideration.
Mint cellphone plans are transparent and don’t include any fees or taxes. This provider is best for a customer who wants low-cost data coverage and is willing to pay upfront.
Why we selected it: Unlike other AT&T contracts, you may renew this prepaid plan monthly. It’s an inexpensive way for travelers to call and text from overseas and not using a contract.
- Low monthly fee
- Multiple payment tier options
- Expansive coverage in Europe
- Unlimited texting on all plans
- Limited coverage outside of Europe
- No unlimited data
- Reduced minutes on the most affordable plan
AT&T Prepaid offers add-ons for international travelers or individuals who have family and friends abroad.
- International calling – For a $10/month charge, you may add 250 minutes of free international calling to 70 countries and unlimited international texts to your prepaid plan. With an extra $5 per thirty days, you’ll get unlimited international minutes and might extend your coverage to over 230 countries, 85 of that are unlimited.
- International travel add-on – AT&T’s international travel add-on is one other bonus feature you may add to your prepaid plan if you need to call, text and use your data whilst you’re traveling. For $35, you’ll get unlimited talk and text, plus 5GB of international data for 7 days. Roaming coverage with this add-on is best in Europe, as AT&T has probably the most partner networks in that region. If you happen to’re traveling outside of Europe, coverage may be spotty, however it’s still an inexpensive option for texts and emergency calls.
Along with those add-on options, all of AT&T’s prepaid plans include unlimited talk, text and roaming data to Mexico and Canada, in addition to unlimited texts to over 230 countries.
As one in all the “Big Three” cellphone providers within the U.S., AT&T has extensive coverage. AT&T Prepaid allows you to access that coverage without an expensive contract. You’ll also get a free SIM card whenever you bring your individual phone.
AT&T has 24/7 customer support but mixed reviews from customers. Some reviews on popular third-party online review sites reflect difficulty getting a hold of customer support and a scarcity of transparency in contracts.
Why we selected it: With Google Fi Simply Unlimited, every line gets unlimited talk, text and data, plus 5GB of hotspot data for a monthly fee. While this isn’t the most affordable prepaid plan for a person, it’s one of the inexpensive group plans in the marketplace.
- Extensive coverage through T-Mobile and UScellular
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Reasonably priced for groups of 4
- Free roaming in Canada and Mexico
- Higher value for groups than individuals
- Limited collection of phones designed for the service
Google Fi Simply Unlimited offers a low-cost family bundle. Each recent line added to your bundle costs $20, as much as six lines (excluding any add-on features). The service includes free roaming in Canada and Mexico. This plan limits discounts to 6 people, so any additional lines might be charged the usual rate of $50 per person.
Google’s cell network uses T-Mobile and UScellular, which suggests you will get coverage just about in every single place. You possibly can bring your individual phone to Google Fi — each Android and iPhone devices can access 5G coverage. Nevertheless, Google’s “designed for Fi” phones can routinely switch between networks for optimal coverage. The present collection of “designed for Fi” phones is proscribed and doesn’t include iPhones.
That is among the best family cellphone plans with no contract. It’s fairly easy to administer and comes with 24/7 customer support over the phone or through live chat. Reviews for the Google Fi app on the Apple App Store and Google Play report some data connectivity issues, but fair pricing and transparent customer support.
This plan is right for an Android user who desires to bundle multiple lines without the effort of a contract.
Other Low cost Cell Phone Plans We Considered
Consumer Cellular
With discounts for AARP members, Consumer Cellular is among the best prepaid cellphone plans for seniors, but only for many who don’t use much data. It doesn’t offer any unlimited plans and may be expensive for a person line.
- Easy, straightforward plans
- Discounts for AARP members
- Multiple data plan options
- No smartphone upgrades
- Can get expensive
Cricket Wireless Unlimited
Cricket Wireless, an MVNO operated by AT&T, is a preferred alternative to major carriers. The Unlimited plan offers a good family package with unlimited data. It has good coverage through AT&T’s network but is pricier than other prepaid options.
- Good deal for families of 4
- Unlimited hotspot data
- Taxes included in the worth
- Expensive for a prepaid plan
- Not one of the best value for people
Boost Mobile 1GB Plan
Boost Mobile offers a low-cost 1GB plan for individuals who don’t use much data. This 12-month plan has no contract, but you will need to pay the total yr upfront to get one of the best deal. Unlike Mint Mobile’s 12-month prepaid plan, Boost Mobile’s most cost-effective plans don’t include unlimited data.
- Unlimited talk and text
- No charge for overusing data
- A low-cost option for individual lines
- Only 1GB of information per thirty days
- Must be paid annually
Low cost Cell Phone Plans Guide
If you happen to’re searching for inexpensive cellphone plans, keep your priorities in mind. Do you would like multiple lines, unlimited data or overseas usage? Do you need to pay as you go, prepay or lock right into a contract?
Even one of the best, low-cost no-contract cellphone plans require some commitment. This guide will cover what it’s worthwhile to consider when trying to find one of the best plan for you.
Forms of cellphone plans
The important thing factor that sets several types of phone plans apart is the way you pay for them. You possibly can decide to pay prematurely or arrange a contract and pay your bill monthly.
Usually, prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans are more cost-effective than contract plans, but that isn’t all the time the case. Contracts may be helpful for families who need to bundle multiple lines, device upgrades and other services into one monthly bill. Here’s a more detailed have a look at each plan type.
Pay-as-you-go
A pay-as-you-go plan is strictly what it appears like. You pay for a certain time period or allotment of information, and when it’s up, you may decide to pay again or switch to a different provider.
Pay-as-you-go could be best for those who:
- Wish to test out a service before you join for a contract
- Are on a good budget
- Only need limited data
- Need the service for a short while (like whenever you’re traveling)
Prepaid
Prepaid plans differ barely from pay-as-you-go since you prepay for a certain time period, not usage.
If you happen to overuse data in your prepaid plan, you could be charged a fee or must take care of slower data until the following payment period (your provider might limit you to 2G or 3G data). Some plans include unlimited data for a rather higher rate. These are no-contract plans, so you may cancel your service at any time.
It is advisable to join for a prepaid plan for those who:
- Want unlimited data and not using a contract
- Want to incorporate multiple lines in your plan
- Have already got a phone
- Have a low credit rating or no credit
Postpaid
A postpaid plan, or contract plan, is the everyday cellphone plan that comes with a monthly bill. These plans are likely to be a little bit pricier on the surface than prepaid plans, but for those who bundle multiple services, you would possibly get monetary savings in the long term.
One vital thing to think about is that contract cellphone plans can affect your credit, especially for those who’re paying off a brand new device together with your provider. If you happen to miss a payment or end your contract early, it’ll hurt your credit rating.
Postpaid plans may be paid routinely and don’t require much maintenance once the contract starts. A postpaid cellphone plan could be value the associated fee for those who:
- Want to incorporate multiple lines
- Frequently upgrade your phone and wish one of the best deals
- Are involved in discounts on accessories and streaming services
- Don’t want the effort of monthly prepayments
- Are in good credit standing
What to think about when selecting a cellphone plan
Listed below are a couple of key aspects you’ll need to take into account before you join for a brand new plan, including the associated fee, variety of lines and usage features.
Cost
The associated fee of cellphone plans can vary dramatically, from as low-cost as $10 per thirty days to well over $200 per thirty days for multiple lines. Bear in mind that low-cost cellphone plans may not include one of the best coverage. The most cost effective plans have limited minutes and data. Plus, users could also be deprioritized on the network they’re using, meaning they’ll get slower service in busy areas.
Prepaid plans are almost all the time more cost-effective than contract plans. In addition they will let you upgrade at any time. If you happen to pick the most affordable plan and realize you would like more text, calls or data, you may all the time switch to a higher-priced tier in your next pay period.
Variety of lines
If you need to bundle multiple lines, keep a watch out for one of the best low-cost family cellphone plans. With these plans, the associated fee for every line is reduced as you add more people. Most family plans have a cap on discounts, though.
Many prepaid and postpaid plans offer family discounts. The precise discount rate is determined by your carrier, however it’s almost all the time cheaper to bundle your lines than to pay each individually.
Also, you don’t must be a family to get in on these deals. You possibly can bundle your cellphone plan with friends, partners or roommates to get monetary savings.
Typical data usage
How much data do you utilize per thirty days? Is unlimited data a necessity, or are you able to get by with 5GB or less? One of the best low-cost cellphone plans with unlimited data are sometimes prepaid plans. Nevertheless, it is feasible to get an inexpensive unlimited plan with a contract, especially for multiple lines.
If you happen to’re unsure how much data you usually use, have a look at the settings in your current phone. You must find a way to see how much data you utilize per thirty days — that provides you with an idea of what you may cut down on and the way much you really want.
Overseas usage
Do you commonly travel or contact people overseas? In that case, search for a plan that provides free or low-cost international coverage.
Overseas calls and texts aren’t as expensive today as they was once. Loads of prepaid and postpaid cellphone plans include free or low-cost international minutes. Data, however, can get expensive whilst you’re traveling. If you need to use your data whilst you’re overseas, refer to your provider about the most affordable offers.
switch cellphone plans
If the monthly cost of your phone plan is simply too high otherwise you aren’t completely happy with the service, it could be time to change cellphone plans. With a prepaid plan, switching is fairly easy. Just find one other provider you want and switch once your payment period is up. There shouldn’t be any fees for canceling.
Contract plans may be a little bit more complicated. Canceling your service might include a small fee, especially if it’s in the midst of an annual or monthly payment period. Read over the small print of your contract rigorously and speak to your provider’s customer support to learn more.
Before you turn from a contract to a prepaid plan, make sure that all of your devices are completely paid off. You could be charged for the remaining retail price of your phone plus fees for those who end a contract early.
Best Low cost Cell Phone Plans FAQ
What’s data in cellphone plans?
Data is measured in gigabytes (GB). Some plans include a limited amount of gigabytes per thirty days, which limits how much browsing you may do whilst you’re not on Wi-Fi. Unlimited plans are best if it’s worthwhile to hook up with the web commonly whilst you’re on the go.
How much are taxes and costs on cellphone plans?
A few of one of the best low-cost prepaid cellphone plans include taxes and costs within the upfront cost. Others charge them individually.
What’s one of the best cellphone plan for teenagers?
Prepaid cellphone plans may be great for teenagers, especially in the event that they won’t be using much data. Depending in your provider, you would possibly find a way so as to add a talk-and-text line to your plan for a low monthly cost.
What’s one of the best cellphone plan for seniors?
Amongst the various low-cost plans available, Consumer Cellular is among the best cellphone providers for seniors because it offers discounts to AARP members. However it all comes right down to what you are searching for. A straightforward monthly plan through Tello or one other prepaid provider could be perfect for somebody who only wants to make use of their phone to call and text.
How We Selected the Best Low cost Cell Phone Plans
We looked into a couple of key aspects to find out one of the best inexpensive cellphone plans. Except for the associated fee, we also considered the next features:
- Broad coverage and network reliability – One of the best low-cost phone plans shouldn’t compromise the standard of your coverage.
- Number of plan options – We searched for providers that provide multiple plans, so you may upgrade as your budget (or family) grows.
- Transparency and hidden fees – We read the fantastic print and looked into customer reviews to make sure that the phone plans on this list are really as inexpensive as advertised.
- Helpful customer support – Quite a lot of MVNO providers don’t have stores for in-person customer support, so a responsive live chat service or customer helpline is crucial.
- Positive customer reviews – One of the best low-cost cellphone providers receive positive reviews on neutral third-party platforms, in addition to limited complaints on sites just like the BBB.