If you’ve ever seen a commercial for cell phone plans before, then you know that the rivalries between the major cell phone providers are fierce.
Being constantly badgered by cell phone advertisements only achieves one thing: confusion. What plans are more affordable? Who offers better customer service? Each cell phone provider is vying to be number one.
So what major carrier do we team up with?
At the end of the day, we all want an affordable cell phone plan that offers top-tier service so that when we encounter an issue, we won’t have to jump through hours upon hours of hoops or read through the finest of fine print.
We’re here to clear up the confusion.
If you’re on a budget yet also want mobile service on one of the big four mobile networks (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile), an MVNO might be the solution you’re looking for.
You’re probably wondering: what are MVNOs? MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators, are small carriers that lease – or borrow – cellular coverage and data bandwidth from any of the four major carriers. These are the mobile service providers whose names you may not recognize, like Ting, Republic Wireless, and Project Fi. The MVNO model is often based on a prepaid or no-contract system.
MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators, are small carriers that lease – or borrow – cellular coverage and data bandwidth from any of the four major carriers. These are the mobile service providers whose names you may not recognize, like Ting, Republic Wireless, and Project Fi. The MVNO model is often based on a prepaid or no-contract system.
The Best Cell Phone Plans for 2018
Sprint MVNOs
Here are just some of the best Sprint MVNOs that you should consider:
Tello
If you are looking for the best cell phone plans then you should consider Tello. Tello lets you build your own plan, which includes options for no-data or data-only. All texting is free on Tello. For a basic user plan that includes unlimited talk, unlimited texts, and 1GB of data, you’ll pay $14 on Tello. The service allows tethering at no extra charge, and it also offers free calls to Canada, Mexico, and China in addition to the U.S.
- Price:$14/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited (Calls to Canada, Mexico & China are included)
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 1GB
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile is an MVNO that does not skimp on the features while retaining incredibly affordable pricing. Plans range between 2GB and unlimited, which are completely affordable. There are optional add-ons and incentives to consider, such as international calling, boostTV, and unlimited music streaming.
- Price:$35/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 3 GB
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile features fantastic rates, though it is considered to be a little bit more expensive compared to Boost Mobile, but only if you opt for the unlimited plan. The Data Love and Data Love+ packages are actually cheaper compared to Boost Mobile’s plans. This MVNO also features data-free music streaming, but only with the associated partnered apps.
- Price:$50/mo ( Limited Time Offer$1/mo for the first 6 months)
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: Unlimited
FreedomPop
Out of the Sprint MVNO networks, FreedomPop is the cheapest. With FreedomPop, you’ll have access to a free plan, complete with internet services. Better yet, there is no contract attached. The 100 percent Free Basic Plan provides you with 500 texts, 200 minutes, and 500MB of data each month. It also utilizes Wi-Fi calling and texting from anywhere.
- Price: Free
- Minutes: 200
- Text: 500
- Data: 500 MB
Even better is that there is free unlimited calling and texting between FreedomPop phones and free international calling from over 60 countries. You can also earn unlimited free data by completing partner offers. Pretty cool, isn’t it?
Verizon MVNOs
Credo Mobile
Credo Mobile is great for those who love supporting progressive causes, such as the Americans for Tax Fairness, Detention Watch Network, or Rainforest Action Network. The service offers shared data plans, and though they may be a little expensive compared to other MVNOs (partially due to being on Verizon’s network), there is a free 25MB data option, which is for basic phones only.
- Price: $30/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 1 GB
Page Plus Cellular
Page Plus Cellular, which is operated by TracFone Wireless, features no contract data monthly plans that are again, a little more on the expensive side due to being on Verizon’s network, but the Pay-As-You-Go Plans shine, ranging between 100 minutes and 2000 minutes for as little as $0.04 per minute.
- Price: $30/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 2 GB
GreatCall
Okay, so GreatCall caters to a particular demographic – particularly, senior citizens, but GreatCall is amazing because the company not only takes cell phone service into consideration but also your health. If you’re in trouble or need medical assistance in any way, GreatCall is there for you with its Jitterbug Smart, Jitterbug Flip, Lively Mobile, and Lively Wearable products. Not only that, but cell phone plans begin at a small fee per month.
- $50 plan includes unlimited talk and text.
- $40 plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data if it’s paired with Health & Safety Packages.
You may also want to check out one of the most innovative Verizon MVNOs, ROK Mobile.
T-Mobile MVNOs
Mint SIM
If you are looking for the best cell phone plans in bulk then you should consider Mint SIM. Mint SIM is becoming a popular choice among MVNOs. The company sells its services in blocks of three, six, and 12 months. The plans all include unlimited talk, text, and 2G data; the choice of 2GB, 5GB, or 10GB of LTE data; and tethering. Currently, the three-month plans have been discounted to the 12-month plans’ rates as a teaser offer, making them a better deal than the six-month plans.
- Price: $15/mo ( $45 per for 3 months)
- Minutes: Unlimited, Includes FREE international calls to Mexico and Canada
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 2 GB
- 7 Days Money Back Guarantee
Simple Mobile
Simple Mobile sports 30-day unlimited plans, completely with the unlimited international calling to mobile phones in Mexico, Canada, India, China, and 16 other countries, unlimited landline international calling in 65 countries, and unlimited international text. The truly unlimited plan’s price isn’t bad either, being just a little cheaper than T-Mobile’s ONE plan. However, for unlimited talk and text, you can pay far less.
- Price: $25/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 1 GB
US Mobile
With US Mobile, only text is unlimited, but that doesn’t mean that its other options are expensive. In fact, data runs fairly cheap for 6GB and you can get unlimited texting for just a few dollars. US Mobile also features a Student Discount service, which can earn you – if you’re a student – a free SIM card.
- Price: $17/mo
- Minutes: 1000
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: –
MetroPCS
MetroPCS is one of the bigger MVNOs out there, sporting an unlimited data plan for far cheaper than what you’d find with a major cellular provider. Plans range from 1GB to unlimited LTE data with an 8GB hotspot allotment. It gets better: during congestion periods, you may experience reduced speeds after 28GB of data usage. How is that better? The major carriers typically reduce your speeds after around 23GB of usage. The best part is that there’s a good chance you can bring your T-Mobile phone to MetroPCS since they use the T-Mobile network.
- Price: $30/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 2 GB
AT&T MVNOs
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless is a tad cheaper compared to the big four major carriers, featuring an unlimited plan for just a few dollars less compared to T-Mobile. With the unlimited and 8GB high-speed data plans, you’ll have international texting to select countries, as well as talk, text, and data usage to and from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (with a minimum of 50 percent U.S. usage required). This is another MVNO that is compatible with many T-Mobile phones, although you may have to unlock it.
- Price: $30/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 2 GB
H2O Wireless
H2O Wireless is rather cheap, granting you 3GB of 4G LTE data, unlimited international text, and unlimited talk to 50 countries for what the big four would charge for a smaller data amount. You can also purchase a Pay as You Go plan, which will eat minutes, texts, MMS, and data until you reach your selected limit.
- Price: $30/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 4 GB
AirVoice Wireless
Airvoice Wireless features several plans, including unlimited talk and text, Pay as You Go, 250 minutes for $10, and international. Unlimited talk and text range between short term for just a few dollars, complete with unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited text messages, unlimited MMS, 25MB of data, and unlimited international text for five days, to unlimited everything save for data (5GB) for 30 days. Unfortunately, this plan is rather expensive compared to other MVNOs.
AirVoice Pay as You Go plans are also a little more expensive compared to typical MVNOs, ranging between 100 minutes and 1200 minutes.
- Price: $30/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 1 GB
Combination MVNOs
Republic Wireless
Republic Wireless is seriously one of the best MVNOs out there, which relies mostly on Wi-Fi, but if you do not have access to Wi-Fi, then you will be switched to either Sprint’s or T-Mobile’s services. For a small monthly fee, you can receive unlimited talk, text, and Wi-Fi data, though you can add data for just a small fee. Unfortunately, it becomes more expensive the more data you want to tack on, but if you’re looking for cheap, Republic Wireless is the best way to go, especially with its Adaptive Coverage technology with Bonded Calling.
- Price: $20/mo
- Minutes: Unlimited
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 1GB of LTE Data
Project Fi
Project Fi, having launched just a couple of years ago, is a wireless service from Google. It blends a network of three leading national carriers, over a million Wi-Fi hotspots, and incredible international networks. Fi Basics is incredibly cheap, and you can add friends and family, as well as data, for just a few dollars more – except in the case of data. You’ll receive unlimited domestic talk and text, unlimited international texting, and calls and texts across devices. Furthermore, you can use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and secure a free data-only SIM card. You’ll also be credited for the data you don’t use. Unfortunately, you’re limited to three devices: Pixel, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X.
- Price: $30
- Minutes: Unlimited Talk
- Text: Unlimited Text
- Data: 1 GB of LTE Data
Straight Talk
Straight Talk utilizes all four networks, and it’s fantastic for those on a budget. It’s simple and rather “skinny” however. Plans range between 100MB and 1500MB to 10GB.
- Price: $30/mo
- Minutes: 1500
- Text: Unlimited
- Data: 100 MB
SafeLink Wireless
What is SafeLink Wireless? It’s part of the government’s Lifeline program which provides free communications services to low-income consumers. SafeLink uses TracFones, which operate on all five MNOs – Verizon, AT&T, and U.S. Cellular, as well as the T-Mobile network and the Sprint network.
Conclusion
MVNOs, depending on the plan, can save you quite a bit of money over time. Overall, there are plenty of MVNOs, each with their own features and prices, so finding the best MVNO may differ for each user. If you’re looking for a basic plan with fantastic prices, then you should certainly consider either Republic Wireless or FreedomPop. However, if you’re looking for a plan that comes with bells and whistles, then you should think about Boost Mobile or Virgin Mobile.