Are you looking to reduce your monthly expenses? It’s a good place to start with your cell phone bill. We’ve put together our top picks for cheap phone plans. We have taken into account not only the price but also which plans are most affordable based on your specific needs. There are significant savings to be made if you don’t use a lot of data per month, which most people don’t.
In the past, there were only four options for US consumers in cellular service: Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile. These days are over: Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) have emerged as cheaper alternatives to the Big Three. Why not the Big Four? Sprint merged last year with T-Mobile. An MVNO leases access to major carriers and offers similar services at lower rates. Mint Mobile can offer a T-Mobile Lite service at a fraction of the cost.
You may need to sign any lease or contract with your carrier before you can leave. Check to ensure that your phone is compatible with all networks if you bought it directly from a carrier. After you have completed these preliminaries you can change your plans.
These are our top picks for the best phone plan to help you save big on your monthly phone bill. We’ll keep you updated.
Tello Mobile
Pricing: $10/mo – $39/mo | Data options: 1GB – Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot, Free calls to 60+ Countries
Tello’s customized plans make it a great choice for light users. For $8 per month, all you need is to talk and text. You can also get the first six months at $6 per month. Tello allows you to call Canada, Mexico, and China from anywhere in the world. This makes it an excellent option for people who want to stay in touch with their loved ones. There is no better or more cost-effective way for Grandma to contact her friends in these countries.
Tello’s plans can be customized to suit your needs. You can add data at will, and even have unlimited data with up 25GB of high-speed data. Data plans include Hotspot. Tello allows you to upgrade or downgrade any plan at any moment. This means you don’t have to worry about underbuying or overbuying your plan when you create it. To get an idea about your usage, you might want to look at your last bill.
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ 4G/5G data range 1GB to Unlimited
✔ Free mobile hotspot access
✔ Free international calls to 60+ countries
Visible
Pricing: $40mo | Data options: Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot, free Mex & CA calling
Visible offers one service plan, so there is no variety. It’s an excellent option, as you get unlimited data at $40 per month on Verizon’s LTE network. This network was the best in our testing.
Visible had a cap on data speeds at the time that it launched, but this restriction has been lifted. This means that you can still enjoy Verizon’s full network power, with speeds slowing if the network becomes too busy. This is the standard operating procedure for networks such as Visible that use other carriers’ towers to provide coverage. Visible now offers 5G service through Verizon’s coverage. Visible users can access 5G free of charge using the iPhone 12, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 5G.
Visible offers the most affordable cell phone plan options, and families will love the generous discounts that you get as you add lines. Visible offers unlimited data for $35 per line, and a family of four only pays $100 each month. That’s a savings of $25 per line. Visible Party Plan doesn’t just cover people who live at the same address. It can also be used to cover roommates, distant relatives, and friends. Referring customers can help you save $5 per month.
Visible started as an iPhone-only carrier. However, it added Android phones to its portfolio, including flagships such as the Galaxy S21 or Pixel 5, and budget options like the Pixel 4a. After you have paid 50% off your phone, you can switch to an early upgrade program that allows you to get a new device. Visible also allows you to bring your own device.
Visible Best Unlimited Plan
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ Unlimited 4G/5G data
✔ Free mobile hotspot
✔ Free calls to Mexico and Canada
✔ Multi line Discount
Republic Wireless
Pricing: $15/mo + $5 per GB | Data options: 1GB – 15GB | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot
Republic Wireless is very user-friendly and offers a lot of value. Republic Wireless offers 4G LTE cellular service and Wi-Fi, which provide consumers with faster connectivity options throughout the country at a fraction of what major carriers charge. Users can make unlimited calls and text for $15 and add 1GB of data to their account as they need it. This cost is $5. Republic Wireless is a great option for seniors because it doesn’t have any contracts, complicated options, or hidden fees.
Consumers can get unlimited text and talk for $15 per month. There is no contract. Users can add 4G data for $5 per GB. This can be done directly from their phone. Republic Wireless charges no cancellation fees or hidden fees.
Republic Wireless is currently only available in the US, but it is a great option for seniors who don’t need a lot of bells or whistles on their phones but still want reliable calling and texting service. Seniors can add data at their will, so they won’t have to pay for unnecessary services but still have access to them when it’s needed. This company is not specifically for senior citizens, but it is a great choice for those who want ease of use and affordability.
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ 4G/5G data range 1GB to Unlimited
✔ Mobile hotspot access
✔ Unlimited international texting
✔ Wi-Fi calling
✔ Multi line Discount
Mint Mobile
Pricing: $15/mo – $30/mo | Data options: 4GB, 10GB, 15GB, Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot, free Mex & CA calling
Mint Mobile has some of the best rates, provided that you are willing to pay upfront for coverage. Prices start at $15 per month for 4GB LTE data — which is lower than T-Mobile’s Simple Connect plan. This price applies only to the first three months of service. You must sign up for a full year to maintain the low rate. This limits your ability to switch carriers if you are not satisfied. Mint’s 10GB, 15GB plans and $30-a-month unlimited-data plan are all subject to the same approach.
Mint uses T-Mobile’s network to provide coverage. This means that you can expect high performance, especially if you live near an urban area. Mint claims you will get either 5G or 4G coverage, depending on which signal strength you have — provided you have a 5G compatible phone.
Mint sells both Android and iPhone handsets at a variety of prices. Mint will also accept your existing phone.
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ 4G/5G data range 4GB to Unlimited
✔ Free mobile hotspot
✔ Free calls to Mexico and Canada
✔ Bulk Savings
Google Fi
Pricing: $17/mo – $50/mo | Data options: 1GB – Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot, Free International texts & calls while traveling outside US, Canada & Mexico
Many cell phone companies try to be everything to everyone, but Google Fi is different. It sets out to be the best network for certain people. It might be your top choice, but it will not be for everyone.
Google Fi is an MNVO provider. This means it does not have its own network and relies on other networks. Google Fi is not the only company that does this. It uses multiple networks to switch between them depending on what network provides you with the best coverage. This sounds great in theory and is possible if you have one of the few smartphones that support this feature.
You can get lightning-fast service, unlimited data, and excellent nationwide coverage if you take advantage of the Google offers. You can save even more if you sign-up for a family plan. But, good luck convincing the entire family to give up the iPhone.
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ 4G/5G data range 1GB to Unlimited
✔ Multi line Discount
✔ Free hotspot tethering
✔ Free Calls to Canada & Mexico
✔ Free International texts & calls in Canada & Mexico
Cricket Wireless
Pricing: $30/mo – $60/mo | Data options: 2GB – Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot, 150GB cloud storage, unlimited texts to 37 countries, free Mex & CA calling
Cricket Wireless, a prepaid carrier owned and operated in part by AT&T has used the extensive cellular network of its parent company. Plans available from $30 to $60 per Month: A 2GB plan, 10GB plan, and two unlimited data plans.
Cricket is generally a great value with prices that are comparable to other carrier-owned prepaid services and lower than similar plans on its parent network. For plans starting at $40, Cricket offers group discounts as well as a $5 per-month autopay discount. Many promotions are offered to new customers by Cricket, including free or discounted smartphones for those who switch from other carriers.
Cricket’s data-speed limits are the biggest problem. While the top unlimited plan doesn’t limit download speeds, all other plans have download speeds caps of 8 Mbps or less, subject to data allotment. Overall, Cricket is a great choice for plan savings and excellent customer service.
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ 4G/5G data range 5GB to Unlimited
✔ Multi line Discount
✔ Unlimited texts from the U.S. to 37 countries
✔ Mobile Hotspot Access
✔ 150GB Cloud Storage
US Mobile
Pricing: $10/mo – $30/mo | Data options: 1GB – 30GB | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot
US Mobile has one of the best family plans. This is due to its MVNO that leverages Verizon’s Super LTE and T-Mobile’s GSM LTE networks. You can choose between these networks, depending on which network provides you with better coverage. Although US Mobile offers a variety of plans, including customizable ones, the best plan for families is the unlimited plan. This plan is the most affordable for prepaid family plans. It costs $25 per line for three or more lines. All taxes and fees are included.
US Mobile offers more than just a low monthly bill. Your plan comes with unlimited data and 5G access. There are no data caps. Your data will not be throttled or capped if you are on the Super LTE network. You may experience slower speeds if you are on the GSM LTE network after 50GB of usage. You can be assured that your data will not slow down as most people won’t use this much.
The unlimited family plan does not include hotspot data. However, you can add 20GB to your account for $10 per month. This will count towards any high-speed data allowance, but it may be worth considering if you don’t have reliable Wi-Fi access. A great perk of a US-based mobile plan is the ability to choose from one entertainment (music or video) perk for each of your lines. You can choose two perks if you have more than four lines. These include Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ bundles, Spotify Family, Playstation plus, and many others. Even better, you can stream HD.
Each unlimited plan comes with international roaming free of charge as if US Mobile couldn’t offer more. You can travel internationally with up to 10GB high-speed 4G LTE data depending on your country. Unlimited international texting is available if you are on the GSM LTE network. This prepaid plan has one major drawback: you won’t have many options when purchasing a phone through US Mobile. If your phone is compatible with the plan, it is still a great deal.
US Mobile Best Customized Plans
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ 4G/5G data range 1GB to Unlimited
✔ Multi line Discount
Ting Mobile
Pricing: $10/mo – $45/mo | Data options: 1GB – Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, mobile hotspot
Ting Mobile has many great features that are shared with other providers on this page: very low prices, flexible monthly plans, and no contract. You can buy a plan starting at $10 per month and get unlimited text and talk, plus $5 per month for 1GB of data.
Ting’s customer service is where it shines. If you have any questions, you can reach customer service by phone, chat online, and submit a ticket. Ting’s customer support representatives are always available to assist.
Unlimited data plans start at $45. All plans include the option to use some of your data as a hotspot. Ting is a Verizon and T-Mobile network user. This means that you will get good coverage regardless of where you are located.
✔ Unlimited Talk and Text
✔ 4G/5G data range 1GB to Unlimited
✔ Free mobile hotspot access
