Prepaid carriers allow you to find the best prepaid phone plan that fits your needs.
Switching to an MVNO - Mobile Virtual Network Operator, who offer low price prepaid plans that are powered by the main US networks, could save you up to $600 a year. Without forfeiting your coverage.
Growing in popularity, these low cost carriers offer a range of options from basic to unlimited data plans and we've picked some of the best for you below.
| Cheap prepaid plan | Tello |
| Prepaid family plan | US Mobile |
| Prepaid unlimited plan | Mint Mobile |
| Prepaid 5G plan | Ultra Mobile |
| Prepaid talk & text plan | Ting |
| Prepaid senior plan | Twigby |
| Prepaid kids plan | Red Pocket |
| Prepaid individual plan | Good2Go Mobile |
Best cheap prepaid phone carrier
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1 GB
- Price
- $7.50/mo** 25% Off for 6 Months
Tello 1GB data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $7.50 per month. Tello prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G network.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $6* * 25% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $7.50* * 25% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $10.50* * 25% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $14.25* * 25% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 6GB | $18* * 25% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 8GB | $21.75* * 25% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $29.25* * 25% Off for 6 Months |
Pros
24/7 customer support
No contracts
Budget friendly family plans
Cons
No roaming
Coverage in rural areas
Benefits
Service on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Money-back guarantee on phones (no refunds on plans)
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or choose from a modest selection of new or refurbished devices
Keep your current phone number
Use of your plan data as a mobile hotspot through your phone is allowed
Use your minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Minutes to other countries available as add-on
24/7 customer service
Best prepaid carrier for family plans
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5 GB
- Price
- $15/moFree Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM
US Mobile 5GB data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $15 per month. US Mobile prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G networks.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $8 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $12 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $15 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | $20 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 18GB | $25 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB | $30 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $45 | |
Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM | ||||
Pros
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
Cons
No international calling
Phone selection
Benefits
Coverage on either the T-Mobile or Verizon network
Risk-free trial: Full refund within 14 days or before 1000 talk, text, or MB's is used
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own GSM or CDMA phone or choose from a small selection of phones for sale
Keep your own phone number
Mobile hotspot use available as add-on option with unlimited data plans
International roaming plans available with eSIMs
Add-ons available for talk, text, and data, with rollover
24/7 customer support
Best prepaid carrier for unlimited data
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** $90 for 3 Months Service
Mint Mobile unlimited data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $30 per month. Mint Mobile prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G network.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $15* * $45 for 3 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $20* * $60 for 3 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 15GB | $25* * $75 for 3 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $30* * $90 for 3 Months Service |
Pros
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
Cons
No family plans
Minimum 3 months
Benefits
Operates on the nationwide T-Mobile network
7-day money-back guarantee
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your phone or buy a Mint Mobile device
Keep your phone number
Using your phone as a mobile hotspot is permitted
Free calling to Canada & Mexico, affordable rates to 160+ other locations
Flat-rate international roaming available as an add-on feature
Customer service by phone on weekdays and weekends, 24/7 by virtual chat
Best prepaid carrier for 5G coverage
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 2 GB
- Price
- $14/mo** $168 for 12 Months Service
Ultra Mobile 2GB data - 12 mths includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $14 per month. Ultra Mobile prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G network.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0.25GB | $10* * $120 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $14* * $168 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $20* * $240 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 6GB | $25* * $300 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 15GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $40* * $480 for 12 Months Service |
Pros
Simple account dashboard
Unlimited international talk and text
Nationwide coverage
Cons
Customer service
Benefits
Coverage provided on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own compatible GSM phone or buy one from Ultra Mobile
Mobile hotspot use supported
Unlimited global texting and unlimited calling to 80+ countries
International roaming credits available in $5, $10, or $20 denominations
International plan tier comes with uTalk - a feature that gives you up to 1250 bonus minutes to your choice of 39 additional destinations
Customer service available by phone, email, and chat from 6am to 6pm every day
Best prepaid carrier for talk & text plans
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 0 GB
- Price
- $10/mo** $5 extra per GB
Ting unlimited talk & text includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $10 per month. Ting prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile & Verizon 4G LTE and 5G networks.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10* * $5 extra per GB | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $15 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $20* * $5 Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $25* * $20 Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | $30* * $5 Off for 6 Months |
Pros
Simple plans for light phone users
Customer service
Nationwide LTE and 5G coverage
Good selection of handsets
Cons
Not for the data hungry user
Benefits
Offers coverage on both Verizon and T-Mobile
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or start-up fees
Bring your GSM or CDMA phone - most devices are compatible - or buy one from Ting
Keep your current number
Tethering/mobile hotspot allowed, speeds limited to 3G for GSM tethering
Use your plan minutes to call 60+ international locations
International roaming capability (at surcharged rates)
Extensive customer service hours by phone, chat, or email
Best prepaid phone carrier for seniors
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 3 GB
- Price
- $10/mo** 50% Off for 6 Months
Twigby 3GB data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 3GB data for only $10 per month. Twigby prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon 4G LTE and 5G network.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $6.50* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $10* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $9.50* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $12.50* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $17.50* * 50% Off for 6 Months |
Pros
No hotspot/tethering charges
International calling and texting
4G LTE coverage
Exclusive deals and discounts as a Twigby customer
Cons
Limited handset selection
Not for the data hungry
Benefits
Runs on both the Verizon and Sprint networks
30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee on phones and plans (under 300 minutes, 300 texts, or 300 MB of data used)
Prepaid - no contracts, credit checks, or activation fees
Bring your CDMA device or choose from a modest selection of Twigby phones
Keep your own phone number
Use your phone and plan data as a mobile hotspot
Use your plan minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Free international texting to over 180 countries
US-based chat support available weekdays 7am to 9pm CST and 10am to 6pm on weekends
Best prepaid phone carrier for kids
- Minutes
- 500
- Texts
- 500
- Data
- 0.50 GB
- Price
- $10/mo
Red Pocket 500MB data includes 500 mins, 500 texts and 500MB data for only $10 per month. Red Pocket prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G networks.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
500 | 500 | 0.50GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $15* * $180 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $20 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $22.50* * $270 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 22GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $30 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 50GB | $37.50* * $450 for 12 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 22GB | $40 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 50GB | $50 |
Pros
Nationwide coverage
No contracts
Latest selection of phones
Cons
Account dashboard needs work
No 0% financing options on latest phones
Customer service
Benefits
Operates on all four networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fees
Bring your own GSM or CDMA device and keep your phone number
Mobile hotspot/tethering allowed with your plan data
Free international calling to 70+ countries
Customer service available in English, Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish via chat or phone
Best prepaid phone carrier for one
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 3 GB
- Price
- $12.50/mo** 50% Off for 3 Months
Good2Go Mobile 3GB data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 3GB data for only $12.50 per month. Good2Go Mobile prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G networks.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10* * 50% Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $12.50* * 50% Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 6GB | $17.50* * 50% Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $40 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 20GB | $50 |
Pros
4G LTE coverage
No contract
No credit checks
Cons
No unlimited data options
No app interface
Benefits
Coverage on the nationwide AT&T & T-Mobile networks
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or buy a Good2Go Mobile phone
Mobile hotspot/tethering not supported
International calling to over 60 countries available as affordable plan add-on; calling to other countries via add-on calling card
Customer service available by phone 7am - 1am EST every day
The best prepaid cell phone carriers
Prepaid cell phone carrier benefits
Low-cost carriers, also known as MVNOs, are a great way to save with a network you already trust. But at half the price.
Jumping on the networks of the four big guys - Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile - you can expect good coverage. But it doesn't come with the hefty price tag. With these low-cost carriers there is no contract, which means no commitment and the flexibility to leave if you're unhappy.
Here's why we think it's a no-brainer:
- Nationwide coverage from the four major networks
- No expensive monthly bills
- No contracts
- Tailor the plan to your needs - no more paying for what you don't use
- Hassle free to switch - bring your phone and keep your number
- Fast 4G LTE and 5G data speeds
Best prepaid phone carrier on T-Mobile
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
4 GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: T-Mobile
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | 4GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $660/yr | |
Compare: best T-Mobile prepaid plans
Best prepaid phone carrier on Verizon
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
5 GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3.00 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Verizon vs US Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $780 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| US Mobile | Verizon 4G & 5G | 5GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $65/mo | $780/yr | |
Compare: best Verizon prepaid plans
Best prepaid phone carrier on AT&T
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
3 GB
4G/5G data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
$8.33 per GB
Powered by: AT&T & T-Mobile
AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $637 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | 3GB | $25/mo | $263/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $637/yr | |
Compare: best AT&T prepaid plans
Cheapest prepaid phone carrier plans
| Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tello | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 2GB | $10.50** 25% Off for 6 Months |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 4GB | $15** $45 for 3 Months Service |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 12GB | $20Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM |
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $25** $20 Off for 3 Months |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $30** $90 for 3 Months Service |
Prepaid carrier coverage
Which prepaid carrier is best for you? That depends on which network has the best coverage in your area.
Whether you go with a GSM carrier (T-Mobile and AT&T) or a CDMA carrier (Verizon) you'll enjoy national coverage, just like with the major carriers.
Network performance ratings
| NETWORK | OVERALL | RELIABILITY | SPEED | DATA | CALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Coverage | 95 | 96 | 94 | 96 | 94 |
| AT&T Coverage | 94 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 92 |
| T-Mobile Coverage | 86 | 88 | 82 | 89 | 82 |
Source: Rootmetrics
Prepaid carrier customer service
Concerned that low-cost carriers won't have good customer service? Don't be, on average MVNOs score much higher customer ratings than the big networks as you'll see in the comparison chart below:
| CARRIER | TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
|---|---|
| Reach Mobile | 4.9 |
| Tello | 4.6 |
| US Mobile | 4.6 |
| T-Mobile | 1.5 |
| Verizon | 1.3 |
| AT&T | 1.2 |
Switch to a cheap prepaid phone carrier
It's never been easier to switch. Let's break it down.
- Customize your plan. Whether you're looking for a truly unlimited plan, or in the market for something more basic, choose a plan to suit your cell phone needs.
- Prepare to make the switch. Make sure your old bills are paid up and your phone is unlocked. If you're getting a new device, transferring data from one to another is simple. Even if you're going from an iPhone to Android, and vice versa.
- Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your number has ported over. Once you're sure your new plan is up and running, cancel your old account. If you've got a new device with your Tello plan, it should be ready to use when it arrives. If you're bringing your own phone then you'll need to follow the instructions with the new SIM card kit that Tello will send to you in the post.
Prepaid phone carriers list
Best prepaid cell phone deals
| Phone | Storage | Network | Condition | Price | Apple iPhone SE | 64GB | AT&T | New | $399 | Apple iPhone 11 | 64GB | AT&T | New | $499 | Apple iPhone 12 mini | 64GB | AT&T | New | $629 | Apple iPhone 13 mini | 128GB | AT&T | New | $729 | Apple iPhone 12 | 64GB | AT&T | New | $729 | Apple iPhone 13 | 128GB | AT&T | New | $829 | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | 64GB | AT&T | New | $899 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | 128GB | AT&T | New | $899 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | 128GB | AT&T | New | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | 128GB | AT&T | New | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | 128GB | AT&T | New | $1,099 |
|---|
Prepaid cell phone carriers FAQs
Who has the best-prepaid cell phone service?
Low-cost carriers provide the best value for money with a prepaid cell phone plan.
Which phone carrier is cheapest?
The cheapest low-cost carrier is Tello with basic plans starting from $8.
What is the cheapest cell phone plan for one person?
There's a variety of MVNOs that offer cheap prepaid cell phone plans. No commitment, and save hundreds on your phone bill.
Recap
There's some great deals to be had with prepaid cell phone carriers, with customizable plans and a selection of features to suit you.
With access to the same quality coverage, if you love your current network you can choose a plan with their MVNO or check out the best cell phone coverage in your area with your ZIP code.
Prepaid cell phone carriers encourage you to bring your own phone, which can save you even more money. But if you're in the market for a new handset most carriers offer a selection with 0% finance over two years.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tello | Cheap prepaid plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10/mo |
 US Mobile | Prepaid family plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $15/mo |
 Mint Mobile | Prepaid unlimited plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $30/mo |
 Ultra Mobile | Prepaid 5G plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $14/mo |
 Ting | Prepaid talk & text plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10/mo |
 Twigby | Prepaid senior plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $20/mo |
 Red Pocket | Prepaid kids plan | 500 | 500 | 0.50GB | $10/mo |
 Good2Go Mobile | Prepaid individual plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $25/mo |
