Who has the best prepaid unlimited plan?

We like the Mint Mobile unlimited data plan - running on the T-Mobile 4G LTE & 5G network. You can compare the best unlimited data plans available on all networks.

Which prepaid plan is best?

There's no one size fits all approach. This is why prepaid carriers allow you to tailor a plan to suit your needs. It depends on your usage, network coverage, and needs.

Can I use a Verizon contract phone for prepaid?

Prepaid carriers encourage you to bring your own phone. However, some phones are locked to a network. You can check your phone compatibility on the carrier's website.

Who is the best prepaid carrier?

This depends on a number of factors. How much your budget is, your needs, and phone use. Check which network has the best coverage in your area then compare prepaid carriers on your preferred network.

Best Cell Phone Coverage & Carriers in California - 2021

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Tello Unlimited Talk & Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	0GB	$6* * 25% Off for 6 Months
Tello 1GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$7.50* * 25% Off for 6 Months
Tello 2GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB	$10.50* * 25% Off for 6 Months
Tello 4GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB	$14.30* * 25% Off for 6 Months
Tello 6GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB	$18* * 25% Off for 6 Months
Tello 8GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	8GB	$21.80* * 25% Off for 6 Months
Tello Unlimited Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$29.30* * 25% Off for 6 Months

Carrier Features	Tello
Networks:	T-Mobile
Data Speed:	4G LTE, 5G
3G Network:	GSM
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:	Yes - 3 days

Carrier Features	Tello
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:	Yes - Includes Mexico, Canada & China
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Mint Mobile 4GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB	$15* * $45 for 3 Months Service
Mint Mobile 10GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB	$20* * $60 for 3 Months Service
Mint Mobile 15GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	15GB	$25* * $75 for 3 months Service
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$30* * $90 for 3 months Service

Carrier Features	Mint Mobile
Networks:	T-Mobile
Data Speed:	4G LTE, 5G
3G Network:	GSM
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:	Yes - 7 days

Carrier Features	Mint Mobile
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:	Yes - Includes Mexico & Canada
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Reach Mobile 3GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	3GB	$15*
Reach Mobile 8GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	8GB	$23*
Reach Mobile 12GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	12GB	$28*
Reach Mobile 20GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	20GB	$33*
* 50% Off for 3 Months

Carrier Features	Reach Mobile
Networks:	Verizon
Data Speed:	4G LTE
3G Network:	CDMA
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:

Carrier Features	Reach Mobile
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Boost Mobile 1GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$5* * $5 Off First Month
Boost Mobile 5GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB	$20* * $5 Off First Month
Boost Mobile Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$35* * $15 Off First Month

Carrier Features	Boost Mobile
Networks:	T-Mobile
Data Speed:	4G LTE, 5G
3G Network:	GSM
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:
Money Back Guarantee:

Carrier Features	Boost Mobile
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Ting Unlimited Talk & Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	0GB	$10* * $5 extra per GB
Ting 1GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$15
Ting 5GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB	$20* * $5 Off for 6 Months
Ting Unlimited Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$25* * $20 Off for 3 Months
Ting 12GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	12GB	$30* * $5 Off for 6 Months

Carrier Features	Ting
Networks:	T-Mobile & Verizon
Data Speed:	4G LTE, 5G
3G Network:	CDMA & GSM
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:

Carrier Features	Ting
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:	Yes - Includes 60 countries
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Twigby Unlimited Talk & Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	0GB	$6.50*
Twigby 300 Mins & 1GB Data	300	Unlimited	1GB	$7.50*
Twigby 3GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	3GB	$10*
Twigby 5GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB	$12.50*
Twigby 10GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB	$17.50*
* 50% Off for 6 Months

Carrier Features	Twigby
Networks:	Verizon & Sprint
Data Speed:	4G LTE
3G Network:	CDMA
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:	Yes - 30 days

Carrier Features	Twigby
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:	Yes - Includes Mexico, Canada & China
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Red Pocket 1GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$10
Red Pocket 3GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	3GB	$19
Red Pocket 10GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB	$30
Red Pocket 22GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	22GB	$40

Carrier Features	Red Pocket
Networks:	AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon
Data Speed:	4G LTE
3G Network:	CDMA & GSM
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:	Yes - 14 days

Carrier Features	Red Pocket
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:	Yes - Includes 70 countries
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
Pure Talk 2GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB	$15*
Pure Talk 4GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB	$18.75*
Pure Talk 6GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB	$22.50*
Pure Talk 10GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	10GB	$26.25*
Pure Talk 20GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	20GB	$33.75*
Pure Talk Unlimited Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$41.25*
* 25% Off for 3 Months

Carrier Features	Pure Talk
Networks:	AT&T
Data Speed:	4G LTE
3G Network:	GSM
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:

Carrier Features	Pure Talk
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:
International Roaming:

Plan	Minutes	Texts	Data	Price
US Mobile Unlimited Talk & Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	0GB	$10
US Mobile 1GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$12
US Mobile 5GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB	$15
US Mobile 12GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	12GB	$20
US Mobile 18GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	18GB	$25
US Mobile 30GB Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	30GB	$30
US Mobile Unlimited Data	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$45
Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM

Carrier Features	US Mobile
Networks:	Verizon & T-Mobile
Data Speed:	4G LTE, 5G
3G Network:	GSM & CDMA
Mobile Hotspot:
Bring Your Phone:
Keep Your Number:
Contract:
Credit Check:
Customer Service:	24/7
Money Back Guarantee:

Carrier Features	US Mobile
5G:
Prepaid:
Taxes/fees included:
VoLTE:
WiFi Calling:
Visual Voicemail:
Multi-line Discounts:
Multi-month Discounts:
International Calls:
International Roaming:

Table of Contents

California network coverage comparison

Network	Overall	Reliability	Speed	Data	Call
AT&T	93	95	90	95	91
Verizon	95	97	91	96	94
T-Mobile	92	94	89	94	90
Sprint	89	92	85	91	87

Source: Rootmetrics

California cell phone coverage map

California cell phone providers list

AT&T	T-Mobile	Verizon
Red Pocket	Mint Mobile	Twigby
Pure Talk	Ultra Mobile	US Mobile
h2o Wireless	US Mobile	Ting
Good2Go Mobile	Ting	Red Pocket
Unreal Mobile	Tello	Reach Mobile
Cricket Wireless	Red Pocket	Visible
Straight Talk	Boost Mobile	Spectrum Mobile
FreeUP Mobile	GoSmart Mobile	Total Wireless
Altice Mobile	Republic Wireless	Xfinity Mobile
Freedompop	Simple Mobile	CREDO Mobile
	Lycamobile	Affinity Cellular
	Selectel Wireless	GreatCall
	Gen Mobile	yahoo! Mobile
	Wing
	easyGO Wireless
	Speedtalk Mobile

California carriers FAQs

Which cell phone company has the best coverage in California?

The Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile networks all offer great cell phone coverage in California. The best value phone plans are offered by low cost carriers such as Mint Mobile, Tello, Pure Talk and Ting.

What are the best carriers in California?

The best value cell phone carriers in California are MVNOs such as Mint Mobile, Tello, Pure Talk and Ting. MVNOs are powered by the big networks but are able to offer significantly cheaper phone plans ranging from $6 - $55.

Which cell phone carrier has the best coverage in my area?

Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile all provide strong 4G LTE network coverage in California. Use our coverage checker to find the best cell phone service in your area.

What are the best cell phone deals in California?

Cell phone plans in California range between $5 - $65. Low cost carriers, such as Mint Mobile, Tello, Pure Talk and Ting will offer the best value for money.

California cell phone coverage by city

Alameda, CA	Alhambra, CA	Aliso Viejo, CA	Anaheim, CA
Antioch, CA	Apple Valley, CA	Arcadia, CA	Bakersfield, CA
Baldwin Park, CA	Bell, CA	Bell, CA	Bellflower, CA
Berkeley, CA	Brentwood, CA	Buena Park, CA	Burbank, CA
Camarillo, CA	Carlsbad, CA	Carson, CA	Cathedral City, CA
Cerritos, CA	Chico, CA	Chino, CA	Chino, CA
Chino Hills, CA	Chula Vista, CA	Citrus Heights, CA	Clovis, CA
Colton, CA	Compton, CA	Concord, CA	Corona, CA
Costa Mesa, CA	Covina, CA	Cupertino, CA	Daly City, CA
Davis, CA	Delano, CA	Diamond Bar, CA	Downey, CA
Dublin, CA	Eastvale, CA	El Cajon, CA	El Monte, CA
Elk Grove, CA	Encinitas, CA	Escondido, CA	Fairfield, CA
Folsom, CA	Fontana, CA	Fountain Valley, CA	Fremont, CA
Fresno, CA	Fullerton, CA	Garden Grove, CA	Gardena, CA
Gilroy, CA	Glendale, CA	Glendora, CA	Hanford, CA
Hawthorne, CA	Hayward, CA	Hemet, CA	Hesperia, CA
Highland, CA	Huntington Beach, CA	Huntington Park, CA	Indio, CA
Inglewood, CA	Irvine, CA	Jurupa Valley, CA	La Habra, CA
La Mesa, CA	Laguna Niguel, CA	Lake Elsinore, CA	Lake Forest, CA
Lakewood, CA	Lancaster, CA	Livermore, CA	Lodi, CA
Long Beach, CA	Los Angeles, CA	Lynwood, CA	Madera, CA
Manteca, CA	Menifee, CA	Merced, CA	Milpitas, CA
Mission Viejo, CA	Modesto, CA	Montebello, CA	Monterey, CA
Monterey Park, CA	Moreno Valley, CA	Mountain View, CA	Murrieta, CA
Napa, CA	National City, CA	Newport Beach, CA	Norwalk, CA
Novato, CA	Oakland, CA	Oceanside, CA	Ontario, CA
Orange, CA	Oxnard, CA	Palm Desert, CA	Palmdale, CA
Palo Alto, CA	Paramount, CA	Pasadena, CA	Perris, CA
Petaluma, CA	Pico Rivera, CA	Pittsburg, CA	Placentia, CA
Pleasanton, CA	Pomona, CA	Porterville, CA	Rancho Cordova, CA
Rancho Cucamonga, CA	Redding, CA	Redlands, CA	Redondo Beach, CA
Redwood City, CA	Rialto, CA	Richmond, CA	Riverside, CA
Rocklin, CA	Rosemead, CA	Roseville, CA	Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA	Salinas, CA	San Bernardino, CA	San Buenaventura, CA
San Clemente, CA	San Diego, CA	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
San Jose, CA	San Leandro, CA	San Marcos, CA	San Mateo, CA
San Rafael, CA	San Ramon, CA	Santa Ana, CA	Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Clara, CA	Santa Clarita, CA	Santa Cruz, CA	Santa Maria, CA
Santa Monica, CA	Santa Rosa, CA	Santee, CA	Simi Valley, CA
South Gate, CA	South San Francisco, CA	Stockton, CA	Sunnyvale, CA
Temecula, CA	Thousand Oaks, CA	Torrance, CA	Tracy, CA
Tulare, CA	Turlock, CA	Tustin, CA	Union City, CA
Upland, CA	Vacaville, CA	Vallejo, CA	Victorville, CA
Visalia, CA	Vista, CA	Vista, CA	Walnut, CA
Walnut Creek, CA	Watsonville, CA	West Covina, CA	West Sacramento, CA
Westminster, CA	Whittier, CA	Woodland, CA	Yorba Linda, CA
Yuba City, CA	Yucaipa, CA

Best cell phone carriers in California

Carrier	Best for...	Mins	Texts	Data	Price
Tello	Budget	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$10/mo
Mint Mobile	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$30/mo
Reach Mobile	Family	Unlimited	Unlimited	3GB	$30/mo
Boost Mobile	5G	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$10/mo
Ting	Talk & Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	0GB	$10/mo
Twigby	Seniors	300	Unlimited	1GB	$16/mo
Red Pocket	Kids	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$10/mo
Pure Talk	Individuals	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB	$25/mo
US Mobile	Data only	0	0	2GB	$10/mo