CDMA is one of two cellular technologies that help bridge the gap when there's no 4G signal. Verizon (and previously Sprint) currently use the CDMA network.
MVNOs are growing in popularity because they operate on the main US networks to give you the same nationwide coverage but low monthly costs.
We've selected the top MVNO carriers on the CDMA network with a variety to fit all needs and budgets. By switching to a low-cost carrier you'll be able to save up to $600 a year.
We've broken it down further for you below.
| Best unlimited plan | US Mobile |
| Best family plan | Reach Mobile |
| Best cheap plan | Red Pocket |
| Best talk & text plan | Twigby |
Best CDMA carrier for unlimited data
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $35/mo* Free 10 Day Trial
US Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $35 per month. US Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's US Mobile review
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 CDMA carrier for families
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $20/mo** $10 Off First 3 Months
Reach Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $20 per month. Reach Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Reach Mobile review
Pros
5G coverage available
24/7 live customer support with helpful humans
No contract, no bulk-order commitment
Hotspot enabled
A socially conscious provider who gives back
Cons
Small selection of handsets
Benefits
Powered by the Verizon network
Service is postpaid with no credit check
Only upfront payment is shipping for SIM card
Bring your own compatible phone
Keep your phone number
Hotspot enabled on all plans
24/7 customer support by phone or chat
Best cheap CDMA carrier
- Minutes
- 500
- Texts
- 500
- Data
- 500MB
- Price
- $10/mo
Red Pocket 500MB plan includes 500 mins, 500 texts and 500MB data for only $10 per month. Red Pocket plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Red Pocket review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Red Pocket 500MB | 500MB | $10 | View Plan |
Red Pocket 3GB - 12 Mths | 3GB | $15* * $180 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
3GB | $20 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 10GB - 12 Mths | 10GB | $22.50* * $270 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Red Pocket 25GB - 12 Mths | 25GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
10GB | $30 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 100GB - 12 Mths | 100GB | $37.50* * $450 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
25GB | $40 | View Plan | |
100GB | $50 | View Plan |
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 CDMA carrier for talk & text
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 0GB
- Price
- $6.50/mo** 50% Off for 6 Months
Twigby 0GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $6.50 per month. Twigby plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Twigby review
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
CDMA network carriers in 2022
CDMA carrier benefits
- Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big four carriers.
- Much lower prices: Save up to $600 per year on your cell phone plan. Why are MVNOs so much cheaper? They don't have the huge overhead and advertising costs the big guys do.
- No contracts: Don't get trapped into a two-year agreement. Switch carriers when you decide to with a no contract phone plan.
- Same cell phone service: Just because you're paying less, that doesn't mean you have to scrimp on features. Plans with unlimited everything are easy to find from these prepaid carriers. Usually, a low cost carrier plan comes with unlimited talk and text as standard, high speed data, and even mobile hotspot data features.
- Keep your phone and number: You can bring your own phone and keep your phone number. No need to sign up for pricey device payments.
- Customize your plan: You decide how much data you need. Choose to pay as you go, opt for unlimited or no data, minimal minutes, or unlimited talk text and data. Unlimited data plans come at a much better price with an alternative carrier. Pick the plan options that fit your budget - not the one your carrier thinks you need.
- Great customer support: Smaller mobile providers are known for their attention to their customers. Stop feeling like an anonymous number getting lost in the crowd! Check out our carrier user reviews before switching.
Best Verizon CDMA carrier
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
5GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3.00 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Verizon vs US Mobile 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 | |
CDMA carrier features
- 4G LTE data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big four cellular networks you'll pay less without sacrificing speed. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so you can expect high-speed data.
- Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calls in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
- International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico, and discounted rates on others.
- Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with multi-line discounts.
- Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you're out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.
- Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.
- HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't. Read the fine print to find the option you want.
Compare CDMA carrier plans
| Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twigby | Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | 3GB | $10** 50% Off for 6 Months |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 5GB | $15* Free 10 Day Trial |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 12GB | $20* Free 10 Day Trial |
| Visible | Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $25** $15 Off 1st Month |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 100GB | $50 |
CDMA 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
Which carriers are CDMA?
We've included a full list of CDMA carriers below:
Verizon CDMA network list
| Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
| Boom! Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| CREDO Mobile | Verizon |
| Lively | Verizon |
| Net10 Wireless | Verizon |
| Page Plus Cellular | Verizon |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Spectrum Mobile | Verizon |
| Straight Talk | T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon |
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Total Wireless | Verizon |
| Tracfone | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Twigby | Verizon & Sprint |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Visible | Verizon |
| Xfinity Mobile | Verizon |
| Wing | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Affinity Cellular | Verizon |
| Selectel Wireless | Verizon |
What is the CDMA network?
CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access - is used mainly across the US. This is one of the main differences between CDMA and GSM, as GSM is a technology used worldwide.
Both technologies fill in the gap when 4G is not available, to make sure you still have coverage.
Which is better CDMA or GSM?
This can still be a confusing topic for consumers and it's really more a personal preference when it comes to CDMA and GSM.
It's easier to swap phones with a GSM phone as the information is stored on a SIM card and GSM carriers do not have as much control over the phone used. With CDMA you need the permission of your carrier.
Whether you have a CDMA phone or a GSM phone you can find the best low-cost carriers for both networks.
Best CDMA unlocked phones
| Phone | Storage | Network | Condition | Price | Samsung Galaxy A03s | 32GB | Verizon | New | $160 | Samsung Galaxy A13 | 128GB | Verizon | New | $250 | Samsung Galaxy A42 | 128GB | Verizon | New | $312 | Apple iPhone SE | 64GB | Verizon | New | $329 | Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | 128GB | Verizon | New | $384 | Apple iPhone 12 mini | 64GB | Verizon | New | $599 | Apple iPhone 12 | 128GB | Verizon | New | $749 | Apple iPhone 13 mini | 128GB | Verizon | New | $779 | Apple iPhone 13 | 128GB | Verizon | New | $799 | Samsung Galaxy S22 | 128GB | Verizon | New | $800 | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip | 256GB | Verizon | New | $899 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | 128GB | Verizon | New | $984 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ | 128GB | Verizon | New | $1,000 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | 128GB | Verizon | New | $1,080 | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | 128GB | Verizon | New | $1,200 |
|---|
CDMA unlocked phone benefits
- Save 50% or more off retail: Get flagship smartphones in excellent condition for hundreds less than new.
- It's great value for your dollar: New phone models usually only get minor upgrades from year to year. Keep your money, but get all the best features.
- Retain your freedom: Buying your phone outright means you decide when to leave your carrier to find a cheaper cell phone plan.
What does CDMA unlocked mean?
A CDMA unlocked phone means that you are free to choose a cell phone plan from any provider that uses the CDMA network. There are some great budget-friendly bring your own phone plans available or you can choose from a range of MVNO's
Newer CDMA phones tend to be unlocked, due to also using GSM technology. So if you have a phone that is only a few years old it is likely to be unlocked giving you the chance to find a better cell phone plan.
CDMA carriers FAQs
Is Verizon CDMA?
Verizon operates on the CDMA network - Verizon unlocked phones may only work with CDMA carriers.
Is T-Mobile CDMA?
T-Mobile operates on the GSM network - T-Mobile unlocked phones should work with CDMA carriers.
Is AT&T CDMA?
AT&T operates on the GSM network - AT&T unlocked phones should work with CDMA carriers
Recap
Verizon runs on the CDMA network and switching to a Verizon MVNO can cut your monthly cell phone bills in half.
Bridging the gap when 4G is not available, CDMA is mainly used in the US. Although old CDMA phones had no SIM card, ones made in the last few years do and most are compatible with the GSM network.
If you're looking to bring your own phone you can check if your handset is compatible with our IMEI checker.
MoneySavingPro methodology
We're here to bring transparency to telecoms, putting power back in your hands. This guides everything we do.
- We've got high standards. We use our industry expertise to find carriers that reach these standards. We all deserve the best value for money, choice and customer experience.
- We care about accuracy. MoneySavingPro is run by cell phone geeks and money saving obsessives. Our content team researches everything thoroughly so that information you read here will give you the whole picture. Everything we do is backed up by the data.
- We keep things simple. It's our job to break down what you need to know, so you can make informed choices.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 US Mobile | Best unlimited plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $35/mo |
 Reach Mobile | Best family plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $30/mo |
 Red Pocket | Best cheap plan | 500 | 500 | 500MB | $10/mo |
 Twigby | Best talk & text plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $13/mo |
