Cheap Phone Carriers

Compare the cheapest cell phone carriers
1GB 5G & 4G LTE data
T-Mobile network
$10 /mo
4GB 5G & 4G LTE data
Verizon network
$10 /mo* $20/mo

View Plan

* $10 Credit with Promo Code: MSP
5GB 5G & 4G LTE data
AT&T & T-Mobile networks
$5 /mo* $15/mo

View Plan

* $15 for 3 months service
20GB 5G & 4G LTE data
T-Mobile network
$15 /mo* $25/mo

View Plan

* Only $45 for 3 Months
Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data
T-Mobile network
$15 /mo* $30/mo

View Plan

* Only $45 for 3 Months
US Mobile: 100 Days FREE Trial
99% coverage 4G & 5G speed Bring your phone No contracts
Tello 1GB plan

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

1GB

4G/5G data

$10 /mo

View Plan
T-Mobile wireless network
Twigby 4GB plan * $10 Credit with Promo Code: MSP

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

4GB

4G/5G data

$10 /mo*

$20/mo

View Plan
Verizon wireless network
Boost Mobile 5GB plan * $15 for 3 months service

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB

4G/5G data

$5 /mo*

$15/mo

View Plan
AT&T & T-Mobile wireless networks
Mint Mobile 20GB plan * Only $45 for 3 Months

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

20GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo*

$25/mo

View Plan
T-Mobile wireless network
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan * Only $45 for 3 Months

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited

4G/5G data

$15 /mo*

$30/mo

View Plan
T-Mobile wireless network
Boost Infinite unlimited data plan * $25/mo Forever - No Price Increases

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited

4G/5G data

$25 /mo*

View Plan
AT&T & T-Mobile wireless networks
US Mobile 2GB plan * 100 Days FREE Trial

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

2GB

4G/5G data

$12 /mo

View Plan
Verizon & T-Mobile wireless networks
Mint Mobile 15GB plan * Only $45 for 3 Months

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

15GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo*

$20/mo

View Plan
T-Mobile wireless network
US Mobile 25GB plan * 100 Days FREE Trial

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

25GB

4G/5G data

$25 /mo

View Plan
Verizon & T-Mobile wireless networks
Boost Mobile unlimited data plan * 50% Off First Month

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited

4G/5G data

$12.50 /mo*

$25/mo

View Plan
AT&T & T-Mobile wireless networks
We currently have no deals for that combination, please change the filters
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Disclaimer: MoneySavingPro is a free price comparison service but we do not provide service directly. We do our best to keep all the information up to date but there may be some discrepancies between the price you pay.

Big savings, no compromises
Nationwide Coverage Powered by the major networks
Bring your own phone Keep your existing phone and number
5G & 4G data speeds Same fast speeds as the big guys
No contracts Flexible and commitment-free
Customize your plan Only pay for what you use
Buy online No need to visit a store
Lady floating over network logos
Stop the Unlimited Data Plan Rip Off!
Carrier Network Data Price   Annual  
AT&T AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited* $75/mo $900/yr
Boost Mobile AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited $25/mo $287.50/yr
*Avg. data usage only 3-5GB Savings $50/mo Savings $612.50/yr
By
Rob Webber
Rob Webber

Rob Webber

Founder

About Rob

Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

Rob's Expertise

5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services

- Last updated on January 13th, 2023

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

Cheapest phone carriers

Cheap Phone Carriers
Tello SIM card vertical

Tello: Best cheap prepaid phone carrier

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

1GB 4G/5G Data

$10/mo
5
Pros
  • No contract. No bulk buying.

  • 24/7 friendly customer support

  • 4G LTE/5G nationwide coverage

  • Free Hotspot & Wi-Fi Calling

  • Free international calls to 60+ countries

Cons
  • No roaming

  • Coverage in rural areas

Tello 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $10 per month. Tello plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Tello review

Tello plans
  • Tello unlimited talk & text plan: $8/mo

  • Tello 1GB plan: $10/mo

  • Tello 2GB plan: $14/mo

  • Tello 5GB plan: $19/mo

  • Tello 10GB plan: $24/mo

  • Tello unlimited data plan: $29/mo

See Tello phone plans

US Mobile SIM card vertical

US Mobile: Best cheap phone carrier for families

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB 4G/5G Data

$15/mo

* 100 Days FREE Trial

4.5
Pros
  • Flexible, no contract plans

  • 24/7 customer service

  • 5G coverage available

Cons
  • No international calling

  • Phone selection

US Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $15 per month. US Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read US Mobile review

US Mobile plans
  • US Mobile 500MB plan: $5/mo

  • US Mobile unlimited talk & text plan: $8/mo

  • US Mobile 2GB plan: $12/mo

  • US Mobile 5GB plan: $15/mo

  • US Mobile 15GB plan: $20/mo

  • US Mobile 25GB plan: $25/mo

  • US Mobile unlimited data plan: $35/mo

  • US Mobile unlimited data plan: $45/mo

See US Mobile phone plans

Mint Mobile SIM card vertical

Mint Mobile: Best cheap phone carrier for unlimited data

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited 4G/5G Data

$15/mo*

* Only $45 for 3 Months

4.5
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

Mint Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $15 per month. Mint Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Mint Mobile review

Mint Mobile plans
  • Mint Mobile 20GB plan: $15/mo

  • Mint Mobile 15GB plan: $15/mo

  • Mint Mobile 5GB plan: $15/mo

  • Mint Mobile unlimited data plan: $15/mo

See Mint Mobile phone plans

Ultra Mobile SIM card vertical

Ultra Mobile: Best cheap phone carrier for 5G coverage

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

2GB 4G/5G Data

$14/mo
3.5
Pros
  • Simple account dashboard

  • Unlimited international talk and text

  • Nationwide coverage

Cons
  • Customer service

Ultra Mobile 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $14 per month. Ultra Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Ultra Mobile review

Ultra Mobile plans
  • Ultra Mobile unlimited talk & text plan: $10/mo

  • Ultra Mobile 2GB plan: $14/mo

  • Ultra Mobile 6GB plan: $25/mo

  • Ultra Mobile 15GB plan: $30/mo

  • Ultra Mobile unlimited data plan: $30/mo

See Ultra Mobile phone plans

Ting SIM card vertical

Ting: Best cheap carrier for talk & text

T-Mobile & Verizon wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

0GB 4G/5G Data

$10/mo*
currently unavailable

* $5 extra per GB

4
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

Ting 0GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $10 per month. Ting plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile & Verizon 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read Ting review

Ting plans
  • Ting unlimited talk & text plan: $10/mo

  • Ting 1GB plan: $15/mo

  • Ting 5GB plan: $25/mo

  • Ting 12GB plan: $35/mo

  • Ting unlimited data plan: $45/mo

Cheap carrier benefits

  • Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big three 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 cheap carrier on T-Mobile

Mint Mobile 5GB plan * Only $45 for 3 Months

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo*

T-Mobile wireless network

T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile 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

5GB

$15/mo

$180/yr

*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB

Savings

$55/mo

$660/yr

Compare: cheapest T-Mobile carrier plans


Best cheap carrier on Verizon

US Mobile 5GB plan * 100 Days FREE Trial

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless networks

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

Compare: cheapest Verizon carrier plans


Best cheap carrier on AT&T

Good2Go Mobile 6GB plan * Double data promotion

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

6GB

4G/5G data

$25 /mo*

AT&T & T-Mobile wireless networks

AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $600 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

6GB

$25/mo

$300/yr

*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB

Savings

$50/mo

$600/yr

Compare: cheapest AT&T carrier plans


Cheap carrier plan features

  • 4G LTE & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big three 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.


Best cheap phone carrier plans

Carrier

Network

Data

Price

Tello SIM card - Horizontal Tello

T-Mobile

1GB

$10/mo

Twigby SIM card - Horizontal Twigby

Verizon

4GB

$20/mo

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile

AT&T & T-Mobile

5GB

$15/mo

Mint Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Mint Mobile

T-Mobile

20GB

$25/mo

Mint Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Mint Mobile

T-Mobile

Unltd

$30/mo

Cheap 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

Switch & Save $600 per year
Find Cheap Cell Phone Plans in Your Area

Cheap 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 carrier

It's never been easier to switch. Let's break it down.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

Cheap carriers list

T-Mobile MVNOs

Verizon MVNOs

AT&T MVNOs

Boost Mobile

US Mobile

Red Pocket

US Mobile

Red Pocket

Good2Go Mobile

Ultra Mobile

Twigby

PureTalk

Tello

Affinity Cellular

H2O Wireless

Red Pocket

Reach Mobile

Straight Talk

Mint Mobile

Spectrum Mobile

Tracfone

Consumer Cellular

Total by Verizon

Kroger Wireless

Republic Wireless

Ting

Optimum Mobile

Simple Mobile

Lycamobile

Gen Mobile


Best cheap cell phone deals

Device 32GB128GB64GB
Motorola Moto G7 REVVLRY $9/mo - -
Samsung Galaxy A03s $9/mo - -
Motorola Moto E $11/mo - -
Samsung Galaxy S10e - $11/mo -
Motorola Moto G Stylus - $11/mo -
Motorola Moto One Ace - - $11/mo
Nokia G50 - $11/mo -
OnePlus Nord N10 - $11/mo -
Motorola Moto G Power $12/mo - -
Motorola Moto G Pure $12/mo - -

Best cheap carriers FAQs

Which cell phone carrier is the cheapest?

The best value cell phone carrier varies depending on your needs and your budget. There's a range of options available from low-cost MVNOs.

Which is the best cheap carrier forunlimited data?

For unlimited everything on a budget, Mint Mobile offers a low-cost option on the T-Mobile network.


Powered by
4G/5G data
mins
texts
/mo
Same coverage - massive savings! YOU SAVE:
T-Mobile
Magenta - $70/mo
$840/yr
AT&T
Unlimited Extra - $75/mo
$900/yr
Verizon
Play More Unlimited - $80/mo
$960/yr
$0$17.5$35$52.5$70
Monthly cost
Average monthly data usage is only between 3-5GB
Avg. user rating
Benefits