GSM Carriers in 2021

Best GSM network carriers in July

Table of Contents

• GSM carrier benefits

• Best AT&T GSM carrier

• Best T-Mobile GSM carrier

• GSM carrier coverage

• Which carriers are GSM?

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GSM 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 AT&T GSM carrier

Pure Talk 4GB data plan* 25% Off for 3 Months

Unlimitedmins

Unlimitedtexts

4 GB

4G data

$18.75*

per month

$25/mo

See Deal

Powered by: AT&T

AT&T vs Pure Talk Plan Comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $562 per year

Best T-Mobile GSM carrier

Mint Mobile 4GB data plan* $45 for 3 Months Service

Unlimitedmins

Unlimitedtexts

4 GB

4G data

$15*

per month

See Deal

Powered by: T-Mobile

T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Plan Comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $540 per year

GSM 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 multiline 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 GSM carrier plans

GSM 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

Source: Rootmetrics

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Which carriers are GSM?

We've included a full list of GSM carriers below:

T-Mobile GSM network list

AT&T GSM network list

What is the GSM network?

GSM - or Global System for Mobile Communications - is a mobile network that is used worldwide, unlike CDMA which is used mainly in the US. It is the most popular cell phone technology and it is much easier to swap between phones on GSM networks as your information is stored on a SIM card.

Since it started GSM has evolved much faster than CDMA and 4G LTE is a GSM standard which means that both Verizon and Sprint are now using GSM technology on their previous CDMA phones. GSM, along with CDMA, is the technology that fills the gap when your 4G signal drops.

What is a GSM SIM card?

A SIM (subscriber identity module) card is what is provided to you by your carrier when you sign up to one of their plans. It has a unique identification number and holds your phone information, like your contacts and personal data.

The GSM SIM card makes it easy to switch between phones as you can just take it out from one phone and pop it into your new phone. Some older devices may still be locked to your current provider, so you will need to make sure they are unlocked before changing over.

When it comes to the SIM cards there are three types of SIM - standard SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM. The type of SIM card you will need depends on your phone but the most common is the nano SIM.

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 GSM unlocked phones

GSM 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 so hold onto your money and still get all the best features.

• Retain your freedom: Buying your phone outright means you can decide when to leave your carrier for a cheaper cell phone plan.

What does GSM unlocked mean?

Most carriers want to keep you as a customer, so often you'll find your device is locked to the carrier you originally signed up with so you can't just pop your SIM card into a phone with another network. If your device is locked, don't panic you still have options!

If your phone is locked you may be able to unlock it once it has been fully paid off or you can still save money with one of AT&T or T-Mobile's MVNOs.

Some carriers, however, do provide unlocked phones and if your phone is only a few years old then it is likely to be unlocked as most new phones use both the GSM and CDMA network.

With an unlocked phone, you can find the best cell phone plan for your budget and not worry about the fuss of switching carriers.

GSM carriers FAQs

Recap

There's a wide variety of cell phone plans available on the GSM network with carriers like Mint Mobile, Pure Talk, and Red Pocket Mobile, to name just a few,that can save you money.

If you're looking to bring your own phone, as long as it's compatible you can easily switch between carriers.

If you've got a CDMA phone without a SIM card slot there are plenty of low cost options to upgrade your handset with most MVNOs offering 0% finance plans over two years.

If you want to check your phone is compatible you can use our IMEI code 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
Tello	GSM prepaid plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$10/mo
Mint Mobile	GSM unlimited plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$30/mo
Pure Talk	GSM family plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB	$25/mo
Boost Mobile	Cheap GSM plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB	$25/mo
Ting	GSM talk & text plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	0GB	$10/mo
Good2Go Mobile	GSM senior plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$15/mo
Red Pocket	GSM kids plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	0.5GB	$10/mo
h2o Wireless	GSM individual plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB	$20/mo
US Mobile	GSM Data plan	0	0	2GB	$10/mo