The Best 5G Phone Service in 2023

What is the best 5G cell phone service?
Find cheap plans in your area
Cheap cell phone plans starting at $10/mo -Compare Now
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 22nd, 2023

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

Cheap 5G provider
T-Mobile network
1GB 4G/5G data
$10 /mo
Prepaid 5G provider
T-Mobile network
5GB 4G/5G data
$15 /mo*

View Plan

* Only $45 for 3 Months
Family 5G provider
Verizon & T-Mobile networks
15GB 4G/5G data
$20 /mo

View Plan

* 100 Days FREE Trial
Unlimited 5G provider
T-Mobile network
Unltd 4G/5G data
$29 /mo
Individual 5G provider
AT&T & T-Mobile networks
5GB 4G/5G data
$5 /mo* $15/mo

View Plan

* $15 for 3 months service

5G service

Find cheap plans in your area
Best 5G Phone Service
Tello SIM card vertical

Tello: Best cheap 5G phone service

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

Mint Mobile SIM card vertical

Mint Mobile: Best prepaid 5G phone service

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB 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 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB 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

US Mobile SIM card vertical

US Mobile: Best 5G service for families

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

15GB 4G/5G Data

$20/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 15GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 15GB data for only $20 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

Tello SIM card vertical

Tello: Best 5G service for unlimited data

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited 4G/5G Data

$29/mo
Boost Mobile SIM card vertical

Boost Mobile: Best 5G service for one person

AT&T & T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB 4G/5G Data

$5/mo*

* $15 for 3 months service

4.5
Pros
  • Nationwide coverage on AT&T & T-Mobile

  • 5G & 4G LTE data speeds

  • Buy online and no credit checks

  • Bring your own phone

  • Cheapest unlimited data plan

Cons
  • No data only plans

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

Boost Mobile plans
  • Boost Mobile 5GB plan: $5/mo

  • Boost Mobile 1GB plan: $8/mo

  • Boost Mobile 2GB plan: $10/mo

  • Boost Mobile unlimited data plan: $12.50/mo

  • Boost Mobile 15GB plan: $20/mo

See Boost Mobile phone plans

5G phone service benefits

  • Same great coverage: These cell phone carriers are powered by the same networks as the four telecom giants.

  • Much lower prices: Without the massive overheads and advertising costs an MVNO cell phone plan can save you up to $600 a year.

  • No contracts: No lengthy tie-ins. Providing a no-contract phone plan you can switch anytime you want.

  • Keep your phone and number: No need for unnecessary upgrades. You can bring your own phone and keep your number.

  • Customize your plan: Your plan, your terms. Pick how much data you need. Choose from no data to unlimited data plans.

  • Great customer support: Smaller mobile providers are known for their attention to customer service. Before switching check out what other money savers have to say with their user reviews.


Best phone service with T-Mobile 5G coverage

Mint Mobile 15GB plan * Only $45 for 3 Months

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

15GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo*

$20/mo

T-Mobile wireless network

T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $615 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

15GB

$20/mo

$225/yr

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

Savings

$50/mo

$615/yr

Compare: T-Mobile 5G phone plans


Best phone service with Verizon 5G coverage

US Mobile 15GB plan * 100 Days FREE Trial

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

15GB

4G/5G data

$20 /mo

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless networks

Verizon vs US Mobile comparison

Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $720 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

15GB

$20/mo

$240/yr

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

Savings

$60/mo

$720/yr

Compare: Verizon 5G phone plans


Best 5G service with AT&T 5G coverage

Boost Mobile 5GB plan * $15 for 3 months service

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB

4G/5G data

$5 /mo*

$15/mo

AT&T & T-Mobile wireless networks

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $750 per year

Carrier

Network Coverage

4G/5G Data

Price

Annual Cost

AT&T

AT&T 4G & 5G

Unltd*

$75/mo

$900/yr

Boost Mobile

AT&T 4G & 5G

5GB

$15/mo

$150/yr

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

Savings

$60/mo

$750/yr

Compare: AT&T 5G phone plans


5G service features

  • 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.


Cheapest 5G phone service

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

5G 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

MONTHLY PRICE

COVERAGE

US Mobile

4.7

$10-35

Verizon 5G & 4G LTE

Tello

4.4

$10-29

T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE

Red Pocket Mobile

4.2

$10-50

AT&T 5G & 4G LTE

T-Mobile

1.5

$70-90

T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE

AT&T

1.3

$75-90

AT&T 5G & 4G LTE

Verizon

1.2

$80-90

Verizon 5G & 4G LTE

5G service plan types

  • Unlimited plans: Looking for unlimited talk text and data? Alternative carriers have got you covered. Data hungry users looking for unlimited plus plans can save serious money by switching to one of the cheapest unlimited data plans. Not sure how much data you need? Check out our data usage calculator.

  • Basic plans: If you (or a loved one) only use a cell phone to make a few calls, send a couple of messages and rarely go online then you can opt for a simply prepaid plan. You get basic cell phone functions, an allowance for minutes of talk, and usually around 2GB of data at a great price. Once you run out of your data allotment, speeds slow, but it's usually very easy to add on more.

  • Family plans: Need four lines or more? Many MVNOs offer group plans. Compare the cheapest family phone plans so you can pick and choose what each family member needs.

  • Bring your own phone plans: BYOP plans are the norm with smaller carriers. Compare cell phone prices and get a great deal to go with your cheap cell phone plan!

  • Single line plans: Stop paying a premium rate just because you only need one line. Find the best phone plans for individuals.

  • Talk and text only plans: Don't need data? No problem - compare cheap talk and text plans. Bonus, you'll save a ton of money if you're not paying for data!

  • Tablet plans: Find the cheapest data plan for your tablet or iPad.

  • Kids plans: MVNOs offer the best phone plans for kids because you can tailor them to exactly what you want your child to have.

  • Senior plans: Senior citizens often have different cell phone needs. Compare cheap cell phone plans for seniors for the perfect fit.


How to switch to a cheap 5G service

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.

5G service providers 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


5G phone service FAQs

Which 5G phone service is the best?

Tello and Twigby currently have the cheapest cell phone plans, starting at $10 a month.

What is the best unlimited 5G phone service?

Mint Mobile offers the cheapest unlimited everything plan starting at $30.


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.