Prepaid SIM Cards

Cheap prepaid SIM cards with 5G & 4G LTE coverage: Switch & save $600/yr

99% coverage 4G & 5G speed Bring your phone No contracts
US Mobile Unlimited SIM card
  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited data
$0/mo*
See at US Mobile
* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card
Tello 1GB SIM card
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • 1GB data
$6/mo*
See at Tello
* Only $6 for first month
Mint Mobile 5GB SIM card
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • 5GB data
$7.50/mo*
See at Mint Mobile
* 50% Off - $45 for 6 Mths Service
Mint Mobile 15GB SIM card
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • 15GB data
$10/mo*
See at Mint Mobile
* 50% Off - $60 for 6 Mths Service
Boost Mobile Unlimited SIM card
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited data
$12.50/mo*
See at Boost Mobile
* 50% Off First Month
Twigby 2GB SIM card
  • Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
  • 2GB data
$5/mo*
See at Twigby
* Only $5/mo for First 3 Months
Ultra Mobile 3GB SIM card
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • 3GB data
$10/mo*
See at Ultra Mobile
* Only $30 for 3 Months Service
Boost Mobile 5GB SIM card
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • 5GB data
$5/mo*
See at Boost Mobile
* $15 for 3 months service
Mint Mobile Unlimited SIM card
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited data
$15/mo*
See at Mint Mobile
* 50% Off - $90 for 6 Mths Service
Boost Infinite Unlimited SIM card
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited data
$25/mo*
See at Boost Infinite
* $25/mo Forever
US Mobile 2GB SIM card
  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • 2GB data
$10/mo*
See at US Mobile
* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card
Twigby 5GB SIM card
  • Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
  • 5GB data
$10/mo*
See at Twigby
* Only $10/mo for First 3 Months
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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

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

1. Best SIM card with free trial: US Mobile Unlimited

US Mobile logo
  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
  • $650 in annual savings

FREE*

$25/mo
See at US Mobile

* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card

4.5 Read our US Mobile review

2. Best cheap SIM card: Tello 1GB

Tello logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 1GB data
  • $784 in annual savings

$6/mo*

$10/mo
See at Tello

* Only $6 for first month

5 Read our Tello review

3. Cheap prepaid SIM card: Mint Mobile 5GB

Mint Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
  • $765 in annual savings

$7.50/mo*

$15/mo
See at Mint Mobile

* 50% Off - $45 for 6 Mths Service

4.5 Read our Mint Mobile review

4. Best SIM card for iPhones: Mint Mobile 15GB

Mint Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 15GB data
  • $720 in annual savings

$10/mo*

$20/mo
See at Mint Mobile

* 50% Off - $60 for 6 Mths Service

4.5 Read our Mint Mobile review

5. Cheap unlimited SIM card: Boost Mobile Unlimited

Boost Mobile logo
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
  • $612.50 in annual savings

$12.50/mo*

$25/mo
See at Boost Mobile

* 50% Off First Month

4.5 Read our Boost Mobile review

6. Best 5G SIM card: Ultra Mobile 3GB

Ultra Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 3GB data
  • $699 in annual savings

$10/mo*

$19/mo
See at Ultra Mobile

* Only $30 for 3 Months Service

3.5 Read our Ultra Mobile review

7. Cheap T-Mobile SIM card: Mint Mobile Unlimited

Mint Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
  • $630 in annual savings

$15/mo*

$30/mo
See at Mint Mobile

* 50% Off - $90 for 6 Mths Service

4.5 Read our Mint Mobile review

8. Cheap AT&T SIM card: Boost Infinite Unlimited

Boost Infinite logo
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
  • $600 in annual savings

$25/mo*

See at Boost Infinite

* $25/mo Forever

4.5 Read our Boost Infinite review

9. Cheap Verizon SIM card: Twigby 5GB

Twigby logo
  • Verizon 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
  • $690 in annual savings

$10/mo*

$20/mo
See at Twigby

* Only $10/mo for First 3 Months

4.5 Read our Twigby review

10. Cheap international SIM card: Boost Mobile 5GB

Boost Mobile logo
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
  • $750 in annual savings

$5/mo*

$15/mo
See at Boost Mobile

* $15 for 3 months service

4.5 Read our Boost Mobile review

How to choose the best prepaid SIM card

Which network do you prefer?

Low-cost carriers are powered by the same 5G and 4G LTE networks as the big 3. According to a 5G Experience Report (2023) by Opensignal, T-Mobile has the most extensive 5G coverage in the United States. If you have a preference for a specific network, you can find an MVNO that operates on that network. To discover the best cell phone service in your area, make sure to use our coverage checker.

How much data do you need?

Do you really need a prepaid SIM card for unlimited data? The big 3 wireless companies want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. Because if you spend most of your time at home or work on Wi-Fi, it's likely your cellular data usage will be much lower. You can pick a plan with enough data to fit your needs with cheap cell phone providers, meaning if you use less, you can pay less. But if you do choose an unlimited data SIM card, be aware that high-speed data is normally capped.

Is mobile hotspot data included?

Many MVNOs permit the usage of hotspot data. However, they impose restrictions on the quantity of data that can be used through tethering. The specific limit varies depending on the carrier and plan that you select. Additionally, some low-cost carriers provide exclusive data only SIM cards designed specifically for iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots.

What's the monthly cost?

While an unlimited data SIM card with the big 3 wireless costs around $75-90 per month, the best MVNOs offer budget-friendly SIM cards, ranging from $5-35 per month without compromising coverage or data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some providers include these in the price, and others, such as Verizon and AT&T, don't.

How many lines do you need?

With big wireless, you only get the low advertised price if you buy four lines. With low-cost carriers, the price you see is what you pay, even for one line. Some MVNOs also offer further discounts for multi-line plans.

Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device?

While big wireless prioritizes keeping their customers in a perpetual cycle of phone upgrades, MVNOs advocate for bringing your own device. This empowers you to regain control and only switch phones when it's convenient for you. In the event that you do decide to buy a new phone, most MVNOs provide the option for 0% financing spread across 1-2 years.

Are there any promotions?

Promotions from big wireless can seem great at first. But once you read the fine print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year phone contracts. Most MVNOs offer short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is much clearer.

Are there any perks?

The big 3 wireless plans normally come with "complimentary" TV subscriptions, but these often become paid subscriptions that are automatically included on your bill after a few months. Although some budget-friendly carriers like US Mobile do provide plan choices with free subscription services, we generally advise keeping these subscriptions separate to avoid paying for unnecessary months of service.

What international travel features are available?

Most MVNOs offer free international calls to many countries. But when you're traveling abroad, there are different features you'll need, for example, roaming. If this is important to you, you can find a variety of carriers offering SIM cards for international travel.

Do they have parental controls?

Many MVNO carriers offer parental control features that enable parents to monitor their children's phone usage and data consumption. With parental controls, you can set data limits, restrict access to certain apps or websites, and even track your child's location. Some AT&T MVNOs offer these features as part of their standard plans, or you'll find this feature on your cell phone.

What are the SIM card sizes?

The SIM card you need will depend on your device. Most smart devices now use a nano-SIM or eSIM, but some older devices may need a micro-SIM or a standard SIM.

Check out our comparison of the best prepaid SIM cards to ensure you find the best deal.


Find the best prepaid phone plans in your area

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Compare the cheapest SIM card plans

Carrier Network Data Price
US Mobile Unlimited SIM card Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $0/mo $25/mo
Tello 1GB SIM card T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 1GB $6/mo $10/mo
Mint Mobile 5GB SIM card T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 5GB $7.50/mo $15/mo
Mint Mobile 15GB SIM card T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 15GB $10/mo $20/mo
Boost Mobile Unlimited SIM card AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $12.50/mo $25/mo

SIM cards for international travelers

In the quest for affordable and flexible communication, especially when traveling, prepaid SIM cards have become a pivotal part of helping to stay connected. For travelers jetting from the USA to Europe and other various countries, the GSM technology underlying most prepaid SIM cards ensures phone compatibility, catering to both iPhone, Android, and other smartphones.

Whether you're looking to buy a new SIM card on arrival or opt for a travel SIM card, either is a great option. Also, if your phone is compatible, an eSIM can make this process even easier.

However, your current carrier may offer international plans, but they usually come with a hefty price tag. The best option can be getting a local SIM card, which presents a cost-effective option, often providing a substantial GB of data, free mobile hotspot data, and local call minutes, which are invaluable for internet access to navigate via Google Maps or stay connected through WhatsApp and Skype.

A new SIM card can offer an ideal plan tailored for each destination and guarantee the best rates.

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