Best T-Mobile pay as you go plans for 2023

We compared the best pay as you go plans on the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks: Save up to $600/yr
T-Mobile
$70/mo
Unlimited data
T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
$840/yr Total cost
vs
$10/mo
1GB data
T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
Save $720/yr
$25/mo*
12GB data
Verizon 5G & 4G networks
Save $540/yr
* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card
$15/mo*$30/mo
Unlimited data
T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
Save $525/yr
* Only $45 for 3 Months
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 May 21st, 2023

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

If you love your T-Mobile service but not the size of your monthly bill, you have more options than you may think.

T-Mobile MVNOs offer the best way to regain control of your cell phone plan and budget. In fact, you could save $600 per year per line by switching to a low-cost carrier on the T-Mobile network

Essentially, MVNOs are low-cost carriers powered by one or more big networks. They offer the same great service at significantly lower prices.

Switching to the best pay as you go phone plan from a low-cost carrier is easy. No more nasty bill-shaped surprises at the end of the month.

Ready to explore your options? Let's get into it.

Cheap T-Mobile pay as you go plans: Starting at $5/mo

Tello SIM card vertical

Best cheap pay as you go T-Mobile plan

Tello 1GB

  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 1GB data
$10/mo
View Plan

This 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

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

5 out of 5 overall
US Mobile SIM card vertical

Best pay as you go plan for one person

US Mobile 2GB

  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 2GB data
$10/mo*
* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card
View Plan

This US Mobile 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $10 per month. US Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read US Mobile review

Pros
  • Flexible, no contract plans

  • 24/7 customer service

  • 5G coverage available

Cons
  • No international calling

  • Phone selection

4.5 out of 5 overall
Boost Mobile SIM card vertical

Best 5G pay as you go plan on T-Mobile

Boost Mobile 5GB

  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
$5/mo*
* $15 for 3 months service
View Plan

This 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 T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Boost Mobile review

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

4.5 out of 5 overall
Mint Mobile SIM card vertical

Best pay as you go family plan on T-Mobile

Mint Mobile 15GB

  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 15GB data
$15/mo*
* Only $45 for 3 Months
View Plan

This Mint Mobile 15GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 15GB 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

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

4.5 out of 5 overall
Boost Infinite SIM card vertical

Best pay as you go unlimited plan on T-Mobile

Boost Infinite Unlimited

  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
$25/mo*
* $25/mo Forever
View Plan

This Boost Infinite Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $25 per month. Boost Infinite plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Boost Infinite review

Pros
  • Low price

  • Unlimited everything

  • International calling & roaming add ons

  • No overage charges

  • Mobile hotspot access

Cons
  • Only one plan

  • Additional features an extra cost

  • High-speed data capped at 30 GB

4.5 out of 5 overall

What are the benefits of pay as you go phone plans?

Do you want a cheap T-Mobile phone plan on your favorite network that keeps your phone number plus gives you way more plan flexibility?

Here are the features and benefits of the T-Mobile MVNOs to help you decide.

  • Huge savings: Starting from around $10 a month, prepaid T-Mobile plans could save you up to $600 a year without compromising quality.

  • National wireless coverage: T-Mobile MVNO carriers operate on the same T-Mobile network, so you'll receive their nationwide coverage at half price.

  • No contracts: Low-cost carriers like Mint Mobile offer prepaid plans, so there are no long-term commitments. Finding the best T-Mobile cell phone plan has never been easier.

  • Keep your phone and number: If you don't want the extra cost of upgrading, you can bring your phone and easily port your number over with T-Mobile BYOP plans.

  • Easy activation: Just insert your new T-Mobile prepaid SIM card from your new carrier into your existing phone.

  • eSIM: If your phone is eSIM compatible, you can switch instantly or add a second line. Check out the best T-Mobile prepaid eSIM carriers.

  • Customize your plan: Pay only for what you need with MVNOs. You can choose from T-Mobile individual plans or multiple lines, or if you just want something basic without data, there are a variety of T-Mobile talk & text plans available.

  • 4G LTE network coverage: Get access to T-Mobile's 4G LTE nationwide coverage as their MVNOs operate on the same network.

  • 5G high-speed data: You can join the fast 5G network in some areas at no extra cost. You'll find some great deals with T-Mobile 5G plans and can choose from a range of options to go with your 5G compatible phone.

  • Multiline discounts: With already low-cost plans, if you're looking for two or more lines, you could save up to $600 per year per line by opting for T-Mobile family plans thanks to their multi-line discounts.

  • Special discounts: A range of special offers available for military and veterans with T-Mobile military plans. And if you're a student, you can shop all the deals with T-Mobile student phone plans.

  • Pay as you go: No need to worry about overage charges with PAYG. You can control your cell phone costs and only pay for what you need with T-Mobile pay as you go plans.

  • Unlimited plans: If you're a heavy data user, the good news is you can get T-Mobile unlimited data plans to fit your data needs for half price.

  • Kids plans: T-Mobile kids phone plans provide affordable options that won't break the bank when it's time to get your kid's first cell phone plan.

  • Senior plans: From low-cost, basic plans to plenty of data, T-Mobile senior phone plans have some great options to help cut the cost of your phone bill.

  • Smartwatch plans: An additional SIM card for your smartwatch doesn't have to be another expensive plan, with T-Mobile smartwatch plans or T-Mobile Apple Watch plans, there are plenty of low-cost options.

Compare T-Mobile unlimited plans

Plan Data Monthly Price Annual Cost
T-Mobile Magenta Unlimited $70 $840
T-Mobile Magenta Max Unlimited $85 $1,020

T-Mobile vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $552 per year

Carrier

Network Coverage

4G/5G Data

Price

Annual Cost

T-Mobile

T-Mobile 4G & 5G

Unltd*

$70/mo

$840/yr

Boost Mobile

T-Mobile 4G & 5G

Unlimited

$25/mo

$288/yr

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

Savings

$45/mo

$552/yr


How to pick the best T-Mobile pay as you go plan

  • 4G LTE and 5G data speeds: Since T-Mobile MVNOs are all powered by the T-Mobile network, you'll pay less without sacrificing speed.

  • Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calling in their plan options.

  • 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: Like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming, while others don't.

T-Mobile network coverage comparison

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 RootScore 2022 report

When it comes to 5G network coverage, T-Mobile scores the highest, according to the J.D. Power 2023 wireless network study.

Find cheap prepaid phone plans in your area

Switch & Save $600 per year
Find cheap plans in your area

If T-Mobile isn't giving you the best coverage, check out the best AT&T pay as you go plans and Verizon pay as you go plans.


T-Mobile customer service comparison

CARRIER

TRUSTPILOT USER RATING

Reach Mobile TrustPilot score

4.9

Tello TrustPilot score

4.6

US Mobile TrustPilot score

4.6

T-Mobile TrustPilot score

1.5

Verizon TrustPilot score

1.3

AT&T TrustPilot score

1.2


Compare the cheapest pay as you go phone plans

Carrier

Network

Data

Price

Tello SIM card - Horizontal Tello 1GB plan

T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

1GB

$10/mo

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile 5GB plan

T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

5GB

$5/mo

$15/mo

Lycamobile SIM card - Horizontal Lycamobile 10GB plan

T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

10GB

$15/mo

US Mobile SIM card - Horizontal US Mobile 12GB plan

T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

12GB

$25/mo

Mint Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Mint Mobile unlimited data plan

T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

Unltd

$15/mo

$30/mo

How we picked the best T-Mobile pay as you go plans

MoneySavingPro reviewed the best value pay as you go phone plans available on T-Mobile's network and ranked them based on various factors.

The most important factor we considered was the price of each plan in comparison to other similar plans available in the market. We also evaluated data limits, network coverage, perks, customer feedback, and overall service quality.

We regularly monitor the market to keep track of new products and plan changes offered by carriers. This list is updated at least once a month, or more frequently as necessary.


Pay as you go phones compatible with T-Mobile

Device

Price

Samsung Galaxy A13

$7/mo

Samsung Galaxy A14

$10/mo

Samsung Galaxy A03s

$11/mo

Samsung Galaxy A23

$15/mo

Samsung Galaxy S21

$15/mo

Samsung Galaxy A54

$18/mo

Samsung Galaxy Note20

$19/mo

Samsung Galaxy S22

$19/mo

Apple iPhone SE 3 (2022)

$21/mo

Samsung Galaxy S22+

$21/mo

Samsung Galaxy A53

$25/mo

Samsung Galaxy S20

$25/mo

Samsung Galaxy S23

$34/mo

Apple iPhone 13

$35/mo

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

$37/mo

Apple iPhone 14

$40/mo

Samsung Galaxy S23+

$40/mo

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

$44/mo

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

$46/mo

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

$48/mo



T-Mobile pay as you go FAQs

What is the cheapest T-Mobile pay as you go plan?

T-Mobile MVNOs like Tello and Mint Mobile offer cheaper prices, while still offering the same nationwide coverage.

What is the best T-Mobile pay as you go phone plan?

T-Mobile MVNOs including US Mobile and Reach Mobile provide low-cost prepaid phone plans with T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE wireless coverage.


Recap: What is the best pay as you go T-Mobile plan?

When you switch to a pay as you go plan from an MVNO, you don't sacrifice a thing. You'll get more control over your cell phone plan, paying each month for the features you need.

Whether you're looking for 5G coverage, unlimited data, or just basic phone functionality from a basic plan, there's something to match your needs.

Finding the cheapest pay as you go plan has never been easier. Low-cost carriers make it simple for you to bring your own phone, so you don't have to pay for a new handset when you switch.