The best Prepaid CDMA SIM card in May
CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. It's one of the main technologies used for cell phone service in the US. You also may have heard of GSM, which is the other technology used worldwide for cellular service. Which network you use depends on your carrier.
Verizon and Sprint hook onto the CDMA network while T-Mobile and AT&T use GSM.
There are some great deals to be had with low-cost online carriers, known as MVNOs. These piggyback onto the main networks using CDMA technology. You can save up to 50% off your cell phone bill with one of these prepaid carriers.
CDMA SIM card benefits
Powered by the major US networks: CDMA MVNOs provide wireless plans on the same major telecoms service you can trust. Sprint and Verizon are the two networks that run on CDMA.
Save up to 50%: cut your cell phone bill in half and only pay for what you need.
No contracts: if you're not happy you can cancel at any time. No early termination fees.
Keep your phone: you can bring your own phone and keep your number with a hassle free switch over. Saving even more money.
CDMA carrier plan comparison
Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | 3GB | $15** 50% Off for 3 Months | |
Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 12GB | $20Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM | |
T-Mobile & Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $25** $20 Off for 3 Months | |
Verizon & Sprint | Unltd | Unltd | 0GB | $6.50** 50% Off for 6 Months | |
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile & Sprint | Unltd | Unltd | 3GB | $19 |
Best cheap CDMA plans
Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10* * $5 extra per GB | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $15 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $20* * $5 Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $25* * $20 Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | $30* * $5 Off for 6 Months |
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
Benefits
Offers coverage on both Verizon and T-Mobile
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or start-up fees
Bring your GSM or CDMA phone - most devices are compatible - or buy one from Ting
Keep your current number
Tethering/mobile hotspot allowed, speeds limited to 3G for GSM tethering
Use your plan minutes to call 60+ international locations
International roaming capability (at surcharged rates)
Extensive customer service hours by phone, chat, or email
Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $12 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $15 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | $20 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 18GB | $25 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB | $30 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $45 | |
Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM | ||||
Pros
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
Cons
No international calling
Phone selection
Benefits
Coverage on either the T-Mobile or Verizon network
Risk-free trial: Full refund within 14 days or before 1000 talk, text, or MB's is used
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own GSM or CDMA phone or choose from a small selection of phones for sale
Keep your own phone number
Mobile hotspot use available as add-on option with unlimited data plans
International roaming plans available with eSIMs
Add-ons available for talk, text, and data, with rollover
24/7 customer support
Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $15* | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 8GB | $23* | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | $28* | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 20GB | $33* | |
* 50% Off for 3 Months | ||||
Pros
Socially conscious provider who gives back
4G LTE network
Hotspot enabled
Cons
Small selection of handsets
Expensive high data plans
Benefits
Powered by the Verizon network
Service is postpaid with no credit check
Only upfront payment is shipping for SIM card
Bring your own compatible phone
Keep your phone number
Hotspot enabled on all plans
24/7 customer support by phone or chat
Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $19 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $30 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 22GB | $40 |
Pros
Nationwide coverage
No contracts
Latest selection of phones
Cons
Account dashboard needs work
No 0% financing options on latest phones
Customer service
Benefits
Operates on all four networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fees
Bring your own GSM or CDMA device and keep your phone number
Mobile hotspot/tethering allowed with your plan data
Free international calling to 70+ countries
Customer service available in English, Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish via chat or phone
Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $6.50* | |
300 | Unlimited | 1GB | $7.50* | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $10* | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $12.50* | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $17.50* | |
* 50% Off for 6 Months | ||||
Pros
No hotspot/tethering charges
International calling and texting
4G LTE coverage
Exclusive deals and discounts as a Twigby customer
Cons
Limited handset selection
Not for the data hungry
Benefits
Runs on both the Verizon and Sprint networks
30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee on phones and plans (under 300 minutes, 300 texts, or 300 MB of data used)
Prepaid - no contracts, credit checks, or activation fees
Bring your CDMA device or choose from a modest selection of Twigby phones
Keep your own phone number
Use your phone and plan data as a mobile hotspot
Use your plan minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Free international texting to over 180 countries
US-based chat support available weekdays 7am to 9pm CST and 10am to 6pm on weekends
Best Verizon CDMA SIM card
Verizon vs Reach Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $645 per year
Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon 4G LTE | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr | |
| Verizon 4G LTE | 3GB | $30/mo | $315/yr | |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $645/yr | |
What is a CDMA SIM card?
Using a SIM card makes it easier to switch plans between phones and carriers. This tiny card stores all your information, including contacts and personal data. It connects you to your carrier's network.
There are three different SIM card sizes and you'll need to check which one your phone uses before switching providers.
The three types of SIM cards are;
Standard SIM
Micro SIM
Nano SIM
Nano SIM is the most common and is used in the latest smartphones including newer Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models.
How to switch to a CDMA carrier
Switching providers can be a great way to save money. There's a range of low-cost alternative carriers that hook onto the main US networks. Sprint and Verizon are the two networks running on CDMA. This means you can get the same great service you love. Plus, with a low-cost carrier you only pay for what you need.
Most online carriers encourage you to bring your own phone. This is a great way to save money. If your phone is already with Verizon or Sprint you should have no problem bringing your device across to a CDMA SIM card.
However, some phones are locked to the carrier's network. Make sure to check your phone is unlocked before bringing it across. You can check your phone's compatibility by heading over to the carrier's website.
Things to figure out before you switch
- How much talk, text and data do you need? With low-cost online carriers you can tailor a plan to your needs. By keeping track of your usage you can save money and easily update your plan if needed. To check your average data you can use our data usage tool.
Bringing your own phone? If your phone is unlocked and compatible with a CDMA SIM card this is a great way to save money.
Who offers the best coverage? You can use our coverage map to find out which network and carrier works best in your area.
Which carriers are CDMA?
Below is a list of CDMA alternative carriers piggybacking off the Verizon and Sprint network. Make sure to check our coverage map if you're not sure which network is the best for your area.
You'll be sent a CDMA SIM card kit in the post from your new carrier that you can pop into your phone with simple activation instructions. If you're not sure if your phone is compatible, make sure to check the carrier's site before signing up.
Don't worry if your phone isn't compatible. You can still save money with a refurbished phone. Check out some of the latest refurbished phone deals.
Verizon CDMA network carriers
Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
Verizon & T-Mobile | |
Verizon | |
Verizon | |
Verizon | |
Verizon | |
AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon | |
Verizon | |
T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon | |
T-Mobile & Verizon | |
Verizon | |
Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile | |
Verizon & Sprint | |
Verizon & T-Mobile | |
Verizon | |
Verizon | |
AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile | |
Verizon | |
Verizon | |
Verizon | |
Verizon | |
AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
CDMA vs GSM
Is CDMA better? Whether CDMA or GSM is better comes down to personal choice and depends on what your cell phone needs are.
To fully understand how these two work, we need to talk about the (relatively) new tech in town; LTE. As we became hungrier for faster, more reliable data speeds, the LTE network was born. It was created for data only, but relies on GSM and CDMA for voice and text. CDMA and GSM fill in the gap when 4G LTE is not available.
The GSM network is used worldwide, so this makes it a good choice if you're a frequent traveler. You can save money with a GSM phone by buying a local SIM from the country you're visiting.
CDMA phones once stored data on the phone directly, rather than a SIM card. However, phones made in the last few years are already unlocked. They run on both the CDMA and GSM network to work alongside LTE.
CDMA SIM card FAQs
Can I change a GSM SIM to a CDMA SIM?
When you sign up with a GSM or CDMA carrier you'll receive a new SIM card. However, if you're looking to put a GSM SIM into a CDMA phone you'd need to check if the phone is compatible as older CDMA phones do not have a SIM card slot.
What is CDMA?
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is a network technology that Verizon and Sprint use. It's used mainly in the US, unlike the GSM network which is used worldwide.
Does CDMA use SIM cards?
CDMA phones didn't use SIM cards until recently. Due to the LTE technology CDMA phones have had to start using SIM cards to be able to access the 4G LTE network.
Why does my CDMA phone have a SIM card?
All modern CDMA phones have a SIM card to enable the use of the 4G LTE network.
Recap
There's a number of options with a CDMA SIM card and plenty of cheap cell phone plans that can save you money on your phone bill.
All of the providers encourage you to bring your own phone, but make sure to check with the carrier that your phone is compatible. You can also check out our guide on how to unlock your cell phone.
Still can't decide? Pop over to the prepaid phone plans page with deals from all low-cost carriers on both the CDMA and GSM network.
Deal of the Month: Tello 1GB for $10/mo