Best cheap pay as you go plans in April
Pay as you go plan benefits
We love Mobile Virtual Network Operators or MVNOs. If you're on the lookout for cheap cell phone plans, they're the best route to go down.
Want to stay on the same network, keep your phone and number, plus get greater flexibility?
Yep. You've got it. Forget the major carriers. Plans include everything you need, but come at a much better price with an MVNO.
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.
Cheap pay as you go plan comparison
Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | 1GB | $10 | |
Verizon | 3GB | $15** 50% Off for 3 Months | |
AT&T | 4GB | $18.75** 25% Off for 3 Months | |
T-Mobile & Verizon | 5GB | $20** $5 Off for 6 Months | |
T-Mobile | Unltd | $30** $90 for 3 months Service |
Cheapest AT&T pay as you go plans
AT&T vs Pure Talk Plan Comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $619 per year
Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T 4G LTE | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr | |
| AT&T 4G LTE | 4GB | $25/mo | $281/yr | |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $619/yr | |
See more of the cheapest AT&T pay as you go plans
Cheapest Verizon pay as you go plans
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 | |
See more of the cheapest Verizon pay as you go plans
Cheapest T-Mobile pay as you go plans
T-Mobile vs Tello Plan Comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $492 per year
Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile 4G LTE | Unltd* | $60/mo | $720/yr | |
| T-Mobile 4G LTE | 4GB | $19/mo | $228/yr | |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $41/mo | $492/yr | |
See more of the cheapest T-Mobile pay as you go plans
Carrier coverage comparison
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
NETWORK | OVERALL | RELIABILITY | SPEED | DATA | CALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
95 | 96 | 94 | 96 | 94 | |
94 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 92 | |
86 | 88 | 82 | 89 | 82 |
Source: Rootmetrics
Carrier customer ratings comparison
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 |
|---|---|
4.9 | |
4.6 | |
4.6 | |
1.5 | |
1.3 | |
1.2 |
Pay as you go carriers list
Cheap pay as you go phones
So what if you do want to upgrade your phone? It's all good - with a prepaid carrier you can save a ton of money by choosing one of a couple of great money-saving options:
Buy a new phone from the carrier: More and more MVNOs are offering a selection of affordable phones. Some even give you the choice of making device payments instead of paying all at once. We've gathered the best cell phone deals for you to compare all in one place.
Buy a refurbished cell phone: If you'd rather own your phone outright, compare refurbished phone deals to save over 50% on top models in great condition.
Best prepaid cell phone deals
Phone | AT&T | Verizon | T-Mobile | Unlocked | $349 | $599 | $599 | $349 | $649 | $899 | $899 | $649 | $999 | $999 | $999 | $999 | $579 | $829 | $829 | $579 | $479 | $729 | $729 | $479 | $749 | $999 | $999 | $749 | $849 | $1,099 | $1,099 | $849 | $149 | $349 | $349 | $149 | - | $409 | $409 | $409 |
|---|
Recap
Finding a new prepaid cell phone service is easier now then it's ever been. With cheap online carriers taking the telecoms world by storm you can find a deal to fit any budget. You don't have to forfeit network coverage and you can customize a plan to suit you.
Without all the shops, salespeople and fancy advertising these low-cost carriers can offer you cheaper deals with the same perks.
MoneySavingPro methodology
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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 | Budget | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10/mo |
 Mint Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $30/mo |
 Reach Mobile | Family | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $30/mo |
 Boost Mobile | 5G | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $10/mo |
 Ting | Talk & Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10/mo |
 Twigby | Seniors | 300 | Unlimited | 1GB | $16/mo |
 Red Pocket | Kids | 1000 | Unlimited | 1GB | $10/mo |
 Pure Talk | Individuals | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $25/mo |
 Gen Mobile | International | 300 | Unlimited | 1GB | $9/mo |
 US Mobile | Data only | 0 | 0 | 2GB | $10/mo |
