Sprint MVNOs can save you money on your cell phone bill compared to regular Sprint plans. You may even be able to bring your own phone instead of spending money on a new one.
MVNOs are a great alternative to the traditional Big Four because they often offer the same reliable service as the carriers they buy network space from at a lower rate. Essentially, they are cell phone companies who buy or lease data and minutes from larger carriers like Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon Wireless.
There is a trade-off, however. Some MVNOs won't offer the latest phones, unlimited data, or have neat bonuses that the Big Four can provide. If you're on a budget, or just need a cheap cell phone plan for light to moderate use, you should look into the MVNOs available to you.
The MVNOs that purchase network space from Sprint are many and varied. The plans they offer are CDMA and use a combination of 3G and modern LTE technologies. And like Sprint, the MVNOs discussed here don't require a contract to sign up.
List of the Best Sprint MVNOs
In 2015, there were about 113 MVNO providers offering affordable plans to cell phone customers in North America alone, according to Statista. And many of those buy or lease data from the Sprint Network. After spending hundreds of hours looking through cell phone plans, our team put together this list of the carriers we feel are the best Sprint MVNOs.
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile is owned by Sprint and gets minutes and data from Sprint's nationwide network to create inexpensive, no-contract plans. Right now you can pay $35 for 3GB of 4G LTE data on top of an unlimited 3GB of mobile hotspot usage. They also have an unlimited plan starting at $50 for unlimited talk, text, and data with no data cap as well as mobile optimized streaming and unlimited 4G LTE. You can add HD to your monthly plan for streaming at $20 a month.
You can bring your own phone to save more money with Boost Mobile as long as it's unlocked. First, you'll have to bring it to a local Boost Mobile store to see if your phone is eligible. Then, get a SIM card, choose a plan, and activate your new Boost Mobile phone plan.
Virgin Mobile
You can pay $35 a month with Virgin Mobile to get 5GB of data on top of unlimited talk and text. If you pay just $10 more at $45, you'll get 10GB of 4G LTE data and unlimited talk and text for $45. Their Data Love Unlimited Plan costs $60 a month and will get you unlimited data, talk, and text with no data cap.
You can also add a data pack to your monthly plan if you'd like. 1GB costs $5 each. If you want mobile hotspot usage, you'll have to add it on as well. You cannot bring your own phone with Virgin Mobile, however. Keep that in mind.
Red Pocket Mobile
Red Pocket Mobile starts with a $10 Essentials Plan including 100MB of data, 500 minutes and 500 texts with no contract. If you want to buy extra minutes and data, it will cost you $10 for 500 and $15 for 1,000 extra minutes, $10 for 500 extra texts and $15 for 1,000, and $10 for 500MB of 4G LTE data with 1GB at $15.
If you want to skip all of that and go for the unlimited plan, you can pay $19 for 100MB and unlimited talk and text with no contract. If you want to add more high-speed data to that, you'll pay $6 for 500MB, $11 for 1GB, $26 for 3GB and $41 for 5GB. You can bring your own device with Red Pocket Mobile to save more money as well. Just check the site for compatibility.
FreedomPop
FreedomPop offers a free, no-contract basic plan; that's right, I said free. You can get 500 texts, 200 minutes, and 500MB of data for free from FreedomPop. If you need more than that, however, you can pay 80 percent less with FreedomPop than with others carriers for their premium unlimited, no-contract plans. With FreedomPop, you can earn free 4G LTE data from them by adding friends to the network and completing partner orders.
If you want to bring your own phone, you can also do so with FreedomPop. You'll have to head to their website first to see if your phone is eligible. Just type in your zip code, email, and address and they'll let you know.
Net 10 Wireless
Net 10 Wireless offers no-contract unlimited talk, text and data plans starting with the first 500MB of data at 4G LTE for $35. Once you use 500MB, your speeds will reduce to 2G. You can pay $5 more to get the first 3GB of data at 4G LTE before you're switched to 2G. Pay $10 more than that at $50 for 5G of 4G LTE data. You can also bring your own phone with Net 10 to save more money. Just check your compatibility on their website under bring your own phone.
Republic Wireless
Republic Wireless has no-contract plans starting at just $15 a month for unlimited talk, text, and data up to a certain small amount of GB before throttling. You can pay $20 for 1GB of data before throttling with unlimited talk and text, $30 for 2GB of data, $45 for 4GB of data, $60 for 6GB of data, and $90 for 10GB of data. You can bring your own phone as well; just check the site and download the app to make sure your phone is compatible.
Republic Wireless boasts absolutely no contracts, a fast LTE network and adaptive coverage. Adaptive coverage means they will blend your calls and texts over any available WiFi to strengthen your signal. You can even change your plan right from your mobile app with Republic Wireless. Keep in mind, however, that Republic Wireless does not offer family plans or international calling.
Straight Talk
Straight Talk is another quality Sprint MVNO with unlimited plans starting at $45. $45 will get you unlimited talk and text with 8GB of high-speed data that is throttled to 2G once you reach your cap. They offer mostly no-contract plans but there are options for three months, six months or one-year contracts if you choose to do so. If you want 12GB of Data and unlimited nationwide calls and texts, you can pay $55. If you want unlimited international calls and texts on top of 8GB of data, it will cost you $60.
You can also bring your own phone with Straight Talk as with most MVNOs. Just make sure to check the site and see if your phone is compatible. Then, you'll need to buy an activation kit and service plan to activate your phone.
Even More Sprint MVNOs
Below is a growing list of low-cost carriers that purchase or lease data from the Sprint network. Although they didn't make our top picks, each is worth a look if you truly want to find the perfect cell phone plan for you.
Recap
The best Sprint MVNOs mentioned above can save you money without sacrificing too much coverage. The best part is you can do it without committing to a contract or monthly installation/lease payment. If you're looking to save on your next monthly bill, switch to an MVNO today to get your savings in order.
Leave me a reply in the comments if you have experience with any of the MVNOs mentioned in this article. I would love to hear from you about your experience.
For more information on all the plans we've discussed, check out our cell phone plan comparison table.