Best international cell phone plans for 2023

We compared the best international phone plans on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile networks: Cut your bill by $600/yr
Cheapest wireless plan
Tello 1GB plan
  • Unlimited talk & text
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
$10/mo
View Plan
Prepaid phone plan
Twigby 5GB plan
  • Unlimited talk & text
  • Verizon 5G & 4G networks
$10/mo*
* Only $10/mo for First 3 Months
View Plan
5G phone plan
US Mobile 6GB plan
  • Unlimited talk & text
  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
$18/mo*
* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card
View Plan
Family phone plan
Mint Mobile 15GB plan
  • Unlimited talk & text
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
$15/mo*
* Only $45 for 3 Months
View Plan
Unlimited data plan
Boost Mobile Unlimited plan
  • Unlimited talk & text
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
$12.50/mo*
* 50% Off First Month
View Plan
Cheap cell phone plans starting at $10/mo -Compare Now
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 March 5th, 2023

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

International cell phone plans may not be your first thought when planning your vacation or business trip, however, they should be high on your list.

You'll also want peace of mind knowing that you won't return home to an enormous phone bill packed with international roaming and overage charges.

We'll give you an overview of the best international phone plans from low-cost cell phone providers.

Top 5 international phone plans: Starting at $5/mo

Tello SIM card vertical

Best cheap international phone 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
Twigby SIM card vertical

Best prepaid international plan

Twigby 5GB

  • Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
$10/mo*
* Only $10/mo for First 3 Months
View Plan

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

Pros
  • 5G & 4G LTE coverage on Verizon network

  • No hotspot charges

  • International calling and texting

  • 30 day money back guarantee

  • Great new customer discounts

Cons
  • Limited cell phone selection

4.5 out of 5 overall
US Mobile SIM card vertical

Best international plan for 5G

US Mobile 6GB

  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 6GB data
$18/mo*
* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card
View Plan

This US Mobile 6GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 6GB data for only $18 per month. US Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. 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
Mint Mobile SIM card vertical

Best international plan for families

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 Mobile SIM card vertical

Best unlimited data plan

Boost Mobile Unlimited

  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
$12.50/mo*
* 50% Off First Month
View Plan

This Boost Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $12.50 per month. Boost Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. 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

The best value international plan on T-Mobile

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

T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $615 per year

Carrier

Network Coverage

4G/5G Data

Price

Annual Cost

T-Mobile

T-Mobile 4G & 5G

Unltd*

$70/mo

$840/yr

Mint Mobile

T-Mobile 4G & 5G

15GB

$20/mo

$225/yr

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

Savings

$50/mo

$615/yr

Check out our review of the best T-Mobile international plans


The best value international plan on AT&T

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
$12.50/mo*
* 50% Off First Month
View Plan

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $612 per year

Carrier

Network Coverage

4G/5G Data

Price

Annual Cost

AT&T

AT&T 4G & 5G

Unltd*

$75/mo

$900/yr

Boost Mobile

AT&T 4G & 5G

Unlimited

$25/mo

$288/yr

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

Savings

$50/mo

$612/yr

Check out our review of the best AT&T international plans


The best value international plan on Verizon

US Mobile 12GB plan
  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 12GB data
$25/mo*
* FREE 50 Day Trial + $50 Gift Card
View Plan

Verizon vs US Mobile comparison

Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year

Carrier

Network Coverage

4G/5G Data

Price

Annual Cost

Verizon

Verizon 4G & 5G

Unltd*

$80/mo

$960/yr

US Mobile

Verizon 4G & 5G

12GB

$25/mo

$300/yr

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

Savings

$55/mo

$660/yr

Check out our review of the best Verizon international plans


How to choose the best international phone plan

  • 4G LTE & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big three cellular networks you'll pay less without sacrificing speed. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so you can expect high-speed data.

  • Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new phone 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.

  • 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: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't. Read the fine print to find the option you want.

Carrier 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 the best international phone service in your area

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Carrier 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

Which phone plan is best for you?

  • Unlimited plans: Looking for unlimited talk text and data? Alternative carriers have got you covered. Data-hungry users looking for unlimited data can save serious money by switching to one of the best unlimited data plans. Not sure how much data you need? Check out our data usage calculator.

  • Basic plans: If you (or a loved one) only use a cell phone to make a few calls, send a couple of messages, and rarely go online then you can opt for a simply prepaid plan. You get basic cell phone functions, an allowance for minutes of talk, and usually around 2GB of data at a great price. Once you run out of your data allotment, speeds slow, but it's usually very easy to add on more.

  • Family plans: Need four lines or more? Many MVNOs offer group plans. Compare the best family phone plans so you can pick and choose what each family member needs or check out our review of the best phone plans for two people.

  • Bring your own phone plans: BYOP plans are the norm with smaller carriers. Compare cell phone prices and get a great deal to go with your cheap cell phone plan!

  • Single-line plans: Stop paying a premium rate just because you only need one line. Find the best phone plans for individuals.

  • Talk and text only plans: Don't need data? No problem with talk and text plans. Bonus, you'll save a ton of money if you're not paying for data!

  • Tablet plans: Find the best data plan for your tablet or cheap iPad data plans.

  • Kids plans: MVNOs offer the best phone plans for kids because you can tailor them to exactly what you want your child to have.

  • Senior plans: Senior citizens often have different cell phone needs. Compare cell phone plans for seniors for the perfect fit.

Compare cheap international phone plans

Carrier

Network

Data

Price

US Mobile SIM card - Horizontal US Mobile unlimited data plan

Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

Unltd

$0/mo

$25/mo

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile 5GB plan

AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

5GB

$5/mo

$15/mo

Lycamobile SIM card - Horizontal Lycamobile 5GB plan

T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

5GB

$10/mo

Mint Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Mint Mobile 15GB plan

T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

15GB

$15/mo

$20/mo

Boost Infinite SIM card - Horizontal Boost Infinite unlimited data plan

AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage

Unltd

$25/mo

To ensure you get the best phone deal, compare cell phone plans from multiple low-cost carriers side by side.


How we picked the best international phone plans

MoneySavingPro reviewed the best value international phone plans available 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.


International phone plans FAQs

What is the cheapest phone plan for international calls?

Many low-cost carriers offer international calling options or data roaming plans. Make sure the calling options include the country you want to make calls to.

Is Verizon or AT&T better for international travel?

AT&T operates on the GSM network, which is a worldwide cellular technology, and it covers more countries than Verizon. It's worth checking availability in the country you're traveling to so you can make sure you have the best plan.


Recap: What is the best carrier for international calling?

MVNOs offer the best cheap international plans, meaning you could save hundreds of dollars a year on your cell phone bill.

With the same coverage and features as a plan with one of the big three, you'll find value for money with these low-cost carriers.

If you really need unlimited data, carriers like Mint Mobile offer it at a fraction of the cost.

Still not sure? You can compare the best phone plans from all MVNOs for plenty of money-saving deals.