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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
- Best cheap international phone plan: Tello 1GB
- Best prepaid international plan: Twigby 5GB
- Best international plan for 5G: US Mobile 6GB
- Best international plan for families: Mint Mobile 15GB
- Best unlimited data plan: Boost Mobile Unlimited


Best cheap international phone plan
Tello 1GB
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk and text
- 1GB data
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
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
No roaming
Coverage in rural areas

Best prepaid international plan
Twigby 5GB
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk and text
- 5GB data
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
5G & 4G LTE coverage on Verizon network
No hotspot charges
International calling and texting
30 day money back guarantee
Great new customer discounts
Limited cell phone selection

Best international plan for 5G
US Mobile 6GB
- Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk and text
- 6GB data
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
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
No international calling
Phone selection

Best international plan for families
Mint Mobile 15GB
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk and text
- 15GB data
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
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
No family plans
Minimum 3 months

Best unlimited data plan
Boost Mobile Unlimited
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data
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
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
No data only plans
The best value international plan on T-Mobile

- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk and text
- 15GB data
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

- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data
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

- Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk and text
- 12GB data
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
Enter your zip code below to find the best cell phone providers in your area.
Carrier customer service comparison
CARRIER |
TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
---|---|
4.9 |
|
4.6 |
|
4.6 |
|
1.5 |
|
1.3 |
|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd |
$0/mo $25/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB |
$5/mo $15/mo |
|
T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB |
$10/mo |
|
T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB |
$15/mo $20/mo |
|
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.
- Best cheap international phone plan: Tello 1GB
- Best prepaid international plan: Twigby 5GB
- Best international plan for 5G: US Mobile 6GB
- Best international plan for families: Mint Mobile 15GB
- Best unlimited data plan: Boost Mobile Unlimited