Best $15 cell phone plans in 2024
The key to finding the best value phone plan under $15 is all about leveraging the competitive rates offered by low-cost carriers. You'll get the same coverage for a fraction of the cost without hidden fees and price hikes. Here are the most affordable providers to consider.
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- AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile coverage
- Instant activation with eSIM
- Customized plans to fit your needs
- No contracts or credit checks
- No activation or termination fees
- Free international calls/texts
- 24/7 customer support
- Buy online
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My list of recommended phone plans under $15 in March
Best prepaid phone plan under $15
Boost Mobile 5GB plan
- AT&T & T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Boost Mobile phone plans are powered by the AT&T and T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks, giving you the same wireless coverage at a fraction of the price.
With a range of data allowances from 2GB up to unlimited, there's something for the light to heavy data users. Check out our review about the cheapest prepaid phone plans.
Pros
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Multi-line discounts for family plans
- Mobile hotspot access
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No free international calls
- International roaming is limited
- All of Boost Mobile's prepaid plans come with unlimited calling and text.
- If you use a lot of data, unlimited plans include up to 30GB of high-speed data.
- Most plans include mobile hotspot data, but be sure to check. The allowance depends on the plan, but the maximum is 30GB, which comes out of your monthly data allowance.
- Discounts are available for additional lines, so you can save on a plan for the whole family.
- When it comes to devices, they provide a wide range of phones to choose from. Including the latest models from popular brands like Apple and Samsung, with financing options of 0% financing over 1-2 years. Helping to make it affordable to purchase a new phone.
- Boost Mobile's international features are not as strong. Their international roaming options are limited compared to other carriers, and international calls are an extra add-on, which means you'll have to pay extra if you want to make calls to friends and family overseas.
Best phone plan for one under $15
Tello 2GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Tello phone plans keep things simple with their wireless service. None of those hidden fees or long-term contracts that'll leave you feeling trapped.
With free international calls to 60+ countries on all plans, including Canada and Mexico, and a range of data allowances suitable for light to heavy users. Check out our review about the cheapest phone plans for one person.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calling to 60+ countries
- Free mobile hotspot included
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- No multi-line discounts
- Not only are their plans affordable for all budgets, but you can build your own plan. Depending on your usage, you get to choose how much data, minutes, and texts you need, so you're not paying for stuff you don't use.
- It's always worth checking your data usage as a set data plan could save money and help restrict excessive phone usage.
- Mobile hotspot is available with a limit of 5 GB of data.
- Tello doesn't offer any discounts if you purchase multiple lines, so if you're looking to get a plan for another family member, each line is billed as a single line at full price. However, you can still save money due to the low cost of their individual plans.
- Being online-based means that activation of an eSIM plan can take just a few clicks, or you can have a SIM card mailed to you.
Best phone plan for kids under $15
Mint Mobile 5GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Mint Mobile phone plans are powered by the T-Mobile network, providing the same great service at a lower cost. They offer various data allowances, including an unlimited plan with 40GB of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text.
With Mint Mobile, their transparent messaging shows how you can save more money the longer you commit. Check out our review about best cell phone plans for kids.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free calls to Mexico and Canada
- Free mobile hotspot with all plans
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- Limited customer service
- 3-month minimum sign-up
- Mint Mobile offers mobile hotspot access with all of their plans. So you can use your phone to tether to tablets or other mobile devices, and the unlimited plan includes a 10 GB hotspot data limit.
- A minimum 3-month upfront commitment is required to subscribe. The longer commitment period means cheaper prices. Choose a 3, 6, or 12-month pricing structure available after initial commitment.
- If you're unsatisfied, Mint Mobile offers a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- You can bring your own device, so there's no need to buy an expensive iPhone. However, if you prefer a new smartphone, there are many options available, including iPhones, Samsung, and other Android models like Google Pixel, with a 0% finance over 1-2 years.
- With the Mint Mobile app, you can easily monitor your usage and manage multiple lines and plans.
- One downside is that international roaming is an additional cost, and although you get free calls to Canada and Mexico, other international countries are extra.
Best phone plan for seniors under $15
Twigby 10GB plan
- Verizon coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Twigby phone plans give you the option to customize your plan and only pay for what you need. They have a range of affordable no-contract plans that are powered by the Verizon network, so you don't have to sacrifice quality for flexibility.
Plus, if you have loved ones abroad, Twigby offers free international calling to 80 countries. Check out our review about best cell phone plans for seniors.
Pros
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calls to 80+ countries
- Wide range of plan choices
- Free mobile hotspot access
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
Cons
- No multi-line discounts
- No International roaming
- Not eSIM-compatible
- Offering a selection of customizable wireless plans with a range of data options, with Twigby, you can create plans, whatever your needs and budget.
- Twigby provides free international calling to 80 different countries, ideal for those with family or friends living abroad.
- Being 100% online based, you can purchase your plan from home, and your SIM card will be sent in the mail.
- Mobile hotspot allowance is available and comes out of your monthly data usage, which for unlimited plans is a maximum of 20GB.
- Twigby doesn't offer multi-line discounts, so if you're looking for more than one line, they may not be the low-cost carrier for you.
- There are no international roaming services, which may not be ideal for frequent travelers as it could result in a significantly higher monthly bill.
Best phone family plan under $15
Good2Go Mobile 15GB plan
- AT&T & T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Good2Go Mobile phone plans are powered by the AT&T and T-Mobile networks. So you can enjoy the same coverage at half the price. Offering a mixture of data allowances from 1GB to Unlimited data, which is capped at 30GB of high-speed data. Check out our review about the cheapest family phone plans.
Pros
- T-Mobile and AT&T 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Wide range of plan choices
Cons
- No free international calls
- No international roaming
- Good2Go Mobile offers unlimited talk and text with all of their plans, and you can sign up month to month, or you can save more by committing for 3, 6, or 12 months.
- They don't offer international calling or roaming. However, if you do need to get access to international calls, you can choose an add-on for free calls to 60+ countries.
How to choose the best phone plan under $15
What network coverage do you prefer?
Network access is a key consideration wherever you live, but especially in rural areas. Luckily, low-cost carriers operate on the same 5G & 4G LTE networks as major carriers. T-Mobile scores the highest for 5G coverage, according to an Opensignal 5G Experience Report (2023). If there is a particular network you prefer, choose an MVNO that operates on that network. Use our coverage checker to find the best cell phone service in your area.
How much data do you need?
Do you really need an unlimited data plan? The big wireless companies want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. However, if you spend most of your time at home or work on Wi-Fi, it's likely your cellular data usage will be much lower. You can choose a data plan tailored to your needs with cheap cell phone providers, meaning you can pay less if you use less. But if you do choose an unlimited data plan, be aware that high-speed data is normally capped.
Is hotspot data included?
Most carriers allow hotspot data usage but limit the amount of data that can be used via tethering. The limit depends on the carrier and plan you choose. Some carriers also offer data only plans so you can access the internet on mobile devices like iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots when Wi-Fi's not available.
What's the monthly price?
While big wireless unlimited plans cost around $75-90 per month, the best MVNOs offer budget-friendly plans, ranging from $5-35 per month without sacrificing wireless coverage and data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some carriers include these in the price, and others, such as Verizon and AT&T, don't.
How many lines do you need?
With big wireless, you only get the advertised price if you buy four lines. With MVNOs, the price you see is the price you pay, even for one line. Many low-cost carriers now offer further discounts for multi-line plans.
Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device?
While the big three love keeping their customers locked into a constant phone upgrade cycle, MVNOs encourage you to bring your own phone. This means you take back control and only change your phone when it suits you. If you do want to purchase a new phone, many MVNOs offer an affordable and easy way with 0% financing over 1-2 years.
Are there any deals or promotions?
Big wireless promotions can seem good at a glance. But once you read the small print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year phone contracts. Many MVNOs offer short-term introductory promotional pricing for new customers, and their pricing is much more transparent.
What perks or add ons can I expect?
Most big wireless plans include "free" TV subscriptions. Initially, these seem like a great deal. However, these usually turn into a paid subscription that is automatically added to your bill a few months down the line. A few low-cost carriers, such as US Mobile, do offer plan options with free subscription services, but we generally recommend keeping these subscriptions separate so you don't end up paying for things you don't need.
Is international calling included?
Most MVNOs offer free international calls to many countries. If this is important to you, make sure to choose a carrier that includes this.
Are there parental controls?
Some Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) provide parental controls that allow parents to monitor their children's cell phone usage and data consumption. By using these features, you have the ability to establish limits on data usage, limit access to specific apps or websites, and even keep track of your child's whereabouts. These capabilities are accessible either through subscription plans or can be adjusted in the settings of your mobile device.
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Compare the best phone plans under $15 per month
Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Tello 2GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $10/mo |
Red Pocket 5GB plan | AT&T 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $13/mo |
Mint Mobile 15GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $15/mo |
US Mobile unlimited data plan | Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $15/mo |
Tello unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
$15 phone plan FAQs
With an AT&T MVNO, such as Boost Mobile, you can get a cell phone plan for $15 per month on the nationwide AT&T wireless network.
With a Verizon MVNO, such as US Mobile, you can get a monthly cell phone plan for $15 on the nationwide Verizon wireless network.
With a T-Mobile MVNO, such as Tello, you can get a monthly cell phone plan for $15 on the nationwide T-Mobile wireless network.
Recap: What is the best $15 cell phone plan?
Plans direct from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T are expensive, but with low-cost carriers that are powered by the same network, you could save up to $600 a year on your cell phone bill.
With a range of plans at $15 or under, there's something for all needs and budgets.
MVNOs offer prepaid plans, so there are no long-term commitments, and you can change your plan or cancel and switch if your needs or finances change.