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Save your money by switching to a cheaper phone plan
$30 cell phone plans
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
---|---|---|---|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 5GB |
$15/mo |
|
Verizon | 1GB |
$15/mo |
|
AT&T & Verizon | 500MB |
$5/mo |
|
Verizon & T-Mobile | 500MB |
$5/mo |
|
Verizon | 0GB |
$10/mo |
What are the benefits of cheap phone carriers?
Same great nationwide coverage: Operating on the very same networks as the big guys, alternative cell phone carriers give you the coverage you can rely on.
Much lower prices: Save up to $600 per year on your cell phone plan. How come MVNOs are cheaper? They don't have the huge overhead, and advertising costs the big guys do.
No contracts: You can forget getting stuck in a 2-3 year agreement.
Same cell phone service: You may be paying less, but this doesn't mean you're sacrificing great features. You can find unlimited everything plans easily. Usually, a no-contract cell phone plan comes with unlimited talk and text as standard, high-speed data, and mobile hotspot data features.
Keep your phone and number: Bring your own phone, keep your phone number, and cut out pricey device payments.
Customize your plan: There's a huge amount of choice. Decide how much data you need, and opt for unlimited or no data, unlimited data plans come at a much better price with an alternative carrier. Choose to pay as you go, with minimal minutes or unlimited talk text and data. You can pick a plan to fit your budget and your usage - not one your carrier says you need.
Great customer support: Happy customers are what smaller mobile providers want. And they're known for giving them their full attention. You can forget feeling like an anonymous number, lost in the crowd.
Best $30 phone plan on T-Mobile
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
5GB
4G/5G data
$15 /mo*
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 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 |
5GB |
$15/mo |
$180/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 T-Mobile $30 phone plans
Best $30 phone plan on Verizon
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
5GB
4G/5G data
$15 /mo
Verizon vs US Mobile comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $780 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 |
5GB |
$15/mo |
$180/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$65/mo |
$780/yr |
Check out our review of the best Verizon $30 phone plans
Best $30 phone plan on AT&T
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
6GB
4G/5G data
$25 /mo*
AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
Carrier |
Network Coverage |
4G/5G Data |
Price |
Annual Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T |
AT&T 4G & 5G | Unltd* |
$75/mo |
$900/yr |
Good2Go Mobile |
AT&T 4G & 5G |
6GB |
$25/mo |
$300/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$50/mo |
$600/yr |
Check out our review of the best AT&T $30 phone plans
How to choose the best phone plan under $30
4G LTE & 5G data speeds: MVNOs operate on big cellular networks, so you pay less without sacrificing speed. As the big networks roll out 5G, smaller carriers are able to offer 5G coverage too. So you can expect the same high-speed data.
Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Pretty much all no-contract carriers include unlimited text and calling as standard with plans. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
International calls to Canada and Mexico: Keeping in touch with loved ones around the world has never felt more important, making international calling a must-have feature. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, including free calling to countries like Canada and Mexico, plus discounted rates or affordable add-ons for other countries.
Multiline discounts: If you're used to your multi-line plan, low-cost carriers have got you. They offer the cheapest family cell phone plans out there. With many, you'll get a multi-line discount for each line added.
Wi-Fi calling: If you're stuck for a signal or out of your service area when out and about, you can still make calls using this feature. With this feature calls are made over the internet instead of your cellular connection.
Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to turn your phone into a hotspot and get another device online. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans and share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.
HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some of these alternative carriers offer HD video streaming and some don't. Our articles cover which features do and don't come with a plan.
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 cheapest cell phone service in your area
Enter your zip code below to find the best cell phone service in your area.
Carrier customer service comparison
CARRIER |
TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
---|---|
4.9 |
|
4.6 |
|
4.6 |
|
1.5 |
|
1.3 |
|
1.2 |
What type of cell phone plan is best for you?
Basic plans: Only use a cell phone to make a few calls, send a couple of messages, and rarely go online. Opt for a simply prepaid plan. You get basic cell phone functions, an allowance for minutes of talk, and around 2GB of data. If you run out of anything, adding on more is usually very easy.
Family plans: If you're used to a plan giving you four lines or more, most MVNOs also offer group plans. Compare the cheapest family phone plans.
Bring your own device plans: BYOD plans are the norm with smaller carriers. Compare cell phone prices and get a great deal with your cheap phone plan.
Single-line plans: You don't have to pay a premium rate for one line. In fact, people switching from a multi-line plan find it's cheaper to switch to single-line plans from an MVNO. Find the best phone plans for individuals.
Talk and text plans: Do you (or a loved one) need a basic phone plan? If you don't need data, these plans are ideal. Compare cheap talk and text plans and save a ton of money opting out of data.
Tablet plans: These carriers will not have contract cell phone plans. Find the cheapest data plan for your tablet or iPad.
Kids plans: MVNOs offer the best phone plans for kids. You can manage the plan to include exactly what you want your child to have.
Senior plans: Senior citizens often have different cell phone needs. Compare cheap cell phone plans for seniors and find the perfect match.
Compare the best $30 cell phone plans
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
---|---|---|---|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 5GB |
$15/mo |
|
Verizon | 1GB |
$15/mo |
|
AT&T & Verizon | 500MB |
$5/mo |
|
Verizon & T-Mobile | 500MB |
$5/mo |
|
Verizon | 0GB |
$10/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 cell phone plans under $30
MoneySavingPro reviewed the best value cell phone plans available under $30 per month 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.
$30 phone plan FAQs
Does AT&T have $30 phone plans?
With an AT&T MVNO, such as Boost Mobile, you can get a cell phone plan for $30 per month on the nationwide AT&T wireless network.
Does Verizon have $30 phone plans?
With a Verizon MVNO, such as US Mobile, you can get a cell phone plan for $30 per month on the nationwide Verizon wireless network.
Does T-Mobile have $30 phone plans?
With a T-Mobile MVNO, such as Tello, you can get a cell phone plan for $30 per month on the nationwide T-Mobile wireless network.
Recap: What is the best $30 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 $30 or under, there's something for all needs and budgets.
MVNOs offer prepaid plans, so there are no more long-term commitments, and you can change your plan or cancel and switch if your needs of finances change.