If you're looking for the best phone plans under $40, you've come to the right place.
At MoneySavingPro we love MVNOs for their budget friendly options without sacrificing quality coverage as they're powered by the same major US networks.
Switching to an MVNO you can find a range of plans at $40 or less from carriers like Tello.
We've compared the best phone plans under $40 from all low cost carriers to help you find the cheapest cell phone plan.
| Best prepaid plan | Tello |
| Best family plan | US Mobile |
| Best 5G plan | Ultra Mobile |
| Best senior plan | Twigby |
| Best kids plan | Red Pocket |
| Best individual plan | Good2Go Mobile |
Best cell phone plan under $40 for prepaid
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1GB
- Price
- $10/mo
Tello 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $10 per month. Tello plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Tello review
Pros
24/7 customer support
No contracts
Budget friendly family plans
Cons
No roaming
Coverage in rural areas
Benefits
Service on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Money-back guarantee on phones (no refunds on plans)
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or choose from a modest selection of new or refurbished devices
Keep your current phone number
Use of your plan data as a mobile hotspot through your phone is allowed
Use your minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Minutes to other countries available as add-on
24/7 customer service
Best cell phone plan under $40 for families
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $15/moFree Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM
US Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $15 per month. US Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's US Mobile review
Pros
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
Cons
No international calling
Phone selection
Benefits
Coverage on either the T-Mobile or Verizon network
Risk-free trial: Full refund within 14 days or before 1000 talk, text, or MB's is used
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own GSM or CDMA phone or choose from a small selection of phones for sale
Keep your own phone number
Mobile hotspot use available as add-on option with unlimited data plans
International roaming plans available with eSIMs
Add-ons available for talk, text, and data, with rollover
24/7 customer support
Best cell phone plan under $40 for 5G coverage
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 2GB
- Price
- $14/mo** $168 for 12 Months Service
Ultra Mobile 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $14 per month. Ultra Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Ultra Mobile review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Ultra Mobile 250MB - 12 Mths | 0.25GB | $10* * $120 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
2GB | $14* * $168 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
3GB | $20* * $240 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
6GB | $25* * $300 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
15GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
Unlimited | $40* * $480 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Pros
Simple account dashboard
Unlimited international talk and text
Nationwide coverage
Cons
Customer service
Benefits
Coverage provided on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own compatible GSM phone or buy one from Ultra Mobile
Mobile hotspot use supported
Unlimited global texting and unlimited calling to 80+ countries
International roaming credits available in $5, $10, or $20 denominations
International plan tier comes with uTalk - a feature that gives you up to 1250 bonus minutes to your choice of 39 additional destinations
Customer service available by phone, email, and chat from 6am to 6pm every day
Best cell phone plan under $40 for seniors
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 3GB
- Price
- $10/mo** 50% Off for 6 Months
Twigby 3GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 3GB data for only $10 per month. Twigby plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Twigby review
Pros
No hotspot/tethering charges
International calling and texting
4G LTE coverage
Exclusive deals and discounts as a Twigby customer
Cons
Limited handset selection
Not for the data hungry
Benefits
Runs on both the Verizon and Sprint networks
30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee on phones and plans (under 300 minutes, 300 texts, or 300 MB of data used)
Prepaid - no contracts, credit checks, or activation fees
Bring your CDMA device or choose from a modest selection of Twigby phones
Keep your own phone number
Use your phone and plan data as a mobile hotspot
Use your plan minutes to call Canada, China, and Mexico
Free international texting to over 180 countries
US-based chat support available weekdays 7am to 9pm CST and 10am to 6pm on weekends
Best cell phone plan under $40 for kids
- Minutes
- 500
- Texts
- 500
- Data
- 500MB
- Price
- $10/mo
Red Pocket 500MB plan includes 500 mins, 500 texts and 500MB data for only $10 per month. Red Pocket plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Red Pocket review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Red Pocket 500MB | 0.50GB | $10 | View Plan |
Red Pocket 3GB - 12 Mths | 3GB | $15* * $180 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
3GB | $20 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 10GB - 12 Mths | 10GB | $22.50* * $270 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Red Pocket 25GB - 12 Mths | 25GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
10GB | $30 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 100GB - 12 Mths | 100GB | $37.50* * $450 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
25GB | $40 | View Plan | |
100GB | $50 | View Plan |
Pros
Nationwide coverage
No contracts
Latest selection of phones
Cons
Account dashboard needs work
No 0% financing options on latest phones
Customer service
Benefits
Operates on all four networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fees
Bring your own GSM or CDMA device and keep your phone number
Mobile hotspot/tethering allowed with your plan data
Free international calling to 70+ countries
Customer service available in English, Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish via chat or phone
Best cell phone plan under $40 for one
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 3GB
- Price
- $12.50/mo** 50% Off for 3 Months
Good2Go Mobile 3GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 3GB data for only $12.50 per month. Good2Go Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Good2Go Mobile review
Pros
4G LTE coverage
No contract
No credit checks
Cons
No unlimited data options
No app interface
Benefits
Coverage on the nationwide AT&T & T-Mobile networks
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or buy a Good2Go Mobile phone
Mobile hotspot/tethering not supported
International calling to over 60 countries available as affordable plan add-on; calling to other countries via add-on calling card
Customer service available by phone 7am - 1am EST every day
Cell phone plans under $40 in 2022
$40 phone plan benefits
- 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 two-year agreement. You decide when to switch carriers with a no contract phone plan.
- 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, 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, 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 T-Mobile plan under $40
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: T-Mobile
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 | 4GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $660/yr | |
Compare: T-Mobile $40 phone plans
Best Verizon plan under $40
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
5GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3.00 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
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 | |
Compare: Verizon $40 phone plans
Best phone plan under $40 on AT&T
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
3GB
4G/5G data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
$8.33 per GB
Powered by: AT&T & T-Mobile
AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $637 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 | 3GB | $25/mo | $263/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $637/yr | |
Compare: cheapest AT&T phone plans
$40 phone plan features
- 4G LTE & 5G data speeds: MVNOs operate on the big cellular networks, so you pay less without sacrificing speed. As the big networks roll out 5G, more smaller carriers are able to offer 5G coverage too. So you can expect the same high-speed data.
- Unlimited talk and text messaging: It's never been easier to find a new unlimited plan. Pretty much all no contract carriers include unlimited text and calls 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-havefeature. 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 addded.
- Wi-Fi calling: If you're stuck for 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.
$40 cell phone plans
| Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 2GB | $10** $10 Off First 3 Months |
| Twigby | Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | 5GB | $12.50** 50% Off for 6 Months |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 10GB | $20** Buy 3 Months Get 1 Free |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 18GB | $25Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $30** Buy 3 Months Get 1 Free |
Carrier network coverage
| 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
Carrier customer service comparison
| CARRIER | TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
|---|---|
| Reach Mobile | 4.9 |
| Tello | 4.6 |
| US Mobile | 4.6 |
| T-Mobile | 1.5 |
| Verizon | 1.3 |
| AT&T | 1.2 |
$40 phone plan types
- 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, it's usually very easy to add on more.
- 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 to go with your cheap cell 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 only 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: It's not just no contract cell phone plans you'll find from these carriers. 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.
$40 phone carriers list
Recap
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 $40 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.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tello | Best prepaid plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10/mo |
 US Mobile | Best family plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $15/mo |
 Ultra Mobile | Best 5G plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $14/mo |
 Twigby | Best senior plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $20/mo |
 Red Pocket | Best kids plan | 500 | 500 | 500MB | $10/mo |
 Good2Go Mobile | Best individual plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $25/mo |
