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Are you looking for a basic plan without data? A talk and text plan could be just what you need.
The best value talk and text plans are with MVNOs (or Mobile Virtual Network Operators). These low-cost carriers like Tello, Twigby, and US Mobile have basic plans starting from under $10 a month for unlimited talk and text.
Operating on the same US networks, you won't have to sacrifice coverage.
We've compared plans from all MVNOs below, including features and benefits, to help you find the best deal for you.

5 talk & text plans with nationwide coverage: Starting at $5/mo

Twigby: Best prepaid talk & text plan
Verizon wireless network coverage
* $10 Credit with Promo Code: MSP
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
Twigby 0GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $5 per month. Twigby plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Twigby review

Tello: Best talk & text plan for seniors
T-Mobile wireless network coverage
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
Tello 0GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $8 per month. Tello plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Tello review

US Mobile: Best talk & text plan for kids
Verizon & T-Mobile wireless network coverage
* 100 Days FREE Trial
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
No international calling
Phone selection
US Mobile 0GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $8 per month. US Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read US Mobile review
What are the benefits of talk & text only plans?
We love Mobile Virtual Network Operators or MVNOs. If you're on the lookout for the cheapest talk and text plans, they're the best route to go down.
Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big three carriers.
Much lower prices: Save up to $600 per year on your cell phone plan. Why are MVNOs so much cheaper? They don't have the huge overhead and advertising costs the big guys do.
No contracts: Don't get trapped into a two-year agreement. Switch carriers when you decide.
Same cell phone service: Just because you're paying less, that doesn't mean you have to scrimp on features. Plans with unlimited everything are easy to find from these prepaid carriers. Usually, a low-cost carrier plan comes with unlimited talk and text as standard, high-speed data, and even mobile hotspot data features.
Keep your phone and number: You can bring your own phone and keep your phone number. No need to sign up for pricey device payments.
Great customer support: Smaller mobile providers are known for their attention to their customers. Stop feeling like an anonymous number getting lost in the crowd! Check out our carrier user reviews before switching.
The best value talk & text plan on T-Mobile
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
0GB
4G/5G data
$8 /mo
Check out our review of the best T-Mobile talk & text plans
The best value talk & text plan on Verizon
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
0GB
4G/5G data
$5 /mo*
$10/mo
Check out our review of the best Verizon talk & text plans
The best value talk & text plan on AT&T
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
0GB
4G/5G data
$10 /mo
Check out our review of the best AT&T talk & text plans
How to choose the best talk & text carrier
Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calling in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
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.
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
Find the best cheap phone service in your area
Enter your zip code below to find the best cheap phone service in your area.
Carrier customer service comparison
Concerned that low-cost carriers won't have good customer service? Don't be, on average MVNOs score much higher customer ratings than the big networks as you'll see in the comparison chart below:
CARRIER |
TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
---|---|
4.9 |
|
4.6 |
|
4.6 |
|
1.5 |
|
1.3 |
|
1.2 |
Compare the cheapest talk & text plans
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
---|---|---|---|
Verizon | 0GB |
$10/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 0GB |
$8/mo |
|
Verizon & T-Mobile | 0GB |
$8/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 0GB |
$10/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 0GB |
$10/mo |
To ensure you get the best phone deal, compare unlimited talk and text plans from multiple low-cost carriers side by side.
How we picked the best talk & text plans
MoneySavingPro reviewed the best value talk & text 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.
Talk & text plans FAQS
What is the cheapest talk and text plan?
You'll find the cheapest talk and text plans with low-cost carriers like Twigby, Tello, and US Mobile with plans starting at $5-10 per month.
Who has the best talk and text plan?
MVNOs like Twigby and US Mobile have unlimited talk and text plans starting from $10 a month.
Recap: What is the best talk & text carrier?
Whether you're looking for an unlimited talk and text phone plan for emergencies or your kid's first phone, plenty of deals suit everyone.
MVNOs offer a wide variety of options at affordable prices. By operating on the major networks Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, you'll still get the same nationwide coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
It's always a good idea to compare the best cell phone plans to ensure that you're getting the best deal.