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Fed up with expensive monthly cell phone bills? You've come to the right place. At MoneySavingPro, we like to help you find the cheapest cost cell phone plan that saves you money.
You'll find the best cell phone plans with MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). These low-cost carriers like Boost Mobile, Mint Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile are powered by the same major networks, so you don't need to worry about coverage.
Plus, they could save you up to $600 per year.
We've rounded up some of the best deals with MVNOs for you to compare to help you find the best phone plan for you.

The cheapest phone plans on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile networks
Tello: Best cheap cell phone plan
US Mobile: Best cheap phone plan for one
Boost Mobile: Best cheap 5G plan
Mint Mobile: Best cheap family plan
Boost Infinite: Best cheap unlimited data plan

Tello: Best cheap cell phone plan
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 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
Tello unlimited talk & text plan: $8/mo
Tello 1GB plan: $10/mo
Tello 2GB plan: $14/mo
Tello 5GB plan: $19/mo
Tello 10GB plan: $24/mo
Tello unlimited data plan: $29/mo

US Mobile: Best cheap phone plan for one
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 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $12 per month. US Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read US Mobile review
US Mobile 500MB plan: $5/mo
US Mobile unlimited talk & text plan: $8/mo
US Mobile 2GB plan: $12/mo
US Mobile 5GB plan: $15/mo
US Mobile 15GB plan: $20/mo
US Mobile 25GB plan: $25/mo
US Mobile unlimited data plan: $35/mo
US Mobile unlimited data plan: $45/mo

Boost Mobile: Best cheap 5G plan
AT&T & T-Mobile wireless network coverage
* $15 for 3 months service
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
Boost Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $5 per month. Boost Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read Boost Mobile review
Boost Mobile 5GB plan: $5/mo
Boost Mobile 1GB plan: $8/mo
Boost Mobile 2GB plan: $10/mo
Boost Mobile unlimited data plan: $12.50/mo
Boost Mobile 15GB plan: $20/mo

Mint Mobile: Best cheap family plan
T-Mobile wireless network coverage
* Only $45 for 3 Months
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
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
Mint Mobile 20GB plan: $15/mo
Mint Mobile 15GB plan: $15/mo
Mint Mobile 5GB plan: $15/mo
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan: $15/mo

Boost Infinite: Best cheap unlimited data plan
AT&T & T-Mobile wireless network coverage
* $25/mo Forever - No Price Increases
Boost Infinite Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $25 per month. Boost Infinite plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read Boost Infinite review
What are the benefits of low-cost phone carriers?
The best way to save money on cell phone plans is to switch to a smaller carrier.
These carriers are called MVNOs or mobile virtual network operators. They provide service on one of the big wireless networks but at much lower prices.
Same great coverage: Alternative carriers like Mint Mobile and Tello rent space on the major wireless networks and sell it for less. So you get the very same nationwide coverage and high-speed data as usual.
Much lower prices: MVNOs typically operate completely online. This keeps their overhead and marketing costs down. The result is that you save up to 50% off your unlimited plan costs.
Same great service: Don't sacrifice premium features just for a cheaper plan. Smaller carrier plans include unlimited talk text and data, just like the major carriers. Providers like US Mobile offer perks and extras like free Apple Music or HBO Max.
No contracts: Getting stuck in a long-term commitment with an expensive carrier is no fun. This is not a problem with prepaid carriers.
Keep your phone and phone number: Low-cost carriers wrote the book on bring your own phone plans. They make your switch hassle-free and port your number over for you.
Customize your plan: One of our favorite things about MVNOs is that they help you avoid overpaying for things you don't need. You pick how much texting, calling, and data you need. Need plans for 2 lines or more? Design each one exactly the way you want.
The cheapest cell phone plan on T-Mobile
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
15GB
4G/5G data
$15 /mo*
$20/mo
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 cheapest T-Mobile phone plans
The cheapest cell phone plan on Verizon
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
15GB
4G/5G data
$20 /mo
Verizon vs US Mobile comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $720 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 |
15GB |
$20/mo |
$240/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$60/mo |
$720/yr |
Check out our review of the cheapest Verizon phone plans
The cheapest cell phone plan on AT&T
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
Unlimited
4G/5G data
$12.50 /mo*
$25/mo
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 cheapest AT&T phone plans
How to choose the best cheap carrier
4G LTE & 5G data speeds: Low-cost carriers operate on big wireless networks. This means you don't sacrifice speed when you switch. More and more are also adding 5G coverage all the time.
Unlimited talk and text messaging: Pretty much all small carriers give this as standard.
International calls to Canada and Mexico: Anyone wanting to keep in touch with loved ones abroad will want international features. Cheaper carriers offer great international phone plans. Most include free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico and discounted rates in other countries.
Multiline discounts: Smaller carriers offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with deals the more lines you add.
Wi-Fi calling: Handy if you're in a signal shadow but have a WiFi connection, this feature allows you to make calls over the internet.
Tethering/hotspot data: Get more devices online and share your data allowance through your phone. Find a carrier with the best mobile hotspot plan.
HD video streaming: Like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming, while others don't. If this is a must-have for you, reach out to the carrier's customer support and find out whether your plan includes this feature.
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 is the best type of phone plan for you?
Unlimited data plans: Unlimited talk and text are a pretty standard offering from low-cost carriers. And if you burn through data each month? Alternative carriers have got you covered with their unlimited plus plans. Switch to one of the cheapest unlimited data plans.
Family plans: Need multiple lines? A lot of MVNOs offer group plans. Compare the cheapest family phone plans. Some, like Mint Mobile, have an app that makes managing all your plans a breeze.
Bring your own phone plans: BYOP plans are the norm with alternative carriers, freeing you up to find a great deal on a cell phone elsewhere or keep your current device and save even more.
Phone plans for one person: You don't pay a premium for one line with cheaper carriers. Find phone plans for individuals.
Talk and text plans: If you don't need data, you can save a ton of money by opting for a cheap talk and text plan.
Data only plans: MVNOs are a great place to go for your tablet plan too. Find the cheapest data plan for your tablet or iPad.
Phone plans for kids: Alternative carriers make it super simple to customize your plan, making them ideal kids' plans. Browse the best phone plans for kids and tailor the plan. No nasty bill-shaped surprises at the end of the month.
Phone plans for seniors: Senior citizens often have different cell phone needs. Compare cheap cell phone plans for seniors for the perfect fit.
Compare the cheapest cell phone plans
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | 1GB |
$10/mo |
|
Verizon | 4GB |
$20/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 5GB |
$15/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 20GB |
$25/mo |
|
T-Mobile | Unltd |
$30/mo |
To ensure you get the best phone deal, compare the cheapest phone plans from multiple low-cost carriers side by side.
How we picked the best cheap phone plans
MoneySavingPro reviewed the best cheap cell 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.
Cheap phone plans FAQs
What is the cheapest cell phone plan?
MVNOs offer the cheapest monthly cell phone plans. Powered by the major wireless networks, providing access to the same quality coverage but with plans starting as low as $5 per month.
What is the cheapest phone plan with unlimited everything?
Alternative carriers like Boost Mobile and Mint Mobile have unlimited monthly data plans ranging from just $25-30.
Recap: What is the cheapest cell phone service?
Finding the cheapest phone plan doesn't have to be hard work.
With alternative carriers operating on all the main networks, you'll find the same coverage with either Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T but at half the cost. You can bring your phone if you're happy with your current handset.
If you're looking for a multi-line plan, you can save even more money on a family phone plan with one of these low-cost carriers.