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Getting access to the 5G network doesn't have to come with a high ticket price.
Operating on the same major wireless networks, MVNOs offer cheap 5G plans without any sacrifices, with plans starting at around $5 a month from low-cost carriers like Boost Mobile, US Mobile, Tello, and Mint Mobile.
As long as your phone supports 5G, all low-cost carrier plans offer access to 5G, where it's available, unlike the big three, which only offer 5G on their high price tariffs.
Compare the best 5G phone plans below to find your perfect deal.

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

Tello: Cheapest 5G 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: Cheapest prepaid 5G phone plan
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: Cheapest 5G plan for one
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: Cheapest 5G plan for families
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: Cheapest 5G plan for unlimited data
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 cheap 5G phone carriers?
MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are the best way to find cheap 5G cell phone plans.
These smaller carriers run on the very same network as the major carriers. They just don't charge you the major rates.
Stay on your favorite network and get all the advantages of its 5G technology while saving a bundle.
Faster speeds and lower latency: Right now 5G data speeds average three times faster than 4G LTE. Speeds will improve even more over time as carriers develop their 5G networks.
Same reliable nationwide network: Low-cost 5G carriers use the very same network as your favorite carrier.
Lower prices: You save 50% or more on your plan because smaller wireless carriers don't have the overhead and marketing costs of the large companies.
Customize your plan: MVNOs give you more flexibility. Choose your plan according to your needs and budget.
No contracts: No need to sign your life away just to get a 5G cell phone plan. Switch whenever you want.
Keep your phone and number: Low-cost cell phone carriers are specialists in bring your own phone plans. Oh, and keep your phone number too - they make the switch painless.
Better customer service: Smaller companies generally provide much better customer support.
It's always a good idea to compare cell phone plans to ensure that you're getting the best deal.
The cheapest 5G 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 best cheap T-Mobile 5G plans
The cheapest 5G 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 best cheap Verizon 5G plans
The cheapest 5G 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 best cheap AT&T 5G plans
How to pick the best cheap 5G phone plan
5G data speeds: Low-cost carriers give you 5G service wherever it's available on the parent network. Wherever it's not available yet you'll experience seamless switching between 5G and 4G LTE signals.
Unlimited talk and text: No need to sacrifice your favorite plan features. Get unlimited talk and text messaging plus choose the amount of data that's right for you. 5G phone plans come with anywhere from none to unlimited data.
Discounts for multiple lines: Looking for the cheapest family cell phone plan? Save by comparing 5G plans with something for everyone.
International calling: Smaller wireless providers offer some of the best international phone plans for less than the big carriers.
Wi-Fi calling: Make calls over a regular wireless internet connection. This feature is super handy if your service is spotty in certain buildings.
Tethering/hotspot data: Want to share your 5G connection with other devices? Many smaller carriers let you choose from the best mobile hotspot plans.
HD video streaming: 5G phone plans bring mobile HD streaming to a whole new level. This is typically an optional feature so make sure you choose a plan that offers it.
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 5G phone service in your area
Enter your zip code below to find the best cell phone service in your area.
Carrier customer service comparison
Switching carriers can be intimidating, we know. Will you be happy with your service? More importantly, will you get hassle-free customer support?
Smaller companies typically provide a better customer service experience. MVNOs are no different. Customers tend to rate them higher on average than the major carriers.
CARRIER |
TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
---|---|
4.9 |
|
4.6 |
|
4.6 |
|
1.5 |
|
1.3 |
|
1.2 |
What type of 5G plan is best for you?
Unlimited plans: Looking for unlimited talk text and data? Alternative carriers have got you covered. Data-hungry users looking for unlimited plus plans can save serious money by switching to one of the cheapest unlimited data plans.
Basic plans: If you (or a loved one) only use a cell phone to make a few calls, send a couple of messages, and rarely go online then you can opt for a simply prepaid plan. You get basic cell phone functions, an allowance for minutes of talk, and usually around 2GB of data at a great price. Once you run out of your data allotment, speeds slow, but it's usually very easy to add on more.
Family plans: Need four lines or more? Many MVNOs offer group plans. Compare the cheapest family phone plans so you can pick and choose what each family member needs.
Single line plans: Stop paying a premium rate just because you only need one line. Find the cheapest cell phone plans for one person.
Talk and text only plans: Don't need data? Bonus, you'll save a ton of money if you're not paying for data!
Tablet plans: Find the cheapest data plan for your tablet or iPad.
Kids plans: MVNOs offer the best phone plans for kids because you can tailor them to 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 for the perfect fit.
Compare the cheapest 5G 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 5G phone plans from multiple low-cost carriers side by side.
How we picked the best cheap 5G plans
MoneySavingPro reviewed the best cheap 5G 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.
Cheapest 5G phones
Device | 128GB | 64GB | 256GB |
---|---|---|---|
OnePlus Nord N10 | $11/mo | - | - |
Nokia G50 | $11/mo | - | - |
Motorola Moto One Ace | $19/mo | $11/mo | - |
Samsung Galaxy A13 | - | $12/mo | - |
Apple iPhone SE | $16/mo | $14/mo | $20/mo |
Samsung Galaxy Note20 | $19/mo | - | - |
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra | $19/mo | - | - |
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | $20/mo | - | - |
Samsung Galaxy S21 | $21/mo | - | - |
Cheap 5G plans FAQs
What is the cheapest prepaid 5G plan?
MVNOs offer a range of cheap 5G plans, with carriers like Tello and Mint Mobile you'll find prepaid 5G phone plans from $10 per month.
Who has the cheapest 5G unlimited data plan?
Tello offers an unlimited data plan with 5G coverage on the T-Mobile network for just $29 per month.
Recap
If you're looking to upgrade to the fastest network available then choosing a plan with a low-cost carrier can save you up to $600 a year.
There's a wide selection of plans to choose from so there's something to suit all needs and budgets.
If you're looking for the best cheap unlimited data plans, you'll find numerous low-cost carriers now offering this.