Best cheap no contract phone plans in October
No contract phone plan benefits
Searching for a cheap cell phone plan? We love Mobile Virtual Network Operators or MVNOs. They're the best route to go down.
If you want to stay on the same network, keep your phone and number, plus get greater flexibility you can forget the major carriers and go with an MVNO instead. Plans include everything you need, but come at a much better price.
Here are some of the benefits which make them a no-brainer.
- Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big four 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 to with a no contract phone plan.
- 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.
- Customize your plan: You decide how much data you need. Choose to pay as you go, opt for unlimited or no data, minimal minutes, or unlimited talk text and data. Unlimited data plans come at a much better price with an alternative carrier. Pick the plan options that fit your budget - not the one your carrier thinks you need.
- 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.
Cheapest T-Mobile no contract plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
4 GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: T-Mobile
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G LTE | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G LTE | 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: best cheap T-Mobile no contract plans
Cheapest Verizon no contract plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
5 GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3.00 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Verizon vs US Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $780 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G LTE | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| US Mobile | Verizon 4G LTE | 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: best cheap Verizon no contract plans
Cheapest AT&T no contract plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
3 GB
4G/5G data
$10/mo*
$20/mo
$6.67 per GB
Powered by: AT&T & T-Mobile
AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $690 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G LTE | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T 4G LTE | 3GB | $20/mo | $210/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $690/yr | |
Compare: best cheap AT&T no contract plans
Compare cheap no contract cell phone plans
| Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tello | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 1GB | $10 |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 4GB | $15** $45 for 3 Months Service |
| Twigby | Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | 5GB | $12.50** 50% Off for 6 Months |
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $25** $20 Off for 3 Months |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 30GB | $30Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM |
Carrier coverage comparison
Which prepaid carrier is best for you? That depends on which network has the best coverage in your area.
Whether you go with a GSM carrier (T-Mobile and AT&T) or a CDMA carrier (Verizon) you'll enjoy national coverage, just like with the major carriers.
Network performance ratings
| 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
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 |
|---|---|
| Reach Mobile | 4.9 |
| Tello | 4.6 |
| US Mobile | 4.6 |
| T-Mobile | 1.5 |
| Verizon | 1.3 |
| AT&T | 1.2 |
Cheap no contract phone plan types
- Unlimited plans: It's super easy to find unlimited talk text and data plans from alternative carriers. Their unlimited data plans come at a much better price. It's worth checking whether you even need to go unlimited though, as you can save a heap more by opting for a set-data plan. Use our data usage calculator to see how much you need each month.
- Basic plans: Only use a cell phone to make a few calls, send a couple of messages and rarely go online? Go for a simply prepaid plan. You'll get basic cell phone functions, a set amount of minutes of talk, and around 2GB of data. If your data allotment runs out adding more is simple.
- Family plans: You'll find a great number of MVNOs will offer group plans. So if you need four lines or more, compare the cheapest family phone plans and tailor the plan to your family.
- Bring your own phone plans: Smaller carriers make it east for you to bring your own device. In fact, BYOP plans are the norm. Porting your number and data to a new plan is seamless.
- Single line plans: You no longer ned to pay a premium for a single line plan. Here are some of the best phone plans for individuals.
- Talk and text only plans: You or a loved one rarely use data? Get a cheap talk and text plan instead. You'll save a ton of money by opting for no data.
- Tablet plans: Alternative carriers aren't just for cell phone plans. You can find cheap data plans for your tablet or iPad too.
- Kids plans: Pay as you go plans are perfect for kids because you can customize them. We think smaller carriers have the best phone plans for kids. You have control over the features your child has access to.
- Senior plans: Older folk may have different cell phone needs, and there are plans to suit. Find cheap cell phone plans for seniors and discover the perfect fit.
Considerations when comparing cheap no contract plans
- Coverage: low-cost carriers we recommend hook onto the major networks; Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Use our cell phone coverage maps to find the best coverage in your area.
- Budget: prices vary, but one thing is for sure, pay as you go plans are super budget friendly.
- Plans: only pay for what you need. Whether you're a heavy data user, or you just want a couple hundred minutes in case of an emergency, there's a plan to suit you.
- Number of lines: family cell phone plans include multiple lines, and many come with intuitive apps to help you manage your account.
- Features: international coverage and mobile hotspot data are useful features for those often on the move. You can usually find these come as standard, or as a low cost add on, with alternative carrier plans.
- Bring your own phone: save more by bringing your own device. You'll need to check whether your phone is compatible. Use our IMEI checker to figure this out fast.
How to switch to a cheaper no contract plan
Switching has never been simpler. It's easy as 1, 2, 3.
- Customize your plan. Find a plan to suit your cell phone needs.
- Prepare to make the switch. Pay old bills and get your phone unlocked.
- Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your number has ported over. A new device should be ready to use when it arrives. If you're bringing your own device you'll need to follow instructions that come with the new SIM card kit.
Cheap no contract companies list
Best cheap no contract cell phones
So what if you do want to upgrade your phone? It's all good - with a prepaid carrier you can save a ton of money by choosing one of a couple of great money-saving options:
- Buy a new phone from the carrier: More and more MVNOs are offering a selection of affordable phones. Some even give you the choice of making device payments instead of paying all at once. We've gathered the best cell phone deals for you to compare all in one place.
- Buy a refurbished cell phone: If you'd rather own your phone outright, compare refurbished phone deals to save over 50% on top models in great condition.
Compare the cheapest no contract phone prices
| Model | Condition | Memory | Compatibility | Price | Apple iPhone 11 | New | 64GB | AT&T | $499 | Apple iPhone 11 Max | New | 64GB | AT&T | $899 | Apple iPhone 11 Pro | New | 64GB | AT&T | $799 | Apple iPhone 12 | New | 64GB | T-Mobile | $729 | Apple iPhone 12 mini | New | 64GB | T-Mobile | $629 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | New | 128GB | Verizon | $999 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | New | 128GB | T-Mobile | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 | New | 128GB | T-Mobile | $829 | Apple iPhone 13 mini | New | 128GB | T-Mobile | $729 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | New | 128GB | T-Mobile | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | New | 128GB | T-Mobile | $1,099 | Apple iPhone SE | New | 64GB | T-Mobile | $399 |
|---|
Cheap no contract plans FAQs
Who has the best no contract cell phone plan?
MVNOs offer the best no contract plans, with cell phone plans from carriers like Twigby, Tello, and Mint Mobile, starting at around $10 a month.
Which cell phone companies offer no contract?
Mint Mobile, Tello, Reach Mobile, Red Pocket, and Boost Mobile are some of the alternative carriers that offer low cost no contract phone plans.
What is the least expensive cell phone plan?
Tello, a low cost carrier operating on the T-Mobile network, offers plans starting from around $7.50 to $10 a month. However all MVNOs offer good value for money to suit any need.
Which company has the cheapest unlimited plan?
MVNOs have a range of cheaper plans with unlimited talk, text, and data, Mint Mobile offers an unlimited everything plan starting from around $30 a month.
Recap
Finding a new prepaid cell phone service is easier now then it's ever been. With cheap online carriers taking the telecoms world by storm you can find a deal to fit any budget. You don't have to forfeit network coverage and you can customize a plan to suit you.
Without all the shops, salespeople and fancy advertising these low-cost carriers can offer you cheaper deals with the same perks.
MoneySavingPro methodology
We're here to bring transparency to telecoms, putting power back in your hands. This guides everything we do.
- We've got high standards. We use our industry expertise to find carriers that reach these standards. We all deserve the best value for money, choice and customer experience.
- We care about accuracy. MoneySavingPro is run by cell phone geeks and money saving obsessives. Our content team researches everything thoroughly so that information you read here will give you the whole picture. Everything we do is backed up by the data.
- We keep things simple. It's our job to break down what you need to know, so you can make informed choices.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tello | Cheapest prepaid plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10/mo |
 Mint Mobile | Cheapest unlimited plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $30/mo |
 US Mobile | Cheapest family plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $15/mo |
 Ultra Mobile | Cheapest 5G plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $14/mo |
 Ting | Cheapest talk & text plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10/mo |
 Twigby | Cheapest senior plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $20/mo |
 Red Pocket | Cheapest kids plan | 500 | 500 | 0.5GB | $10/mo |
 Good2Go Mobile | Cheapest individual plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $20/mo |
| US Mobile | Cheapest data plan | 0 | 0 | 2GB | $10/mo |
