Cell phone plans comparison
Are you looking to find the cheapest cell phone plan? You've come to the right place.
At MoneySavingPro we believe in transparency and saving you money, which is why we love Mobile Virtual Network Operators (or MVNOs). If you've not heard of these low-cost carriers which include Mint Mobile, Ting and Red Pocket, they're fast becoming the most popular way to cut the cost of cell phone bills.
We've compared and broken down the latest plans with low-cost carriers to help you find the best deal for you.
| Prepaid phone plan | Tello |
| Family phone plan | US Mobile |
| Unlimited data plan | Mint Mobile |
| 5G phone plan | Boost Mobile |
| Talk & text plan | Twigby |
| Senior phone plan | Reach Mobile |
| Kids phone plan | PureTalk |
| Individual phone plan | Good2Go Mobile |
Compare phone plans
Best prepaid cell phone plan
- 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
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
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 family phone plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $15/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial
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 unlimited data plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** 3 Months FREE: $90 for 6 mths service
Mint Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $30 per month. Mint 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 Mint Mobile review
Pros
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
Cons
No family plans
Minimum 3 months
Benefits
Operates on the nationwide T-Mobile network
7-day money-back guarantee
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your phone or buy a Mint Mobile device
Keep your phone number
Using your phone as a mobile hotspot is permitted
Free calling to Canada & Mexico, affordable rates to 160+ other locations
Flat-rate international roaming available as an add-on feature
Customer service by phone on weekdays and weekends, 24/7 by virtual chat
Best 5G phone plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $5/mo** 66% Off for 3 Months
Boost Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $5 per month. Boost 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 Boost Mobile review
Pros
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
Cons
No data only plans
Benefits
Owned by Dish and runs on T-Mobile's nationwide network
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or extra fees
Bring your own phone (GSM compatible) or choose from a wide selection of new phones
Mobile hotspot allowance with all plans
International service and roaming available as add-on packs
Customer support available by phone - 4am - 8pm PST Monday to Friday, 4am - 7pm weekends
Best unlimited talk & text plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 0GB
- Price
- $5/mo** $5 Off for 3 Months
Twigby 0GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $5 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
5G & 4G LTE coverage on Verizon network
No hotspot charges
International calling and texting
30 day money back guarantee
Great new customer discounts
Cons
Limited cell phone selection
Benefits
Runs on the Verizon 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 for seniors
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 2GB
- Price
- $10/mo** $10 Off for 3 Months
Reach Mobile 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $10 per month. Reach 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 Reach Mobile review
Pros
5G coverage available
24/7 live customer support with helpful humans
No contract, no bulk-order commitment
Hotspot enabled
A socially conscious provider who gives back
Cons
Small selection of handsets
Benefits
Powered by the Verizon network
Service is postpaid with no credit check
Only upfront payment is shipping for SIM card
Bring your own compatible phone
Keep your phone number
Hotspot enabled on all plans
24/7 customer support by phone or chat
Best cell phone plan for kids
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 2GB
- Price
- $15/mo** 25% Off for 3 Months
PureTalk 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $15 per month. PureTalk plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's PureTalk review
Pros
5G & 4G LTE coverage
30-day risk-free guarantee
Multi-line discounts
0% finance for new phones
US-based customer service
Supports eSIM
Cons
There are cheaper plans out there
May slow speeds at busy times
Benefits
Operates on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network
No contract, credit check, or activation fee
30-day risk-free guarantee on plans
14-day return policy on all new devices
Bring your own phone
Keep your phone number
Mobile hotspot/tethering permitted
International calling available as an add-on calling card
US-based customer support
Supports eSIM
Best cell phone plan for one person
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 3GB
- Price
- $10/mo** 50% Off for 3 Months
Good2Go Mobile 3GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 3GB data for only $10 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 comparison chart
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Mobile 500MB plan | 500MB | Verizon & T-Mobile | $5* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Tello 1GB plan | 1GB | T-Mobile | $10 |
| Twigby 4GB plan | 4GB | Verizon | $10** $10 Off for 3 Months |
| Mint Mobile 10GB plan | 10GB | T-Mobile | $20** 3 Months FREE: $60 for 6 mths service |
| Mint Mobile unlimited data plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $30** 3 Months FREE: $90 for 6 mths service |
Cheap cell phone plan benefits
By switching to a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or MVNO, you're giving yourself a ton of freedom. Freedom to switch whenever you want, freedom from contracts, and financial freedom. It's just a few of the reasons why we love them.
- 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 prepaid 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. Check our carrier user reviews before switching.
Compare cell phone plans on T-Mobile
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Mobile 500MB plan | 500MB | T-Mobile | $5* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Tello 1GB plan | 1GB | T-Mobile | $10 |
| Mint Mobile 4GB plan | 4GB | T-Mobile | $15** 3 Months FREE: $45 for 6 mths service |
| US Mobile 15GB plan | 15GB | T-Mobile | $20* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Mint Mobile unlimited data plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $30** 3 Months FREE: $90 for 6 mths service |
T-Mobile unlimited data plan comparison
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Magenta | Unlimited | $70 | $840 |
| T-Mobile Magenta Max | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
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 cell phone plans on Verizon
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Mobile 500MB plan | 500MB | Verizon | $5* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Twigby 4GB plan | 4GB | Verizon | $10** $10 Off for 3 Months |
| US Mobile 5GB plan | 5GB | Verizon | $15* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| US Mobile 15GB plan | 15GB | Verizon | $20* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Visible unlimited data plan | Unltd | Verizon | $15** $15 Off for 3 Mths - Promo code: 15OFF |
Verizon unlimited data plan comparison
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Play More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Do More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Get More Unlimited | Unlimited | $90 | $1,080 |
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 cell phone plan on AT&T
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boost Mobile 5GB plan | 5GB | AT&T | $5** 66% Off for 3 Months |
| Good2Go Mobile 6GB plan | 6GB | AT&T | $15** 50% Off for 3 Months |
| Boost Mobile 15GB plan | 15GB | AT&T | $20** $240 for 1 year service |
| Boost Mobile unlimited data plan | Unltd | AT&T | $25 |
| Red Pocket 100GB - 12 mths plan | 100GB | AT&T | $38** Only $450 for 12 Mths Service |
AT&T unlimited data plan comparison
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | Unlimited | $75 | $900 |
| AT&T Unlimited Elite | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $690 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 | $20/mo | $210/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $690/yr | |
Network 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
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 |
Compare phone plan types
- 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. Not sure how much data you need? Check out our data usage calculator.
- 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 best phone plans for individuals.
- Talk and text only plans: Don't need data? No problem - compare cheap talk and text plans. 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.
Comparing cell phone plans
After comparing all these no contract carriers you're still not sure, we're here to make choosing seamless. There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a no contract phone plan, but there are things you can look at to find the best fit for you.
- Cost: Set a limit for how much do you want to spend each month, and then find a plan to suit that. MVNOs offer a variety of cheap plans that still provide the same benefits you'll find from the big guys.
- Call & text usage: First things first, ask what you need from a cell phone plan. Basic plans are great if you rarely your device, maybe you make a few calls and send a limited number of text messages a month. Perhaps you have loved ones abroad? There's a load of international options, such as unlimited international calling. Some carriers will include as many as 200 countries, including Mexico and Canada.
- Data usage: Most plans from the major carriers offer unlimited data, but it's worth checking your usage first. Most people use 3 to 5GB of data a month. Set data plans give you the financial freedom to only pay for what you need. Decide if it's necessary to have unlimited everything, or if you can go for a set amount of data and save more.
Switch to a cheap cell phone plan
It's never been easier to switch. Let's break it down.
- Customize your plan. Whether you're looking for a truly unlimited plan, or in the market for something more basic, choose a plan to suit your cell phone needs.
- Prepare to make the switch. Make sure your old bills are paid up and your phone is unlocked. If you're getting a new device, transferring data from one to another is simple. Even if you're going from an iPhone to Android, and vice versa.
- Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your number has been ported over. Once you're sure your new plan is up and running, cancel your old account. If you've got a new device with your Tello plan, it should be ready to use when it arrives. If you're bringing your own phone then you'll need to follow the instructions with the new SIM card kit that Tello will send to you in the post.
Bring your own phone & save
Who doesn't love simple? The great thing about MVNOs is that switching carriers and keeping your own device is just that. Simple.
Most low-cost carriers simply provide you with a prepaid SIM card. Pop it into your phone and follow the instructions. Make sure you don't cancel your current phone plan until you've ported your phone number over to the new carrier to avoid any hitches and hurdles.
Cell phone carriers list
Compare phone plans FAQs
Which carrier offers the best cell phone plan?
The best plan is personal to your cell phone needs, however, MVNOs offer the best value. Operating on the main US networks you'll get the same nationwide coverage but with plans starting from $10 a month you'll save yourself plenty of dollars.
What is the cheapest cell phone plan?
Tello offers low-cost phone plans starting from $10 a month. Depending on what features you need there's a range of plans with low-cost carriers running on the AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon network that can save you money.
Recap
A cheap cell phone plan doesn't have to mean sacrificing coverage or features that you love. With MVNOs you'll find plans starting at $10 a month and with a large selection of options there's something for everyone.
You could save even more money by checking your usage to make sure you're only paying for what you need, especially when it comes to data as unlimited never really means unlimited. You can use our free tool to estimate your data use and find a set data plan at a cheaper price.
To make sure you're getting the best cell phone coverage in your area use your ZIP code to check whether Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile is better where you live.
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.
