The best cell phone plans in December
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.
- Tello: Best prepaid plan
- Mint Mobile: Best unlimited plan
- Ting: Best talk & text plan
- Twigby: Best senior plan
- Red Pocket: Best kids plan
- US Mobile: Best hotspot plan
Best cheap cell phone plans
Best cheap prepaid plan - Tello
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1 GB
- Price
- $5/mo** 50% Off 1st Month
Tello 1GB data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $5 per month. Tello prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G network.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $4* * 50% Off 1st Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $5* * 50% Off 1st Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $7* * 50% Off 1st Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $9.50* * 50% Off 1st Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 6GB | $12* * 50% Off 1st Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 8GB | $14.50* * 50% Off 1st Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $19.50* * 50% Off 1st Month |
Pros
24/7 customer support
No contracts
Budget friendly family plans
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 cheap unlimited data plan - Mint Mobile
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** Buy 3 Months - Get 3 Months Free
Mint Mobile unlimited data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $30 per month. Mint Mobile prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G network.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $15* * Buy 3 Months - Get 3 Months Free | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $20* * Buy 3 Months - Get 3 Months Free | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 15GB | $25* * Buy 3 Months - Get 3 Months Free | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $30* * Buy 3 Months - Get 3 Months Free |
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 cheap talk & text plan - Ting
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 0 GB
- Price
- $10/mo** $5 extra per GB
Ting unlimited talk & text includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 0GB data for only $10 per month. Ting prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile & Verizon 4G LTE and 5G networks.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10* * $5 extra per GB | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $15 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $20* * $5 Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $25* * $20 Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | $30* * $5 Off for 6 Months |
Pros
Simple plans for light phone users
Customer service
Nationwide LTE and 5G coverage
Good selection of handsets
Cons
Not for the data hungry user
Benefits
Offers coverage on both Verizon and T-Mobile
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or start-up fees
Bring your GSM or CDMA phone - most devices are compatible - or buy one from Ting
Keep your current number
Tethering/mobile hotspot allowed, speeds limited to 3G for GSM tethering
Use your plan minutes to call 60+ international locations
International roaming capability (at surcharged rates)
Extensive customer service hours by phone, chat, or email
Best cheap phone plan for seniors - Twigby
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1 GB
- Price
- $8/mo** 50% Off for 6 Months
Twigby 1GB data includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $8 per month. Twigby prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon 4G LTE and 5G network.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $6.50* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $8* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $10* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $12.50* * 50% Off for 6 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $17.50* * 50% Off for 6 Months |
Pros
No hotspot/tethering charges
International calling and texting
4G LTE coverage
Exclusive deals and discounts as a Twigby customer
Cons
Limited handset selection
Not for the data hungry
Benefits
Runs on both the Verizon and Sprint 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 cheap phone plan for kids - Red Pocket
- Minutes
- 500
- Texts
- 500
- Data
- 0.5 GB
- Price
- $10/mo
Red Pocket 500mb data includes 500 mins, 500 texts and 0.5GB data for only $10 per month. Red Pocket prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G networks.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
500 | 500 | 0.5GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $15* * Buy 9 Mths - Get 3 Mths Free | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $20 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $22* * Buy 9 Mths - Get 3 Mths Free | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 22GB | $30* * Buy 9 Mths - Get 3 Mths Free | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $30 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 50GB | $37* * Buy 9 Mths - Get 3 Mths Free | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 22GB | $40 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 50GB | $50 |
Pros
Nationwide coverage
No contracts
Latest selection of phones
Cons
Account dashboard needs work
No 0% financing options on latest phones
Customer service
Benefits
Operates on all four networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fees
Bring your own GSM or CDMA device and keep your phone number
Mobile hotspot/tethering allowed with your plan data
Free international calling to 70+ countries
Customer service available in English, Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish via chat or phone
Best cheap hotspot plan - US Mobile
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 2 GB
- Price
- $10/moFree Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM
US Mobile 2GB data only includes 0 mins, 0 texts and 2GB data for only $10 per month. US Mobile prepaid phone plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G networks.
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $8 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $12 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $15 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 12GB | $20 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 18GB | $25 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 30GB | $30 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $45 | |
Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM | ||||
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
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.
Best cheap Verizon cell phone plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
5 GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3.00 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Compare Verizon unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Do More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Play More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Get More Unlimited | Unlimited | $90 | $1,080 |
Verizon vs US Mobile Plan 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 | |
Best cheap T-Mobile cell phone plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
4 GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: T-Mobile
Compare T-Mobile unlimited data plans
| 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 Plan 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 | |
Best cheap AT&T cell phone plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
3 GB
4G/5G data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
$8.33 per GB
Powered by: AT&T & T-Mobile
Compare AT&T unlimited data plans
| 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 Plan Comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $637 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 | $25/mo | $263/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $637/yr | |
Cell phone plans comparison chart
| Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | 0GB | $10** $5 extra per GB |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 4GB | $15** Buy 3 Months - Get 3 Months Free |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 12GB | $20Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $30** Buy 3 Months - Get 3 Months Free |
| Tello | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 1GB | $5** 50% Off 1st Month |
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 |
Compare cell 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.
How to find the best cell phone plan
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.
- Compare plans: If totally unlimited is the way for you to go, Ting, Tello, and Pure Talk all offer great unlimited data plans. Always be sure to check how much data you're really getting. Unlimited doesn't mean unlimited. It means a lot. You'll usually get around 15 GB of high-speed data. Once you've burned through your data allotment that, you get unlimited data at 2G speeds.
How to switch to a cheaper 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 and save even more
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.
Cheap cell phone carriers list
Compare the best cell phone deals
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 cheap cell phone prices
| Phone | Storage | Network | Condition | Price | Apple iPhone SE | 64GB | AT&T | New | $17/mo | Apple iPhone 11 | 64GB | AT&T | New | $21/mo | Apple iPhone 12 mini | 64GB | AT&T | New | $26/mo | Apple iPhone 13 mini | 128GB | AT&T | New | $30/mo | Apple iPhone 12 | 64GB | AT&T | New | $30/mo | Apple iPhone 13 | 128GB | T-Mobile | New | $35/mo | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | 64GB | AT&T | New | $37/mo | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | 128GB | AT&T | New | $37/mo | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | 128GB | AT&T | New | $42/mo | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | 128GB | T-Mobile | New | $42/mo | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | 128GB | AT&T | New | $46/mo |
|---|
Compare cell phone plans FAQs
Who has 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.
Who has the best unlimited cell phone plan?
You can find deals with a low cost carrier like Mint Mobile who offer unlimited everything starting at $30. But unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited, so be sure to check the plan's small print.
Who has 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.
