The best GSM phone plans in October
Are you looking for a cheap cell phone plan on the GSM network? With T-Mobile and AT&T MVNOs there's something for all budgets.
MVNOs are low cost carriers that are powered by the main US networks, but with plans starting at as little as $11 a month. If you've not heard of MVNOs they're quickly growing in popularity as one of the best ways to cut the cost of cell phone bills.
With such a wide range of options available we've broken it down for you below to help you find your ideal GSM plan.
- Tello: GSM prepaid plan
- Mint Mobile: GSM unlimited plan
- Ting: GSM talk & text plan
- Good2Go Mobile: GSM senior plan
- Red Pocket: GSM kids plan
- US Mobile: GSM Data plan
Best cheap T-Mobile GSM 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 | |
Best cheap AT&T GSM 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 | |
Best GSM carriers
Best prepaid GSM plan - Tello
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1 GB
- Price
- $10/mo
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $8 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $14 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $19 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 6GB | $24 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 8GB | $29 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $39 |
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
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** $90 for 3 months Service
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $15* * $45 for 3 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $20* * $60 for 3 Months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 15GB | $25* * $75 for 3 months Service | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $30* * $90 for 3 months Service |
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 GSM plan for talk & text - Ting
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 0 GB
- Price
- $10/mo** $5 extra per GB
| 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 GSM plan for seniors - Good2Go Mobile
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1 GB
- Price
- $7.50/mo** 50% Off for 3 Months
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $7.50* * 50% Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $10* * 50% Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 6GB | $15* * 50% Off for 3 Months | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $35 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 20GB | $45 |
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
Best GSM plan for kids - Red Pocket
- Minutes
- 500
- Texts
- 500
- Data
- 0.5 GB
- Price
- $10/mo
| Plan | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | Unlimited | 3GB | $10* * 50% Off First Month | |
500 | 500 | 0.5GB | $10 | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $15* * 50% Off First Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 22GB | $20* * 50% Off First Month | |
Unlimited | Unlimited | 50GB | $25* * 50% Off First Month |
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 GSM carrier for tablet data - US Mobile
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 2 GB
- Price
- $10/moFree Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM
| 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
Compare cheap GSM carrier 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 |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 12GB | $20Free Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM |
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $25** $20 Off for 3 Months |
| Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 2GB | $11** Extra 20% Off with code: MSP20 |
T-Mobile GSM carrier list
| Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
| Boost Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Boom! Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Consumer Cellular | T-Mobile |
| FreeUP Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Metro by T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Republic Wireless | T-Mobile |
| Simple Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Straight Talk | T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon |
| Tello | T-Mobile |
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Tracfone | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Unreal Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Gen Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Wing | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Hello Mobile | T-Mobile |
| GoSmart Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Lycamobile | T-Mobile |
| Walmart Family Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Speedtalk Mobile | T-Mobile |
AT&T GSM carrier list
| Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
| Cricket Wireless | AT&T |
| Freedompop | AT&T |
| h2o Wireless | AT&T |
| Pure Talk | AT&T |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Straight Talk | T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon |
| Tracfone | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Unreal Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Wing | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Black Wireless | AT&T |
| easyGO Wireless | AT&T |
| Airvoice Wireless | AT&T |
| Optimum Mobile | AT&T |
Cheap GSM plans FAQs
What's the difference between phone carriers?
MVNOs are low cost carriers that are powered by either T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. The main difference is the network each carrier uses as Verizon runs on CDMA, whereas T-Mobile and AT&T run on the GSM network.
Which is better CDMA or GSM?
It depends on your cell phone needs, as both technologies offer a similar service. It can be easier to switch phones or SIM cards with a GSM plan, especially when travelling, as GSM is a technology used worldwide whereas CDMA is used mainly in the US. CDMA phones are normally locked to a particular network, however most CDMA phones now work with GSM as well, due to the 4G LTE technology.
Which carrier is GSM?
There's a number of carriers that use GSM technology. T-Mobile MVNOs and AT&T MVNOs operate on the main networks so carriers like Ultra Mobile, Ting, and Mint Mobile use the GSM network.
Recap
MVNOs offer an affordable way to get access to the main US networks, with the same perks and quality coverage.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is one of two technologies that fills in the gap when 4G is not available. T-Mobile and AT&T both use GSM, along with their MVNOs.
If you're looking to bring your own phone you'll need to check it's compatible with a GSM carrier. You can do this with our IMEI checker. If your phone is a CDMA phone, not to worry, there are plenty of refurbished phones available at a discounted price or you can get a brand new phone from GSM carriers.
Deal of the Month: Ting Unlimited for $25/mo*