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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.
Best cheap GSM plans

Tello: Best cheap GSM 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

Mint Mobile: Best prepaid GSM plan
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 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB 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 5GB plan: $15/mo
Mint Mobile 15GB plan: $20/mo
Mint Mobile 20GB plan: $25/mo
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan: $30/mo

US Mobile: Best GSM plan for families
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 15GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 15GB data for only $20 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

Tello: Best GSM plan for unlimited data
T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Boost Mobile: Best GSM plan for one person
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
Best GSM plans on T-Mobile
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
15GB
4G/5G data
$20 /mo*
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $600 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 |
$240/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$50/mo |
$600/yr |
Best GSM plans on AT&T
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
5GB
4G/5G data
$5 /mo*
$15/mo
AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $750 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 |
5GB |
$15/mo |
$150/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$60/mo |
$750/yr |
Cheapest GSM plans
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | 1GB |
$10/mo |
|
Verizon & T-Mobile | 2GB |
$12/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 5GB |
$15/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 15GB |
$20/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | Unltd |
$25/mo |
GSM network carriers on T-Mobile
Boost Mobile
Boom! Mobile
Consumer Cellular
FreeUP Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile
Mint Mobile
Red Pocket
Republic Wireless
Simple Mobile
Straight Talk
Tello
TextNow
Ting
Tracfone
Ultra Mobile
Unreal Mobile
US Mobile
Gen Mobile
Wing
Good2Go Mobile
Hello Mobile
GoSmart Mobile
Reach Mobile
Lycamobile
Walmart Family Mobile
Speedtalk Mobile
Patriot Mobile
Kroger Wireless
Boost Infinite
WOW! Mobile
Gotalk Wireless
GSM network carriers on AT&T
Boost Mobile
Cricket Wireless
Freedompop
H2O Wireless
PureTalk
Red Pocket
Straight Talk
Tracfone
Unreal Mobile
Wing
Good2Go Mobile
Black Wireless
easyGO Wireless
Airvoice Wireless
Optimum Mobile
Boost Infinite
GSM plans FAQs
What is the cheapest GSM cell phone plan?
MVNOs like Mint Mobile, Tello, and Boost Mobile offers the cheapest cell phone plans, with prices starting at just $10 per month. You could save up to $600 per year from your phone bill.
What is the best prepaid GSM plan?
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 fill 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.