Tello plans in 2026: Build-your-own from $5/mo — the most flexible carrier on T-Mobile
Tello plans from $5/mo — build your own plan on T-Mobile, pay only for what you need
Our Methodology
I'm Rob Webber. I've spent 15 years inside the wireless industry — first running comparison sites in the UK (where phone plans cost a third of what Americans pay), then doing the same here. Here's exactly how I pick the recommendations on this page:
- Network coverage first. Every plan runs on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon's network. If coverage is mediocre, the price doesn't matter.
- Verified pricing, not advertised pricing. I check what you'll actually pay on month 1, month 6, and after any promotional period ends.
- Contract reality. "iPhone on Us" deals lock you in for 36 months at premium plan rates. I factor in total commitment cost, not the headline monthly number.
- No hidden favorites. MoneySavingPro earns a commission if you click through and sign up. This doesn't change which plans I recommend — plans with no affiliate relationship are included on merit. How we make money
- Freshness. Carrier pricing changes constantly. This page is reviewed monthly. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Our editors independently rate every carrier on five criteria: value for money, coverage, customer experience, transparency, and range of choice. Affiliate relationships never influence our ratings. Read our full methodology →
Quick Summary
Tello's plan builder lets you choose exactly how much data, talk, and text you need — starting at $5/mo on T-Mobile. Most users find the $10/mo plan (1GB + unlimited calls and texts) sufficient. No MVNO offers more pricing flexibility at this price tier.
Key Takeaways
- Tello is the only major MVNO offering a fully custom plan builder — choose your exact data, minutes, and text allotment from $5/mo
- Tello's cheapest plan: $5/mo for 100 mins + unlimited text + 500MB on T-Mobile
- For $10/mo, Tello offers 1GB + unlimited talk/text — the best value at this price tier on any network
- No credit check, no annual contract, internationally competitive pricing — Tello is based in Romania with US-based customer support
Frustrated with the limited options, perplexing invoices, and steep prices of the major wireless providers?
You're not alone! MVNO low-cost carriers are here to change the big wireless game.
Tello offers the same wireless service as T-Mobile for significantly less.
I've reviewed 30 alternative carriers and 100+ prepaid phone plans to spare you the time and hassle.
I've purposely omitted any carrier that:
- Only offer unlimited data plans
- Only advertise multi-line prices
- Have confusing phone bills with unexpected fees
- Lure customers with "free" phones
- Constantly try to upsell additional lines
- Bundle plans with unnecessary subscriptions
- Need loads of small print to explain their offers
- Want you to go to a store
- Need a commission-based salesperson
- Reward customer loyalty with increased prices
Choosing the right plan will depend on your preferred network and data needs, so I've outlined the top Tello plans.
Best Tello plans in 2026
What are the best Tello phone plans?
Tello 2GB plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk and text with 2GB data
- Instant online activation
Tello unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
Tello vs T-Mobile comparison
T-Mobile vs Tello 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 | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Tello | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | ||
Tello coverage map
Tello coverage map
Do Tello plans have good network coverage?
Tello operates on the T-Mobile wireless network, so you get the same coverage as with the big guys.
| NETWORK | ROOTMETRICS | OPENSIGNAL | OOKLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon network | 95 | 9.8 | 74% |
| AT&T network | 93 | 9.5 | 80% |
| T-Mobile network | 87 | 88 | 79% |
Sources: RootMetrics, OpenSignal, and Ookla.
Is Tello available in your area?
Does Tello have family plans?
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tello Unlimited Talk & Text | $8 | $16 $8/line | $24 $8/line | $32 $8/line |
| Tello 2GB | $10 | $20 $10/line | $30 $10/line | $40 $10/line |
| Tello 20GB | $20 | $40 $20/line | $60 $20/line | $80 $20/line |
| Tello Unlimited | $25 | $50 $25/line | $75 $25/line | $100 $25/line |
What features are included with Tello plans?
What are the benefits of Tello phone plans?
- Quality coverage: Powered by the T-Mobile network, you can expect the same nationwide coverage. To see if T-Mobile's network has the best coverage in your area, check the Tello coverage map.
- Value for money: Tello SIM cards offer value and simplicity with their plans. Although you'll find the same features and coverage as a plan direct from T-Mobile, Tello could save you up to $600 a year.
- No contracts: As a prepaid carrier, you won't have to sign any long-term contracts. So, if you're unhappy with your plan, switch to a new plan or carrier whenever it suits you.
- Phone and plan bundles: If you're interested in purchasing a new cell phone, you can find a range of the best Tello phones to choose from. These are just like a phone and plan bundle from one of the major networks but with affordable options.
- Bring your own phone: If you don't want to upgrade your phone, you can easily bring your own device with Tello bring your own phone plans. Just make certain your cell phone is fully compatible and unlocked.
- Easy setup: Since Tello is online-based, it's quick to choose and purchase your Tello SIM starter kit. You can also opt for instant activation by choosing the Tello eSIM option. With a few simple steps, you'll be up and running.
- Unlimited talk & text: Most MVNOs provide free calls and texting with their plans.
- Unlimited data plans: Depending on your data usage, Tello unlimited data plans offer unlimited everything at half the price of a T-Mobile unlimited plan.
- Multiple lines: The Tello family plans a great money-saving option when buying more than one line.
- Promo codes: Check out the latest Tello deals to see current savings.
To find out more, check out our full review of Tello.
Does Tello have hotspot plans?
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 2GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $6/mo |
| Tello 10GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $13/mo |
| Tello 20GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 20GB | $18/mo |
| Tello unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
Does Tello have 5G plans?
With Tello 5G plans, you can access the fast 5G network at no extra cost with a 5G smart mobile device. However, 5G high-speed data is only available in certain areas. You'll receive their 4G LTE data speeds on the T-Mobile network when 5G coverage is unavailable.
Tello plans FAQs
You can purchase a Tello plan 100% online.
Tello phone plans range from $10-29 per month.
Tello's cheapest phone plan costs just $10 per month.
Recap: Are Tello phone plans worth it?
Why pay more for the same service? Get a cheap prepaid cell phone plan from low-cost carriers like Tello. With no contract, you can amend your plan or change carriers when it suits you.
Operating on the same major cell towers, MVNOs offer great value for money, saving you hundreds of dollars a year.
With Tello, you can bring your phone to make the switch even easier and save more money.
T-Mobile MVNO guides
- Best T-Mobile MVNOs in 2026
- The Best T-Mobile MVNO Plans
- Best Carriers on the T-Mobile Network
- The Best Boost Mobile Phone Plans
- The Best Mint Mobile Plans
- The Best Tello Mobile Phone Plans
- The Best Lyca Mobile Plans
- The Best Ultra Mobile Phone Plans
How I choose the best carriers and plans
To select the best carriers and plans, I evaluated over 30 different carriers.
I rate carriers in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. I then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: I compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: I look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. I use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: I take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: I assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. I examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: I evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
I regularly update the content so that we're always recommending the latest and best value plans and do my best to ensure the information is accurate.
Best plan on AT&T
Boost Mobile vs AT&T plan price comparison
Updated: August 2026
| Plan | Data | Boost Mobile Price | vs AT&T equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boost 2GB | 2GB | $10/mo | AT&T 4GB plan — $30/mo |
| Boost Unlimited | Unlimited | $25/mo | AT&T Unlimited Starter — $65/mo |
| You save | $60/mo vs AT&T | ||
Best plan on T-Mobile
Tello Mobile vs T-Mobile plan price comparison
Updated: August 2026
| Plan | Data | Tello Mobile Price | vs T-Mobile equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 5GB | 5GB | $10/mo | Connect by T-Mobile 5GB — $15/mo |
| Tello Unlimited | Unlimited | $25/mo | T-Mobile Essentials 2.0 — $65/mo |
| You save | $45/mo vs T-Mobile | ||
Best plan on Verizon
Visible vs Verizon plan price comparison
Updated: August 2026
| Plan | Data | Visible Price | vs Verizon equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visible Unlimited | Unlimited | $25/mo | Verizon Welcome Unlimited — $75/mo |
| You save | $50/mo vs Verizon | ||
Related Content
Phone plans guides
What it actually costs you over 3 years
| Network | Big 3 carrier | Big 3 monthly | No-contract pick | Monthly | 3-yr saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T | $65/mo | Boost Mobile | $25/mo | $1,440 |
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile | $70/mo | Tello | $25/mo | $1,620 |
| Verizon | Verizon | $75/mo | Visible | $25/mo | $1,800 |
Single line, unlimited data. Prices verified July 2026. Source: carrier plan pages.
Check coverage in your area: Use our interactive coverage checker to confirm your address is covered before you switch.
