10 cheap prepaid cell phone plans: Starting at $5

The best value prepaid cell phone plans in 2023

In these uncertain times, the last thing you need is to be stung by your cell phone bill.

Money savers and bargain hunters are welcome. You're in the right place. Find your next cheap prepaid cell phone plan from a low-cost carrier here.

With prepaid plans, you choose a package with set features and pay at the beginning of the month. You can pick from a range of plans, including set data plus unlimited talk and text, or get unlimited data if you need it.

We've analyzed the best prepaid cell phone plans out there for you to choose from.

How to choose a cheap prepaid phone plan

What network coverage do you prefer?

MVNOs are powered by the same 5G & 4G LTE networks as the big 3 wireless networks. Among the various carriers, T-Mobile obtained the top position in this J.D. Power 2023 wireless network study in terms of 5G coverage. If you have a preference for a particular network, choose an MVNO that operates on that network. Or, to identify the best cell phone service in your area, you can use our coverage checker tool.

How much data do you need?

Do you really need an unlimited data plan? The big 3 may try to persuade you otherwise, but the reality is that the majority of people only consume approximately 10GB of cellular data each month. Furthermore, if you primarily use Wi-Fi at home or work, your consumption of cellular data will probably be even lower. With cheap cell phone providers, you can choose a data plan that fits your requirements and pay a reduced amount if your data usage is lower.

Is hotspot data included?

Most carriers allow the usage of hotspot data; however, there are limitations on the quantity of data that can be used via tethering. The actual limit depends on the prepaid plan you choose and the carrier. Moreover, certain carriers offer prepaid mobile hotspot plans specifically tailored for use on mobile hotspot devices, iPads, and tablets.

What's the monthly cost?

While the big 3 usually charge between $75-90 per month for unlimited plans, the best MVNOs offer inexpensive plans that range from $5-35 per month. Despite their affordability, these options still offer dependable wireless coverage and fast data speeds. It's crucial to be mindful of extra fees and taxes, as some carriers include them in their pricing while others, such as AT&T and Verizon, do not.

What if I need multiple lines?

When it comes to the big wireless networks, the price advertised is only valid if you buy four lines. While with MVNOs, the price displayed is the price you pay, even if you only have one line. Furthermore, plenty of affordable carriers currently offer further reductions for additional lines with prepaid family plans.

Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device?

Despite the big 3's love of keeping their customers locked into a constant cycle of phone upgrades, MVNOs advocate the choice of bringing your own phone. This gives you the power to stay in control and only switch phones when it suits you. If you do choose to purchase a new phone, many MVNOs offer the opportunity of 0% financing for 1-2 years.

What promotions do they offer?

The big wireless promotions may appear appealing at first, but with further scrutiny of the fine print, you'll find they frequently include unnecessary items and the commitment to a lengthy 3-year phone contract. On the other hand, many Mobile Virtual Network Operators provide special discounts to new customers and offer no contract phone plans and clearer pricing structures.

Are there any additional perks?

A lot of the plans from the major networks include "free" TV subscriptions, but these eventually turn into paid subscriptions and are automatically added to your bill if you forget to cancel them after a few months. However, there are some prepaid carriers, like US Mobile, that offer free subscription services. But in our opinion, it's better to keep these subscriptions separate so that you have better control over them.

What international features are available?

If you travel often, it's recommended that you check whether your prepaid carrier offers these services. International calling and roaming are distinct features, and several MVNOs provide free international calls; however, the countries available may vary depending on the carrier. Roaming is typically offered as an optional feature, with the cost differing depending on the country you are traveling to.

Do they have parental controls?

Many MVNOs offer parental control features that enable parents to supervise their children's phone usage and data consumption. With these controls, you can set data limits, restrict access to particular apps or websites, and even track your child's location. These capabilities are available either as part of plans or can be configured in your cell phone's settings.

Check out our prepaid cell phone comparison to help find the best deal.

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Recap: What is the cheapest prepaid phone service?

So there you have it, a run-through of all the best prepaid cell phone plans out there. By switching to one of these, you can dodge the rising costs of cell phone plans from the big carriers. For every $80 per month plan from the big carriers, there's one from an alternative carrier for around half that.

Check out our MVNO list, which includes all the wireless carriers emerging within the industry. They'll help you save hundreds of dollars each year by offering cheap cell phone plans.

With so many plans on offer from low-cost carriers, you can find one that is tailored toward specific needs.

Prepaid plan guides

• The 5 Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
• The 5 Best Prepaid Unlimited Data Plans
• The 5 Best Prepaid Family Phone Plans
• Best No Contract Phone Plans
• 10 Cheap Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
• The Best Verizon Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
• The Best AT&T Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
• The Best T-Mobile Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
• The 5 Best Prepaid Data Plans for Tablets
• The 5 Best Prepaid Data Plans for iPads
• The 5 Best Prepaid Hotspot Plans

MoneySavingPro methodology

MoneySavingPro is dedicated to analyzing and comparing hundreds of cell phone plans from over 30 carriers to help you find the best value plan based on your individual needs without sacrificing service coverage.

Contrary to what the big 3 wireless companies would like you to believe - one size certainly does not fit all. Our goal is to help you save money by providing affordable alternatives to the expensive unlimited plans from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

With over 15 years of experience working within the telecommunications industry, we believe that big wireless plans offer limited choice with pricing and fees that lack transparency, often resulting in ever-increasing phone bills and long phone contracts for many of their customers. This is why you won't find recommendations for any of the big 3 wireless companies on MoneySavingPro - even though this actually costs us money.

The carriers we do recommend have been researched and evaluated based on price, coverage, data limits, customer service, and additional features. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive view that balances cost and value, helping you find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

We did consider these other alternatives: Cricket Wireless, Total by Verizon, Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, Straight Talk, Tracfone, Metro by T-Mobile, Visible, Google Fi, and Consumer Cellular, but we discounted them because we still don't consider these to be good value for money.

We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.