Compare pay as you go cell phone plans
Finding a cheap pay as you go phone plan doesn't have to be a chore, and with low-cost carriers like Tello and Ultra Mobile it's made easy.
These low-cost carriers - also known as MVNOs, operate on the three main US networks and provide cheaper pay as you go plans without any sacrifice, and with PAYG you're only paying for what you really need.
Keep reading to compare the cheapest pay as you go plans below to find the best deal for you.
| Best cheap plan | Tello |
| Best family plan | US Mobile |
| Best unlimited plan | Mint Mobile |
| Best 5G plan | Ultra Mobile |
| Best senior plan | Twigby |
| Best kids plan | Red Pocket |
| Best individual plan | Good2Go Mobile |
| Best hotspot plan | US Mobile |
Best pay as you go cell phone plans
Best cheap pay as you go plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1GB
- Price
- $10/mo
Tello 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $10 per month. Tello plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Tello review
Pros
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
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 pay as you go plan for families
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $15/mo* Free 10 Day Trial
US Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $15 per month. US Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's US Mobile review
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
Best cheap pay as you go plan for unlimited data
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** Only $90 for 3 Months Service
Mint Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $30 per month. Mint Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Mint Mobile review
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 pay as you go phone plan for 5G
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 2GB
- Price
- $14/mo** $168 for 12 Months Service
Ultra Mobile 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $14 per month. Ultra Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Ultra Mobile review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Ultra Mobile 250MB - 12 Mths | 250MB | $10* * $120 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
2GB | $14* * $168 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
3GB | $20* * $240 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
6GB | $25* * $300 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
15GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan | |
Unlimited | $40* * $480 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Pros
Simple account dashboard
Unlimited international talk and text
Nationwide coverage
Cons
Customer service
Benefits
Coverage provided on the nationwide T-Mobile network
Prepaid service - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own compatible GSM phone or buy one from Ultra Mobile
Mobile hotspot use supported
Unlimited global texting and unlimited calling to 80+ countries
International roaming credits available in $5, $10, or $20 denominations
International plan tier comes with uTalk - a feature that gives you up to 1250 bonus minutes to your choice of 39 additional destinations
Customer service available by phone, email, and chat from 6am to 6pm every day
Best pay as you go phone plan for seniors
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 4GB
- Price
- $10/mo** $10 Off for 3 Months
Twigby 4GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 4GB data for only $10 per month. Twigby plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Twigby review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
1GB | $5* * $10 Off for 3 Months | View Plan | |
Twigby Unlimited Talk & Text | 0GB | $5* * $10 Off for 3 Months | View Plan |
4GB | $10* * $10 Off for 3 Months | View Plan | |
7GB | $15* * $10 Off for 3 Months | View Plan | |
10GB | $20* * $10 Off for 3 Months | View Plan | |
Twigby Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $30* * $10 Off for 3 Months | View Plan |
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 pay as you go phone plan for kids
- Minutes
- 500
- Texts
- 500
- Data
- 500MB
- Price
- $10/mo
Red Pocket 500MB plan includes 500 mins, 500 texts and 500MB data for only $10 per month. Red Pocket plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Red Pocket review
| Plan | Data | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Red Pocket 500MB | 500MB | $10 | View Plan |
Red Pocket 3GB - 12 Mths | 3GB | $15* * $180 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
3GB | $20 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 10GB - 12 Mths | 10GB | $22.50* * $270 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
Red Pocket 25GB - 12 Mths | 25GB | $30* * $360 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
10GB | $30 | View Plan | |
Red Pocket 100GB - 12 Mths | 100GB | $37.50* * $450 for 12 Months Service | View Plan |
25GB | $40 | View Plan | |
100GB | $50 | View Plan |
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 pay as you go phone plan for one
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 3GB
- Price
- $10/mo** 50% Off for 3 Months
Good2Go Mobile 3GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 3GB data for only $10 per month. Good2Go Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Good2Go Mobile review
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 pay as you go plan for hotspots
- Minutes
- 0
- Texts
- 0
- Data
- 2GB
- Price
- $10/mo* Free 10 Day Trial
US Mobile 2GB plan includes 0 mins, 0 texts and 2GB data for only $10 per month. US Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's US Mobile review
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
Pay as you go plan features
- 4G LTE & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big three cellular networks you'll pay less without sacrificing speed. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so you can expect high-speed data.
- Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calls in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
- International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico, and discounted rates on others.
- Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with multi-line discounts.
- Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you're out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.
- Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.
- HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't.
Best cheap Verizon pay as you go plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
5GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo
$3 per GB
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Verizon cell phone plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Play More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Do More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Get More Unlimited | Unlimited | $90 | $1,080 |
Verizon vs US Mobile 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 | |
Compare: Verizon pay as you go plans
Best cheap T-Mobile pay as you go plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15/mo*
$3.75 per GB
Powered by: T-Mobile
T-Mobile cell phone 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 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 | |
Compare: T-Mobile pay as you go plans
Best cheap AT&T pay as you go plan
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
3GB
4G/5G data
$10/mo*
$20/mo
$6.67 per GB
Powered by: AT&T & T-Mobile
AT&T cell phone 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 comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $690 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 | $20/mo | $210/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $690/yr | |
Compare: AT&T pay as you go plans
Cheapest pay as you go phone plans
| Carrier | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB plan | 1GB | $10 |
| Mint Mobile 4GB plan | 4GB | $15** Only $45 for 3 Months Service |
| Twigby 10GB data plan | 10GB | $20** $10 Off for 3 Months |
| Mint Mobile 15GB plan | 15GB | $25** Only $75 for 3 Months Service |
| Tello unlimited data plan | Unltd | $29 |
Prepaid carriers list
Best cheap pay as you go phones
| Phone | Carrier | Network | Monthly Price | Total Cost | Nokia 1.4 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $10/mo for 12 mths | $119 | TCL A30 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $10/mo for 12 mths | $119 | OnePlus Nord N100 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $11/mo for 18 mths | $199 | Nokia 2.4 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $12/mo for 12 mths | $139 | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $12/mo for 18 mths | $199 | Nokia G10 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $13/mo for 12 mths | $149 | Samsung Galaxy A03s | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $13/mo for 12 mths | $160 | LG Stylo 6 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $13/mo for 18 mths | $229 | OnePlus Nord N200 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $13/mo for 24 mths | $309 | Motorola Moto G Power | Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $14/mo for 18 mths | $249 | Motorola Moto G Fast | Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $14/mo for 18 mths | $249 | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $14/mo for 24 mths | $329 | Motorola Moto G Stylus | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $15/mo for 24 mths | $349 | Samsung Galaxy A13 | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $17/mo for 18 mths | $299 | Motorola One Ace | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $17/mo for 24 mths | $399 |
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Pay as you go phone plans FAQs
What is the cheapest pay as you go phone plan?
Low cost carriers offer the cheapest PAYG phone plans. You'll find deals as cheap as $10 a month from carriers like Tello.
What are the best pay as you go plans?
It'll depend on what you're looking for from your pay as you go plan. Deciding on your budget and what features you're looking for can help you find the most suitable pay as you go plan for you. MVNOs have a wide variety of plans to choose from so there's something for everyone.
What's the difference between prepaid and pay as you go?
With prepaid you're buying a plan, although you're not tied into a contract, it's still a flexible plan you're paying for. With pay as you go you don't buy a plan, but you're paying for minutes, texts, and data.
Recap
When it comes to a cheap pay as you go cell phone plan, MVNOs offer the best value for money, saving you up to $600 a year.
With a large variety of plans, there's something for everyone and you don't have to give up good coverage or any of your favorite features.
Don't want to upgrade your phone? MVNOs encourage you to bring your own phone with easy switch-over service. But if you do want to change your handset you can find a range of cheap refurbished phones from trusted online sellers.
