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There's a big change afoot in the wireless world. Two major factors are behind this shift: the rise in the refurbished cell phone market as consumers struggle with smartphone sticker shock and the growing popularity of low-cost carriers.
If you need to tighten the purse strings it may be time to consider a new cell phone plan. We make it simple for you to find the right plan, plus save hundreds on your next phone.

Cut your phone bill, not your wireless coverage coverage!
Verizon plan saving calculator
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
5GB
4G/5G data
$15 /mo
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 |
T-Mobile plan saving calculator
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 |
AT&T plan saving calculator
AT&T vs PureTalk comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $618 per year
Carrier |
Network Coverage |
4G/5G Data |
Price |
Annual Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T |
AT&T 4G & 5G | Unltd* |
$75/mo |
$900/yr |
PureTalk |
AT&T 4G & 5G |
4GB |
$25/mo |
$282/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$50/mo |
$618/yr |
Cheap cell phone plans comparison
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 |
Cheap carrier benefits
There are many reasons to consider an alternative wireless carrier:
The same reliable networks you already know and love
Over 50% off in savings on your phone bill
No contracts or credit checks
Great customer service
Ease of keeping your phone and your phone number
Customized plans to fit your needs and budget
Ease of switching by signing up online
Convinced? It's tough not to be! Compare cell phone plans to find the best MVNO for your needs.
Save money on your phone bill
We've talked about switching plans to save money, so you've probably got questions about how it all works.
The way to save hundreds of dollars per year without sacrificing the quality of service is by going with an MVNO.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are carriers that rent space on the big three networks and sell it to you at a discount price.
MVNOs are cheaper because:
They don't own the equipment, so they don't have the construction and building costs of the big guys.
They don't typically have brick-and-mortar stores, rather they operate solely online, so their overhead is low.
MVNOs don't advertise on a large scale the way AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint do. All of that marketing costs big money.
How to switch to a cheaper carrier
It's never been easier to switch.
Customize your plan. Whether you're looking for a truly unlimited plan, or in the market for something more basic, choose a plan to suit your cell phone needs.
Prepare to make the switch. Make sure your old bills are paid up and your phone is unlocked. If you're getting a new device, transferring data from one to another is simple. Even if you're going from an iPhone to Android, and vice versa.
Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your number has ported over. Once you're sure your new plan is up and running, cancel your old account. If you've got a new device with your Tello plan, it should be ready to use when it arrives. If you're bringing your own phone then you'll need to follow the instructions with the new SIM card kit that Tello will send to you in the post.
Considerations when switching carriers
Before we go any further let's look at the factors to keep in mind when you start shopping for a new cell phone plan:
Budget: Custom plans let you pick and choose exactly what you want to pay for. In fact, most people don't need as much data as they think. You could probably shave a substantial amount off your monthly bill by scaling down. Use our data usage calculator to see what you actually need.
Coverage: Before choosing a wireless network you should assess which one has the best coverage in your area.
Features: Do you need international service? Is a mobile hotspot a necessity? Each company offers different features and options to meet a wide variety of needs.
Compatibility: If you plan to bring your own phone you can use our IMEI number checker to see if it's compatible with your chosen carrier.
Termination fees: If you still owe payments on your phone or are under contract you may have to pay fees to your current provider to get out of your commitment. Make sure you're free and clear to leave.
Promotions: Some carriers offer a temporary discount. For example, Twigby gives you 25% off your first six months. You should take into account what your bill will be once the promotion ends and whether it will still fit your budget.
Prepaid cell phone companies list
Boost Mobile | US Mobile | Red Pocket |
US Mobile | Red Pocket | Good2Go Mobile |
Ultra Mobile | Twigby | PureTalk |
Tello | Affinity Cellular | H2O Wireless |
Red Pocket | Reach Mobile | Straight Talk |
Mint Mobile | Spectrum Mobile | Tracfone |
Consumer Cellular | Total by Verizon | Kroger Wireless |
Republic Wireless | Ting | Optimum Mobile |
Simple Mobile | ||
Lycamobile | ||
Gen Mobile |
Recap
Cell phone plan savings are easy to come by if you follow the steps outlined in this guide:
Decide what's important to you in a plan. Compare your current phone bill to cheaper wireless plans using our savings calculator.
Use our comparison tool to find a cheaper cell phone plan.
Buy a used phone to save up to 50% off retail.
Sell your old device for cash.
Then start making plans for how you're going to spend the hundreds you'll save each year!