
MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.
If you're one of the brave men and women who serves - or has served - their country in a military capacity, you already know to be on the lookout for retailers that offer military discounts. But did you know that you can also get a break on your cell phone bill?
All major wireless carriers offer some form of military discount. Even better - some of the smaller, cheaper carriers also offer a military discount on their already great rates.
Keep reading if you want to find out where to get the best prices on wireless service for active-duty military personnel and veterans, plus how to get the best deal on your smartphone!
5 phone plans for military with 5G coverage: Starting at $5/mo
Tello: Cheapest military phone plan
Twigby: Best prepaid phone plan for military
US Mobile: Best 5G plan for military
Mint Mobile: Best family phone plan for military
Boost Mobile: Best unlimited data plan for military


Tello: Cheapest military phone 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

Twigby: Best prepaid phone plan for military
Verizon wireless network coverage
* $10 Credit with Promo Code: MSP
5G & 4G LTE coverage on Verizon network
No hotspot charges
International calling and texting
30 day money back guarantee
Great new customer discounts
Limited cell phone selection
Twigby 4GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 4GB data for only $10 per month. Twigby plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Twigby review
Twigby 1GB plan: $5/mo
Twigby unlimited talk & text plan: $5/mo
Twigby 4GB plan: $10/mo
Twigby 7GB plan: $15/mo
Twigby 10GB plan: $20/mo
Twigby unlimited data plan: $30/mo

US Mobile: Best 5G plan for military
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 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $15 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

Mint Mobile: Best family phone plan for military
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 15GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 15GB 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 20GB plan: $15/mo
Mint Mobile 15GB plan: $15/mo
Mint Mobile 5GB plan: $15/mo
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan: $15/mo

Boost Mobile: Best unlimited data plan for military
AT&T & T-Mobile wireless network coverage
* 50% Off First Month
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 Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $12.50 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
What are the benefits of cheap military phone plans?
Did you know you can cut your wireless bill by over half just by going with a low-cost carrier? These mobile providers are called MVNOs, which stand for Mobile Virtual Network Operators. You've probably already heard of a few of them, like Boost Mobile and Mint Mobile.
These carriers buy up extra space on the major networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon - and resell it at a discount. MVNOs can afford to give you better rates because most of them operate completely online and do not spend the big bucks on marketing as the major wireless carriers do.
Cheaper prices by up to 50% or more
Service on the same networks as the major carriers
Custom plans let you pay only for what you need
No credit checks and no contracts
Easy to bring your own phone and keep your number
Great customer service
Convenient and fast online signup
The best cheap T-Mobile plans for military
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
15GB
4G/5G data
$15 /mo*
$20/mo
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $615 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 |
$225/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$50/mo |
$615/yr |
Check out our review of the best T-Mobile military plans
The best cheap Verizon plans for military
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
15GB
4G/5G data
$20 /mo
Verizon vs US Mobile comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $720 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 |
15GB |
$20/mo |
$240/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$60/mo |
$720/yr |
Check out our review of the best Verizon military plans
The best cheap AT&T plans for military
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
Unlimited
4G/5G data
$12.50 /mo*
$25/mo
AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $612 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 |
Unlimited |
$25/mo |
$288/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$50/mo |
$612/yr |
Check out our review of the best AT&T military plans
How to pick the best value cell phone plan
4G LTE & 5G data speeds: You'll pay less without sacrificing speed since MVNOs operate on the big three cellular networks. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so that 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 calling 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.
Network coverage comparison
NETWORK |
OVERALL |
RELIABILITY |
SPEED |
DATA |
CALL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon Coverage |
95 |
96 |
94 |
96 |
94 |
AT&T Coverage |
94 |
94 |
95 |
96 |
92 |
T-Mobile Coverage |
86 |
88 |
82 |
89 |
82 |
Source: RootMetrics RootScore 2022 report
When it comes to 5G network coverage, T-Mobile scores the highest according to the J.D. Power 2023 wireless network study.
Find the best cell phone service in your area
Enter your zip code below to find the best cell phone service in your area.
Carrier customer service comparison
CARRIER |
TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
---|---|
4.9 |
|
4.6 |
|
4.6 |
|
1.5 |
|
1.3 |
|
1.2 |
What type of phone plan is best for you?
Unlimited data plans: Looking for unlimited talk text and data? Alternative carriers have got you covered. Data-hungry users looking for unlimited plus plans can save serious money by switching to one of the cheapest unlimited data plans.
Family phone plans: Need four lines or more? Many MVNOs offer group plans. Compare the cheapest family phone plans so you can pick and choose what each family member needs.
Bring your own phone plans: BYOP plans are the norm with smaller carriers. Compare cell phone prices and get a great deal to go with your cheap cell phone plan!
Tablet data plans: Find the cheapest data plan for your tablet or iPad.
Compare the cheapest Military cell phone plans
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | 1GB |
$10/mo |
|
Verizon | 4GB |
$20/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 5GB |
$15/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 20GB |
$25/mo |
|
T-Mobile | Unltd |
$30/mo |
To ensure you get the best phone deal, compare cell phone plans from multiple low-cost carriers side by side.
How we picked the best military phone plans
MoneySavingPro reviewed the best value military phone plans available and ranked them based on various factors.
The most important factor we considered was the price of each plan in comparison to other similar plans available in the market. We also evaluated data limits, network coverage, perks, customer feedback, and overall service quality.
We regularly monitor the market to keep track of new products and plan changes offered by carriers. This list is updated at least once a month or more frequently as necessary.
The best cell phone deals for military
Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
---|---|---|---|
Apple iPhone SE | $14/mo | $16/mo | $20/mo |
Apple iPhone 13 mini | - | $22/mo | - |
Apple iPhone 13 | - | $26/mo | $30/mo |
Apple iPhone 14 | - | $30/mo | $35/mo |
Apple iPhone 13 Pro | - | $33/mo | - |
Apple iPhone 12 Pro | - | - | $33/mo |
Apple iPhone 14 Plus | - | $35/mo | - |
Military phone plans FAQs
What are the cheapest cell phone plans for the military?
MVNOs like Boost Mobile, Mint Mobile, and US Mobile offer the best value cell phone plans starting from $5 per month.
Which phone carrier offers the best military discounts?
If you're looking for a cheaper cell phone plan to save money, then an MVNO offers discounts on its plans as standard. Powered by the main 3 wireless networks, you'll receive 5G & 4G LTE coverage and a choice of all the same features.
Recap: What is the best cell phone plan for the military?
Always ask about cell phone plan discounts for military personnel, regardless of which carrier you're with.
Remember that most carriers will suspend service at no charge if you're deployed out of the country.
- Tello: Cheapest military phone plan
- Twigby: Best prepaid phone plan for military
- US Mobile: Best 5G plan for military
- Mint Mobile: Best family phone plan for military
- Boost Mobile: Best unlimited data plan for military