The best cell phone plans for military & veterans in 2023

Cheap plans for military on the AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile networks: Switch & save $600/yr
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Cheap cell phone plans starting at $10/mo -Compare Now
By
Rob Webber
Rob Webber

Rob Webber

Founder

About Rob

Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

Rob's Expertise

5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services

- Last updated on May 15th, 2023

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!

Cheapest military plan
T-Mobile network
1GB 4G/5G data
$10 /mo
Prepaid military plan
Verizon network
4GB 4G/5G data
$10 /mo* $20/mo

View Plan

* $10 Credit with Promo Code: MSP
5G military plan
Verizon & T-Mobile networks
5GB 4G/5G data
$15 /mo

View Plan

* 100 Days FREE Trial
Family military plan
T-Mobile network
15GB 4G/5G data
$15 /mo* $20/mo

View Plan

* Only $45 for 3 Months
Unlimited data plan
AT&T & T-Mobile networks
Unltd 4G/5G data
$12.50 /mo* $25/mo

View Plan

* 50% Off First Month

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

Find cheap plans in your area
The Best Cell Phone Plans for Military
Tello SIM card vertical

Tello: Cheapest military phone plan

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

1GB 4G/5G Data

$10/mo
5
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

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 plans
  • 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

See Tello phone plans

Twigby SIM card vertical

Twigby: Best prepaid phone plan for military

Verizon wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

4GB 4G/5G Data

$10/mo*

* $10 Credit with Promo Code: MSP

4.5
Pros
  • 5G & 4G LTE coverage on Verizon network

  • No hotspot charges

  • International calling and texting

  • 30 day money back guarantee

  • Great new customer discounts

Cons
  • 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 plans
  • 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

See Twigby phone plans

US Mobile SIM card vertical

US Mobile: Best 5G plan for military

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB 4G/5G Data

$15/mo

* 100 Days FREE Trial

4.5
Pros
  • Flexible, no contract plans

  • 24/7 customer service

  • 5G coverage available

Cons
  • 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 plans
  • 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

See US Mobile phone plans

Mint Mobile SIM card vertical

Mint Mobile: Best family phone plan for military

T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

15GB 4G/5G Data

$15/mo*

* Only $45 for 3 Months

4.5
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

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 plans
  • 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

See Mint Mobile phone plans

Boost Mobile SIM card vertical

Boost Mobile: Best unlimited data plan for military

AT&T & T-Mobile wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited 4G/5G Data

$12.50/mo*

* 50% Off First Month

4.5
Pros
  • 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

Cons
  • 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 plans
  • 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

See Boost Mobile phone plans

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

Mint Mobile 15GB plan * Only $45 for 3 Months

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

15GB

4G/5G data

$15 /mo*

$20/mo

T-Mobile wireless network

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

US Mobile 15GB plan * 100 Days FREE Trial

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

15GB

4G/5G data

$20 /mo

Verizon & T-Mobile wireless networks

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

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan * 50% Off First Month

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited

4G/5G data

$12.50 /mo*

$25/mo

AT&T & T-Mobile wireless networks

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.

Switch & Save $600 per year
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Carrier customer service comparison

CARRIER

TRUSTPILOT USER RATING

Reach Mobile TrustPilot score

4.9

Tello TrustPilot score

4.6

US Mobile TrustPilot score

4.6

T-Mobile TrustPilot score

1.5

Verizon TrustPilot score

1.3

AT&T TrustPilot score

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

Tello SIM card - Horizontal Tello

T-Mobile

1GB

$10/mo

Twigby SIM card - Horizontal Twigby

Verizon

4GB

$20/mo

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile

AT&T & T-Mobile

5GB

$15/mo

Mint Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Mint Mobile

T-Mobile

20GB

$25/mo

Mint Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Mint Mobile

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 64GB128GB256GB
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.