Deal of the Month: Tello unlimited data for $25/mo

Prepaid SIM Cards

Cheap prepaid SIM cards with 5G & 4G LTE coverage: Switch & save $600/yr

Twigby 2GB
Image of cell phone with Twigby
2GB data
$5/mo*
$15/mo
Verizon 5G/4G networks
*$5/mo for 1st 3 Mths
Tello 2GB
Image of cell phone with Tello
2GB data
$10/mo
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
Boost Mobile Unlimited
Image of cell phone with Boost Mobile
Unltd data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*50% Off 1st Mth
US Mobile Unlimited
Image of cell phone with US Mobile
Unltd data
$15/mo*
$29/mo
Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*30 Day FREE Trial
Mint Mobile Unlimited
Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
Unltd data
$15/mo*
$30/mo
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*$45 for 3 Months
Plans found: 48 Price range: $5 - $50
Twigby Sim Card - Vertical
2GB data
$5/mo*
$15/mo
See at Twigby
Verizon 5G/4G networks
*$5/mo for 1st 3 Mths
Tello Sim Card - Vertical
2GB data
$10/mo
See at Tello
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
Boost Mobile Sim Card - Vertical
Unlimited data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
See at Boost Mobile
AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*50% Off 1st Mth
US Mobile Sim Card - Vertical
Unlimited data
$15/mo*
$29/mo
See at US Mobile
Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*30 Day FREE Trial
Mint Mobile Sim Card - Vertical
Unlimited data
$15/mo*
$30/mo
See at Mint Mobile
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*$45 for 3 Months
Red Pocket Sim Card - Vertical
1GB data
$10/mo
See at Red Pocket
AT&T & Verizon 5G/4G networks
Ultra Mobile Sim Card - Vertical
3GB data
$16/mo*
$19/mo
See at Ultra Mobile
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*$48 for 3 Mths
Tello Sim Card - Vertical
10GB data
$19/mo
See at Tello
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
Mint Mobile Sim Card - Vertical
15GB data
$15/mo*
$20/mo
See at Mint Mobile
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
*$45 for 3 Months
Tello Sim Card - Vertical
Unlimited data
$25/mo
See at Tello
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
Tello Sim Card - Vertical
1GB data
$9/mo
See at Tello
T-Mobile 5G/4G networks
Twigby Sim Card - Vertical
5GB data
$10/mo*
$20/mo
See at Twigby
Verizon 5G/4G networks
*$10/mo for 1st 3 Mths
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Disclaimer: MoneySavingPro is a free price comparison service but we do not provide service directly. We do our best to keep all the information up to date but there may be some discrepancies between the price you pay.

Keep your phone, number & coverage: Save your money
5G & 4G LTE coverage
Instant activation
Custom data plans
24/7 customer support
Free international calls
No contracts
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Low-cost carrier vs big wireless saving comparison

Cut your phone bill by $600/yr

Tello
$25/mo
Unlimited data
T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
$300/yr Total cost
vs
$75/mo
Unlimited data
AT&T 5G & 4G networks
$900/yr Total cost
$75/mo
Unlimited data
Verizon 5G & 4G networks
$900/yr Total cost
$75/mo
Unlimited data
T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks
$900/yr Total cost

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

Best overall value SIM card

Tello Unlimited SIM card

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

How to choose the best prepaid SIM card

Which network do you prefer?

Low-cost carriers are powered by the same 5G and 4G LTE networks as the big 3. According to a 5G Experience Report (2023) by Opensignal, T-Mobile has the most extensive 5G coverage in the United States. If you have a preference for a specific network, you can find an MVNO that operates on that network. To discover the best cell phone service in your area, make sure to use our coverage checker.

How much data do you need?

Do you really need a prepaid SIM card for unlimited data? The big 3 wireless companies want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. Because if you spend most of your time at home or work on Wi-Fi, it's likely your cellular data usage will be much lower. You can pick a plan with enough data to fit your needs with cheap cell phone providers, meaning if you use less, you can pay less. But if you do choose an unlimited data SIM card, be aware that high-speed data is normally capped.

Is mobile hotspot data included?

Many MVNOs permit the usage of hotspot data. However, they impose restrictions on the quantity of data that can be used through tethering. The specific limit varies depending on the carrier and plan that you select. Additionally, some low-cost carriers provide exclusive data only SIM cards designed specifically for iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots.

What's the monthly cost?

While an unlimited data SIM card with the big 3 wireless costs around $75-90 per month, the best MVNOs offer budget-friendly SIM cards, ranging from $5-35 per month without compromising coverage or data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some providers include these in the price, and others, such as Verizon and AT&T, don't.

How many lines do you need?

With big wireless, you only get the low advertised price if you buy four lines. With low-cost carriers, the price you see is what you pay, even for one line. Some MVNOs also offer further discounts for multi-line plans.

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

While big wireless prioritizes keeping their customers in a perpetual cycle of phone upgrades, MVNOs advocate for bringing your own device. This empowers you to regain control and only switch phones when it's convenient for you. In the event that you do decide to buy a new phone, most MVNOs provide the option for 0% financing spread across 1-2 years.

Are there any promotions?

Promotions from big wireless can seem great at first. But once you read the fine print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year phone contracts. Most MVNOs offer short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is much clearer.

Are there any perks?

The big 3 wireless plans normally come with "complimentary" TV subscriptions, but these often become paid subscriptions that are automatically included on your bill after a few months. Although some budget-friendly carriers like US Mobile do provide plan choices with free subscription services, we generally advise keeping these subscriptions separate to avoid paying for unnecessary months of service.

What international travel features are available?

Most MVNOs offer free international calls to many countries. But when you're traveling abroad, there are different features you'll need, for example, roaming. If this is important to you, you can find a variety of carriers offering SIM cards for international travel.

Do they have parental controls?

Many MVNO carriers offer parental control features that enable parents to monitor their children's phone usage and data consumption. With parental controls, you can set data limits, restrict access to certain apps or websites, and even track your child's location. Some AT&T MVNOs offer these features as part of their standard plans, or you'll find this feature on your cell phone.

What are the SIM card sizes?

The SIM card you need will depend on your device. Most smart devices now use a nano-SIM or eSIM, but some older devices may need a micro-SIM or a standard SIM.

Check out our comparison of the best prepaid SIM cards to ensure you find the best deal.


Find the best prepaid phone plans in your area

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Compare the cheapest SIM card plans

Carrier Network Data Price
Twigby 2GB SIM card Verizon 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $5/mo $15/mo
Tello 2GB SIM card T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $10/mo
Boost Mobile Unlimited SIM card AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $12.50/mo $25/mo
US Mobile Unlimited SIM card Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $15/mo $29/mo
Mint Mobile Unlimited SIM card T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $15/mo $30/mo

SIM cards for international travelers

In the quest for affordable and flexible communication, especially when traveling, prepaid SIM cards have become a pivotal part of helping to stay connected. For travelers jetting from the USA to Europe and other various countries, the GSM technology underlying most prepaid SIM cards ensures phone compatibility, catering to both iPhone, Android, and other smartphones.

Whether you're looking to buy a new SIM card on arrival or opt for a travel SIM card, either is a great option. Also, if your phone is compatible, an eSIM can make this process even easier.

However, your current carrier may offer international plans, but they usually come with a hefty price tag. The best option can be getting a local SIM card, which presents a cost-effective option, often providing a substantial GB of data, free mobile hotspot data, and local call minutes, which are invaluable for internet access to navigate via Google Maps or stay connected through WhatsApp and Skype.

A new SIM card can offer an ideal plan tailored for each destination and guarantee the best rates.

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