BestMVNO’s Guide to Cheap Phone Plans, December 2024 Edition

Best Cheap Cell Phone Plan For Singles

The top 3 carriers in the USA, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless offer their best rates to families and others with multiple lines. Take T-Mobile for instance. The company’s Unlimited Essentials plan costs $60/month with autopay for single lines. But customers with 4 lines can get it for $30/line or $120/month. That’s quite a price difference! And if you are a new customer, you can get the plan even cheaper. New subscribers with 4-lines will pay just $25/line or $100/month. But what about customers who only need a single line?

US Mobile $25 “Unlimited Starter” Plan

Customers with a single line may be better served by an MVNO like US Mobile. US Mobile’s $25 “Unlimited Starter plan” is an excellent choice if you only need one line of service. This plan is packed with value and has one of the lowest costs per GB of data on the market. It also includes all taxes and fees in the price.

Subscribers on this plan get 35GB of full-speed 5G data to use, which works out to a cost of 83 cents per GB. After the high-speed data allotment gets consumed, data speeds are reduced to 1Mbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. Those reduced data speeds are faster than what 99% of providers on the market offer after you use up the high-speed data that their plans provide. Most providers offer throttled data speeds that are 2x to 10x slower. Data speeds at 1Mbps are fast enough to use social media, listen to music, and borderline fast enough to stream video at a resolution of about 480p. However, video streams will still take longer to load than you are accustomed to.

This plan is available for use on your choice of either the AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon networks. To use it on the Verizon network you’ll have to sign up on what US Mobile calls the Warp 5G network. To use it on the T-Mobile network, you’ll have to sign up for their Light Speed network, and they call AT&T Dark Star. US Mobile offers a feature that they call Teleport which you can use to change networks whenever you need without resetting your billing cyle. They charge $2 each time you change networks and you can change a maximum of 8X per billing cycle.

Aside from the generous data allotment, this plan offers several other features that are hard to find elsewhere for the same price. If you use the plan on the Warp 5G network you’ll have premium priority data to use if you have a 5G phone. Premium priority data means that when the network is busy, your data speeds won’t slow down compared to other customers on the network. Your data usage gets prioritized over the usage of other customers. The plan also includes international texting and access to both Verizon’s 5G mmWave and C-band networks.

If you elect to sign up for the plan using the Light Speed network you won’t get premium priority data access, however, data speeds on the T-Mobile network typically aren’t throttled as hard as they are on the Verizon network when the network is busy.

The AT&T network plans do not come with priority data access either, but priority access is available as an add-on priced at $12/month.

No matter which network you use, your plan will include 10GB of hotspot data. There are no multi-line discounts. Single-line customers willing to prepay $270 for the plan annually can get it for an average monthly cost of $22.50, a total savings of $30 annually vs paying for it monthly. Annual plan customers will also get calling and texting to international numbers, and 1GB of data to use while traveling abroad.

If you are unsure if this plan is right for you, US Mobile does offer a free 30-day trial with 30GB of high-speed data to use. The trial is available to customers that port their numbers to US Mobile. Alternatively, customers who want to get a new number can try the $25 Unlimited Starter plan for $15/month for their first three months of service.

Potential Drawbacks To Consider

Potential drawbacks to this plan include you may actually be paying for more data than you’ll ever use. Other people may find it doesn’t include enough high-speed data and that they need a plan with truly unlimited high-speed data.

To get the cheapest rate on the plan, you’ll have to prepay $270. A big upfront payment can certainly be a drawback. And after making the payment, if you decide it’s not working out for you after a few months and want to leave, you can’t get any money back.

US Mobile is an online-only brand which may be a deterrent for some. There are no stores to go to for customer support or to check out any phones they offer.

US Mobile Light User

Promoted

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

$10

Special Features

• Additional data just $2/GB
• All taxes and fees included in the price
• Use your data for mobile hotspot
• Use Teleportal to manually change to different underlying networks as needed
• Free 30 day trial available with 30GB data plus $50 gift card offer

Get US Mobile!

US Mobile 10GB

Promoted

Unlimited

Unlimited

10GB

$17.50

Special Features

• Annual plan, with taxes and fees included in the price!
• Includes hotspot
• Use Teleportal to manually change to different underlying networks as needed
• Includes QCI-8 priority data on Warp 5G! With a 5G device, data speeds will not slow down compared to others during network congestion!
• After 10GB of data, unlimited data at 1Mbps for rest of 30-day billing cycle
• Add more data priced at $10 for 5GB
• Calls and texts to international numbers included
• Free 30 day trial available with 30GB data plus $50 gift card offer

Get US Mobile!

Tello

Promoted

100

Unlimited

1GB

$6

Special Features

• Mobile hotspot!
• Upgrade or downgrade at anytime with no extra fees. The change is instant, and your remaining balance will roll over for the next 30 days.
• International calling to over 60 countries!

Get Tello!

Tello

Promoted

300

Unlimited

1GB

$7

Special Features

• Mobile hotspot!
• International calling to over 60 countries!
• Upgrade or downgrade anytime with no extra fees. The change is instant, and your remaining balance will roll over for the next 30 days.

Get Tello!

Affordable Phone Plans For Couples & Seniors

There are plenty of cheap cell phone plans available for couples, and these same plans would also provide a good value to seniors. But two plans from two MVNOS really stand out because of special promotions they currently have running.

Spectrum Mobile Two Lines For $30

If you are in a Spectrum market and a Spectrum Internet customer, then Spectrum Mobile’s Unlimited base plan is something to strongly consider. Spectrum Mobile is a Verizon powered MVNO that’s currently running a promotion for new new lines. Customers can get one free unlimited line for one year. Additional lines can be added for $30/line. That means you can get two lines for just $30/month, taxes and fees included. That’s an unbeatable value. And after the 12 months is up, the price becomes $30/month per line which is still a pretty good deal.

Spectrum Mobile’s plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data with the first 30GB of monthly data available at 5G data speeds. After 30GB of data is used, data speeds are reduced to 1Mbps download and 512Kbps upload for the remainder of the billing cycle. The plan also includes 5GB of full-speed hotspot data (drawing from the plan’s overall 30GB high-speed cap). After 5GB, hotspot data is reduced to a speed of 600Kbps. Free calling to Mexico and Canada is included as is global texting.

Potential Drawbacks To Consider

One drawback to consider is that you have to be a Spectrum Internet customer to get the plan. If you cancel Spectrum Internet and remain on the plan, the price of the plan will be $10/month higher per line. Autopay billing is also a plan requirement, and there is a one-time $20 per line activation charge.

Runner Ups

As a runner-up, the previously discussed US Mobile $25/line Unlimited plan would be a great option for couples. For Senior couples aged 55+, T-Mobile’s own Essentials Choice 55 plan would be a good option. The plan includes unlimited talk, text, and 5G data for $60/month or $30/line plus taxes and fees.

If you are a 55+ couple with an AARP membership, Consumer Cellular’s 2 lines for $55 plan might fit your bill. Consumer Cellular’s plan includes 50GB of shared 5G monthly data before speeds are slowed to 1.5Mbps. The company has opened a small number of stores and has partnerships with Target and Walmart that can help to provide customer support. There’s also a 2 lines for $60/month offer if you are over 50.

Best Money-Saving Family Plan

Family phone plans are typically priced by carriers or their prepaid brands at a minimum rate of 4 unlimited lines for $100 or higher. But this next pick significantly undercuts that price point.

Helium Mobile Unlimited 4-Lines For $80

Helium Mobile launched family plan options in May 2024. Subscribers can have up to 8 lines on their accounts for just $20/line. So 4-line customers can have an “unlimited” plan for just $80/month with taxes and fees being a bit extra.

The Helium Mobile plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data. The first 30GB of data per line per month is available at up to 5G data speeds before data speeds are slowed for the remainder of the billing cycle. Helium Mobile does not disclose what data speeds are slowed to, however, users reported during beta testing that throttled speeds were about 1Mbps. Since coming out of beta, I have not seen anything stating that throttled data speeds are different. A total of 5GB of data can be used for mobile hotspot.

Helium Mobile is a startup that launched nationwide in December 2023, and by the end of April 2024 had already reached more than 62k subscribers. The company operates as a T-Mobile MVNO but also runs a crowd-sourced network powered by Helium Mobile hotspots. Anyone can purchase a Helium Mobile approved hotspot to help build out their network. People operating Helium Mobile hotspots earn cryptocurrency tokens.

Helium Mobile subscribers can also have the ability to earn cryptocurrency rewards to obtain free service. Subscribers who activate ‘Discovery Mapping’ on their Helium Mobile devices can earn MOBILE tokens, which can be redeemed for wireless bill credits. This feature rewards subscribers for sharing their location with Helium Mobile, helping the company identify network usage areas and optimize support.

Potential Drawbacks To Consider

Helium Mobile is a startup company looking to change the game of wireless. However, being new and rapidly growing you may anticipate running into both technical and customer support issues. Customer support is only available through online chat, email, and social media. There is no phone number to call for immediate help. With the company rapidly adding wireless subscribers, support may not be able to keep up quickly with requests for help (1, 2).

Best Budget-Friendly Plan On The AT&T Network

I’m not a big fan of paying just once a year for an annual phone plan for reasons I outlined in this post about Mint Mobile, but it’s hard to deny the value provided by this next top pick. And surprisingly, it’s not from an MVNO but a prepaid carrier brand.

Cricket Wireless $25 Annual Plan

Cricket Wireless’s $25/month annual plan is packed with value and the reason why it’s the top pick here. The plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and 5G data. It even includes high-speed data usage while traveling in Canada and Mexico. You can also text to international numbers in 37 countries.

Cricket Wireless’s annual plan offers wireless service for 360 days for $300 total with taxes and fees included in the price.

Potential Drawbacks To Consider

This plan does not include hotspot usage. If you are a hotspot user, you’ll have to look elsewhere. If you want HD video streaming you’ll also want to look elsewhere. Video streaming on this plan is limited to no more than 2Mbps, just fast enough to stream at 480p.

Another drawback to this plan is that you have to prepay for a year in advance. If you find the plan doesn’t work well for you, you’re going to lose a good amount of money if you have to switch to another provider. This plan is also an online-only offer for single lines. It is not available to customers with multi-line accounts.

If this plan doesn’t meet your needs you can always check out this AT&T MVNO list to see other options.

Most Affordable Phone Plans On The T-Mobile Network

When it comes to T-Mobile’s network, consumers have a lot of choices to pick from for a phone plan. But the top pick to me has got to be US Mobile’s $25 Unlimited Starter plan with 30GB of high-speed data. I’m not going to rehash all the plan details here, as it was also named the best plan for singles. So go back and read that section if you haven’t already.

Runners Up: Tello Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile

As a runner up, Tello Mobile is a great option with several low-cost plans available. In fact, I have some low data using family members on Tello Mobile’s $10/mo 2GB plan. Tello also has a 5GB $14/mo plan, 10GB $19/mo plan, and 35GB $25/mo plan that would be good choices for low to moderately high data-using customers. The company even offers data rollover if you don’t enable autopay billing. They are the only company I’m aware of to offer this. Their plans all include international calling to over 60 countries.

Metro by T-Mobile is also a good runner up option but only if you have your own device to bring over to their network. Metro by T-Mobile offers a $25/month plan to new BYOD subscribers only. The plan includes unlimited talk, text, and 5G data. This plan isn’t always publicly available and does come and go. So that’s something to keep an eye out for.

For other plans on the T-Mobile network, be sure to check out this list of T-Mobile MVNOs and phone plans.

Best Budget-Friendly Plan On The Verizon Network

Verizon’s network, unfortunately, doesn’t have as big of a selection of independent MVNOs as it once did. That’s because Verizon bought all of the Tracfone brands from América Móvil, including Simple Mobile, Tracfone, Straight Talk Wireless, NET10 (which Verizon decided to close), Page Plus Cellular, Walmart Family Mobile, and Total Wireless among others. Verizon already had its own prepaid brands before acquiring Tracfone, including Verizon Prepaid, and Visible by Verizon. So Verizon owns many prepaid brands now. Despite all of its brands though, not to sound like a broken record, but I think US Mobile’s previously discussed $29/month Unlimited Starter plan is the top value plan on Verizon’s network. But there are some close runner-ups to consider.

Runner-Up: MobileX

I like MobileX as a runner up here. MobileX has a plan with 30GB of high-speed data before throttling. Throttled data speeds are half that of US Mobile’s and are at 512Kbps. However, through December 31, 2024, this plan will come with unlimited high-speed data. MobileX’s plan may cost slightly more for some people. The base price of the plan is $24.88/month, but taxes and fees cost extra. US Mobile’s pricing is inclusive of taxes and fees at $25/month.

MobileX does have a leg up on US Mobile in that MobileX allows you to use all of your plan’s data for mobile hotspot if you’d like, instead of the 10GB that US Mobile allows. MobileX also allows you to add more high-speed data at any time billed at a rate of $2.10/GB, something not available on US Mobile’s Unlimited Starter plan. MobileX SIMs and plans can be found online and also in Walmart stores.

MobileX’s 30GB unlimited plan is, in fact, postpaid priority QCI 8 data.
byu/Ethrem inNoContract

Some of you may argue that Visible by Verizon’s $25 unlimited plan is the best value on Verizon’s network. And that’s a reasonable argument to make. But I didn’t pick them here for a few reasons. You will have a better customer support experience with US Mobile and will likely have a better in-app experience with both US Mobile and MobileX. And Visible by Verizon’s plan does not include priority premium data like the other two do. But I do think Visible by Verizon’s plan is a better fit for a different category.

For other plans on the Verizon network, be sure to check out this list of Verizon MVNOs and phone plans.

Top Affordable Truly Unlimited Data Plan

All the major carriers try and push expensive unlimited plans onto their customers by playing off their customers’ fear that they’ll never have enough data for their needs. It is certainly understandable that many will find comfort in knowing that their plan is truly unlimited. But is that really what YOU need?

The truth is, that most don’t need an unlimited data plan. According to the June 2023 Ericsson Mobile Report, the average smartphone user in North America in 2022 consumed 20GB of data per month. While a study released by Opensignal in June of 2021, showed that smartphone users in the USA average 9.6GB of monthly data. Of course, those usage numbers are likely tilted upwards a bit thanks to the small number of people that consume a disproportionately high amount of data. In fact, a couple of other studies show this likely to be the case.

In 2018, it was reported that the average consumer used 6.1GB of cellular data per month, however, excluding unlimited users, the number fell dramatically to 1.6GB per month. And a 2020 article from The Wirecutter, showed that in 2019, US smartphone owners averaged 9.4GB of data used per month. However, the median usage number was just 4.3GB. Directly quoting the article, “The overall average figure has been skewed up by a relatively small group of heavy users.”

But if you absolutely need a cheap unlimited data plan, there is one that stands out above the rest based on its price.

Visible by Verizon $25 Unlimited Starter Plan

Visible by Verizon’s $25/month Unlimited Starter plan offers industry best pricing for a truly unlimited high-speed data plan. Taxes and fees are included in the price. If you are willing to prepay annually for the plan you can get it for $22.92/month.

This plan comes with both unlimited 5G data, and unlimited mobile hotspot although hotspot data speeds are capped at a maximum of 5Mbps. As a bonus, the plan also includes unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada and a spam call blocker. A 15-day free trial with no payment method needed is also available with eSIM capable devices including iPhones, Samsung Galaxies, and Google Pixels.

Potential Drawbacks To Consider

As previously mentioned earlier in the article, this plan does not include any premium priority data. So when Verizon’s network gets congested with traffic, your data speeds may be greatly slowed down compared to customers on the network who do have premium priority data. The plan’s terms state that it does not include access to Verizon’s 5G UW (Ultra Wideband) network. However, users report it does include access but with no UW symbol showing in their phone’s status bar. Either way, you won’t have access to the fastest data speeds possible on Verizon’s network with this plan. Lastly, Visible by Verizon isn’t known to offer a great customer support experience.

Metro by T-Mobile’s $25/month unlimited plan is a good alternative to Visible by Verizon’s plan. But as previously mentioned, the plan is for new BYOD customers only and it’s a promotional offering that isn’t always available.

Best Cheap Cell Phone Plan For Low Data Users

If you are a low-data user, as we’ll define as someone using 5GB of data or less per month, the market is full of options for you. But two provider plans really stand out to me, US Mobile’s shareable pay as you go data plan and MobileX’s personalized plans built for you through the use of machine learning.

US Mobile’s shareable pay as you go data plan starts at $10/month, includes unlimited talk and text with 2GB of data and all taxes and fees included in the price. You can add additional data as needed priced at $2/GB and it will rollover for one billing cycle. It can be used on either the Verizon or T-Mobile network.

MobileX personalized plans are similarly priced to US Mobile’s but more customizable to your data needs. MobileX charges $4.50 for unlimited talk and text, plus $2.10/GB but you can have a data plan personalized to you to have as little as 0.05GB. Taxes and fees are extra though. A 2GB plan will cost you $10.68 plus tax. Unused data rolls over with a rollover credit. The MobileX app states “All the data you pay for is yours! Any data you don’t use gets counted as a credit on your next bill. So if you find yourself not using as much data as predicted you will pay less next month. The data will be calculated and then applied as a credit to your next service period.”

You can top-up your MobileX custom plan at any time. Any top-up data you buy is yours to use forever. Mobile hotspot use is permitted.