With the cost of goods continually rising, we could all use some ways to save money. Here I’ve put together a list of some cheap cell phone plans that can help you to keep more money in your wallet.
Special Offers April 2025
There are a few special offers available this month which may outperform many of the usual top picks mentioned later in the article. Here are those special offers:
- Total Wireless is offering a $25/month unlimited plan with priority data access to BYOD device single-line customers porting from anywhere with a 5-year price lock guarantee. Taxes and fees are included in the price.
- MobileX has a double data offer on customized plans. The promo, originally set to expire in December 2024 has been extended until at least the end of May 2025.
- Google Fi is offering 50% off its Simply Unlimited Plan at least until April 9. This is now the top pick for families as you can get four lines for $50/month when you bring your own device to the network. Each line includes 35GB of 5G data.
- US Mobile’s Dark Star Unlimited Starter plan with 70GB of data is $19/month this month instead of $22.50/month. It does require an annual plan subscription. The regular monthly rate is $25/month.
Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans By Category
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 Saver plan costs $50/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 on your choice of AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon networks. However, US Mobile uses different names for each:
- Verizon is called Warp 5G
- T-Mobile is called Light Speed
- AT&T is called Dark Star
To use the plan on Verizon, you must sign up under Warp 5G. For T-Mobile, you’ll need to select Light Speed, and for AT&T, Dark Star. If you use the plan on Dark Star you actually get double the data and hotspot. Dark Star subscribers get 70GB of full speed 5G data to use with 20GB of hotspot. And for the month of April, you can get this Dark Star plan for just $19/month when you prepay for it annually.
US Mobile also offers a feature called Teleport, which lets you switch between networks as needed without restarting your billing cycle. Each network switch costs $2, and you can switch up to eight times 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 your data usage gets prioritized over the usage of other customers. When the network is busy, your data speeds won’t slow down compared to other customers on the network. 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 during congestion.
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. However, if you need priority access with US Mobile on AT&T, upgrading to US Mobile’s flagship plan with unlimited 5G priority data may be the way to go. Just keep in mind you’ll have to prepay for a year in advance to get the best price on it at $32.50/month. However, through 4/30/25, the annual plan is one sale for $29/month.
No matter which other networks 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.
See It At US Mobile
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 for the annual version of the plan. 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 your 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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!
- 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.
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.
See It At Spectrum MobileRunner 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 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.
See It At Cricket WirelessRunner Up – US Mobile Unlimited Premium on Dark Star
If we’re going to talk about an unlimited annual plan, then we have to talk about US Mobile’s newly released truly unlimited data plan using the Dark Star network. This plan includes everything you could want in an unlimited plan for $32.50/month when paid for annually or $44/month when paid for by the month. Through 4/30/25 the annual plan is just $29/month. Taxes and fees are included.
The plan comes with the following features:
- Unlimited Priority Data (QCI-8)
- Unlimited Hotspot, the first 100GB at 5G data speeds, the next 100GB at 8Mbps, then unlimited at 3G data speeds
- QHD 1440p streaming, or 4K UHD with what US Mobile calls “Data Waster” enabled
- Up to 20GB international data in 90+ countries
- Calling & texting to international numbers
The reason why I’m calling it a runner-up to Cricket Wireless is because it will cost you an extra $90/yr to get this plan.
The main drawback to this plan is something shared with Cricket Wireless is that up front lump sum payment that you have to make.
If these plans doesn’t meet your needs you can always check out this AT&T MVNO list to see other options.
See It At US MobileMost 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, Mint 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.
See It At TelloMetro 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.
Mint Mobile is another runner up offering a truly unlimited 5G data plan for $30/month when paid for annually. New customers can currently get the plan for just $25/month. It also includes 10GB of monthly hotspot data, but taxes and fees are extra and video streaming is limited to a resolution of 480p. The requirements of having to pay for the plan annually, having a video streaming resolution limit, and taxes and fees costing extra are reasons I rank this plan below US Mobile’s offering which doesn’t have those particular limits. But you might look at this differently than I do.
For other plans on the T-Mobile network, be sure to check out this list of T-Mobile 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.
See It At Visible by VerizonMetro 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
You may have noticed this article doesn’t have best budget-friendly plan on Verizon’s network. That’s because I consider the best cheap cell phone plans for low data users to be on the Verizon network.
US Mobile and MobileX
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 access 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 AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile network. You can also manually switch between networks through your online account for a fee of $2 per switch.
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.
Now there is one more option to consider that isn’t actually on the Verizon network. I can’t give this provider my full recommendation because of some privacy concerns, and their plans are also currently invite only. But for completeness sake that provider is Helium Mobile.
Helium Mobile offers a free phone plan on the T-Mobile network, which also utilizes the crowdsourced Helium network. The plan includes:
- 3GB of high-speed data
- 100 minutes
- 300 text messages
- No credit card required at sign-up
At first glance, this sounds like a great deal. However, the privacy trade-offs and potential risk of identity theft are just too much for me.
To sign up, you must:
- Agree to allow Helium Mobile to track your location
- Upload a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license)
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. And there are quite a few providers offering such plans including some we have already talked about and some we haven’t which include plans from Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T. So those could also be options for you. However, there is one provider out right now that has a terrific discount available for families.
Google Fi 4 Unlimited Lines For $50/Month
Google Fi is currently running a limited time promotion offering 50% off its Simply Unlimited plan to BYOD customers. There are discounts available for both single lines and multiple lines which actually makes it a good alternative to a lot of the providers we already talked about today. Here’s a price breakdown of Google Fi’s promotional offer.
- 1-line – $25/month
- 2-lines – $40/month
- 3-lines – $45/month
- 4-lines – $50/month
- 5-lines – $62.50/month
- 6-lines – $75/month
Taxes and fees are extra.
This plan comes with some pretty stellar features. Here is what you get:
- 35GB of high-speed 5G priority data before throttling to 256Kbps
- 5GB of hotspot data
- 480p video streaming cap
- Unlimited texting to 200+ destinations
- Full roaming in Canada and Mexico
- Connectivity for select Android smartwatches
Google Fi uses T-Mobile’s network for coverage with roaming on UScellular.
This plan includes priority data, meaning you’ll get higher network priority during busy times compared to customers on plans without it. In fact, your network access will be on par with T-Mobile’s top-tier postpaid plans, which can cost up to $105 per month for a single line!
Potential downsides to consider include a limited hotspot allowance, and video streaming is capped at a resolution of 480p. This deal is set to expire on 4/9/25.
See It At Google FiAgree or disagree with the picks? Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear your top picks.
If none of the plans in this list meet your needs, don’t worry. BestMVNO tracks hundreds of phone plans from over 50 providers. You can easily search and filter plans to find one for your needs using the BestMVNO phone plan finder tool.
You stated, “Visible by Verizon isn’t known to offer a great customer support experience.”
I would disagree 100%. I have had Visible for approximately 5 years and never have I had an issue with customer service. Many times, I use the chat feature which generally I do not like but with Visible it actually works and doesn’t kick you off halfway through the process of getting your issue addressed. With so much talk on this blog about one mobile provider I would second guess this information, I had US Mobile as well and although I did not have a negative experience, I believe Visible far superior.
I need help I don’t understand all this stuff. My husband and I are senior citizens and all we are looking for is unlimited talk, text and sometimes we go on Google and a GPS we get lost alot. What would be the best way for us to go? Thanks in advance.
I’d like to know if you buy a phone from one MVNO, can you use it on another one. For example, if I buy a phone on Ting, would it work on Tello, assuming the hardware both supports the Sprint bands. Thanks.
Metro gives you 35gb plus 15 of hotspot for 30 no auto pay that’s pretty close. What they listed for metro pcs isn’t even close to accurate. 25 a month with no hotspot.
FreedomPop is no longer available, it was taken over by Ting Mobile. Here is a sampling of the offer i received
Option 1: $6 unlimited talk and text + $4/GB
Option 2: $20 unlimited talk and text + 20GB data + first month free
But that was for transfers – now it is WAY MORE EXPENSIVE
https://ting.com/
2019.08.11 Look at the coverage map for FreeUp Mobile which claims to use ATT network. If so they are NOT using the entire network, just a micro fraction of it. Absurd unless you are in canada or a very few places in the usa.
2019.08.11 Used Red Pocket for 1 month. Signed up on GSM-A sim using formerly AT&T, now unlocked Samsung flip phone [3G]. In my experience Red Pocket does NOT use ATT network for voice, just Tmobile. During email contact with Red Pocket with several direct question if they Resell on ATT, they never answered that question but did answer other questions; which should tell you plenty. The reason for the question was that I could NOT get service in many of the rural areas that I previously had service via ATT. Exact same situation when I was with SpeedTalkMobile which plainly stated it only provided Tmobile service. Much more honest. Even this website was fooled into thinking Red Pocket GSM-A meant ATT. It absolutely does NOT regarding voice. It may not be an issue if you have 4G phone, since their coverage map covers all those areas. However, their marketing is misleading if you want as much coverage as possible.
I noticed that Republic Wireless was omitted. It piggybacks on T-mobile and Sprint towers with unlimited talk, text and 1 gig for $20/month with $5 for each additional gig.
I just joined Tello. For 14/month, I get unlimited talk/text plus 1GB of LTE data. Now they even have a deal that the first month is only $5.
There is also a coupon for 5% off, coupon code: CL6TMP, not sure how long the coupon will work.
This is the best deal I can find so far.
Hello anyone passing through… Do you happen to know the lowest cost non-VOIP cell service plans? I tried Freedompop, which works, but the call quality was garbled and scratchy.
Some can’t afford paying for a year. I will stop using my phone if companies do this!! Ridiculous business move!
Tmobile burns your plans minutes when using wi-fi calling through google voice. All this wifi calling is a bit confusing, because you can still make wifi calls/text through third party apps such as TextNow. I wish RedPocket mobile would support wifi calling.
Does anyone know of a fixed wireless MVNO unlimited plan that uses Sprint, Att, or Verizon networks? I am in a rural area with no wired access. I need an unlimited data for streaming. Any ideas appreciated.
Is there any way to get out of my T-MOBILE contract to sign up with any of these plans? Also, my phone isn’t paid off.
For CDMA phones (came from Verizon or Sprint, or unlocked CDMA phones), I suggest PagePlus with Unlimited talk and text, 2GB data (and unlimited 2G data after that) for $29.95/mo ($2.95 discount with auto pay, so $26/mo) AND it uses Verizons towers which has the best coverage nationwide. Get their SIM (for 99 cents) and add it to your CDMA compatible phone. For bring your own GSM phones (from AT&T and T-Mobile) I suggest Mint.
I also strongly suggest avoiding FreedomPop, uses Sprints tower network which has the worst coverage, and their customer support is useless. Best part about FreedomPop is the free cancellation at any time.
I’m new to the world of smart phones – just bought a iPhone 6S Plus.
How important is having wifi calling? Red Pocket tells me that with my phone this is not possible while Apples tech info says the phone can do it. Mint is very clear that with their system wifi voice is only possible with Android.
Is the benefit of wifi voice that if I’m talking via wifi I’m not burning up time on my Red Pocket account?
Joe, it’s worth updating these lists, with so many changes to offerings. In particular, I noticed the absence of the 2 GB Red Pocket annual package working out to 20.75 monthly (before any special eBay discounts, which seem to be happening frequently lately.) There should also be mention of the $21.25 price for the 3 GB Red Pocket plan, when purchased for 12 months. And, while limited to just ATT & Sprint networks, the new 5 GB annual package is a great bargain at $20 per month that should be included. Even that plans one month price of $30 is very competitive compared to other entries here.
im i on the list
You should add Mango to the list it’s a company under Red Pocket. I have them and so far so good. Both mango and Red Pocket have good customer service on the online chat. And if you sign up for a yearly plan you get a huge discount upfront. For the 12 month $19 plan I got $60 off. For unlimited talk, talk, and good data speeds. I don’t really use data, I have a more basic phone but its working out well so far.
My wife has been a Boost Mobile customer for years. They run a decent network. Just wish they had a little better selection of phones or more phones that are capable for BYOD. The wife stays with Boost while I go and check the waters with other MVNOs.
Where is Republic Wireless? Are these companies paying you to be listed? RW is cheaper than all of them!!!
Can’t get this article unlocked. I already follow on G+.
Ringplus being dropped by Sprint feb11, 2017
Hello, this table is amazing, but I had one question: Is there any network besides Google (I don’t have a Nexus phone) that uses 2 carriers at the same time (depending on coverage in the area)? Thanks!
Don’t expect any good results activating an unlocked phone with a Sprint MVNO!
A group of four of us are planning a 6 to 8 week visit to USA. We will have two unlocked mobile phones (Android Ver 5 and above plus Apple 6) and one hot spot device (to be bought if phone tethering not permitted) between us.
We will be covering the North East and South West US in our trip. We need to have a reliable connectivity in our travel as well be driving through remote areas and obviously we do not wish to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way to access help. Our driving plans are as follows :
1. New Jersey to Niagara, NJ to north Vermont (Autumn Drive), NJ to Washington DC
2. Las Vegas to Page to Grand Canyon.
3. Grand Canyon to Yosemite to Bay Area to Los Angeles
4. Indianapolis to Fort Wayne
While cost is important, we request you to suggest the top two or three MVNO which will provide us with reliable and stable coverage during our travel above.
Regards
Himanshu Rastogi
This is an exceptional site. Just what I needed.
I know this is an old post but great website and great post!
Really informative and organized.
I’m currently looking for MVNO that’s similar to T-Mobile’s Simple Choice plan. Basically international roaming.
Thanks
TPO looks good, but on GSM phones they have my people who can NOT use data or MMS. I called them and they put me on the list of customers who are not able to send/receive MMS. Texting and phone work great but they have yet to work out the “details” on GSM BYOD! I’ll be leaving them at the end of the month if they have not fixed the issue.
How can I get the 2GB TPO plan for $25? When I go to their site it says its $25/$30
Bluegreen Mobile appears to no longer offer Verizon plans. Sad, since I was ready to buy. 🙁
Thanks for all the great info to help me compare! I’m wondering why StraightTalk is not on the list? I’ve heard it is popular for smartphone use.
You should add the free RingPlus plan to this list. I have a free plan with them with 1.5GB’s of data for Free!
Ting is both sprint(Cdma)/ATT(GSM) – Also why is Ting 24 a mo? Tings lowest cost would be 6 (device) + 3(100 minutes) + 3(100 texts) + 3 (100 mb) = 15.
I have been using US Mobile, but can never use it in Southern CA where I visit my family. I paid in September 2015 for one month, and got some service after many many trys. Calling and texting were limited, so I explained my situation to them. They said they are expanding all the time so I signed up for another month. Got down to Southern CA and no internet, which was so frustrating. I couldn’t even check my account with them to see how many minutes, text & data I had left. I let the account laps on November 1st and am looking for another provider where I can get data service in Southern CA. I think US Mobile is too new and they are predominately back east and have no service in CA as of yet. Too bad, as their prices were really good.
If you only plan to use data via WiFi, Republic has a $10/month plan as well.
Hey so i wanna say thanks for all the awesome info you put on your site. Really good for people comparing products & service. Maybe u can look into and add britespot which is a tmobile prepaid provider phones & service thru target stores. Also i was looking at ptel online & it looks like they may have the best & cheapest pay as you go service which i would give my 7 yr old daughter to use on a unlocked firefly phone just to call us at her baseball fields. Looka like its only .02 for text &.05 for calls. Do u have any other suggestions for cheap pay as you go prepaid. I seen bestbuy has a nice prepaid compare chart on there website.. Well have a good one ron.
There are more options than the basic carries that can help make cell phone plans more affordable. GIV Mobile, which utilizes T-Mobile’s 4G fast nationwide network, is another viable option. GIV Mobile offers no-contract unlimited talk and text wireless plans for as little as $20/month with 150 Mb of data. Every month, 8% of each customer’s monthly plan amount is donated up to three charities of their choice including the American Red Cross, United Way Worldwide and the Children’s Scholarship
Fund.
@bestmvnocom:disqus
Is the above info regarding H2OWireless correct surrounding true “Unlimited Incoming and Outgoing” Global sms on the $30 monthly plan? A few months back this plan offered “100 Outgoing Global sms” & “Unlimited Incoming Global sms”.
Their website does reflect both “Unlimited Outgoing and Incoming Global sms” but we all know that these companies are slow at updating their websites and tend to have a different version of plans when you call their CS center.
I might have to reconsider H2O if the info found is correct.
Thanks in advance!!
I just looked into Republic that you list as all unlimited, talk, msg, and text. Not true. They limit you to 5G data when using their cell system and only 25meg while roaming! Far from unlimited!
Great post! I really am glad I found your site.. I was so excited to get the $30 5 gig data plan from Tmobile but it appears that the starter kit is not available at the moment. Does anyone know if its a temporary thing? Does it come in and out of stock?
Do any of these carriers offer Parental Controls? My wife is unwilling to leave Verizon due to the parental controls. Any advise is greatly appreciated.