- Plans to meet a variety of needs
- Throttled data speeds on all plans faster than most at 256Kbps
- Supports tablets, hotspots, and watches
- Discounts on phones available
- Family plan discounts available
- Pricing a little on the expensive side
- No in person customer support
Since 2013, I’ve been researching, reviewing, and writing about the wireless industry through BestMVNO with a focus on MVNOs.
In this guide, I will explain everything you need to know about PureTalk before you subscribe. I’ll review each of their phone plans with you, and go over any gotchas that they might have. I want you to learn the ins and outs of PureTalk so that you can make an informed decision on if this is the best place for you to spend your money.
Prepaid Phone Plans – No Credit Check
Data Only Plans
How PureTalk Plans Work
PureTalk was founded in 2004 originally as Pure TalkUSA and it is a subsidiary of Telrite Holdings as is its sister brand H2O Wireless. It is owned and operated by a USA veteran. The company asserts that they “proudly support our active-duty military and veterans by partnering with numerous military organizations.”
PureTalk operates as an AT&T MVNO, which means that if you signup for a plan with PureTalk you will get service on AT&T’s network.
In early October of 2020, Pure TalkUSA launched a redesigned website, a new logo, and rebranded to just PureTalk. A new tagline was also launched: “Simply. Smarter. Wireless.”
Risk-Free Guarantee
The company prides itself on being able to offer USA based customer service and a risk-free guarantee. New customers have until either their next month’s bill or 500 minutes or 500MB of data usage, whichever comes first, to request a refund if they are unhappy with their service. Refunds are credited back to the original payment method. Service plans, SIM cards, and any applicable taxes are all eligible to be refunded. Customers must not port out to another provider before requesting a refund. Devices and phones are not included in the risk-free guarantee. However, devices can still be returned for a refund as long as the customer contacts customer service and requests a refund within 14 days of receiving the device. Customers must pay for return shipping.
PureTalk Offers 7 Phone Plans
PureTalk offers 7 standard phone plans.
- $20/month – 3GB high-speed data, 2GB of dedicated hotspot data
- $25/month – 5GB high-speed data, 2GB of dedicated hotspot data
- $30/month – 10GB high-speed data, 5GB of dedicated hotspot data
- $35/month – 15GB high-speed data, 5GB of dedicated hotspot data
- $45/month – 25GB high-speed data, 5GB dedicated hotspot data
- $55/month – 60GB high-speed data. 25GB dedicated hotspot data.
- $60/month – 60GB high-speed data. 30GB dedicated hotspot data.
Taxes and fees are not included in the prices and will cost extra. All plans include dedicated mobile hotspot data that does not count towards the plan’s 5G/4G LTE on-device high-speed data usage.
All of the standard plans include the same basic features.
In late January of 2022, PureTalk added support for eSIM devices on iPhones only with support for Samsung Galaxy phones added later.
Basic Features Included With Every PureTalk Plan
- Unlimited talk, text, and data
- Mobile hotspot
- WiFi calling
- VoLTE HD voice calling
- Ability to add international calling to a plan
- 1080p HD video streaming
- No data prioritization policies
Fine Print You Need To Know About Every Plan Feature
Although all plans include unlimited data, data speeds are not unlimited at high-speeds. Each plan comes with a finite amount of high-speed data which is highlighted in the plans listed above and further down below. Once that threshold is reached, data speeds get reduced to 256Kbps for the remainder of the subscriber’s billing cycle. Subscribers are billed on the same date every month. Data speeds at 256Kbps are best suited for emails, light web usage, basic social media, streaming audio, and possibly low-resolution video streaming. PureTalk updated and improved its throttled data speeds from 128Kbps to 256Kbps in January of 2022.
According to PureTalk, customers can expect high-speed data speeds to be in the range of 1 to 35 Mbps. Download speeds should vary between 4 and 35Mbps and upload 1 to 5Mbps. Network latency should be less than 60ms. Data speeds are said to remain stable during network congestion as PureTalk does not use data deprioritization. Data prioritization is typically used by other providers to temporarily slow a subscriber’s data speeds down during times of heavy network traffic but PureTalk says this won’t happen to its subscribers.
WiFi calling is supported with all plans on both Androids and iPhones.
Mobile hotspot is also supported and enabled for all iPhones. Android users will need to contact PureTalk to ask them if it can be enabled. Not all Android devices will support hotspot, and some Android phones bought from another carrier may have the feature blocked by the phone’s firmware when attempting to use it with another provider.
International calling is supported but customers must contact customer support to purchase an international PIN to enable the feature. International texting is not supported.
Videos stream at a resolution of 1080p. Tablets plans are also available.
$50 Customer Referral Program
PureTalk runs a pretty generous referral program. Those that refer a friend receive a $50 account credit. Customers can accumulate an unlimited number of referral credits. Subscribers will not receive their referral credit until after their referee completes their second month of active service.
Multi-Line Discounts Are Available
Customers who have multiple lines are eligible for a group plan discount. Adding a 2nd line gives 10% off, 3 lines 15% off and a 4th line 20% off the total cost of the combined plans price.
Secret Discounts, Plans, And Bonus Offers
Those who are members of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) are eligible for special plans and promos from PureTalk. AMAC subscriptions start at $16/year. AMAC members have the option to purchase an additional PureTalk phone plan that is not readily available directly through Pure Talk’s website. The extra plan is the following:
- $10/month – 400 minutes, 300 text messages, 300 MB of monthly data
Like PureTalk’s other plans, this AMAC exclusive plan does include unlimited data at 2G speeds or 128Kbps once the plan’s high-speed data allotment gets consumed.
Besides the bonus phone plan, exclusive phone deals are sometimes available for AMAC members. One example has included the ability to get an iPhone SE for free, whereas on the PureTalk website it was being offered for $149.99 to non-AMAC members. New PureTalk subscribers that are currently AMAC subscribers can also get a 3-year renewal of their AMAC membership paid for by PureTalk. The membership renewal fee is valued at $42.
The discounted plans can be purchased through AMAC or through a special page on PureTalk’s website that also gives you a free 3-year AMAC membership.
Supported Phones And BYOD Devices
For those that need a device, a small selection of phones are available for purchase. Phones for every budget are sold, including premium offerings from Samsung and Apple. If you already own a phone that has been used on AT&T, it is compatible with the PureTalk network as long as the device is out of contract, paid off in full, and not reported lost or stolen. Most unlocked phones sold in the USA, including devices made for T-Mobile should also work. Most Verizon phones sold over the past few years should also work as will phones purchased unlocked directly from the manufacturer.
PureTalk does offer a device trade-in service. So potential customers can trade-in their old phones and use them to purchase a new one from the provider.
Where To Buy Service Plans And SIM Cards
Phone plans are sold online exclusively through the PureTalk website and through AMAC.
Year Founded: 2004
PureTalk Contact Information
Website: https://puretalk.comCovington, GA
Youtube
BEWARE: According to their Customer Service rep, PureTalk does not guarantee that WiFi hotspot will work on Android devices.
Research How AT&T service works in your Area FIRST
Good Initial Customer Service
Decent but not great Price Plans
Intermittent Service. Check how AT&T works in your area first. Talk to neighbors, do NOT rely on their coverage maps. My coverage in my own house was terrible but map showed it was good. Had to go outside in the street to make calls.
Once they have you signed up it seems like they just don't care.
Who is this veteran that owns PureTalk?
I have been a Pure Talk customer for several months and I have been happy with my service. However, when I convinced my wife to join the network, we started to have problems. When my wife was added to my account she ordered a new Apple I Phone 13. When she received her phone she did not activate it right away. She wanted to wait until she had time to concentrate on setting up her new phone. After she activated her phone she was not happy with the size of the screen on her new phone. She called Pure Talk Customer service to find out if she could exchange her new phone and upgrade to the Apple I Phone 13 Pro-max that has a larger screen. She was told that it had been over fourteen days since she had received her phone and that the time had expired for her to exchange the phone. My wife explained that although she had the phone for fourteen days it had just recently been activated. She was told that it did not matter and that the only way she could exchange her phone is if it was paid off. This conversation took place around January 20, 2023. At this time I paid off my wife’s phone. At this time I requested the exchange for the upgraded phone. Unfortunately, I was told that I needed to wait 24 hours before requesting the exchange. On the 23rd of January, I called Pure Talk again and once again, I was told that I need it to wait longer. Finally, after numerous calls, on February 3, 2023, I was told that my issue had to be referred to I.T. for resolution and that a supervisor would be calling me back. I never received that call. Today, February 6, 2023, I contacted Pure Talk again, and was told that due to “high volume of cases” that I needed to wait until someone was available to help solve my problem. I find this to be extremely frustrating and not what I consider to be good customer service. However, I would like to add that the customer service persons that I have spoken with. have been extremely patient, empathetic, pleasant and polite. I have been very patient during this frustrating situation and I feel that Pure Talk could restore my confidence on their product by crediting the full price of my wife’s
Apple 13 I Phone towards the purchase of the Apple 13 Pro-Max.
I’ve really enjoyed the customer service and the great prices!
Buyer beware. I’m no techy and when I called to find out about Pure Talk the representative said that customer service would walk me through everything from start to finish. That was a big lie. When got stuck activating my new phone, they told me I had to call Samsung. Great, I work and can’t take time to be on the phone for 3 hours to speak to their customer service if they answer the phone. Absolutely no assistance in helping me.
I canceled the whole process. They sent a phone with no manuals, no charger, just the phone, and a cable connection. They said that is how manufacturers now send phones. Fair enough, however, Pure Talk sent an email with instructions that stated I must send back the charger, the manuals, and all of the other equipment that came with the phone. Now they refuse to send me an email in writing about what was contained when ordered the phone. Who wants to believe that if I send the phone back that they will accept it when there is no manual, and no charger?
Switching to Pure Talk can be problematic but once it goes through it is good. What I especially like it does not have the numerous hidden charges the big companies have.
When I talked to the lady about porting my phone from AT&T to Pure Talk there was a baby crying in the background the whole conversation. Unfortunately the porting didn’t go through so I was charged an extra month from AT&T. (when I explained what happened to a supervisor at Pure Talk I was given a credit but it still cost them $60.
Moving along, no wifi calling on Android phone
I’ve used pure talk for 2 years and my experience with their plans, devices and customer service has been nothing but positive! You can’t go wrong with their very affordable 5G devices and the customer service is excellent!
I’ve had Pure Talk for 2 years and I’ve had pretty good service and upgrading to a 5G device with pure talk was a stress free process and my new 5G device upgrade had the most affordable price tag. Best decision I ever made was switching from at&t to pure talk!!
Android Wifi Not Fully Supported. The policy for android is actually “if it works it works, if it doesn’t too bad we can’t help you.”
Finally caved in and gave them a try-mainly due to conservative friends saying how great they are. What a mistake!!! No coverage in our area where we need it-and where we did have coverage-many dropped calls. I can forgive that-but when trying to get credited back for what we paid up front-what a joke!!! Lousy customer service now-excuse after excuse on why we won’t get credit back-cheap-“got ya now” reasons. I should have known better-to good to be true. Do yourself a favor-stay away from this sham company.!!!!!
Bad customer service.
Con man games on services.
Me and my wife just want to say Thanks. We are very happy with our plan and kept our phones. The connection is good.
I absolutely dislike this company with a burning passion!!
you guys don’t know how to set up a data plan or any phone plan in general.
I don’t care that this company was founded by a US veteran. U guys need to get your s&*t together
I mean look at Verizon. You guys are amatures and no one like you!! lol have a nice day 🙂
You would have to be out of your mind to use this bush-league company. I wanted my Verizon # ported to these clowns and they ported the wrong number (my wifes) instead. I had to spend hours untangling that mess. Amateurs!
According to AMAC ( The Association of Mature American Citizens), you can get an added discount on Pure Talk USA service if you are a member of AMAC. You Should look into that. I looking into Pure Talk, do not use a cell phone enough to justify the added expense, Tracfone fine for now, yet I will be stepping into the 21st century soon and plan on using Pure Talk.
Why does it take so long for Pure Talk to make the sim card work on new service? I ported my current phone number on line and the web site said it could take up to 72 for service to be turned on. Does it matter if your phone is turned on when this happens? In the instructions to install the new sim card it said to have your phone charged but turned off. Any help with these questions would be helpful. Thank you.
I found several problems with PuretalkUSA. 1st and foremost is they have some significant technical problems with their service and they blow the complaints related to it a problem with your phone or it’s a problem with Android and they blatantly tell you they do not provide technical support and the problems are not their fault, which is plain Horse Manure!! I was never able to activate a Hotspot on my phone and MMS texts with pictures would not download via the cellular network. I had to turn on WiFi to get pictures sent by friends and relatives via MMS. I recently switch to another service provided and both Hotspot and pictures with an MMS worked immediately. All I have to do was switched SIMS cards and the things PuretalkUSA blamed on my smartphone and the Android system IMMEDIATELY!!
It seems PuretalkUSA really does not give a damn about the service they provide their customers and they aren’t about to try!!
so sprint phones wont work!
On 7/11/17 I ported my phone service/number away from you for a needed change in numbers. But on 7/18/17 you charged me again for $13.89 while having no active service/account with you. I have emailed/called your office various times with promises of a refund. So far nothing yet. Do you really want me to ctc your pres. Mc Farland for this? Are you not fair to customers? And why do you still have my CC numbers in your system. That should be erased already. (except for giving me credit on my card.