The Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans for You
Looking for cheap cell service that still works well? Prepaid and MVNO plans give you solid nationwide coverage for way less than the big carriers. You might miss out on some extras like premium data or free streaming, but the savings are real. Here are seven reliable, budget-friendly plans worth checking out.
Mint Mobile has some of the lowest prices around. Plans start at $15 a month for 5 GB of data or $30 for unlimited. All plans include unlimited talk and text, and they run on T-Mobile’s 5G network. The downside? You have to pay upfront for at least three months. But the savings are worth it.
Visible runs on Verizon’s network and gives you unlimited talk, text, and data for $25 a month, taxes and fees included. It also includes mobile hotspot. If you want faster data during peak times, the Visible+ plan adds some extras for a few more bucks.
US Mobile lets you build your own plan or pick a ready-made unlimited option. Plans start at $25 a month for 35 GB of high-speed data, and the service runs on Verizon and T-Mobile. It’s a solid choice if you want flexibility and good prices.
Consumer Cellular is great for light users and seniors. Plans start at $20 a month for unlimited talk, text, and 1 GB of data. It uses AT&T’s network and is known for helpful customer service and simple, no-contract plans.
Cricket Wireless is owned by AT&T and offers reliable prepaid plans starting at $30 a month for 5 GB of data. Unlimited options are available too, and multi-line discounts make it a popular pick for families. No annual contracts or hidden fees.
Tello is one of the most flexible options. You can customize your plan on T-Mobile’s network. Unlimited talk, text, and 1 GB of data costs around $10 a month. It’s perfect if you only want to pay for what you actually use.
Google Fi has a flexible plan that starts at $20 a month for talk and text, with data at $10 per GB. You can also get an unlimited plan. The service automatically switches between T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Wi-Fi to keep you connected.
