Who Has The Cheapest Phone Plan - Editors choose and evaluate products independently. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may receive a commission, which helps support our testing.
Most Americans have a cell phone subscription from one of the major carrier brands - AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless - or the slightly less popular UScellular. However, there are many more options available for US shoppers looking for a bargain. Dozens of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and prepaid operators offer significant discounts by piggybacking on major networks to deliver lower prices.
Who Has The Cheapest Phone Plan
Be aware of this provider's reputation for customer service and what networks they use. Some MVNOs allow you to choose between different networks, while others are tied to a single provider. One company, Google Fi, uses the T-Mobile and UScellular networks interchangeably on some phones, but for the rest, you'll have to choose which network you want when you buy your SIM card.
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We order our options by their respective monthly prices, so you can compare the best options within your budget. Remember that these recommendations apply to one line of service. Consolidating two or more lines into the same account can help reduce monthly fees on some of the plans below. For the best carrier service where you live, check out our story on the best cell networks in the US and Canada.
Editor's note: Pricing and plan details are accurate at press time, but they change frequently. We plan to update this story often.
Some smaller carriers don't sell phones at all, or they may limit their selection to low-cost phones that only work on their network. That's why we recommend buying a cheap, unlocked phone that works with multiple carriers (check out our list of the best phones for seniors if you're looking for something simple). Even if the phone listed works with all major carriers, you still need to make sure your carrier supports the phone before you buy: With the growing popularity of 5G, some MVNOs are fussy about supported devices.
Most unlocked phones are compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile by default and must be used with MVNOs or prepaid carriers that use those networks. If you're looking for an unlocked phone that works on all three major US systems, consider any factory unlocked iPhone from the 2018 XR era or later; Samsung Galaxy S9 or newer; the Google Pixel line; or the Moto G series. Or check out our list of the best unlocked phones.
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Apple iPhone 14Review 4.0 Excellent $799.99 at Best Buy See It (Opens in new window) Google Pixel 7Review 4.5 Excellent $599.00 at Best Buy See It (Opens in new window) Google Pixel 7 ProReview 4.0 Excellent $899.00 at Best Buy See It (Opens in a new window) Samsung Galaxy A32 5GReview 4.5 Excellent $259.99 at Amazon Check Stock (opens in a new window) Nokia 6300 4GReview 4.0 excellent $69.00 at Amazon Show it (opens in a new window) Samsung Galaxy S22 + review 4.0 good too 99 $979. See It (Opens in a new window) Sunbeam F1Review 4.0 Excellent $195.00 at Sunbeam Wireless See It (Opens in a new window) Apple iPhone 14 Pro MaxReview 4.5 Excellent $1,099.99 at Best Buy See It (Opens in a new window)
In general, less prominent carriers do not provide the same level of customer service as the major networks. The most common issues we hear about involve the activation and billing of new services. Since there are few or no stores for some of the smaller carriers, you'll need to resolve any issues through a call center or online help desk. Often times, agents don't have the knowledge or resources to correct any issues. We've done our best to research our recommendations carefully, but you should check them out for yourself before pulling the trigger.
If good customer service is a concern, check out Consumer Cellular or Mint Mobile. Our readers rated this operator the highest. You can also switch to brands that are wholly owned by the major carriers, which have a network of brick-and-mortar stores: AT&T's Cricket and T-Mobile's Metro. Verizon's Visible doesn't have a store, but Verizon still supports it. In some cases, the major prepaid brands supported by the carrier are priced better.
Let's be honest: You can't get much for free these days. But if you just want to do the basics with your phone, there are two decent free smartphone plans available.
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FreedomPop (Opens in a new window) offers 10 minutes of calls, 10 texts and 25 MB of high-speed data per month. You won't get 5G or other bells and whistles, but if you're at home and connected to Wi-Fi often, you should be fine with FreedomPop's free offer.
TextNow's starter plan (Opens in a new window) is another option. You get unlimited chats and texts without data, but since nothing is truly free, you have to deal with ads in the apps that make those calls and texts possible. You'll have to pay $1 up front for the activation kit, including the SIM card, but that's the only money you'll need.
While it's possible to get cell phone service for $10 per month or less, the number of carriers offering such deals is dwindling fast. While the plans are around the $10 mark, most don't include taxes and other fees that can increase the price significantly, depending on where you live. Currently, we recommend three operators that offer reliable services at the lowest prices.
Tello(Opens in a new window), which runs the T-Mobile network, offers the most bang for your buck. On the website, you can create a custom plan with unlimited calls, texts and 1 GB of data for $10 per month. It's a solid deal if you have an old phone or want to buy an unlocked phone that works on multiple carriers.
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RedPocket's basic plan (Opens in a new window) starts at $10 per month and gives you 500 minutes of talk time, 500 texts and 500MB of data. This is also the only MVNO in this price range that has relationships with all major operators, so you can choose the best options and services in your area.
When it comes to maximizing the amount of data you can get for $10 or less, Unreal's (Opens in a new window) 2GB plan is your best bet, but to get 2GB for $10 per month, you have to pay for a year in advance. This plan relies only on the T-Mobile LTE network, so make sure the coverage is good where you live. You also get unlimited calls and texts, which is great for the price.
While it's more expensive than other small carriers, Consumer Cellular's (Opens in a new window) simple, senior-focused plan comes with great customer service, and it's one of our readers' favorites. With AT&T and T-Mobile as the backbone, you can expect solid coverage across the country. The cheapest plan offers unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data for $20 per month. You don't need a landline anymore because you can make all the calls you want with this plan.
US Mobile (Opens in a new window) is the best option in this price range. The carrier offers unlimited talk and text, plus 15GB of data for just $20 per month. The plan also includes 5G and international roaming at no extra cost. You can also get 5GB of games for $15 per month if $20 is more than you want.
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Mint Mobile (Opens in a new window) offers an introductory plan with unlimited talk, unlimited texts and 4GB of data for $15 per month. However, it requires a three-month commitment and upfront payment. If you want to retain your membership after the introductory period, you must pay for one year. This is a good deal, but you will have to pay a hefty amount up front to get a T-Mobile network-supported deal.
If you're looking for an unlimited or data-heavy plan, this is the price range for you. We're getting to the point where we're not "cheap" anymore, but this is still far cheaper than the general plans of the big three.
Tello offers unlimited data, calls and texts on the T-Mobile network for $29 per month. It's as good as $30 or less. Of course there are limitations - data speeds after the first 25GB of 4G LTE / 5G data (depending on where you live) will be slower. On the bright side, unlike the next option, you don't have to pay a year in advance.
Mint Mobile is another option if you want unlimited data. For exactly $30 per month, you get all the talk, text and data you want on the T-Mobile network. However, you have to pay a year upfront, which is how Mint can keep the price down.
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If you don't want to spend $30 per month and you're comfortable with a small amount of data, you can get a 25GB US Mobile plan for $25 per month with no upfront payment. For most users, 25 GB is more than enough, and difficult
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