Most Americans are signed up with one of the major carrier brands—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless—or runner-up US Cellular, but many more choices are available to US cell phone customers looking for a bargain. Dozens of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) and prepaid carriers offer big discounts by piggybacking on the major networks to deliver lower prices.
All the major carriers have low-cost brands and their deals are worth checking first. AT&T runs Cricket Wireless. T-Mobile currently owns Metro. Verizon owns Visible. If you're looking for a wide range of stores and solid customer service, these brands have excellent prices and should be your first shopping stops. We'll mention them below where appropriate.
For the other brands, which typically don't have stores, pay attention to their reputation for customer service and their enabling networks. Some MVNOs give you an option to choose between different enabling networks, while others are tied to only one. One company, Google's Project Fi, uses T-Mobile's and US Cellular's networks interchangeably on some phones, but for the rest, you have to choose which network you want when you buy your SIM card.
Boost Mobile is a major MVNO player with competitive pricing, but think twice before switching to it. When Dish purchased the company in 2020, Boost Mobile originally planned to use T-Mobile's network for the foreseeable future. Dish now claims T-Mobile is uncompetitive(Opens in a new window) and has signed a contract to lease service from AT&T for the next decade. This is likely to spell big trouble for current Boost customers who still use T-Mobile's CDMA network or bought carrier-locked devices.
We order our picks by their respective monthly prices, so you can compare the best options within your budget. For the best carrier service where you live, check out our results for the Fastest Mobile Networks in the US and Canada.
Which Phones Work With These Networks?
Some of the smaller carriers do not sell their own phones or limit their selection to low-end phones that may be locked to their network. We recommend purchasing a cheap phone that is compatible with multiple carriers. Even if a phone is listed to work with all major carriers, you should still verify that your carrier supports the phone before you buy it; with the growing popularity of 5G, some MVNOs are being persnickety about supported devices. If you're on a fixed income, something on our list of the best phones for seniors might be a good fit. You can also check with the carrier to see if your current phone works on its network if you want to save a little money.
Most unlocked phones are compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile, and should work with any carrier that uses their networks. If you're looking for an unlocked phone that works on all three major US systems, consider any factory-unlocked iPhone that's of the XR or later varieties, the Samsung Galaxy S9 or later versions, the Google Pixel line, or the Moto G series. Or take a look at our list of the best unlocked phones.
Unlocked Phones to Suit Any Plan
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What About Customer Service?
In general, when you turn to these less-prominent carriers, you're not going to get the sort of customer service you get from the major networks. The issues we hear about most involve new service activations and billing. Since there are no retail stores for the smaller carriers, any problems you encounter have to be handled by call centers or online help desks, often staffed by outsourced agents who don't have the knowledge or resources to correct many issues. A quick search on Reddit provides plenty of cautionary tales about small MVNOs. We've done our best to research all of our recommendations closely, but you should conduct some research on your own before you pull the trigger.
If good customer service is a concern, check out Consumer Cellular. For nine years running, our readers have chosen Consumer Cellular as their favorite carrier. You can also turn to the wholly owned brands of the big carriers, which have their own store networks: AT&T's Cricket and T-Mobile's Metro. Verizon's Visible doesn't have any stores, but Verizon still backs it.
Cell Phone Plans for $10 or Less Per Month
While it's possible to get mobile service at $10 per month or less, the number of carriers offering such deals is in steep decline. Even when plans come in at the $10 mark, most do not include taxes and services that can nearly double the price, depending on where you live.
Right now, we recommend three carriers that offer solid service at a rock-bottom price. Tello(Opens in a new window), which piggybacks off T-Mobile's network, offers the most bang for your buck. On its website, you can create a custom plan with unlimited calls, texts, and 1GB of data for $10 per month. It's a solid deal if you have an old phone or are looking to buy an unlocked phone that works on multiple carriers.
RedPocket(Opens in a new window)'s basic plan comes in at $10 per month and gives you 500 minutes of talk time, 500 text messages, and 500MB of data. It's also the only MVNO in this price range that has relationships with all the major carriers, so you can select the option with the best service in your area.
If you use a feature phone or need very little LTE data, US Mobile(Opens in a new window) is a good choice. The carrier has a custom plan for $10 per month that includes 500 minutes of talk, 300 text messages, and 100MB of data. And while US Mobile doesn't sell phones directly, you can choose a SIM that works with Verizon or T-Mobile phones, so there's a good chance your current phone, or one you've have your eye on, will work on its network.
Although Tracfone has many fans, its plans are still on the pricey side. We have a feeling things may become more competitive when the Verizon acquisition is completed, and will update this story when appropriate.
Cell Phone Plans for $11–$20 Per Month
Though it may be a little more expensive than other small carriers, Consumer Cellular(Opens in a new window)'s simple, senior-focused plan comes with excellent customer service. With AT&T and T-Mobile as its backbone, you can expect solid coverage around the country. Its lowest-cost, sweet-spot plan offers 250 minutes, unlimited texts, and 50MB of data for $20 per month. If you're looking to drop your landline altogether, you may want to shell out an extra five bucks and get the plan with unlimited calls and texts with 500MB of data.
US Mobile is, by far, your best choice in this price range. The carrier offers unlimited talk and text along with 12GB of data for just $20 per month. The plan includes 5G and international roaming at no extra charge.
Looking for a basic plan with solid LTE coverage and discounts for automatic payments? H2O Wireless(Opens in a new window) is a great option. The carrier's least expensive plan provides unlimited calls and texts and 2GB of data on AT&T's network for just $20 per month. Set up autopay and you can save an extra $2 per month.
Republic Wireless(Opens in a new window) plans have become much more competitive since Dish acquired it. Republic Wireless' best deal is its $20-per-month plan, which includes unlimited talk and text, plus 1GB of data on the T-Mobile network. If you're not afraid of commitment, Republic Wireless offers a hefty discount for annual payments.
Although Mint Mobile(Opens in a new window) offers an introductory plan with unlimited calls, text, and 4GB of data for $15 per month, it requires a three-month commitment. If you want to keep the rate once the introductory period is over, you need to pay for a full year of service. It's a good deal in theory, but we can't recommend it. A few of our writers have tested the service in the past and encountered billing and customer service issues. We also found data speeds on Mint Mobile are typically slower than those on T-Mobile.
Cell Phone Plans for $21–$30 Per Month
Over the past few years, plans that were in this category have started to creep up past the $30-per-month mark, so there are fewer options. That said, the plans remaining in this bracket are more impressive than ever.
Ultra Mobile(Opens in a new window) is a solid option here, with good plans and inexpensive add-ons for customers who frequently make international calls. For $29 per month, Ultra Mobile provides 6GB of 5G or LTE data on the T-Mobile network. If you're willing to pay for three, six, or 12 months of service in advance, you can save even more on Ultra's multi-month plan, which has unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 6GB of 5G or LTE data, and unlimited international calling for just $25 per month.
Tello offers unlimited calls and texts with 6GB of data on T-Mobile's network for $24 per month. If you need a little more data, there's also a plan with 8GB of data for $29 per month.
Red Pocket Mobile's $30-per-month plan is another winner in this category. The plan features unlimited talk, unlimited texting, and 10GB of high-speed data; if you choose AT&T or Verizon, you'll get LTE speeds, but the T-Mobile plans come with 5G connectivity. International calling to over 80 countries is also included.
Allvoi(Opens in a new window) offers the best deal on AT&T's network in this price bracket. For $28 per month, you can enjoy unlimited calls and texts along with 10GB of data. The plan includes 300 minutes of international calling to more than 20 countries, too.
Cell Phone Plans for $31–$40 Per Month
We can recommend a few plans in this price range, but it's an awkward spot. Slightly less expensive plans offer comparable services and, if you're willing to pay a few dollars more, you can get unlimited service.
Frequent international callers who use a moderate amount of data should check out Lyca Mobile's $39-per-month, 15GB plan that offers unlimited calls and texts to over 75 different countries.
Ultra Mobile is another solid option in this price range. For $39 per month, you get unlimited talk and text, along with 15GB of 5G or LTE coverage. If you’re willing to pay in advance, you can save up to $9 per month with the carrier’s multi-month plan.
Cheap Phone Plans With Unlimited Data
If you're looking for a truly unlimited plan, Visible(Opens in a new window) is your best bet. At $40 per month, it's our favorite option with unlimited talk, text, and 5G data speeds at up to 200Mbps on Verizon's network. If you own an iPhone with an eSIM, you can activate service simply by downloading the Visible app. The carrier also wins for top-notch customer service through its app, phone, text, and web.
Some cable companies offer unlimited plans that are only slightly more expensive than Visible's. If you're a Comcast Cable subscriber, Xfinity Mobile(Opens in a new window) gives you unlimited data for $45 per month on Verizon's network, with speeds reduced after 20GB. Spectrum Mobile(Opens in a new window) offers the same. If you opt for either of these plans, know that you will need to deal with these cable companies when you encounter technical or billing issues. And, like all MVNOs, major carriers will deprioritize postpaid subscribers in congested conditions to minimize disruptions.
Metro by T-Mobile(Opens in a new window) also offers an unlimited plan with 5G connectivity, though it's even more expensive at $50 per month. For the extra money, however, you do get 5GB of hotspot data and 100GB of Google One storage as well as access to its network of retail stores across the country should you encounter any problems.
If you're an AT&T fan, Cricket(Opens in a new window) has an unlimited plan with 5G for $55 per month. Although it costs 25% more than the least expensive plan in this section, it's your best bet on AT&T's network.
Our Favorite 5G Plans
Ready for the next generation of mobile connectivity? Before you jump head-first into the 5G pool, read our in-depth primer on the next generation of cellular technology. 5G is a very different beast than previous connectivity standards and, in the US especially, most 5G smartphones are optimized for specific carriers. That means if you decide to switch carriers, your phone may only offer limited or no 5G access at all. Check out our list of the best 5G phones for the top devices we recommend right now, but make sure to check out the 5G connectivity standards for each carrier before you commit to a plan.
Most small carriers offer some sort of 5G plan, but it's important to pay attention to the fine print. It's common for carriers to restrict 5G plans to sub-6GHz, cap speeds, or even limit the amount of data included in "unlimited" plans. For this reason, we think Metro and Visible are your best bets.
Visible offers the best affordable 5G plan on Verizon's network. For $40 per month, you get unlimited calls, text, and 5G data capped at 200Mbps. If you're looking to save even more money, Visible's Party Pay is an excellent option. You can add up to three additional family members, friends, or roommates and knock $5 off your monthly bill for each addition. The savings apply to all lines, so a Party Plan with four lines costs just $25 per month. You don't have to worry about collecting Venmo payments for everyone's portion of the bill either; Visible bills each member separately.
Metro is slightly more expensive. Unlimited plans with 5G access come in at $50 per month. It’s an excellent deal if you’re in an area with solid 5G coverage on T-Mobile, as the price includes 5GB of hotspot data, 100GB of Google One storage, and an unlimited streaming music feature that works with more than 40 different services. While T-Mobile prioritizes its main customers over Metro subscribers when the network is congested, this behavior is unlikely to significantly affect your network speeds if you have a good 5G connection.
Phone Plans That Align With Your Beliefs
Are you passionate about your political or social beliefs? Want to put your money behind causes you believe in? A handful of wireless carriers let you do just that, but they charge you a hefty penalty for the luxury.
Credo Mobile(Opens in a new window) donates a small percentage of your bill to progressive charities. The carrier runs on Verizon's network and charges $55 per month for a 9GB plan.
Patriot Mobile(Opens in a new window), which bills itself as “America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider,” is similarly expensive. It donates a percentage of your payment to a variety of right-wing causes. Its Unlimited Freedom plan includes unlimited calls and texts, plus 22GB of high-speed data for $55 a month plus tax. The Freedom of Speech plan includes unlimited talk and text, but no data; it costs $25 per month plus tax.
Looking for a socially conscious carrier that doesn’t have a political agenda? Reach Mobile(Opens in a new window) is a good option. A relative newcomer to the MVNO crowd, Reach donates 10% of your monthly bill to nonprofits in Africa, India, and the US that provide free mobile phone service to women in need and support digital literacy and skills training. The carrier's All-In plan comes with unlimited calls and texts and 20GB of LTE data on Verizon’s network for $65 per month plus tax. Reach's Best Fit service is an added perk that automatically swaps out your current plan with a more affordable option should you use less data than anticipated. However, Reach doesn't support domestic roaming, so make sure you’re in an area with solid Verizon coverage before signing up.
Credo and Patriot have removed details of the exact amount they donate to charity, instead opting to show a cumulative total. Since neither carrier is upfront about how much of your money it chooses to donate, both are more difficult to recommend now. And as you can see, most of these plans are pretty pricey. We recommended going with a less-expensive carrier on this list and setting aside the savings to donate to the charity of your choice; your donation will go much further that way.
If your mission is to boycott carriers that support political or social causes you're against, you're out of luck. All of these MVNOs lease from one of the major carriers, so your money indirectly supports their lobbying and community involvement efforts. Using a low-cost plan and donating directly to your favorite charities is still a better option.
Finally, for more on how to get a good deal, check out our top tips to get the best price on a cell phone.
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