The best prepaid phone plans out there usually provide solid, dependable service while nixing some of the more premium features major carriers and subscription plans provide. Jumping to a prepaid plan, however, has its perks and downfalls for those who just want a simple phone plan.
While you'll get a lower bill, there can be trade offs like missing out on free streaming services, slower data speeds or reduced roaming capabilities. Prepaid phone plans are usually a lot cheaper due to this, offering a fair trade for users who don't need all the bells and whistles of the latest plans or smartphones. That's not to say that new phones aren't part of prepaid offers, just look at the new iPhone 13 and some of prepaid offers out there!
Some of the cheapest prepaid phone plans out there are among the best phone contracts for students, too. The reduced pricing make them a no brainer for those looking to stick to a budget, and they offer enough coverage, data limits and features to handle the basics. So here are some of the best prepaid phone plans you can check out right now.
Cheapest Prepaid Phone Plans
- Cricket Wireless: plans starting at $30/month per line
- Mint Mobile: plans starting at $15/month per line
- Tello: plans starting at $6/month per line
- T-Mobile: plans starting at $40/month per line
- Verizon: plans starting at $25/month per line
- Visible: plans starting at $25/month per line
Best Prepaid Phone Plans Today
Mint Mobile offers the best overall value for the price, featuring nationwide 5G coverage via T-Mobile's wireless network. Along with some very enticing prices for unlimited plans, Mint also features plenty of prepaid phone plan deals and offers for new customers looking to switch.
They even offer a 7 day free trial that lets you give Mint a shot before you buy, a critical thing considering that their service may not be the best depending on where you live.
Offering premium wireless service for as low as $15/month for both single lines and family plans, those looking to save a bit on their phone bill are sure to be satisfied with what Mint has to offer. The coverage may not be ideal in more rural areas of the country, but that seems to be a problem with just about every mobile service provider out there.
You may not have heard much about Tello, but to sum it up in one word: cheap. Tello offers probably the cheapest prepaid phone plans in the US right now, with ultra simple setup and wireless plans starting at just $5 a month. You're going to get exactly what you'd expect here, a super basic phone plan that delivers standard coverage on T-Mobiles 4G LTE / 5G networks.
While Tello does provide some great perks, such as free international calls to over 60 different countries, free mobile hotspots, and more, if you want to jump up to an unlimited plan you'll be paying around $14/month. Not a bad price at all, but if you're looking to go unlimited their may be a better option out there for you.
If you're looking for absolute cheapest prepaid phone plan for the price, however, Tello is your wireless service. They feature a solid range of phones to choose from, but unfortunately you won't find any of the latest devices for sale. The good news is you can bring your current phone in most situations, but you'll need to check compatibility before hand.
Best Prepaid Phone Plan
How to find the best prepaid phone plan for you
To find which prepaid phone plan will work best for you, you'll want to consider a few things including your budget as well as data needs.
Prepaid plans come with a lower price tag due to cutting out more premium features likes free streaming apps, higher data caps and more, so you'll want to know going into a prepaid plan that you won't have all the bells and whistles.
With this in mind, figure out the type of monthly budget you're looking to stick to and go from there. With options as low as $10/month, it's easier than ever now to grab a cheap phone plan that provides the bare essentials for communicating.
Newer prepaid phone plans now also feature 5G coverage, too. This may not be necessary for those looking for just a simple prepaid phone option, but it can help with network speeds and call quality greatly if you can grab a plan with it.
Editor's Recommendation
- PS5 restock: anyone looking for a console today might finally be in luck
- Hogwarts Legacy gameplay leak leaves PS5 and Xbox Series X gamers thrilled
- PS5 graphics about to get TURBO CHARGED as Sony drops key update