These inexpensive cell phone plans could cut down your cell phone bill
Over the past few years, several low-cost carriers have stepped up to offer competition and cheapest prices to customers looking to cut down their monthly bills. In some cases, they are able to offer comparable plans for just a fraction of the cost and often with the same high quality of service offered by the big players within the industry.
Looking for a low-cost alternative to your pricey cell phone plan? These five options offer a lot of bang for your buck while providing almost the same service as the big guys:
One of the cheapest cell phone plans options is to go the prepaid route. Prepaid phones are where you pay a certain amount for the phone plus the minutes, text and data. Once you go use up the prepaid amount, then you have the option to buy more, or stop using the phone.
There are also prepaid plans where you can use the current phone you have you simply prepay for the amount of talk, text, and data. Normally, people like to estimate the amount they will need for that month and pay for just that amount.
This is a great way to ensure that you are not overpaying for your cell phone service. When you have a contract deal, you agree to pay a certain amount per month. This means that if you don’t use all the text, talk and data, it doesn’t matter –you still have to be that agreed amount. Some people are frustrated with this structure and that is why they turn to prepaid plans. You can read real-life testimonials online from people who have used prepaid plans to learn more about them and see if they are something you are interested in.
The 10 Cheapest Cell Phone Carriers and Plans of 2019
Tello Mobile
The best cheap cell phone plan on our list comes from Tello. the company is a well known MVNO that runs on Sprint network. one of Tello best-selling factors is their Build Your Own Plan feature, which allows you to select your own monthly talk, text, and data.
Tello allows you to pick a plan that includes only data or only talk, and it doesn’t really matter which plan you start with because Tello customers can upgrade or downgrade their plan for free, anytime. There are no overage, administration, activation, nor port out fees to worry about.
All plans include text messaging and free tethering (hotspot). All voice plans include calls to Canada, China, and Mexico at the same rate as domestic calls. Also If you run out of your data allocation, you can still connect to the internet, but only via 2G.
Tello has an app for Android and iOS, called My Tello, and you can use it to conveniently see your remaining balance, check rates for any destination, or find answers to your questions. You can also use the app to connect the Tello network over Wi-Fi and do many other things. All of this and more makes Tello the best prepaid cell phone plan. Tello cheapest plans are:
- $8/month: unlimited talk and text plus, calls to Canada, Mexico & China are included.
- $10/month: unlimited talk, text and 1 GB plus, calls to Canada, Mexico & China are included.
- $14/month: unlimited talk, text and 2 GB plus, calls to Canada, Mexico & China are included.
- $19/month: unlimited talk, text and 4 GB plus, calls to Canada, Mexico & China are included.
- $24/month: unlimited talk, text and 6 GB plus, calls to Canada, Mexico & China are included.
Twigby
Twigby gives its customers the ability to build their own phone plans. Subscribers first choose how many minutes they want their plan to have, then if desired, they can choose to add a data package to their plan.
All voice plans come with unlimited domestic and international texting. All data plans include unlimited 2G data once the high-speed allotment gets used up.
Twigby is giving its new customers 25% off on their first 6 months of service. With this 25% off promotion in place, you can get big savings on your phone plan. Their cheapest plans are:
- $9.75/month: unlimited talk and text
- $14.25/month: unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data
- $17.25/month: unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of data
- $21.00/month: unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of data
- $24.75/month: unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data
Xfinity
Your cell phone bill will be a lot cheaper after switching to Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile, a low-cost wireless provider that uses Verizon’s network.
Xfinity Mobile is unlike other MVNOs you must be a Comcast internet customer to be able to sign up for the service.
Xfinity Mobile comes with a small amount of 4G LTE data at no charge, so people who use very little data can get FREE cell phone service and only pay about $2 or $3 for taxes and fees.
Xfinity Mobile offers unlimited talk and text, with no line access fees on up to 5 lines, plus you will have access to 18 million Wi-Fi hotspots and contains 100 MB of data for free.
If you want more than 100 MB of web data, pick one of two data plans:
- $0/month: If you use 0 GB of shared data per month
- $12/month: unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data ($12/GB)
- $45/month: unlimited talk, text, and data (reduced speeds after 20GB)
Republic Wireless
Republic Wireless is a prepaid cell phone plan that uses Sprint and T-Mobile’s networks and has some of the cheapest rates around. This carrier is ideal for those who want a cheap unlimited talk and text plan.
Republic uses a hybrid system for its cell phones. They allow you to utilize WiFi together with phone service for data, which can save you money.
In 2019 most public places have WiFi. As a result, you’re going to be in WiFi coverage and free data coverage almost all the time. Therefore, Republic Wireless has lots of plan options which are all based on how much phone data you need to use.
All of Republic Wireless plans include unlimited talk and text for $15 and you can add 4G LTE cell data $5, which equals $20/mo + tax.
All plans include unlimited talk, text and you can add data for $5 per GB, it also includes unlimited free Wi-Fi calling from anywhere in the world to the U.S. and Canada which is useful for international travelers. Their cheapest plans are:
- $15/month: unlimited talk and text
- $20/month: unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data
- $25/month: unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of data
- $30/month: unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of data
View Republic Wireless Plans Details
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile offers plans that start at just $15 per month with at least three-month commitment. They have a super low starting price point, you get quite a bit for $15 per month.
This basic plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data delivered on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network, 2GB of 4G LTE data per month and unlimited data thereafter, a prepaid SIM card in standard, micro, and nano sizes, and a Smartphone Mobile HotSpot (SMHS) that allows you to turn your device into a WiFi hotspot.
The pricing on these plans lets you pick how much high-speed data you want, and you never have to commit for more than three months at a time. For that reason, we think this is a solid option for people who live within T-Mobile coverage areas. Their cheapest plans are:
- $15/month: unlimited talk, text and 2GB of data. ($45 per 3 months)
- $20/month: unlimited talk, text and 5GB of data. ($60 per 3 months)
- $25/month: unlimited talk, text and 10GB of data. ($75 per 3 months)
View Mint Mobile Plans Details
Total Wireless
Total Wireless is a subsidiary of TracFone and has an MVNO agreement with Verizon, one of the best performing networks. Total Wireless sticks out for its very competitive 5G plan at $35 a month and it’s family phone Plans — for $100 a month you will get up to 4 lines with unlimited talk minutes, text and 25GB of shared LTE data.
If you want more data, you can buy a 3GB data card for $10 without expiration. This is a great deal when compared with other carriers. They also provide $10 international calling cards with rates as low as 1 cent per minute. Total Wireless is available online or at selected Walmart stores.
- $25/month: Unlimited talk and texts
- $35/month: Unlimited talk, texts, and 5 GB of data
Multi-Line Discount
Includes: Unlimited talk, text, and 25GB of shared data
- Line 4 = $25/per line — 4 Lines for $100/month
View Total Wireless Plans Details
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile gives cheap no-contract phone plans on the Sprint network. In reality, it’s owned by Sprint. It provides single line 2GB of LTE data and unlimited talk, text, starting at $30 per month with auto-renewal and if you want data it’s available at $5 per GB which you can add on your own by logging into your account. There is also an unlimited data plan that begins at $50 a month and includes mobile-optimized streaming video, music and games.
Family plans are also available allowing up to 5 lines. All Boost Mobile plans comes with Pandora, unlimited music from Spotify, Mobile hotspot and more. Optional add-ons include international calling and boostTV.
Boost Mobile offers a wide selection of cheap phones online and in-store, but you might be able to bring your unlocked cell phone to Boost Mobile. Enter your cell phone’s info online to check if it’s eligible then visit a Boost store to get the SIM card, select your plan, and reactivate the phone.
Note: Boost Mobile offers a $5 discount per month for autopay.
- $35/month: Unlimited talk, text, and 3 GB of data with a mobile hotspot.
- $50/month: Unlimited talk, text, and data with 12 Gigs Mobile Hotspot plus streaming Videos, Gaming & Music.
Group Discount
- Line 1 = $50 — $45/month with Auto Pay
- Line 2 = $30 — 2 Lines for $80/month
- Line 3 = $30 — 3 Lines for $110/month
- Line 4 = $30 — 4 Lines for $140/month
View Boost Mobile Plans Details
US Mobile
For a truly flexible solution, cell phone customers should look to US Mobile for a wireless carrier that provides a wide selection of buckets to help piece together the right plan for you.
With prices starting as low as $2.50 for 40 minutes, $1.50 for 40 texts and $2 for 100MB of data, it’s easy to see right off the bat just how flexible and inexpensive US Mobile can be. Alternatively, prices can go as high as $9 for 4,000 minutes and $20 for 3GB of LTE data that piggybacks off T-Mobile’s LTE network.
To help make things easier, US Mobile offers a 30-day risk- free trial to make sure you’re on the right plan and with the right provider with the promise of a full refund if you’re not completely satisfied.
Customers who select US Mobile are required to supply their own device and purchase a US Mobile SIM card for a nominal $3.99 fee to activate service.
- $10/month: Unlimited talk and text
- $23/month: 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 1 GB of data
- $25/month: Unlimited talk, text and 5 GB of data
- $40/month: Unlimited talk, text, and data
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless quickly established itself as a major MVNO player. The carrier offers competitive pricing for individuals, with $5 per month discounts when you set up auto-pay and an even better deal for groups: five lines for $100 monthly. That’s for the unlimited LTE data per line.
If you bump up to the Smart plan, either individually or as a group, Cricket throws in unlimited international texting; unlimited talk and texting to and from the U.S., Canada and Mexico; and no-extra-charge data in Canada and Mexico. However, a mobile hotspot adds $10 per month, and for the moment the feature is limited to about a dozen phone models.
- $25/month: unlimited talk and text
- $30/month: unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of data
- $40/month: unlimited talk, text and 5GB of data
View Cricket Wireless Plans Details
Verizon Prepaid
Verizon offers outstanding network quality and fast download speeds. Truth be told, most people don’t need unlimited data, and 8 GB should be plenty for most users. All Plans include unlimited talk and text plus 4G hotspot access as well as unlimited messaging to Mexico, Canada, and over 200 countries except $30 plan.
Additionally, discounts are available for those adding multiple lines, as well as for those who choose to auto-pay each month, meaning your bill must be paid through a checking account or debit card, so you can’t rack up any extra points by paying your phone bill with a credit card.
Note: Verizon offers a $5 discount per month for Auto Pay.
- $30/month — Unlimited talk, text, and 500MB of LTE data + 4G hotspot access
- $40/month —Unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of LTE data + 4G hotspot access as well as unlimited messaging to Mexico, Canada, and over 200 countries
- $50/month — Unlimited talk, text and 8GBof LTE data + 4G hotspot access as well as unlimited messaging to Mexico, Canada, and over 200 countries with Unlimited talk to Mexico and Canada
Multi-Line Discount
- $40/month – 3GB — $30 for each additional line
- $50/month – 8GB — $35 for each additional line
- $70/month – Unlimited — $50 for each additional line
View Verizon Prepaid Plans Details
With so many low-cost options, it’s hard to believe that anyone would shell out $120 or more for their monthly cell phone bill. However, it may only be a matter of time until prices have to come down across the board in order for companies to stay competitive. In the meantime, do some research to see if any of these low-cost alternatives are offered in your area. Once you see how much you can save, you’ll likely be glad you did.