Best Prepaid Phone Plans for August 2024
When it comes to finding a prepaid phone plan, traditional carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile aren't your only options. Here are our picks for the best prepaid phone plans.
Our Picks
![US Mobile logo on a phone](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/55d5963a9c3cea2d30cb7db8c125a7222a53b2dc/hub/2023/07/24/0df00927-1e29-4ccb-a9ac-6618067f1d3b/us-mobile-logo.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=144&width=144)
![Visible logo on a phone](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/6735f7f1c0ae3a260fab3df2ea958cafd7449950/hub/2021/07/07/ee490681-1ea8-4bd4-ab6e-6f8ea296d4de/visible-wireless-mobile-phone-service-2021-cnet-review19.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=144&width=144)
![mint-logo-color.jpg](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a4698eb06a27106997c009097ccb8fc97aa4f134/hub/2024/07/03/3792a42b-5a05-421f-852f-6357a048b0d4/mint-logo-color.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=144&width=144)
![google-fi-wireless-mobile-network-logos-2021-for-phones-06](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/ff999e7ecd20b9c83bcaa9b3c57134f0e4de8dd4/hub/2021/07/07/75869036-7527-438a-88dd-e367da071597/google-fi-wireless-mobile-network-logos-2021-for-phones-06.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=144&width=144)
![metro-by-t-mobile-wireless-carrier-logo-2021-cnet-02](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/0ffa8151bb80ebbd283dadf390e43c1661cf13ec/hub/2021/11/18/b7fd3c27-85b6-4a7e-8925-2ed81fa59ac0/metro-by-t-mobile-wireless-carrier-logo-2021-cnet-02.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=144&width=144)
Most people with cellphones opt to subscribe directly to mobile providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon for wireless service. The major providers aren't the only option. You can save money on your mobile plan by going with one of the smaller providers around. Traditional wireless providers tout unlimited data plans as the big attraction, but smaller carriers still offer a variety of plans with high-speed data or even a better price on unlimited plans. Plus, there's no longterm commitment to worry about. If you want to switch over, these are the best prepaid phone plans right now.
I've covered the wireless industry for more than a decade and know there are a ton of prepaid service providers. For this article, I'm going to focus on just a few: Boost Mobile, Cricket, Mint, Google Fi Wireless, US Mobile, MobileX, Tracfone, Metro by T-Mobile, Total Wireless, Verizon Prepaid and AT&T Prepaid. Since these carriers also have so many different prepaid cellphone plan options, I'll focus on the best options for under 5GB of data, under 15GB of data and the best unlimited plans.
Read more: Cheap Phone Plans Compared
Best prepaid phone plans of 2024
Single line
US Mobile runs on Verizon's network for its "Warp 5G" service, T-Mobile's for its "GSM"/"Light Speed" offering and AT&T for it's "Dark Star" option. Now its cheapest Unlimited Flex option starts at $17.50 per line, per month when purchased annually ($210 total). That's significantly cheaper than its Unlimited Starter and Visible's offer (even Visible's latest promotion that knocks its base plan down to $20 a month for two years with a promo code), but it comes with some caveats.
Taxes and fees are still included in the sticker price, but you'll now get 10GB of high-speed data and 5GB of hotspot data (unless you want to add it for $30 for the year). To add more high-speed data, international roaming or streaming perks, you'll need to step up to the carrier's pricier Unlimited Starter or Premium plans.
If you don't want to prepay for a year Unlimited Starter normally runs $25 per month.
It is worth noting that if you want to switch networks, you get two free switches but then it will cost you $2 each time you "teleport."
Runner-up: $20 per line (monthly) with promo code CHAMP
Visible Unlimited
Verizon's Visible has long been competitive in the prepaid space. Its new promotion knocks its regular base plan down from $25 per month to $20 monthly for two years. All you need to do is enter the promo code "CHAMP" at checkout.
The base plan includes unlimited talk, text and data on Verizon 5G and 4G LTE networks but you won't be able to take advantage of Verizon's fastest networks. Unlimited hotspot is also included, though its capped at speeds of 5Mbps. Those who want faster data speeds for their regular data and hotspot connections, plus unlimited talk, text and 2GB of data every day in Canada and Mexico need to look at Visible's pricier Visible Plus plan that normally runs $45 per month (though its down to $35 per month for two years with the same promo code).
All that said, if you don't need Verizon's fastest possible speeds, don't want to outlay a full year's service in one shot and want to be on Verizon's network, it's hard to beat this price. Taxes and fees are also included in this price.
New customers get 3 months of unlimited for $15 per month
Mint Mobile
Special offer: New customer offer: Get a three-month unlimited plan for $15 per month, with a $45 upfront payment required (slows 40GB+). All Mint plans come with unlimited talk and text, high-speed data, free 5G on the nation's largest 5G network, free mobile hotspot and free calling to Mexico and Canada. You can use your own phone with any Mint plan and bring your phone number, along with all your existing contacts.
Switching to Mint is easy with helpful videos and articles that walk you through the process. And for those with eSIM compatible devices, you can make the switch within minutes of purchasing a new plan.
Best unlimited plan for multiple lines
Google Fi Wireless Simply Unlimited
Google's phone service has raised its monthly pricing for group plans, making the service a bit less appealing compared with major providers. A family of four, for instance, will now pay $100 per month ($25 per line) to get the Simply Unlimited plan. This used to run $80 per month ($20 per line). The plan includes not only unlimited talk, text and 35GB of high-speed data but also 5GB of mobile hotspot use. There's also free roaming in Canada and Mexico, though taxes and fees aren't included in the sticker price.
Google Fi Wireless runs largely on T-Mobile's network and its service includes 5G access.
Best unlimited plans with perks
Metro's Heritage Plan or Cricket
This one is actually a bit complicated.
Cricket and Metro each offer perks with some of their top unlimited plans -- in the case of Cricket, you get a subscription to Max with ads, while Metro's top two unlimited plans offer one year of ViX Plus and 100GB of Google One storage. While Metro used to be cheaper, it has become pricier and dropped the inclusion of Amazon Prime on its main plan.
Metro actually still has those plans but has hidden them under a Heritage Plans section on its website that requires you to call customer support to get them. This runs for an undisclosed limited time, but if you're willing to go down this route, it's the best option. A single line runs $60 per month, while three or four lines will cost you $120 per month. This is significantly cheaper than the company's new Metro Flex Plus options that also include Prime (plus more hotspot data and a free phone or discounts on new phones) but runs $140 per month for three lines and $175 per month for four.
Taxes and fees are also included in that Heritage price, as is 15GB of hotspot data, 100GB of Google One and a subscription to Amazon Prime. Again, you need to contact Metro's Customer Care team at 888-863-8768 to get this plan. More details can be found here.
Other options: As for the new main plans, for a single line or two lines Metro's Flex Start plan is still actually a bit cheaper than Cricket's. A single line here is $50 per month while two lines are $85 per month. That's slightly cheaper than Cricket's option which runs $55 per month for a single line (with AutoPay) or $90 for two lines.
Cricket gets ahead if you need three lines, $110 per month versus Metro's $120 monthly rate, and includes Max with Ads and more hotspot data (15GB versus 8GB from Metro's Flex Start). It wins this battle.
When you get to four or more lines, Cricket's plans are actually $25 per month cheaper than Metros, once again making it the better play.
Verizon's Total by Verizon service includes Disney Plus' Premium no-ads option with its top plan, but at $60 per month for a single line and $165 per month for four lines, it's probably not worth it.
If price is the biggest factor for you, look at Google Fi's Simply Unlimited plan we mentioned above.
If you need anything less than four lines, Cricket, Total or Metro are a lot pricier than Mint. One phone line with this top unlimited plan runs $60 a month, two lines are $90 a month and three lines are $120.
Cheapest option without data: As low as $0 a month
TextNow
If you're looking for service for a backup phone that's rarely used, TextNow has a free plan. Running on T-Mobile's network, the service offers free unlimited talk and unlimited texting, although ads are placed in its app that you use to call and text people. There isn't any data included with this option, and removing the ads without adding data would run you $10 a month. If you want to watch YouTube, FaceTime or surf the web, you'll need to connect to Wi-Fi.
Text messages are also done through the company's TextNow app, not through iMessage or WhatsApp, which makes sense because those services require data. A recent change from TextNow lets you get unlimited talk and text (through its app) as well as 1GB of data per month for a handful of apps, like Gmail, Waze, Uber, Lyft, Outlook, Apple Maps and Google Maps. All you need to do is buy a TextNow SIM card, which is a one-time $5 charge.
If you need more data, well, things will get expensive quickly. An unlimited data hour pass runs $1 per hour, a day pass is $5 and a month is $40. If you need data, you're better off going with a different provider than TextNow.
Best for under 5GB of data
US Mobile Light Plan
If you are largely on Wi-Fi and don't use much data then US Mobile's Light Plan is the go-to pick for low-cost but still with some data service. Buried under its other plans, the Light Plan includes unlimited talk and text as well as 2GB of data. This is better than our previous pick, Boost Mobile's new customer offer which gave you 1GB of data per month for a full year for $100.
At $96 for the year, this is cheaper than Boost's offer and includes taxes and fees in that sticker price. If you don't want to pay annually, it's $10 per month.
Other options: Boost Mobile, our previous pick in this spot, has a couple of plans offering 5GB or less particularly if you're a new customer. Its cheapest option is for those who don't need a lot of data is its new customer offer of 1GB of monthly data for $100 for the year. It's worth noting that you will need to prepay for 12 months of service to get this deal, which breaks down to $8.33 per month.
While not as easy to find, you can access this plan by going to Boost's plans section, choosing "use my phone" and then selecting the 12-month option.
The carrier offers a $15 per month 5GB plan for new users as well, which includes the ability to use that allotment for mobile hotspots. That's on par with Mint Mobile's similar 5GB for $15 per month option, though Mint requires new users to be on its three-month plan (or prepay for the year) to get that rate. Boost Mobile allows you to do this monthly as a new customer (with a three-month option available as well).
Metro, Total by Verizon and Cricket each charge $30 a month for 5GB of data and Tracfone has a 4GB data plan, but that runs $25 when on auto-refill ($30 without).
T-Mobile has a few T-Mobile Connect deals including a $15 per month option with unlimited talk/text and 5GB of data. The carrier also has a $10 per month Connect option that includes 1,000 domestic minutes for talk, 1,000 domestic and 1GB of data.
As we said at the top, the best deal is the one that works best for you.
Best for under 15GB of data
Mint Mobile 15GB Plan
When it comes to data under 15GB, Mint once again has the best value if T-Mobile's network is solid in your area.
Getting 15GB of 4G LTE/5G monthly data is $20 per month at Mint if you're a new subscriber and buy in 12-month increments. After that, you can buy three more months at $35 per month ($105 total), six months at $25 per month ($150 total) or another year at $20 per month ($240 total).
Boost Mobile now has a similar 15GB per month plan for $20 per month, but it requires you to prepay for a full year, with no options for shorter periods.
Other options: Google Fi has a "bill protection" feature designed to refund you for data you don't use, but with a maximum monthly charge of $80 per month for one line and 6GB of data and unlimited talk and text, I think you're better off looking elsewhere instead of having to calculate how much data you're using.
AT&T has an online offer of 16GB per month if you prepay the $300 for a full year (equating to $25 per month). If you use up the 16GB, you will still get unlimited data, but it will slow speeds down to 1.5Mbps until your month resets.
Tracfone's 10GB plan generally runs $40 per month, though you can prepay for a year for $384 (which breaks down to $32 monthly).
The perk with the AT&T and Tracfone plans is that any unused data carries over to the next month. For the latter, if you're looking for a prepaid provider on Verizon that could be your pick.
Factors to Consider
Know your area
Before we get to the plans, to get the best deal you need to make sure you have the coverage that you need. This makes it very hard for us to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier. T-Mobile's service in New York may be excellent, but if you're in rural Iowa, Verizon is more reliable.
While your mileage may vary, the good news is that these networks are growing and improving all the time, particularly as the three major players race to blanket the US with 5G. It's quite possible that you left a network complaining about its sparse service a decade ago, but now it's beefed itself up because of that race to acquire customers.
If you know any friends or family in your area that already use the carrier you're considering, ask about their experience. You could also go to a carrier's store and see if they offer any free ways to try out the service before switching over, such as T-Mobile's Network Pass. Verizon offers a similar 30-day "Test Drive" program, while the Cricket prepaid service has its own trial program that lets you sample parent AT&T's network.
Know the prepaid phone plan promos and deals
As with the leading carriers, there are periods when the prepaid players offer deals. Boost Mobile used to run a promo for new customers that let you get three lines with unlimited talk, text and data for $90 per month ($30 per line) after "your first payment of $100." It has since added a new unlimited plan that is $25 per month for new users, although each line must be separate and can't be grouped on a family plan.
Some prepaid providers will even give discounts on buying a new device, but unlike the leading carriers, don't expect the same big promotions offering a free new iPhone or Samsung's latest Galaxy. Those deals are often tied to 24- or 36-month installment plans, which prepaid -- by its nature -- doesn't offer.
How we test
Picking a wireless plan and carrier is a very individualized process. What works for you and your family's needs may be vastly different from your friends or neighbors. Even geographically, some areas have better AT&T coverage while others work best on Verizon or T-Mobile (and vice versa). The picks we make are based on over a decade of covering and evaluating wireless carriers, their offerings and overall performance.
In particular we take into account the follow:
1. Coverage
2. Price
3. Value
4. Perks
Since all three major providers blanket most of the country with good 4G LTE or 5G this is largely a toss-up on a macro level and why we recommend a variety of eSIM options for figuring out what works best for you in your particular location so you can best decide what is right for you. Looking at coverage maps on each provider's website will likely show that you get good coverage even if your experience isn't full bars or the fastest speeds.
This is also why with prepaid plans we specify which network each prepaid provider uses as they sometimes make that a bit difficult to figure out.
Value is factoring in the total experience you might get, such as how much high-speed data you get and what's included in the sticker price.
Perks are add-ons beyond the core components of wireless service (talk, text and data). This could range from bundling in or discounting on streaming services to extra hotspot data or the ability to use your phone internationally.