Saving Money
07.08.25
If you're looking to save money, one easy way to do that is by switching to a phone plan you can get for much, much less — a prepaid phone plan.
With a prepaid plan, you pay upfront and won’t incur any extra charges — unless you choose to buy more data or add features. We put together a list of the best prepaid phone plans, helping you to compare choices and find the one that works best for you.
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| Category | Provider | Plan Name | Price/Month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |
|
Unlimited | $25 | |
| Best Prepaid Plan for Unlimited Data |
|
Unlimited Premium (on DarkStar) | $35 with current promotion | |
| Best Prepaid Plan With Flexibility |
|
Free Essential Data | Starting at $0 | |
| Best Prepaid Plan for Perks |
|
Unlimited +15GB Hotspot | $60 | |
| Best Prepaid Plan for Hotspot |
|
Unlimited Premium (on DarkStar) | $35 with current promotion | |
| Best Prepaid Plan for Multiple Lines |
|
Total 5G Unlimited | $27.50 (*per line for 4 lines) | |
| Best Prepaid Plan Under $25 |
|
Plus | $20 | |
| Best Prepaid for Big 3 (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) |
|
12-Month Unlimited Prepaid Plan | $25/month when prepaying for year | |
| Best Prepaid Plan for International Calling |
|
Unlimited Premium (on Dark Star) | $35 with current promotion |
Best Overall Prepaid Plan
Tello
Price $25 month
Network T-Mobile
Phone Plan Unlimited
Data Limit 35GB of high-speed data
Unlimited throttled (slower) speeds after
Unlimited throttled (slower) speeds after
Perks N/A
Our Take $25 is an affordable unlimited data plan and 35GB of data before speeds are throttled is not bad.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- No upfront payment required for monthly discount.
- Price is not dependent on AutoPay enrolment.
- Free international calls to 60+ countries.
- Only comes with 5GB of mobile hotspot data.
Best Unlimited Prepaid Plan
US Mobile
Price $35/month*
Network AT&T (Dark Star)
Phone Plan Unlimited Premium
Data Limit 100GB of high-speed data
Perks With at least 3 lines on a monthly plan, get $15 toward a choice of audio, streaming and gaming services.
Our Take *With US Mobile's current new customer offer, you can get their Unlimited Premium plan, which doesn't have any data limit caps, for $35 instead of the original $44 price. This is a worthwhile offer for heavy data users who are looking to save on an unlimited data plan.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Unlimited priority data that isn't deprioritized.
- Price is not dependent on AutoPay enrolment.
- Up to 20GB for data, talk and text in 42 countries and data-only in 42 more.
- Offer with premium (not deprioritized) data is only available on 5G devices using the Dark Star plan. Dark Star uses AT&T's network, which might not be the right coverage for everyone.
Best Prepaid Plan With Flexibility
TextNow
Price Starting at $0/month
Network Nation's largest 5G network
Phone Plan Free Essential Data
Data Up to 1GB for essential apps like email, maps, and rideshare.
Then unlimited at slower speeds (or purchase a data pass).
Then unlimited at slower speeds (or purchase a data pass).
Perks TextNow partners with multiple brands to provide exclusive offers, discounts, and rewards
Our Take TextNow's base offering starts at $0 for a free nationwide plan with unlimited calls & texts, plus essential apps like email, maps, and rideshare. You can add more data as needed, with an hourly unlimited data option for $0.99, a daily option for $4.99, or the traditional monthly subscription for $39.99.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Easy to access your number on multiple devices (phone, tablet, computer).
- Free essential service with affordable add-ons available.
- Roaming in Canada & Mexico; unlimited calling and texting to Canada & Mexico (plus hundreds of other international calling options also starting at $0).
- Exclusive deals and discounts from popular brands in-app.
- Not suitable for heavy data users.
- No eSIM support
Best Prepaid Plan for Perks
Cricket Wireless
Price $60/month*
Network AT&T
Phone Plan Cricket Unlimited
Data Limit Unlimited
Perks Max (with ads), 100GB cloud storage, device protection, anniversary device credit, home internet discount.
Our Take This is one of the costlier plans we picked, but it might let you cut costs you’re now paying separately.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Data speeds are not slowed during network congestion.
- Generous cloud storage limit.
- Savings on buying a new device or if your phone gets damaged.
- More expensive than other prepaid choices.
- The device protection has a $200 service fee.
Best Prepaid Plan for Hotspot
US Mobile
Price $35/month with current offer
Network AT&T (Dark Star)
Phone Plan Unlimited Premium
Data Limit 100GB
Perks 100GB of high-speed hotspot data, then 100GB at 8 Mbps speeds, thereafter at 600 Kbps.
Our Take If you rely on hotspot data to stay connected when away from Wi-Fi, this plan has an unusually generous amount of high-speed data.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Price doesn't dependent on AutoPay enrollment.
- Up to 20GB for data, talk and text in 42 countries and data-only in 42 more.
- This super-high hotspot allowance is only available on US Mobile’s Dark Star network (AT&T), which might not be the right coverage for everyone.
Best Prepaid Plan for Multiple Lines
Total Wireless
Price $27.50/month per line (for 4 lines)
Network Verizon
Phone Plan Total 5G Unlimited
Data Limit Unlimited
Perks Disney+ Premium membership included for 6 months.
Our Take *Total's 5G Unlimited plan has great value for heavy data users (e.g. someone who likes to stream and scroll video feeds a lot), and at the 4 lines mark, it becomes a lot more affordable, too. But if you need fewer lines, you're likely to find a more affordable plan elsewhere.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Unlimited prioritized data.
- 15GB mobile hotspot included.
- Roaming in Canada & Mexico included.
- Expensive if you need fewer than 4 lines.
Other Family (Multi-line) Plans If you're looking for a specific family phone plan that will fulfill your multiple lines' needs, check out our full guide on the best family phone plans.
Best Prepaid Plan Under $25
RedPocket Mobile
Price $20/month (first month $10)
Network Choice of network
Phone Plan Plus
Data Limit Up to 10GB of high-speed data
Unlimited throttled (slower) speeds after limit is reached
Unlimited throttled (slower) speeds after limit is reached
Perks Promises no price increases as long as you have the plan.
Our Take This plan offers a decent amount of high-speed data plus international features for a low price.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Free international texts and free or low-cost calling to 20+ countries from the U.S.
- Roaming in Canada & Mexico included.
- No hotspot.
Best Prepaid Plan for Big 3 (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon)
AT&T
Price $25/month (when prepaying for year)
Network AT&T
Phone Plan Unlimited Data
Data Limit 16B of high-speed data
Reduced to 1.5 Mbps speeds after limit is reached
Reduced to 1.5 Mbps speeds after limit is reached
Perks N/A
Our Take AT&T's newest offer for its prepaid plan gives you to the unlimited data plan at an affordable $25/month, but it requires a 12-month payment up front ($300). This isn't eligible for refunds, either, so unless you're really set on using AT&T's network, you can certainly find a cheaper (or at least more flexible) prepaid plan elsewhere.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- 10GB of mobile hotspot data.
- Calls to Canada & Mexico (from the U.S.) included.
- Not suitable for heavy data users; data speeds are slowed after 16GB of use in a month.
- $300 upfront payment required that can't be refunded.
Best Prepaid Plan for International Calling
US Mobile
Price $35/month*
Network AT&T (Dark Star)
Phone Plan Unlimited Premium
Data Limit 100GB of high-speed data
Perks With at least 3 lines on a monthly plan, get $15 toward a choice of audio, streaming and gaming services.
Our Take *With US Mobile's current new customer offer, you can get their Unlimited Premium plan, which doesn't have any data limit caps, for $35 instead of the original $44 price. This is a worthwhile offer for heavy data users who are looking to save on an unlimited data plan.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Unlimited priority data that isn't deprioritized.
- Price is not dependent on AutoPay enrolment.
- Up to 20GB for data, talk and text in 42 countries and data-only in 42 more.
- Offer with premium (not deprioritized) data is only available on 5G devices using the Dark Star plan. Dark Star uses AT&T's network, which might not be the right coverage for everyone.
Methodology: How we picked the best prepaid plans
Prepaid plans are often picked for their affordability and flexibility, as they don’t include contracts (and therefore, no credit checks) and don’t charge extra for overages or other used features. But finding the best ones requires more than just price considerations.
We also look at:
Network coverage
Value (what is included in the price)
Ease of use
Real user reviews
Each of these factors are considered with their own weight, leading to a score that helps us determine the best picks.
Beginner’s guide to prepaid plans
What is a prepaid phone plan?
A prepaid phone plan allows you to pay for the month’s service in advance, agreeing to a set amount of service (talk & text, data) within that billing cycle.
While traditional phone plans tie you into a contract and can cost upwards of $70/month, prepaid plans – mostly offered by smaller carriers called MVNOs – provide the same amount of data, over the same network, but cost less. They also give you the freedom to change or end service whenever you want.
Do I need to sign a contract for prepaid phone plans?
No, another advantage of prepaid plans is you don’t commit to a contract, unlike postpaid plans where you agree to service for a set period. Because you’re not entering a contract, you also won’t face a credit check. And there’s no risk that missing a payment will affect your credit score.
How does a prepaid plan work?
Prepaid plans range in service from no data, limited data, or unlimited data. To activate the plan, you will need a SIM card to connect your phone to the cellular network.
Billing occurs at the beginning of the monthly cycle (timing varies on when you start). Since you only receive the service if you pay, you can cancel or defer payment at any time.
Types of prepaid plans
Just like traditional plans, there are three types of prepaid plans: No data plans, limited data plans, and unlimited data plans.
No data prepaid plan: No mobile data is provided with this plan, so you only pay for talk & text (nationwide).
Limited data prepaid plan: You purchase a specific amount of data every month and can only use that amount.
Unlimited data plan: You can use data without limits by paying a flat rate. However, most providers have a fair usage policy restricting high-speed data when you reach a certain threshold; the cap will vary based on their policies, such as 30GB, 50GB, etc. Once the cap is reached, you will simply experience slower speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle.
Note that while specific plans like senior phone plans or family phone plans will still fall either under "postpaid" or "prepaid," they do come with their own special perks like discounts or featured plans that are only available with further eligibility.
What are the advantages of a prepaid plan?
A prepaid plan has many advantages for people who want to save money on phone service, like if you're paying for your own phone plan for the first time:
More affordable: Prepaid plans can range from $10-$60/month, in comparison to postpaid plans, which range from $50-$100.
You only pay the agreed upon amount: No potential to incur extra charges or get a surprise bill.
No contracts: More flexibility to change or cancel your plan as your needs change.
No credit checks: This makes these plans more accessible. And since you pay up front, there's no chance an unpaid phone bill can affect your credit score.
More choices: There are significantly more prepaid plans available, so you can shop around more and find one that works for you.
What are the disadvantages of a prepaid plan?
If your priorities revolve around network quality and data, you may be better off on a postpaid plan.
Network priority: Prepaid plans are usually deprioritized during network congestion.
Lower data limits: While most prepaid plans do offer unlimited data, the limits for high-speed data on those is usually lower than postpaid (anywhere from 10GB-50GB.)
No perks: You're unlikely to get things like complementary subscriptions or similar services.
How to choose the best prepaid phone plan
The best prepaid phone plan for you will depend on what kind of plan – in general – you want. You’ll want to start by figuring out your data needs, and then follow the rest of this simple checklist:
Find out how much data you need: Before you start shopping around, figure out how much data you actually need, so you can narrow down your list based on whether you’re looking for a no data plan, a limited data plan, or an unlimited data plan.
Set your budget: Prepaid plans are generally a lot more affordable and can certainly help you save money and bolster your financial goals. But to do that, it’s important to set a realistic budget that makes sense for your monthly goals. Make sure you understand when any promotional prices expire and what the plan will cost after that.
Coverage: You can get the best, most affordable phone plan there is, but if the coverage in your area isn’t great, you’re never going to be able to get your money’s worth. Look up the coverage first, then decide on a plan based on the network that’s available in your area.
Network reliability: Coverage on a map is one thing, but confirming network reliability (based on how often it gets deprioritized) is a more important indicator of the quality of the service. You can search for real user reviews of the carrier to determine if it’s one that you can trust.
Which prepaid carrier has the best data coverage?
Most prepaid carriers run on either AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon’s networks, so the best data coverage will depend on which “Big 3” network that prepaid carrier runs on. According to Allconnect, If you’re looking for the best all-purpose LTE coverage in the U.S., that would be Verizon with its 4G LTE service available to 70% of the nation. (Check out our guide to the best Verizon phone plans, including prepaid choices.)
For 5G coverage, however, Verizon has the least amount of coverage. Instead, T-Mobile has the best with 54% of national coverage. The carrier with the most comprehensive coverage considering both 5G and LTE, however, is AT&T.
Note that some prepaid carriers, like US Mobile, are able to utilize all three networks, which would be the most comprehensive coverage offered by any carrier.
How to activate a prepaid phone plan
All you need is a SIM card – whether physical or eSIM – from the provider you choose your plan from.
To get that SIM, head over to the provider's website (or go in-store where applicable) to purchase your desired plan and the subsequent SIM for activation.
Prepaid plan alternatives
The alternatives to a prepaid plan would be the traditional postpaid plan, or a pay-as-you-go plan.
Postpaid plan: Generally offered by the "Big 3" networks, this type of plan involves paying for your service at the end of a billing cycle, which may include extra charges based on possible overage fees or any other extra usage. These plans also involve contracts and are not as flexible.
Pay-as-you-go plan: In this plan, you pay for service by the feature (by the minute, by the GB, etc.) so you are constantly topping up service, such as mobile data, as you use up the last batch you purchased.
Tips for saving money with prepaid phone plans
Prepaid phone plans tend to cost less than postpaid plans, so you’re already locking in some savings just by going prepaid. True, prepaid plans also tend to have fewer perks, like streaming services, but when you’re on a budget that can be a plus — rather than bundling (and forgetting about) subscriptions with your phone plan, you’ll need to intentionally choose subscriptions you buy.
Here are some other tips for saving money:
When choosing a prepaid plan, read the fine print carefully to make sure you know all the costs. For example, some plans offer a lower price for the first few months but then continue at a higher rate afterward.
Explore any discounts you may qualify for, such as the loyalty discount Verizon offers after you’ve renewed for three or nine months. Some plans offer discounts on home internet, such as Visible’s $10 off Verizon internet service.
Don’t default to paying for lots of data if you’re typically on Wi-Fi. Or, if your data needs vary month to month, think about choosing a plan where unused high-speed data rolls over to the next billing period, such as AT&T’s 5GB plan.
Consider whether your choice of plan offers other ways to save. For example, with TextNow you get offers, discounts, and rewards from brands in the app.
If your prepaid plan offers perks, see if you can use them to replace a paid subscription or membership you have or would otherwise buy separately. For example, the top Straight Talk Wireless plan offers a Walmart+ membership, Metro by T-Mobile has an Amazon Prime offer, and GoogleFi offers six months of YouTube Premium.
Weigh your international needs. Do you need text or call other countries from home regularly? Do you often travel abroad? If so, take a look at which plans offer international talk & text or roaming as part of the monthly cost, versus having to pay extra.
Frequently asked questions about prepaid phone plans
Got questions or comments? Send us a note at [email protected]!
