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If you want to keep your monthly costs under control, I think that choosing one of the best prepaid phone plans is a good idea. With these plans, you pay ahead of time, sometimes months ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry about charges that you didn’t expect on your bill. This not only helps you keep track of your spending, but prepaid plans are usually cheaper than postpaid plans from the big phone companies.
I have learned that the best way to find a great prepaid plan is to look beyond the big names like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. They do have prepaid options, but I saved more money by looking into mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). These companies use the networks of established carriers. They might give up some perks, but they are great at making plans that are affordable.
Many people think that if they choose a prepaid plan, they will lose their data limits. There are plans that are amazingly cheap for people who don’t use much data. But from my experience, the best prepaid phone plans not only work for people who don’t use a lot of data, but they also offer unlimited data at a price that is much lower than other plans. You’ll get the most value without giving up the data you need with this personalized approach.
Best Prepaid Phone Plans Comparison Table
When we are conducting research on the best cell phone plans overall, we also take into consideration prepaid plans offered by both large and small carriers. Taking into consideration the price and the data, in addition to the type of coverage that you can anticipate, is necessary. In addition, we investigate the consequences that occur to your service when you exhaust all of your dat in a single month.
Price per month | Data | Network | 5G | Tethering | International calling | Contract | Family plans | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mint Mobile 15GB | $20 (3 months upfront) | 15GB | T-Mobile | Yes (limited availability) | Yes | No (add-on available) | No | Yes |
Visible | $25 | Unlimited (throttled after 50GB) | Verizon | Yes | Yes | No (add-on available) | No | Yes |
Metro by T-Mobile | $40 | Unlimited | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes (limited countries) | No | Yes |
AT&T | $50 (Unlimited) | Unlimited | Nationwide (AT&T and T-Mobile) | Yes | Yes | Yes (limited countries) | 12 months | Yes |
Verizon | $50 (Unlimited) | Unlimited | Nationwide | Yes | Yes | Yes (limited countries) | 12 months | Yes |
Best Prepaid Phone Plans
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are the big three wireless carriers. They offer great deals on new phones and high-end services, but for many people, the deals are not worth the high prices and multi-year contracts. A prepaid plan, on the other hand, gives most people all the speed and coverage they need for a lot less money. You won’t have to give up coverage to save money with prepaid carriers because they get their coverage from one or more big carriers.
Mint Mobile 15GB

Feature | Details |
---|---|
Data | 15GB high-speed data |
Network | Uses T-Mobile’s network |
Plan Type | Prepaid |
Mobile Hotspot | Included |
International Calls | Available at additional cost |
Wi-Fi Calling | Supported |
Visit Website |
Take advantage of Mint Mobile’s 15GB plan to get out from under contracts and huge bills. This Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) uses T-Mobile’s network to offer lightning-fast 5G speeds for just $20 a month. You can get this great deal, but keep in mind that you have to commit to 3–12 months in advance and can’t just pay each month. Perfect for smart users who care about both data and money.
The Good
- Cost-effective prepaid plan
- Utilizes T-Mobile’s extensive network
- Includes mobile hotspot feature
- Wi-Fi calling supported
The Bad
- Additional cost for international calls
Visible

Feature | Details |
---|---|
Unlimited Data | Unlimited high-speed data |
Network | Runs on Verizon’s 4G LTE network |
Plan Type | Prepaid |
Mobile Hotspot | Included |
Unlimited Hotspot | Capped at 5 Mbps |
Party Pay | Group savings with Party Pay |
Visible offers unlimited 5G and hotspot for a flat $30 per month, which sounds like a great deal if you can’t get enough data. Verizon’s network gives you unlimited data with no contracts or tricks. You can stream and share without limits, but be smart and make downloads your top priority on Wi-Fi to avoid possible speed limits.
The Good
- Unlimited high-speed data
- Utilizes Verizon’s reliable 4G LTE network
- Mobile hotspot included
- Affordable group savings with Party Pay
The Bad
- Hotspot speed capped at 5 Mbps
Metro by T-Mobile

Feature | Details |
---|---|
Data | Various plans available |
Network | Uses T-Mobile’s network |
Plan Type | Prepaid and postpaid plans |
Amazon Prime | Included in select plans |
Google One | Included in select plans |
Music Streaming | Some plans offer unlimited streaming |
Metro by T-Mobile’s 15GB of 5G data for $30 a month on a reliable network is the best deal when it comes to price and performance. You can get extra benefits like family plans and financing for devices. Metro is more flexible and comes with extra network features than Mint, but it is not as cheap.
The Good
- Diverse range of plans to choose from
- Access to T-Mobile’s robust network
- Inclusion of Amazon Prime and Google One in select plans
- Unlimited music streaming in some plans
The Bad
- Features like Amazon Prime and Google
- One not available in all plans
AT&T

Feature | Details |
---|---|
Data | Various plans available |
Network | Utilizes AT&T’s extensive network |
Plan Type | Prepaid and postpaid plans |
HBO Max | Included in select plans |
5G Access | Available in some plans |
International Roaming | Available at additional cost |
AT&T is introducing a 15GB 5G plan that will cost $50 per month and will allow you to take advantage of the full potential of their robust network. In exchange for rock-solid coverage and lightning-fast speeds, you should anticipate paying a higher price, which may not be feasible for individuals who are watching their spending.
The Good
- Relies on AT&T’s expansive network
- HBO Max included in select plans
- 5G access available in some plans
The Bad
- International roaming comes with an additional cost
Verizon

Feature | Details |
---|---|
Data | Various plans available |
Network | Utilizes Verizon’s extensive network |
Plan Type | Prepaid and postpaid plans |
5G Ultra Wideband | Available in some plans |
Disney+ | Included in select plans |
Apple Music | Included in select plans |
There is no other plan in the country that offers better 5G coverage than Verizon’s 15GB plan, which costs an additional $70 per month. If you are looking for unrivalled coverage and dependability, Verizon is the company to go with; however, it is more of a luxury purchase than a necessity.
The Good
- Varied plan options
- Leverages Verizon’s extensive network
- Access to 5G Ultra Wideband in some plans
- Inclusion of Disney+ and Apple Music in select plans
The Bad
- Features like Disney+ and Apple Music not available in all plans
How to Choose the Best Prepaid Phone Plan
Choosing the best prepaid phone plan requires taking into consideration your individual requirements, patterns of usage, and financial constraints. Here are some important considerations that will assist you in making an educated choice:
- Quality of the Network and Coverage: It is important to look into the prepaid carrier’s coverage and network quality in your area. It is important to have a reliable network so that call quality and data speeds stay the same. You could use carrier coverage maps or ask people in your area for suggestions.
- Availability of Data: Look at what data you need and how you can get it. It is recommended that you choose a prepaid plan that gives you enough data for how you usually use your phone. If you stream a lot of music or YouTube videos, you might need a higher data cap.
- Talk and Text Characteristics: Look at the talk and text characteristics that the plan gives you. Some plans might let you talk and text as much as you want, while others might have limits. Make sure that the plan you pick works with the way you like to talk to people.
- Roaming Internationally: If you plan to travel outside of your country, you should check to see if your prepaid plan includes options for international roaming. There are plans that offer roaming for free or at a low cost, which can be helpful if you travel to other countries usually.
- Data and its speeds being slowed down:Pay attention to the data transfer speeds that come with the plan. When you reach a certain limit, some plans might slow down your data speeds. You should think about getting a plan that gives you consistent speeds if you need fast data for your needs.
- The Agreement and the Commitment: One of the things that makes prepaid plans so flexible is that they don’t traditionally come with long-term contracts. But for longer-term commitments, some plans may offer discounts or promises instead. Believe in yourself enough to know how much commitment and flexibility you want.
- The Rollover and Expiration of Data: Make sure that the prepaid plan you’re thinking about has data rollover. This feature lets you use any data that you haven’t used in one billing cycle on the next. You should also think about the plan’s data expiration policy, since some plans may have strict rules about how long data that hasn’t been used can be kept.
- Using a Hotspot and Tethering: If you want to use your phone as a hotspot or for tethering, make sure that your prepaid plan comes with the right features. Different plans may have rules or extra costs when it comes to using hotspots and tethering.
Questions and Answers
First, the speeds of prepaid plans are slowed down because they are typically considered to be of low priority. In general, prepaid plans are an excellent option for individuals who are looking for a phone plan that is within their budget and do not require consistent access to high-speed data. It is possible that they are suitable for you if you are the type of person who only uses your phone to make phone calls or send texts.
A prepaid plan eliminates the possibility of unpleasant surprises, hidden fees, or lengthy contracts. One potential disadvantage is that the cost per gigabyte is higher. There is a possibility that not all prepaid plans include additional features such as the ability to use a hotspot. It’s possible that the network coverage is restricted in comparison to postpaid plans.