Owning a cell phone is generally expensive, whether you have a smartphone or not. Between texting, calling minutes, and data for internet usage, many different costs are associated with having a phone plan. Luckily, you actually have more choices than ever. Right now, there are many independent mobile providers that offer cheap monthly phone plans that allow you to only pay for what you need. So, if you have been on the hunt for an affordable phone plan, this article has you covered.
What Are the Limitations of Cheap Cell Phone Plans?
Cheap cell phone plans typically charge you only for what you want or need. For example, if you only need one line, you will only pay for that one line. If you only need a certain number of calling minutes or texts every month, that’s what you’ll pay for.
This can be an excellent way to save money. But beware! If you go over your allotted amount, you will have to pay a fee or additional costs for the additional charges you incur during the month. While some cheap phone plans could have unlimited usage, it’s not typical.
What Add-Ons Can You Get?
Most phone plans have the option of adding whatever additional services you’d like, whether you want more minutes, more texts, or more data. Additionally, you can add international calling or texting plans if you need to get in touch with people outside of the US. Some phone plans will also offer the ability to add additional data to your personal hotspot so that you can power your laptop or the internet on other devices outside your WiFi network.
Now that we’ve discussed some of the limitations and add-one of the most inexpensive phone plans, we’re going to go through several popular cheap phone plans and give you the pros, cons, and costs of each.
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile prides itself on being one of the country’s preeminent affordable mobile providers. Currently, they are offering a deal for new members for three months where you can get unlimited talk and text as well as 4GB of LTE data for $15 a month. You can also get 10GB of LTE data for $20 a month, 15GB of data for $25 a month, or unlimited data for $30 per line. In addition, you can either bring your current phone or buy a new one with Mint Mobile. For example, the new Apple iPhone 14s can be purchased for as little as $77 a month!
Tello Economy
Tello Economy has four different plans for those looking for an affordable option in cell service, and they vary based on whether you’d like more minutes, more texts, or more data. The economy plan provides 1GB of data as well as unlimited texts and calls for just $10 a month. The value plan offers 2GB of data with unlimited talk and text for just $14 a month. Finally, the smart plan includes 5GB of data with unlimited talk and text for $19 a month. Customers can also opt for an unlimited plan that gets you all three unlimited for $29 a month.
Visible Unlimited
Visible by Verizon is a new plan for smartphones. Visible offers two distinct programs for those seeking a more affordable cellular option. The first is the basic Visible plan. This one provides all the basics for $30 a month with taxes and fees included. This plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data, an unlimited mobile hotspot, spam protection, and unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada.
The Visible+ plan offers even more benefits for $45 a month. You’ll get everything offered in the basic plan plus unlimited 5G ultra-wideband, premium network experience, unlimited data roaming in Canada and Mexico, international calling from the US to 20+ countries, and international texting from the US to 200+ countries.
Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular offers wireless customers affordable, flexible plans with no contract. Consumer Cellular is privately-owned and 100 percent US-based, having been around for more than 25 years. All of Consumer Cellular’s plans include unlimited talk and text with varying levels of data. For example, for $20 a month, you can get 1GB of data. For $25 a month, you can get 5GB of data. The increments of data increase until you get up to unlimited data, which is $50 a month, including unlimited talk and text.
Total Wireless
Total Wireless, now Total by Verizon, offers no-contract plans for as little as $30 per line per month. Total by Verizon also has a great line of smartphones you can choose from when starting your own line. For $30 a month, you can get unlimited talk and text with 5GB of data and 5GB of mobile hotspot data. For $40 a month, you can get unlimited talk and text with 15GB of data and 15GB of mobile hotspot data. For $50 a month, you can get unlimited talk, text, and data and 20GB of mobile hotspot data. Finally, for $60 a month, you can get unlimited talk, text, and data with unlimited talk and text to 59 countries. Additionally, Disney+ is included in this plan.
Gen Mobile
Gen Mobile considers itself the best deal in Wireless. Right now, they have an extra special offer for new customers: buy any three-month plan, save up to 20 percent and waive the $39 activation fee. Data plans start at just $10 a month with no annual contract, America’s largest 4G LTE data network, unlimited US and international text, free mobile hotspot, and a free self-service app. Additionally, they have unlimited international calling plans starting at just $13 a month.
Ting
Switching from another provider to Ting mobile is incredibly easy. All you need to do is either buy a new phone or bring your own phone, get a SIM card for free at a store—or have it shipped for just $1—and activate one of their pay-as-you-go data plans! They have three main plans: the Set 5, the Set 12, and the unlimited. The Set 5 gives you 5GB of data (which can all be used as a hotspot), the Set 12 gives you 12GB of data (eight of which can be used as a hotspot), and the unlimited gives you unlimited text, talk, and data.
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless is one of the most popular independent, affordable mobile providers. They have reliable nationwide 5G coverage, affordable rates for prepaid phones, and no contracts required! Right now, you can even get a Samsung A03 for free when you sign up for their $60 monthly unlimited plan. They have 5G coverage on every one of their plans, with rates starting at just $25 a month per line for plans with four lines or more. J.D. Power also named Cricket the #1 mobile network in Customer Experience and #1 in Purchase Experience.
Boost Mobile
Finally, Boost Mobile uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks to deliver reliable 5G coverage to their customers across the United States. They offer both pay-as-you-go and prepaid phone plans starting at just $25 a month per line for unlimited talk, text, and data coverage. New customers can even earn a deal for just $5 a month to add 5GB of data to an unlimited talk and text plan.
Inflation is rough. So saving money on utilities is extremely important to most of us right now. While you might feel that the major cell phone providers have a monopoly over you, options are available! Hopefully, some of these providers have enticed you with their exciting deals, and you now know some of the best places to find affordable cellular coverage regardless of where you are in your financial journey.
