Tello is an MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator, that offers low-cost cell phone plans on the T-Mobile network.
What makes Tello great is that their plans are customizable. You choose exactly how many minutes and how much cellular data you want with your plan.
The specific plan we recommend from Tello is their $7 plan. It includes 100 minutes, unlimited texts, and 1GB of high-speed data. This is perfect because of how low-cost it is at just 7 dollars, and it’s an ideal cell phone plan for kids or lighter data users.
If you find you need more data, you can upgrade plans on Tello at any time. For example, you could move to their $14 2GB plan or their $19 4GB plan, both configured with unlimited minutes.
As a nice bonus, all of Tello’s plans also include free calling to over 60 countries. That makes them a great option for staying in touch with family or relatives who live abroad.
Tello also supports important features like VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, hotspot, 5G access, and HD video streaming.
Mint Mobile earns our top pick for the best cheap cell phone plan because of its combination of affordability and features.
$15 gets you unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and 4GB of high-speed data from Mint Mobile. That’s almost double the data you get from T-Mobile Prepaid, which offers just 2.5GB for $15 with their Connect plan.
Mint Mobile is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile for coverage. That means you’ll get the same speed, coverage, and performance on Mint as you would on T-Mobile.
You might expect Mint to compromise on features for such a low cost. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Mint includes features like VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling for clear phone calls, visual voicemail for seeing your messages, mobile hotspot for sharing your data with your tablet or computer, and even 5G access on T-Mobile’s 5G network.
Plus, Mint offers add-ons for making international calls and getting international data if you choose to travel abroad.
So how does Mint offer their plans for such a low cost?
The main reason is that Mint Mobile sells their plans in 3-, 6-, or 12-month packages. Think of Mint like the Costco of mobile carriers. The longer you sign up for, the better price you get on your cell phone plan.
If the 4GB data package isn’t enough, Mint also offers a $25 plan with 15GB of high-speed data; plenty for more moderate to heavy users.
Xfinity Mobile is an excellent low-cost option for both individuals and families thanks to their by-the-gig plans.
Single-line users can get the $15 1GB plan, which is perfect for light data usage like browsing the web and getting directions.
Families can opt for the $60 10GB plan. While these plans may appear more expensive at first, they actually end up as super affordable options for families. That’s because you can share your cellular data with up to 10 lines for no extra cost.
A family of 4 sharing the $60 10GB plan would each get about 2.5GB per person and only cost about $15 per person as well.
If you need more data, the Xfinity’s unlimited plan for $45/month is not a bad option, either. The price drops to just $30/line with four lines, which is way cheaper than what the major providers are offering.
Xfinity Mobile sets their plans apart from other providers thanks to their feature support. All Xfinity Mobile plans include VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, mobile hotspot, and low-cost rates for making international calls or using your cell phone plan when you travel abroad.
Plus, Xfinity is one of two carriers to get access to Verizon’s fast Ultra Wideband 5G network, which boasts speeds of up to 2Gbps.
Additionally, by-the-gig customers get priority data. This means you’ll get faster speeds than prepaid subscribers when the Verizon network is busy, such as at a sports game, concert, airport, or other crowded environment.
Xfinity Mobile also lets you add tablet or smartwatch lines to your plan, which is something most prepaid carriers do not support yet. So it’s really a great option for people looking for a premium experience for a low cost.
Visible has become known in the wireless space as providing one of the best-value unlimited data plans in the industry.
They offer truly unlimited data for $40 per month, and the Party Pay group discount drops the price down to just $25 per month. All taxes and fees are included, so what you see is what you pay. It’s the best low-cost unlimited plan out there.
You may expect compromises with such an affordable plan, but Visible still includes the same features as more premium plans.
You get VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail, and unlimited hotspot data at 5Mbps.
Visible recently added new features to their plan, too, making it even better. You now get international calls to Canada, Mexico, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, and there is a new referral program that can drop your monthly cost to as low as $5.
Surprisingly, Visible even includes access to Verizon’s 5G network, with speeds up to 200Mbps.
Visible’s affordable price and premium features make it an excellent option for those looking for an unlimited plan on a budget. Read more about Visible in our Visible review.
