How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Free trials let you test coverage at home, work, and commute before you port your number or pay.
- T-Mobile Network Pass and Verizon trials run on eSIM, so you can test a second network without losing your current service.
- Trial lengths and data caps differ, so check whether the trial throttles video, hotspot, or roaming before you judge speed.
- Keep your current plan active during the trial, since porting early can leave you without service if the trial fails.
- Test indoors, in basements, and on your commute, since coverage maps hide indoor dead zones.
Quick comparison
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best free trial phone service
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
T-Mobile Network Pass lets you try the T-Mobile network free for an extended period, usually around three months, using eSIM on a compatible SIM free phone. You keep your current number and plan during the trial, and a second line runs alongside it, so calls and data can be compared side by side. Coverage includes 5G in many areas, with speeds that depend on local network load and band support.
The trial needs an SIM free phone with eSIM support, which excludes older devices and some carrier locked phones. Speeds also vary, since a trial line may deprioritize behind paying customers in busy areas. For a buyer weighing a switch to T-Mobile, Network Pass gives the longest, most realistic test available.
What we like- Long trial period
- Full network access
- ESIM setup
Watch out for- Trial needs an SIM free eSIM phone
- 5G speed varies by area
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Verizon offers a free trial that runs on its network through eSIM, letting you test coverage, 5G, and call quality without changing your current plan. The trial includes a data allowance that covers normal use, plus calls and texts, so daily life can run on the trial line. Setup takes minutes in the Verizon app on a compatible phone.
Trial length is shorter than T-Mobile Network Pass, so plan your test week to cover home, work, and travel. An eSIM compatible SIM free phone is required, and some features may differ from a paid plan. For a buyer checking Verizon coverage in their area, the trial gives a clear, low risk answer.
What we like- Tests the largest US network
- ESIM setup
- Generous data allowance
Watch out for- Trial period is shorter
- Needs eSIM compatible phone
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Visible, owned by Verizon, offers a free trial on the Verizon network with simple flat rate plans after the trial ends. Setup runs through the app with eSIM, and the trial line works alongside your current service. Plans after trial include unlimited data, calls, and texts at one price, which suits buyers who hate surprise fees.
Data on Visible may deprioritize behind Verizon postpaid customers in congested areas, so speeds can dip at busy times. The trial period is limited, so test during your normal routine. For a buyer who wants Verizon coverage at a lower price, Visible trial shows what that trade off feels like.
What we like- Simple flat plans after trial
- Verizon network
- Easy app setup
Watch out for- Data may deprioritize
- Trial length is limited
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
US Mobile stands out by letting trial users pick between networks, so one trial can test the network that matters in your area. Plans after trial are flexible, with shared data, unlimited options, and perks that can be added per line. eSIM setup keeps your current number active during the test.
Trial terms, data caps, and network choice vary, so read the current trial page before you start. Support runs through app and chat rather than stores, which suits self serve buyers. For a buyer unsure which network covers their area, US Mobile trial lets the answer come from real use, not a coverage map.
What we like- Choice of networks
- Flexible plans
- ESIM setup
Watch out for- Trial terms vary by network
- Support is app and chat based
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Mint Mobile offers a short trial, often with a trial SIM or eSIM, on the T-Mobile network, followed by low cost plans that reward paying for several months upfront. The trial shows coverage and speed in your area, and the app handles activation and plan changes. For light and medium users, Mint plans after trial cost far less than major carrier plans.
Trial data is limited, so heavy users should test with WiFi nearby and watch the cap. Bulk pricing means the lowest rates need three, six, or twelve months paid upfront, which is a commitment after the trial. For a budget buyer on the T-Mobile network, Mint trial is a cheap way to confirm coverage before committing.
What we like- Very low cost plans after trial
- T-Mobile network
- Simple trial kit
Watch out for- Trial data is limited
- Bulk plan pricing needs upfront payment
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Cricket, owned by AT and T, offers trial options in many areas on the AT and T network, with simple plans and store support for buyers who prefer in person help. The trial lets you test AT and T coverage, call quality, and data speeds before switching, while your current plan stays active. Plans after trial include taxes and fees in the price on many tiers.
Trial availability and terms vary by location and promotion, so check the current offer before you rely on it. Speeds may deprioritize behind AT and T postpaid customers in busy areas. For a buyer who wants AT and T coverage with store support, Cricket trial is worth checking.
What we like- AT and T network coverage
- Simple plans
- Store support
Watch out for- Trial availability varies
- Speeds may deprioritize
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Boost Mobile offers budget plans with trial options that let buyers test coverage before committing, with app based activation and eSIM on compatible phones. The brand has moved between networks over the years, so current coverage depends on the network in your area, which makes a trial especially useful. Plans after trial suit light and medium users on a budget.
Trial terms and network vary by promotion and location, so confirm both on the current trial page. Support is mainly app and chat based. For a budget buyer who wants to test before paying, Boost trial gives a low cost way to check real coverage.
What we like- Low cost plans
- Multi network history
- Easy app activation
Watch out for- Network has changed owners
- Trial terms vary
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Google Fi offers flexible plans with trial options, and its service switches between networks where supported, which can improve coverage in mixed areas. International roaming and data features suit travelers, and the app manages plans, data, and billing clearly. Fi works best on Pixel phones, though many Android phones and iPhones are supported with some feature limits.
Trial terms vary, and multi network switching works best on designed for Fi phones, so check your model before you judge coverage. Data pricing is flexible, with pay per data or unlimited options. For a traveler or a Pixel owner who wants flexible service, Google Fi trial shows whether the switching and roaming features matter in daily use.
What we like- Flexible plans
- International features
- Multi network switching
Watch out for- Best on Pixel phones
- Trial terms vary
How we chose
We compared trial length, data allowance, eSIM support, network choice, plan prices after trial, and public user feedback on coverage and setup. We favored trials that run alongside your current plan, use eSIM for easy setup, and give enough data to test real daily use. No hands on testing is claimed, and prices are shown as See website where trial terms and plan prices vary by promotion and location.
How to run a phone trial properly
Keep your current plan active and test the trial as a second line, so a failed trial never leaves you without service. Test in the places that matter, at home, at work, in basements and lifts, and on your commute, since coverage maps hide indoor gaps. Run speed tests at morning, midday, and evening, and note video, call, and hotspot performance separately, since trials may limit each differently.
Porting, eSIM, and trial pitfalls
Check that your phone is SIM free and eSIM compatible before you start, since a locked phone blocks most trials. Do not port your number until the trial proves coverage, and confirm the trial end date so a paid plan does not start by surprise. Save screenshots of trial terms, data caps, and end dates, and set a calendar reminder two days before the trial ends. A careful trial week saves months of regret on the wrong network.
Comparing results across trials
Test trials one at a time with the same routine, so results compare fairly, and keep notes on signal bars, speed tests, dropped calls, and indoor coverage for each network. Ask family members on the same trial about their experience, since coverage varies by phone model and building. When one network clearly wins at home, work, and commute, switch with confidence, and keep the trial notes for the next time you move or travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my number during a free trial?
Yes, trials run as a second line on eSIM, so your current number and plan stay active. You only port your number when you decide to switch after the trial. Never port during the trial unless you are certain, since porting ends your old plan.
Do I need an eSIM phone for a trial?
Most current trials use eSIM, so a compatible SIM free phone is required. Some trials offer a physical SIM kit, such as Mint, for phones without eSIM. Check your phone model and carrier lock status before you start a trial.
Will trial data speeds match a paid plan?
Not always, since trial and prepaid lines may deprioritize behind postpaid customers in busy areas. Test at busy times as well as quiet times, and compare video and hotspot speeds separately. If trial speeds disappoint only at peak hours, a paid plan on the same network may still perform better.
How long do phone trials last?
Trial lengths vary widely, from a few days to around three months for T-Mobile Network Pass. Short trials suit a quick coverage check, while longer trials reveal weekday, weekend, and travel patterns. Plan your test routine around the trial length you get.
What happens when the trial ends?
Most trials end without charging you, but some convert to a paid plan if you do not cancel, so read the terms and set a reminder. Check whether the trial line closes automatically or needs cancellation in the app. Save confirmation of cancellation for your records.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.t-mobile.com
- https://www.verizon.com
- https://www.visible.com
- https://www.usmobile.com
- https://www.mintmobile.com
- https://www.cricketwireless.com
- https://www.boostmobile.com
- https://fi.google.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
T-Mobile Network Pass
Verizon Free Trial
Visible Free Trial
US Mobile Trial
Mint Mobile Trial
Cricket Trial
Boost Mobile Trial
Google Fi Trial