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
- Visible suits simple unlimited data, with $25 a month taxes included on the Verizon network.
- US Mobile suits network flexibility, with a choice of all three major networks at $25 a month taxes included.
- Mint Mobile suits upfront savers, with $15 a month effective on annual prepay on the T-Mobile network.
- Tello suits light users, with build-your-own plans from $5 and unlimited at $25 a month plus tax.
- Cricket suits AT&T coverage with store support, with Select Unlimited at $40, or $35 with AutoPay.
- Boost Mobile suits a locked price, with $25 a month with AutoPay and about 3,000 stores.
- Metro by T-Mobile suits retail help and perks, with plans from $30 a month taxes included.
- Google Fi suits international travelers, with a Flexible plan from $20 a month plus data on the T-Mobile network.
- Coverage varies by location, so pick the network that works best where you actually use your phone, then find the cheapest carrier on it. Taxes and fees matter too: Visible, US Mobile, and Metro include taxes, while Mint, Tello, and Google Fi generally add them on top.
Quick comparison
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The best prepaid phone services
Starting price$25/mo
Free planNo
Visible suits simple unlimited data, with a base plan at $25 a month taxes included on the Verizon network. It includes unlimited hotspot, though hotspot speed is capped at 5 Mbps, and there is no contract. Visible+ raises hotspot speed to 10 Mbps at a higher price, with a top Pro tier at $45 a month.
The limits are support and speed. Support is chat-only, data is deprioritized during congestion, and the base hotspot cap may not suit heavy gaming, 4K streaming, or large uploads. For simple unlimited data on Verizon, Visible is the best pick.
What we like- $25 a month taxes included
- Verizon network
- Unlimited hotspot
Watch out for- Hotspot speed capped at 5 Mbps
- Chat-only support
- Data deprioritized during congestion
Starting price$25/mo
Free planNo
US Mobile suits network flexibility, with Unlimited Starter at $25 a month taxes included and a choice of Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, with switching later if coverage changes. Unlimited Starter includes 20 GB full-speed hotspot, and phone support is available. Consumer Reports member ratings, based on a survey of more than 115,000 members, have put US Mobile at the top two years running.
The trade off is tier pricing. Unlimited Premium costs $44 a month, the Light plan offers only 2 GB at $8 a month, and switching networks takes setup. For network choice at a low price, US Mobile is the best choice.
What we like- Choice of all three major networks
- $25 a month taxes included
- Phone support
Watch out for- Unlimited Premium costs $44 a month
- Light plan only 2 GB
- Switching networks takes setup
Starting price$15/mo
Free planNo
Mint Mobile suits upfront savers, with Unlimited at $15 a month effective when paying $180 upfront for a year, or $30 a month on a 12-month prepay in some listings. It runs on the T-Mobile network with 20 GB full-speed hotspot, and a 6 GB plan starts at $15 a month. The lowest rates require paying for several months upfront.
The limits are taxes and commitment. Taxes are added on top of the advertised price, annual upfront payment is required for the lowest rate, and the price can rise after the introductory period. For the cheapest unlimited plan with upfront payment, Mint Mobile is the best pick.
What we like- $15 a month effective on annual prepay
- 20 GB full-speed hotspot
- T-Mobile network
Watch out for- Taxes added on top
- Annual upfront payment required
- Price can rise after intro period
Starting price$5/mo
Free planNo
Tello suits light users, with build-your-own plans from $5 a month and a 2 GB plan at $10 a month. Unlimited costs $25 a month plus tax on the T-Mobile network, with 10 GB full-speed hotspot. Tello also rated near the top in Consumer Reports member ratings.
The trade off is network and support. Tello runs only on T-Mobile, taxes are added on top, and support is online only. For light users who want to pay only for what they use, Tello is the best choice.
What we like- Build-your-own plans from $5
- 2 GB plan at $10 a month
- Unlimited at $25 a month plus tax
Watch out for- Taxes added on top
- T-Mobile network only
- Online-only support
Starting price$35/mo
Free planNo
Cricket suits AT&T coverage with store support, with Select Unlimited at $40, or $35 with AutoPay, taxes included. It runs on the AT&T network with about 4,500 stores, where staff can set up your phone or move your number in person. A Sensible 10 GB plan starts at $35 a month.
The limits are price and hotspot. Select Unlimited costs more than online-only rivals, and no hotspot is included on the Select tier. For AT&T coverage with in-store help, Cricket is the best pick.
What we like- AT&T network
- About 4,500 stores
- Taxes included on Select Unlimited
Watch out for- Select Unlimited $40, or $35 with AutoPay
- No hotspot on Select tier
- Higher than online-only rivals
Starting price$25/mo
Free planNo
Boost Mobile suits a locked price, with Unlimited at $25 a month with AutoPay, a price locked for life in its marketing. It runs mainly on the AT&T network with about 3,000 stores, and a top Unlimited Premium tier costs $60 a month.
The trade off is speed and taxes. Speeds drop to 512 kbps after 30 GB of premium data, taxes are added on top, and the network is mainly AT&T. For a locked price with retail stores, Boost Mobile is the best choice.
What we like- $25 a month with AutoPay
- Price locked for life
- About 3,000 stores
Watch out for- Taxes added on top
- 512 kbps after 30 GB premium data
- Runs mainly on AT&T network
Starting price$30/mo
Free planNo
Metro by T-Mobile suits retail help and perks, with a Basic plan from $30 a month taxes included and retail stores for in-person setup. Switcher promos start from $25 a month, and a Flex Unlimited Plus tier costs $65 a month. Metro is T-Mobile prepaid brand, with perks on higher tiers.
The limits are hotspot and network. The Basic tier includes only 2 GB hotspot, the top tier costs $65 a month, and the network is T-Mobile only. For retail help on T-Mobile, Metro is the best pick.
What we like- Taxes included
- Retail stores
- Switcher promos from $25 a month
Watch out for- Basic tier only 2 GB hotspot
- Flex Unlimited Plus $65 a month
- T-Mobile network only
Starting price$20/mo
Free planNo
Google Fi suits international travelers, with a Flexible plan from $20 a month plus data on the T-Mobile network and strong international roaming. An Unlimited Premium tier costs $65 a month, with a mid Unlimited plan between the two. Fi suits frequent travelers who want one plan across countries.
The trade off is cost. Taxes are added on top, Unlimited Premium costs $65 a month, and data costs add up quickly on the Flexible plan for heavy users. For international travel, Google Fi is the best choice.
What we like- Flexible plan from $20 a month plus data
- Strong international coverage
- T-Mobile network
Watch out for- Taxes added on top
- Unlimited Premium $65 a month
- Data costs add up on Flexible plan
How we chose
We compared single-line prices, networks, taxes, hotspot rules, and store support. Plans with taxes included scored higher than plans that add taxes, and plans with network choice scored higher for coverage flexibility. We favored plans with clear data limits and noted where speeds drop after a data cap. We did not test any plan hands-on, and prices here reflect published rates checked in October 2026, excluding temporary promotions.
Buying guide: what to check before you switch
Start with the network that works best where you actually use your phone, since coverage varies by location and the cheapest plan on a weak network is a bad deal. Next, check taxes and fees, since Visible, US Mobile, and Metro include taxes while Mint, Tello, and Google Fi generally add them. Check hotspot rules too, since Visible caps hotspot at 5 Mbps, US Mobile offers 20 GB full speed, and Cricket Select includes no hotspot. Ask about data deprioritization as well, since prepaid data slows during congestion on busy networks, and check whether your phone is compatible and whether you can keep your number. Finally, confirm the final price at checkout for your ZIP code, since promotions change often and Mint lowest rates require multi-month prepay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest prepaid phone plan?
Tello build-your-own plans start from $5 a month, with a 2 GB plan at $10 a month, while Mint Mobile Unlimited runs $15 a month effective on annual prepay. For unlimited data without upfront payment, Visible and US Mobile both cost $25 a month taxes included.
Which prepaid carrier has the best coverage?
Coverage varies by location, so no single carrier wins everywhere. Visible runs on Verizon, Cricket on AT&T, Mint and Tello on T-Mobile, and US Mobile lets you pick any of the three and switch later. Check which network works best where you live before choosing.
Do prepaid plans include taxes and fees?
Some do and some do not. Visible, US Mobile, and Metro include taxes and fees in the advertised price, while Mint, Tello, and Google Fi generally add taxes on top. Always confirm the total bill, not just the headline price.
Can I keep my number when switching to prepaid?
Yes, most prepaid carriers support number porting from your current carrier. Keep your old line active until the port completes, and have your account number and transfer PIN ready, since cancelling first can lose the number.
Is prepaid data slower than postpaid data?
Prepaid data can be deprioritized during congestion, meaning speeds slow when the network is busy. This matters most in crowded areas and at peak times. Higher tiers such as US Mobile Unlimited Premium and Visible+ Pro offer more priority data.
Sources we checked (0)
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.
Visible
US Mobile
Mint Mobile
Tello
Cricket
Boost Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile
Google Fi