You're on a budget and looking for new ways to save money. Switching phone plans is a quick and easy way to spend less every month, especially with the abundance of affordable plans on the market. In this article, I'll tell you about the best cheap cell phone plans of December 2024!
Table Of Contents
Reasons To Get A Cheap Cell Phone Plan
You'll Save Money
It probably goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway. You can save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars every year by switching from an expensive unlimited plan to a cheaper prepaid plan.
Wi-Fi Is Available Almost Everywhere
Free public Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere, from restaurants to shopping centers to libraries. It's always best to use Wi-Fi when it's available. Connecting to public Wi-Fi means you won't have to use the cellular data on your cell phone plan.
If you find that you almost always have a reliable Wi-Fi connection, you may want to consider switching to plan with a lower monthly data allotment.
You Can Keep Your Phone
Most carriers give you the option to keep the phone you already have. If your phone is compatible with their network, they'll send you a SIM card in the mail. Just insert that SIM card into your phone and you're all set!
Before switching, it's important to make sure your current phone is compatible with the new carrier's network. Most carriers can help you check, so long as you know your phone's IMEI number.
If your phone is locked, trying contacting your wireless carrier. They may be able to unlock it for you. Check out our other article to learn how to get your phone unlocked by your wireless carrier!
Cheap Plans Have Unlimited Data
A lot of people sign up for unlimited data plans because they're scared of getting charged overages. This fear is understandable, but it's not really how most cell phone plans work anymore.
Most carriers now throttle data speeds instead of charging overages. This means that you can continue using cellular data at slow speeds, even if you exceed your monthly high-speed data cap. Your data speeds may become a slower, but it's preferable to surprise charges on your monthly cell phone bill.
Cheap Plans Are Usually More Flexible
Most cheap cell phone plans are prepaid with no contracts. This makes it easy to upgrade or downgrade your cell phone plan if your monthly allotment of cellular data isn't quite right for you.
A Quick Word About MVNOs
MVNO stands for mobile virtual network operator. These are smaller carriers that lease coverage from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. Since MVNOs don't have to pay to maintain a nationwide network, they're able to offer phone plans at lower prices.
Cricket Wireless, Tello Mobile, and TextNow are all examples of MVNOs. You may already be an MVNO subscriber!
Coverage On Cheap Cell Phone Plans
A cheap cell phone plan doesn't mean you're stuck with bad coverage. Before switching, make sure to check our maps to see which carriers have coverage in your area. It's a good idea to check your workplace, favorite vacation spot, and any other place you visit often too!
Many carriers have also begun offering 5G coverage with their plans. Sometimes it's free, but often you'll have to pay $5–10 / month. 5G isn't widely available yet, so we don't recommend adding 5G coverage onto your plan if your carrier is going to charge you for it.
Cheap Cell Phone Plans Under $30 / Month
| Carrier | Plan | Data | Talk & Text | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Prepaid | 8 GB | Unlimited | $25 / month |
| Mint Mobile | Prepaid | 4 GB | Unlimited | $15 / month |
| Tello Mobile | Economy | 1 GB | Unlimited | $10 / month |
| Consumer Cellular | Connect | 3 GB | Unlimited | $30 / month |
| Ting Mobile | Set 5 GB | 5 GB | Unlimited | $25 / month |
| Twigby | 3 GB | 3 GB | Unlimited | $10 / month |
AT&T 8 GB Prepaid Plan
The AT&T Prepaid Plan gives you 8 GB of high-speed data, unlimited minutes, and unlimited messages. It also includes mobile hotspot and rollover data
This plan is essentially an unlimited data plan. You can continue using cellular data at slower if you exceed your high-speed data cap.
What's the catch? You have to pay $300 upfront for a year of service rather than paying month-by-month. This works out to $25 / month, an incredible value for what you're getting in return.
Mint Mobile 4 GB Prepaid Plan
Mint Mobile's Prepaid Plan includes 4 GB of 4G LTE or 5G data, unlimited minutes, and unlimited messages for just $15 / month. You have to pay for 3, 6, or 12 months of service upfront, so your price will be $15 times the number of months you prepay for.
If you've never used Mint Mobile before, we'd recommend choosing the three month plan to see if they're a good fit for you. This cheap cell phone plan also includes mobile hotspot and unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada.
Tello Mobile Economy Plan
The Tello Mobile Economy Plan is a great option if you're on a really tight budget. This plan includes 1 GB of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text for $10 / month. You can use your cellular data for mobile hotspot.
Tello Mobile offers a variety of flexible, cheap cell phone plans, so it's easy to upgrade if 1 GB of data simply isn't enough.
Consumer Cellular 3 GB Connect Plan
The Consumer Cellular 3GB Connect Plan includes 3 GB of 4G LTE data, unlimited messages, and unlimited minutes for $30 / month. This is a prepaid plan with no contracts, and you can easily change plans if you need more or less monthly data.
Although a one-line Connect plan is slightly more expensive than the other cheap cell phone plans we've recommend, you can really see savings when you sign up for a two-line plan. It only costs $15 / month to add a second line. AARP members also receive a 5% discount when choosing Consumer Cellular.
Ting Mobile Set 5 GB Plan
Ting Mobile's Set 5 GB plan allows you to save money while enjoying the same perks as many of the high-cost plans available today. For just $25 per line per month, you'll receive 5 GB of data and unlimited minutes and messages. With no contract obligation, Set 5 GB customers can adjust their plan as needed throughout the month. Additionally, Ting won't charge for any data overages.
This plan comes with access to both 5G and 4G LTE networks, ensuring high data speeds almost anywhere! Included in its base fee is free international calling to more than 60 countries, and international roaming after three months of coverage. Any of this plan's monthly data can be converted to mobile hotspot, and any unused data rolls over to the next month. When you switch to Ting, you're able to purchase a new phone or bring your own device depending on your needs.
Twigby 3 GB Plan
The Twigby 3 GB plan is one of the most affordable plans we've ever covered, starting at just $10 per month. This plan features 3 GB of data, unlimited minutes, and unlimited messages. Through Twigby, customers can opt to increase their monthly data to 5 or 10 GB for an additional fee. When signing up, be sure to take advantage of the New Line discount, which gives you 50% off the first six months of coverage, to access the maximum amount of savings possible.
Want to save even more on your cellular coverage? Bring your own phone when you switch to Twigby! Once you sign up, you can monitor and manage your account details from the Twigby Mobile app. If you're looking for a small amount of data with a lot of savings, be sure to check this plan out! You might also be interested in taking a look at some of the other 24 plans Twigby offers, so you can be sure to find the perfect package for you.
Cheap Family Plans
Adding your entire family to one plan is typically less expensive than signing up for separate, single-line plans. Wireless carriers often offer multi-line discounts, usually ranging from $5–10 per line added. The more lines you add, the more you save.
It's also easier to keep track of monthly payments when you sign up for a family plan. Instead of three or four bills, there's only one!
Below, we'll tell you about some of our favorite cheap family plans. The Tello Mobile and Consumer Cellular plans mentioned above also support multiple lines.
| Carrier | Plan | Data | Lines | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Prepaid | 5 GB | 1–10 | $25 / month |
| AT&T | Prepaid | 1 GB | 1–5 | $30 / month |
| XFINITY Mobile | By The Gig | 1 GB | 1–5 | $12 / month |
Verizon 5 GB Prepaid
Verizon offers many different prepaid plans, but our favorite is the 5 GB option. It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited messages, and 5 GB of 4G LTE data. You can use your cellular data to turn your phone into a mobile hotspot. Any data you don't use gets rolled over to the next month too!
There are no overage charges on this plan. You can continue using cellular data at slower speeds even if you exceed the 5 GB high-speed data cap.
You can save on your monthly bill in a couple different ways. First, Verizon offers discounts when you enroll in autopay. This means your card on record will be automatically charged at the end of every billing period.
Verizon also offers a $10 / month multi-line discount. The more lines you add, the more the average price per lines drops.
AT&T 1 GB Prepaid
AT&T's cheapest prepaid family plan includes 1 GB of data, unlimited minutes and messages, HD video streaming, and mobile hotspot. You can also send texts internationally to more than one hundred countries.
The price per line of this plan really drops when you add lines to your plan. The average price drops from $30 / month to $18 / month when you add five lines!
XFINITY Mobile By The Gig Plan
XFINITY Mobile's By The Gig plan has a scaled pricing plan where your monthly bill is based on your data usage. 1 GB costs $12 / month, 3 GB costs $30 / month, and 10 GB costs $60 / month. Unlimited minutes and messages are included regardless of how much data you use.
One advantage of choosing XFINITY as your wireless carrier is their vast network of Wi-Fi hotspots. XFINITY customers have access to all 18 million of them, making it easy to cut back on monthly data usage.
This plan is a good option for people already paying for other XFINITY services, like cable or home internet.
Cheap Unlimited Cell Phone Plans
As we mentioned earlier, a prepaid cell phone plan is like an unlimited data plan, just with a lower high-speed data cap. However, if you find that you need a lot of high-speed data every month, here are some affordable options.
| Carrier | Plan | Mobile Hotspot | Data Cap | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Mobile | Multi-Month Unlimited | Included | 50 GB | $40 / month |
| Tello Mobile | Unlimited | Included | 25 GB | $39 / month |
| TextNow | Unlimited High Speed | Not Included | 23 GB | $39 / month |
| Mint Mobile | Unlimited Plan | Included | 35 GB | $30 / month |
| Visible | Single-Line | Included | Unlimited | $40 / month |
Ultra Mobile Multi-Month Unlimited
The Ultra Mobile Mutli-Month Unlimited Plan comes with unlimited messages, minutes, and data for $40 / month when you sign up for 12 months of service. This plan also includes it includes international calling, texting, and data, making it ideal for those who travel frequently or have family out of the country.
If you find yourself in a different area outside of your network, the roaming charges for this plan are $0.05 / text (outbound), $0.00 / text (inbound), $0.25 / minute, and $0.20 / MB.
Unlike other cheap unlimited plans, this one has a high-speed data cap of 50 GB. This is twice as much as the industry standard. Videos stream in DVD quality.
Tello Mobile Unlimited Plan
Tello Mobile offers a variety of affordable prepaid plans. Their unlimited plan is no exception. For just $39 / month, you get unlimited talk, text, and data. Tello's unlimited plan has a high-speed data cap of 25 GB, but you can continue using cellular data at 2G speeds if you exceed this threshold.
This plan includes mobile hotspot and unlimited calling to Canada and Mexico. Another reason we love Tello is because of how flexible their plans are. If you find that you don't need unlimited data, you can downgrade your plan.
TextNow Unlimited High Speed
TextNow's Unlimited High Speed data plan costs $39 / month and includes unlimited minutes, messages, and data. This plan has a 23 GB high-speed data cap. After reaching that threshold, your data speeds will be throttled for the remainder of the billing period. Unlimited calling to Canada is also included.
Mint Mobile Unlimited
The Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan is a great option, if you want an easily adjustable prepaid plan. They offer 3, 6, and 12 month options, so you can test out which one suits your needs. For a first time customer, this plan will come out to $30 / month with their Intro Offer discount.
This plan comes with 4G LTE speeds and a mobile hotspot, in addition to unlimited texts, calls, and data. Your data speeds will slow after 35 GB of high-speed usage, and 5 GB counts toward your mobile hotspot. Also, you can upgrade your 4G LTE to 5G speeds with an extra charge.
Visible Wireless Plan
If you're looking for a low-cost unlimited plan, be sure to check out the Visible Wireless single line plan! Visible is powered through Verizon's nationwide networks, which are some of the widest and fastest in the country. For just $40 per month, you'll enjoy unlimited data, talk, and text. This plan is also contract-free and comes with access to 5G data networks and unlimited LTE mobile hotspot.
Customers that switch to this plan can bring their own devices or purchase a new phone directly from Visible. If you want to save even more money every month, consider signing up for Party Pay. With Party Pay, you can connect up to 4 lines to a single plan, and significantly decrease the cost per line while you're at it!
Money In The Bank
You're now an expert on cheap cell phone plans and you know how to save money on your monthly bill. Make sure to share this article on social media to show your friends, family, and followers how much they can save by switching plans today.
Need helping picking out a cheap phone plan? Leave a comment down below!
Thanks
No problem! We’re happy to help!