Save big on your cell phone bill with one of the best cheap cell phone plans. Enjoy reliable coverage, essential features, and budget-friendly pricing without compromise.
Finding one of the best cheap cell phone plans can get your budget under control — at least when it comes to what you’re spending on wireless phone service. It’s not only possible to spend less than $40 a month for talk, text and data, you won’t even have to make many compromises
In fact, you can get an unlimited data plan for less than $30 each month. And there are tiered data plans that let you spend even less money if you don’t need a limitless pool of data.
Since I started researching the best cell phone plans for Tom’s Guide a decade ago, I quickly learned that the days of suffering with huge monthly payments because of a need for high data are long since over. The trick is to look beyond the big carriers for cheap plans, turning instead to some less well-known names who still have a reputation for reliable coverage.
According to my research, Mint Mobile and Visible have the best low-cost options under $40 — Mint, with a low-cost option when you pay for a year of service in advance and Visible with the best unlimited data plan for less. Also consider Boost for unlimited data if you’re looking for a rate guaranteed to remain in place for a long time. Meanwhile, Tello has the most flexible range of plans if you don’t need unlimited data, and if you prefer getting your coverage from a more established carrier, Verizon has one of the best prepaid plans.
Not everyone is ready to take a chance on a low-profile phone carrier, even though Mint and Visible use the networks of T-Mobile and Visible, respectively. So I also highlight the best cheap cell phone plans at AT&T and T-Mobile to provide you with a full range of options. And for context, I’ve include what other carriers offer for $40 or less each month.
Mint Mobile offers some of the most budget-friendly cell phone plans, with four options all under $30/month. The 5GB plan stands out as the cheapest at $15/month, delivering a solid amount of data plus unlimited talk and text. New customers enjoy this low rate for the first three months ($45 total). After that, securing the $15/month rate requires a full-year payment of $180.
If 5GB isn’t enough, Mint has other plans, including a $30/month unlimited option with no data cap—though it demands a $360 upfront payment for the year, which could be a hurdle for some. Powered by T-Mobile’s towers, including 5G, Mint provides reliable coverage wherever T-Mobile’s signal is strong.
| Monthly cost | Data |
| $15 | 5GB |
| $20 | 15GB |
| $25 | 20GB |
| $30 | Unlimited (no speed cap) |
Visible stands out alongside Mint Mobile as one of the few providers offering unlimited data for under $40, but Visible takes the edge with its $25/month price tag. Unlike Mint, which requires an upfront annual payment, Visible operates on a flexible month-to-month basis with taxes and fees already built into the rate. This makes its entry-level plan a top pick for anyone seeking unlimited data on a budget.
For those wanting more, Visible offers a Plus plan at $45/month, which includes premium perks like Ultra Wideband 5G and enhanced travel benefits. However, this exceeds our “cheap plan” threshold—unless you catch a promotion. Through March 31, 2025, you can use the code 35PLUS to drop the Visible Plus plan to $35/month, making it a compelling deal under $40.
The base Visible plan does come with trade-offs: speeds can be throttled during network congestion, and it lacks access to Verizon’s fastest 5G network. Visible Plus mitigates these downsides, but even without the promo, the standard $25/month plan is tough to beat for unlimited data at this price point.
| Monthly cost | Data |
| $25 | Unlimited (speeds can be slowed) |
| $45 | Unlimited (no speed caps) |
Specifications:
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid:
Verizon offers one of the best cheap prepaid phone plans under $40 with its 15GB option, provided you enroll in autopay to drop the price from $45 to $35 per month. This plan delivers a robust 15GB of data—plenty for most users, as the average person consumes 6GB or less monthly. You can also use this data for hotspot tethering, a handy bonus.
Travelers will appreciate the ability to use talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico, though it’s capped at 50% of your total usage over 60 days. While 5G access is included, it’s not Verizon’s fastest Ultra Wideband network, which is reserved for pricier plans.
Compared to unlimited plans from budget carriers like Mint and Visible, Verizon’s tiered prepaid option is more expensive, even with the discount. However, it’s a strong choice if you value Verizon’s reliable network over the lowest possible cost. Verizon also offers unlimited prepaid plans, but they exceed our $40 threshold and aren’t as competitive as alternatives from Mint or Visible.
| Monthly cost | Data |
| $35 | 15GB |
| $50 | Unlimited |
| $60 | Unlimited + Ultra Wideband 5G |
Today’s budget-friendly cell phone plans often come with the risk of future price increases, but Boost Mobile’s $25 Forever Plan eliminates that worry. For just $25 a month, you get unlimited data at a rate that competes with Visible’s cheapest offering and undercuts Mint Mobile’s best monthly deal. Best of all, Boost guarantees this price for as long as you stay with them — a rare perk in the wireless world.
There are a few trade-offs to consider with this budget-friendly plan. Unlike Boost’s pricier tiers, the $25 option doesn’t include extras like hotspot data or cover taxes and fees. Additionally, once you exceed 30GB of high-speed data in a month, your speeds will be throttled until the next billing cycle.
Boost operates its own growing network, supplemented by AT&T and T-Mobile towers for broader coverage. Our colleague John Velasco tested Boost’s service for 30 days and praised its fast, reliable performance on the Boost network. He also noted that setup was straightforward and hassle-free.
To sweeten the deal, Boost frequently offers promotions, such as a current deal that drops the plan to $15/month for the first three months when you switch to the carrier. If you’re looking for an affordable, no-surprises unlimited plan, the $25 Forever Plan is tough to beat.
| Monthly cost | Data |
| $25 | Unlimited (30GB cap before speeds are slowed) |
| $50 | Unlimited (40GB cap before speeds are slowed) |
| $60 | Unlimited (50GB cap before speeds are slowed) |
Tello, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), offers a variety of plans starting as low as $9 for 1GB and scaling up to $29 for unlimited data. For most users, the 10GB plan strikes an ideal balance, providing ample data at just $19 per month—perfect for staying under the $20 budget.
Every Tello plan includes unlimited talk by default, but you can tweak your talk minutes to save a bit more. Options include 500, 300, 100, or even zero minutes. For instance, pairing 10GB with 300 minutes drops the price to $17/month.
While Tello doesn’t overload on extras, it does offer free calls to over 60 countries, a handy perk for international connections. Coverage runs on T-Mobile’s robust network, complete with 5G access. If you hit your 10GB limit, you’ll need to refill your data or buy an add-on, but Tello’s flexibility shines here—you can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime.
| Monthly cost | Data |
| $8 | Talk & text only |
| $9 | 1GB |
| $10 | 2GB |
| $14 | 5GB |
| $19 | 10GB |
| $24 | 15GB |
| $25 | Unlimited |
| Cost | Data | Data cap reached | |
| Mint Mobile | $15/month | 5GB | Data slowed to 128 Kbps |
| Visible | $25/month | Unlimited | Speeds can be slowed whenever Verizon’s network is congested |
| Verizon | $35/month | 15GB | Data slowed to 128 bps |
| Boost Mobile | $25/month | Unlimited | Data slowed down to 512 Kbps |
| Tello | $19/month | 10GB | Data refill required |
Finding the cheapest mobile phone plan depends on your needs, whether it’s unlimited calls, data, or a balance of both. Prepaid plans are often the most budget-friendly, offering flexibility without long-term commitments. If you need unlimited data, MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) provide affordable alternatives to major carriers. Always compare plans based on coverage, data limits, and hidden fees to get the best deal. Choosing the right plan ensures maximum savings without compromising on essential features.
Cheapest mobile phone plans typically start at around $10–$15 per month, depending on the carrier. Providers like Mint Mobile, Tello, and Republic Wireless offer affordable prepaid options with limited data and unlimited calls/texts.
Some of the best low-cost carriers include Mint Mobile, Tello, US Mobile, and Visible. These MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offer budget-friendly plans on major networks like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
Yes, prepaid plans are usually cheaper since they don’t have hidden fees, contracts, or credit checks. They allow users to pay upfront, helping to control costs and avoid overage charges.
Yes, some MVNOs like Visible and Mint Mobile offer affordable unlimited data plans starting at around $25–$30 per month. However, speeds may be slowed after a certain data usage limit.
To reduce your phone bill:
Yes, many budget-friendly plans now include 5G access if your phone and network support it. Carriers like Mint Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile offer 5G at no extra cost.
Some budget plans may include taxes, activation fees, or extra charges for international calling. Always read the terms carefully before signing up.
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