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For most people, the strongest cheap-plan choices in 2026 are Tello for light use, Visible for simple unlimited service, US Mobile for network flexibility, and Cricket or Mint Mobile when annual prepayment makes sense. The right choice depends on how much data you use, which network works at your home and workplace, and whether you need hotspot or international service.
Best cheap cell phone plans at a glance
| Best for | Plan | Price | Network | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost light use | Tello, 2GB | $10 per month, plus taxes and surcharges | T-Mobile | Only 2GB of data; hotspot equals the plan’s data allowance |
| More data near $15 | Tello, 10GB | $10 per month for three months, then $15 | T-Mobile | Introductory price applies to new lines; taxes extra |
| Cheap unlimited month to month | Visible | $25 per month, taxes included | Verizon | Base-plan data may slow during congestion; hotspot up to 5Mbps |
| Unlimited with priority data | Visible+ | $35 per month, taxes included | Verizon | Costs more than base Visible; hotspot up to 10Mbps |
| Switching between networks | US Mobile Unlimited Starter | $22.50 monthly, or $199 for the first year | Customer-selectable | 70GB high-speed limit on Warp and Light Speed; 20GB hotspot |
| AT&T network with annual payment | Cricket 12-Month Unlimited | $300 upfront, equivalent to $25 monthly | AT&T | No hotspot; new single line and compatible phone required |
| T-Mobile network with annual payment | Mint 17GB | $240 upfront for 12 months, equivalent to $20 monthly | T-Mobile | Taxes and fees extra; annual renewal required for this rate |
| Unlimited annual service | Visible annual | $275 per year, about $23 monthly | Verizon | Prepaid; hotspot remains limited to 5Mbps |
| Pay for the data you use | Google Fi Flexible | $20 monthly plus $10 per GB | T-Mobile-based | Usually becomes expensive above 2GB to 3GB |
Prices and promotions can change. The figures above are the published prices checked August 8, 2026, and should be confirmed before purchase.
1. Tello: the cheapest option for light data use
Tello is the best starting point if you mainly call, text, use Wi-Fi, and need only a small mobile-data allowance. Its 2GB plan with unlimited talk and text costs $10 per month before taxes and surcharges. Tello uses T-Mobile’s network.
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- WHAT YOU GET: Three (3) months of unlimited talk, text, and data delivered on the nation's largest 5G network. Data speeds may slow after 50GB when network is busy but data is unlimited. Videos stream at 480p.
- OH, YOU GET THIS TOO: 5G for Free + free mobile hotspot + Wi-Fi calling and text + free international calls to Mexico and Canada
- HOW YOU GET IT: The SIM Kit comes with a 3-in-1 SIM card that includes standard/micro/nano sizes, insert the SIM into your device, and activate on the Mint Mobile website or app. You can activate service on your own unlocked device with our Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program. Check your coverage and phone compatibility on the Mint Mobile website.
- WHO SHOULD GET IT: Anyone who hates their phone bill
- WHY YOU SHOULD GET IT: Mint Mobile took what’s wrong with wireless and made it right. We re-imagined the wireless shopping experience and made it easy and online.
The 2GB plan includes hotspot data equal to the plan’s data allowance. Tello also includes international calling to more than 60 countries, although the exact destinations and rules vary.
If 2GB is too restrictive, Tello’s 10GB plan is advertised at $10 per month for the first three months and then rises to $15. That is a useful option for moderate users, but the renewal price—not the introductory rate—is the figure to use in a long-term budget.
Tello’s important billing catch
Tello adds taxes and regulatory surcharges based on your billing address. To see the total, select the plan, go through checkout, enter your billing information, and click “Calculate Taxes.” The final amount appears in the blue box on the right.
Be careful when changing plans. Tello starts the new plan immediately, charges the full new-plan price, and resets the 30-day billing cycle. You cannot schedule a plan change for the next billing period.
2. Visible: the simplest cheap unlimited plan
Visible’s base plan costs $25 per month with taxes and fees included. It provides unlimited talk, text, data, and hotspot service on Verizon’s network, making it one of the easiest cheap plans to budget.
The trade-off is network priority. Base Visible data may be temporarily slower than other Verizon traffic when the network is congested. Video is limited to up to 480p, and hotspot speeds are capped at up to 5Mbps.
Visible is a good fit for someone who wants one predictable bill and does not want to monitor data usage. It is also a practical choice for heavy smartphone users who do not regularly need high-speed tethering.
Rank #2
- STAY CONNECTED WORLDWIDE: Unlimited calling from the U.S. to 90+ international destinations including India, Mexico, Canada, China, the U.K. and more.
- RELIABLE NATIONWIDE COVERAGE: Enjoy 8GB of high-speed 5G/4G LTE data on the T-Mobile 5G Network.
- TRAVEL ACROSS NORTH AMERICA: Unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada plus international roaming credit.
- BRING YOUR OWN PHONE: Activate your compatible unlocked phone with the included 3-in-1 SIM card or eSIM. Keep your number or get a new one.
- NO CONTRACTS: Prepaid wireless with no annual contracts, no credit checks, and no hidden fees.
When Visible+ is worth the extra $10
Visible+ costs $35 per month, including taxes and fees. It includes unlimited premium data on Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G, and 4G LTE, plus hotspot speeds up to 10Mbps and one Global Pass day per month.
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For someone who frequently uses data in crowded places—such as city centers, stadiums, or commuter routes—the premium-data treatment may matter more than a small difference in monthly price. Visible+ Pro is also listed at $45 monthly, but it is harder to justify as a budget plan unless you need its additional features.
Visible also offers annual service. The base annual plan costs $275 upfront, or about $23 per month. That is cheaper than paying $25 monthly, but it ties up the full payment in advance and keeps the base plan’s 5Mbps hotspot limit.
3. US Mobile: best if you want network flexibility
US Mobile’s Unlimited Starter costs $22.50 per month, with taxes and fees included. A current new-line annual offer costs $199 for the first year, equivalent to roughly $16.60 per month. The annual price renews at the regular rate, so record the renewal date before signing up.
The distinctive feature is network choice. US Mobile lets customers select among its available networks, which can be valuable if Verizon works best at home but another network performs better at work or while traveling.
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Unlimited Starter includes 20GB of hotspot data. However, “unlimited” does not mean unlimited high-speed data on every network: high-speed data is capped at 70GB on Warp and Light Speed. The plan notes say Dark Star provides unlimited high-speed data. Standard data priority applies.
The first two network transfers are free; subsequent transfers cost $2 each on Unlimited Starter. A Multi-Network add-on is listed at $7.50 per month.
Rank #3
- We recently increased high-speed data allotments on every plan (but kept the same low pricing)! You may see a 5GB sticker on the front of your 6GB SIM Kit, rest assured your plan will have all 6GB of data loaded each month.
- WHAT YOU GET: Three (3) months of unlimited talk and text + 6GB of 5G-4G LTE data each month delivered on the nation's largest 5G network.
- OH, YOU GET THIS TOO: 5G for Free + free mobile hotspot + Wi-Fi calling and text + free international calls to Mexico and Canada
- HOW YOU GET IT: The SIM Kit comes with a 3-in-1 SIM card that includes standard/micro/nano sizes, insert the SIM into your device, and activate on the Mint Mobile website or app. You can activate service on your own unlocked device with our Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program. Check your coverage and phone compatibility on the Mint Mobile website.
- WHO SHOULD GET IT: Anyone who hates their phone bill
4. Cricket: the best cheap annual plan on AT&T
Cricket’s 12-Month Unlimited plan costs $300 upfront, which works out to $25 per month. Taxes are included, and the service runs on AT&T’s network.
This plan requires a new single-line account and your own compatible unlocked phone. It does not include hotspot service, and Cricket may temporarily slow data when the network is busy.
The annual plan cannot be combined with multi-line accounts, Auto Pay credits, device discounts, BridgePay, or add-on features. It is best for a person who already owns a suitable phone and wants a low annual cost on AT&T rather than a flexible family-plan setup.
5. Mint Mobile: good value if you can pay annually
Mint’s standard 12-month lineup is:
- 6GB for $15 per month, or $180 upfront
- 17GB for $20 per month, or $240 upfront
- 23GB for $25 per month, or $300 upfront
- Unlimited for $30 per month, or $360 upfront
Mint uses T-Mobile’s network and adds taxes and fees. The 17GB plan is a strong middle ground for people who want substantially more data than Tello’s low-cost tiers without paying for full unlimited service.
Mint currently advertises a new-customer promotion in which the plans cost $15 per month for the initial three-month term, requiring $45 upfront. That is an introductory offer, not the ongoing renewal price.
Mint’s Unlimited plan includes 50GB of high-speed data and up to 20GB of hotspot data. After 50GB, speeds may be reduced for the rest of the cycle in congested locations. Do not confuse the current lineup—6GB, 17GB, and 23GB—with older references to 5GB, 15GB, and 20GB plans.
6. Metro by T-Mobile: a low effective price with a major commitment
Metro advertises a six-month unlimited plan for $120 upfront, equivalent to $20 per month. It is for new customers who bring an eligible unlocked phone. Taxes and fees are included.
Rank #4
- NO CONTRACT: Pay $5 - $25/month for a fully customizable phone plan - choose your talk, text, and data with no strings attached; upgrade, downgrade or cancel your plan anytime with no penalties
- UNIVERSAL SIM CARD INCLUDED: The kit contains one three-in-one SIM card (nano, micro, and standard sizes) to fit most unlocked GSM-compatible smartphones
- NATIONWIDE 5G COVERAGE: Stay connected coast to coast with nationwide coverage on America's largest 5G network
- INTERNATIONAL CALLS TO 60+ COUNTRIES: All Tello plans include international calling to over 60 countries
- EASY ACTIVATION: Bring your own phone and activate your SIM on the Tello website; check your phone compatibility and coverage maps before purchasing to confirm service in your area
This is not a normal $20 monthly plan. The $120 payment is nonrefundable, and the offer can be lost if you change the plan or device during the prepaid period. After six months, you may renew on a $40 period plan or select another eligible option.
Metro also lists a regular $25-per-month AutoPay unlimited plan. The first month can be $30 before the AutoPay discount applies. Metro’s five-year price guarantee for eligible plans covers talk, text, and 5G smartphone data, but excludes add-ons, third-party services, per-use charges, and network-management practices.
7. Google Fi Flexible: useful only when your data use is very low
Google Fi Flexible costs $20 per month plus $10 per GB. Taxes and government fees are extra. Calls and texts are unlimited in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and data is available in the U.S. and more than 200 international destinations at the same $10-per-GB rate.
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| Data used | Base price before taxes and fees |
|---|---|
| 0GB | $20 |
| 1GB | $30 |
| 2GB | $40 |
| 5GB | $70 |
That makes Fi Flexible a poor bargain for most people using 2GB or more each month. It can make sense for an extremely light data user who values Fi’s international coverage and wants billing tied to actual usage.
How to choose the cheapest plan without choosing the wrong one
- Check coverage at the places you actually use your phone. Tello, Mint, Metro, and Google Fi use T-Mobile-based service; Visible uses Verizon; Cricket uses AT&T; US Mobile lets you select among available networks. The underlying network is only a starting point—priority, roaming, congestion, and local coverage can differ.
- Review your data history. If you use less than 2GB, Tello can be cheaper than unlimited service. Between roughly 5GB and 20GB, a Tello, Mint, or limited-data plan may offer better value. If you regularly exceed 20GB, compare unlimited plans and read their high-speed thresholds.
- Separate monthly prices from annual equivalents. A $20-equivalent Mint plan requires $240 upfront. Cricket’s $25-equivalent plan requires $300, Metro’s $20-equivalent offer requires $120 for six months, and US Mobile’s current annual offer requires $199.
- Add taxes and fees before comparing. Visible, Metro, Cricket’s 12-month plan, and US Mobile list taxes and fees as included. Mint, Tello, and Google Fi generally add taxes, surcharges, or government fees.
- Check hotspot requirements. Base Visible allows hotspot at up to 5Mbps, Visible+ at up to 10Mbps, US Mobile Unlimited Starter includes 20GB, Mint Unlimited includes up to 20GB, and Cricket’s 12-month unlimited plan has no hotspot.
- Check phone and switching requirements. Annual and promotional plans may require a new line, an eligible unlocked phone, or an upfront payment. Confirm that your phone supports the carrier’s network and is unlocked before porting your number.
What “unlimited” means on cheap plans
Unlimited talk and text is usually straightforward. Unlimited data requires more scrutiny. A plan may continue working after a threshold but at reduced speeds, or it may be deprioritized during congestion.
| Plan | High-speed or priority detail |
|---|---|
| Visible | Unlimited data, but base-plan data may slow during congestion; hotspot up to 5Mbps |
| Visible+ | Unlimited premium data on Verizon networks covered by the plan |
| US Mobile Unlimited Starter | 70GB high-speed data on Warp and Light Speed; standard priority |
| Mint Unlimited | First 50GB at high speed; up to 20GB hotspot |
| Tello Unlimited | 50GB high-speed data, then throttled data; 10GB hotspot |
| Cricket 12-Month Unlimited | May slow temporarily when the network is busy |
If you use your phone as a home-internet replacement, test the carrier before committing to a prepaid annual plan. A cheap plan is not a bargain if congestion makes it unusable where you live.
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- How does it work: The SIM Kit includes a 3-in-1 SIM card (standard, micro, and nano sim card) to fit all SIM Devices. Also it supports eSIM activation on Apple, Google, Samsung devices.
- eSIM: During activation, you can choose to use your physical SIM or switch to eSIM. The eSIM is available on iPhone 11 and newer models, Google Pixel 2 and higher, and compatible Samsung devices.
How much can you save by switching?
Moving from a $70-per-month postpaid line to a $25 plan lowers the service price by $45 monthly, or $540 per year before any phone financing or taxes. A $10 Tello plan would reduce the advertised service cost by $60 monthly, or $720 annually, although its taxes and smaller data allowance need to be included in the comparison.
Before switching, check for remaining device installments, promotional credits that would disappear, international features, and any employer or family discounts. Also download bills from the last three months so you can compare actual data use rather than guessing.
FAQ
What is the cheapest cell phone plan in 2026?
Tello’s 2GB plan with unlimited talk and text costs $10 per month before taxes and surcharges, making it the lowest-cost choice among the plans compared here. It is best for light data users. Visible’s $25 plan is the simpler choice if you need unlimited data and taxes included.
Is a prepaid annual cell phone plan worth it?
It can be worthwhile when you know the network works for you and can afford the upfront payment. Mint’s 17GB plan costs $240 for 12 months, Cricket’s unlimited plan costs $300, and Visible’s base annual plan costs $275. Compare the renewal price, cancellation rules, hotspot allowance, and eligibility requirements before paying.
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Which cheap phone plan has the best unlimited data?
Visible+ is the strongest straightforward option for priority data: it costs $35 monthly with taxes included and provides unlimited premium data on Verizon’s covered 5G and 4G LTE networks. US Mobile Unlimited Starter is also flexible, but its high-speed allowance is 70GB on Warp and Light Speed.
Do cheap cell phone plans include taxes and fees?
It depends on the carrier. Visible, Metro, Cricket’s 12-month plan, and US Mobile list taxes and fees as included. Mint, Tello, and Google Fi generally add taxes, surcharges, or government fees. Check the final checkout total rather than comparing advertised prices alone.
The Bottom Line
Best overall for most budgets: choose Visible at $25 per month if you want unlimited service, a predictable bill, and no annual commitment. Choose Tello at $10 if you use very little data, US Mobile if you need network flexibility, Mint if you can prepay for a year on T-Mobile, or Cricket if AT&T coverage is strongest and you do not need hotspot service.
Compare the renewal price, total after taxes, high-speed data limit, hotspot rules, and network performance at your regular locations before moving your number.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
