Discover affordable prepaid phone plans from Mint Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Metro, and more with coverage across US networks.
Mint Mobile: Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network and offers plans starting at $15 for 5 GB of data. The company gives you unlimited data for $30 per month sometimes on sale for less. Mint’s rates are low but it does not have smartwatch plans at all. International calling and data cost extra.
Cricket Wireless: Cricket is owned by AT&T and offers unlimited plans at $35 per month. The basic plan does not include hot-spot data which you can buy separately. Family plans get good discounts up to five lines. Cricket has many stores across the US where you can talk to people face-to-face.
Metro: Metro is owned by T-Mobile and charges $25 per month for Unlimited 5G plans. You get 35 GB of fast data plus unlimited talk and text. These plans do not support hot spots and international features cost extra. Metro has stores where you can visit for help.
Straight Talk: Verizon owns Straight Talk which sells plans starting at $45 per month for unlimited everything. You get 10 GB of hot-spot data and can call Mexico and Canada for free. But US Mobile and Visible give you more features for the same price.
TracFone: TracFone is also owned by Verizon and focuses on older people. Its plans cost more than most others starting at $20 for just 1 GB of data. Many plans let you keep unused data for later which is nice if you sometimes use more data than usual.
Ting Mobile: Ting uses the Verizon network and offers unlimited plans with low data limits. All plans include hot-spot data but international service costs extra. Smartwatches are not supported even though the company used to be more competitive.
Consumer Cellular: This company targets older adults and charges $20 per month for 1 GB of data. It often ranks high in customer satisfaction surveys. Consumer Cellular has 50 stores across the country and opened its newest store in July 2025.
MobileX: MobileX runs on Verizon and has both pay-as-you-go and unlimited options. The unlimited plans have limits on data and what you can do internationally.
RedPocket Mobile: RedPocket works with Verizon AT&T and T-Mobile letting you choose your network. It offers three simple plan choices from 3 GB to 50 GB of premium data. Only the largest plan includes hot-spot use but all plans give you some international coverage in about 80 countries.
Total Wireless: Verizon also owns Total Wireless which charges $40 per month for unlimited plans. These plans are okay but US Mobile and Visible still give you better value overall.
UScellular: UScellular was the oldest independent prepaid company in the US until T-Mobile bought it in 2024. You can still buy plans for now but it makes more sense to go directly to T-Mobile instead.