Top 10 Prepaid Phone Plans for Budget Users
If you’re tired of paying for bloated phone plans with features you never use, switching to a prepaid option might be the smartest move you make this year. Prepaid phone plans offer contract-free flexibility, low monthly rates, and often the same coverage as postpaid carriers—without the hidden fees. Whether you’re a college student, freelancer, or just looking to downsize your bill, here are the 10 best prepaid plans for value-focused users.
- Mint Mobile (Best Overall Value)
Mint Mobile is known for its low rates and fast-growing popularity. With plans starting at just $15/month (when you prepay for 3 months), you get unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of high-speed data.
Standout features: T-Mobile network, eSIM support, hotspot access.
Check Mint Mobile plans - Tello (Most Customizable Plan)
Tello lets you build your own plan—from $5 basics to unlimited data—and doesn’t charge for hotspot usage. Ideal for light users and families with different needs.
Network: T-Mobile
Explore Tello - Visible (Best Unlimited Plan Under $30)
A Verizon-owned carrier offering unlimited data, talk, and text for $25/month with taxes and fees included. Great for users who need reliable data for streaming and hotspot use.
Learn more at Visible - US Mobile (Best for Shared Data Plans)
US Mobile offers both custom plans and unlimited options, plus a shared data pool across multiple lines. Their dashboard is user-friendly and highly rated.
Network: Verizon and T-Mobile
Check US Mobile - Boost Mobile (Great for Promotions)
Boost frequently offers deep discounts on the first month of service, with plans as low as $5 for new users. Longer-term deals are available when you pay for multiple months up front.
Visit Boost Mobile - AT&T Prepaid (Best Major Carrier Option)
For those who want to stick with a big name, AT&T Prepaid offers solid nationwide coverage and multi-month discounts, like $300/year for 16GB/month.
View AT&T Prepaid options - Google Fi (Best for Travelers)
Google Fi uses T-Mobile and US Cellular networks and automatically switches to the best one available. It’s ideal for international travel, with simple global data pricing.
See Google Fi plans - Cricket Wireless (Best for Family Plans)
Cricket offers group discounts with unlimited plans starting around $25/line when bundled. You also get perks like HBO Max with some tiers.
Explore Cricket Wireless - Metro by T-Mobile (Best for Perks)
Metro includes features like Amazon Prime and 100GB of Google One storage with some plans. Plans start at $30/month for 5GB of data.
Check Metro plans - Consumer Cellular (Best for Seniors)
This AARP-partnered carrier offers straightforward plans starting around $20/month and top-notch customer service. Perfect for light users and seniors.
Visit Consumer Cellular
How to Save Even More
Many of these carriers offer gift cards or refill options that qualify for cashback rewards. If you’re paying out-of-pocket, consider using an app like Fluz to buy discounted Mint Mobile gift cards or similar prepaid services. That way, you’ll earn while you save—especially if you’re prepaying for 3, 6, or 12 months at a time.
Final Thoughts
Prepaid plans aren’t just cheaper—they’re smarter. With no contracts, low-risk pricing, and nationwide coverage, they’re the ultimate value play for anyone looking to take control of their phone bill.
