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Best Cheap Phone Plans for August 2024 [CNET]
Our Experts
Eli Blumenthal is a senior editor at CNET with a particular focus on covering the latest in the ever-changing worlds of telecom, streaming and sports. He previously worked as a technology reporter at USA Today.
Expertise 5G | Mobile networks | Wireless carriers | Phones | Tablets | Streaming devices | Streaming platforms | Mobile | Console gaming
Best for a single line with unlimited data
US Mobile Unlimited Flex for $17.50 per month (annually)
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Runner-up for a single line with unlimited data
Visible for $20 per month (with promo code CHAMP)
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Best for a family of four: $100 per month for four lines
Google Fi Wireless Simply Unlimited
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No one wants to pay more for something than they feel they should. Cutting expensive streaming subscriptions and resisting the temptation to eat out are a couple of ways to lower your regular costs, but there are a few things you can’t compromise on, like cellphone plans. Luckily, you don’t need to get rid of your service — you just need to find a cheaper one.
There are plenty of ways to do just that, from prepaid carriers such as Mint Mobile to cable companies’ mobile endeavors, like Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile and Charter’s Spectrum Mobile. All of them could be more affordable than an unlimited plan from AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile, especially after the price hikes. Cheap phone plans now also have many of the features traditional plans offer, including an unlimited option, and they often run on a larger carrier’s network.
There are dozens of phone plan options out there, and after covering the wireless industry for over a decade, I’ve listed a few for you to consider, as well as some other ways to save on your bill. Since there are so many options, things can quickly get unwieldy, so as with some of CNET’s other wireless carrier coverage, I’ll focus on options for a single line and for those looking for four lines.
Read more: Best Prepaid Phone Plans
Best cheap phone plans of 2024
Single lines with unlimited data
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Google Fi Wireless runs largely on T-Mobile’s network and its service includes 5G access.
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Google’s phone service has adjusted its pricing which makes it a bit less appealing compared to major providers. For a family of four, you can now get its Simply Unlimited plan for $100 per month ($25 per month, per line), which includes not only unlimited talk, text and 35GB of high-speed data but also 5GB of mobile hotspot use. It includes free roaming in Canada and Mexico, although taxes and fees aren’t included in the sticker price. This used to be $80 per month ($20 per month, per line) but Google has raised its pricing.
Google Fi Wireless runs largely on T-Mobile’s network and its service includes 5G access.
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AT&T’s prepaid brand has a decent deal if you’re looking for four lines: $25 a month for unlimited talk, text and data. A single line is $55 a month, but Cricket gives a solid discount if you’re willing to add more lines to the account.
Unlike Visible, this is a traditional-style family plan, where one person pays for all the lines, so you may want to do this with people you know and can rely on to pay on time. Though it’s nearly identical in price, Visible’s plan includes unlimited hotspot data, giving it the edge over Cricket. Like Visible, Cricket includes taxes in the price.
Cricket’s T-Mobile rival, Metro, has a similar four lines for $100 a month unlimited deal, but you’ll need to go through its Heritage plans and customer support to sign up.
Best for no or limited data
Text messages are also done through the company’s TextNow app, not through iMessage or WhatsApp, which makes sense because those services require data. A recent change from TextNow lets you get unlimited talk and text (through its app) as well as 1GB of data per month for a handful of apps, like Gmail, Waze, Uber, Lyft, Outlook, Apple Maps and Google Maps. All you need to do is buy a TextNow SIM card, which is a one-time $5 charge.
If you need more data, well, things will get expensive quickly. An unlimited data hour pass runs $1 per hour, a day pass is $5 and a month is $40. If you need data, you’re better off going with a different provider than TextNow.
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If you’re looking for service for a backup phone that’s rarely used, TextNow has a free plan. Running on T-Mobile’s network, the service offers free unlimited talk and unlimited texting, although ads are placed in its app that you use to call and text people. There isn’t any data included with this option, and removing the ads without adding data would run you $10 a month. If you want to watch YouTube, FaceTime or surf the web, you’ll need to connect to Wi-Fi.
Text messages are also done through the company’s TextNow app, not through iMessage or WhatsApp, which makes sense because those services require data. A recent change from TextNow lets you get unlimited talk and text (through its app) as well as 1GB of data per month for a handful of apps, like Gmail, Waze, Uber, Lyft, Outlook, Apple Maps and Google Maps. All you need to do is buy a TextNow SIM card, which is a one-time $5 charge.
If you need more data, well, things will get expensive quickly. An unlimited data hour pass runs $1 per hour, a day pass is $5 and a month is $40. If you need data, you’re better off going with a different provider than TextNow.
Know your area and which carrier runs on which networks
To get the best deal, you need to make sure you have the coverage that you need. Cutting costs won’t help if it means the service won’t work for you.
The US’ complex geographic variables make it hard for us to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier. T-Mobile’s service in New York may be excellent, but if you’re in rural Iowa, Verizon could be more reliable.
While your mileage may vary, the good news is that these networks are growing and improving all the time, particularly as the three major players continue the race to blanket the US with 5G. It’s quite possible that, a decade ago, you left a network complaining about its sparse service, but now it’s been beefed up because of that race to acquire customers.
If you know any friends or family in your area that already use the carrier you’re considering, ask about their experience. You could also go to a carrier’s store and see if they offer any free ways to try out the service before switching over, such as T-Mobile’s Network Pass. Verizon now offers a similar 30-day “Test Drive” program, while the Cricket prepaid service has its own trial program that lets you sample parent AT&T’s network.
Read more: Best Unlimited Plans
When it comes to prepaid carriers and mobile options from cable companies you should also check to see which network they are using. Mint Mobile, for instance, runs on T-Mobile’s service (and has been acquired by T-Mobile), while Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile and Charter’s Spectrum Mobile use Verizon. In these cases, downloading either of the two apps above could be a quick and easy way to try out T-Mobile or Verizon’s coverage in your area before you switch.
We have a list of a few of the major alternative providers and which networks they run on broken down here.
Picking a wireless plan and carrier is a very individualized process. What works for you and your family’s needs may be vastly different from your friends or neighbors. Even geographically, some areas have better AT&T coverage while others work best on Verizon or T-Mobile (and vice versa). The picks we make are based on over a decade of covering and evaluating wireless carriers, their offerings and overall performance.
In particular, we take into account the following:
1. Coverage
2. Price
3. Value
4. Perks
Since all three major providers blanket most of the country with good 4G LTE or 5G this is largely a toss-up on a macro level and why we recommend a variety of eSIM options for figuring out what works best for you in your particular location so you can best decide what is right for you. Looking at coverage maps on each provider’s website will likely show that you get good coverage even if your experience isn’t full bars or the fastest speeds.
This is also why with prepaid plans we specify which network each prepaid provider uses as they sometimes make that a bit difficult to figure out.
Value is factoring in the total experience you might get, such as how much high-speed data you get and what’s included in the sticker price.
Perks are add-ons beyond the core components of wireless service (talk, text and data). This could range from bundling in or discounting on streaming services to extra hotspot data or the ability to use your phone internationally.
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