Cutting Costs, Not Connections
If you were to ask anyone about their cell phone plans, the companies most commonly named would be Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T. However, many other options besides these are much cheaper. But, as of 2023, there are 1,001 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers businesses in the US. Sorting through these is no easy task, so we’ve prepared a list of the best free cell phone plans for you.
In our research, price was the main factor we considered. But that’s not all. We also looked at all the perks that mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) offer, such as traveler benefits, streaming and hotspot data. Besides the big names, we also evaluated the smaller cellular providers' network performance. So, let’s get straight into the comparison!
Exploring the 4 Best Free Cell Phone Plans
1. Mint — Editor’s Choice
Mint launched in 2016 and has since become one of the most popular smaller cellular networks. This is an excellent option for those wanting to keep their phone bill low—you can purchase a 3-month plan starting at just $15 per month as an introductory price. The most you’ll ever pay for a mobile plan offered by Mint is $30, and that includes unlimited data. In the different plans offered, you can choose between 4GB, 10GB, 15GB and unlimited data tiers.
Regarding the extras and perks, all of their plans include high-speed data, a free mobile hotspot so you can connect your laptop to the internet, unlimited text and talk and free calls to Canada and Mexico. Mint also offers a free one-week trial, so you can be sure before you purchase a package.
Pros
- Affordable pricing.
- Free one-week trial.
- Easy plan management.
- Free calls to Mexico and Canada.
Cons
- To get the best rate, you need to pay for a year in advance.
- Less coverage in rural areas.
- No discounts for additional lines.
- Unless you’re on Wi-Fi, Videos also stream at 480p.
2. Visible — Best for Rural Areas
Second only to Mint, Visible is an excellent choice if your priority is cellular coverage. This is essential in remote or rural areas. The company also claims that its coverage is nearly 99 percent of the US. This is no surprise since Verizon owns Visible.
The starting plan for Visible costs $25 for one line. Like most cell phone packages, this also comes with unlimited text and talk, 5G and 4G LTE coverage and unlimited data. However, since it is owned by Verizon, your network connection is tied to Verizon’s networks, which infrequently become congested.
Visible also offers another monthly plan for $45 that includes 50 GB of high-speed data, meaning no interruptions, and you can connect to Verizon’s 5G Ultra wideband network.
Pros
- Excellent network performance.
- 50GB of guaranteed high-speed monthly data.
- Affordable rates.
- Unlimited hotspot.
Cons
- No offers on additional lines.
- Only a 15-day free trial available.
3. T-Mobile — Best Unlimited Plan
T-Mobile has always been the first pick for families with its 'get-a-third-line' free deal, which is also available in their 'Go5G' plans, so if you’re a family of three or bigger, T-Mobile offers the perfect plans. The company also has over half a dozen unlimited data plans that start from $50 for one line, with increasing perks as you go up the price scale. You might want to pay extra attention to these as, besides the price, these offerings could help you decide which package is right for you.
Besides the 'Go5G' plans, T-Mobile also has a Magenta/ Magenta Max plan that’s significantly cheaper. In both Magenta Max and Go5G, users avail 100GB of data before speed is slowed down. Along with that, both plans include hotspot data, streaming options and travel perks. In the 5G plans, you get an exclusive, free Netflix Basic subscription along with unlimited hotspot data.
Pros
- Netflix included.
- Affordable price.
- Includes 50GB of regular high-speed data and 100GB of priority data.
Cons
- Standard definition streaming.
- A 5G allowance isn't much.
- Six unlimited plans, which can be difficult to choose from.
4. Google Fi — Best for Local and International Traveling
Even though Google has its own phone range, Pixel, Google’s wireless carrier is compatible with any phone so doesn’t matter if you have an iPhone or Samsung, Google Fi will work just fine. Google Fi would be a game changer to anyone who travels a lot or works remotely because you can buy small amounts of data and not pay much for it.
Currently, Google Fi Wireless offers three different plans at different pay tiers. The cheapest is the low-tier flexible plan. You can purchase 1 GB for $10, purchasing more if needed. This plan also covers one phone line for $20 per month. This way, you only have to pay for how much you use. If you need to use Google Fi while traveling, in the Flexible plan, international roaming is offered at the same rate as the domestic data so you won’t have to worry about paying sky-high prices.
The best part about this package is there’s a bill protection feature that makes sure you don’t pay more than $80/month for a single line if you exceed your data limit.
Pros
- International data roaming.
- A wireless carrier that’s optimized for Pixel phones.
- Affordable international calling.
Cons
- Less coverage and support for phones that aren’t Pixel.
- There are much cheaper phone plans offered by other companies.
- Connect Without Compromise
Free and Affordable
When deciding which carrier and what plan to opt for, identify what you want from the cell phone plan—low cost, high speed, perks and features offered. The easiest factor to consider is of course cost. Simply set a budget that you’re comfortable with and only consider plans that fall within it.
Besides cost, speed and coverage are what you should look at. If you go for a 5G plan, you might not get coverage in many areas, especially rural or remote ones. If you go for a very cheap package, you’ll compromise on speed and dealing with data caps. To get the most bang for your buck, opt for an affordable, but not too cheap, plan from any of the carriers we’ve listed above.
Read on to learn about some of the best budget internet providers.