Turn to one of the best prepaid phone plans if you're looking for a way to get a handle on what you spend each month. With a prepaid plan, you pay in advance — sometimes up to a year in advance — which removes any chance of overage charges when your bill arrives. And prepaid plans usually cost less than postpaid plans from big-name phone carriers.

The quick list 2. Best prepaid phone plan overall 3. Best value plan 4. Best prepaid plan from a big carrier 5. Best prepaid unlimited data plan 6. Best prepaid plan for families 7. Cheapest prepaid plan 8. Best free prepaid plan 9.

Best variety of prepaid plans Best low-data prepaid plan What is a prepaid phone plan? What to consider Free trials How we pick the best prepaid plans. The trick to finding a top prepaid plan is to broaden your search beyond the major carriers. These services use other carriers' networks and cut back on perks to offer lower-priced plans.

For that reason, a prepaid plan doesn't necessarily mean settling for limits on how much data you get each month. There are very cheap plans aimed at low-data users, but our picks for the best prepaid phone plans also include unlimited data for a lot less than what you'd pay elsewhere.

When we research the best cell phone plans overall, we're also looking at prepaid plans from carriers big and small. That means considering price and data as well as what kind of coverage you can expect. Go with an MVNO, for example, and you might see your data speeds slowed if there's a lot of traffic.

We also look at what happens to your service when you use up all your dat in a given month. With that in mind, here are our picks for the best prepaid phone plans covering a wide array of prices and data allotments.

Best overall. Anyone of Mint's four prepaid phone plans would be an excellent choice depending on your needs, but 15GB is plenty for most people. Best value. Best big carrier plan. Verizon's best prepaid plan offers the most data of any big carrier for a reasonable monthly price.

Best unlimited plan. You can faster 5G coverage on Verizon's network and the ability to make overseas calls. Taxes and fees are included. Best for families. Metro by T-Mobile is one of the few carriers to offer escalating discounts as you add more lines to your plan.

Best low cost plan. It's hard to find a deal much cheaper than the Connect by T-Mobile offering, which currently includes 3. Each year through , T-Mobile adds another MB to the plan, which includes 5G coverage. Best free plan. TextNow doesn't actually charge for its phone service, letting you call and text on T-Mobile's network for free.

Data comes via Wi-Fi connectivity by default, but you can add extra data over cellular for a fee. Best variety of plans. We're focusing on the 5GB plan at Tello, as that's a decent amount of data, but the low-cost carrier has a whole range of offerings whether you need just 1GB or unlimited data.

Tello uses T-Mobile's network for its service. Best low-data plan. You also get MB of 5G and LTE data on T-Mobile's network for when you need data. Mint slows down your data when you hit your monthly limit, though you can buy extra data. Your service comes from T-Mobile's network and includes 5G coverage.

Pros: Very affordable price, free hot spot data Cons: Best prices require longer commitment. While you get unlimited data, your speeds will slow down to 1. Pros: Outstanding amount of data for price Cons: Requires you to prepay for a full year, speeds slowed significantly after 16GB.

Unfortunately, the loyalty discounts Verizon applies when you keep your prepaid account can no longer be combined with the autopay discount — it's either one or the other. Use up your data before the month is out and Verizon slows your coverage to 2G speeds.

Pros: Lots of data, great coverage and speeds, 5G coverage included Cons: Not the cheapest prepaid around; Ultra Wideband 5G requires a more expensive plan. Visible Plus customers also can make calls to more than 30 countries from the U.

at no extra cost and get up to 50GB of data without seeing their speeds slowed by Verizon. Pros: Very affordable, 5G unlimited data Cons: There are cheaper prepaid plans, no more discounts for multiple lines. With this plan, you get unlimited data though after 35GB of use, your speeds may be slowed as well as 5G coverage from T-Mobile's nationwide network and access to T-Mobile Tuesday giveaways for customers.

Pros: Uses T-Mobile's network, includes 5G, big discount right now on multiple lines Cons: Fewest perks of any Metro plan. T-Mobile Connect 3. Those MB bumps will continue through Just be aware that once you use your data for the month, you have to wait until the next billing cycle for more data; other prepaid plans usually just slow down your speeds when you hit your cap.

Pro: Low costs, MB data boosts annually, includes 5G service Con: Out of data once you hit your cap. TextNow 0GB Free - Free calling and texting It's hard to beat a monthly fee of zero dollars, but that's what you'll pay for unlimited calling and texting with TextNow.

You will need to pay 99 cents for a SIM card, and download an app for your iPhone or Android device, but once you do, you'll be able to call or text using T-Mobile's network.

There are some additional caveats — the app features ads, and if you want data, that costs extra. The service won't be for everyone, but bargain hunters can use it to stay connected for cheap.

Pros: No charge for unlimited talk and text Cons: App features ads, data costs extra. Void if not activated within 90 days from purchase. No cash redemption value. Devices sold for use on T-Mobile prepaid service are to be activated on that service, not transferred for resale, modification, or export.

When you bring your phone to Connect by T-Mobile , your contacts, messages, and everything else comes with you. may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle due to data prioritization.

Video typically streams in SD. Connect by T-Mobile is a prepaid wireless brand that provides wireless access at a low cost. Skip to main content Skip to footer. Affordable Prepaid. Shop now. No contracts. No credit checks. No complicated extras. Check it out. Coverage you can count on. Check your coverage.

Coverage not available in some areas. Flexible plans that fit your needs. Change plans whenever you want, without having to pay for costly frills.

Get started. Need international calling? Save on calls abroad with our plan add-ons. Find out more. Qualifying plan required. Not for extended use. Keep your phone and everything in it.

Features available until 30th day; if sufficient balance, services automatically renew at expiration. If balance is insufficient to renew all lines on your account for days, all lines will be suspended for 30 days.

for 30 voice min. After your account balance is depleted, then account is suspended. When you switch between plan options or renew a monthly plan, features or credits associated with your prior plan option will no longer be available, and you are not able to switch back to some plan options. Some plan options will not allow early renewal or permit use of features after included amounts are depleted.

If you transfer your number to another carrier, account will be deactivated and no service will be available. Video streams at up to 2.

Disable Data Maximizer at any time. Optimization may affect speed of video downloads; does not apply to video uploads. For best performance, leave any video streaming applications at their default automatic resolution setting. Partial megabytes rounded up. Smartphone and tablet usage is prioritized over Mobile Hotspot Service tethering usage, which may result in higher speeds for data used on smartphones and tablets.

Certain uses, e. Void if not activated within 90 days from purchase. No cash redemption value. Devices sold for use on T-Mobile prepaid service are to be activated on that service, not transferred for resale, modification, or export.

Qualifying service required. Calls must originate on our U. Must be direct communication between 2 people; certain numbers not included. See t-mobile. com for countries and rates; subject to change at our discretion.

Not for extended international use; you must reside in the U. and primary usage must occur on our network. Device must register on our network before international use. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming. When you bring your phone to Connect by T-Mobile , your contacts, messages, and everything else comes with you.

Capable device required. Coverage not available in all areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature. may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle due to data prioritization. Check availability. One discount per eligible household.

UNLIMITED 5G. Get the details. Need data for your device? Explore plans. Customize your plan. View add-ons. Frequently asked questions. What features do all plans include? Are there any taxes and fees not included with Metro by T-Mobile plans?

What Is ACP? I paid for my rate plan on-line. When does my service start? Does Metro by T-Mobile offer any family plans? What does Metro by T-Mobile offer for high speed data?

See plan details. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Terms and Conditions. Important Broadband Information.

Important Broadband Info. Select the plan that's right for you. Get the freedom of unlimited talk, text and data. Experience unprecedented speed and savings. Auto Pay. Loyalty discounts.

Global Choice. For text, talk, and light data use. Credit or Debit card required. Additional loyalty discounts do not apply. This plan doesn't qualify for loyalty discounts.

Our 4G LTE network provides the high speeds and reliability you've come to expect. Stay in touch and never worry about overage charges with unlimited Talk, Text and Data on the network more people rely on.

Unlimited texting from the US to over countries and territories worldwide. With Call Filter from Verizon, screen incoming calls and filter spam. Fine-tune your settings to automatically block high-risk calls by risk level.

Safeguard your personal data with antivirus, anti-malware and safe browsing from risky websites. You can have a total of 10 smartphones, tablets, Mobile Hotspots and routers on your Prepaid Family Account. Get more data for online streaming, posting on social and sharing with your family.

Discount applies as long as your line is not disconnected. Additional Auto Pay discounts do not apply. DVD-quality streaming up to p. Your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic in times of congestion.

Share your wireless network connection with other devices over Wi-Fi. Once high-speed data is used including Mobile Hotspot , you will have 2G speeds the remainder of the month. Your data experience and functionality of some data applications such as streaming video or audio may be impacted.

Unlimited calls, text and data from Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Also includes Unlimited talk and text to Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands when you are in the US.

Get the freedom of unlimited talk, text and data without any overage charges. Experience the unprecedented speed and performance of unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband. Download apps, games, entire playlists and TV series in seconds. You'll also get 5G Ultra Wideband mobile hotspot and crystal-clear 4K Ultra High Definition video streaming when activated on a capable device.

Get unlimited access to our 5G network. Your smartphone becomes a Wi-Fi connection for devices like tablets, laptops, and more. Global Choice is not compatible with any other International Long Distance plan. Add Global Choice to your account via My Verizon.

Credit or debit card required. Enjoy unlimited calling and texting within the US and to Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the US Virgin Islands. Unlimited texting within the US and to over international destinations.

See countries. You can have a total of 10 smartphones, tablets or Jetpacks on your Prepaid Family Account. List is subject to change. List as of Not all international carriers support texts that originate from the US.

Find out about changes to the Affordable Connectivity Program. Check out the answers to some of our frequently asked questions. If you want to buy a new prepaid phone, go to our Prepaid phones page to see all the prepaid phones available.

Otherwise, visit a Verizon store or your local retailer.