Disclaimer: This information is accurate as of November 8, 2018. Price may vary depending on location. Always make sure the pricing and terms are accurate before making a purchase.
Prepaid cell phones have come a long way in the last few years. In the past, prepaid phones came from brands you’ve never heard of, had less than stellar quality, and came with few of the features you’d get with a more expensive phone. Today, you can find top quality phones from major mobile companies. We’re comparing some of the options, below.
AT&T offers the option to have great service without an annual contract, credit check, or activation fee. The company offers 4 plans, based on the amount of data added. Each plan includes unlimited talk and text, along with unlimited international text to over 100 approved countries. Discounts are available for those adding multiple lines, as well as for those who choose to auto pay each month.
- $35/month: 1GB data and next month rollover
- $50/month: 8GB data and next month rollover
- $65/month: Unlimited data
- $85/month: Unlimited data and 10GB mobile hotspot
While Verizon is known for 2 year contracts, the company added a prepaid phone option that can include up to 5 lines. The plan starts with the first line, including unlimited talk and text, and varying in price based on the amount of data included. Each additional line adds to the total monthly cost.
Unlimited data
- $70 for a single line
- $50 for each additional line
8GB Data
- $50 for a single line
- $35 for each additional line
3GB data
- $40 for a single line
- $30 for each additional line
500MB Data
- $30 for a single line
- $30 for each additional line
Sprint Forward is the company’s prepaid option. On the dedicated Sprint Forward website, you can shop for phones from Apple, LG, Samsung, and more. Then, check out the plans that allow you to pay month by month. Plans include one individual line, and additional lines can be added to make it a family plan. Choose from the two main options of Sprint’s prepaid plans.
Unlimited talk, text, and data
- $60/month for a single line
- $40 for second line
- $30 for each additional line
Unlimited talk and text, 4GB data
- $40/month for a single line
- $30 for each additional line
The company formed based on the idea of phone plans without contracts is still one of the most well known names for prepaid phones. Choose from a selection of phones from brands including LG and Samsung to get started, then choose from one of T Mobile’s four prepaid plans.
T-Mobile One No Credit Check
- Starting at $70
- Up to 5 lines
- Unlimited domestic talk and text
- Unlimited 4G LTE data
T Mobile ONE Prepaid
- Starting at $70
- One line
- Unlimited domestic talk and text
- Unlimited data
Simply Prepaid
- Starting at $45
- One line
- Unlimited talk and text
- Choose between 4GB and 10GB data
Pay as You Go
- Starting at $3
- One line
- Start with 30 minutes of talk time, pay for more as you go
- Start with 30 texts, pay for more as you go
- Data available with a data pass
T-Mobile Essentials Prepaid
- Starting at $60
- One line
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data
Boost Mobile markets itself as the phone company with no surprises. Phone plans include taxes and fees, and you won’t get overage charges, so you’ll know exactly how much you’re paying when you sign up. Choose from iPhones and Androids, or use your existing phone when switching to Boost. Choose from the following single plans, and pay $30 for each additional line to make each a family plan.
- $80/month: unlimited talk, text, and data with 50 gigs mobile hotspot
- $60/month: unlimited talk, text, and data with 30 gigs mobile hotspot
- $50/month: unlimited talk, text, and data with 12 gigs mobile hotspot
Metro PCS is part of the T Mobile network, but offers its own plans and deals for phones without contracts. Choose from the options below, and get deals when adding extra lines.
- $30/month: unlimited talk and text, 2GB data
- $40/month: unlimited talk and text, 10GB data
- $50/month: unlimited talk, text, and data with 5 gigs mobile hotspot
- $60/month: unlimited talk, text, and data with 15 gigs mobile hotspot
Cricket started with the intention of being a smart, affordable alternative to the major cell phone companies with annual contracts. Shop the website’s selection of smartphones, including both iOS and Android. For those that want to keep it simple, there are basic phones with talk and text only available as well. Choose from a variety of plans, from basic to unlimited.
Talk & Text
- $25/month
- Unlimited talk and text
- No data
2GB
- $30/month
- Unlimited talk and text
- 2GB data
5GB
- $40/month
- Unlimited talk and text
- 5GB data
Cricket Unlimited 2
- $55/month
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data at 3Mbps
Unlimited
- $60/month
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited high speed data
With TracFone, you pay up front for the period of time you want to use your plan. From a month to entire year, you can purchase a specific number of minutes, texts, and data to use during that time. You can then add on minutes, texts, or data as needed. Start with the following plans, for smartphones or basic phones.
Smartphone Plans
- $125 for 365 days, 1500 minutes, 1500 texts, 1.5GB data
- $50 for 90 days, 750 minutes, 1500 texts, 2GB data
- $45 for 90 days, 750 minutes, 1500 texts, 1.5GB data
- $35 for 60 days, 750 minutes, 1000 texts, 1GB data
- $25 for 60 days, 500 minutes, 1000 texts, 500MB data
- $20 for 30 days, 300 minutes, 1000 texts, 1GB data
- $15 for 30 days, 200 minutes, 500 texts, 500MB data
Basic Phone Plans
- $199.99 for 365 days and 1500 talk, text, and web minutes
- $159.99 for 365 days and 1000 talk, text, and web minutes
- $99.99 for 365 days and 400 talk, text, and web minutes
- $79.99 for 90 days and 450 talk, text, and web minutes
- $39.99 for 90 days and 200 talk, text, and web minutes
- $29.99 for 90 days and 120 talk, text, and web minutes
- $19.99 for 90 days and 60 talk, text, and web minutes
- $9.99 for 30 days and 30 talk, text, and web minutes
Straight Talk plans, part of the TracFone company, are exclusive to WalMart. You can shop for Straight Talk phones and refill cards in stores or online. Start with the plans below, and add on as needed. You’ll get discounts each month if you choose to auto refill.
- $30: 1500 minutes, unlimited texts, 100MB data
- $35: unlimited talk and text, 2GB data
- $45: unlimited talk and text, 10GB data
- $55: unlimited talk, text, and data nationwide
- $60: unlimited talk and text, 10GB data, international
Is a Prepaid Phone Right for You?
There are many benefits to choosing a pay as you go plan instead of a traditional contract plan. Pay as you go options make it easy to find an option that suits your unique needs for talk, text, and data. Without being locked into an annual contract, you can also make changes to your plan each month. From adding lines to adding data, it’s easy to customize your plan whenever you want.
Depending on how much talk, text, and data you need each month, you might be able to find a better deal with a contract plan. If you find the plan you need at a lower cost, signing on for the annual contract will ensure that you’ll be locked in at that price. For those who know what they need and don’t foresee their needs changing month to month, a contract will sometimes make more sense.
Have you ditched your phone contract in favor of a prepaid phone plan? Let us know in the comments.
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