Article
Best Prepaid Phone Plans in 2026
Compare the top 10 prepaid phone plans with no contracts, no credit checks, and affordable monthly rates. Find the perfect prepaid plan for your budget.
Prepaid phone plans have evolved from basic pay-as-you-go options to full-featured services that rival traditional carriers—often at half the price. With no contracts, no credit checks, and access to the same networks as major carriers, prepaid plans now offer incredible value for budget-conscious consumers.
Our team evaluated dozens of prepaid carriers, comparing pricing structures, network coverage, included features, and real-world performance. Here are the 10 best prepaid phone plans to help you save money without sacrificing quality.
Quick Comparison
| Carrier | Best For | Starting Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Mint Mobile | Best Overall Value | $15/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 2. Visible | Best Simple Unlimited | $25/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 3. US Mobile | Best Network Flexibility | $25/month | ★4.7/5 |
| 4. Cricket Wireless | Best Family Prepaid | $25/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 5. Metro by T-Mobile | Best Prepaid Perks | $40/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 6. AT&T Prepaid | Best Annual Payment Deal | $25/month | ★4.5/5 |
| 7. Verizon Prepaid | Best Prepaid on Verizon | $30/month | ★4.5/5 |
| 8. Boost Mobile | Best Promotional Deals | $25/month | ★4.4/5 |
| 9. Google Fi | Best for International Travel | $20/month | ★4.5/5 |
| 10. Tello | Best Custom Plans | $10/month | ★4.3/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile tops our list with plans starting at $15/month for 5GB when you prepay for 12 months. Their unlimited plan at $30/month now includes 50GB priority data and 20GB hotspot, making it the best prepaid value on T-Mobile's network.
Pros
- ✓Incredibly affordable starting at $15/month
- ✓Runs on T-Mobile's reliable 5G network
- ✓Unlimited plan now has 50GB priority data
- ✓20GB mobile hotspot on unlimited plan
- ✓WiFi calling and free international calling
Cons
- ✗Must prepay for 3-12 months upfront
- ✗Renewal pricing higher than intro rate
- ✗Deprioritized during network congestion
Visible
Visible offers the simplest unlimited prepaid plan at $25/month with all taxes included, running on Verizon's network. No family plan needed, no hidden fees—just straightforward unlimited data with hotspot included.
Pros
- ✓Simple $25/month unlimited (taxes included)
- ✓Runs on Verizon's reliable network
- ✓Unlimited mobile hotspot (5 Mbps on base)
- ✓No multi-line requirement
- ✓Visible+ at $45 adds premium features
Cons
- ✗Always deprioritized during congestion
- ✗Video limited to SD on base plan
- ✗Customer service is chat/email only
US Mobile
US Mobile gives you unprecedented flexibility by letting you choose between Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile networks. Their $25 unlimited plan on AT&T includes 20GB hotspot, while Premium at $44 offers 100GB priority data on any network.
Pros
- ✓Choose from all three major networks
- ✓Unlimited Premium for $44/month with 100GB data
- ✓$25 plan includes 20GB hotspot
- ✓Taxes and fees included in price
- ✓Excellent customer service
Cons
- ✗Network switching not instant (requires SIM change)
- ✗Premium perks cost extra
- ✗Less brand recognition
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, delivers the best prepaid family value with 4 unlimited lines for $100/month total. Their Unlimited Max plan at $60 includes 60GB hotspot and HBO Max on AT&T's network.
Pros
- ✓4 unlimited lines for only $100 total
- ✓Runs on AT&T's reliable network
- ✓Taxes and fees included in price
- ✓No annual contracts required
- ✓Max plan includes HBO Max
Cons
- ✗Speeds capped at 8 Mbps on some plans
- ✗Data throttles to 128 Kbps after limit on tiered plans
- ✗Limited international options
Metro by T-Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile stands out for included perks like Amazon Prime on their $60 unlimited plan, making it excellent value for Prime members. Runs on T-Mobile's network with taxes included and no contracts.
Pros
- ✓Amazon Prime included on $60 plan
- ✓Runs on T-Mobile's 5G network
- ✓100GB Google One storage on higher plans
- ✓No contracts or credit checks
- ✓Taxes included in advertised price
Cons
- ✗Data may slow after 35GB on unlimited
- ✗Deprioritized during network congestion
- ✗Often requires in-store activation
AT&T Prepaid
AT&T Prepaid offers an unbeatable annual unlimited plan for $300 upfront ($25/month), though it's limited to 16GB high-speed data per month. Regular unlimited plans start at $50/month with loyalty discounts reducing cost over time.
Pros
- ✓Annual prepaid unlimited for $300/year ($25/month)
- ✓Runs on AT&T's reliable network
- ✓No contracts or credit checks
- ✓Multi-line discounts available
- ✓Rollover data on limited plans
Cons
- ✗Annual plan limited to 16GB high-speed per month
- ✗Must pay $300 upfront for annual deal
- ✗Less priority than AT&T postpaid
Verizon Prepaid
Verizon Prepaid delivers Verizon's reliable coverage without contracts starting at $30/month for 5GB. Unlimited plans at $50-70/month include loyalty discounts that reduce your bill by $5-10 after consistent payments.
Pros
- ✓Verizon's reliable network coverage
- ✓Loyalty discounts after 3-9 months
- ✓No contracts or credit checks
- ✓Carryover data on limited plans
- ✓Mobile hotspot on unlimited plans
Cons
- ✗More expensive than MVNO alternatives
- ✗Deprioritized during congestion
- ✗No 5G Ultra Wideband access
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile runs frequent promotions that can slash costs for new customers, offering unlimited plans for $50/month on AT&T or T-Mobile networks. Watch for deals that include free phones or discounted service.
Pros
- ✓Frequent promotional discounts
- ✓Access to AT&T and T-Mobile networks
- ✓Unlimited for $50/month
- ✓Easy activation process
- ✓30GB hotspot on unlimited
Cons
- ✗Promotions often for new customers only
- ✗Network quality varies by location
- ✗Customer service can be inconsistent
Google Fi
Google Fi excels for international travelers with free data and texting in 200+ countries. The Flexible plan at $20 + $10/GB is perfect for light users, while unlimited at $65 suits heavy data consumers who travel.
Pros
- ✓Free data/text in 200+ countries
- ✓Flexible plan: $20 + $10/GB (pay what you use)
- ✓Switches between T-Mobile and US Cellular
- ✓Built-in VPN for privacy
- ✓No contracts or activation fees
Cons
- ✗Unlimited plan expensive at $65/line
- ✗Flexible plan gets pricey with heavy data use
- ✗Best features require compatible phones
Tello
Tello lets you build completely custom prepaid plans starting at $10/month by choosing your exact talk, text, and data needs. Perfect for light users who want to pay only for what they use on T-Mobile's network.
Pros
- ✓Build custom plans from $10/month
- ✓Pay only for what you need
- ✓Runs on T-Mobile network
- ✓Free international calling to 60+ countries
- ✓Easy month-to-month changes
Cons
- ✗Unlimited can get expensive
- ✗Deprioritized on T-Mobile network
- ✗Customer service is mostly online
Understanding Prepaid Phone Plans
Prepaid plans have evolved significantly from their pay-phone origins:
How Prepaid Works
Unlike traditional postpaid plans where you pay after using service:
- Payment timing: Pay before service period begins (usually monthly)
- No credit check: Approval based on payment, not credit score
- No contracts: Cancel or change plans anytime without penalties
- Same networks: Use Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile infrastructure
Types of Prepaid Plans
Modern prepaid comes in several flavors:
- Monthly unlimited: Fixed price for unlimited talk, text, data each month
- Multi-month prepaid: Pay for 3-12 months upfront for discounts (Mint Mobile)
- Custom/flexible: Build your own plan with exact minutes/data needed (Tello)
- Pay-as-you-go: Top up as needed, pay only for what you use (Google Fi Flexible)
Who Prepaid Is Best For
Prepaid plans are ideal if you:
- Want to avoid annual contracts and commitments
- Have poor or no credit history
- Own your phone outright (no financing needed)
- Want complete cost control and transparency
- Value flexibility to change plans monthly
- Don’t need the latest flagship phones with payment plans
Network Coverage Considerations
Major Network MVNOs
Most prepaid carriers lease network access from the big three:
T-Mobile Network
- Carriers: Mint Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Tello, Boost (option)
- Strengths: Fastest 5G speeds, good urban coverage, unlimited plans
- Weaknesses: Rural coverage gaps, deprioritization during congestion
Verizon Network
- Carriers: Visible, Verizon Prepaid, US Mobile (option), Total by Verizon
- Strengths: Best overall coverage, strongest in rural areas, reliability
- Weaknesses: Higher prices, deprioritization more noticeable
AT&T Network
- Carriers: Cricket, AT&T Prepaid, US Mobile (option), Boost (option)
- Strengths: Good nationwide coverage, reliable performance, competitive pricing
- Weaknesses: Some speed caps, moderate rural coverage
Data Deprioritization
Important concept for prepaid users:
- What it means: Your data gets lower priority during network congestion
- When it happens: Busy times in crowded areas (concerts, rush hour, events)
- Impact: Slower speeds when towers are busy, normal speeds otherwise
- Who’s affected: All MVNOs and prepaid plans, even from major carriers
Prepaid Payment Structures
Monthly vs. Multi-Month Plans
Monthly Plans (Visible, Cricket, Metro)
- Pay month-to-month with no long-term commitment
- Easy to cancel or switch plans
- Higher per-month cost than bulk prepayment
- Flexibility to adjust plan as needs change
Multi-Month Plans (Mint Mobile, some AT&T/Verizon prepaid)
- Pay for 3, 6, or 12 months upfront
- Significantly lower per-month cost (often 30-50% savings)
- Money locked in for the prepaid period
- Best for users confident in their choice
Loyalty Discounts
Some prepaid carriers reward consistent payments:
- Verizon Prepaid: $5-10/month off after 3-9 months of on-time payments
- AT&T Prepaid: Discounts after 4+ months, up to $10/month reduction
- Cricket: Auto-pay discount of $5/month per line
- Metro: Occasional loyalty promotions for existing customers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prepaid service quality worse than postpaid?
Prepaid carriers use the same cell towers and networks as postpaid plans. The main difference is data prioritization—during network congestion, prepaid customers may experience slower speeds. In most day-to-day situations, you won’t notice a difference.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Yes, all prepaid carriers support number porting. The process typically takes 1-3 business days. You’ll need your account number and PIN from your current carrier. Don’t cancel your old service until porting completes successfully.
What phones work with prepaid plans?
Most unlocked phones work with prepaid carriers. If you’re buying a phone from your prepaid carrier, it will definitely work. For BYOD (bring your own device), check the carrier’s compatibility tool with your phone’s IMEI number.
Can I use my phone internationally with prepaid?
It depends on the carrier. Mint Mobile, Google Fi, and some others include international calling to certain countries. For international travel, Google Fi offers the best prepaid option with free data in 200+ countries. Check specific carrier policies.
Are there hidden fees with prepaid plans?
Prepaid plans are generally transparent, with many including taxes and fees in advertised prices. Watch for: activation fees (usually $10-25 one time), SIM card costs ($1-10), and any add-on features. Multi-month plans may have higher upfront costs.
How do prepaid family plans work?
Some prepaid carriers like Cricket offer multi-line discounts similar to postpaid. Others like Visible charge per line with no family plan needed. Generally, prepaid family savings are less dramatic than postpaid, but you gain contract-free flexibility.
What happens if I run out of data on a limited prepaid plan?
Depends on the carrier:
- Some throttle speeds drastically (128 Kbps) but keep working
- Others cut off data until next billing cycle or you purchase more
- Some offer data add-ons you can purchase mid-cycle
- Unlimited plans avoid this issue entirely
Can I switch prepaid carriers easily?
Yes, one of prepaid’s biggest advantages is flexibility. Cancel anytime without penalties, port your number to a new carrier, and switch monthly. Just ensure you port your number before canceling to keep it.
Do prepaid plans include mobile hotspot?
Many do, but policies vary:
- Unlimited plans often include hotspot (10-30GB typical)
- Limited data plans may share hotspot from your main data bucket
- Some budget plans charge extra for hotspot capability
- Check specific plan details before signing up
Are prepaid unlimited plans truly unlimited?
Most prepaid “unlimited” plans have some caveats:
- Deprioritization during network congestion (always for MVNOs)
- Video streaming quality limits (often 480p-720p)
- Hotspot limits even with unlimited phone data
- Some have thresholds where speeds slow (35-50GB common)