Best Prepaid Service in 2026: 8 Phone Plans Compared

Mint Mobile runs on the T-Mobile network and sells plans in three, six or twelve month blocks. That up-front payment is how it keeps prices low, with an entry plan from $15 a month and an unlimited plan from $30 a month on a twelve month payment. If you are sure about the network and you can pay ahead, the saving over a year is real.

The catch is cash flow and commitment. You pay months in advance, and taxes are added to the advertised price. Mint also sells mainly online and through retail cards, so in-person help is limited. Try the network first with a trial or a short plan, and only commit to twelve months once you know coverage works at home, at work and on your commute.

Visible is the simplest unlimited prepaid choice on this list. One base plan costs $25 a month, taxes and fees included, with unlimited data on the Verizon network and no contract. There are no tiers to decode for basic use, and you manage everything online, which keeps costs down.

The limits are hotspot speed, which is capped on the base plan, and support, which is mainly through chat rather than stores or phone lines. A higher Visible plan adds premium data and faster hotspot for a higher price. If Verizon coverage is strong where you live and you want unlimited data without a store visit, Visible is hard to beat for simplicity.

US Mobile stands out because you can pick the network that works best at your address, rather than accepting the one network a carrier offers. Light plans start from $8 a month for a small data allowance, and an Unlimited Starter plan costs $25 a month with taxes included. That range covers both light users and heavy users on one carrier.

The range of plans is also the downside, because choosing between networks, data amounts and add-ons takes more reading than a single-plan carrier. Take time to check coverage maps for each network option at your address, and start with a plan you can change next month. For households with different needs, US Mobile also offers pooled and multi-line options worth checking.

Cricket Wireless runs on the AT&T network and suits shoppers who want a store they can walk into. Plans start from $35 a month for a set data allowance, with unlimited plans higher, and taxes and fees are included in the prices shown on many plans. In-store help with setup, transfers and phone purchases is a real benefit for people who do not want to manage everything online.

You pay more than the cheapest online-only carriers, especially for unlimited data, and hotspot allowances vary by plan, so check that detail if you tether a laptop. If AT&T coverage is best in your area and you value face-to-face help, Cricket is a solid, predictable choice.

Metro by T-Mobile offers T-Mobile coverage with a retail store network, which makes it a good fit for shoppers who want help in person. Basic plans start from $30 a month, with taxes and fees included, and higher plans add more hotspot data and extras such as cloud storage or streaming perks. That store presence helps with phone setup, number transfers and troubleshooting.

The trade-off is price. Online-only carriers undercut Metro for basic unlimited data, and the most attractive extras need a higher tier. If T-Mobile coverage works well for you and you want a store nearby, Metro is a dependable choice. If price is the only factor, check Mint, Visible or US Mobile first.

Boost Mobile offers a low-cost unlimited plan from $25 a month with autopay, with retail stores for shoppers who want in-person help. That combination of a low unlimited price and a store network is unusual, because the cheapest unlimited plans are usually online only. Boost also offers higher tiers with more premium data and hotspot options.

Read the plan terms carefully, because the lowest price usually needs autopay, and hotspot allowances and network details can vary. If you are happy with autopay and you check coverage first, Boost is a strong value pick, especially for a single line that needs unlimited data without a contract.

Tello is the best prepaid choice for light users. You build your own plan on the T-Mobile network, starting from $10 a month for unlimited talk and text plus 2 GB of data, and you can raise or lower data month by month. That flexibility suits people who spend most of the day on Wi-Fi and only need mobile data for maps, messages and light browsing.

For heavy users, Tello unlimited costs $25 a month, which matches Visible and US Mobile, so its advantage fades. Support is online only, and coverage depends entirely on T-Mobile. If your data use is light and variable, Tello gives you precise control and a low bill. If you stream a lot on mobile data, compare its unlimited plan with the other $25 options here.

Straight Talk is easy to buy, because it is sold at Walmart stores across the US, and it lets you bring a phone that is not locked to a carrier with little fuss. Unlimited plans start from $45 a month, which is higher than the online carriers on this list, but the buying process is simple and familiar for shoppers who already visit Walmart.

The higher price and added taxes make Straight Talk harder to recommend on value alone. Its case rests on convenience: a store nearby, a simple plan card and a phone you can buy at the same time. If you live near a Walmart and want that convenience, it works. If you want the lowest bill, an online carrier will usually save you money each month.