Best Cheap No Contract Cell Phone Plans
Consumers are increasingly finding that they don’t have to commit to contracts to get a great cell phone service plan.
The best no-contract cell phone plans don’t have to be expensive, either. You can find a cheap, no-contract cell phone plan that offers all of the features you need and want in your cellular service.
Whether your cell usage calls for unlimited data, generous long-distance features, or an uber-basic plan, there is likely a no-contract cell phone plan that works for you.
Best For: Families with varying usage
You’ve probably seen the Mint Mobile ads featuring spokesperson Ryan Reynolds. Owned by T-Mobile as of 2023, Mint Mobile offers inexpensive rates by giving you pay-ahead options.
All plans come with unlimited talk and text, and you have data plan options that include:
Once you’ve used your monthly data allotment, you will not be charged for any overages. However, your phone will run at 2G and 3G speeds instead of 5G and 4G LTE speeds.
All plans include unlimited talk and text, free calling to Canada and Mexico, and mobile hotspot. Know that mobile hotspot usage will take from your data, and that unlimited plans come with a max of 10GB of data for mobile hotspot.
The biggest downside to Mint Mobile is that you get the cheapest price when you pay for 12 months in advance. If you want to pay for 3 (the minimum) or 6 months in advance, you’ll pay higher rates.
Family/Multi-Line Options: Mix-and-match multi-line options, but no discounts
Read our full Mint Mobile review to learn more.
Best For: Those who want big carrier service at lower prices
Visible is a discount cellular phone service provider that was launched in 2018 and is owned and operated by Verizon.
The company offers just two unlimited data plans, both have unlimited talk and text:
There are some other notable differences between the two plans. Visible offers unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada from the U.S.
However, Visible+ gives you unlimited talk and text from the U.S. to Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It also gives you unlimited texting to over 200 countries and 500 free minutes each month to over 30 countries.
There are other perks with Visible+ as well, including a $10 monthly savings on Verizon Home Internet, 0.5GB high-speed data each day in Mexico and Canada, and other occasional offers.
Family/Multi-Line Options: No multi-line discounts or family plans.
See our full Visible review to learn more.
Best for: The budget-conscious user seeking a balanced plan
Tello is an independent cellular service provider that operates on the T-Mobile network. It offers 5G/4G LTE speeds, but you may see slowdowns in peak usage times.
One of Tello’s most admirable features is its mix-and-match plan design. You get to choose your talk minutes and the amount of data you need. All plans come with unlimited text.
Some of the mix-and-match options you can choose from include:
Or any other combination of data and minutes. Tello’s services are prepaid, and you can upgrade or downgrade any time.
All Tello plans include free calls and texts to over 60 international countries. You can use Tello outside of the U.S. if you have a wifi connection.
Family/Multi-Line Options: Mix-and-match family plan options
Tello does offer family/multi-line plans, however you will be billed separately for each plan.
See our full Tello review for more information.
Best For: Those seeking a generous referral program
Twigby is an MVNO that was launched in 2016 and operates on the Verizon network. One of Twigby’s most attractive features is that it offers plans to suit nearly any user. All plans come with unlimited talk and text
Plan options include:
If you use all of your data in any given month, you’ll have 2G data for the remainder of your billing period or purchase add-on data to use through the current billing cycle.
You can also upgrade or downgrade your plan as needed. Twigby also offers unlimited global text and unlimited talk to over 80 countries. Mobile hotspot is included in your Twigby plan, but its use will be deducted from your available data.
Twigby’s referral program is attractive. For every referral that mentions your name, both you and your referral get a $15 statement credit.
Family/Multi-Line Options: No multi-line discounts or family plans
Read our full Twigby review to learn more.
Best for: Domestic travelers
RedPocket Mobile launched in 2006 and was founded on the belief that cellular phone contracts should be a thing of the past.
One of Red Pocket Mobile’s biggest draws is that you can choose the network you want to run on. This is because RedPocket Mobile operates on all of the big three carrier networks.
This is a nice feature if you travel frequently in the U.S. where some spots may do better with different carriers. All plans include unlimited talk and text and offer several high-speed data options:
Data is technically unlimited, but once you’ve used your allotment, you’ll run on speeds lower than 5G. RedPocket users can call from the U.S. to over 80 countries for free. Calling to the U.S. from other countries requires a Wi-Fi connection.
Family/Multi-Line Options: Choose from several options, including mix-and-match networks.
Read our full RedPocket Mobile review for more info.
Best For: Consumers who want top-of-the-line customer service
Consumer Cellular has been offering cheap no-contract cell phone plans for over 25 years. With an emphasis on excellence in customer service and a few great plan options, this company markets to the 50+ crowd but really has options for every age of user.
Plans include unlimited talk and text, as well as:
Data speeds are 5G and 4G LTE. Consumer Cellular runs on the AT&T and T-Mobile Networks. The prices aren’t the lowest you’ll find for no contract phones, but they are fair prices and the customer service is highly rated and U.S. based.
Consumer Cellular also offers a 30-day 100% risk-free guarantee. If you cancel your service within 30 days of activation, you’ll pay nothing.
Family/Multi-Line Options: Attractive discounts are offered on all plans when you get more than one line.
Whether you’re choosing a cheap, no-contract cell phone plan for yourself or searching for the best cheap family cell phone plan, it’s important to consider a few factors.
Start by understanding that choosing the lowest price point shouldn’t be your top priority. Instead, look at the features of each offering and choose the plan with features that best fit you or your family’s needs. Although budget is important, it’s still a waste of money if you’re spending your cash on a phone service that doesn’t meet your needs.
Next, look at coverage in your area. Choosing a phone plan that doesn’t provide good coverage in your area will only lead to frustration.
In addition, understand each plan’s phone and trade-in options. Can you bring your own phone and/or phone number? If not, what type of phones do they offer, and how much do they cost?
Lastly, read the fine print regarding cancellations, refunds, and other termination of service facts. These seemingly small details can turn into a big deal if the company you choose doesn’t meet your needs.
Although cell phone plans with contracts still exist, more consumers don’t want to be locked into a plan for two, three, or more years.
The best cheap, no-contract cell phone plans meet your usage, feature, and price needs. There’s no longer a need to sacrifice what you want in a cellular phone plan in order to avoid a lengthy contract.
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