Updated 2023. You can save hundreds of dollars per year by shopping around and using a lesser-known plan. Every major network sells wholesale minutes and data to MVNOs (Mobile Network Virtual Operators), which they in turn sell at a significant discount to individuals. Most recently, the major networks themselves have either entered the game and/or bought out competitors. You can now get “unlimited” data for just $25 a month on most networks.
The drawbacks are that the customer service may be more lean, and the data speeds may be slower as the MVNO data is usually at a lower prioritization than if you had a direct plan. If you’re at a Taylor Swift concert, the MVNO plan users will be the ones with slow uploads to TikTok. But once I was set up, it was pretty smooth sailing and worth the savings given my needs (I also can’t afford to go to Taylor Swift concerts).
This list includes unlimited talk and text plans that include 5G and 4G LTE data. Many of these advertise “unlimited data”, which actually means they throttle speeds down the 128 kbps (2G) after your LTE allotment runs out. Here are the best options by network below (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile). I sort by network because that usually makes it easier to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), though every MVNO will have a form where you can check compatibility via your phone’s specific identification number (IMEI or MEID).
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links where available. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may be compensated.
T-Mobile Network – T-Mobile Network Color: Hot Pink
- Unlimited Talk & Text + 5 GB 5G/LTE Data. Mint Mobile has an unlimited talk, text, and 5 GB 5G/LTE data plan from $15 per month. Their intro offer is 3 months at $15 per month for all plans. After that, you’ll have to buy 12 months of airtime upfront to get the $15 per month price. After your 5G/LTE data runs out, you still get data included at slower 2G data speeds until your month resets. 15 GB for $20/month ($240/yr), or 40 GB for $30/month.
- Less value, but direct from T-Mobile. T-Mobile Connect has an unlimited talk, text, and 1 GB data plan for $10 a month. 3.5 GB for $15/mo. 6.5 GB for $25/mo.
- Unlimited Talk & Text + “Unlimited” 5G/LTE Data (30 GB full speed). Boost Infinite offers unlimited talk, text, and “unlimited” data for $25 a month + taxes. 30 GB of high speed data before “lower speeds”. Use all 30GB as mobile hotspot for additional $10/mo.
Note: I personally use Mint Mobile – see my Mint Mobile review for tips and details based on my experiences.
AT&T Network – AT&T Network Color: Blue
- Unlimited Talk & Text + 1 GB 5G/LTE Data. Boost Mobile offers unlimited talk, text, and 1 GB data for $8.33 a month. To find this plan option, you must click on “12 months” on the Plans page. You must prepay $100 + taxes/fees upfront for 12 months of service. After your 5G/LTE data runs out, you still get data included at slower 2G data speeds until your month resets. You can choose the AT&T network (GSMA) when you sign up. You can also upgrade to 15 GB of data for $20/month ($240/yr).
- Unlimited Talk & Text + “Unlimited” Data (16 GB full speed). AT&T Prepaid offers unlimited talk, text, and “unlimited” data for $25 a month. You must prepay $300 + taxes/fees upfront for 12 months of service. After 16GB of data each month, speeds are slowed to max 1.5 Mbps for the month… 16GB is a relatively low cap for “unlimited” data.
Verizon Network – Verizon Network Color: Red
- Unlimited Talk & Text + 2 GB 5G/LTE Data. Twigby Mobile runs on the Verizon network and offers unlimited talk, text, and 2 GB data for $15 a month (Intro offer is $5/mo for 3 months). 5 GB for $20 a month (Intro offer is $10/mo for 3 months).
- Unlimited Talk & Text + Unlimited 5G/LTE Data. Visible Wireless has an unlimited talk and text plan with unlimited 5G/LTE data that recently dropped their pricing to a flat $25 per month, tax and fees included, no annual prepayment required. Data speed will be lower (5-12 Mbps for LTE) compared to Visible+ plan. No group buy required. Visible is owned by Verizon. Unlimited hotspot included (5 Mbps cap). Ability to add a smartwatch Apple Watch for $10/mo.
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which one would you recommend for occasional use w/ 1GB of data and that is good for 60 or 90 days, like Trackphone ?
RedPocket or Tello are good
Where would you suggest to get a phone from that would work on Red Pocket plans?
Swappa is a great site that I have personally used for 10+ years now
The 5GB Red Pocket eBay plan for Verizon is not available… only Sprint or AT&T, it seems. Wanted to let you know. (We went with the 2GB plan… my husband is pretty sure that’ll be plenty for him, and it is available on Verizon.)
Thanks for the heads up, I have edited the post.
(Removed by request)
Visible gives me 5g speeds that depending on the time of day are twice as fast as my cable internet. Service is non-existent like Mint. It has far better coverage than my previous provider Cricket, which had descent service. You could call and go to stores for help. On Visible, you can only get support by chat. Overall, it’s still a win-win situation. Faster speed and far better coverage for roughly the same price. It more than makes up for the lack of in-person stores or a number to call for service.
For Visible, you don’t have to use Party Pay to get unlimited data at $25 anymore. That is now the normal price without jumping through any hoops. No tax or hidden fees. Additionally, if you use the code 3PG9PW6 we both get an additional $20 off for the first moth. Also, you can go to the site and download a free week(?) or so to test the speeds for the basic Visible plan for free while keeping your same phone # and plan. More info for everything here: https://www.visible.com/get/?3PG9PW6
I live n NJ and I get Ultra Wide (UW) 5g most of the time, which is faster and comes with the visible+ plan. I. Have yet to deal with overloaded towers yet while on this plan. Also, it’s only $5 extra to add a watch. I switched from Mint mobile and get similar speeds, coverage and even tested when in LTE only zone for a friend and he said they were identical to his Verizon plan. It’s cheaper and I can pay monthly, instead of upfront yearly payments for the whole year like Mint, for discounts. Also, Verizon is still bulking up more towers with 5g, while T-mobile (Mint) already has most of its 5g built (mostly long range 5g but not as fast as the 5g Verizon (Visible) won in a bidding war between the cell phone companies. Like I said, you can try it out for free by going to the site and if it works well in your area… GL
I still have Visible+ for an about a year and even though it’s $10 more than regular Visible, I don’t get throttled at certain times, so it is worth it to me. This will get you $20 off of first month- Code: 3PG9PW6
Try either one for a month and if you don’t like it, try another MVNO. In most area, Verizon towers, work the best, and what I have is the same as having Verizon but much less! Jonathon, thanks for all this information, and the information that you share with people is priceless!
You don’t have to use Party Pay to get unlimited data at $25 anymore. Visible Prepaid Wireless plan Basic $25 unlimited and Visible + $35. Each plan is discounted by $10 if you use the code SPRING in cart. No tax or hidden fees. Additionally, if you use the code 3PG9PW6 we both get an additional $20 off for the first moth. You can go to the site and download a free week(?) or so to test the speeds for the basic Visible plan for free while keeping your same phone # and plan. More info for everything here: https://www.visible.com/get/?3PG9PW6
I live n NJ and I get Ultra Wide (UW) 5g most of the time, which is faster and comes with the visible+ plan. I. Have yet to deal with overloaded towers yet while on this plan. Also, it’s only $5 extra to add a watch. I switched from Mint mobile and get similar speeds, coverage and even tested when in LTE only zone for a friend and he said they were identical to his Verizon plan. It’s cheaper and I can pay monthly, instead of upfront yearly payments for the whole year like Mint, for discounts. Also, Verizon is still bulking up more towers with 5g, while T-mobile (Mint) already has most of its 5g built (mostly long range 5g but not as fast as the 5g Verizon (Visible) won in a bidding war between the cell phone companies. Like I said, you can try it out for free by going to the site and if it works well in your area… GL
P.S. Jonathan, please don’t take this down. I put a lot of thought and time into this. I have signed up for a lot of your promotions, saving you a lot of money over the years. I’m just trying to save people money and give them an option, given my personal experience and inform them while trying to save money myself. Thank you for all of the useful knowledge on saving/making money that you have posted since I started reading your blog since around 07-08.
Thanks again,
Brian
Thank you to whoever has used the code already. I can get up to 12 for $20 off for both of us so I don’t know if the $20 code will work after that. I got an email saying that the code was used once so thank you. Every little bit helps! I hope that Visible does you well! I’m still digging it, especially when I get an additional $20 off! GL.. I’d like to see what people think of Visible and Visible+. I’m curious if if Visible+ is worth it or am I would be fine with the base plan. I do pick UW 5g most the time but do I really need it for when there is a lot of traffic on the Verizon towers? Thoughts?
I think you should also speak about the fact that MVNOs are great, but in congested areas, the main providers get priority over these small MVNOs reducing their speeds to satisfy the main providers’ customers. I would have changed a long time ago, but I have seen this happen, and is not good. What are your thoughts?
I thought that I covered that in the second paragraph? I’m not much of a power user in that I need that much speed while I’m on cellular data. Lower price for lower speed is a trade-off I’m happy to make.
My speed drops to 2G when I’m shopping malls sometimes, which is a non-issue for a cheap stake like me. Download your maps ahead of time and it’s never an issue.
Visible+ claims not to throttle for first 50GB’s of Data used…
Not with visible+. That’s why I pay the extra $10 per month so what you said doesn’t happen…
Try it out and use my code for an extra $20 off the first month and tell me what you think. You will get UW (ultra wide) coverage and it’s super fast…
At least I get it most places in NJ
We use redpocket, the annual plan with att service is really inexpensive!
For those of us who already had Visible but are on the previous $30 a month plan, is there any way to get the new $25 price? I fear the answer is switch and switch back, but would rather avoid that if possible.
Have you tried contacting them? This is their new standard price, so I would hope they would offer it to you as well.
I didn’t know about the new price until your article this morning (thanks, btw!). Haven’t had a chance to chat them today, but will try in the next few days, I guess.
Okay, I managed to chat with someone at Visible. They told me to pound sand.
I heard that standard visible throttles you speed when the towers are full. Visible+ claims not to do that for the 50GB’s and you get 5G UW bandwidth, where available, which is the fastest 5G one can get. Visible + is on special for $35 a month again with promo code 35FOR6. In NJ I get 5G UW regularly with visible+. I either pick up a northern nj tower or if I’m further south I pick up a Philadelphia tower, never throttled. Put in code: 3PG9PW6 and you will also get another $20 off your first month…
Basically, your getting Verizon service for much cheaper.
What is the difference between Verizon’s $65/line vs. Visible+ $45, also by Verizon?
The price and now it’s only $35 again but I don’t know for how long…
nice post! Hello Mobile: https://hellomobile.com/ also has a $25 Unlimited Data Plan as well as an unlimited talk and text plan that is just $5 a month.
If you need lots of data I strongly suggest you check out Google Fi. They use TMobile’s network and have different levels of plans and deeply discounted Google Pixel phones.
I and 4 family members are on the unlimited plus plan that includes “Up to 50 GB of free, unmetered data. Data speed slows to 256 kbps after 50 GB of use per person.” for $40 a line per month. Unlimited talk and text and included International calling.