The best prepaid plans and no contract plans in the US (July 2020) - Android

Thinking of getting a new prepaid plan? Here is a look at the best prepaid plans you can get in the US market.

Prepaid plans have come a long way since we began this list in 2012. It’s now 2020 and prepaid is no longer just for those with poor credit or tight finances, it’s perfect for those that want more flexibility or the freedom to switch carriers as soon as a better deal comes around. 

When it comes to the best prepaid carriers, there is no one size fits all approach. Some options offer the best pricing, at the cost of less extensive customer service. Others focus on unlimited data or other special features. There are literally dozens of prepaid carriers in the US, so picking the right one for you isn’t always easy. Below we discuss some of the best options.

Featured provider: Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is an ideal carrier for most Americans, based on national averages. Mint operates on the vast T-Mobile network, and you can try it for three months for as little as $15 per month. There are no long contracts or hidden fees, just simple and affordable plans to match your data needs. The introductory rates are great, and if you don’t find that Mint is for you after your first three months, you can just walk away.

If you want to find out more about the plans and phone deals on offer from Mint Mobile, hit the button below.

Mint Mobile is a top prepaid solution. Read on to find out more about the competition.

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MVNO vs traditional carrier options

Before you jump into picking a prepaid carrier it is best to know what you are getting into. There are basically three types of carriers when it comes to prepaid:

The MVNO

A Mobile Virtual Network Operator is the most common type of prepaid carrier. An MVNO is a cellular network that doesn’t technically own its equipment or network, instead, they have a contract with another carrier like Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T. MVNOs tend to be way cheaper than a carrier owned by a major cellular network but also tend to have compromises like less comprehensive customer support, restricted data speeds, and so on. Our absolute favorite MVNO is Google Fi, though we also highly recommend US Mobile or Mint. 

The traditional carrier

A traditional carrier owns its own network and equipment, which typically means that you’re going to get the best customer service, speeds, and possibly a bunch of extras you won’t find with other prepaid carriers. On the flip side, traditional carriers tend to be more expensive than other prepaid options. T-mobile is probably our favorite traditional prepaid carrier, thanks to a great mix of value and features. 

A carrier owned by a major network

Want more features and better options than you’re seeing from most MVNOs but don’t want to pay the traditional carrier price? There is a third door, and that’s a carrier owned by a major network. Basically, this is a carrier that doesn’t own its own network, but its parent does. For example, Cricket is owned by AT&T, and Visible is owned by Verizon. This relationship means you get an experience that’s a bit of a mix between an MVNO and a traditional carrier. Visible, Cricket, and Metro are easily the best options in this category. 

Best prepaid phone plans:

T-Mobile prepaid plans

Despite having its own prepaid sub-brand (Metro), T-Mobile still offers prepaid plans directly. T-Mobile has three prepaid plans to choose from.

The first is called Simply Prepaid which offers a limited amount of high-speed data a month. The second plan is Simply Unlimited Prepaid, which offers unlimited 4G data speeds. T-Mobile’s highest-level prepaid plan is called Simply Unlimited Plus which offers unlimited 4G LTE data and 10GB of LTE hotspot. There’s also a prepaid data-only option for tablets, smartwatches, and hotspots.

Here’s a quick look at what you can get with T-Mobile Prepaid:

• The Simply Prepaid plan offers unlimited talk and texts, along with 10GB of 4G LTE data, for $40 a month for one line, with discounts when you add more lines.
• The Simply Unlimited Prepaid plan includes unlimited talk and texts, and unlimited 4G LTE data, for $50 a month for one line, again with discounts when you add more lines.
• Simply Unlimited Plus includes everything listed above for $60 per month for one line with the added benefit of 10GB of LTE hotspot and unlimited 3G hotspot.
• You can add talk, text, and 5GB of 4G LTE data coverage in Mexico and Canada to both plans for an extra $5 a month, and international calling for an extra $15 a month.
• Prepaid tablet, hotspot, and smartwatches plans can be added for as low as $10 a month for 2GB of LTE data per line, to $85 a month for 22GB of data.

For a deeper look at all of T-Mobile’s prepaid plans, you’ll want to visit our full guide or head here for a look at all the current promotions offered by the carrier.

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AT&T prepaid plans

Like T-Mobile, AT&T has its own sub-brand (Cricket), yet still offers five prepaid plans directly under its main brand. Two plans offer a limited amount of high-speed data for your smartphone, and the others offer unlimited 4G LTE data. There’s also a fifth plan that offers no data for people who still want to use a feature phone. 

Here’s what you can expect from AT&T’s prepaid plans:

• For smartphone users, you can get a plan for $35 a month with 2GB of LTE data, unlimited talk, and text in the US
• The next level costs $50 a month and it offers 8GB of 4G LTE data, plus unlimited talk and text to Canada and Mexico, and use of the plan when you are in both of those countries.
• The cheaper AT&T prepaid unlimited data plan costs $65 a month, or you can get the more expensive $75 a month plan that includes 10GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data and 5G access.

For a deeper look at all of AT&T’s prepaid plans, you’ll want to visit our full guide or head here for a look at all the current promotions offered by the carrier.

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Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile is now owned by Dish Network — a first for the company. It has a few plans to choose from, along with discounts if you add more than one line to your account. It also offers a standalone Wi-Fi hotspot plan as well, along with add-on international calling plans. Boost offers some pretty great plans, especially for those who are looking to save.

Take a look at what you can expect from Boost Mobile’s prepaid plans:

• Boost has a brand-new Shrink It plan which decreases in price by $5 after three months and after six months to cost $35 per month for unlimited talk and text, as well as 15GB of LTE data.
• There’s a $35 a month plan with unlimited calls and texts, along with 3GB of LTE data.
• The two other plans all offer unlimited calls, texts, and high-speed data. They cost $50 a month, with 12GB of mobile hotspot data and $60 a month with 30GB of hotspot data.
• If you have a stand-alone mobile hotspot, Boost Mobile has a prepaid plan that offers 50GB of high-speed data for $50 a month
• Boost Mobile also offers add-ons for its plans that include international phone services, phone insurance, and HD mobile video streaming. All Boost plans now include Boost Perks which are exclusive deals, giveaways, and deals.