Best cheap data plans 2021

Switching to a better phone plan is easier than it seems. Most of the time, it only takes a few minutes to move your number over; and with unlocked phones getting cheaper and more accessible, you can probably keep using your phone the exact same way. Just with more money in the bank.

If you want to save money on your cell phone plan, there are more options than ever with new ways to save on major carriers and even smaller, prepaid carriers. MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) or alternative carriers lease coverage from the larger networks and resell it for less. That being said, depending on your average usage and needs, a plan from one of the Big Three could still be your least expensive option. Here are the best cheap cell phone plans in the U.S. right now.

What do you really need in a phone plan?

Before choosing a carrier and/or a wireless plan, spend some time thinking about your needs. The vast majority of plans now come with unlimited talk and texting, so the real question is data. Fortunately, most phones will tell you how much data you typically use in the settings, or you could have a look at your past phone bill. If you’re using quite a lot, think about whether or not you can reduce that usage by connecting to Wi-Fi. Data used on Wi-Fi does not count towards your phone plan.

If you’re using more than 30GB of data in a month, an unlimited plan may be in order, but there are still ways to save. If you’re over the age of 55, a 55+ plan could save you money without even needing to change carriers. Still, some carriers have made unlimited data possible for everyone, with discounts for buying multiple months or joining their community platform.

The second major thing to think about is your phone. If you’ve already got an unlocked phone, you’re a step ahead and you can start looking at plans. If you’re stuck with a carrier-locked phone or are just ready for a new one, you can get nearly any phone unlocked so it can be activated on any carrier. There are a ton of cheap Android phones to choose from that will give you the freedom to feel out various plans before settling on one. You can also bring the latest and greatest of the best Android phones if you want as well.

If you’ve finished paying off your phone at your old carrier, you can have it unlocked to work on another carrier. Just keep in mind that some carrier-branded phones will work best on the network they were designed for, so you’ll want to use a carrier that uses the same network.

Plans

In the end, the best phone plan is the one that works the best for you and that’s not always the cheapest option. If you get something too small, you may find that you’ve run out of data when you need it. Try to pick something that matches your usage rather than trying to match your usage to the plan.

The best cheap cell phone plan overall

Many Americans use significantly less data than they think. If this is the case for you, why not consider reducing your monthly bill and getting only what you need from your cell phone plan?

Mint Mobile’s 4GB plan is the best cheap cell phone plan overall, thanks to enough data for most light users as well as unlimited talk and text. Mint Mobile starts customers out with a three-month plan with a low introductory rate. You can keep this rate if they renew for 12 months, though they must pay the total amount upfront. After that, you can go with a shorter renewal, though your price will be a bit higher per month.

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, including 5G allowing for great coverage and speed when using a compatible 5G phone. You can buy a phone from Mint Mobile, but if your phone is already paid off and unblocked, there’s a good chance you can bring it with you. You can check to be sure before you complete your purchase.

Mint Mobile also allows you to use your data as a hotspot and doesn’t restrict video streaming quality on this plan. If you need more data, you can add it one or three gigabytes at a time or simply upgrade to a larger plan by paying the price difference.

Other great cheap cell phone plans

Mint Mobile’s multi-month approach isn’t for everyone, and the T-Mobile network might not be the perfect fit either. If you need something a little different, Cricket is an AT&T prepaid carrier and offers a solid set of plans with some great family discounts. You may end up paying a bit more in the long run but getting on the right network is more important for getting the most out of your phone. Something like Google Fi isn’t the best value but comes with some helpful international features for travelers.

Best unlimited cheap cell phone plans

People rely on their phones more than ever, and many people just want a ton of data without needing to think about how much they’ve used. Luckily, there are a handful of great unlimited options available. Most of these plans can reduce your speeds if you use too much data, though you won’t be completely cut off, and hitting these upper limits is pretty difficult.

Visible operates on Verizon’s LTE and 5G network with no contracts or hidden fees. Visible only has one plan, and it’s totally unlimited, including a 5Mbps hotspot feature. You will need an approved phone with VoLTE support on the Verizon network to get signed up, but this includes some of the most popular phones, including the Pixel 6 series and most newer iPhones.

Visible doesn’t have any family plans, though you can save a lot of money by joining a Visible Party. When you join a party with four or more members, your monthly price drops to just $25 per month. Joining a party is quick and easily done on Visible’s website, so there’s no reason not to join.

Other great cheap unlimited cell phone plans

Visible is far from the only unlimited option around, with nearly every carrier offering an unlimited plan, especially when they’ve just bought one of the best Android phones. Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan can be a bit more expensive per month even with a 12-month renewal, though it’s a lot more flexible with the T-Mobile network working with just about any unlocked phone. You can also find a plan with some nice extras such as Metro by T-Mobile’s cloud storage.

Best cheap prepaid phone plans

Sometimes less is more, and that can be the case with data. Many people don’t even use 4GB of data per month. You can also make good use of Wi-Fi to reduce your usage if you’re trying to save even more money on your phone bill.

Tello allows you to customize your phone plan with your choice of data starting at just 500MB and up to 25GB. You can also choose your talk minutes starting at just 100 minutes. Texts are unlimited when you add any minutes to your plan. All of this works on T-Mobile’s network with LTE and 5G support.

Tello offers a few premade plans starting with the Economy plan with 1GB of high-speed 4G LTE and 5G data, as well as unlimited minutes and texts for $10 per month. You’ll also get free tethering and calls to the U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, and Romania. If you prefer to build your own plan and pick how many minutes or data you’ll need, you can do so at a reasonable price.

Other great cheap prepaid cell phone plans

Tello is very cheap, but its custom nature isn’t a perfect fit for everyone. There are a ton of other options starting with T-Mobile’s growing Connect prepaid plan. If T-Mobile’s network isn’t the right…