T-Mobile’s cell phone plans cost between $50 and $85 per month for a single line of service, but you can access the same network for a lower price.
There are a variety of smaller carriers known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that partner with T-Mobile to use its towers. Using an MVNO is a great way to get a cheap cell phone plan with all of the benefits of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text.
Over the past few years, our team has tested a handful of low-cost T-Mobile alternatives. In this article, I’ll take a close look at the best and cheapest choices.
This article was updated in July 2024 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
- Unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data
- Cheapest monthly plan available with high-speed data
- 40GB data cap before reduced speeds
- Prepay three months in advance when you sign up
- $96/year ($8/month) for 2GB high-speed data
- Cheapest prepaid annual plan available
Save on Your Cell Phone Bill With a T-Mobile MVNO
T-Mobile is a major cell phone provider that offers reliable coverage across the nation. If you know that T-Mobile offers good service in your area, you can access the same towers without having to pay full price for a T-Mobile phone plan.
Unlimited data plans from T-Mobile cost $50-$90 per month for a single line. Fortunately, there are several mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that run within T-Mobile’s network by using T-Mobile towers but charge only a fraction of the cost. In fact, you can find phone plans as low as $9 per month for 1GB with Tello Mobile. Light data users will also find great plans available from Red Pocket and US Mobile. If you’re looking for a bigger data plan, be sure to check out Mint Mobile, Boost Mobile and US Mobile’s unlimited plans. Frequent travelers will find a great deal with Google Fi Wireless’ service.
These are the T-Mobile MVNOs we cover in this review:
Below, you’ll find more information on these MVNOs including links to their coverage maps and our picks for the best phone plan from each.
Tello
Cheapest Cell Phone Plan
|
Price:
$9/month (plus taxes)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
1GB
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
1GB
|
Tello is the cheapest T-Mobile MVNO available with phone plans from as low as $9 per month (and even cheaper without data!) For $9 per month, you can get unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data. After you use your high-speed data allotment, you’ll have access to unlimited 2G speeds. For $1 more ($10 per month) you can double the high-speed data to 2GB.
Additional plans from Tello Mobile include 5GB of high-speed data for $14 per month, 10GB for $19, 20GB for $20 and 35GB for $25. If you’re switching to one of these plans, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
Before you decide to switch to Tello Mobile, be sure to check its coverage map to make sure you’ll have service in your area. To learn more about Tello before switching, read our full Tello Mobile review here.
Mint Mobile
Cheapest Unlimited Phone Plan
|
Price:
$30/month (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
10GB
Data Cap Overage:
Slower speeds after 40GB
|
Mint Mobile has always used T-Mobile’s towers to provide service, but recently, T-Mobile purchased the MVNO making it an official T-Mobile reseller. With Mint Mobile, you’ll find the cheapest unlimited plan. For $30 per month, Mint Mobile offers unlimited talk, text and data. The plan also includes an additional 5GB of mobile hotspot data. Data speeds reduce after 40GB, but you can still continue using unlimited data. To get this price, you’ll have to prepay for three months at a time ($90 total).
For a limited time, new customers can sign up for any Mint Mobile plan (including unlimited) for $15/month for the first three months. That’s a $45 savings with Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan! You can check out the full deal details here.
You can bring your own phone to Mint Mobile to save even more. Check your phone’s compatibility here before switching. Be sure to check Mint Mobile’s coverage map before switching. You can also read our full review here.
US Mobile
Cheapest annual plan
|
Price:
$10 monthly (taxes & fees included); $96 for 12 months ($8/month)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
2GB
Hotspot Data:
None
Data Cap Overage:
2GB
|
US Mobile is an MVNO that provides access to two major networks of service: Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile. You can choose which network to join when you sign up. T-Mobile’s network is “GSM” while Verizon’s network is “Warp 5G” on US Mobile plans.
US Mobile’s Light Plan is the most affordable option, and it’s perfect for light data users. The Light Plan includes 2GB of data, unlimited talk & text and an international calling add-on for $3/month. The Light Plan costs $10 per month with taxes and fees included. If you subscribe to an annual plan, you’ll get the same amount of data per month and the international calling add-on becomes available for $36/year. The annual plan costs $96 (including taxes and fees) which works out to $8 per month.
If you need more data, US Mobile also offers unlimited plans and shared data plans. Shareable data plans begin at $18/month for two lines with 2GB of data. Unlimited plans begin at $25/month for one line or $210/year ($17.50/month). The unlimited plans include a premium data allotment as well as unlimited talk & text. Some unlimited plans also include limited hotspot, limited international data and multi-line subscription perks.
To learn more about US Mobile, be sure to read our full review here.
Boost Mobile
Best Hotspot Plan
|
Price:
$60 (taxes & fees included)
Multiline Discounts:
None
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
50GB high-speed data
Data Cap Overage:
Speeds reduced to 512Kbps after 50GB
|
Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite have recently merged to become one cell phone service provider under Boost Mobile’s new brand. The company has also launched its own 5G network while still partnering with AT&T and T-Mobile to provide coverage to 99% of the country.
Until now, Boost Mobile has offered prepaid phone plans beginning as low as $8.33/month (paid annually). Alternatively, Boost Infinite has offered postpaid plans beginning as low as $25 for unlimited talk, text and data. Now, Boost Mobile offers both prepaid and postpaid unlimited plans that begin at $25/month. The Unlimited Premium plan ($60) includes unlimited talk, text and data (50GB high-speed data). All of your high-speed data can be shared via mobile hotspot with this plan.
If you’re thinking about switching to Boost Mobile, be sure to check its coverage map online. You may also be able to bring your own phone to save even more. Check your phone’s compatibility here before switching.
To learn more about Boost Mobile before you make the decision to switch, read our full review here.
Google Fi Wireless
Best for International Travel
|
Price:
$20/month + $10/GB
Multiline Discounts:
$18/line/month for 2, $17/line/month for 3 or 4
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
$10/GB
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
Data slows after 15GB.
|
If you’re looking for an affordable phone plan on T-Mobile’s network that includes international travel perks, Google Fi Wireless is a great option. Google Fi Wireless offers three plans: Flexible, Simply Unlimited and Unlimited Plus.
Light data users will find a great deal with the Flexible plan. It costs $20 per month plus $10 per each GB of data used. Your data can be used domestically or internationally at no additional costs ($10 per GB no matter where you are).
Simply Unlimited costs $50 for one line and includes unlimited talk, text and data. It also includes data in Mexico and Canada. If you’re traveling outside of North America and need more data, Unlimited Plus is a great plan. It costs $65 for one line and includes unlimited talk, text and data. Data can be used in over 200 countries and destinations.
Before you make the switch to Google Fi Wireless, make sure your phone is compatible with the network. Team Clark member Sally has been a Google Fi Wireless customer since 2019. You can read her full Google Fi Wireless review here.
Metro by T-Mobile
|
Price:
$40 (taxes & fees included)
Multiline Discounts:
Save $10 on each additional line
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
No
Data Cap Overage:
10GB
|
Owned by T-Mobile, Metro offers prepaid plans online beginning at $40 per month. For this price, you’ll get 10GB of high-speed data with access to T-Mobile’s 5G network. Unfortunately, this plan doesn’t include a mobile hotspot or unlimited data at slower speeds once you’ve met your high-speed data limit. For $50 per month, you can get 35GB of high-speed data plus 8GB of mobile hotspot data. For $60 per month, you can increase the hotspot allotment to 25GB. Metro by T-Mobile also offers a $25 unlimited plan that’s available only to new customers.
You can check the service in your area with Metro by T-Mobile’s coverage map and test your phone’s compatibility online to see if you can bring it with you when you switch.
If you’re thinking about switching to Metro by T-Mobile, here are a few things to know.
Red Pocket
|
Price:
$20 (taxes included)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
5GB
|
Red Pocket Mobile lets you keep your existing phone and choose from any of the major networks including T-Mobile. Its monthly plans start at $10 a month for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data. For $20 per month, you can up the high-speed data allotment to 5GB.
Be sure to check out the current deals and promotions available on Red Pocket’s website. Also, be sure to view its coverage map to make sure you’ll have service in your area.
If you’re thinking about switching to Red Pocket, check your phone’s compatibility online to make sure it will work. Also, be sure to check out our full review before making the decision to switch.
Final Thoughts
T-Mobile is a great network that offers reliable coverage. Fortunately, MVNO customers don’t have to pay $50-$90 per month to access its towers. Below are Clark’s picks for the best T-Mobile MVNO carrier for different needs.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, I recommend checking out Tello. You’ll find the lowest price at $9 per month for 1GB of data plus unlimited talk and text.
If you need unlimited data, Mint Mobile offers one of the cheapest plans at $30 per month. For a good amount of cheap, high-speed hotspot data, be sure to check out Boost Mobile.
If you still aren’t sure about switching to an MVNO but know you want to stay with T-Mobile, consider T-Mobile Prepaid (Review). Plans begin at $40 per month for 10GB of high-speed data or $50 per month for unlimited.
T-Mobile Connect (Review) is another option to consider if you don’t use a ton of data. These plans have fewer perks than T-Mobile’s postpaid service, but with plans starting as low as $10 monthly for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data, the savings may be worth it to you.
For more options, be sure to read our guide on the best cell phone plans and deals available now. Once you’ve decided on a new phone plan and you’re ready to make the switch, check out this guide that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process.
If T-Mobile’s network isn’t right for you, you can review all our best cheap phone plans from all the providers.
Article Updates
- July 22, 2024: Updated Metro by T-Mobile’s plans and pricing; new customer deal ($25 unlimited plan) now available online or in-store
- July 22, 2024: Added Mint Mobile’s new customer deal (any plan for $15 for the first three months)
- July 22, 2024: Added Google Fi Wireless and US Mobile
- July 22, 2024: Updated Boost Mobile to the latest plan lineup
- July 22, 2024: Removed Boost Infinite (now merged with Boost Mobile)
- January 29, 2024: Updated Tello Mobile’s plans and pricing
- January 29, 2024: Removed Republic Wireless (new customers will be directed to Boost Infinite)
- January 29, 2024: Added Boost Infinite
- January 29, 2024: Removed Consumer Cellular (new customers will be on AT&T’s network)
- January 29, 2024: Updated Boost Mobile’s plan prices and high-speed data limits
