Best Prepaid Phone Service in 2026: 8 Services Compared
By ToolNimba Editorial Team November 9, 2026 9 min read
- Top pick
VisibleSimple unlimited on Verizon
Starting price$25 per monthCheck out VisibleRead our review - Runner-up
Mint MobileLowest price with annual prepay
Starting price$15 per monthCheck out Mint MobileRead our review - Also great
TelloLight users and custom plans
Starting price$5 per monthCheck out TelloRead our review
How we researched this
We compared official pricing and feature pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- Visible and US Mobile offer the simplest unlimited prepaid deals at around 25 dollars per month with taxes included.
- Mint Mobile is cheapest when you pay for a year upfront, but its monthly price rises on shorter terms.
- Tello is the best pick for light users, with build-your-own plans from a few dollars per month.
- Cricket, Metro, and Boost suit people who want a store to visit for help and phone setup.
- Network matters more than brand, so check which carrier works best at your home and workplace before you switch.
Quick comparison
| Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visible | Simple unlimited on Verizon | $25 per month | No | Visit |
| Mint Mobile | Lowest price with annual prepay | $15 per month | Free trial | Visit |
| Tello | Light users and custom plans | $5 per month | No | Visit |
 US Mobile | Choosing your network | $8 per month | No | Visit |
 Cricket Wireless | AT&T coverage with stores | $30 per month | No | Visit |
 Metro by T-Mobile | T-Mobile coverage with stores | $30 per month | No | Visit |
 Boost Mobile | Low-cost unlimited with stores | $25 per month | No | Visit |
 Total Wireless | Verizon coverage with price lock | $40 per month | No | Visit |
The best prepaid phone service
We compared official plan pages, published prices, tax treatment, and public reviews for the main US prepaid carriers. Prepaid prices change often with promotions, so confirm the renewal price and tax treatment at checkout for your ZIP code.
Visible is our pick for people who want one simple unlimited plan without a contract puzzle. The base plan costs around 25 dollars per month with taxes and fees included, and it runs on the Verizon network. You pay month to month, so you can leave without waiting out a prepaid term.
The tradeoff is support and priority. There are no retail stores, and help comes through the app and chat. Data may also slow during heavy congestion compared with Verizon postpaid, and hotspot speed on the base plan is limited. If Verizon coverage is strong where you live, Visible is a clean and predictable prepaid choice.
- Unlimited data with taxes and fees included
- No long prepay term
- Unlimited hotspot at limited speed
- Support is mainly app and chat
- Data can slow during Verizon congestion
Mint Mobile is the cheapest unlimited option for people who can pay upfront. Its headline rate of around 15 dollars per month applies to new customers on a 12-month prepay, while the unlimited plan costs around 30 dollars per month on that same annual term in recent published comparisons. Taxes and fees are added on top, so the final bill is higher than the headline rate.
Mint suits confident switchers who know T-Mobile coverage works for them and who do not need in-store help. If you prefer month-to-month billing, or you are unsure about coverage, Visible or US Mobile may fit better. Always check the renewal rate, not just the first-term price, before you commit to Mint.
- Very low monthly equivalent on a 12-month plan
- Runs on T-Mobile
- Easy eSIM activation
- Taxes and fees are added
- Price rises on 3-month renewals
- No retail support network
Tello is the best prepaid pick for light users who do not want to pay for unlimited data they never use. You can build a plan with the minutes and data you need, starting from around 5 dollars per month, or choose unlimited data for around 25 dollars plus tax. Plans are month to month, and you can change them as your usage changes.
The limit is network choice, since Tello runs on T-Mobile only. If T-Mobile coverage is weak at your address, Tello is not the right pick even at a low price. For a second line, a child line, or a backup phone, Tello offers rare flexibility at a low cost.
- Build-your-own talk, text, and data plans
- Unlimited plan around 25 dollars
- No contract
- Taxes are added
- Runs only on T-Mobile
- Support is online
US Mobile stands out because you can pick the network that works best where you live, rather than accepting one carrier. Light plans start at around 8 dollars per month, and Unlimited Starter costs around 25 dollars per month with taxes included on published plans. That network flexibility is a real advantage if coverage varies between carriers at your home or office.
The range of plans can feel confusing at first, since starter, premium, and annual options differ on hotspot and priority data. Take time to compare the plan details for your usage, and use the network choice as the deciding factor. For most single-line users, US Mobile is one of the most flexible prepaid services available.
- Choice of major networks
- Taxes included on many plans
- Unlimited starter around 25 dollars
- Plan options can feel complex
- Premium data costs more on higher tiers
Cricket Wireless is a good prepaid pick for people who want AT&T coverage plus a store they can visit. Plans start at around 30 dollars per month in recent comparisons, with unlimited options higher depending on autopay and features. Taxes are often included, which makes the bill easier to predict than some online carriers.
Cricket costs more than Visible or Tello for a single unlimited line, so you pay for retail support and AT&T coverage. That tradeoff makes sense for families, for people who want help porting a number in person, or for anyone who prefers to buy a phone in a store. Check hotspot rules on the plan you choose, since they differ by tier.
- Runs on AT&T
- Thousands of retail stores
- Taxes often included
- Family plan discounts
- Entry unlimited plans cost more than online-only rivals
- Hotspot limits vary by plan
Metro by T-Mobile is the store-based counterpart to Mint and Tello on the T-Mobile network. Plans start from around 30 dollars per month with taxes included in recent published comparisons, and switcher promotions can lower the first cost. Stores help with activation, phone setup, and porting, which matters if you do not want to handle it all online.
As with Cricket, you pay more than the cheapest online plans for that in-person help. Metro suits families and people who value a local store, plus T-Mobile customers who want prepaid billing without a postpaid contract. Compare the plan you will keep after any promotion ends, not just the switcher price.
- Runs on T-Mobile
- Retail stores nationwide
- Taxes included
- Family and switcher deals
- Single-line prices are higher than online-only carriers
- Some deals require switching
Boost Mobile combines a low unlimited price with retail stores, which is rare among cheap prepaid carriers. Unlimited plans start at around 25 dollars per month with autopay in recent comparisons, and Boost has promoted long-term price holds on some plans. That mix suits budget users who still want a store nearby.
Coverage and plan terms can vary, so check which network your Boost plan uses in your area and whether taxes are included in the quoted price. Boost is a strong value pick when its price, coverage, and store access line up for you, but it is worth confirming the renewal terms before you switch a whole family.
- Unlimited plans from around 25 dollars with autopay
- Retail stores
- Long-term price offers
- Network and plan details vary by area
- Taxes may be added on some plans
Total Wireless is the prepaid pick for Verizon users who want price stability and store access. Plans start from around 40 dollars per month in recent comparisons, and some plans promote a multi-year price lock. That stability can matter if you are tired of introductory prices that rise after a few months.
Total costs more than Visible for a single line, so it fits families or Verizon users who want a longer price promise and retail help. If lowest price is your only goal, Visible or US Mobile will usually beat Total. If you value a locked price and Verizon coverage, Total is worth comparing.
- Runs on Verizon
- Retail availability
- Multi-year price lock on some plans
- Family plans
- Higher starting price than online rivals
- Taxes and plan details vary
How we picked these
We compared official plan pages, published single-line prices, tax treatment, network details, and public reviews for major US prepaid carriers. We favored services with clear monthly pricing, a reachable support route, and coverage on a major network. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we noted where prices depend on autopay, prepay terms, or promotions.
How to choose a prepaid plan
Prepaid looks simple, but the details decide whether you save money or get frustrated. Use these checks before you port your number.
Check coverage first
Ask neighbors or coworkers which network works at your home, office, and commute, or try a free trial eSIM where offered. A cheap plan on a weak network is a poor deal. US Mobile helps here because you can choose a network, while Mint, Tello, and Metro lock you to T-Mobile.
Compare the renewal price, not the banner price
Mint is cheapest on a 12-month prepay, while Visible and US Mobile charge a steadier monthly rate. Add taxes if they are not included, and check whether autopay is required for the quoted price. The price you pay in month four matters more than the price in month one.
Match data and hotspot to real use
Light users save most with Tello or a small US Mobile plan. Heavy hotspot users should check speed caps, since Visible base hotspot is speed-limited. Families should compare multi-line totals, where Cricket, Metro, and Total can beat single-line online plans.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What prepaid phone service is the best?
For most single-line users, Visible is the simplest best prepaid phone service because of its flat 25 dollar unlimited plan with taxes included. US Mobile is best if you want to choose your network, and Mint is best if you can prepay for a year. The best service depends on coverage at your address first.
What is the best prepaid service for unlimited data?
Visible offers the simplest unlimited prepaid deal, while US Mobile Unlimited Starter and Tello Unlimited are close rivals at a similar price. Mint Unlimited is cheaper on an annual prepay but costs more on shorter terms. Check hotspot limits and congestion rules before you pick.
Can I keep my number when switching to prepaid?
Yes, in most cases you can port your existing number to a prepaid carrier. Do not cancel your old plan before the port completes, and have your account number and transfer PIN ready. Porting usually takes minutes to a few hours, though some ports take longer.
Do prepaid plans include taxes and fees?
It depends on the carrier. Visible, US Mobile, Cricket, and Metro often include taxes and fees in the quoted price, while Mint, Tello, and some Boost plans add them. Always check the checkout total for your ZIP code, since tax treatment can change the cheapest headline price.
Is prepaid better than postpaid?
Prepaid is usually cheaper, needs no credit check, and has no long contract, which suits many users. Postpaid can offer higher priority data, device financing, and bundled perks. If you want the lowest bill and you do not need financing, prepaid is often the better value.
What is the cheapest prepaid phone service?
Tello and US Mobile offer the cheapest light plans, starting at around 5 and 8 dollars per month. For unlimited data, Mint on an annual prepay and Visible month to month are among the cheapest. The cheapest plan for you depends on how much data you actually use.