Looking for a low-cost cell phone plan but don’t want to sacrifice basic amenities (texting, minutes, and data)? I checked offerings and prices of plans offered by a variety of providers against the following criteria:
- A maximum monthly cost of $35
- No contract
- Single line only
- A minimum of 1GB 4G LTE data
- At least 500 minutes of talk (that’s over eight hours)
- At least 100 text messages
In this article I’m only considering U.S.-based plan features, so global text, etc., is not taken into account. Also note that many of these prices exclude taxes, while some provider-advertised fees (such as that of Metro PCS) have them built-in.
These 12 providers’ plans made the cut (T-Mobile and AT&T GoPhone are among those that did not):
1. Boost Mobile.
They have one plan option meeting the requirements, $30 per month (with autopay) for 2GB. Like Virgin Mobile, this cost includes unlimited streaming (in other words, it doesn’t count towards monthly data allotment) from six music streaming services Boost Mobile has partnered with: Spotify, Pandora, 8Tracks, iHeartRadio, Napster, and Slacker Radio (premium plans for those apps aren’t included).
2. Cricket Wireless.
They have one plan meeting the requirements, $30 per month for 1GB and unlimited talk and text.
3. FreedomPop.
They have one five plans meeting the requirements, all of which include unlimited talk and text: $20 for 1G, $25 for 2GB, $30 for 2GB with data speeds reduced after hitting 2GB, $30 for 3GB, and $35 for 4GB.
4. H2O Wireless.
They have one plan meeting the criteria, $27 per month (with autopay) for 3GB. It comes with unlimited nationwide talk and text.
5. MetroPCS.
They have one plan meeting the requirements that offers 2GB and unlimited talk and text for $30 per month, which includes taxes and fees. Note that unlimited music streaming (offered through their $40 and up plans) is not included.
6. Project Fi.
They have a add-on cost structure with a basic $20 plan that includes unlimited talk and text, and each GB costs $10. The lowest cost package meeting the requirements is $30 for 1GB and unlimited talk and text. It should be noted that they have a unique feature, a refund of unused data, applied as a credit to the ensuing month’s bill.
7. Republic Wireless.
They offer one plan meeting the requirements, which is $30 for 2GB of data and unlimited talk and text.
8. Tello.
With Tello, you hand pick your plan. For 1GB, 500 minutes, and 200 text messages per month, the cost would be $23. With the same amount of minutes and texts but 2GB, you’re looking at $33.
9. Ting.
Like Tello, you build your own plan. With a selection of 500 minutes, 100 text messages, and 1GB, you’d pay $34. With the same amount of minutes and texts but 2GB, you’d pay $38.
10. Total Wireless.
They have one plan meeting the requirements, 5GB and unlimited talk and text for $33.25 with autopay. Note that this is about the same price Virgin Mobile offers for the same features, but Total Wireless’s plan doesn’t offer unlimited music streaming.
11. Verizon Wireless.
They have one plan meeting the requirements, $35 for 2GB and unlimited talk and text.
12. Virgin Mobile.
They have one plan meeting the requirements, $35 for 5GB and unlimited talk and text. It also includes unlimited streaming (doesn’t count towards monthly data allotment) from six music streaming services Virgin Mobile has partnered with: Spotify, Pandora, 8Tracks, iHeartRadio, Napster, and Slacker Radio (premium plans for those apps aren’t included).
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