Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans 2020

Ting's model is unique: You pay for the minutes, text messages and data you use. The $15-per-month charge assumes you use some of each but not more than 100 minutes, 100 text messages and 100MB of data. You can check out its rates here.

Republic’s plans start at $15 for unlimited talk, text and Wi-Fi. Data is an extra $5 per gigabyte. All calls, texts and data usage occur over available Wi-Fi networks. If there aren't any, the carrier defaults to Sprint's or T-Mobile's cellular network. The network you'll use depends on your phone.

Sprint’s 6GB plans includes unlimited 2G data, so you won't be charged an overage if you use more than what's included in your plan. You will, however, experience much slower speeds for the remainder of your billing cycle. This plan is only available when you activate a new account and purchase a new phone for $450 or less, which eliminates popular new releases like the iPhone 11, Samsung Note10+ and Google Pixel 4. Sprint is hoping to merge with T-Mobile, but the agreement still has several hurdles to clear. Until then, it’s business as usual for Sprint customers.

U.S. Cellular operates in 23 states, and in some of those states, service is available in only a few counties. If you do live in an area where U.S. Cellular is available, you'll enjoy nationwide coverage thanks to the carrier's roaming agreements. Data usage outside of your home area is capped at 400MB; after that, your speeds slow significantly.

One of the largest prepaid cell phone companies, Tracfone contracts with all four major carriers, so you can access a top-rate network without the top-tier price tag. The network you'll use depends on where you live and the phone you buy. The 30 minute airtime card expires after 30 days if your don't add more airtime.

With Ting, you pay for what you use, and minutes and texts are billed separately. The $12 monthly fee assumes that you place or receive at least one call and send or receive at least one text during the billing cycle. Use more than 100 minutes or 100 texts and you'll pay more than $12. Use nothing and you'll pay just the $6 monthly base charge, plus taxes and fees.

Technically, T-Mobile’s PayGo plan is now offered via Ultra Mobile. But it still runs on T-Mobile's network and is only available at select T-Mobile store. The plan works the same, despite the new branding. Incoming snd outgoing texts and calls count toward your 30-minute maximum, including calls to check your voicemail. Any usage beyond that is billed at 10 cents per minute or text. You'll need to top up your account every 90 days to keep your account and phone number active. T-Mobile is hoping to merge with Sprint, but the agreement still has several hurdles to clear. Until then, it’s business as usual for T-Mobile customers.

On AT&T’s pay-as-you-go plan, you pay the $2 charge only if you use your phone that day. Checking your voicemail from your cell phone counts as usage. Your account balance will expire if you don't add money regularly. The expiration date can range from 30 days to one year, depending on the amount added to your account.