The 5 Best Cheap Phone Plans (2020): Alternatives to the Big Carriers

Mobile data is the priciest part of a cell plan these days, so if you can rely a little more on Wi-Fi instead and downsize your monthly data appetite, you can save a lot of money by switching to an MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator—a silly name that means a smaller mobile service provider that runs on one of the big carrier networks.Check out our guide to the best unlimited plans at the major carriers, best Android phones, and how to pick an iPhone. If you end up liking it and buying a plan after the trial week, Mint knocks the $5 off your renewal price.Our favorite Mint Mobile plans are $25 per month for 3 GB and $40 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data. Both plans are cheaper for the first 3-15 months.Phone compatibility: This network runs on T-Mobile, so any ex-T-Mobile or ex-AT&T phone should work, along with many newer high-end phones that come universally unlocked, like iPhone and Google Pixel. Your first month is only $25.Visible has only one plan, and it costs $40 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data.Phone compatibility: It runs on Verizon's network, so any ex-Verizon or ex-US Cellular phone or universally unlocked phone can be brought over. The Unlimited plan exists, but is expennnnsive: $70 per month for a single phone line, not including taxes and fees.Google Fi offers a $20 per line + $10 per GB of data plan and the unlimited plan for $70. We'll keep this page updated as Dish's plans for Boost become clearer in the future.It has five plans, from $10 to $45 a month, and each with Wi-Fi hot spot data and unlimited talk and text, although the lowest tier has a 1-GB hot spot limit, which is pretty low if you connect it to a laptop to web browse. Although they (and everyone else) could also just stop calling it "unlimited" …The Boost Mobile plans we like cost $35 per month for 10 GB and $45 per month for 15 GB.Phone compatibility: As always, universally unlocked phones will work, along with phones brought over from T-Mobile and AT&T. But it still offers solid service, and some of the tiers make a good case for themselves.The $35-a-month tier for 10 GB of 4G LTE data ($40 if you don't use auto-pay) makes the most sense, although it's light on features compared to the competition. You've got to step up to $55 a month to make free calls to Mexico and Canada.Cricket's best plan costs $35 a line for 10 GB of data.Phone compatibility: Any universally unlocked phone, along with ex-T-Mobile and ex-AT&T phones.Straight Talk is a collaboration between Walmart and TracPhone.