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This page last changed 2025.03.20 12:31 [1 time today, 6 times yesterday, and 1177 total times]

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Cell Phone Service Comparison

Cell phone service providers and their per-month costs after any first-few-months promo. Promo in 'other'. These prices gathered 8/30 to 9/21/2024.
FYI, MVNO=Mobile Virtual Network Operator, which refers companies that purchase minutes and data from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

DISCLAIMER: I'm only collecting information I've found on the Internet for the companies I've listed. I have no relationship with any of them other than from a consumer's point of view.

REQUEST: Please let me know at steve+cellphoneinfopage@toku.us of any information that's incorrect or missing. Thank you.

  • Cheapest unlimited voice 1GB data: $8(RedPocket) $9(Tello)
  • Cheapest unlimited voice 2GB data: $8(USMobile)
  • Cheapest unlimited voice 5GB data: $14(Tello) $15(USMobile, RedPocket, Mint)

Ratings come from Trustpilot.com. For example, 4.2* (62% 4&5* on 5,403) means their trustpilot rating is 4.2, and 62% of the 5,403 people rating gave 4 or 5 star reviews.

I've sorted these by their TrustPilot rating as of 9/20/2024.

ProviderRatingNetworkcost for one lineother2 lines
USMobile
https://usmobile.com/
Plans Summary
4.6*
(93% 4&5* on 3,796)
Verizon(warp) T-Mobile(lightspeed) AT&T(darkstar)
you choose when sign up, you can switch (“teleport”) twice for free, then it's $2 per teleport
$17.50/unlimited premium data;
sharable data $10/2Gb; $15/5Gb; $20/10Gb/ $35/20Gb. Add $8 per additional line sharing data; includes international calling and texting from US.
$8/2Gb premium data without free teleport, hotspot, Int'l calling, etc
Prices include taxes and fees.
prepay 12 months. 30 days free to try it out.
When international, calls/data costs extra (on carriers supporting it), Int'l eSIMs cost extra
Data cut-off (stops working) when you use up all shared data.
Unlimited data $35;
2Gb shared $18;
5Gb shared $23;
10Gb shared $28
includes taxes&fees
Tello Mobile
https://tello.com/
4.5*
(90% 4&5* on 11,335)
T-Mobile No-data plans: $5/100 mins ($6/1GB 100min), $8/unlimited mins
Data plans w/unlimited mins; $9/1GB; $10/2GB; $14/5GB; many more plans
no advance payment; free calls to Canada, Mexico, India, Switzerland, and many more. Upgrade/downgrade anytime n/c
Red Pocket
https://redpocket.com/
4.4*
(85% 4&5* on 3,600)
all 3 networks$8/1GB, $15/5GB, $25/20GB, $30/Unlimited
per month paid annually
includes international calling (1GB & 5GB plans 20 countries, others 80+ countries)
if go over data, service slows; no overage fee or cut-off.
Consumer Cellular
https://consumercellular.com/
4.2*
(62% 4&5* on 5,403)
AT&T or
T-Mobile
$20/1Gb; $25/5Gb; $35/10Gb; $50/unlimited
Plus taxes & fees
AARP member discount. Add $15 per additional line sharing data. Auto upgrade e.g. 1Gb to 5Gb if you use more.$35/1Gb shared
$40/5Gb shared ($50.97 with taxes&fees and AARP discount)
$50/10Gb shared.
plus taxes & fees.
Hello
https://hellomobile.com/
3.9*
(74% 4&5 on 3,382)
T-Mobile $17.50/mo unlimited (6 mo paid in advance)
$5/500MB, $10/1GB, $15/4GB, $20/5GB
free unlimited int'l calling from US to Canada, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, UK; total 60+ countries; land lines, some countries to cell phones.
Mint Mobile
https://mintmobile.com/
3.3*
(74% 4&5* on 1,293)
T-Mobile $15/5Gb
$20/15Gb
$25/20Gb
$30/unlimited
Plus taxes & fees ($2.82/line for 5GB, $3.02/line for 15GB)
$15/month for unlimited first 3 months; then rates are per month prepay 12 months; data and plan is per-line.
Mobile Hotspot n/c pulls from monthly data, limited to 10GB on unlimited plans
free calls to Canada & Mexico.
If go over data, service slows: no overage fee or cut-off; data add-on available if you need more.
Ting
https://ting.com/
2.7*
(74% 4&5* on 303)
T-Mobile$25/5GB(all can be hotspot), $35/12GB(max 8GB hotspot)After monthly data allotment, speed is reduced to 128kbps; get more fast data for $5/GB.
unused fast data you add carries to next month.
Freedompop
https://freedompop.com/
2.4*
(52% 4&5* on 1,721)
AT&T $10/1GB(int' calling to 20 countries), $30/10GB(int'l calling to80+ countries)implies that if go over data allotment, service slows
Metro by T-Mobile
https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/
1.8
(13% 4&5* on 70)
T-Mobile$40/10GB ($45 first month)
Cricket Wireless
https://www.cricketwireless.com/
1.7 (15% 4&5* on 376) AT&T $30/5GB, $40/10GB $70/10GB
Visible by Verizon
https://visible.com/
1.5*
(8% 4&5* on 1,117)
Verizon$22.92/unlimited data (paid $275 annual, Visible); $32.92/unlimited premium data (paid $395 annual, Visible+)
prices include taxes & fees
if switch f/T-Mobile price $15/mo for 5 years.
Unlimited talk&text to Mexico and Canada.
Visible: save $5/mo on Verizon home internet, smartwatch $10/mo
Visible+ faster data, save $10/mo on Verizon home internet, hotspot twice as fast as Visible, available to use in Mexico and Canada, calls to 30+ countries and text to 200+, smartwatch service included
Visible: 45.83/mo (pay 550/yr)
Visible+ 65.83/mo (pay 790/yr)
taxes and fees included
Boost Mobile
https://boostmobile.com/
1.4
(7% 4&5* on 466)
Boost, AT&T, T-Mobile $25/mo unlimited data ($5 autopay discount. Add $10 ea for: hotspot, high-speed data; and many more add-ons available for a cost.DISH Wireless d/b/a Boost Mobile
Credo Mobile
https://credomobile.com/
1.4
(6% 4&5* on 144)
Verizon $35/1GB per linethey donate to nonprofits every month
T-Mobile
https://t-mobile.com/
1.3*
(9% 4&5* on 5,690)
T-Mobile$30/line for 2 lines age 55+other more $ plans offer better streaming, more hotspot, services abroad.
AT&T
https://att.com/
1.3*
(6% 4&5* on 7,659)
AT&T$30/5GB or $25/10GB prepay 12 months Prices start at $25/line but you must have 4 lines.
Verizon Wireless
https://verizonwireless.com/
1.2*
(5% 4&5* on 5,358)
Verizon$35/line/15GB, first month $45, autopay (prepay?), $5 or $10 discount after 3 or 9 months of service
Other plans start at $65/month for 1 line, $55/month/line for 2 lines
Google Fi
https://fi.google.com/
1.2
(2% 4&5* on 390)
T-Mobile $20/10GB plus taxes&feessee comments, below$35/10GB shared plus taxes&fees.

Comments

[from Glenn, regarding Google Fi, 12/31/2024]
I was somewhat surprised by the abysmal TrustPilot rating for Google Fi, but all the 1-star ratings point to bad experience with their customer service, and few complaints about the actual cellular communication. I tend to agree that their customer service is poor (scripted and unhelpful), but I haven’t needed to use it for anything lately since it all seems to work just fine for us.

Resources

An Example: Switching from Consumer Cellular to Mint or US Mobile

(Thanks ChatGPT) Assuming that phone1 accepts eSIM and phone2 doesn't and would need a physical SIM card.

Step 1: Check Compatibility

Step 2: Order SIM Cards or Activate eSIM

  • Mint Mobile:
    1. Order a physical SIM for your phone2 and an eSIM for phone1.
    2. Activation kits are available online or in stores.
  • US Mobile:
    1. Offers both physical SIM and eSIM activation.
    2. Order from their website or check for instant eSIM activation.

Step 3: Port Your Numbers (If Keeping Them)

  • Do not cancel Consumer Cellular yet! Instead:
    1. Find your account number and PIN from Consumer Cellular (you may need to call them).
    2. Provide this information when activating with Mint or US Mobile to transfer your number.
    3. The transfer usually takes minutes to a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours.

Step 4: Activate the New Service

  • For Your eSIM Phone1:
    1. Follow Mint/US Mobile's instructions to scan the QR code and install the eSIM.
  • For Your Physical SIM Phone2:
    1. Insert the new SIM card and follow the activation steps.

Step 5: Confirm Activation & Test Service

  • Make test calls, send texts, and check data.
  • If everything works, cancel Consumer Cellular.

Mint Mobile vs. US Mobile – Which Should You Choose?

Again thanks to ChatGPT for initial information that I've edited.

Feature Mint Mobile US Mobile
Network T-Mobile Choice of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
Pricing Cheaper but requires prepaying for 3–12 months Flexible monthly plans, slightly higher cost
eSIM Support Yes Yes
Physical SIM Support Yes Yes
Data Plans 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or Unlimited Customizable plans with pooled/shared data
Premium Data No priority data Priority data available (on Verizon)
Hotspot Included (limited speed) Full-speed hotspot available
International Roaming Limited (pay-per-use) Available with add-ons
Trial Option 7-day money-back guarantee 100-day free trial (for some plans)

When to Choose Mint Mobile

  • ✅ If you want cheaper pricing (especially for multiple months at once).
  • ✅ If you are fine with T-Mobile’s network in your area.
  • ✅ If you don’t need priority data (like during network congestion).

When to Choose US Mobile

  • ✅ If you want monthly flexibility (no prepaying for months in advance).
  • ✅ If you want Verizon’s network (better coverage in some areas).
  • ✅ If you need priority data (for faster speeds during congestion).
  • ✅ If you want better international roaming options.

Which One Should You Pick?

  • If you want the best price and don’t mind prepaying, go with Mint Mobile.
  • If you prefer a flexible monthly plan, better coverage options, or premium data, go with US Mobile.

Summary of USMobile and Mint Plans 2/26-27/2025

Prices monthly for annual plan. Taxes and fees included.
HS=High Speed

Plan Cost/mo Data Talk&Text Hotspot Int'l Data Int'l call&text f/US
USMobile Plans 2/26/2025 taxes & fees included
Unlimited Flex 17.50Unlimited (HS to 10GB)Unlimited 5GB add-onYes
Unlimited Starter22.50Unlimited (HS to 35GB)Unlimited 10GB90+ countriesYes
Unlimited Premium32.50Unlimited Priority. UnlimitedUnlimited90+ countriesYes
By the Gig 10 +8/add'l line2GB sharedUnlimitedYesnot yetYes
By the Gig 15 +8/add'l line5GB sharedUnlimitedYesnot yetYes
By the Gig 20 +8/add'l line10GB sharedUnlimitedYesnot yetYes
Light plan 82GBUnlimited??add-on
Mint Mobile Plans 2/27/2025 cost per plan; +est taxes/fees
5GB15+25GBUnlimited yes ? Mexico & Canada
15GB20+2.315GBUnlimited yes ? Mexico & Canada
20GB25+2.520GBUnlimited yes ? Mexico & Canada
cell_phone_services.txt · Last modified: 2025.03.20 15:31 by Steve Isenberg