The Cheapest Cell Phone Service Providers In 2025

In 2025, a cheap phone plan isn't just an option — it is expected. You might not notice but, on average, American households shell out about $272.90 per month and $3,275 each year on internet, phone, TV, and streaming services (via Yahoo! Finance). Pair this with the amount you might be wasting ordering takeout instead of cooking your own food, you would have little to put into your emergency fund. Providers are keeping up, offering plans for under $20 to $30 a month. You still get calls, texts, and the internet without breaking the bank. More people are choosing savings and flexibility over fancy extras as a genius way to save money on their phone bill, and companies are paying attention.

These budget-friendly phone plans pack in all the essentials — data, texting, and calling. Companies vary on the specifics, but typically you get enough fast data for web surfing, email checking, and social media browsing. Unlimited texts and calls are usually included too, so you can keep in touch without fretting over additional charges. It's ideal for anyone looking to trim their phone bill without sacrificing reliable service. The following are some of the cheapest cell phone service providers of 2025. 

Ultra Mobile runs on T-Mobile's network, which T-Mobile itself took over in 2023. So, you get dependable access to T-Mobile's speedy 5G service. Ultra Mobile has a variety of plans to match different needs and budgets. Its cheapest plan gives you 250 MB of data for just $15 a month. It offers a variety of plans, including 3 GB for $19, 5 GB for $24, 10 GB for $29, and its largest — a 15 GB unlimited plan — for $39 a month. This range makes it easy to find a plan that fits your needs perfectly.

Its unlimited plans allow you to use as much data, talk, and text as you want in the U.S. and over 90 countries, including Mexico. This is ideal for those who often call friends or family abroad. Plus, there are no long contracts; you can change or cancel your plan anytime without extra fees. Just a heads-up: If you cancel, your plan pauses, and you'll need to reactivate it if you decide to return.

Mint Mobile has a special deal for new customers where you can choose how much data you want. You can get 5 GB of data for $15 a month ($45 for three months), 15 GB for $20 a month ($60 total), or 20 GB for $25 a month ($75 total). There's also an unlimited data plan for $30 a month (up to 40 GB at high speed, then slower after that, costing $90 over three months). All these come with unlimited talk and text, fast data across the U.S. on T-Mobile's network, and free calls and texts to Canada and Mexico.

Mint Mobile's prepaid plans make it easy to keep an eye on how much data you use. You can pick a plan for three, six, or 12 months. The longer you commit, the less you pay each month. For example, its six month plans vary; you can get 5 GB of data for $20 monthly ($120 for six months), 15 GB for $25 a month ($150 total), or 20 GB for $35 a month ($210 total).

For a 12-month plan with Mint Mobile, the prices are better. You can get 5 GB of data for $15 a month, which adds up to $180 for the year. It also offers a plan with 15 GB for $20 a month ($240 total), and 20 GB for $25 a month ($300 total).

Tello lets you create your own phone plan. You can pick exactly how much data, how many minutes, and how many texts you want, so it fits just right with what you need. This is really handy for people who use a lot of data and want to stick to a budget. You can change or cancel your plan anytime if your needs change. The only downside is that Tello doesn't offer many discounts, and you have to pay extra for special stuff like using your phone abroad.

It has a cheap plan that starts at just $5 a month. This doesn't have fast data, but for $9, you can get 1 GB of fast data along with unlimited talk and text. It also has other plans where you can choose how much data you want: 2 GB for $10, 5 GB for $14, 10 GB for $19, and 15 GB for $24. The biggest plan gives you 35 GB of fast data for $25, and after that, the speed slows down but you can still use as much as you want. You can pick exactly how much data you need and only pay for that, which makes it one of the cheapest options around. Just remember, not all phones work with their service, and if you pick the unlimited plan, the internet might get slower after you use 35 GB in a month.

Twigby operates under Verizon's network, and it can give you unlimited talk, text, and data plans starting at just $5 per month for 2 GB (increasing to $15 after the first three months) and topping out at $25 per month for 20 GB (increasing to $35 after three months). While all plans on Twigby advertise unlimited talk, text, and data, high-speed data is capped between 2 GB and 20 GB. The 20 GB plan is recommended for those consuming a lot of data despite the price increase after the initial promotional period.

Twigby's unlimited plan has a catch; it only gives you 20 GB of high-speed data each month. That's okay for most people, but if you use a lot of data, you might need a plan with more. Adding more data costs $6 for each extra GB. Since Twigby uses Verizon's network, you might find the service slow or patchy when lots of people are online, especially in busy places. This could be a problem if you need fast and steady internet all the time. But, the low price might make these issues worth it for you. Also, if you're thinking about switching to Twigby and you already have a phone, make sure to check if your phone works with its service before you move your number or cancel your old plan.

US Mobile has different plans, so you can find one that fits just how you use your phone. It has the Unlimited Starter plan starting at $25 a month, which is great for most people. For those who use their phone a lot, the Unlimited Premium plan starts at $44 a month. If you don't need much, there's the Light Plan starting at $10 a month or the By the Gig plan also from $10 a month if you don't use data all the time.

All these plans come with unlimited talk and text, and you can tweak them to match exactly what you need. This way, you get a plan that feels like it's made just for you. US Mobile gives you the same coverage and speed as the big phone companies because it uses Verizon's and T-Mobile's 4G and 5G networks. Users also get a lot of high-speed data at prices that are really good compared to the major carriers. This makes US Mobile a strong choice if you're looking for a better deal than what the big names offer.

Red Pocket Mobile makes it easy to save on phone plans while using big networks like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, so you're pretty much covered wherever you go in the U.S. It starts at just $10 a month for 1 GB of data on AT&T and T-Mobile. Need more data? Its unlimited plan offers 30 GB of fast data for $40 a month, available on all three networks. It also has other deals like 5 GB for $20 a month and 20 GB for $30 a month, all on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Red Pocket Mobile's plans have some unique perks. The smaller options, like 1 GB and 5 GB, let you call 20 countries, while the bigger plans, 20 GB and unlimited, boost that to over 80 countries. One snag, though, is that Red Pocket doesn't have a mobile hotspot feature, which means you can't share your phone's internet with other gadgets. This is something you'll find with competitors like US Mobile and Tello. Before you jump on a Red Pocket plan, it's a smart move to peek at the coverage maps for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon on their website to ensure you're covered where you live and avoid any signal surprises.