This is a working price database, not a review. Every tier below is a real plan at a real price, pulled from carrier pricing pages and verified in October 2026. When a price changes, the table updates and the change gets dated in the log below.
Use it to find the cheapest plan for your usage, then check the carrier page directly before you sign up.
| Carrier | Cheapest plan | Best value plan | Network | Contract | Credit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Mobile | $15 Starter (2GB) | $40 Unlimited (25GB fast, then unlimited) | T-Mobile or AT&T (strongest signal) + in-house (where deployed) | No contract on any plan | No credit check |
| Mint Mobile | $15 5GB (billed $45 per 3 months) | $45 Unlimited 55GB fast (billed $135 per 3 months) | T-Mobile | No contract, but you pay 3 months up front ($45, $90, or $135) | No credit check |
| Visible | $25 Same, one plan | $25 Unlimited, $25/month (frequent $19 promos) | T-Mobile | No contract, cancel anytime | No credit check |
| T-Mobile | $15 Connect by T-Mobile basic | $50 Prepaid Go5G (50GB fast, then unlimited at reduced speed) | Own network | Prepaid: none. Postpaid: month-to-month, but early termination fees apply to financed phones | Postpaid with device: yes. Prepaid: no |
| Cricket | $28 Prepaid talk and text tiers | $45 Unlimited, around $45 (promos vary) | AT&T | Prepaid: none. Postpaid: month-to-month with credit check | Postpaid: yes. Prepaid: no |
| Tello | $5 Text-only tiers available | $25 Unlimited (55GB fast, then unlimited) | T-Mobile | No contract | No credit check |
| AT&T | $30 Same multi-line promo pricing | $30 Unlimited Value 2.0 at multi-line promo ($30/line, October 2026) | Own network | Month-to-month plans, device financing creates effective commitments | Yes for postpaid and device financing |
| Verizon | $40 Unlimited Welcome at 3+ lines ($40/line) | $85 Unlimited Ultimate, single line (raised to $85 in May 2026) | Own network | Month-to-month plans, but device financing creates effective commitments | Yes for postpaid and device financing |
Prices as of October 2026. Promo pricing changes. Verify before you sign up.
Cheapest: $15 - Starter (2GB). Best value: $40 - Unlimited (25GB fast, then unlimited).
Network: T-Mobile or AT&T (strongest signal) + in-house (where deployed). Contract: No contract on any plan. Credit check: No credit check.
Top strengths: Cheapest unlimited in this comparison ($40). Dual-network: uses T-Mobile or AT&T, whichever has the strongest signal, plus in-house towers where deployed.
Cheapest: $15 - 5GB (billed $45 per 3 months). Best value: $45 - Unlimited 55GB fast (billed $135 per 3 months).
Network: T-Mobile. Contract: No contract, but you pay 3 months up front ($45, $90, or $135). Credit check: No credit check.
Top strengths: $15/month tier is the cheapest real plan in the US. T-Mobile network.
Cheapest: $25 - Same, one plan. Best value: $25 - Unlimited, $25/month (frequent $19 promos).
Network: T-Mobile. Contract: No contract, cancel anytime. Credit check: No credit check.
Top strengths: $25 unlimited, month to month, no 3-month prepay. Clean app, real customer support.
Cheapest: $15 - Connect by T-Mobile basic. Best value: $50 - Prepaid Go5G (50GB fast, then unlimited at reduced speed).
Network: Own network. Contract: Prepaid: none. Postpaid: month-to-month, but early termination fees apply to financed phones. Credit check: Postpaid with device: yes. Prepaid: no.
Top strengths: Strong 5G network in most US metros. 5-year price lock on $50 prepaid unlimited.
Cheapest: $28 - Prepaid talk and text tiers. Best value: $45 - Unlimited, around $45 (promos vary).
Network: AT&T. Contract: Prepaid: none. Postpaid: month-to-month with credit check. Credit check: Postpaid: yes. Prepaid: no.
Top strengths: AT&T coverage at prepaid prices. Physical stores for in-person help.
Cheapest: $5 - Text-only tiers available. Best value: $25 - Unlimited (55GB fast, then unlimited).
Network: T-Mobile. Contract: No contract. Credit check: No credit check.
Top strengths: Cheapest if you need almost no data. Best international calling rates in this list.
Cheapest: $30 - Same multi-line promo pricing. Best value: $30 - Unlimited Value 2.0 at multi-line promo ($30/line, October 2026).
Network: Own network. Contract: Month-to-month plans, device financing creates effective commitments. Credit check: Yes for postpaid and device financing.
Top strengths: Most towers in the US, strong rural and Midwest coverage. Aggressive multi-line promos.
Cheapest: $40 - Unlimited Welcome at 3+ lines ($40/line). Best value: $85 - Unlimited Ultimate, single line (raised to $85 in May 2026).
Network: Own network. Contract: Month-to-month plans, but device financing creates effective commitments. Credit check: Yes for postpaid and device financing.
Top strengths: 5G Ultra Wideband is fast where deployed. Deep multi-line discounts.
| Category | Winner | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan on this list | Mint Mobile | $15/mo for 5GB (billed $45 per 3 months) |
| Cheapest unlimited, month to month | Visible | $25/mo (frequent $19 promos) |
| Cheapest unlimited with a built in VPN | World Mobile | $40/mo, 25GB fast then unlimited |
| Cheapest 50GB fast data | T-Mobile prepaid | $50/mo Go5G, 5-year price lock |
| Cheapest if you barely use data | Tello | from $5/mo (text only tiers) |
| Cheapest AT&T network unlimited | Cricket | around $45/mo (promos vary) |
| Longest price lock | T-Mobile | 5-year price guarantee on current prepaid unlimited |
| Cheapest multi line promo | Verizon | $30/line Unlimited Value 2.0 (October 2026 promo) |
Every price is pulled from public carrier pricing pages and checked by hand. When a carrier changes pricing we update the tables above and add a dated entry to the log. Promos and multi line discounts change more often than list price, so treat any promo number as a snapshot, not a promise.
Whenever a carrier changes its pricing. Every price here was verified in October 2026, and each change we make gets dated in the price change log on this page.
They come from each carrier's public pricing pages and were checked in October 2026. Promo pricing and multi line discounts change more often than list price, so verify on the carrier's own page before you sign up.
Mint Mobile at $15 a month for 5GB, billed $45 per 3 months. If you want unlimited with no prepay, Visible at $25 a month is the cheapest on this list.
Yes. Every carrier on this list supports porting in, and World Mobile activation is instant over the air with eSIM. You enter your current number at sign up and it moves over.
Prepaid is paid up front, usually no credit check and no contract. Postpaid is billed after the month and often requires a credit check, with device financing that creates an effective commitment. This database lists both so you can compare the real monthly cost.
World Mobile: $15 for 2GB, $40 for unlimited 25GB fast, no contract, no credit check, T-Mobile or AT&T (whichever is stronger) plus in-house network where deployed, instant eSIM. 50% off your first month with a referral.
See World Mobile Plans →No contract. No credit check. Keep your number.