The 4 Best MVNO Carriers for Cheaper Cell Phone Bills

No one loves paying their phone bill. But what if I told you you could keep the same phone you have now, have more or less the same cell coverage, but pay ~50% less each month… Is that something you would be interested in?

Well it’s your lucky day… We’re about to share the wireless industry’s best kept secret  — MVNO’s. That’s short for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. These are wireless carriers that “piggyback” off of larger cell phone networks, providing the same awesome coverage to consumers at a much cheaper price point.

So, what are the best MVNO’s out there? And how can you switch to the best cheap cell phone plan for you and your family? We’ve reviewed our 4 favorites below…

Best MVNO’s at a glance:

What is a MVNO?

In the US, there are three major mobile networks. These massive telecom giants build, own, and manage all the cell phone towers that our wireless handsets connect to. These three major companies are AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

An MVNO, or a mobile virtual network operator, leases access to the wireless network infrastructures that are operated by the big wireless companies. They then sell their own mobile services to customers under their own brand. This means that you can use the same networks as the big phone companies! But at a fraction of the cost.

Part of the reason MVNOs can offer cheaper service is because they don’t have a physical footprint. No storefronts, technician workforce – all the account services are handled electronically. With no infrastructure to maintain, they can run at a very lean cost, passing on huge savings to customers.

Why MVNOs are awesome:

MVNOs can be an awesome choice for many folks who are looking to save money on their phone bill while maintaining access to great services.

With an MVNO you can expect:

• Lower rates: As mentioned above, MVNOs run a leaner business model so they can offer discounted rates to customers. 
• Flexible plans: Most MVNO carriers have no lock in contracts, allowing you to change service anytime to suit your needs.
• Great customer service: You typically get more personalized service, because their systems and technology are very modern.
• Just as good coverage: Since MVNO carriers piggyback off big incumbent networks, you get just as good cell reception everywhere there are towers.

All in all, if you could keep the same service coverage and snag them for a lower price, why wouldn’t you make the switch?

Downsides of MVNOs

Although there are a ton of benefits to be gained from switching to an MVNO, there are a few downsides to look out for… 

• No physical stores: Sometimes it’s handy to walk down to the Verizon shop to get help if you can’t resolve issues over the phone. You likely won’t have that option with an MVNO.
• Limited device selection: It’s important to check your phone compatibility before making the switch. Although most phones are well accepted and will work fine, they don’t support all models. (Also your existing cell phone might be “locked” to an incumbent carrier)
• Data throttling: When networks get busy during peak usage times (in particularly busy areas), parent networks will prioritize speeds for their own customers. Meaning, if you want to stream videos or scroll through social media, you may experience longer load times with MVNO carriers. However, this shouldn’t impact your ability to make calls and send texts or check email. And, it could even be a practice in patience. Or I don’t know, encourage you to read more. 😅
• No ‘bundle’ options: Since MVNOs are focused solely on providing cheap cell plans, they don’t do bundle discounts with phones, internet, and other things you might get with a major carrier. 

All that being said, unlimited plans with most MVNO’s come with SO MUCH in savings! So the money saving upsides likely outweigh these downsides. And with flexible billing and no contracts, you can always try a new service and switch back if it’s not for you! In fact, most of these MVNO’s offer a free 7 or 15-day trial period. Don’t cancel your current cell service yet…give one of these companies a test run for free first!

Best MVNO Carriers:

There are oodles of MVNO carriers in the U.S. So how do you choose the one that’s best for you and your family’s needs? Well, today we’re going to cover some pros and cons of four of the best MVNO carriers. After reading, you’ll be able to make an informed decision as to which one will work for you.

Mint Mobile

Starting out strong, let’s talk about Mint Mobile. You’ve probably seen their commercials or YouTube ads fronted by the hunky Ryan Reynolds, who used to co-own Mint Mobile. However, recently, it’s been acquired by T-Mobile. So unfortunately we can’t add “staring at Ryan Reynolds’ dreamy face” to the Pros list.

Mint Mobile offers flexible prepaid plans, and lets you choose between offerings with 5, 10, 15, and 20 GB. They also offer an unlimited plan. Each includes 5G service when it’s available, free mobile hotspot, free international calls to Mexico and Canada, and allows you to bring your own phone if eligible.

For the 5,10, 15 and 20 GB plans, your data is technically unlimited. But your data speeds will slow significantly after you reach your limit. Their cheapest plan goes for $15 each month, and their unlimited plan is a great value, coming in at just $30 per month.

If you decide that Mint Mobile is right for you, they’ll send you a SIM card kit. Or if your phone has ESim, you can activate your plan and connect to service almost immediately. Also, Mint Mobile regularly run promotions! These can allow you to get 3 free months of service for free when you buy a three month plan, which equals even more significant savings!

Pros of Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNO options out there. They offer flexible plans with no commitment, as well as a free trial if you would like to test run their services. One of the best things about Mint Mobile is that they run tons of new customer promotions throughout the year. 

With Mint Mobile, you’ll see the greatest savings by pre-paying for a longer period of time. For example, if you would like to keep their introductory prices throughout the year, you accomplish this by purchasing a 12-month prepaid plan. Paying for a whole year of service all at once allows you to snag the cheapest price possible for your phone plan. 

Since they operate off of T-Mobile’s network, whether or not you should opt for Mint Mobile depends on how good their coverage will be in your area. According to SpeedTest, T-Mobile has the highest download and upload speeds. As long as your area has good T-Mobile coverage, you can take advantage of those speeds! Check out Mints cool Coverage Map where you can see what service might look like in your area.

Lastly, here’s one of my favorite things about Mint Mobile… You can create a family plan and add a different amount of data to each line! Although there is no additional discount for adding lines, this flexibility ensures everyone can have the amount of data they need for their everyday life.  

Cons of Mint Mobile

Even though Mint Mobile is a great option for a lot of folks, there can be a few drawbacks. Like any other MVNO, when the network gets busy, the parent network will prioritize their own customers. This means you could experience slower data speeds from time to time. However, this isn’t necessarily a Mint Mobile issue- this happens with all MVNOs. 

We would also love to see Mint Mobile offer discounts for family plans, but currently they do not offer this. However, Mint’s prices are already dirt cheap. They’re far less expensive per line than the family plan’s offered by the big 3 cell phone companies!

Another potential drawback to Mint is that since the plans are prepaid, there’s a chance you could purchase a prepaid plan and decide you’re no longer happy with their service. Plus, you’ll need to have that money upfront ahead of time to pay for your service in full. However, utilizing their free trial should help you to know ahead of time if you’re happy with the service. 

In my opinion, 7 days is not necessarily enough time to really know if Mint Mobile will work long term. If you’re trying them out, I would suggest taking the time to drive around to your usual haunts, sending texts, making calls, and streaming videos to get a better idea of what this service will be like in your real life. 

Our honest take on Mint Mobile

Mint mobile is certainly a fan favorite in the low cost phone provider space. If you don’t use a lot of data, it offers some of the cheapest cell service on the market using the highest speed T-Mobile Network. If you’re interested, we’d suggest buying one of those BOGO three month plans. Then, if you’re happy with the service, commit to a 12 month plan in order to snag maximum savings.

Visible by Verizon

Visible is another great low cost option when it comes to getting cheap and reliable cell service. It runs on Verizon’s network and offers two plans, Visible and Visible +.

Both plans are unlimited. But Visible + offers up to 50GB each month of premium data for up to 10x faster speeds. Both plans include a mobile hotspot and unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada. Visible + comes with the added benefits of access to their 5G Ultra Wideband for faster speeds, as well as up to 500 minutes of international calling each month to 30+ countries, unlimited text to over 200 countries, and up to .5GB of roaming data each day for Canada and Mexico. 

Their Visible plan goes for $25 each month. And right now, you can get Visible + for $35 per month for the first 6 months. After that, it’ll cost you $45.

Pros of Visible: 

Firstly, Visible offers a great free trial of 15 days! But you can only access it with certain phones, so again you will need to check if your device is compatible. If your phone is eligible, this is plenty of time to test their service thoroughly.

If you need an unlimited plan, Visible can be a great option. Because their Visible + plan offers you 50GB of premium data. This means you won’t experience slower speeds during peak usage, which solves the issue of network prioritization. Even clocking in at $45 per month, you’ll still see a savings of $20 each month when compared to Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome plan, which costs $65.

If you have friends and family in another country, this could also be a great plan for you. You’ll get 500 minutes each month to call 30 different countries with Visible +. However, this shouldn’t be the main deciding factor. Because honestly, you can still use free apps like WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime to communicate with friends and family abroad. However, if you were already planning on snagging Visible +, this could be an attractive perk. 

Another cool thing about Visible is that there are no limits on hotspots. This can be a total lifesaver if you need to get some work done on the go, or are dealing with an extended power outage. Knowing you’ll always be able to access that hotspot can give you some added piece of mind. 

Lastly, Visible offers referral codes which can help you to save money if you spread the word about their services. If a friend joins using your referral, you’ll get $20 off your next month of service. Your friend will also get $20 off their first month as well! 

Cons of Visible: 

Honestly, one of the only cons I can think of for Visible is that it does seem kind of frustrating that you have to come up against a paywall to avoid being deprioritized. However it does offer a solution to a problem that exists with pretty much all MVNOs. 

Also, they only offer unlimited plans. So if you don’t need unlimited data, you could be paying extra money for services you don’t need. If you barely use your phone beyond talk and text, you may be better off with a more limited data plan offering from another MVNO.

Cost-wise, Visible + is one of the more expensive MVNO options. But the regular Visible unlimited option is a pretty great value! It’s still definitely cheaper than having service directly from Verizon, that’s for sure.

Our honest take on Visible

Visible is one of the best options out there for a low-cost unlimited data plan. Their basic unlimited plan is $5 less each month than Mint Mobile’s. However, if you don’t need an unlimited plan, there are better, less expensive plans at other MVNOs that we’d suggest you pursue.

Boost Mobile

Boost runs off of Dish, AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks depending on your phone and the plan you choose. Similar to Mint Mobile, they offer a variety of prepaid plans, which vary in price according to data allotment and time frame. The cheapest plan comes in at a hair over $8 each month. 

Boost’s prepaid plans allow you to pay upfront for 1, 3, or 12 month plans. They also offer an unlimited plan that works out to $40 each month. Each of their plans include unlimited talk and text, 5G & 4G Data, and mobile hotspot.

Pros of Boost Mobile 

If you’re trying to save the most money possible, and aren’t concerned about data in the slightest, Boost Mobile offers perhaps the cheapest phone plan we’ve seen. It comes out to $8.33 each month, but you just get one measly gigabyte of data. This could be great for people who almost always use WiFi to surf the web. And if you only want to be able to send text messages and make calls. 

Another pro is that if you prefer in-person customer support, Boost Mobile does actually have a few physical locations. Depending on where you live, you could get hands-on help if you need support with your phone or services. 

Cons of Boost Mobile

Unfortunately, the customer service reviews for Boost are less than ideal. On Consumer Affairs, they’re rated just 1.4 stars out of 5, and just 1.3 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot. The most common critiques that pop up on these websites report that getting in touch with someone to help via online chat or over the phone proves difficult. And that setup is somewhat convoluted and confusing. 

One of the most important drawbacks I’ve read about when it comes to Boost Mobile comes from a thorough review done by Clark Howard. He mentioned that certain plans don’t work on every phone. And there’s also a $25 activation fee for bringing your own phone. 

Clark recommends going into a physical location to snag a plan and activate service on your phone. Because as you purchase your services and order a sim card online, the website never prompts you to check your phone’s compatibility. When I tested this myself, I found it to be true. This means that new customers run the risk of purchasing a new phone plan that might not even work! If you are going to use Boost Mobile for your cell service, make sure to check your phone’s compatibility. Also, we’d recommend stopping by a physical location to get started.

Our honest take on Boost Mobile

While the complaints about Boost’s customer service are somewhat alarming, most people report that their service and data speeds are adequate. If you’re looking for the cheapest cell service possible, their 1GB plan could fit the needs of some. 

Google FI

Google Fi is Google’s take on an MVNO. It uses T-Mobile’s network and offers three types of plans: Flexible, Simply Unlimited and Unlimited Plus.

Uniquely, Google Fi’s Flexible plan allows you to pay only for the data you use. Its Simply Unlimited and Unlimited Plus plans allow you to use up to 35 and 50 GB of high speed data respectively before experiencing slower data speeds. Plus, some Google Fi plans do come with some pretty cool travel perks. More on this later…

Pros of Google Fi

One of the most interesting features that Google Fi boasts is that its flexible plan allows you to pay only for the data that you actually use, at $10 per GB. This could be pretty affordable for someone who uses little to no data each month. However, keep in mind that their flexible plan is still $20 + $10 for each GB of data used, so if you plan to use more than 1 GB, you could potentially save money by switching to Mint Mobile’s $30 unlimited plan.

One benefit that Google Fi brings to the table is that it offers a pretty sweet discount for having multiple lines on its simply unlimited plan. You can have 2, 3, or 4 lines, all for $80. Even if you don’t have 4 family members who need a plan, I’m sensing some potential to go in with your friends and create a sweet unlimited “family plan” for just $20 per person. This is truly the sweet spot that makes Google Fi worth considering for many.

Google Fi could also be a good fit for you if you like to travel. Both their Flexible and Unlimited Plus plans offer solutions for seamless cell phone usage while traveling. Unlimited Plus includes data for over 200 countries. And Flexible allows you to pay the same rate for data abroad as in the U.S. Even if you have the Simply Unlimited plan, which does not include international data, you could easily switch to the Unlimited Plus plan while you’re away. This significant travel perk could make this hands down the best MVNO for jetsetters.

Lastly, if you do decide to go for that Unlimited Plus plan, it comes with a few bonuses. Like 100 GB of Google One storage, and one year of YouTube Premium. 

Cons of Google Fi

While Google Fi is certainly a fan favorite, it does come with a comparatively high sticker price… That’s unless you’ve got three others who are willing to take the plunge with you. For example, if you went with Google Fi’s flexible plan and used 5GB, you would pay $70. Whereas a 5GB plan from Mint Mobile can be purchased for only $15. For one line, Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited plan is $50, compared to the $30 Mint Mobile Unlimited plan. But, with multiple lines, a family plan with Google Fi could help to cut back on this disparity and even become the best option.

Plus, your experience with Google Fi could vary depending on what phone you have. While most phones are compatible, some phones are designed for Google Fi. Meaning, they have access to the W+ wifi network when available, which has enhanced security and higher data quality. If you use a phone not designed for Google Fi, you should have solid speeds if Google Fi has strong service in your area. It’s important to note however, that according to their website, Google Fi is still in Beta for iPhones, which means they will require extra setup. Android users rejoice! iPhone users not so much.

Our honest take on Google FI

Google Fi offers affordable cellular plans, but it really shines when it comes to its travel perks and family plans. When in doubt, crunch the numbers and see if the cost for the number of lines you need will work for you.

Which is the Best MVNO Carrier?

As much as I would love to tell you that one of these MNVOs sweeps in and absolutely crushes the others, which MVNO is best for you highly depends on your personal situation. How many lines you need, the amount of data you use, and what their service in your area… These factors greatly impact what the best company for you will be.

Personally, I think coverage is the ultimate factor in deciding which carrier is best for you. Saving a few bucks is nice, but I’d rather pay a little bit more to have excellent coverage in the places I frequent. The great thing is you can get excellent coverage for a much lower price with the carriers mentioned above. With MVNOs you truly can have it all!

The Cheapest Way to Buy a Handset

The most cost effective way to buy a new cell phone is usually saving up and purchasing them outright! Actually, you can get even better deals on second hand, lightly used phones. Sites like SellCell and Swappa are great. Even Amazon Renewed is an excellent option, which sells certified refurbished phones that usually come with a warranty too.

But what about all those “Get an iPhone on us” promotions, aren’t they free? Nope! You actually end up paying more when carriers bundle handsets into cell plan packages. And they come with the added downside of being locked into a contract which costs you more money over the long run.

Financing handsets is a bit of a scam, too. Because it’s kind of like buying a new car. The second you take it out of the wrapper, it immediately depreciates in value. So for most of the time you are making phone payments, you typically owe more than what that phone is worth.

If you need a new smartphone, our recommendation is saving up the good old fashioned way by setting aside $50-100 per month. Then you’ll be able to buy it outright and won’t be beholden to any contracts or expensive loan terms.

The Bottom Line:

There are tons of awesome, low cost phone plans out there to choose from. And with no lock in contracts, easy BYO handset options, and the ability to port over your existing cell phone number, there’s no reason people shouldn’t at least give one of these MVNO options a shot.

The best suited MVNO for you varies based on your location and travel/family needs. Be sure to do your own research and crunch the numbers for yourself. And when in doubt, you can always utilize one of the many free trials available for each of these brands!

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