It's easy to see why. Post paid plans start at $40 after taxes and that's for a limited bucket of minutes, typically about 450. SMS is not included and costs a whopping 20 cents per message as an inducement to sign up for a text bundle at $5 to $15/month. More expensive postpaid plans offer more minutes and for heavy users there are unlimited voice and text plans at $100 a month and up, taxes and "fees" bring the total to $110 or more.
Just about everyone on a post paid mobile plan is paying more than they need to. A properly chosen prepaid plan is almost always less expensive. And prepaid means there are no contracts. Sure you get a $100-$300 discount on a phone by signing a two year contract. But you typically end up paying that back several times over during the life of the contract in higher monthly fees compared to prepaid. And you're locked to that operator even if their service goes to hell or they don't support the latest handset that you're lusting for. With prepaid not only are there no contracts but you should never have to pay more than about $50/month no matter how much you text and talk. The secret is finding the right prepaid plan for your usage patterns. I've looked at all the operator's prepaid offerings and found what I consider to be the best deals for every type of user.
Note: This post emphasizes voice and text plans only. If you need data see The Best Deals On Prepaid Mobile Data.
Heavy users, talking over 1200 minutes and/or sending more than 3000 texts per month should be on an unlimited voice and SMS prepaid plan. The best choices are AT&T MVNO H20 Wireless' $40/month Unlimited Talk, Text and MMS plan, Verizon MVNO PagePlus' $39.95/month Unlimited Talk n Text plan, the $45/month Straight Talk Unlimited, from American Movil/Tracfone, AT&T's $50/month Month unlimited talk, text plan and web plan, T-Mobile's $50/month unlimited voice, text and picture messaging plan or Sprint's $50/month unlimited voice, text and data Boost Mobile Unlimited plan.
For moderate users (less than 1200 minutes and 3000 texts per month) PagePlus' $29.95/month1200 Minutes + 3000 Text/MMS Messages + 100 MB Data Talk n' Text 1200, Straight Talk's $30/month 1000 minute + 1000 texts + 30 MB data All You Need
Heavy texters who don't talk much can get unlimited SMS for $15/month from T-Mobile or about $20 a month from Verizon, AT&T or Page Plus. Voice charges are 4 -10 cents/month on Page Plus, 10-33 cents/minute on T-Mobile, 10 cents/minute on AT&T and a steep 25 cents/minute on Verizon. PagePlus also offers a package providing 2,000 Text Messages for $10.95 per month. Another good choice is Virgin Mobile's $35/month Beyond Talk package which includes unlimited text and data and 300 minutes of talk time.
Light users (under 500 minutes and texts combined per month) can save even more. Basic service on prepaid is available for as little as $2.50 a month on PagePlus or $3.33/ month on Boost, T-Mobile or Sprint MVNO PlatinumTel. Prepaid rates range from 4 to 33 cents per minute and text on these plans.
These aren't regional operators or plans either. Prepaid users on all of these plans have full access to the Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon nationwide networks.
There are unfortunately a couple of downsides to prepaid, handset selection and data plans. Handsets are mainly an issue with CDMA operators who, except for Page Plus, limit their prepaid users to a few rather basic models. Page Plus will activate any Verizon handset postpaid handset, including smartphones. Even non-Verizon CDMA phones can be used on Page Plus providing the user knows how to do the requisite and non-trivial manual programing. Thanks to the use of SIM cards, on AT&T and T-Mobile any of the operator's own phones and any unlocked phone supporting U.S. GSM frequencies will work.
Data is a bigger issue. For prepaid users the available data options are somewhat limited. They are also complex and confusing and deserve a post of their own.
Here are some tables summarizing what I consider the best current prepaid deals in the U.S.
| Operator | Plan or Package | Network | Technology | Monthly Cost | Voice min. | SMS | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boost Mobile | Unlimited | Nextel | CDMA/iDEN | 50.00* | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
| AT&T | Unlimited | AT&T | GSM | 50.00 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited for feature phones. Smartphones: 20 MB - $5, 200 MB - $15, 1 GB $25 |
| T-Mobile | Unlimited | T-Mobile | GSM | 50.00 | unlimited | unlimited | Unlimited (throttled after 100 MB/month) |
| Straight Talk | Unlimited | Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile or AT&T | CDMA or GSM | 45.00 | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
| Page Plus | Unlimited Talk n Text | Verizon | CDMA | 39.95 | unlimited | unlimited | 100 MB, Overage $0.20/MB |
| Red Pocket | Unlimited Talk and Text | AT&T | GSM | 39.95 | unlimited | unlimited | 10 MB included addons: 100 MB - $10, 2 GB - $20 |
| Operator | Plan or Package | Network | Technology | Monthly Cost | Voice min. | SMS | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Mobile | payLo | Sprint | CDMA | 30.00 | 1500 | 1500 | 30 MB overage $1.50/MB |
| Straight Talk | All You Need | Verizon or AT&T | CDMA or GSM | 30.00 | 1000 | 1000 | 30 MB no overage |
| T-Mobile | Monthly 4G | T-Mobile | GSM | 30.00 | 1500 (combined minutes and messages) | 1500 (combined minutes and messages) | 30 MB, no overage |
| PagePlus | Talk n' Text 1200 | Verizon | CDMA | 29.95 | 1200 | 3000 | 100 MB, Overage $0.10/MB |
| NET10 | 750 Minutes Plan | Verizon or AT&T | CDMA or GSM | 25.00 | 750 minutes/texts | 750 texts/minutes | charged by the minute |
| PagePlus | The 12 | Verizon | CDMA | 12.00 | 250 | 250 | 10 MB, Overage 10¢/MB |
| Operator | Plan or Package | Network | Technology | Monthly Cost | Voice min. | SMS | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Mobile | Beyond Talk | Sprint | CDMA | 35.00 | 300 | unlimited | unlimited |
| T-Mobile | Unlimited Messaging | T-Mobile | GSM | 15.00 | 0.10 | unlimited | none |
| Verizon | Unlimited Messaging | Verizon | CDMA | 20.00 | 0.25 | unlimited | 0.99/day |
| AT&T | Unlimited Messaging | AT&T | GSM | 19.99 | 0.10 | unlimited | 1¢ per 5 KB ($2/MB)* |
| PagePlus | PowerText | Verizon | CDMA | 19.99 | 0.04-0.10 | unlimited | $0.99/MB |
| Operator | Plan or Package | Network | Technology | Monthly Cost | Voice min. | SMS | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boost Mobile | Pay As You Go | Sprint | CDMA or iDen | 3.33 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.50/day |
| T-Mobile | Pay As You Go | T-Mobile | GSM | 3.33* | 0.10-0.33 | 0.10 | none |
| Page Plus | Standard Rate Plan | Verizon | CDMA | 2.50** | 0.04-0.10 | 0.05 | $0.99/MB |
| PlatinumTel | Real PAYGO | Sprint | CDMA | 3.33** | 0.05 | 0.02 | $0.10/MB |
| Airvoice | $10 Plan | AT&T | GSM | 10.00 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 33¢/MB |
** Page Plus and PlatinumTel deduct a 50¢ maintenance fee from your balance each month.
Updated 18-Apr-2012 - AT&T Data Packages include more data
Thanks for the great summary of whats out there. The only one missing that I can see is Net10, I think they fit well into the 'moderate user' category (where I fit in too). They also finally offer an unlimited plan, so in months when I need a lot I can get it (like Christmas), but most months their $25 card is enough. Thanks for all the great info though, I feel like an educated consumer now.
ReplyDeletewow that summary is really helpful! so nice to be able to see waht is out there all in one snapshot. i have heard amazing stuff about straight talk- seems like page plus just beats them price wise but i only ever hear about straight talk. does anyone know what page plus are like? customer service wise etc? how do you choose between the two..
ReplyDeleteNice to know there are choices, but you really do need to do your homework. You need to pay close attention to the terms and policies of each company. Some have fees that are not disclosed to you upfront and you find out about them after the fact. This usually means you'll be paying more than you thought. As a "heavy user", I'm leaning toward straight talk, mostly because the have better phone selection, especially the smart phones. What I like about the prepaid option is that there is no contract, so if I change my mind, there is no cancellation fee.
ReplyDeleteI think the only reason Straight Talk isn't listed in the best unlimited text section is because their unlimited text is offered in their complete unlimited package. Since leaving my contract carrier, I did do my homework and have found Straight Talk to be the best deal for me.
ReplyDeleteNeither Page Plus or Straight Talk have great customer service, but what phone company does?
ReplyDeletePage Plus suffers from long wait times when calling. Some of their reps don't seem willing to help but others are great. I never call though. It's easier to use a good online Page Plus dealer like Kitty Wireless for activations and phone swaps, the website or automated 800 number to apply refill PINS and Page's online ticket system for issues with the service.
I haven't used Straight Talk myself but I've heard that the reps are polite and answer the phone promptly but don't seem to have the authority or tools to fix technical or billing issues.
pre-paid carriers such as cricket, metro pcs, and page plus either have their own phones or allow a multitude of different phones FROM OTHER CARRIERS on their networks, including smartphones. changing the phone isn't necessarily that difficult. i am no longer impressed nor believe in this "GSM freedom" of phones.
ReplyDeleteAlice, GSM freedom is real.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Metro PCS and Cricket allow some other operator's handsets, but only after they have been flashed which takes time and money.
PagePlus doesn't require flashing but blocks some phones (Motorola E816, iPhone, Verizon prepaid models and until recently BlackBerrys).
Straight Talk, Vergin and Verizon Inpluse do not allow any "foreign" phones.
Swapping a CDMA phone also requires either logging into a web site or a CS interaction.
GSM SIM swapping is user friendly and can be done in the field. Much better, IMHO.
Do these tips apply to visitors from overseas coming for a month? We'll need a phone number but have a US phone (as well as a "foreign" one). What's the best deal for a number + prepaid plan?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Any of the services and plans mentioned in this post can be used by international visitors.
ReplyDeleteHowever, your best choices are probably T-Mobile or AT&T as these are GSM operators and you can just put their SIM in your unlocked phone. Please refer to my post US Prepaid GSM Voice, Text and Data Options For International Visitors for more information.
PagePlus, Virgin and Boost are CDMA and you would need to buy one of their phones to use them.
Simple mobile definitely deserves to be on here also. GSM carrier with $40 unlimited talk/text, including global text, and $50 for unlimited talk/text/2G.
ReplyDeleteCould you also compare PlatinumTel?
ReplyDeleteAre they any good?
I'm planning on reviewing both Simple Mobile and PlatinumTel in the new future.
ReplyDeleteThey are both over very good pricing and are fairly new. I seen a few people complaining of a 2GB data cap on Simple's Unlimuted plan but other than that users seem to like both services.
PlatimumTel uses the Sprint network, Simple uses T-Mobile. Neither allow any off network roaming.
Yeswap;
ReplyDeleteCould you point me a link or direction to "AT&T MVNO H20 Wireless" prepaid plan? I could not find any where including AT&T web site.
Thank you!
yeh_oo@yahoo.com
https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/pageControl.php?page=plans"
ReplyDeleteYeswap, What are the options i have among the MVNOs if i have an iphone 4S and need a verizon network in my area? I heard that pageplus blocks iphones? What about android phone and verizon network?
ReplyDeleteAll Verizon MVNOs block iPhones. Android phones are OK.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Sprint MVNO's like Platimum Tel? Do they block iphones too?
ReplyDeleteSprint MVNO's BYOD is very limited. Sprint supposedly doesn't permit it and PlatinumTel doesn't allow it. ZappUnlimited.net claims they can "usually" activate any Sprint phone. Haven't tied it and I'm a bit wary. If you do try Zapp be sure any phone you buy can be returned in case activation fails. Also there is no data available on Zapp PAYGO. To get data you have have a Zapp Unlimited plan.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to get the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone, which is the new android 4.0 operating system and designed to take advantage of 4G LTE networks, is there a reseller you would recommend?
ReplyDeleteThere are no resellers with LTE at this time.
ReplyDeleteThe only US model of the Galaxy Nexus that's been announced is the one for Verizon. It will probably work on Page Plus if you remove the LTE SIM, but we won't know for sure until someone tries it. Of course you won't get LTE speeds that way, only Verizon itself can provide that and I don't think they will activate any LTE phones on their overpriced prepaid smartphone plans.
The unlocked GSM version will work on AT&T and T-Mobile and their MVNOs but doesn't support LTE. T-Mobile's HSPA+ is 4G and pretty fast, though Verizon LTE is faster.
so if you were to get this new phone, perhaps buying an unlocked version in next few months, and your goals were: 1)Ice Cream Sandwich (android 4.0) experience, 2) inexpensive phone/data plan, 3) speed of network that would take advantage of said phone's capabiiities, what plan would you gravitate to and whY? thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'd get the GSM version and put it on the T-Mobile $30 5GB, 100 minute plan or if I needed more minutes the $60 or $70 unlimited plan. Where I am T-Mobile has the fastest and cheapest pre-paid data. AT&T is also a good choice with $25 data feature packs and whichever voice option (PAYGO, $25 or $50 Monthly Plan) works for you.
ReplyDeletethank you Yeswap. I am told by a friend who works for T-mobile to expect this phone in Feb or March, so... that is likely my wait. Any suggestions of a couple of places other than ebay to find this phone in the next month unlocked?
ReplyDeletePlatinumTel seems very cheap!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all Zapp is gone...dead out of biz, second AT&T is trying to get rid of all its MVNO's, they started to charge them for international text, while on their own $50 unlimited plan its free, so its actually cheaper to go with the network owner than its MVNO.
ReplyDeleteI'm unable to confirm that Zapp (zappunlimited.com has shut down. Their site is up and there are no complaints from users on Howard Forums or ACRS (Zapp Master distributor) Forums.
ReplyDeleteAll the AT&T MVNOs lost free international texting at the same time so AT&T probably is to blame.
AT&T MVNOs are no longer competitive for plans that include unlimited voice, messaging and international SMS.
However they still beat AT&T for at least 3 types of plans:
Unlimited talk, text w/o data ($40 vs $50/mo)
Unlimited talk, text and smartphone data ($60/mo for 2GB vs $75/mo for 500 MB)
Light usage PAYGO (10¢ vs 20¢ texts, $3.33 vs $8.33 minimum monthly cost)
http://www.phonenews.com/straight-talk-to-launch-lg-optimus-2x-first-high-end-prepaid-lte-android-phone-19718/
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tmonews.com/2012/01/t-mobile-and-walmart-upgrade-to-unlimited-web-on-family-mobile-plan/
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bgr.com/2012/01/17/t-mobile-and-walmart-add-new-45-unlimited-plan-with-a-catch/
ReplyDeleteInteresting, though I'm pretty sure that
ReplyDeleteWalmart Family Mobile is postpaid, not prepaid.
My Zapp PAYGO phones are alive and well, thank you. There is a problem with Zapp's days-of-use counter: it erroneously counts down from 180 days, not the 365 day term offered by the PAYGO plan. When the counters on my three lines reached zero, service was suspended and I had to phone C.S. on another line to get it back.
ReplyDeleteWhile I did not forfeit any money/minutes or phone numbers, the need to do this for three lines prematurely expiring on different dates has been a nuisance. This counter bug has been experienced for a long time by Zapp users and was acknowledged by Zapp correspondence with me in Sept. 2011.
At the time of my suspended service conversations with Zapp C.S. in mid-Feb. '12, I was told that the website is in the process of being revamped to reflect that Zapp is changing to "a new system," for whatever that's worth.
The phone service is reliable.
-------------
Page Plus
With the Unlimited Talk n Text plan's teething pains past, C.S. is prompt, courteous and...domestic. The Verizon-sourced service itself is nearly flawless, thus, I only need to call C.S. to change features (shut off data, for instance) or port numbers.
Don't base your opinion of Page Plus on reviews from a couple years ago -- look at recent reviews and the Verizon Prepaid coverage map. It's hard to beat reliable VZW service for a minimal $30 a year, and the ability to use most off-contract VZW phones.
I agree. I have had PagePlus for a couple of years.
DeleteI have two phone currently with PP
my trusty "drop on the ground" samsung work phone.
And my New HTC Trophy WP7.5 smartphone.
I have saved a ton of money useing PagePlus, it works for me !
I had a Palm Pixie on PagePlus
it's a CHEAP way to introduce yourself to the world smartphones
Thank you very much for compiling this very informative and helpful page.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 LG290C CDMA phones. 1 is on TracFone the other Straight Talk. Can they be activated on Page Plus?
ReplyDeleteNo Tracfone and Straight Talk phones will not work on any other carrier.
DeleteWish that the tables included Tracfone as well. Their PAYGO rates with the DMFL and TMFL offerings with bonus minutes promo codes way beat the standard .10 min Sprint and AT&T MVNO's.
ReplyDeletewhy you don't list/recommend H2O Wireless? It is as good as (if not better than) REDPOCK.
ReplyDeleteI used to recommend them until I started seeing multiple reports of H2O users getting kicked off without refunds for "abusing" unlimited data, voice or messaging.
DeleteAlso H20 keeps changing plans and policies with no advance notice. Over the course of a few months the $60 plan went from unlimited data to 3GB to 2 GB to 1 GB to 2 GB with a 500 MB soft cap. The 90 day expiration on pay as you go became 30 day with no advance warning and no grandfathering.
To keep the post to a manageable size I only want to include one non-Tracfone AT&T MVNO in each category. Red Pocket seems a little more consistent and their monthly plan pricing is as good or better than H2O. On pay as you go, Airvoice has comparable rates and much better customer support than H2O.