Everyone's trying to cut costs wherever they can, and if you're someone who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, there are actually some good options out there. So we took a look at the plans people are really using in 2025 that are affordable and still decent enough to trust. No hype, just real info.
Mint Mobile Still Makes Sense for a Lot of People
So Mint’s still doing that thing where you pay upfront for 3, 6, or 12 months — and yeah, that’s not for everyone. But if you’re cool with paying ahead, you’re looking at just $15/month for 5GB. That’s solid. Their unlimited plan is also about $30/month, which is cheaper than most big carriers. It runs on T-Mobile’s network, so coverage is decent in most cities. Honestly, if you don’t mind the bulk payment, it’s one of the better deals right now.
US Mobile is Kinda Underrated, But Super Flexible
If you haven’t heard of US Mobile, that’s okay — a lot of people haven’t. But it's great if you’re the type who doesn’t need a ton of data and just wants something super cheap. Their custom plans let you choose exactly what you need — like $10 for 2GB and unlimited talk/text. And if you ever feel like changing your plan, it’s easy. They also give you the option to switch between Verizon and T-Mobile networks, which is pretty rare.
Tello is Great If You’re Just Tired of Overpaying
Tello is probably the most “no-nonsense” option. Their 5GB plan is around $14/month. That’s it. No contracts, no tricks. Just cheap service on the T-Mobile network. You don’t get a ton of fancy perks or streaming offers, but not everyone needs that. It’s more for people who want to stop paying crazy bills and just use their phone without thinking about it too much.
Visible by Verizon Gives You Unlimited Without the Price
Okay, so if you want unlimited data but don’t want to pay $80/month like you would on Verizon or AT&T, then Visible is the move. It’s $25/month for their basic unlimited plan. If you want faster speeds or more hotspot data, they’ve got a $45 plan too. It’s basically Verizon coverage, but at half the price. Speeds can slow down if the network’s crowded, but for most people, it works just fine.
Gen Mobile and Google Fi: Niche But Useful
Gen Mobile is another cheap option — some plans start at $10/month. It’s more focused on people who need talk/text and a little bit of data. And they even work with government programs if you're eligible. Then there’s Google Fi. It’s not the cheapest on this list, but it’s great for people who use a small amount of data because they refund you for whatever you don’t use. Super fair, really.
