With the three major carriers in the US, you’re using their infrastructure, and if there aren’t any high-speed towers in your area, you’re out of luck. By contrast, US Mobile calls itself a Super Carrier because, without a network of its own, it rides those three networks. They’re given special names — no doubt to avoid advertising for the competition — and they break down like this: Dark Star is AT&T, Warp is Verizon and Light Speed is T-Mobile.

That sounds convoluted but it means you can switch to a better network for your area if needed without transitioning to an entirely new carrier. You still need to choose one but you get two free network transfers and then pay $2 per transfer if you want to switch again after that — it’s a good way to see which one works best in your area.

OK, to be fair, it can get more convoluted, depending on the network. Dark Star data speeds are at a reduced priority (dubbed QCI 9) in times of network congestion; for an additional $12 a month you can bump that up to a higher priority (QCI 8). With the Warp level, data speeds are at QCI 9 as of Aug. 18, 2025, with the ability to pay more for a QCI-8 add-on; plans in place before then are grandfathered at the QCI 8 speed. The Light Speed level is even higher priority at QCI 7.

The Unlimited Flex plan gives you 10GB of high-speed data, then unlimited at 1Mbps, for just $17.50 a month if you purchase an annual plan (otherwise it’s $25 a month). Hotspot data is 5GB and then unlimited but throttled to 8Mbps and then 600Kbps if you use more than 200GB within a month. International calls and texts from inside the US are included, but if you’re traveling you’ll need to buy add-on roaming packages costing either $15 (1GB, 150 minutes, 150 texts) or $30 (5GB, 500 minutes, 500 texts).

Why we like it

It’s an inexpensive plan with taxes and fees rolled into the price, plus you get the ability to surf among the major carrier networks to find the one that works best for your area.

Who it’s best for

Someone looking for a simple phone line who doesn’t expect to use much data.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you’re frequently away from Wi-Fi, that data could go by in a hurry. It’s also not a great option if you need consistently high speeds or you don’t want the complexity of choosing one of the three networks.

Customer service options

If Verizon’s network is strongest in your area, Visible by Verizon’s single-named Visible plan is a competitive option at $25 a month when paying monthly. You can cut that down to almost $22 by prepaying for an entire year at $275, but even that turns out to not be the best option. When you sign up for 26 months on the monthly plan as a new member, use code SWITCH26 at checkout to knock the price down to $19 a month. You need to stick with Visible for the full consecutive 26 months without switching plans to keep that rate or else it goes back to $25 (which is still cheaper than many competitors). (Visible swaps their discount codes on a regular basis, so check the site for the latest deals.)

For that price you get unlimited talk, text and data on Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks but not at the fastest 5G Ultra Wideband speeds even if your phone supports it. Hotspot data is also unlimited but capped at 5Mbps speeds. Calls and texts to Mexico and Canada while you’re in the US are unlimited, too; if you’re traveling, Visible’s Global Pass costs $5 a day in Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, or $10 a day for 2GB of data in more than 140 countries.

Why we like it

Unlimited data, even if it’s not at the highest 5G and hotspot speeds, is still worthwhile for the price.

Who it’s best for

Customers in strong Verizon coverage areas who want to save money.

Customer service options

The Metro $60/mo with AutoPay prepaid plan is the most expensive unlimited option from the T-Mobile owned service, but it’s also where most of the perks live. If you’re in an area where T-Mobile offers the best signal, this plan has a lot to tempt you. (Metro abandoned its previous naming scheme in favor of titling its plans based on the cost; this one used to be called the Metro Flex Unlimited Plus.)

First, the basics: For $60 a month for a single line or $140 a month for four lines (with a fourth line free deal), you get unlimited 5G data, unlimited talk and text and 25GB of hotspot data. That 5G data will be throttled if you burn through more than 70GB a month, but you won’t be capped. The plan also has T-Mobile’s 5-year price guarantee that covers talk, text and data.

In terms of perks, we chose to highlight this plan for a couple of reasons. It includes Amazon Prime, typically a $15 a month charge, as well as a 100GB Google One membership (a $2 a month value), along with T-Mobile Tuesdays and the company’s Scam Shield service for filtering unwanted calls and texts. Aside from Amazon Prime video, no other streaming services are bundled in. If you already have a cellular-capable smartwatch or tablet, you can add it for $5 a month.

Granted, these perks appeal to a narrow slice of customers — T-Mobile coverage, Amazon Prime and Google One — but if that fits your needs, it’s a good deal.

Why we like it

Amazon Prime is a big addition that can save $180 a year, plus perks like T-Mobile Tuesdays.

Who it’s best for

People in a strong T-Mobile coverage area that also subscribe to Amazon Prime.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you’re in an area where Verizon or AT&T networks give better performance, look for a different plan.

Customer service options

Surprisingly few prepaid plans offer many perks, presumably choosing to streamline options in order to reach the lowest price. If you’re looking for extras like streaming content, and you live in an area where Verizon’s coverage is strongest, look at the Total Wireless 5G Plus Unlimited prepaid plan.

This plan is the most expensive of the Total Wireless plans at $60 a month for a single line or $120 a month for four lines. But that’s less expensive than our other prepaid perks pick for four lines, Metro’s $60/mo with AutoPay (which becomes «$140/mo with AutoPay»), and it includes Disney Plus Premium, a $20 a month value. Taxes and fees are also included in the cost of the plan.

The plan includes unlimited 5G data that parent company Verizon says will not be slowed down after a fixed number of gigabytes used. That 5G data is also accessed using the speedier 5G Ultra Wideband if your device supports it. You’ll also get unlimited hotspot data, though at speeds up to 5 Mbps. International calling is free to more than 85 destinations and texting is free to more than 200 locations as long as you’re residing in the US, Puerto Rico or US Virgin Islands. When visiting Canada, Mexico or 15 other countries, data roaming is possible up to a 10GB roaming allotment.

Why we like it

It’s less expensive than our prepaid perks runner-up, doesn’t throttle data, has unlimited hotspot data and includes Disney Plus.

Who it’s best for

People in strong Verizon coverage areas who want to bundle Disney Plus.

Who shouldn’t get it

Someone in an area not well served by Verizon’s network, or if you don’t care about the Disney Plus addition.

Customer service options

Today’s phones are so data-consuming that it’s hard to imagine not using any data at all. And yet that’s pretty close to what you’d be using with TextNow’s Essential Data plan, which includes just 350MB (yes, megabytes) and costs… nothing. Well, there’s a $5 fee for purchasing a SIM, but otherwise the service is free.

The catch is that calls and texts happen inside the TextNow app, not in the phone, messages, WhatsApp or other communications app that uses data. And because you’re locked into the app, you’re also served ads. TextNow uses T-Mobile’s network for wireless access. If you do need data access, TextNow has «passes» you can purchase, like a 99-cent hour pass that includes 300MB of high-speed data and then unlimited at 2G speeds, or a $5 day pass with 2GB of high-speed data and then unlimited 2G data. There’s also a $40 month pass with 10GB of high-speed data and no ads, but if you’re spending that much, it makes sense to go with a cheaper plan from another provider with more options.

Why we like it

Aside from the fee for purchasing a SIM and putting up with ads, it’s hard to beat free.

Who it’s best for

Someone who rarely needs to use a phone, or has a basic phone as a backup or burner.

Who shouldn’t get it

In reality, most people will avoid this plan because of how we use phones these days centers around data.

Customer service options

Despite the fact that we think most everyone can benefit from having an unlimited data plan, sometimes that’s just too much data and too much expense. When you aren’t streaming movies or checking social media frequently (away from Wi-Fi), a limited amount of data on a plan can be just the right amount.

Mint Mobile’s 15GB Plan costs as little as $20 a month when you pay up front for a year or take advantage of a three-month new customer offer. For that price you get unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile’s 5G/4G LTE network and the 15GB of high-speed data (then slower unlimited data if you blow past that allotment). It also includes free calling to Canada, Mexico and the UK, as well as 10GB of hotspot data (which comes out of the 15GB total).

Why we like it

With T-Mobile’s network as the backbone, Mint Mobile’s plan offers many of the same features as the larger carrier, but at a reduced, affordable prepaid scale.

Who it’s best for

People who want the features of most mobile plans but won’t use much data.

Who shouldn’t get it

Someone who obsesses over data use or is concerned about hitting the 15GB limit.

Customer service options

It’s easy to get wrapped up in unlimited data plans and streaming perks, but some people just need a way to connect to their friends and family with a little bit of data to get them through the month. If you’re usually connected to Wi-Fi or need a phone line just for emergencies, the US Mobile Light Plan is the most affordable option.

The plan includes unlimited talk and text and 2GB of premium data. If you prepay for a year, it costs $96, including taxes and fees, which breaks down to $8 a month. (You can choose to pay monthly at $10 a month.) Did 2GB turn out to be too little data? You can add a Top Up for $2 per gigabyte.

US Mobile’s approach is to use all three major carriers’ infrastructure, and you choose which one is the best in your area. They’re given special names – no doubt to avoid advertising for the competition – and they break down like this: Dark Star is AT&T, Warp is Verizon and Light Speed is T-Mobile. If you want to switch to another, you can do so up to two times free and then after that with a $2 Network Transfer charge.

Why we like it

The cost is low and you can jump onto whichever carrier’s network is strongest in your area.

Who it’s best for

Someone looking for a simple phone line who doesn’t expect to use much data.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you’re frequently away from Wi-Fi, that data could go by in a hurry. It’s also not a great option if you need consistently high speeds, or you don’t want the complexity of choosing one of the three networks.

Customer service options