In this section, we review and rate the best no contract cell phone providers today. The reviews on this page provide a quick sense of what each company is about.
Total Wireless
Type of plans: Monthly (30-day service period), Family
Recommended for: Best plans for Average to Heavy phone users ($35 Monthly for Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 5 GB High Speed Data)
If you are looking for an affordable phone plan with competitive high-speed data allocation, Total Wireless is your best bet. With 5 GB high-speed data bundled with unlimited talk and text for only $35 for every 30 day period (ie. monthly) with no contract, it’s a steal compared with other phone plans. You can also customize your plan by adding a Global Calling Card for low-cost international calling, or an additional 3 GB high-speed data, which gets carried over when not consumed, for $10 each.
Getting a plan with Total Wireless is easy since they don’t do a credit check. Their service is compatible with CDMA devices. The best part in using Total Wireless is that they are powered by Verizon, which ensures a strong network connection. Full Review >>
To learn more about each company, drill down to the full reviews of each listed provider or view the side-by-side comparison chart.
Verizon Wireless
Type of plans: No Contract Monthly, True Unlimited Data
Recommended for: Comprehensive range of plans for Average to Heavy phone users, including plans for people who require unlimited high speed data
If you want nothing but the best, Verizon Wireless is perhaps your best choice. Not only do they provide consistently strong and reliable wireless connections all over the U.S., they also have a variety of plans to fit your budget.
Verizon provides unlimited calls and text with shareable data allocation in all of their plans. Starting at $35/month, you can get 2 GB of high-speed data, with the option to add 1 GB Data Booster for $15. What is great about Verizon is that they offer unlimited data that comes with unlimited mobile hotspot, HD streaming, and Canada and Mexico calling feature. Other benefits like the Verizon Up rewards and Military discounts are also available with their unlimited data plans. So if you are looking for both reliable service and value for your money, Verizon Wireless is the way to go. Full Review >>
TracFone Wireless
Type of plans: Pay As You Go, Monthly, Unlimited Talk/ Text
Recommended for: Best plans for Light to Moderate data users
TracFone is the largest no contract phone company in the US. Founded in 1996, they were one of the first prepaid phone companies to serve the market. TracFone has stayed true to its roots, offering low cost Pay As You Go, Monthly and Family plans to its customers. Cell phone service starts from $7/month, for both smartphones and features phones (regular cell phones). TracFone call connections are made through AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile networks. Their good network coverage is widely regarded as a strong reason to choose TracFone. In 2019, they added unlimited talk and text plans with up to 3 GB of data to their mix. Full Review >>
Straight Talk Wireless
Type of plans: Unlimited Monthly (30-day service period)/ High Volume
Recommended for: StraightTalk plans are suitable for High volume users
Straight Talk Wireless offers high volume and unlimited cell phone plans to users nationwide. Their most popular plans are affordable at $45/month or $55/month. A lot of their customers are happy with the value and quality of their Straight Talk phone services. Users can find a good selection of phones offered on their website, such as the latest iPhones, recent Android models and more. In addition, the company offers a Bring Your Own Phone program for consumers who want to keep their current phones. Interested readers can purchase Straight Talk phones and plans either at a Walmart store or on their website where they list the best deals. Full Review >>
FreedomPop
Type of plans: No Contract Monthly, Free Basic Plan
Recommended for: Low volume to Average volume phone users, people who need a backup calling plan or internet access
Nothing beats FreedomPop with its phone plan that includes 500 texts, 200 minutes of calls, and 500 MB of data – all for $0/month. Plus, get free global calls to 50 select countries! Users can also make and receive calls and text by using FreedomPop’s Wi-Fi app. This works too even when you’re outside the U.S.! This is good for those with low phone usage. For higher-data speed and unlimited call and text features, upgrading to paid plans without any contract is also possible.
FreedomPop’s standard phone service is covered by Sprint’s LTE network and VoIP to provide stable and reliable service. For added flexibility, FreedomPop has a GSM SIM card that provides service for unlocked GSM handsets. Full Review >>
Simple Mobile
Type of plans: Monthly (30-day service period), Truly Unlimited Data
Recommended for: Best plans for Average to Heavy phone users especially for data ($25 Monthly for Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 1 GB High Speed Data)
Since its establishment in 2009, Simple Mobile has continuously lived up to its name by providing simple, affordable, and consumer-friendly mobile services with no contract. For as low as $25/month, you can enjoy 1 GB of high-speed data, unlimited texting, and unlimited calling not only in the U.S., but also to select international countries. Moreover, Simple Mobile provides Truly Unlimited high-speed data, and other budget-friendly plans. In addition, by opting for auto-recharge, customers can get up to $5 in additional savings.
Getting a Simple Mobile plan is easy since your credit score is not needed, and it works with unlocked GSM devices or T-Mobile devices. And, with its reliable network coverage supported by T-Mobile, Simple Mobile is really the top choice in prepaid service. Full Review >>
Virgin Mobile
Type of plans: Pay As You Go, Monthly, Unlimited Monthly
Rating: Best plans for heavy texters and iPhone users; Best prices and selection of iPhones, Androids
Virgin Mobile distinguishes itself as a no contract provider that offers classy and hip cell phones at affordable prices. They also have a flexible structure of plans that appeal to both moderate and heavy phone users. Whether it is the latest iPhones or recent model Androids or Windows phones, interested shoppers can usually find special offers online for them. Smartphones require the use of their Beyond Talk plans that start from $35/month. Basic non-smartphone cell phone service is available for $20/month. Virgin Mobile phone connections are made through the Sprint network. Full Review >>
Boost Mobile
Type of plans: Unlimited Monthly
Rating: Best unlimited pricing for long term customers (Shrinking Payments program allow for up to $15/month off); Best Blackblerry plans
Boost Mobile is a highly rated provider of prepaid no contract phone services, specializing in unlimited monthly plans. They have been in business for well over a decade now, offering no contract cellular phone plans well before no contract plans came into vogue. Their efforts have clearly paid off as they are now a recognized and trusted provider that consumers seek out. Boost Mobile customers like the quality and selection of both smartphones and non-smartphones offered. Besides iPhones and Androids, they also have a special Blackberry Curve phone and plan combo that is very affordable. Boost Mobile customers get to save extra through their Shrinking Payments program that lowers monthly phone bills by as much as $15/month. Full Review >>
Click here to browse the full Boost Mobile Review
Net10 Wireless
Type of plans: Pay As You Go, Monthly (30-day service period), Family, Unlimited Monthly
Rating: Best all-round no contract service provider. Competitively priced quality plans for Pay As You Go, Monthly and Unlimited
Net10 is a well-recognized and highly regarded brand for prepaid Pay As You Go and Monthly (defined as 30-day service period) cell phone plans. Their wide range of competitively priced plans appeal to various groups of customers, from those who use their phones moderately, to heavy users who prefer unlimited plans. A basic Pay As You Go plan costs $30 for 60 days of use. Unlimited plans start at just $35 a month. Net10 users can choose from a good range of smartphones or regular feature phones. Users who want to use non-Net10 specific cell phones they already own may be able to do so. One key strength of Net10 is that they offer consumers good coverage through major networks like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. Full Review >>
Click here to browse the full Net10 Review
MetroPCS
Type of plans: Unlimited Monthly
MetroPCS is a major no contract phone service provider. They offer unlimited monthly plans at competitive rates. Users can choose from a wide range of Android smartphones and basic feature phones, all reasonably priced. Plans start at $40/month. They operate their own 4G cell phone network. However, with their recent merger with T-Mobile, their network will be folded completely into T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network by late 2015. Customers can expect their phone connections to be made through an expanded T-Mobile network that is faster and provides higher capacity than MetroPCS’ independent network.
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No Contract Phones & Plans Overview
Limitation: We make every effort to share the most accurate information on this site but we cannot provide any warranties on this content. Things change with time as well. Please always do your own verification to make sure.