The main carriers are always going to give their own customers the best data speeds and overall performance on their network. The drawback to this model is that MVNOs are kicked to the back of the line when it comes to network performance.

Instead, they just lease the bandwidth from the major carriers and use it to provide cheap service to their customers.

Why are they so cheap? What’s the catch?īasically, MVNOs are cheaper than the Big Three carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) because they don’t have to carry the burden of building and maintaining a whole mobile network. Looking at all of these cheap alternative phone carriers may have you scratching your head.

Best for low-data users: If you don’t blow through more than 10 GBs a month in mobile data, then Twigby may be a great, cheap alternative to Verizon itself.

Best for charitable giving: Reach Mobile helps you help others by investing a portion of your bill in its Gigs that Give program, which gives phones and cell service to folks across the world.

Best for your budget: Red Pocket Mobile is the carrier for those who don’t actually intend to use their phone much and just want to keep their bill low.

Best bundle: Xfinity Mobile offers great savings for existing Xfinity internet customers.

If you’re looking for a stripped down plan with tons of data on the nation’s best network, Visible’s $45 unlimited plan is unbeatable.

Best value: Visible Wireless is changing the prepaid wireless industry for the better.So let’s quickly highlight some of the carriers that we liked the most.

All of that info can get a bit jumbled up in our brains. We’re not going to lie, that was a lot of prepaid providers to review.

Phone pocket for running