Prepaid plans are no longer the budget compromise they used to be. The 2026 lineup runs on the same towers as the major carriers, includes 5G on every meaningful plan, and costs roughly half of an equivalent postpaid plan. The only thing you give up is bundled financing for handsets.
This guide ranks the three main prepaid carriers most US shoppers should consider.
What changed in 2026
A few shifts shape the prepaid market.
- 5G access is universal. No more "5G is extra" tiers on the major prepaid carriers.
- Hotspot caps loosened. Most unlimited plans now include real, usable hotspot data.
- Family discounts standardized. Multi-line pricing is competitive with postpaid.
How we picked
Five short bullets.
- Real coverage, not theoretical maps.
- 5G included with no asterisks.
- Hotspot data that is actually usable.
- Annual or multi-month pricing transparency.
- Easy port-in and number-keep.
1. US Mobile — best all-rounder
You pick the underlying network — Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T (called "Warp," "GSM5G," and they recently added a third). Unlimited plans start around $35/mo for one line, with multi-line discounts dropping it further. Real unlimited, not soft-capped.
The trade-off is fewer in-store options. US Mobile is online-first, with eSIM activation in minutes.
2. Visible — best for Verizon coverage
Owned by Verizon, runs on Verizon's network. One simple plan around $25/mo, or $35/mo for the Plus tier with premium data prioritization and international perks. No throttling on the entry plan in normal conditions; Plus gets you priority during congestion.
The catch is that customer support is online-only. No retail stores, no phone trees with humans. Most issues resolve via chat, but if that frustrates you, look elsewhere.
3. Mint Mobile — best if you commit
Owned by T-Mobile since 2024, runs on T-Mobile's network. The trick is annual pricing: pay for 12 months up front and unlimited drops to roughly $30/mo. Lower-tier plans (5GB, 15GB) are even cheaper at annual prices.
The catch is the commitment. Pay-as-you-go monthly pricing is significantly higher than the advertised number. Best for households confident they will stick with the carrier for a year.
Comparison: prepaid plans in April 2026
| Carrier |
Network |
Unlimited price (1 line) |
Hotspot |
Best for |
| US Mobile |
Pick: Verizon, T-Mo, AT&T |
$35/mo |
30GB |
Coverage flexibility |
| Visible |
Verizon |
$25/mo (basic) / $35/mo (Plus) |
Unlimited (Plus) |
Verizon-area users |
| Mint Mobile |
T-Mobile |
$30/mo (annual) / $40/mo (monthly) |
10GB |
Commitment-comfortable |
| Cricket |
AT&T |
$55/mo |
15GB |
AT&T coverage |
| Metro by T-Mobile |
T-Mobile |
$50/mo |
35GB |
Retail support needed |
Common mistakes to avoid
Not checking your local coverage. National maps lie. Ask three friends on the network in your specific zip code, or check a community map.
Buying a 12-month Mint plan without trying it. Activate the trial first to confirm coverage in your house.
Bringing an unlocked phone you have not verified. Some older phones do not support all 5G bands. Check the IMEI compatibility tool before porting.
FAQ
Will my phone work?
Almost all unlocked phones from the last four years work on all three carriers. Verify with their compatibility checker.
How does porting work?
You request a transfer PIN from your current carrier, give it to the new one, and the port usually completes in under an hour. Do not cancel the old line first — porting cancels it for you.
Are there hidden fees?
On these three, no. Taxes and regulatory fees are usually included in the advertised price.
Where to go next
For related guides see 5G home internet vs fiber in 2026, Best wifi mesh systems in 2026, and Best budget mesh routers in 2026 under $200.