Best Prepaid Phone Plans for September 2023 – CNET

See at Google Fi

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Metro’s Heritage Plan ($60 per month for one line, $120 per month for four lines)

Best unlimited plans with perks

Most cellphone users subscribe directly to mobile providers like AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon for their wireless service. But if you want to save money on your mobile plan, there are several smaller providers that can get you reliable service at a cheaper rate. Traditional wireless providers tout unlimited data plans as the big attraction, but smaller carriers still offer a variety of plans with high-speed data or even a better price on unlimited plans. If you want to switch over, these are the best prepaid phone plans for September 2023.

Boost Mobile, AT&T and T-Mobile logos on phone screens Boost Mobile, AT&T and T-Mobile logos on phone screens

Boost Mobile will use a combination of AT&T, T-Mobile and parent Dish’s own network. 

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As with the leading carriers, there are periods when the prepaid players offer deals. Boost Mobile used to run a promo for new customers that let you get three lines with unlimited talk, text and data for $90 per month ($30 per line) after “your first payment of $100.” It has since added a new unlimited plan that is $25 per month for new users, though each line must be separate and cannot be grouped on a family plan.

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Pros: Low-priced unlimited plan, access to T-Mobile and AT&T networks as well as Dish’s own, plan isn’t tied to a 12-month commitment.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Pros: Runs on T-Mobile’s network, more high-speed data than some comparably priced plans from other prepaid rivals, includes hotspot data and free international calls to Mexico and Canada.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Pros: Google Fi Wireless uses T-Mobile’s network, great pricing for multiple lines, ability to add Samsung and Google smartwatches at no extra charge.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Pros: Runs on T-Mobile’s network, good pricing and perks like hotspot data, Amazon Prime and Google One storage.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Pros: Runs on T-Mobile’s network, more data than some comparably priced plans from other prepaid rivals.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

Pros: Very cheap rate for 1GB of data, runs on AT&T, T-Mobile and Dish’s own network.

What exactly is a prepaid phone plan?

As I noted when covering the best unlimited plans, to get the most out of your deal you need to make sure you have the coverage you need. This makes it hard to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier: T-Mobile’s service in New York may be excellent, but if you’re in, say, rural Iowa, Verizon is more reliable.

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