According to WhistleOut’s most recent data, Americans pay an average of $160/month for their cell phone bill. This begs the question: why do allow our phone service to cost more than our utility bills? Especially with carriers pulling back on included features (bye-bye, free Disney Bundle from Verizon!), it makes little sense to pay an arm and leg for data that’s likely going mostly unused.
The good news: it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re sick of paying for your overpriced phone plan, you may want to consider switching to an MVNO. These are smaller alternative carriers that offer the same great network service you’re used to, but for less. Unlimited plans through these smaller carriers start as low as $15/month.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the pros and cons of switching, how to make the transition smoothly, and the best MVNOs on the market.
What is an MVNO?
An MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator, is a cell phone provider that doesn’t own or operate its own cell towers. Rather, it leases network services from one or more of the Big Three carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) and runs on their network(s). Because MVNOs tend to buy network access in bulk, and because they don’t incur the costs of regular network maintenance, they’re typically able to offer cheaper phone plans than the major carriers.
Some MVNOs are owned and operated by a major carrier—for example, Verizon owns Visible Wireless, and T-Mobile owns Mint Mobile. Meanwhile, other small carriers, such as US Mobile, are independently owned and run.
An MVNO may run on a single network or multiple, depending on its agreements—for example, Cricket Wireless runs exclusively on AT&T’s network, while US Mobile offers service on all three major networks.
Love your phone service but not your phone bill?
You can keep the same great network service for a fraction of the price. We’ve got full breakdowns of which MVNOs operate on each major network.
MVNOs vs. major carriers
| Price | Coverage | Network speed | Perks/inclusions | Phone selection | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVNOs | More affordable Typically start ~$15-20/month |
Great | Plan-dependent—typically deprioritized before major carrier’s customers | Relatively few | Carrier-dependent (bigger MVNOs have a wider selection) |
| Major carriers | More expensive Typically start ~$65-70/month |
Great | Plan-dependent—get higher priority than MVNO customers, but base plans slowed before premium plans | Usually more than MVNOs | Very broad with deeper discounted deals |
Coverage and plan options
MVNOs deliver the same 4G and 5G coverage as whichever major carrier network it operates on but for significantly less money. Limited data plans can start as cheap as $5/month, and most unlimited plans hover in the $30-40/month range. Most major carrier plans, on the other hand, start at double that price.
Another benefit to MVNOs is their plan variety. The Big Three don’t really offer anything except unlimited plans anymore, except within their prepaid plans; only AT&T provides a postpaid limited data plan of 4GB plus talk and text. In 2022, the average mobile data use was just 15GB/month, leading to the conclusion that unlimited data plans are actually unnecessary for most consumers. MVNOs typically offer several limited and shared data plans, in addition to one or two unlimited options for the heaviest data users. Mint Mobile, for example, offers data in chunks of 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, and unlimited, so that there’s something for everyone.
Deprioritization and data speeds
Both carrier types can also deprioritize your data, meaning slow your speeds during times of peak network activity (think in the evenings after work and school, for example). However, MVNOs will typically be deprioritized first, in favor of the major carriers’ direct subscribers. The major carriers, in turn, will deprioritize customers who are subscribed to their base plans before those who pay for their premium plans.
For example, AT&T’s Value 2.0 plan includes deprioritization after you use 3GB of premium data, while its Extra 2.0 guarantees at least 100GB of high-speed data before any slowdowns, and its Premium 2.0 plan guarantees all of your data at its fastest speeds no matter how much you use.
Premium data: AT&T vs. US Mobile
| Plan | Premium data | Price (1 line) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Value 2.0 Extra 2.0 Premium 2.0 |
3GB 100GB Unlimited |
$50/month $70/month $90/month |
 |
Unlimited Starter Unlimited Premium |
70GB Unlimited |
$25/month $44/month |
That said, even most MVNOs nowadays have tiered plans just like AT&T’s, with guaranteed premium data speeds on their own top-tier offers but for way cheaper. US Mobile offers 70GB of premium data on its base plan for just $25/month, whereas AT&T offers none at all for almost triple the price. Similarly, its Unlimited Premium plan guarantees unlimited premium speeds (that's a LOT of high-speed data) for just $44/month.
Perks and inclusions
Both MVNOs and major carriers offer attractive inclusions that have become standard on most plans, like healthy mobile hotspot allowances and Mexico/Canada talk and text. The Big Three carriers sometimes offer better or more extensive perks, such as entertainment/streaming subscriptions or international roaming. T-Mobile offers free Netflix and Apple TV+ on some premium plans, along with free in-flight Wi-Fi and unlimited international roaming. Verizon offers several different perks at a discounted rate of $10/month, including the Disney Bundle, Apple Family, a Walmart+ subscription, and more.
Still, some MVNOs do offer some perks to sweeten the deal. US Mobile customers on family plans of at least 3 lines can get a free perk from a selection including Audible, Spotify, Apple TV+, Netflix, and more. Cricket Wireless offers a free HBO Max subscription with ads plus cloud storage access.
Most MVNOs also provide healthy Mexico and Canada privileges, including unlimited talk and text and, on some plans, a few gigs of roaming data to get you by. Outside of U.S. border countries, though, you’ll usually only get outgoing calling and texting, either free or at discounted calling rates. You rarely see international roaming privileges on these smaller carriers, so if you’re a globe-trotting rockstar, you may be better served with one of our picks for the best international travel phone plans.
Phone selection
The Big Three also usually offer a much broader selection of phones and provide deep discount offers when you trade in and/or sign up as a new customer. But be aware—these types of deals will lock you into that carrier for an average of 2-3 years, as the discounts are applied as monthly bill credits rather than a full lump sum. Should you want to switch to a different carrier, you will be responsible for the entire remaining cost of the phone without the discount applied.
Switching to an MVNO: Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cheaper phone plans
- Flexibility to switch anytime
- No credit checks or overage fees
- Competitive plan inclusions
- Same coverage as the parent network
Cons:
- Possible depriorization during network congestion
- Often offer fewer or no perks
- Not as many deals on smartphones
There are many reasons why you may want to switch from a major carrier to an MVNO. First, MVNOs typically offer cheap cell phone plans but with the same quality service as the more expensive plans from the Big Three. There is no shortage of options, with dozens of budget limited and unlimited plans to choose from, offering enviable features such as:
- Unlimited talk, text, and data
- Excellent network coverage
- Mobile hotspot data
- International talk and text
- International roaming (select MVNOs)
MVNOs offer the same expansive coverage as major carriers since they run on these networks. The only difference is that MVNO customers may experience deprioritization—temporary slowing of network speeds—during times of network congestion. This is because Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile customers’ speeds are prioritized over those of small carrier customers. This is only temporary and your speeds should pick back up once the network clears, but it may be frustrating, especially if you’re in a crowded area like at a concert or sporting event.
On the other hand, one of the major benefits of opting for an MVNO plan is that several of these small carriers operate on multiple networks and they’ll either automatically add you to the network with the best coverage in your area or give you the choice of a SIM for the network you prefer. However, before you choose which network you’d prefer, make sure to check your coverage where you live. Use our coverage tool to enter your address and check which networks are the most robust in your area, and check out the coverage map below to get a visual on how the networks overlap where you live.
MVNOs tend to have fewer plan features and perks than plans through major carriers. If you are interested in a cell phone plan that includes streaming subscriptions, such as Netflix, Apple TV+, or Hulu, you may want to opt for a major carrier. That said, you could spend a fraction of the price on your phone plan by choosing an MVNO and then pay for the streaming subscription and still probably save money.
Lastly, MVNOs may not provide as many phone deals—such as buy-one-get-one (BOGO), trade-in, or free phone deals (on monthly installments)—as major carriers, especially on the latest releases through Apple and Samsung. If the idea of getting a “free” smartphone is appealing to you, you may want to take advantage of a deal through T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T. Just remember that you’ll be locked into that carrier for years until your phone is paid off.
How to switch to an MVNO
Switching to an MVNO is a fairly straightforward process, but there are some differences to be aware of, depending on the MVNO you select. For instance, many MVNOs operate entirely online, such as Red Pocket and Visible—and with online shopping being the more convenient method for most carriers, you can expect a similar process regardless of carrier selection. Of course, if you prefer the old-fashioned way and would like to visit a store to make the switch, you’ll want to stick with larger MVNOs like Cricket Wireless and Metro.
There are also some differences in the process based on whether you want to keep your own phone or purchase a new one.
Bringing your own device (BYOD)
Bringing your own phone to an MVNO can save you some cash, as you’ll only need to pay for the phone plan's price.
Before making the switch, you’ll need to make sure that your phone is unlocked from your current network and compatible with the MVNO’s network or networks. Most newer devices are compatible with all three major networks, so this shouldn’t be an issue. However, if your phone is an older model, you’ll want to check compatibility. Entering your IMEI number on your chosen carrier’s website will let you know whether you can use your existing phone.
Once you’ve confirmed your device will work on the new network, contact the MVNO to pick a plan and sign up, receive a new SIM card, and transfer your phone number. Then you’re ready to go.
MVNO carrier switching guides
Ready to make the switch to an MVNO? Check out our general guide to switching phone carriers or visit one of our step-by-step guides for the carriers below:
Buying a new phone from an MVNO
When you switch to a budget phone plan through a small carrier, you may decide it’s time for a new phone.
You have three options:
- You can buy the phone outright through the MVNO.
- You can buy it in monthly installments, although MVNOs usually partner with third-party financing companies and may charge interest.
- You can buy an unlocked phone through the manufacturer or a third-party retailer and bring it to the MVNO.
Here are some the top 5 phones available right now through MVNOs like Mint, Visible, Cricket, and more.
Moto G 5G (2025) 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 16MP
Moto G 5G (2026) 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
Galaxy A26 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 13MP
Moto G Power (2025) 128GB
- 6.8 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP
- Front Camera: 16MP
Edge (2025) 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 50MP, 10MP
- Front Camera: 50MP
Top MVNOs from each network
There are so many great small carriers on the market, but we’ve chosen the top MVNOs from each major carrier for you to compare. These carriers have some of the best MVNO plans out there right now.
Best Verizon MVNO: Visible
Visible is an affordable and attractive MVNO that is owned by Verizon and runs on its robust network. You can choose between their unlimited phone plans:
- Visible plan: $25/month for unlimited everything, including hotspot (5Mbps)
- Basic 5G speeds
- Unlimited Canada/Mexico talk/text
- Visible+ plan: $35/month for unlimited everything, including hotspot (10Mbps), plus:
- Unlimited premium data
- Fastest 5G speeds
- Unlimited Canada/Mexico talk/text
- .5GB of international roaming per day
- Unlimited texts to 200+ destinations
- Unlimited minutes to 30+ destinations
- 1 Global pass
- Visible+ Pro plan: $45/month for unlimited everything, including hotspot (15Mbps), plus:
- Unlimited premium data
- Fastest 5G speeds
- Unlimited Canada/Mexico talk/text
- .5GB of international roaming per day
- Unlimited texts to 200+ destinations
- Unlimited minutes to 30+ destinations
- Smartwatch service
- 2 Global passes
No matter which Visible plan you go with, you can enjoy benefits, such as:
- Low plan prices
- Reliable network and fast data speeds
- Unlimited everything
- No contracts
- Taxes and fees included in the plan price
- Easy sign-up and activation
|
#1
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#2
|
Visible
$35 Visible+ Plan
$35.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#3
|
Visible
$45 Visible+ Pro Plan
$45.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#4
|
Visible
$275 Visible Annual Plan
$275.00
Regular rate at $300/year<br>Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#5
|
Visible
$375 Visible+ Annual Plan
$375.00
Regular rate at $420/year<br>Taxes & Fees included
|
Best T-Mobile MVNO: Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile, which is now owned by T-Mobile, operates on its parent network, providing great nationwide coverage. You can choose from several limited data plans and an affordable unlimited data plan. These plans include nice perks like:
- Excellent family plan options
- Good international calling features
- 50GB premium data on unlimited plan
- Flexible prepaid options (3-, 6-, and 12-month options)
- Mobile hotspot access up to plan data limit (20GB limit on unlimited)
Unlike the other MVNOs highlighted here that offer monthly plan prices, Mint Mobile offers prepaid 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month plans. And after a 3-month introductory discount, the lowest possible price you can get involves needing to pre-pay for a year’s worth of service upfront, which can feel like a big investment—but we think it's worth it.
|
#1
|
Mint Mobile
5GB Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$30.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $10.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
#2
|
Mint Mobile
15GB Data Plan
$15.00/mo
$45.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $15.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
#3
|
Mint Mobile
Mint Kids Plan
$15.00/mo
$45.00 upfront payment for 3 months <br>(equals to $15.00/month). <br>Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
#4
|
Mint Mobile
20GB Data Plan
$20.00/mo
$60.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $20.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
#5
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
Best AT&T MVNO: Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless is an AT&T-owned MVNO that runs on AT&T’s powerful network. You can choose between several unlimited and limited data plans, based on your or your family’s needs and budget, with plans ranging in price from $30 to $55 per month.
Many of these plans include great perks, such as:
- HBO Max with Ads
- Cloud storage
- Canada/Mexico roaming
- Unlimited texts to 200+ countries
- Hotspot data (on the top two unlimited plans)
No matter which Cricket plan you choose, you’ll benefit from:
- Excellent coverage
- Limited and unlimited data options
- Family plan discounts
- Loyalty rewards through Cricket Rewards
- Access to brick-and-mortar stores
|
#1
|
Cricket
Sensible 10GB Plan
$30.00/mo
with AutoPay
+ $9.99 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Cricket
Smart Unlimited Plan
$45.00/mo
with AutoPay; $50 for the first month.
+ $9.99 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
Cricket
Supreme Unlimited Plan
$55.00/mo
with AutoPay; $60 for the first month.
+ $9.99 Upfront
|
Marisa Crane
Staff Writer
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