- $14/month
- 5GB of mobile data
- $10/month
- 2GB of monthly data
Tello is a T-Mobile MVNO or mobile virtual network operator. Backed by the Un-carrier's best-in-class 5G footprint, the Tello Mobile network boasts outstanding coverage without breaking the bank. Because Tello doesn't operate its own costly cellular tower infrastructure, it saves itself overhead, which means its customers save money.
Our favorite Tello plans are its $25/month Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data plan, $14/month Unlimited Text, Talk, and 5GB tier, and the budget-priced $10/month Unlimited Text, Talk, and 2GB package. But if you can't find an off-the-shelf plan to fit your needs and budget, Tello lets you create a custom plan by picking your data, minutes, and messages.
Let's look at the best Tello plans, from its affordable unlimited offering to flexible custom plans, and everything in between.
Best Tello phone plans
| Plan | Best for | Data | Shop this plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data |
Data-heavy users | Unlimited (50GB premium data) |
Go to plan |
| Unlimited Text, Talk, and 5GB |
Average data users | 5GB | Go to plan |
| Unlimited Text, Talk, and 2GB |
Affordable low data | 2GB | Go to plan |
| Unlimited Text, Talk, and 1GB |
Ultimate savings | 1GB | Go to plan |
| Build-your-own | Flexibility | None-unlimited | Go to plan |
Best Tello Plans
Tello Mobile provides custom plans as well as several off-the-shelf data packages. Here are Tello's best cell phone plans, from its unlimited tier to low-cost, low-data options.
Tello | Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data | $25/month—Best Tello plan overall
Just $25/month gets you a Tello Mobile Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data plan, which undercuts already cost-effective offerings from popular carriers like Mint Mobile and Visible. You'll enjoy unrestricted talk and text with 50GB of high-speed data. Thankfully, Tello doesn't charge overages or cut off your data after that threshold. However, your data gets deprioritized or slowed down, so music streaming on Spotify might buffer, or Google Maps may take its sweet time loading.
With this plan you also get 10GB of mobile hotspot data allowance, Tello lets you tether your phone to devices like your laptop, tablet, or Nintendo Switch for internet anywhere you have access to a cellular signal. Most smaller carriers lack perks, keeping monthly prices low, and Tello is the same. You won't find goodies like Netflix or other streaming subscriptions, but you can enjoy free international calls to over 60 countries. Overall, Tello's unlimited data plan is a wallet-friendly way to get a buffet of mobile data.
- Pros: Cheap unlimited data, 50GB high-speed data, 10GB hotspot data, free international calls
- Cons: No perks
Tello | Unlimited Text, Talk, and 5GB | $14/month—Best balanced Tello plan
Tello's Unlimited Text, Talk, and 5GB plan is great for customers who don't want to sacrifice data. The $14/month scores you 5GB of data for streaming the latest Taylor Swift album on Spotify, playing Halo on Xbox GamePass, or watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime Video. Admittedly, 5GB is somewhat small, especially considering the average person uses around 8GB of mobile data monthly. However, 5GB is great for folks who rarely disconnect from Wi-Fi. Whether you work from home with constant Wi-Fi like me or mostly call and text, Tello's Smart plan is a fantastic option with modest data.
Pros: 5GB mobile data, good bang for your buck, free international calling- Cons: May not be enough data for some folks
Tello | Unlimited Text, Talk, and 2GB | $10/month—Best budget Tello plan
Tello's Unlimited Text, Talk, and 2GB plan is a great value. It sets you back a mere $10/month while providing 2GB of monthly data for doomscrolling on Twitter, streaming Jay Electronica albums on Tidal, or reading the news on the NYTimes app. Like most Tello plans, you also get unlimited talk and text. Plus, there's worldwide calling to more than 60 countries.
If you're a light internet and app user, Tello's Value plan is a wallet-friendly choice. Admittedly, 2GB is very little, so check your data usage regularly (remember to connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible to conserve your mobile data). Alternatively, you might consider Tello's $9/month Unlimited Text, Talk, and 1GB plan, which includes 1GB of data. However, we recommend the Unlimited Text, Talk, and 2GB plan because it comes with double the data for under double the price.
- Pros: 2GB monthly data, super affordable, great global calling benefits
- Cons: Small monthly data allowance
Peruse the best cheap cell phone plans on the market for more affordable mobile service options.
Best Tello Mobile build-your-own Plans
While Tello features many premade options, phone plans are more than just a one-size-fits-all solution. Uniquely, Tello lets you build your own package by choosing your minutes, messages, and data allowance. Its do-it-yourself (DIY) plans range from low- and no-data packages to an unlimited tier. Here's how Tello Mobile custom plans break down:
Tello Mobile build-your-own plans
| Data | Talk and text | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| None | 100 minutes, unlimited messages 300 minutes, unlimited messages 500 minutes, unlimited messages Unlimited minutes and messages |
$5 $6 $7 $8 |
| 1GB | No minutes or messages 100 minutes, unlimited messages 300 minutes, unlimited messages 500 minutes, unlimited messages Unlimited minutes and messages |
$5 $6 $7 $8 $9 |
| 2GB | No minutes or messages 100 minutes, unlimited messages 300 minutes, unlimited messages 500 minutes, unlimited messages Unlimited minutes and messages |
$6 $7 $8 $9 $10 |
| 5GB | No minutes or messages 100 minutes, unlimited messages 300 minutes, unlimited messages 500 minutes, unlimited messages Unlimited minutes and messages |
$10 $11 $12 $13 $14 |
| 10GB | No minutes or messages 100 minutes, unlimited messages 300 minutes, unlimited messages 500 minutes, unlimited messages Unlimited minutes and messages |
$15 $16 $17 $18 $19 |
| 15GB | No minutes or messages 100 minutes, unlimited messages 300 minutes, unlimited messages 500 minutes, unlimited messages Unlimited minutes and messages |
$20 $21 $22 $23 $24 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited minutes and messages | $25 |
As you can see, the build-your-own-plan route lets you sign up for the cheapest Tello mobile plan, which sets you back just $5/month for 100 minutes with unlimited messages. Its least expensive data plan costs $6/month for 500MB of data with 100 minutes and unlimited messages. At the high-end, unlimited talk, text, and web costs $25/month. Whether you're a low, moderate, or high data user, Tello has you covered.
Check out our hands-on Tello Mobile review for a more in-depth glance at this great carrier.
Best Tello Mobile Family Plans
Typically, carriers offer an incentive for signing up to a family plan, like multi-line discounts that drop your monthly bill cost with each added line. However, Tello Mobile family plans don't provide any savings. Rather, it's simply a way to bundle multiple lines into one bill.
Nevertheless, Tello's modular family plan setup means each family member or friend can pick the combination of data, minutes, and messages that best fits their needs. While you don't save by signing everyone up for the same plan, you can choose a cheap no-data package for the kids and an unlimited plan for yourself to keep the monthly bill low.
Want to check out more family plans? Head over to our best family plans guide.
Methodology: How we picked the best Tello Mobile plans
We picked the best Tello Mobile plans by rounding up each of its off-the-shelf and custom packages. After that, we ranked each choice primarily by price and data allowance. Additionally, we considered minutes, messages, and perks. We also examined how each plan compared to similar offerings from prepaid and postpaid carriers. And to gain a sense of Tello’s performance, we performed hands-on testing of its network. WhistleOut maintains a watchful eye on the mobile market and changes these ratings as necessary.
Best Tello Mobile phones
In addition to its budget-priced prepaid plans, Tello Mobile offers affordable deals on handsets from Apple, Samsung, and Nuu. Our favorite Tello phones include the Apple iPhone SE (2022), Samsung Galaxy S22, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Check out the best Tello Mobile phones below:
Moto G Power (2025) 128GB
- 6.8 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP
- Front Camera: 16MP
Pixel 10 128GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 10.8MP, 13MP
- Front Camera: 10.5MP
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone Air 256GB
- 6.5 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 17 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
Bringing your own phone to Tello Mobile
Like most carriers, Tello lets you bring your own phone. You'll merely need an unlocked phone that works with T-Mobile's network. You can purchase a new mobile device or unlock your current phone. After that, just get a Tello Mobile SIM card or eSIM, request a transfer if you want to keep your phone number, then activate your service. Still not convinced to make the jump? Here are 10 reasons to switch to Tello.
Picking a Tello Mobile plan
There's much to consider when selecting a Tello Mobile plan, including monthly cost, minutes, messages, and data allowance.
Monthly price
Set a budget and pick a plan that fits the bill. Tello Mobile plans run you as little as $5/month or as much as $29/month. Whether you choose Tello's most wallet-friendly offering or its maxed-out unlimited plan, you won't break the bank.
Minutes
While many carriers offer unlimited minutes, Tello lets you pick from 100, 300, 500, or unlimited monthly minutes. If you're a chatty Cathy, consider a 500-minute or unlimited package. For folks who prefer texting or, like me, keep their phones on silent almost all the time, a 100- or 300-minute plan works just fine. Whichever plan you pick, it will include unlimited messages so you can text until your thumbs are sore.
Data
Like many other budget-priced prepaid carriers, Tello offers low data limits and unlimited data limits. Its no-data plans work well for kids that need to call or text family members but don't need access to apps and the internet. Likewise, seniors seeking basic phones who merely want to call and text can get cheap phone plans from Tello. Or if you're like me and work from home, so you stay connected to Wi-Fi most of the day, you can save a boatload with a low-data plan.
On the other hand, if you're constantly streaming Tidal in high quality, watching 4K ultra-high-definition movies on HBO Max, or embroiled in intense Halo matches on Xbox Game Pass, Tello's high or unlimited data plans are best for you.
Best Tello Mobile plans: FAQs
Which network does Tello use?
Tello Mobile uses T-Mobile's network.
Does Tello require a credit check?
No, Tello Mobile does not require a credit check or contract to sign up.
Does Tello offer plans for seniors?
No, Tello doesn't offer senior-specific plans. However, its low- and no-data plans are great for many seniors that use little mobile data each month.
Can I bring my own phone and keep my number with Tello?
Yes, Tello lets you bring your phone and number from another carrier. You'll just need an unlocked phone that's compatible with T-Mobile's network to get started.
Moe Long
Senior Writer
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