The best cheap cell phone plans: Slash your monthly bill

Alternative providers offer a wider range of plans and at better prices.

AT&T, Verizon, and T-mobile may seem like your only cell phone plan options, but they’re not. And sticking with the familiar could be costing you hundreds per year.

Alternative providers use the same networks as the big companies, offering almost identical service but with lower prices, still no contracts, and often more perks. With a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), an unlimited plan can be had for as little as $30 per month for a single line, and $25 per line for group plans. And that includes 5G coverage.

Light cell phone users can enjoy big savings, too. Where you live doesn’t matter either—at&t, Verizon, and T-mobile MVNOS all exist. The only real catch is that deciding on the right alternative carrier takes a little