Cheap phone plans for one person in 2025: Stay connected for less
Unlocking the most affordable individual phone plan is all about leveraging the competitive rates offered by low-cost carriers. You'll get the same coverage for a fraction of the cost without hidden fees and price hikes. Here are the best value providers to consider.

- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calling to 60+ countries
- Free mobile hotspot included
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- eSIM compatible
- No international roaming
- No multi-line discounts

- Low-cost unlimited plans
- Unlimited talk & text to Mexico & Canada
- Mobile hotspot use included
- Taxes & fees included in price
- User-friendly website
- Only 2 plan choices
- Data speed is capped at 5 Mbps
- Limited phone compatibility
- App-based service

- Verizon 5G coverage
- Hotspot included
- Great phone deals
- International calling to 85+ destinations
- Roaming in Canada & Mexico
- Only unlimited data plans
- More expensive than others

- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calling to 60+ countries
- Free mobile hotspot included
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- eSIM compatible
- No international roaming
- No multi-line discounts

- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Free international calls to 80 countries
- Roaming available in Mexico and Canada
- Mobile hotspot access on all plans
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- eSIM compatible
- Limited international roaming
If you only need a phone plan for yourself, you shouldn't have to pay family plan prices. But that's exactly what big wireless tries to push - forcing you into expensive bundles packed with extras you'll never use. The truth is, low-cost carriers offer the same coverage for half the price - all with no contracts or credit checks.
This guide highlights the cheapest phone plans for one person in 2025, covering the lowest-cost options on T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks so you can save money without losing the coverage you rely on.
I've done the legwork, so you don't have to. I researched and reviewed 30 alternative carriers and examined over 100 prepaid plans to save you precious time and money.
To save you time, I have excluded carriers that:
- Only offer unlimited data plans
- Only advertise multi-line prices
- Have confusing phone bills with unexpected fees
- Lure customers with "free" phones
- Constantly try to upsell additional lines
- Bundle plans with unnecessary subscriptions
- Need loads of small print to explain their offers
- Want you to go to a store
- Need a commission-based salesperson
- Reward customer loyalty with increased prices
Tello offers the cheapest single line plans for low data

Tello 2GB plan for $10/mo
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk and text with 2GB data
- Instant online activation
Tello phone plans keep things simple with their wireless service. None of those hidden fees or long-term contracts that'll leave you feeling trapped.
With free international calls to 60+ countries on all plans, including Canada and Mexico, and a range of data allowances suitable for light to heavy users.
Tello keeps costs low with flexible plans that let you choose exactly how much data, talk, and text you need. A set data plan can help you save and manage usage.
All plans come with mobile hotspot, with unlimited plans offering up to 5GB, but there are no multi-line discounts. Each line is billed separately, though Tello's pricing remains competitive.
Activation is quick and easy. With eSIM it takes just a few taps, or you can have a SIM card shipped directly to you.
Tello is one of the most affordable and flexible choices on T-Mobile's network, but I also weighed a few other options.
Ultra Mobile is a solid pick for international calling, but its plans are more expensive for the same amount of data. Metro by T-Mobile, despite being owned by T-Mobile, comes with higher costs and often requires an in-store visit. While Boost Mobile has competitive pricing, but hidden fees and inconsistent customer service make it harder to recommend.
In the end, Tello's combination of affordability, customization, and hassle-free switching makes it the best choice.
- Build-your-own plan – Tello lets you customize your plan, so you only pay for the data, minutes, and texts you actually need-no wasted money on extras.
- Affordable, contract-free pricing – Tello keeps costs low with transparent pricing and no long-term commitments, making it easy to switch or adjust your plan anytime.
- Quick and simple activation – With eSIM, you can activate your plan in just a few taps. If you prefer a physical SIM, Tello ships it for a small fee.
Visible offers the cheapest single line unlimited data plan

Visible unlimited plan for $25/mo
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
Visible keeps things easy with two affordable unlimited plans on Verizon's network. There are no contracts and no hidden fees.
With unlimited talk, text, and data starting at just $25/month, plus mobile hotspot included, you get great value without surprises. The Visible+ plan offers 50GB of premium data and access to Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband for even faster speeds.
Visible keeps it simple with two unlimited plans that have no contracts, hidden fees, or surprise costs. Both plans come with mobile hotspot access at 5–10 Mbps speeds.
The Visible+ plan includes free international calling to 30+ countries and texting to 200+ destinations. eSIM activation allows for instant setup, eliminating the wait for a SIM card.
While there are no multi-line discounts, the affordable pricing makes it ideal for individuals. However, customer support is only available online.
If you want a budget-friendly carrier on Verizon's network, Visible is the best option for unlimited data without extra fees-but I also reviewed a few others.
Tracfone offers low-cost prepaid plans, but speed restrictions make it less appealing for heavy data users. Xfinity Mobile has competitive pricing, but it's limited to Xfinity internet customers. Spectrum Mobile is another affordable alternative, but you need Spectrum home internet to sign up.
Thanks to its transparent pricing and unlimited data, Visible remains the best overall pick.
- Straightforward unlimited plans – No contracts, hidden fees, or surprise charges-just simple, all-inclusive pricing.
- Built-in extras at no extra cost – Get mobile hotspot access on all plans, plus international calling and texting perks with Visible+.
- Fast and easy setup – eSIM activation lets you start service in minutes without needing to wait for a SIM card.
Total Wireless offers the cheapest single line phone plan with Verizon coverage

Total Wireless unlimited plan for $50/mo
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
Total Wireless keeps things simple with no contracts, no hidden fees, and affordable plans on Verizon's network.
With unlimited talk and text, generous high-speed data options, and mobile hotspot included. Plus, international calling to 85+ destinations and roaming in Canada and Mexico make staying connected easier than ever.
Get Verizon's reliable coverage without the high cost with Total Wireless. Plans include unlimited talk and text, plus up to 15GB of hotspot data.
International calling to 85+ destinations and roaming in Canada and Mexico are included with select plans. There are no contracts, and you can manage everything online for easy switching.
I've explored other low-cost carriers on Verizon's 5G and 4G LTE networks, but many have limitations.
Tracfone keeps costs low with its pay-as-you-go model, but it offers limited high-speed data and fewer perks. Xfinity Mobile stands out with competitive pricing, but only those with Xfinity internet can sign up. Spectrum Mobile is another affordable choice, but again it's restricted to Spectrum home internet customers.
- Big savings on Verizon's network – Enjoy top-tier coverage without the premium pricing.
- Great extras for everyday use – Up to 15GB of hotspot data, plus international calling and roaming benefits on select plans.
- No commitments, full control – Contract-free plans with easy online management for seamless plan adjustments.
Tello offers the cheapest phone plan with T-Mobile coverage for one person

Tello unlimited plan for $25/mo
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
Tello phone plans keep things simple with their wireless service. None of those hidden fees or long-term contracts that'll leave you feeling trapped.
With free international calls to 60+ countries on all plans, including Canada and Mexico, and a range of data allowances suitable for light to heavy users.
Tello offers flexible, budget-friendly plans, allowing you to pick exactly how much data, talk, and text you need.
All Tello plans support mobile hotspot, with unlimited plans limited to 5GB, but they don't offer multi-line discounts-each line is billed separately. However, their low rates make individual plans a great deal.
Since Tello is online-only, activation is seamless-eSIM setup is near-instant, or you can get a SIM card by mail.
Tello is among the best budget-friendly carriers on T-Mobile's network, but I compared a few others as well.
Ultra Mobile works well for international calls, but its plans cost more for the same data. Metro by T-Mobile, despite being part of T-Mobile, is pricier and often requires an in-store sign-up. Boost Mobile has appealing rates, but its extra fees and spotty customer service make it less reliable.
Thanks to its unmatched affordability, customizable plans, and easy switching process, Tello remains the best pick.
- Personalized plan options – Tello allows you to pick and choose your plan features, so you only pay for what you actually use.
- One of the cheapest carriers available – Tello provides unbeatable value with low-cost plans and no contracts, giving you total flexibility.
- Fast online activation – eSIM lets you activate your plan in minutes, or you can request a free SIM card to be delivered to your door.
Red Pocket offers the cheapest phone plan with AT&T coverage for one person

Red Pocket unlimited plan for $30/mo
- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
The Red Pocket Mobile unlimited plan is powered by the AT&T wireless network. And if you're looking for an unlimited plan for the whole family, they are one of the best MVNOs for family plans, with a $20 discount for each additional line added.
You'll need to pay a setup fee, but after that, choosing a family plan could save you hundreds of dollars a year.
With Red Pocket Mobile, you get unlimited talk and text, no hidden fees, and up to 30GB of high-speed data, including hotspot access.
Adding extra lines saves you money with multi-line discounts, although there's a setup fee for each line.
They also offer a 7-day money-back guarantee on eSIM plans and free international calling to 80+ countries, plus free roaming in Mexico and Canada.
Many low-cost carriers provide service on AT&T's 5G and 4G LTE networks, and I've reviewed many of them. Cricket Wireless, AT&T's own prepaid brand, tends to be more expensive than its competitors. H2O Wireless includes international calling, but its plans don't offer the same value. While Good2Go Mobile has competitive pricing but lacks variety in its plan options and isn't as well known.
With its ideal blend of affordability, strong features, and flexibility, Red Pocket is my top recommendation for AT&T customers.
- Multi-line discounts – Add extra lines and get a discount off each one, making it easy to save on family plans.
- International perks at no extra cost – Free calls to 80+ countries and roaming in Mexico and Canada add extra value.
- No hidden fees & risk-free sign-up – Simple, transparent pricing and a 7-day eSIM money-back guarantee let you try the service worry-free.
Why single-line plans cost less with low-cost carriers
The big 3 price their plans to favor multi-line deals - meaning single-line customers end up overpaying. Low-cost carriers make it simple and offer:
- Straightforward pricing with no hidden fees
- Flexibility to switch or upgrade any time
- The same coverage from the big 3 networks
If you're tired of paying premium rates just because you only need one line, prepaid low-cost carriers make it easy to cut your bill without sacrificing coverage.
How single-line plans cost less - and still give you the same coverage
If you only need one phone line, you shouldn't be paying family plan prices - but that's exactly what happens when you stick with the big 3.
Here's why big wireless plans for one person are so overpriced:
- Retail store overhead: Even if you never walk into a store, a chunk of your bill helps cover the cost of running them.
- "Free" phone deals that aren't free: That phone you "got for free" locks you into a multi-year plan with inflated prices.
- Unlimited data you might not even need: Most people only use around 15GB a month - but big wireless pushes expensive unlimited plans regardless.
- Extras you didn't ask for: Streaming perks, cloud storage, and travel discounts might sound nice, but do you really need them?
- Big ad campaigns: All those celebrity endorsements and shiny commercials? They're not free - your bill helps pay for them.
Prepaid plans from low-cost carriers strip out the waste, giving you the same reliable coverage for one line. All without contracts, hidden fees, or unnecessary extras.
Compare the cheapest individual cell phone plans
Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Tello 2GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $10/mo |
Visible unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
Total Wireless unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $50/mo |
Tello unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
Red Pocket unlimited data plan | AT&T 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $30/mo |
Check out our single-line phone plan comparison to find the best deal.
Find the best cell phone service in your area
Cell phone plans for one FAQs
Most low-cost carriers offer upfront pricing, meaning the price you see is what you pay - without unexpected fees.
Absolutely - just start your number transfer during sign-up, and your current number will move over.
No - these are all prepaid no-contract plans, so you only pay for the month ahead and can leave anytime.
Final thoughts
If you're tired of paying family plan prices for a single phone line, switching to a cheap prepaid plan is the simplest way to cut your costs. You'll still get the same reliable coverage from T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T - just without the expensive price tag.
Why you can trust me
I've spent over 15 years helping people cut their phone bills in both the UK and US, and for the last 8 years, I've been running MoneySavingPro - helping over 50,000 people switch to cheaper, smarter phone plans.
I've personally tested lots of prepaid plans and compared speeds, coverage, and pricing so I know exactly which carriers deliver the real savings without nasty surprises.
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