When you think of U.S. carriers, what comes to mind? For many, it’s Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile — the three biggest networks in the country. But are they really the best carriers? For a lot of people, the answer could be no. Despite their mixed (and largely undeserved) reputation, prepaid services often offer better value and flexibility.
In this guide, we’ll jump right in and explore the best carriers in the US market for 2025, whether they run their own networks or operate on an existing network via partnership.
Mint Mobile is an exceptional value and runs on T-Mobile’s network Promoted
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Mint Mobile is one of the best-known prepaid carriers and offers exceptional value, especially if you only need one or two phone lines. Plans start as low as $15 a month for limited data or $30 for unlimited data. If you sign up for an annual plan you can get it for even cheaper for a limited time, for what works out to just $25 a month.
A Mint 5GB plan can save you at least $25–$50 per month compared to a single postpaid line from any of the big three carriers, making it one of the cheapest prepaid options available. Even Mint’s Unlimited Plan offers better value than most entry-level postpaid plans. However, keep in mind that savings may be minimal for larger families, as Mint doesn’t provide multi-line discounts like the bigger carriers.
It’s also worth noting that Mint’s best rates require upfront annual payments. But around this time of year, that’s more of a feature than a drawback! Tax season is the perfect opportunity to use your refund to make the switch, letting you pay once and forget about your phone bill for the rest of the year.
Mint runs on T-Mobile's network, but costs a fraction of what you'd pay for a single line of its cheapest postpaid service.
Mint Mobile doesn’t come with many special perks, but it does provide reliable network coverage and speeds, similar to T-Mobile’s entry-level prepaid and postpaid plans. Additionally, you get a few international features, such as free calling and texting to Canada and the option to roam internationally through the purchase of the Minternational add-on.
There are common misconceptions about prepaid services, but the truth is Mint offers many features traditionally associated with postpaid plans, such as device payment options, insurance, and more. While most of these are provided through third-party partnerships, the offerings are reasonably competitive with what you’d find on postpaid plans.
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