If you’re not currently on an MVNO plan, you’re probably paying way too much for wireless. MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators, are smaller companies that piggyback on the networks of larger carriers. The idea is that without all the overhead of maintaining a cellular network, or thousands of retail stores, these virtual carriers can offer nationwide coverage at a significant savings—and they do. Unless you’re on a heavily discounted family plan with 3, 4, 5+ lines, chances are you could cut your wireless bill in half by switching to an MVNO.
Switching to an MVNO is just like switching to any other wireless carrier. You can keep your same phone number (in most cases), and if your phone is unlocked and compatible with the new network, you can keep it too. You just have to decide which carrier you want to go with, and which plan is right for you. To get you started, we’ve put together a list of our favorite MVNO deals and promotions going on right now, which you can find below.
Best MVNO deals in 2024
There are plenty of MVNO deals going on right now. The best discounts are reserved for those who are bringing over their own phone and phone number, so your best bet is to focus on the carriers that work with your current (unlocked) phone. If you are looking for a single-line plan, and you want unlimited data, both Visible and Mint Mobile have plans that cost $30 or less per rmonth. If you are looking for a family plan deal, which is usually tougher to find in the MVNO space, Metro by T-Mobile has a 4-line unlimited 5G plan offer for just $100 per month right now, and it will even throw in 4 free 5G phones. Finally, for those looking specifically for smartphone deals, check out Google Fi, which is currently taking up to $700 off select handsets.
Mint Mobile
Get 3-month unlimited plan for just $15/month
Mint Mobile is currently running a promotion that lets you try out any of its 3-month wireless plans for just $15/month. This means you can try the unlimited data plan for just $45 for 3 months of service. That amount does have to be paid up front, and the pricing will change after the 3-months, but it’s still one of the best MVNO deals going right now.
Google Fi
$700 back on the Pixel 8 Pro w/ Unlimited Plus plan
Google Fi isn’t offering any plan-specific discounts at the moment, but it does have some nice phone promotions going. Right now you can get up to $700 back in monthly bill credits when you purchase a new Pixel, or up to $250 back with a new Samsung or Motorola.
Metro by T-Mobile
4-line unlimited 5G plan just $100 per month
T-Mobile’s Metro is offering by far one of the best family plans we’ve seen from an MVNO: $100 per month for 4 lines w/ unlimited 5G data. It will also give you 4 Samsung 5G phones (A15) for free. Some conditions obviously apply.
Visible
Unlimited data for just $25/month
Visible offers two wireless plans, Visible and Visible+, and both come with unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as Mobile Hotspot. They are priced at $25 and $45 per month, respectively. There are no discounts at this time, but at just $25/month for unlimited data, Visible is still one of the better MVNO deals around.
Boost Mobile
$12.50/month for 1 month ($25 after) – unlimited data
Boost Mobile is taking 50% off the first month of its unlimited plans for new customers, meaning your first bill could be as low as $12.50. It also has some nice deals running right now on mid-range Android phones, like the new Motorola Edge+, so there are multiple ways to save here.
US Mobile
Free 30-day trial w/ number port-in
US Mobile is offering a free 30-day trial for new customers who bring their old phone numbers, which is a savings of between $15 to $37.50, depending on which plan you decide to go with. You can also knock 25% off by pre-paying for a year, and the carrier is offering up to $500 in prepaid cards, so there are a lot of ways to save here, too.
Ultra Mobile
Unlimited 5G plan – $40/month for 12 months
Ultra Mobile, which also runs on T-Mobile’s network, is running two wireless promos right now: 10% off its 6-month plans and 20% off 12 months. These obviously have to be purchased upfront, which can get a bit pricey, but you can effectively get the 15GB data plan for just $24/month, which is a solid deal.
Mint Mobile vs. Visible: Which MVNO carrier is best for you?
Save money with Mint Mobile or forget about data altogether with Visible
