Best Prepaid Cell Phone Companies - A Review

In earlier times, prepaid cellphone service had been restricted with regard to features and options. In fact, most only offered voice service, but now the best prepaid cell phone companies offer you most of the same features you would find on regular contract plans, including unlimited text and data, all at affordable prices. On top of that, people now get access to a larger variety of equipment, including smartphones without getting trapped into two or three year service contracts. But before you make your purchase, it is advisable to determine your options and what service providers can offer. Here are a few of the most popular carriers and what they have to offer:

Boost Mobile Monthly Unlimited

Boost Mobile has a huge edge in the prepaid cellphone market thanks to their low-cost $50 a month plan that includes unlimited minutes, messaging, data and push-to-talk service. Compare that to a comparable contract plan that typically runs about $100 and you quickly realize what a great deal this is. Best of all, there are no hidden fees and of course no contract. The only downside is that Boost Mobile is owned by Sprint, and their network coverage may be spotty at times.

T Mobile Phones And Prepaid Wireless

T-Mobile can't compete with Boost Mobile's unlimited plan for $50, but they do offer other low cost alternatives that start as low as $10 for 30 minutes. Those minutes don't expire for a full 90 days and if you replenish your account before the expiration date, any unused minutes roll over for another 90 days. T-Mobile does have the edge though in phone selection because they have more advanced equipment than Boost Mobile, including a prepaid Blackberry. If T-Mobile's regular pay as you go plans don't suit your needs, they also have an annual plan where you get 1000 minutes for only $100. These minutes don't expire after 90 days; instead they last for an entire year so it's the perfect plan if you need a phone for emergencies but don't want to keep refilling it every 30, 60 or 90 days like most prepaid plans. AT&T GoPhone and TracFone, considered to be some of the best prepaid cell phone companies, offer similar plans but they lack the simplicity of T-Mobile's prepaid annual plan.

TracFone/ Trac Phone

It's no surprise that TracFone, or Trac Phone as it is sometimes mis-spelled, is on the list of best prepaid cell phone companies. They have developed the largest prepaid cellphone user base in the US because of the combination of providing low prices, good voice connections and special calling features. TracFone is very popular in the prepaid world, not only for their affordable plans but because they also offer free long distance to 82 countries around the world, which makes staying in touch with friends and family easy and cheap. They also offer one of the most extensive networks and that means you will have service all over the US. TracFone customers are limited, however, to more basic handsets than some of their competitors.