If you're looking for a pay as you go plan provider, you've come to the right place. Make sure that you don't buy a pay as you go phone before you've read our review of the provider or providers you have in mind.
Below you'll find our list of best rated providers - from the best (five stars) to the not so good (1 star). You can read our review on each prepaid cell phone provider and/or shop for the best deals from that provider.
Another big brand gets into the prepaid cell phone market. T-Mobile's To Go plans offer great coverage in T-Mobile friendly areas, a wide array of basic phone features and competitive pricing make this a great option.
A large national network is just the beginning of AT&T's prepaid benefits. Two distinct plan types give customers flexibility not afforded by many prepaid providers. Customer service is also a plus.
All the benefits of traditional service in a prepaid plan. A wide range of coverage areas, good customer service and cool features snag this provider a great rating from our editors.
Page Plus Cellular offers an extremely simple and cost effective service, but lacks some sophistication in phone choices. But, if your concern is cost per call and not available features, this company will likely score well with you.
Boost Mobile is a reliable prepaid wireless provider that takes special aim at the youth of the cell phone user population. With tons of in demand features available, it is easy to see why Boost Mobile is a popular choice for the younger generation.
Locus offers free international calling to over 50 pre selected countries upon entering a special access code caused us to forgive the slightly higher per minute domestic rates and lack of downloadables and picture messaging.
MetroPCS has limited availability and will not be available to all consumers shopping for prepaid phones. But, MetroPCS is rapidly expanding in availability areas and has cool phone features along with excellent customer support.
If you're looking for simple pricing and decent phone selection, Net10 can provide it. A true prepaid service, minutes are priced competitively, directory assistance calls are charged as normal calls and nationwide long distance is included.
Total Call Mobile targets Americans with families overseas, providing them with cheap and easy international calling rates. Their domestic rates are also around the industry average, comparable to Net10.
Considered the leader and recognized as the largest provider in nationwide wireless prepaid plans. Simple pricing, ease of use and great customer service make this company stand out as a prepaid provider.
Verizon Wireless enters the prepaid market by offering a large selection of phones and great plans that give you the same quality and customer service of their traditional cellular service without contracts or credit checks.
Virgin Mobile offers one of the most feature rich plans available. Great coverage area and plan pricing is competitive, though it can be a little complicated.
Alltel offers several plans. If you talk a lot on your cell phone you may find one of the monthly or pay per day plans to be a deal. If you're not a frequent talker, AllTel's prepaid plans might be a bit high priced.
Parents will find this service to give them a lot of control and will likely rate it higher than the average user. No complicated plans and fair per minute prices, but a lack of roaming, phone choices and a daily access fee brings this rating down.
Simple Freedom is a prepaid wireless provider that is available in most Wal-Mart stores. With competitive pricing and good coverage, Simple Freedom is a worthwhile choice for people looking for simplistic prepaid service.
US Cellular offers you prepaid service that mimics traditional cell phone plans with Talk Tracker. There are no minute plans, but their month to month plans are well priced and featured, though their phone choices leave a little to be desired.
Earthtones is an MVNO of the AT&T network. They offer very basic, affordable calling plans, though their selection of phones is below average. All profits are donated to various environmental non-profit organizations.
SunCom Wireless offers a number of prepaid plans that can fit anyone's calling needs, from 10 cents per minute all day every day to unlimited nationwide calling.
Xtreme Mobile provides simple service with no confusion and calls are carried out on the Sprint PCS Network. Limited choices in phones and a per day access charge are drawbacks to this provider, but they have several pros like minutes that do not expire.
While their inability to roam outside Cricket coverage areas will make this a non-option for those who travel frequently, for those who stay close to home within the coverage areas this is a nice featured plan with good pricing and customer service.
Jump Mobile offers flexible plans, and targets the youth market with free text messaging and free incoming calls while within the local calling area, but be on the look out for limited phone choices and super high roaming fees.
Great plans that closely mimic that of a traditional cell phone provider - but without the hassle of credit checks, deposits or contracts. A ton of great features included, but customer service severely lacks.
Free nights and weekends are a big plus, but limitations on refill options, downloads and high non night and weekend rates as well as lightning fast minute expirations will likely make this plan very hard to swallow.
Simple pricing plans make STI Mobile an uncomplicated choice. But lack of features and roaming capabilities make this phone provider a non option for people looking for sophisticated cell phone service.
Competitive plan pricing and no credit checks or deposits required. What Venture lacks on coverage in certain areas it certainly makes up for with ease of use and customer satisfaction.
Omni prepaid is a complicated prepaid carrier that we had to struggle to find pros about. However, the service does include long distance calls to Canada. Frequent Canadian calls are the only reason we could see a consumer choosing this carrier.
