12.06.24
Prepaid SIM cards are crucial to activate a prepaid phone plan, which is a much more affordable and flexible way to get nationwide phone service. But they’re also a convenient way to get service while travelling in the U.S if you’re visiting from abroad. Depending on your own local carrier’s roaming rates, activating a U.S prepaid SIM card can be more affordable too, allowing you to save more on your trip.
Thankfully, in the U.S, there are plenty of prepaid SIM card options that allow you to get service temporarily, so you can stay connected with friends and family back home, plus find your way around with access to navigation and information services.
With so many choices, it’s important to find the one that will fulfill your needs while keeping you on budget, as we know travel is already expensive enough. So, we put together a list of the best prepaid SIM cards that are affordable and easy to set up.
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| Category | Provider | Plan Name | Price/Month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |
|
5GB Data | $30 | |
| Best For Unlimited Data |
|
Unlimited | $12.50 with current promotion | |
| Best for a Short Trip |
|
Free Essential Data | Starting at $0 | |
| Best Under $15 |
|
5GB | $14 | |
| Best for Coverage |
|
Unlimited Starter | $25 | |
| Best eSIM |
|
Unlimited Plus | $12.25 with current promotion | |
| Best International |
|
Firsty Free | Starting at $0 |
Best Overall Prepaid SIM Card
AT&T Prepaid
Price $30/month
Network AT&T
Phone Plan 5GB Data
Data 5GB
After limit is reached, data is slowed down to 128 Kbps for remainder of billing cycle
After limit is reached, data is slowed down to 128 Kbps for remainder of billing cycle
Perks N/A
Our Take You can rely on AT&T's network for comprehensive coverage across the U.S, with 5GB of data being likely enough if you're visiting from abroad. Otherwise, you can find cheaper alternatives (with more data).
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Mobile hotspot included
- Reliable coverage and 5G access
- Free unlimited texts from the U.S to over 230 countries
- Not suitable for heavy data users
- Not the most affordable prepaid option
Best Prepaid SIM Card for Unlimited Data
Boost Mobile
Price $12.50/month*
Network Boost Mobile (alongside AT&T and T-Mobile)
Phone Plan Unlimited
Data 30GB of high speed data
After limit is reached, data is slowed down to 512 Kbps for remainder of billing cycle
After limit is reached, data is slowed down to 512 Kbps for remainder of billing cycle
Perks N/A
Our Take *With current new customer promotion, you can get 50% off the first month, bringing the total to $12.50 for the first 30 days with Boost Mobile. If you are visiting the U.S for less than 30 days, this is a great value to take advantage of, especially as there are many Boost Mobile locations in major cities, giving you the ability to pick up a SIM card in-store.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Affordable unlimited data
- In-store availability
- No contract – flexibility to cancel after first month
- No hotspot included
Best Prepaid SIM Card for a Short Trip
TextNow
Price Starting at $0/month
Network Nation's largest 5G network
Phone Plan Free Essential Data
Data Up to 10GB of high speed data
After limit is reached, data is slowed down for remainder of billing cycle
After limit is reached, data is slowed down for remainder of billing cycle
Perks TextNow partners with multiple brands to provide exclusive offers, discounts, and rewards weekly
Our Take *TextNow's base offering starts at $0, with a free nationwide plan that grants you access to unlimited calls & texts, plus essential apps like email, maps, and rideshare.
Additional data can be purchased as needed, with an hourly unlimited data option for $0.99, a daily option for $4.99, or the traditional monthly subscription for $39.99. This is a great option for travellers who need access to navigation apps and apps like Uber or Lyft alike, and can pay for additional access on select days as needed, without paying for a full month of service upfront.
Additional data can be purchased as needed, with an hourly unlimited data option for $0.99, a daily option for $4.99, or the traditional monthly subscription for $39.99. This is a great option for travellers who need access to navigation apps and apps like Uber or Lyft alike, and can pay for additional access on select days as needed, without paying for a full month of service upfront.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Free nationwide service
- Flexibility to add data as needed rather than an upfront monthly payment
- Free roaming in Canada & Mexico
- No eSIM support
- No physical stores: SIM will have to be purchased and shipped to U.S address in advance
Best Prepaid SIM Card Under $15
Tello
Price $14/month
Network T-Mobile
Phone Plan 5GB
Data 5GB of high speed data
Perks N/A
Our Take If you're looking to save money and only need limited data access, this is a reliable prepaid plan that will connect you nationwide for under $15, without having to qualify for a limited-time promotion.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Affordable
- eSIM support
- Mobile hotspot included
- Free international calls to 60+ countries
- Not suitable for heavier data users
- No physical stores: SIM will have to be purchased and shipped to U.S address in advance
Best Prepaid SIM Card for Coverage
US Mobile
Price $25/month
Network All 3 (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile)
Phone Plan Unlimited Starter
Data 35GB of high speed data
After limit is reached, data is slowed down to 1 Mbps for remainder of billing cycle
After limit is reached, data is slowed down to 1 Mbps for remainder of billing cycle
Perks N/A
Our Take US Mobile allows you to choose between the 3 premium carriers' networks (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), giving you the ability to pick a plan that will give you the best coverage without having to compromise on the price.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Flexible, comprehensive coverage
- eSIM support
- 10 GB Mobile hotspot included
- International calls or data only available via additional purchases
- No physical stores: SIM will have to be purchased and shipped to U.S address in advance
Best Prepaid eSIM Card
Lyca Mobile
Price $12.25/month*
Network T-Mobile
Phone Plan Unlimited Plus
Data 40GB of high speed data
After limit is reached, data is slowed down for remainder of billing cycle
After limit is reached, data is slowed down for remainder of billing cycle
Perks N/A
Our Take *with current promotion, you can get Lyca Mobile's unlimited service, which includes unlimited international calls and texts to 100 countries, for 75% at $12.25 for 30 days. It's a great price for worry-free service while travelling in the U.S.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Unlimited international calls & texts to 100 countries included
- eSIM support
- No mobile hotspot access
- Website is hard to navigate to find the right plan and make a purchase
Best International Prepaid SIM Card
Firsty
Price Starting at $0*
Network All 3 (T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T)
Phone Plan Firsty Free
Data 700Mb – 5GB/day
Perks N/A
Our Take *Firsty is an app that allows you to download an eSIM and activate it for network connection globally. They offer their base plan for $0, which gives you access to WhatsApp, email apps, and maps apps. If you need more access, you can upgrade to their "Firsty Fast" service, which will give you access to higher data speeds with no app restrictions, starting at €1/day.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Free, basic connection internationally
- Easy activation through an app with an eSIM
- No mobile hotspot access
- Data limits and speeds are unclear as they're determined/optimized based on your app usage
Methodology: How we picked the best prepaid SIM cards
There are over 50 prepaid phone plans in the U.S, which means that there are over 50 prepaid SIM cards to choose from. It can be overwhelming to narrow down the best prepaid phone plans , and just as equally overwhelming to narrow down the best prepaid SIM cards, as the reasons for activation vary. We chose to focus on travel as the main instigator for finding a prepaid SIM card, in which case, it was important that we considered the following:
Ease of Purchase and Activation
Affordability
Network Reliability/Coverage
Flexibility With Payment & Cancellations
Each of these factors are considered with their own weight, leading to a score that helps us determine the best picks.
Beginner’s Guide to Prepaid SIM Cards
What is a Prepaid SIM Card?
A prepaid SIM card is a mobile SIM card that allows users to pay for mobile services in advance, rather than being billed at the end of a monthly cycle (as with postpaid plans).
Like any other SIM card, a prepaid SIM card is what connects your (compatible) phone to the network, granting you access to data to use for apps and services away from Wi-Fi.
How Does a Prepaid SIM Card Work?
Prepaid SIM cards are assigned a unique identification number that stores information about your phone plan (type of plan, available data, voice minutes, and text messages.) Carriers then use this information to verify your account status and pass along the required service.
Unlike a traditional, postpaid SIM card, your service (voice minutes, text messages, data allowance) is stored on the prepaid SIM card in advance, so you can only use what you already paid for in advance. The exact steps to getting the service with a prepaid SIM card are as follows:
Purchase a prepaid SIM card from a carrier or retailer alongside a prepaid plan.
The card comes with a phone number (optional) and a set amount of talk time, texts, and data, as per the plan you paid for.
Activate the SIM card.
Use the phone service. If you’re on a limited service plan (limited data or limited voice minutes/texts) and your balance is used up, you will simply not have any further service for the remainder of the billing cycle. In some cases, you will be given the option to re-up your balance (eg. buy more data by the GB), or simply restart your billing cycle, which will involve pre-paying for a whole month of service again.
Types of Prepaid SIM Cards
There are two types of prepaid SIM cards: A Physical SIM and an eSIM.
A physical prepaid SIM card can be purchased in-store or online and is a physical chip that connects to your phone via a removable SIM card tray.
A prepaid eSIM card is a digitally embedded SIM that can be purchased online and is then activated remotely via a QR code or specialized link that the retailer or carrier provides you with. It does not involve a physical chip and can easily be activated at home or while you’re out, as long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi for the activation.
Which phone works with a prepaid SIM card?
Most smartphones will be compatible with a prepaid SIM card. The only barrier would be whether your phone is carrier-unlocked. If your phone is locked to a carrier, it would not be allowed to activate any other SIM card (other than its original one).
TextNow Tip: In the U.S., you can get your phone unlocked directly by the carrier. Eligibility requirements vary across carriers, so it’s best to check their website for the instructions. P.S Verizon automatically unlocks their devices 60 days after activation!
What are the advantages of a prepaid SIM Card?
A prepaid SIM card has many advantages that work both for travel and for regular, domestic use:
More affordable. Prepaid plans can range from $10-$60/month, in comparison to postpaid plans, which range from $50-$100.
You only pay the agreed upon amount (no potential to incur extra charges.)
No contracts – more flexibility to change or cancel your plan.
No credit checks, making them more accessible.
More choices – there are significantly more prepaid plans available, so you can shop around more and find one that works for you.
What are the disadvantages of a prepaid SIM Card?
If you’re a heavy data user counting on a service that will grant you the best data network, a prepaid SIM card may not be for you:
Network priority – Prepaid plans are usually deprioritized during network congestion.
Lower data limits – While most prepaid plans do offer unlimited data, the set limits for high-speed data on those is usually lower than postpaid.
Fewer in-store services – Most prepaid phone carriers operate online only, making it harder to find a prepaid SIM card in store.
Which prepaid SIM has the best network coverage?
Most prepaid carriers run on either AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon’s networks, so the best network coverage will depend on which “Big 3” network that prepaid carrier runs on. According to Allconnect, if you’re looking for the best all-purpose LTE coverage in the U.S, that would be Verizon with its 4G LTE service available to 70% of the nation. For 5G coverage, however, Verizon has the least amount of coverage. Instead, T-Mobile has the best with 54% of national coverage, the most out of any providers. The carrier with the most comprehensive coverage that covers both 5G and LTE, however, is AT&T. Some prepaid SIMs that connect to A&T’s network include Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, and US Mobile.
How to pick out the best prepaid SIM Card
The best prepaid SIM card is one that allows for the easiest, most convenient activation and subsequent cancellation, if applicable. Rather than focus on the service plan solely, we recommend that you follow this quick guide to find the best prepaid SIM card:
Find out if your phone is eSIM compatible or can only take a physical SIM card.
eSIM activations are significantly easier for travel, but not all phones support them. Figure out if your phone can support an eSIM or not, as it will narrow down your choices of prepaid SIM cards.
Find out if you’re able to receive a shipped SIM card.
A lot of physical prepaid SIM cards can only be purchased online. If you’re unable to receive one due to your location, your choices are then also narrowed down to which providers have their SIM cards available in-store.
Find out how much data you need
Before you start shopping around, figure out how much data you actually need, so you can narrow down your list based on whether you’re looking for a no data plan, a limited data plan, or an unlimited data plan.
Set your budget
Prepaid plans are generally a lot more affordable and can certainly help you save money and bolster your financial goals. Make sure you’re reading the fine print and that any promotional prices you’re getting as a new customer aren’t part of a “pre-pay up front for a multi-month bundle” or expire after the first month (if you need the service for longer-term.)
Coverage
You can get the best, most affordable phone plan there is, but if the coverage in your area isn’t great, you’re never going to be able to get your money’s worth. Look up the coverage first, then decide on a plan based on the network that’s available in your area.
Network Reliability
Coverage on a map is one thing, but confirming network reliability (based on how often it gets deprioritized) is a more important indicator of the quality of the service. You can search around for real user reviews for first-hand experience with the carrier to determine if it’s one that you can trust.
How to activate a prepaid SIM card
The process to activate will vary slightly based on the type of prepaid SIM card you get, so we broke it down by the two options.
Activate a physical prepaid SIM card:
With your phone turned off (or on airplane mode), locate the SIM card tray in your phone and remove it with a SIM ejector tool (a paperclip or back of an earring would also work.)
Insert the SIM card into the tray correctly and put it back in the phone.
Power your phone on and wait for it to detect the SIM.
If it prompts for a PIN, enter the one provided by the carrier.
Wait for it to connect to a network (check for signal bars.)
If you run into any issues with your activation, contact the carrier directly for further support.
Activate a prepaid eSIM:
Once purchased, the carrier will provide you with either a QR code to scan or a link to click on to activate the eSIM.
Scan the QR code using the mobile device with which you want to use the eSIM.
iPhone: Open your camera app or QR code app to scan.
Android: Open the settings app on your mobile device, click the connections, click SIM card manager, and then click to scan the QR code.After scanning the QR code, your mobile device will ask you to select or manually insert information. After you complete all the steps, you will activate the eSIM successfully.
>> Read More : A step-by-step guide to activating a SIM card
If you have any questions or comments, send us a note at [email protected]!
Frequently Asked Questions About Prepaid SIM Cards
