The Best Cheap Low-Data Cellphone Plans

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Happy woman with cellphone
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This post comes from partner site WhistleOut.com.

For most of us, the cellphone is now part of life — one that can run up some serious expenses. (Consider the folks who forked over $1,000 or more for a new iPhone!) But if you think about the way you actually use your phone, it may not be necessary to spend much at all. There really are many affordable options out there. And for low-data users, cellphone plans can be downright cheap. Here are the best deals on low-data cellphone plans.

Will these plans give you enough data?

To help you gauge how much data you need, here are four things you can do with 100 MB of data:

  • Post 40 images on social media
  • Visit more than 556 webpages
  • Stream 100 minutes of music
  • Send/receive over 100 emails with attachments

Not sure how much data you need? Here’s a data usage guide that can help.

Now, here’s a look at some specific plans.

FreedomPop 100% Free Service plan

What you get: 500 text messages, 200 talk minutes and 500 MB of 4G LTE data for $0 a month. Since this MVNO uses Sprint’s network, you can count on nationwide coverage. Click here for more details about FreedomPop 100% Free Plan.

Bonus: You can bring your own compatible phone or buy a new one. Either way, you can keep your phone number.

Tello Build Your Own Plan

What you get: Unlimited text messages, 200 talk minutes (including calls to Canada and Mexico), plus 200 MB for $9. Tello also runs off Sprint’s network, so it’s compatible with CDMA Sprint devices. No data overage fees, but speed is slowed to a crawling 64 kbps once your data allotment has been used. Unused balances roll over for the next 30 days, but note that all incoming text and calls go toward your balance. Click here for more details about Tello Build Your Own Plan.

Bonus: All data can be shared free via the tethering/mobile hotspot feature.

US Mobile 100 Minutes Talk, Text and Data plan

What you get: 100 text messages, 100 talk minutes and 100 MB for under $10. US Mobile runs off GSM network which means that phones from AT&T and T-Mobile will be readily compatible. With US Mobile, you can take an a la carte approach with 392 possible plan combinations, allowing for data-only, text-only and talk-only plans from $4 to $5 a month. Plus you get a 30-day no-risk trial. Click here for more details about US Mobile 100 Minutes Talk, Text and Data Plan.

Bonus: College students get a free SIM card on US Mobile’s site.

Compare cellphone plans with 100 MB of data

Compare cellphone plans with 200 MB of data

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