Why Everyone’s Launching Mobile Plans (and Which Ones Are Actually Worth It)

Have you heard that podcasters like SmartLess—grocery stores, gas stations, and even rumored giants like Amazon want in on the mobile game?

In the last few years, we’ve seen a surge of new phone carriers popping up out of nowhere. But most of them aren’t building cell towers or creating new networks—they’re launching what’s called an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator).

What’s an MVNO?

Think of it like this: MVNOs rent access to the major networks (like Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T) and resell it—usually for a cheaper price.

It’s kind of like buying generic cereal. Same shelf, same ingredients, just less money.

That’s why so many new mobile brands have hit the market. But are they actually worth it?

Here’s what we’ve noticed…

A lot of the buzzy new plans come with more hype than actual value. They look cool. They sound cool. But when you dig into the details, they often:

• Cost more than comparable plans
  
  
• Include fewer perks (like hotspot or roaming)
  
  
• Don’t offer the flexibility or features you’d expect

So before jumping on the trendiest plan of the month…

Try one that’s actually been vetted for value

We’ve evaluated plans from 100+ carriers to find the ones that truly deliver—looking at pricing, coverage, data allotments, and perks. These are a few of our top picks:

Mint Mobile (Unlimited Plan)

• Price: $25/month (when you buy 12 months upfront)
  
  
• Network: T-Mobile
  
  
• Perks: Unlimited talk, text, and data (40GB high-speed), mobile hotspot, free calling to Mexico and Canada
  
  
• Best for: Anyone who wants a good amount of premium data on a tight budget—with coverage that works almost everywhere.

Visible by Verizon (Visible+ Plan)

• Price: $33/month (when you buy 12 months upfront)
  
  
• Network: Verizon
  
  
• Perks: Unlimited premium data, mobile hotspot, and international roaming in 2 countries.
  
  
• Best for: Travelers and power users who don’t want to worry about data caps—without breaking the bank.

US Mobile (Unlimited Premium)

• Price: $33/month
  
  
• Network: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon (you choose!)
  
  
• Perks: Unlimited premium data, unlimited hotspot, international roaming in 166 countries, customizable perks (like Disney+, Spotify, etc.) with 3 unlimited lines.
  
  
• Best for: Anyone who loves customizing their plan and getting the most bang for their buck.

Ultra Mobile (Unlimited)

• Price: $40/month
  
  
• Network: T-Mobile
  
  
• Perks: Unlimited talk, text, and data (35GB high-speed), 10GB hotspot, free international calling to 90+ countries and roaming in 2 countries.
  
  
• Best for: Anyone with friends or family abroad who still wants an affordable U.S. plan.