When it comes to service and coverage, there is nothing quite like Google Fi. Not everyone needs all of the features that Fi has to offer, and if you are not traveling internationally, the data can be quite expensive. Mint Mobile is a good choice if you are looking for a phone service but don't think it's right for you, it has great 5G coverage on the T-Mobile network and savings for those willing to sign up.

Mint Mobile SIM card

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Mint Mobile charges you upfront for 3, 6, or 12 months of service at a time, but they don't require you to pay your bill every month. It is a unique concept and one that requires a bigger check from the beginning but could result in some significant savings over time.

Depending on the plan you choose, you can get up to 10 or 15 gigabytes of data, with unlimited talk and text. You can get an extra 1gigabyte for $10 or 3gigabyte for $20 if you decide you need it. Mobile hotspot data is included. To find out how much data you use, check your phone bill.

Mint Mobile has an unlimited plan that has 35 gigabytes of high-speed data and 5 gigabytes of hotspot data. Most unlimited plans have video streams that are limited to SD quality. The longer term unlimited plan is discounted more. If you use more than 15 gigabytes of data in a month, this plan might be the right one for you.

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Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile's 5G network and you can bring any unlocked phone with you. It's a great way to test out the largest 5G network in the country.

Visible app on a Galaxy S20+

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It's impossible to ignore the value of completely unlimited phone service, even though the selection has always been a bit lacking. Even so, Visible has been adding support for some of the most popular Androids and now works with some of the most popular ones.

You can get unlimited talk, text, and data for a monthly fee. Customers with a supported phone will be able to use 5G. You can use your phone as much as you want, without having to worry about going over limits. It is a perk that you will not find elsewhere, and that is why we love it.

That is a good deal on its own, but Visible goes the extra mile by being friendly to customers. After you place an order through its website, you just have to wait for it to be delivered, pop it in your phone, and then download and open the Visible app. From here, you can handle all of your billing, get in touch with customer service, and more. You can pay your bill with credit/debit cards, PayPal, and even Venmo.

Party Pay will allow visible customers to take their bills down to just $25 per month. If you join a party with at least four other people, your bill will be reduced from the typical $40 per month to $25 per month. You can join a party from the community page on the website.

Metro by T-Mobile web page on a phone

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Best family plan: Metro by T-Mobile

Metro by T-Mobile is owned by T-Mobile and has become one of the best options for pre-paid plans. Metro has great compatibility for phones that are compatible with T-Mobile, as well as some great family savings with discounts on up to five lines. You can get the fourth free if you add three lines to the top unlimited plan.

You can sign up for a plan with unlimited talk, text, and 4G data for $30 a month. This is a great choice for people who qualify for the federal program. Metro by T-Mobile costs $60/month for unlimited talk, text, and data, 15GB of hotspot use, and 100GB of storage, and it also has a free Amazon Prime membership.

Metro has taxes and fees included in its pricing. Since it runs on T-Mobile's network, you can bring any unlocked phone to it and have it work just fine.

Cricket Coverage Map S20+

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Best for AT&T: Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless is a brand from AT&T that comes close to a few. It is powered by AT&T's network, which gives it excellent nationwide coverage. Almost every unlocked phone sold in the U.S. today should be compatible with it. You may remember speed caps on certain plans if you used Cricket before. Cricket upgraded its top unlimited plan to premium unlimited data after removing speed caps.

Cricket has two tiers of plans that include unlimited U.S. talk, text, and data, as well as the ability to roam in Canada and Mexico. The plans include free texting to 37 other countries, including Australia, China, India, Japan, and more. The top plan has access to the nationwide 5G network of AT&T.

Taxes and fees are included with Cricket's plans. If you sign up for the $60/month plan, you will pay $60 and not a penny more.

US Mobile SIM cards

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Best perks: US Mobile

US Mobile has a lot of plans that will work for anyone. US Mobile will work with just about any phone and will have coverage for everyone in the country.

You can choose from 75 minutes, 50 texts, or 50MB of data when you start with US Mobile. You can go up to unlimited from there. If you only need one line, this is the place to start.

The most interesting US Mobile plans are the ones that come with unlimited talk, text, and data. You had to pay extra for uncapped data speeds, but now US Mobile has a speed tier with every plan. You have the option to add 20GB of mobile hotspot data for $10 per month.

US Mobile wants you to sign up for an unlimited family plan. US Mobile offers a perk free with three lines and two perks with three lines. You can choose from a number of subscription services to add to your account, including video streaming, music, and even gaming. It can be a great bonus if you already paid for one of these.

Tello website on a phone

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Best customization: Tello

Tello is a carrier you might not have heard of before. It is quickly becoming one of the most interesting players in the mobile space, and as an alternative to Google Fi, there is a lot to like. 50% off your service for the first month is offered by Tello.

The best thing about Tello is that it has a build your own plan tool. Tello allows you to choose how much data and minutes you want every month, and includes free unlimited texting for everyone. The options are not as good as Ting, but the value is still great.

If you don't use your phone a lot, you can get 2 gigabytes of data and 300 minutes for $12 a month. You can build the right plan for just $5 per month if you want to stick to unlimited. If you want to go all-out with unlimited data and minutes, you can get it for just $39 a month. International rates for other countries are quite competitive, and all plans include free calling to Canada, Mexico, China, and Romania.

Nothing in the U.S. is like Google Fi. On a per-gigabyte basis, the carrier experiment might be a little more expensive than it is from a phone choice perspective. From a data perspective, the unlimited plans are stuck in the past with only 22 gigabytes of high-speed data.

Many of the best phones will work with the combined network of Fi and 5G, however some models will fall back to the T-Mobile network. It is the ideal network provider for many people.

Not everyone has access to a phone that taps into Fi's full potential, so hopefully these offerings will come in handy when you're looking for an alternative carrier. You can try out more than one with no contracts. If you don't need to use your phone outside of the U.S., Visible is the best alternative.