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Best cell phone providers for students 2024

Our guide to the best cell phone providers for students is here to help you save some cash, and get all the data you need, so you can focus on studies.

Best cell phone providers for students

If you need to know the best cell phone providers for students don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We’ve compared tons of providers and their offerings including coverage, data plans, and options for both contracts and pay-as-you-go SIMs. Plus, we’ve made it all as simple as we can.

As well as the basics that you can find from just about any mobile phone plan, many student plans offer additional perks like streaming service trials and memberships. These enticing extras mean that part of your decision comes down to whether you’d rather get Netflix or Spotify for free, which is, of course, completely subjective.

Why you can trust our advice ✔ At Pocket Tactics, our experts spend days testing games, phones, tech, and services. We always share honest opinions to help you buy the best. Find out how we test.

Mint Mobile

Great savings for new customers.

Today’s best deals

 

Mint Mobile specifications:
Network T-Mobile
Reasons to buy
  • Cheapest data plans
  • Reliable network
Reasons to avoid
  • Basic packages

Mint Mobile is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable cell providers in the US, thanks in no small part to the hilarious adverts from owner Ryan Reynolds. It also uses the reliable T-Mobile network, offering 4G LTE and 5G coverage depending on your location.

For students, Mint Mobile plans offer some of the cheapest packages available, especially if you start a new contract or move your number to the network. However, most of the savings rely on getting a yearly contract, so consider if you can afford to keep paying your bills monthly. Being a student is tough, and the price of pizza is only going up.

Mint Mobile offers unlimited data contracts for as low as $30, or $15 for the first three months of service, or the chance to save money with the 5GB/mo data plan that is $15 monthly all year. There’s a huge amount of phones available for contracts, including the latest iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, and the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Compare Mint Mobile plans here.

AT&T

The most reliable network and lots of data plans.

Today’s best deals
AT&T specifications:
Network AT&T
Reasons to buy
  • Nationwide coverage
  • Variable data allowances
  • Great deals for switching
Reasons to avoid
  • Can be very expensive

If you have some money to spend and just need someone to rely on, AT&T is constantly working to have the best 5G and 4G LTE coverage in the United States. No matter where your studies are based, the chances are that AT&T provides the least dead spots of any network.

AT&T also loves new customers, often offering huge savings when you start a new contract, and even when you bring in your old phones. You can earn plenty of cash by simply swapping your old phone and number for a new contract, so give it some thought if you have some old devices lying around.

The rub, however, is that AT&T isn’t aiming to be cheap. It’s aiming to be the best. Whether it achieves that is debatable, but they do offer a premium service at a premium price. If you can afford to spend the money while you study, then AT&T’s fantastic coverage, data plans, and phone options mean you’ll never miss a message from back home.

Check out our guide to the best AT&T phones here.

Compare AT&T plans here.

Xfinity Mobile

Fantastic data speed and great for sharing with the family.

Today’s best deals

 

Xfinity Mobile specifications:
Network Verizon
Reasons to buy
  • Good for family sharing
  • Reliable Verizon network
  • Free Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots
Reasons to avoid
  • Expensive plans
  • Slow hotspot speeds

The lesser-known Xfinity Mobile is an up-and-comer, with most consumers learning about the company thanks to its internet and home phone packages. This is what makes a good pick for students, though, as it’s very easy to add a cell phone contract on top. If your parents already use Xfinity Mobile, adding a cell contract to your package is easy.

Plus, using the Verizon network means Xfinity has absolutely fantastic coverage, and with the by-the-gig packages, you can split your data usage between several phones and/or family members. Do your parents have an existing data package? You can add another device and simply make use of their data allowance.

Another plus is the huge array of Xfinity Wi-Fi spots dotted around the US, and you can also set reminders for when data is running low. Xfinity might not be the cheapest package, but if anyone in your family is already connected, it’s a fantastic choice that can save you some money and plenty of time organizing your own separate contract.

Compare Xfinity Mobile plans here.

Verizon

A reliable network that offers plenty of perks.

Today’s best deals
Verizon specifications:
Network Verizon
Reasons to buy
  • Added streaming subscriptions
  • International call and text
  • Roaming add-ons
Reasons to avoid
  • Not very flexible
  • Expensive

While plenty of smaller companies use the Verizon network, sometimes it’s better to go to the source. Verizon is known for having great coverage and has unlimited data deals starting from as little as $25 – though with very few perks.

If you’re moving somewhere out of the way and need to start your own streaming subscriptions, then this is another area where Verizon is top of the class. It has fantastic packages that pair unlimited data with extra perks, such as a Walmart+ membership, Apple One, or the Disney bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN).

Basically, if you’re starting a new life away from home and need a bit of independence, Verizon just might be the best pick to start looking after your own life. Unlimited data plans start to creep towards $50/mo, and almost all deals depend on a yearly contract, so make sure you can afford these deals before you commit.

Compare Verizon cell plans here.

Tello

A cheap and cheerful service for students on a budget.

Today’s best deals

 

Tello specifications:
Network T-Mobile
Reasons to buy
  • Very cheap
  • Reliable T-Mobile network
Reasons to avoid
  • Online only

If you want to get T-Mobile coverage but cheaper, this might be the best thing for you. Trello uses T-Mobile’s network to offer fantastic 5G coverage across the US, but much cheaper. It also features a lot of customization for data and calls, just in case you need to adjust your budget on the fly.

If you need to be out and about using your phone and data constantly, Tello has unlimited data packages starting from $29/mo. This includes 25GB of 4G LTE/5G data, 5GB of priority hotspot tethering, and then unlimited 2G data afterward. If you’re running around town between classes and constantly need to connect your laptop to your mobile device, Tello is offering a lot for a little.

Tello also allows you to customize family plans, giving everyone their own data and call or text allowance. So, if you want to stay on the same contract as your parents, this is a great way to get some freedom without worrying about doing it all yourself. Plus, if you aren’t as worried about data, Tello has some very cheap packages that are perfect for anyone who just loves to ring home.

Compare Tello cell phone plans here.

How we choose the best cell phone providers for students

When putting this list together, we took several key pointers into consideration. You can read our how we test page for some general notes on our process for creating these lists, but for this list in particular, there were several factors that helped us to determine what to recommend.

We always suggest that you consider your personal budget, which is why we’ve listed cell phone plans at a range of price points, along with providers offering flexible pricing policies.

Another factor that’s worth taking into account is the internet allowances offered with each plan. We’ve included a range of options that offer reliable internet access, as well as plans that incorporate higher data allowances.

It’s also worth considering whether you want a plan that covers you and your family or your dorm mates. We’ve included options that allow for shared plans, as these will be much more cost-effective for students on a smaller budget.

Don’t forget that many of the best providers offer benefits such as access to streaming services through your cell phone plan, which can come in handy if you’re looking for cost-effective ways to unwind.

That’s all for our best cell phone providers for students guide for today, but if you need even more choice, be sure to check out our guide covering the best cell phone providers to cover all your bases.