Best MVNO deals of April 2023: Is it time to switch?

By Patrick Farmer
published

Join the prepaid revolution today.

Mint Mobile home page on Pixel 6
(Image credit: Android Central)

There are plenty of great MVNO deals out there, and we've gathered all of the best offers of the month below. 

Most of these alternative carriers are already quite affordable, but there's so much competition nowadays that many MVNOs sweeten the deal by offering additional savings in exchange for your business. Whether you've been using an MVNO for years or you're just now making the switch from a mainstream carrier, there's probably an offer just waiting to be found. 

An MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) utilizes the vast networks of larger companies — such as Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T — so you get the same great coverage for cheap, without the hassle of a complicated contract or loads of hidden fees. These flexible carriers can cost as little as $10 per month (or less, depending on the carrier), and many have also introduced international benefits and entertainment perks, the same kind of incentives that, back in the day, you'd only expect to get from a mainstream carrier. To put it bluntly, with so many MVNO deals to choose from, there's really no reason for you to be spending an arm and a leg on wireless service in 2023. 

The 5 best prepaid carrier deals on the web

Save up to $10 per month when you use the code SPRING (opens in new tab)

Save up to $10 per month when you use the code SPRING (opens in new tab)

New and existing Visible customers can save $5 per month on the basic plan or $10 per month on Visible Plus when they use the code SPRING during checkout. The deal expires on May 2nd, so don't wait too long to make your move!

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Get six months of wireless service for FREE when you bundle a six-month plan with the Google Pixel 7 Pro (opens in new tab)

Get six months of wireless service for FREE when you bundle a six-month plan with the Google Pixel 7 Pro (opens in new tab)

As you may have heard already, T-Mobile officially bought Mint Mobile in March 2023, which means they are no longer *technically* an MVNO. That being said, the prepaid carrier hasn't changed anything about their service just yet, and you can still get six months of wireless service for 100% free when you bundle any 6-month Mint Mobile plan with the purchase of the Pixel 7 Pro.

This means you could be getting our favorite Android phone AND a full year of great T-Mobile service for as little as $83 per month. 

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Free monthly data increases on all Mint Mobile plans (opens in new tab)

Free monthly data increases on all Mint Mobile plans (opens in new tab)

Although it's not a deal per se, this recent announcement from Mint Mobile is still worth celebrating. Starting April 14th, the T-Mobile-owned MVNO will be increasing the monthly data on all of its plans at no cost to consumers. The 4GB plan will jump up to 5GB, the 10GB will increase to 15GB, the 15GB to 20GB, and 35GB to 40GB for the Unlimited plan. 

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$799.99 (opens in new tab)

Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB: $799.99 $349.99 at Boost Mobile (opens in new tab)

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 and activate the phone through Boost Mobile, and the MVNO will give you a whopping $450 off the price of the phone. Boost Mobile has a super simple activation process and customizable plans for as little as $10 per month. The carrier uses T-Mobile's massive nationwide network, and all plans come with unlimited talk and text, a mobile hotspot, and no contracts whatsoever. 

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Up to $1,000 off with trade-in at Google Fi (opens in new tab)

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Up to $1,000 off with trade-in at Google Fi (opens in new tab)

If you're a new Google Fi customer, buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra through the carrier and activate the phone within 30 days, and you'll be eligible to receive up to $1,000 back over 24 months when you trade-in. Phones like the S22 Plus, the Z Flip 3, and the iPhone 11 Pro will give you the max savings, so dig out those old phones and see if you're eligible! 

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Should I switch to an MVNO?

Most MVNOs provide the same great coverage as a mainstream carrier at a much lower cost, but of course, they aren't for everyone. Many companies will deprioritize you when the network becomes busy, and you may miss out on some international perks. In many cases, these alternative carriers are also digital-only, which means you won't get the convenience of a company with a local retail presence. 

That said, if none of those things is a problem to you and you're sick of paying $60 or more on your wireless bill, it's time to switch!

Are you a Verizon customer? Not sure if you're ready to make the switch to prepaid? You might be able to keep your existing coverage and save some money in the process with one of the best Verizon deals of the month. 

Patrick Farmer
Patrick Farmer
Staff Writer

After years of working as a freelancer, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a deals and commerce writer before being brought into the fold as a staff writer in early 2023. When he's not sharing his thoughts on smartphones, wireless carriers, and streaming services, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child.