Best mobile providers for students 2024

Mint Mobile is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable cell phone providers in the U.S., thanks in immense part to owner Ryan Reynolds’ entertaining ads. 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 on the market, especially if you’re starting a recent contract or porting your number online. However, most savings are based on an annual contract, so consider whether you can afford to pay your bills every month. Being a student is demanding, and the price of pizza is only going up.

Mint Mobile offers unlimited data contracts for just $30 or $15 for the first three months of service, or the chance to save money with 5GB/mo. data plan that costs $15 per month for a full year. There are plenty of contract phones available, including the latest iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Compare Mint Mobile plans here.

If you have some money to spend and need someone you can rely on, AT&T is constantly working to provide the best 5G and 4G LTE coverage in the United States. No matter where you conduct your research, chances are that AT&T has the fewest dead spots on any network.

AT&T also loves recent customers, often offering huge savings when you start a recent contract or even when you bring in your venerable phones. You can make a ton of cash by simply swapping your venerable phone and number for a recent contract, so consider this if you have any venerable devices lying around.

The problem is that AT&T isn’t trying to be low-cost. They’re trying to be the best. Whether they achieve that is debatable, but they do offer premium service at a higher price. If you can afford to spend money while you’re studying, AT&T’s fantastic coverage, data plans, and phone options will ensure you never miss a message from home.

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

Compare AT&T plans here.

Lesser-known Xfinity Mobile is a rapidly growing market, and most consumers learn about the company through its Internet and home phone packages. This is a good choice for students, however, because it’s very simple to add a cell phone contract to the mix. If your parents already employ Xfinity Mobile, adding a cellular contract to your plan is simple.

Plus, being on Verizon means that Xfinity has absolutely fantastic coverage, and with gig plans, you can split your data usage between multiple phones and/or family members. Do your parents already have a data plan? You can add another device and simply employ up their data allowance.

Another plus is the huge number of Xfinity Wi-Fi spots scattered across the United States, as well as the ability to set reminders in case your data runs out. Xfinity may not be the cheapest package, but if someone in your family is already connected, it’s a fantastic choice that could save you some money and the time of arranging your own separate contract.

Compare Xfinity Mobile plans here.

While many smaller businesses employ Verizon’s network, sometimes it’s better to go to the source. Verizon is known for its excellent coverage and has unlimited data deals starting at just $25 — albeit with very few benefits.

If you’re moving somewhere out of the way and need to start your own streaming subscription, this is another area where Verizon is at the top of its class. It has fantastic packages that combine unlimited data with additional benefits like a Walmart+ membership, Apple One, or a Disney package (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN).

Basically, if you’re starting a recent life away from home and need a little independence, Verizon might be your best bet to start taking care of your own life. Unlimited data plans start approaching $50/mo, and almost all deals come with an annual contract, so make sure you can afford it before you commit.

Compare Verizon plans here.

If you want T-Mobile coverage but for less, this might be your best bet. Trello uses T-Mobile’s network to offer fantastic 5G coverage across the US, but for much less. It also offers a variety of data and call customization options, in case you need to adjust your budget on the fly.

If you need to employ your phone and data all the time, Tello offers unlimited data plans starting at $29 per month. This includes 25GB of 4G LTE/5G data, 5GB of priority hotspot tethering, and then unlimited 2G data. If you’re running around town between classes and constantly need to connect your laptop to your mobile device, Tello offers a lot for little.

Tello also lets you personalise your family plans, giving each of you their own data and call or text limits. So if you want to stay on the same contract as your parents, this is a great way to get a bit of freedom without having to worry about doing it all yourself. Plus, if you’re not so concerned about data, Tello has some really low-cost packages that are perfect for anyone who just loves calling home.

Compare Tello mobile phone deals here.