What Is an MVNO?

Mobile virtual network operators or MVNOs are wireless communications service providers operating without owning the wireless network infrastructure to provide services to their customers. 

MVNOs don't have a wireless network infrastructure of their own, so they buy access to the MNO networks—like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile—at wholesale rates, then offer services to consumers through their own brand and plans.So in the simplest of terms possible, an MVNO is simply a third-party provider that grants its customers access to one of the Big 3 carrier networks.Many MVNOs have no physical locations—hence the “Virtual” aspect—and operate entirely online (with a few exceptions).They are often much less expensive when compared to plans on the primary wireless network. 

Fast forward to today and the MVNO is a very different, and more successful, entity. This success is due in large part to the lower price point and increased flexibility their service provides for customers. 

The Pros And Cons of MVNOs

MVNOs come with their own set of benefits and negatives as does anything in life.

In light of the disadvantages above, these few disadvantages are acceptable for many people who are in favor of the flexibility and lower cost of the MVNO plans. After all, not everyone needs what the big carriers have to offer and not everyone wants to pay the price to get it.

Which Network Does Your MVNO Operate On?

Knowing your MVNO’s parent network is a critical step in selecting the right one. Below is a comprehensive list of MVNOs and the major networks that they operate on.

MVNOs by Network

Which Network Has the Best Coverage in Your Area?

Picking an MVNO is largely dependent on the network(s) it operates on. And for those of us looking to make the switch, ensuring you have adequate coverage is a must.

The best way to check which network has the best coverage in your area is to use the coverage lookup tool on website of each network. 

Verizon coverage map

AT&T coverage map

T-Mobile coverage map

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The Best MVNOs for 2024

1. Metro by T-Mobile - Best overall

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Metro by T-Mobile is owned by T-Mobile and uses the T-Mobile LTE network. Years ago, this would have been a reason to pass on the carrier, but T-Mobile's network has become one of the strongest networks in populated areas in recent times. 

Since Metro uses the T-Mobile network, just about any unlocked phone should work without issue. It's also nice that Metro by T-Mobile has physical stores across the country if you need help setting up your phone or plan.It Also offers additional perks on certain plans. Google One is included for customers on the $50 plan, and customers on the $60 monthly plan now get Google One and an Amazon Prime membership.Metro customers also can access T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network. You can enable automatic bill pay for a $5-per-month savings.

Stateside international calling for $15 per month extra is available alongside a large selection of discounted phones.

2. Visible Wireless - Best unlimited data plan

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Visible provides great coverage through Verizon’s network to offer a single plan — $40 for unlimited talk and text and unlimited data on an LTE network with no roaming. With the $40 Unlimited Plan you’ll get truly unlimited data. Unlike many other MVNOs, which will cut you off after 25–50 GB of data usage, Visible doesn’t have any caps. So go ahead, play PUBG Mobile all weekend. Stream your favorite shows. Post those photos on Instagram. You’ve got nothing to lose.

Also, it piles on the discounts as you add more lines to your plan. Visible saves you money with Party Pay, which lowers the cost of multiple lines, as each person gets billed separately. The cost is $35 per line at two lines, and three and four lines or more come in at $30 and $25. There aren’t too many choices to make with Visible, but sometimes simplicity is bliss. 

Visible supports many of the latest Verizon devices, so you’re hardly starved for your choice. Wi-Fi calling is available on some phone models. Most iPhone models are supported, along with a limited selection of some popular Android choices, like the Galaxy S21 series and Pixel 5 series.

3. Mint Mobile - Best Value single line

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Mint Mobile has many of the same network strengths and weaknesses as other T-Mobile-based MVNOs, but coverage should be solid for most people.Fortunately, T-Mobile's network comes close to being one of the fastest you can get, and with 5G, one of the most advanced. 

Mint Mobile has a nice way of letting you try out the service before committing. Test Mint Mobile’s service with a three-month contract before making the decision to climb on board for a year or more.You can bring your own T-Mobile device to Mint Mobile as long as it supports 4G LTE and VoLTE. 

Mint Mobile offers three-month introductory plans starting at $15 a month for 2GB of 4G LTE service (the regular price is $23 a month) on up to $25 a month for 10GB of 4G LTE service (at a regular price of $38 a month). They also offer six-month and 12-month plan options. All plans include unlimited talk and text.Unlimited data is available on all Mint Mobile plans, but at lower speeds once you hit the amount you pay for per month.

4. Google Fi - Best for travel

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Google Fi relies on a combination of Wi-Fi hot spots and three networks — Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular — for service. It is one of the most innovative and easy-to-use MVNOs available. 

There's free travel, so you don't have to pay a daily fee overseas just to be allowed to pay again for by-the-minute phone calls. Instead, calls are a flat 20 cents per minute from outside the US, and there's free, unlimited texting. Data costs don't change outside the US either.Whether you're a long-time work-from-home employee, or a world traveler who only occasionally makes international calls, Google Fi is an easy way to buy small amounts of data and not have to pay for too much.

Google Fi is compatible with most phone brands and platforms, though Apple’s iPhone and some Android handsets do not support Google Fi’s key feature of switching between carriers but you can check Google Fi’s phone compatibility tool to check.Most unlocked phones still work with Google Fi, but they will be stuck on T-Mobile only, including 5G support.

Google Fi offers a $20 per line + $10 per GB of data plan and the unlimited plan for $60. If you have five or more lines, the standard plan is reduced to $16 per line (+ $10 per GB), and if you have four or more lines, the unlimited plan reduces to $45 per line.

5. US Mobile - Best for multi-line perks

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US Mobile will use Verizon's or T-Mobile's LTE networks, depending on your phone's compatibility. US Mobile will help you pick the best network depending on your location or device when you sign up. US Mobile can be an excellent fit for an emergency phone or a backup phone. It also means that you can build that plan if you don't need a ton of minutes or texts but want 6GB of data.

US Mobile is a go-to MVNO if you value customization and flexibility above all else. You can build your plan from scratch, and US Mobile even lets you pause service for a month if you’re headed abroad. 

One of the most compelling options is the unlimited plan at $45 per month, with Ludicrous speeds, 5G, and no data caps. For $10 extra, you can add 20GB of hotspot data. On this plan, you'll even get free high-speed 4G LTE international data. You can also get three lines or more unlimited for the whole family, with each line dropping to $25 per line. US Mobile will even give you a free subscription to a streaming service if you have multiple lines and has hotspot options, and you choose between Verizon for the largest LTE network or T-Mobile for the best device compatibility.

6. Boost Mobile - Best perks for music and video lovers

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Owned by Sprint for many years, Boost was bought by Dish Network when T-Mobile gobbled up Sprint.Many Boost plans will also give you unlimited HD video streaming. In an era where discount providers often throttle video streaming at lower quality.No matter what plan you sign up for on Boost, you’ll get unlimited high-quality music streaming when you use Boost Mobile partner apps like Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, and more.

It has five plans, from $15 to $65 a month, each with Wi-Fi hot spot data, 5G network access, and unlimited talk and text. The lowest tier has a 2-GB hot spot limit, which is pretty darn low if you connect it to a laptop to browse the web. You can use the entire data allotment of each non-unlimited plan over a hot spot, which gives it a leg up over similarly priced plans, such as Ting's $35 tier.

The unlimited plans make no financial sense at $50 and $60 per month. If that's your thing, go to Visible or one of the major carriers. The cheapest, lower-tier three plans are for new Boost customers only, and the lowest two require that you bring your own device.

7. Straight Talk - Best MVNO with wide coverage

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Straight Talk is an MVNO which formed after a partnership with Walmart and TracFone. The MVNO is also the current M leader in offering the widest coverage across all four major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint).And since Straight Talk works with all the four US carriers, it supports a wide range of unlocked phones.

Straight Talk has a handful of monthly plans available at Walmart and on StraightTalk.com. Unlimited and fixed data plans are available, so there is something for everyone.

Straight Talk offers a range of monthly plans, starting from $30-plan per month that includes unlimited texts, 1500 minutes of talk time, and 100MB of 4G LTE data. There is also the $55-plan a month, which offers unlimited text, unlimited talk-time, and 12GB of 4G LTE data.In particular, Straight Talk doesn’t offer group plans but makes up by providing amazing international data plans. For instance, $60 a month will get you unlimited talk-time, texts, and 10GB of 4G LTE data; that includes unlimited calls and texts to Mexico, Chine, Canada, and India. 

In addition to its monthly plans, Straight Talk offers 3-month, 6-month and 12-month data plans at a discounted rate. There are also slightly lower prices for plans with auto-refill.

Bringing Your Phone to an MVNO

Before deciding which MVNO makes the most sense for you, you must consider your device’s compatibility, as carriers operate on either GSM or CDMA networks—depending on both technology and infrastructure.If your current phone was originally bought through Verizon—or the carrier formerly known as Sprint—it is likely a CDMA device. This means that you can almost guarantee compatibility with MVNOs using these CDMA networks, but things can get tricky if you’re planning to switch to a GSM network, such as a T-Mobile or AT&T MVNO. The opposite is also true when moving from GSM networks to CDMA networks, although GSM devices are oftentimes more universally compatible than CDMA. 

Your best bet is to check directly with the MVNO you’re looking to switch to. Most carriers have phone compatibility checks on their websites. All you have to do is enter your phone model and IMEI (found by dialing *#06# on your keypad), and the carrier will tell you if your phone is compatible with their network.

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