While visiting the United States, you must have a prepaid or postpaid SIM card for communications. If you are new and going for the first time in the USA, this post can be helpful for you. You can choose the best SIM cards in the United States after reading this helpful post. SIM card users are very few in the US because people use fixed mobile connections, and companies provide monthly and yearly calls and internet connections. Newcomers to the US find it very difficult to find a SIM card.
People who use unlimited internet and calls may find and purchase such SIM cards in the US. I am going to provide you information about some companies that provide you free prepaid sim cards and unlimited internet and calls. There are many differences between international and local SIM cards. You must select one before you land in your tourist country. I already described tourist SIMs and plans in the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. You can read detailed wise article before going to these locations for visit or trip.
5 Best Prepaid SIM Cards in the United States
T-Mobile
AT&T
Verizon
Mint Mobile
Ultra Mobile
Those people who visit the United States of America buy international SIM cards before landing in the country. But I will never recommend this because these cards are very expensive and you will not be able to use unlimited internet and calls. There are some best prepaid SIM cards in the USA which provide unlimited calling to the USA and internationally and internet for 1 month and a year.
Customers can choose any good SIM card according to their needs. They have complete freedom to choose the type of prepaid SIM card they want to buy. A Prepaid SIM card has many advantages you can easily recharge the balance and activate it for some time whenever you need internet or long calls.
Every telecom and mobile phone company has different packages and offers. Here are the discounted call offers, internet offers, and prices of each network that you can easily view and activate. AT&T is the most famous and used network which is providing prepaid SIM card services, mobile phone lines, broadband connections, and fixed fiber connections in the USA. 3SIM is the other famous network that provides unlimited internet data and calls at the very lowest prices.
Like these networks, there are many other mobile phone networks that are proving amazing and cheapest call offers in the United States for tourists. We will provide you with all the best network prepaid SIM card prices, How to get prepaid SIM cards in the USA, and their prices.
1
AT&T Prepaid SIM Card
Cheapest Calling, International calls, & 5G fastest internet provider in all areas. AT&T Prepaid’s new SIM card price is $15 as of 2024.
You will be glad and not believe me if I say you that AT&T company is offering free SIM cards to its new users. It is mostly beneficial for tourists because they do not need to pay extra charges to buy a SIM card in the United States of America / USA. AT&T also have eSIM cards which help users to buy and use SIM card without inserting a physical SIM card. Customers never need to go to a franchise and offer because an AT&T eSim card will be received in your email. You have only scanned the QR code from the company to activate it on your smartphone.
It is a favorite network of residents in the United States because of its good service and fast support. AT&T’s lowest prepaid offer price is $25 which is providing unlimited calls to Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Customers will also get free internet data of 25GB for the whole month. The user device must be a supported SIM card or 4G to use an AT&T SIM card.
Here is the one thing that I like so much about AT&T SIM card which is its coverage areas. It is a very big network in the U.S. and we cannot say that its signals are dropped. While you are in travel, ATT will provide you with WIFI services in all areas that will help you to use the internet anywhere.
Its internet may be down due to some technical issue, but it did not stop working anytime. So, after checking all prepaid SIM cards in the USA, you will like to buy an AT&T prepaid card. Now, we will match that AT&T’s prepaid SIM card is providing great deals and offers to its new users and travelers.
When you will buy an AT&T prepaid SIM card from an American airport you have to pay its activation fee of $15. After this and full activation of the SIM card, you will be able to activate any of the following plans:
Prepaid SIM Card Plan 1 – $25/month
Unlimited Calls to Mexico and Canada
Unlimited Text Messages
16GB Internet 5G
Mobile hotspots supported
AT&T Prepaid 5GB – $30/month
Unlimited Calls
Unlimited Text Messages
5GB Internet
AT&T Unlimited Plan – $50/month
Unlimited Calls to Mexico and Canada
Unlimited Text Messages
Unlimited Internet 5G (May be Slow while the Network is Busy)
5GB Mobile hotspots
After getting the SIM card and activating any prepaid plan, you can easily call your friends and family or home country with these calling minutes. You can also check that is your home country is supported for international calling or not. If you are traveling for 15 days or for 7 days, you may choose the AT&T prepaid starter plan which cost $25 plan + $15 card fees = $40.
If you will buy a prepaid first plan, you will get unlimited calls between Mexico and Canada and free text messages. Including these, you will get 16GB 5G internet data which can be shared with friends and family by hotspots. This plan is valid for only one month after this it will automatically be renewed. You have not need to buy a new mobile phone to use the AT&T prepaid SIM card if your mobile phone is compatible and unlocked.
2
T-Mobile
Similar to AT&T plans: New customers can buy T-Mobile prepaid SIM cards from any nearest shop or retailer. The new prepaid SIM card price is $10 as of 2024.
I have bought the T Mobile prepaid plan and checked that it is the best of the best traveler pro-SIM cards. If you are using the internet too much and never want to disconnect with friends and family then it is recommended SIM card. Because T-Mobile has all categories and plans that a tourist person and visitor need. T-mobile has 1 line to 5 lines connections for prepaid customers which is providing unlimited data and calls to special numbers.
If you want to get calling plans in Mexico and Canada and 5GB internet then T Mobile is offering this in Addons for $5 per month. You can check whether your mobile phone is compatible or not with T-Mobile and then select the best travel offer. If your mobile phone is not compatible you can continue to buy the best 5G T-Mobile phone. New customers have to pay $10 for a new SIM registration.
Here are the best 3 plans for new customers who want to get T-Mobile prepaid SIM card. The prices are starting from $40 which is not too much for AT&T. Both networks have the same connections, prices, and calling validity. Keep in mind that below given prices and plans are only for 1 line. You can get 2-line, 3-line, and 5 lines connections but the prices are resources are different.
Starter Plan
Unlimited domestic talk
Unlimited Text
10GB Data
Unlimited Plan
Unlimited domestic talk
Unlimited Text
Unlimited Data (5G)
Hotspot 3G Unlimited
Unlimited Plus Plan
Unlimited domestic talk
Unlimited Text Incl. International Texting
Unlimited Data (5G)
Hotspot up to 10GB & 3G Unlimited
To get International calling from Mexico, Canada, or the U.S., customers can get add-ons for the whole month which cost $5 per month. This add-on is available for all plans which I told you about before. Prepaid T-Mobile SIM cards can be purchased from any nearest shop or airport in the United States of America. If you will go to T-Mobile shops or dealers, they will also help you to choose the best plan for your requirements.
If you need more international calling minutes, SMS, and free social data, T-Mobile staff can help you. Prepaid SIM cards have a good option that you can easily activate any plan like a data plan, call plan, and SMS plan when you need them.
You will never need to sign any contract of 1 year or 6 months. Just buy the SIM card, activate this, and use it on your mobile phone. After getting the SIM card you can call 1-877-464-8646 to activate and deactivate any plan.
Free WIFI Calling with T-Mobile prepaid:
Oh yeah! if you will use T-Mobile prepaid SIM card and will activate any of the given plans, you will be able to call on WIFI. It means you can use any supported calling app that the company support like Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and more.
Domestic mobile hotspot:
You can share your internet with your friends and family through hotspots. In the starter Plan, customers will be able to share 10GB of data on hotspots and can use the internet and other devices. On other plans, there are different policies to use hotspots on T-Mobile.
Starter Plan: Customers can use 10GB of data to share hotspot
Unlimited Plan: Can use unlimited hotspots at 3G speeds
Unlimited Plus: 10GB high-speed data after this unlimited hotspot at 3G speed
T-Mobile users can get a free caller ID by dialing #436# from their T-Mobile. This service is available for all prepaid customers and they can check whether it that is Caller ID enabled or disabled dial #432#.
3
Verizon
An American multinational telecommunication company in 1983. The company is providing wireless, 5G, and mobile phone fixed plans in the United States.
Verizon is providing prepaid mobile phones and SIM cards in the U.S. at different rates. If you are interested to buy Verizon prepaid SIM card, must check that is your mobile phone supported to use a Verizon SIM card or not. If your mobile is locked and you cannot use this SIM card, you will need to buy its prepaid mobile phone from the store or online. You can buy Verizon prepaid card from Amazon, a shop, or any nearest center.
When I looked at the plans and offers of this company, I was shocked to see that the offers and prices of all networks were the same. Now it was difficult for me to know which SIM is good for me. So I compared each SIM against the other and checked which network is the best in terms of price and coverage.
Verizon was the best and third best network in the U.S. in my experience by the coverage and trust. If we talk about prepaid SIM card offers price, Verizon is the third cheapest prepaid network which is providing prepaid SIM card plans from $45. If you want a contract prepaid SIM card, for the first three months you have to pay $45, and next 3 months you will get a $10 discount after which you will pay $35 per month.
With Verizon prepaid, customers are eligible to share the internet with hotspots. Including these, prepaid customers will get unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 5G internet (as per plan) for the whole month. Its prepaid plans are different and can be changed easily by using the Verizon app and website verizon.com/plans/prepaid.
I was using Samsung mobile phone and it supported a Verizon SIM card. Customers have to call 866-893-7723 to enable 5G service, activate the SIM card, and offer on their SIM cards.
It is recommended to use a eSIM supported, 5G enabled and unlocked mobile phone so that you can use all network SIM cards in it while in travel.
Prepaid 15GB
15GB Data*
Mobile Hotspot
Unlimited Calls to U.S
Unlimited Text Messages
Free Services in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico & the US Virgin Islands
Prepaid Unlimited Plan
Unlimited Internet
5GB Mobile Hotspot
Unlimited Calls
Unlimited Text Messages
Free Services in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico & the US Virgin Islands
Prepaid Unlimited Plus Plan
Unlimited Internet
25GB Premium Mobile Hotspot
Unlimited Calls
Unlimited Text Messages
Free Services in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico & the US Virgin Islands
Talk & Text Plan
Unlimited Talk in the U.S
Unlimited Text Messages
Free Text internationally in 200+ countries
Features:
When you buy a starter plan like a $45 per month prepaid SIM card plan than you will get these all features:
Free unlimited calls to all United States
Unlimited text messages
15GB Mobile Data
International texting in more than 200+ countries
Mobile hotspots
One of the great things about this network is that if you need an internet or call plan, you get it at a low cost. You can activate unlimited internet plans and share them with your friends.
4
Mint Mobile
It is a virtual mobile network in the United States on the T-Mobile network. Mint Mobile was founded in 2006 in the United States and is now providing prepaid, mobile phones and WIFI services. Recommended for 3 months tourists.
Mint mobile network is the choice of students in the United States because of its 3 in one service. You can use 5G high-speed data internet, free WIFI, free mobile hotspots, and unlimited text and talk. You can use an eSIM card on your current mobile phone without any compatibility. Your mobile phone should be 5G and eSIM supported to use all services. If your mobile phone is not supported eSIM then don’t worry because Mint Mobile is providing you physical SIM card that you can use on your phone.
If you want to use the cheapest network, Mint Mobile is the cheapest in my opinion. Those people who come to the U.S. for 3 months can use this SIM card. An important and special feature of this network is that you can fully share your internet on hotspots with your friends and family without any hassle. Its plans are starting from $25 per month and you get a minimum 3 months plan not only one month.
At first, I bought many sims from AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile, etc. but I found this network while using the internet and searching about telecom networks in the U.S. The next day I gathered information about this SIM and started looking for its shops. When I found its shops, I wanted to buy a prepaid SIM card from there, which I was getting for $25.
In my view, the cheapest prepaid SIM card was from Mint Mobile but if when you stay here for 3 months. I was very surprised to know that Mint Mobile is not providing monthly offers. If you want to use this prepaid SIM then you have to buy this SIM card for 3 months. This SIM card may not be the best for people coming to America for 15 days, a month, or a few days.
Mint mobile prepaid SIM card is providing 4GB internet data, unlimited talk, and text for only $25 per month lowest prices. You have to pay 3 months’ charges which became $75 in advance to buy this SIM card.
You can talk with your friends and family in all United States after activating this plan. 4GB internet can be used on any device 4G and 5G there is no restriction. Including these features, customers will also get free WIFI calling, free international calls to Mexico and Canada, Free mobile hotspots, texting, and free unlimited internet on 2G.
3 Months Plan – 4GB
Unlimited Talk & Text
4GB per month of Data (Unlimited on 2G)
WIFI Hotspots
Price: $45
3 Months Plan – 10GB
Unlimited Talk & Text
10GB per month of Data (Unlimited on 2G)
WIFI Hotspots
Price: $60
3 Months Plan – 25GB
Unlimited Talk & Text
35GB 5G per month of Data (Unlimited on 3G)
WIFI Hotspots
Price: $75
3 Months Plan – Unlimited
Unlimited Talk & Text
10GB per month of Data (Unlimited on 2G)
WIFI Hotspots
Price: $90
5
Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile is a good company in the United States and is the best for travelers. This network has specially designed a tourist plan for travelers in the U.S. You may check its packages and offers before buying a prepaid SIM card in the United States.
Ultra Mobile is a private company and is providing the best tourist plans to new customers. This network is available in all locations in the U.S.A. which you can check by visiting the coverage checker page. This network is a part of T-Mobile and is providing 5G services, prepaid SIM, and mobile phone plans. With Ultra Mobile, customers can get unlimited domestic talk minutes and unlimited domestic text messages to U.S. and internationally.
Including these all, customers will get 100 calling minutes for 80+ international destinations. Ultra Mobile is providing unlimited internet but on a 2G network. With the tourist plan, customers will get 3GB of data for the whole month.
Ultra Mobile Tourist SIM
Unlimited Calls to U.S
Unlimited Text Messages
3GB 4G LTE Data (Unlimited on 2G)
100 Minutes for 80+ Countries
Price: $30 for 21 days
The price of a tourist SIM card is only $30 which is valid for 21 days. Tourists can use this SIM card because it is the cheapest and all in one offer supported SIM card. You can get an Ultra Mobile eSIM card and a physical SIM card which your mobile. the phone is supported. You get everything you need in this network. Internet data is less, so you should use the Internet carefully. You can’t even recharge on a visitor SIM card as the company doesn’t allow this.
Ultra Mobile International Calls supported countries
I have released the list of all the countries where Ultra Mobile Network has provided 100 minutes to call. If you are visiting the United States, you will definitely need to call your home and may also need to call your friends. So you can also use this SIM card. I collected all the information about this sim and also took information about its plans. Compared to other networks, you can go with this network if you don’t need much internet.
AT&T Vs Verizon Vs T-Mobile Vs Mint Mobile Vs Ultra Mobile
Now, we will compare the best prepaid SIM card in the United States which is providing more data, and minutes and is cheaper. You can check the network by your requirements and price range.
Features
Pros
Cons
AT&T Prepaid SIM
Starter Price $25
Features
16GB Data Unlimited Calls Unlimited Text U.S & International
Pros
✔ Lowest Price and Higher Data ✔ 5G Access ✔ Good Coverage
Cons
❌ Not International Calls
T-Mobile Prepaid SIM
Starter Price $40
Features
10GB Data Unlimited Calls Unlimited Text U.S & International Mobile WIFI Hotspot
Pros
✔ Good Coverage ✔ No Contract ✔ 5G Access
Cons
❌ Not International Calls
Verizon Prepaid SIM
Starter Price $45
Features
10GB Data Unlimited Calls Unlimited Text U.S & International Mobile WIFI Hotspot
Pros
✔ Good Coverage ✔ No Contract ✔ 5G Access
Cons
❌ Not International Calls
Mint Mobile
Starter Price $45
Features
4GB Data Unlimited Calls Unlimited Text U.S & International Mobile WIFI Hotspot
Pros
✔ Best for 3 Months Tourists ✔ Cheap Plans
Cons
❌ No Monthly Plan
Ultra Mobile
Starter Price $35
Features
3GB Data Unlimited Calls & Text Mobile WIFI Hotspost 100 Mints International
Pros
✔ Including International Calls ✔ Cheap Plans
Cons
❌ Few GBs of Internet Data ❌ Cannot Recharge
Comparison is an essential thing that should be done before buying anything. I have provided you with all the best-prepaid card prices, networks, and plans here. With its help, you can buy any good card and save your money. I have been to other countries many times on a visit visa and try to provide you with all the information about prepaid sim cards of that countries.
Before this, I visited some countries like Saudi Arabia, and Dubai and I have written articles about them. If you know about any other good SIM card then you can share it with us.
