If you’re looking for simple, no-frills service, Sprint Prepaid has you covered. The company offers three plans, all at reasonable costs, without complex pricing structures. But this simplicity comes with trade-offs, including fewer features and promotional deals than some competitors offer. And although Sprint is improving its network, it still lags behind Verizon and AT&T in data speed and coverage.
AT A Glance
- Plans start at $35 per month.
- Strengths: Simple plan structure and good value.
- Weaknesses: A sometimes lackluster network; and you must buy a phone from Sprint.
Sprint Prepaid cell phone plans
After wading through the nitty gritty details of other companies’ cell phone plans, the straightforwardness of Sprint Prepaid can be a relief. All three plans come with unlimited talk and text. They differ only in their monthly high-speed data allotments: 1GB, 3GB or 6GB.
- 1GB: $35.
- 3GB: $45.
- 6GB: $55.
If your phone has mobile hot spot capability, you can dip into your monthly high-speed data bucket with your connected devices. And you can use unlimited 2G data after you run out of high-speed data.
Currently, Sprint Prepaid doesn’t allow any other devices on its plans. You’ll have to purchase a Sprint Prepaid phone if you want to switch over.
Current Sprint Prepaid deals
As of May 2016, Sprint Prepaid is offering discounts on smartphones from LG, Samsung, Motorola and Sharp.
How Sprint Prepaid compares on prices
Sprint Prepaid offers good dollar-per-gigabyte value, especially on its 3GB and 6GB plans. Only a few prepaid carriers that we reviewed beat it on price — and just barely.
How Sprint Prepaid compares on features
Sprint Prepaid doesn’t measure up on features, but it’s not really trying to. Mobile hot spot capability is included in each plan — and not much else. Whether that’s refreshingly simple or excessively austere depends on what you want out of your mobile service.
Click the image to see in more detail how Sprint Prepaid stacks up on features. Asterisks indicate features available for an additional charge.
Autopay discount: Not offered.
Family plans: Not offered. If you want one, try Sprint’s postpaid service or one of the other prepaid services Sprint owns, such as Virgin Mobile or Boost Mobile.
Unlimited 2G: Yes, after you use up your high-speed data allotment.
Unlimited music streaming: Not offered.
International calls and texts: International calling minutes vary from country to country, and international texts cost 15 cents each across the board. Otherwise, Sprint Prepaid doesn’t offer any international packages.
Mobile hot spot: If your phone has the capability, you can use it as a mobile hot spot on all three Sprint Prepaid plans. Mobile hot spot data usage comes out of your monthly high-speed data allotment.
Is Sprint Prepaid right for you?
Provided that Sprint has workable service and data speeds in your area, Sprint Prepaid’s simplicity can be alluring. You know exactly what you’re getting, and you get it for a reasonable price.
If you’re hooked on flashy features — such as unlimited music streaming — or you have a family hankering for high-speed data, Sprint Prepaid isn’t the best choice. Instead, check out Virgin Mobile, another Sprint-owned prepaid carrier.
Stephen Layton is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: slayton@nerdwallet.com.
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