The 5 Cheapest International Cell Phone Plans 2023

If you have loved ones residing overseas and you frequently travel internationally, we know how much you need an international cell phone plan. International roaming bills outside the carrier’s coverage are nothing but an extra mess. That’s why we’ve looked around thoroughly and compiled the top 5 cheapest international cell phone plans in the following content.

Several carriers provide mobile plans with international calls, but not all are the best in terms of overall coverage, costs, and services. You need to look if your phone is compatible with the 2G GSM network because it is the network standard across the world. It is best to pick the right phone with CDMA and GSM compatibility if you’re heading overseas often.

On the other hand, if you prefer staying connected to the web while abroad, you can pick a mobile hotspot, including international roaming. Without dilating the intro, let’s head into the actual discussion about cheap international cell phone plans.

Top 5 Cheapest International Cell Phone Plans In 2023

Finding out the best and cheapest international cell phone plans is not a get-at-able task at all. Before picking one, we have to undergo research for the leading ones regarding some aspects and criteria.

The listing consists of both major and MVNO carriers, as preferences vary from person to person. We’ve looked upon the coverage section, billing & pricing, ease of accessing, servicing, customer support, and other similar factors.

1. T-Mobile International Plans – Best Travel-Friendly Plan

After contemplating several plans and deals from other carriers, we found that T-Mobile provides the most convenient international roaming service. T-Mobile comes with three different ranges of plans for internet roaming.

They are- Essentials, Magenta, and Magenta MAX, and Cruise Plan. One of the most notable features of T-Mobile’s internet plan is the unlimited roaming facility.

You should note that their offered data is restricted to 2G for most countries. For Mexico and Canada, they offer 4G super-speed data. For all T-Mobile international plans, they charge just 0.25 dollars per minute for calling.

If you pick through the best T-Mobile plan- Magenta, it would charge about $70 per month. In return, you will get unlimited text and data in more than 210 countries. Let’s discuss all three plans!

T-Mobile Essentials: This is one of the cheapest unlimited international calling plans with great essential perks you can enjoy!

The features are:

• Provides coverage in more than 210 countries and destinations
• Unlimited texting and 2G data provided
• Low rate calling over any carriers
• Calling charges just $0.25 per minute
• For overall coverage, it charges just about $45 or more in a month.

You can stick to this one if you don’t want to enjoy unlimited 3G or 4G data. Moreover, you won’t get unlimited calling, but the rate per minute for each call is cheaper than others.

T-Mobile Magenta: Magenta is an excellent plan for individuals who want the signature T-Mobile coverage with the best value at a reasonable price rate.

It includes-

• Coverage in more than 210 countries and destinations
• Unlimited texting and provides both unlimited 2G, and 3G data worldwide
• Includes full-speed 5G data in Canada and Mexico
• Provides effortless talk and data access overseas
• Charges just 0.25 dollars per minute
• Offers in-flight perks for a limited period
• Delivers approximately 128 kbps speed on average

If you want the best value under the banner of T-Mobile’s service, Magenta is the champ. It charges about 70 to 75 dollars for each month with an autopay discount. However, you can also add full-speed coverages by switching to Magenta Plus instantly.

Magenta MAX: Magenta MAX is the most costly international roaming plan from T-Mobile. It charges about 90 dollars for the whole package per month. It includes

• Coverage in more than 210 countries and destinations
• Unlimited text, talk, and internet across the world
• Includes full-speed 5G data in Canada and Mexico(unlimited 2G and 3G data worldwide)
• Provides effortless talk and data access on the go
• It charges just 0.25 dollars per minute
• Offers in-flight perks for a limited period

Delivers approximately 256 Kbps speed on average(dual the speed than Magenta). If you are the one who doesn’t want to compromise a bit in the coverage and want the ultimate perks, Magenta MAX is the one we recommend. One critical flaw of T-Mobile’s international roaming is, they charge for international calling!

2. Google Project Fi – Best Prepaid International Plan

If you want stable and extensive coverage throughout your roaming or vacation period, you can check Google’s Project Fi. Instead of using a single provider’s network, Google hops on the coverage of both US-Mobile and T-Mobile.

You will be pleased to grasp that Google Fi also uses WiFi networks. For flexible coverage and faster speeds in more than 200 destinations, Google Fi is the cheap phone plan for 3 lines.

Another great feature of Google Fi that we like is adding the roaming plans for multiple people under a single account. You may have to pay the highest for a single line, but if you go for their six-line plan, it is one of the cheap international calling plans. Most of us go on vacation alone; therefore, we will discuss the Google Fi single-line plans in detail.

Google Project Fi has three international roaming plans under their coverage range of 200+ countries. Google’s Flexible is the cheapest plan with the basic features and concise perks.

Simply Unlimited and the Unlimited Plus are the best value pack, with a considerable increment of perks and price tag. However, all the international roaming plans come with additional tax and government fees.

Flexible: It is an excellent single-line plan within 20 dollars if you prefer using fewer data and more WiFi over the period. The introductory price is pretty much cheaper, but it becomes slightly pricey if you add data. For an additional 1 GB, you have to pay extra 10 dollars.

The perks are-

• Offers data coverage in Mexico, Canada, and the US(requires extra payment)
• You can receive up to 15 GB of full-speed data(afterward, it slows down)
• Share your data through High-speed hotspot tethering and Data-Only Sims
• Provides data across 200+ countries in pay as you go(at $10/GB rate)
• International messaging & talk while traveling outside US, Canada & Mexico
• Delivers free calling from the US to Mexico and Canada(charges apply for 200+ destinations)
• Includes unlimited talk and text without any contracts or activation fees

Simply Unlimited: Simply Unlimited is the most affordable plan if you use a lot of data in the long run while traveling. You have to pay about $60 per month for subscribing to this plan.

It includes-

• It comes with unlimited data coverage in Mexico, Canada, and the US
• You can get up to 22 GB of full-speed data(later, it slows down)
• Delivers free calling from the US to Mexico and Canada(charges apply for 200+ destinations)
• Includes unlimited talk and text without any contracts or activation fees
• Ensures a safe and secure usage for you and your family
• 24/7 customer support for convenience

Unlimited Plus: It is a great plan if you frequently travel to famous or limited countries and prefer tethering and lots of data. You have to pay a total of $70 for switching to this premium international plan.

It includes-

• Unlimited data coverage in Mexico, Canada, and the US
• Provides 100 GB of cloud storage with Google One
• Includes unlimited talk and text without any contracts or activation fees
• Delivers free calling from the US to Mexico and other 50 destinations
• You can get up to 22 GB of full-speed data(later, it slows down)
• International messaging & talk while traveling outside US, Canada & Mexico
• Data sharing through High-speed hotspot tethering and Data-Only Sims
• 24/7 convenient customer support

To sum up the cheapest international cell phone plans from Google’s Project Fi, we can say that for the cheapest option, switch to Flexible. But this is not for individuals who want to use more data and hotspot features. For the best advantage at a reduced price tag, a cheap unlimited phone plan for one person is the one we recommend.

3. AT&T International Plans – Best Day Pass Plan

As you know, AT&T is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the US, and they are prominent for their excellent deals. If you’re a current AT&T user, you can simply add the basic international roaming package by paying an extra $10.

One great advantage of being with AT&T is that it cares for you on the run. AT&T features their international plans with the motto of connecting you in both home & abroad.

AT&T offers three international roaming plans for ensuring comprehensive coverage of up to 210 destinations. Instead of paying extra hundreds of dollars, you can use just like your home by paying an additional 10 dollars in AT&T’s Day Pass plan.

AT&T’s international Calling plan is excellent for users who don’t want data service. They also offer special deals for Mexico & Canada and Sea Cruises.

AT&T International Day Pass: If I were to discuss the best international plan from AT&T, the day pass is what I would have spoken about. It is an easy-to-go plan which doesn’t require any hassles.

You have to pay an additional fee per day, similar to the pay-as-you-go plans. It offers similar features like unlimited plans under the facility of overseas roaming.

Let’s find out what it has-

• For just $10 per day, you can get unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data.
• Provides complete coverage in more than 210 destinations as you get at home
• You don’t have to pay the bill for more than ten days
• Get up to 50% off on additional lines
• You don’t have to give any extra charges, pay as much as you use.

AT&T International Calling: If you don’t use much data and require more facilities to talk, you can switch to AT&T international calling without any doubt. It is one of the cheap international calling plans you can jump on!

Here are the features of this plan-

• It provides unlimited calling from the US to more than 85 countries, including China, Germany, and India.
• Get plans and deals at discounted rates when calling 140+ destinations
• Offers more comprehensive coverage only for 15 dollars per line
• Delivers all the essentials you need to stay in touch with your loved ones

You need to have an unlimited domestic talk, text, and data plan subscription to get the international roaming plan facilities.

4. Verizon International Cell Phone Plans – Best Plan For Coverage

Verizon is well-known for its more significant and extensive 5G coverage throughout the countryside. But you may wonder that they also let you stay connected while you travel through international roaming plans. They have a Travel Pass package for enabling you to travel with your domestic deals and coverages.

It also offers an International Monthly plan for just $100 per month. For Mexico & Canada, you can also get excellent roaming plans & deals. With that, Verizon also offers Cruise and In-Flight packages for keeping you connected to your near & dear ones. Let’s discuss the plans in detail!

Travel Pass: Like the AT&T Day Pass plan, Verizon’s Travel Pass also offers all the domestic features for 10 dollars per day. It includes-
Provides unlimited talk, text, and data coverage to more than 185 countries.

• Full-speed data service in the covered countries
• Charges just $5 per day for Mexico & Canada
• Allows you to use 4G and 5G speed domestic data
• Use up to 0.5 GB of high-speed data per day(afterward, speeds may get slower)

International Monthly Plan: This is one of the best cheap mobile plans with international calls that you take in your backpack when going abroad. It includes-

• You get up to 250 minutes in the coverage destinations.
• Receive Unlimited SMS when you travel
• You can send up to 1000 SMS on the go
• Get up to 5G of full-speed internet in 185+ countries
• Charges low Over usage rates, 0.25 dollar/minute for calls, 0.05 dollar/message, and 20 dollars/GB.

5. Mint Mobile International Plans – Best Budget-Fitting Option

As the headline says, Mint Mobile comes with some affordable options for international roaming that you can pick. They provide the best perks compared to other carriers, but the coverage is restricted to 140 countries. Still, this is a huge one!

In a nutshell, you can get a decent performance for the price you pay! Let’s have a look at the perks of Mint Mobile International Roaming Plan!

• For Mexico and Canada, it charges 6 cents per min, and for other countries, it costs 25 cents per minute.
• Send messages at just 2 cents inside Canada & Mexico( Charges 5 cents for others)
• You can call from the US to other countries at just 1 cent per minute.
• Provides 4G of full-speed data
• It costs just $15/month for the overall package

Even if you want a renewal offer of three months, you can get a great discount. For three months renewals, they charge just $25 per month.

Final Verdict

In the end, you may ask, which cheapest international cell phone plans would I pick?” The answer is simple, choose the one that suits your budget requirements and demands the most.

However, we prefer T-Mobile for overall better and stable service across the world. But you can also go for Mint Mobile for the cheapest option if you are tight on the budget or want to save more on overseas roaming. Happy traveling!