Tracfone has been around for a long time.
With nearly 250 million users around the world, it's interesting to note that both Tracfone and Net10 are owned by the same company, American Movil. The same network is used by both, they use the same towers, and neither of them own the bandwidth that they use. Instead, they rent it from other carriers like T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon which makes them mobile virtual network operators. Both companies are identical, even thought the price of their phone models and their phone selections are different. About 26 million subscribers in the United States use Tracfone, making it the largest prepaid cell phone service in the country. Let's take a look at some of the benefits and features this wireless provider has.
Tracfone offers low-cost, no contract prepaid cell phone plans, but are they the right carrier for you? Let's find out. You can compare Tracfone plans using Wirefly, or read on for the rest of the review.
| Phone | Plan | Minutes | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 Phones Available | 360 Minutes 360 Minutes (and 360 text messages) | 0 MB Data Packs Available | $ 0 /recharge Link not provided | |
| 36 Phones Available | 600 Minutes 600 Minutes (and 600 text messages) | 600 MB Additional data packs available | $ 0 /recharge Link not provided | |
| 49 Phones Available | 1350 Minutes 1350 Minutes (and 1350 text messages) | 1.5 GB Additional data packs available | $ 0 /recharge Link not provided |
Reception and coverage has been reported to be better than Verizon, with clarity that is acoustically better.
Once you get your phone, all you have to do is charge the battery, activate your airtime card by going online, and everything is done.
If you have problems with a phone from one of the larger providers, like Sprint or Verizon, you can go down to their store to deal with the issue. However Tracfone doesn't have as many local stores you can use for service. Their online help center is very helpful if you have issues with their phones or service. It's possible they can offer inexpensive service because they don't provide local stores.
Be prepared to pay higher rates if you decide on using an android model from Tracfone, and their selection of android phones is growing. After all, paying higher rates would negate the value of even getting a Tracfone. Of course, with an Android model you can use Wi-Fi for data. You can get a basic smartphone with a full touchscreen keyboard which enables you to text, talk, and use the web. If you want basic cellphone service at a low cost without all the extra accessories, then Tracfone is a good fit for you.
With more flexibility and airtime card options that are cheaper, Tracfone has an edge over Net10. At its lowest you can get 150 minutes from Net10, which will give you 60 days of service and 300 minutes, at a cost of $30. At its cheapest, you could reduce your cell phone cost to $15 a month. You can get 90 days of service at $19.99 if you use Tracfone's 60 minutes, and some of the phone models come with the triple for life card, usually for free. This can bring your cost down to only $6.67 a month. This only gives you 180 minutes for a 90 day period. However, if you only use your phone for emergencies and texting, this might be all you need. In order to get the best deal that fits your budget, it's worth your time to get a phone that will give you triple minutes during the time that you own the phone.
Customer service is the greatest and the technology may not be as advanced as other phones. But if you're looking to reduce your monthly costs, this works to your advantage.
If you don't engage in a lot of conversation and you only use your phone for texting, emergencies, and quick calls, the Tracfone could be exactly what you need.
You are anyone who is totally committed to using an unlimited data plan from one of the other carriers.
Tracfone is a good choice if you use a minimum number of minutes every month and you really only depend on a cell phone for emergencies, short chats, and texting. They have taken what has been a product with a high-priced subscription model and trimmed it down to a basic budget saver. In addition, if you go to Tracfone's site, you will find that they are offering sales on many of their models. Several android models are available and also some flip-style smartphones. If you purchase a phone bundle of $150 or more, you'll receive a $20 reward certificate. Let's not forget that there is unlimited carryover of unused data, text, and talk.
