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Tello Review 2026
The cheapest T-Mobile plans you'll find — starting at $10/mo with no commitment.
Updated April 2026 · 5 min read
Quick Verdict
Tello is one of the cheapest ways to get on T-Mobile's network. The $10/mo plan includes 2GB data, free calling to 60+ countries, and no contract. The $15/mo plan bumps to 10GB with 10GB hotspot. The $25/mo Unlimited plan includes 50GB of high-speed data, 10GB hotspot, and free international calling. Taxes and fees are extra on all plans. If you're a light data user on Wi-Fi most of the day and want the lowest possible monthly bill on T-Mobile's network, Tello is hard to beat. The trade-off: limited hotspot and no included international roaming (PAYG roaming is available separately).
✓ Best For
- •Wi-Fi-first users who barely use mobile data
- •Budget shoppers looking for the absolute lowest monthly bill
- •International callers — free calling to 60+ countries on all plans
- •Month-to-month flexibility with no contract or commitment
- •Light users who want T-Mobile's 5G network without overpaying
✗ Skip If
- •You need big high-speed data — 50GB on the Unlimited plan before throttling
- •You want more than 10GB hotspot — Tello caps at 10GB even on Unlimited
- •You need HD video streaming — Tello caps at SD on all plans
- •You want taxes included — Tello adds taxes and fees on top
- •You need included international data roaming — Tello offers PAYG roaming but it's not included in plans
All Tello Plans
$10 Plan
$10/mo
- ● 2GB data
- ● 2GB hotspot
- ● 5G included
$15 Plan
$15/mo
- ● 10GB data
- ● 10GB hotspot
- ● 5G included
Pros & Cons
What we like
- ✓$10/mo for 2GB — one of the cheapest plans in wireless
- ✓Free calling and texting to 60+ countries from the US on all plans
- ✓$25/mo Unlimited with 50GB high-speed data is strong for the price
- ✓Month-to-month — no annual prepay, no commitment
- ✓T-Mobile's 5G network included on all plans
- ✓Hotspot included on all plans (2GB/10GB/10GB by tier)
What to know
- ✗Taxes and fees added on top of all advertised prices
- ✗Max 10GB hotspot even on the Unlimited plan
- ✗SD video streaming on all plans — no HD option
- ✗Can be deprioritized behind T-Mobile postpaid during congestion — 50GB high-speed threshold on Unlimited
- ✗No in-store support — online only
- ✗International data roaming is Pay-As-You-Go only — not included in any plan
Network & Coverage
Tello runs on T-Mobile's network, including T-Mobile's 5G. As an MVNO, Tello customers can be deprioritized behind T-Mobile postpaid subscribers during network congestion. The $10 plan includes 2GB data and 2GB hotspot. The $15 plan includes 10GB data and 10GB hotspot. The $25 Unlimited plan includes unlimited data with 50GB of high-speed data before throttling to 2G speeds, plus 10GB hotspot. All plans include free calling and texting to 60+ countries from the US. International data roaming is available on a Pay-As-You-Go basis (not included in plans). Video streaming is capped at SD on all plans. Taxes and fees are extra.
Not sure about coverage in your area? Check official coverage maps →
⚡ Ninja Verdict
Tello is the plan for people who barely use their phone — and that's a compliment
Tello's sweet spot is the user who's on Wi-Fi 90% of the time and just needs a reliable phone line with some mobile data for when they're out. The $10/mo plan with 2GB and free international calling is genuinely hard to find anywhere else. The $15/mo plan at 10GB is the best value in the lineup — enough data for most light-to-moderate users at an unbeatable price. Even the $25/mo Unlimited plan holds up — 50GB of high-speed data on T-Mobile's network for $25 is competitive with Mint's annual prepay price, except Tello doesn't require upfront commitment. The trade-off vs. Mint: Tello is month-to-month but data is deprioritized (not premium priority). The trade-off vs. US Mobile: Tello is simpler and cheaper but locked to T-Mobile's network with no network choice. If you're a light user who values low cost and flexibility above all else, Tello is the pick.
How Tello Compares
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Frequently Asked Questions
What network does Tello use?
Tello runs on T-Mobile's network. Coverage is the same as T-Mobile, but Tello customers can be deprioritized during network congestion.
Does Tello include international calling?
Yes — all Tello plans include free calling and texting to 60+ countries from the US. International data roaming is available separately on a Pay-As-You-Go basis (requires minimum $5 credit balance). For included roaming data, you'd need a carrier like US Mobile Premium.
Does Tello include taxes and fees?
No — taxes and fees are added on top of the advertised price. A $25/mo plan will cost slightly more after taxes. This is different from Visible or US Mobile Starter, which include taxes.
How does Tello compare to Mint Mobile?
Tello is month-to-month with no commitment; Mint's best prices require 3-12 month prepay. Tello's $25/mo Unlimited has 50GB of high-speed data vs. Mint's 50GB threshold at a similar price point. Tello wins on flexibility and international calling (60+ countries free); Mint wins if you're comfortable with annual prepay for slightly lower effective pricing.
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