You want a cheap cell phone plan. The problem is, you don’t know where to start.

So we did the research for you and found the cheapest cell phone plans: traditional plans from the likes of Sprint and T-Mobile, prepaid plans and plans with and without data.

We also have a few .

» MORE: Compare cell phone plans

Cheapest prepaid plans with data

Ting and Republic Wireless are relatively new to the wireless game, having launched in 2012 and 2011, respectively. And they’re shaking things up by providing cellular service at rock-bottom prices.

Ting’s model is unique: You pay for the minutes, text messages and data you use. Republic offers more traditional plans, but without contracts or bloated monthly fees. Both carriers partner with a traditional network — Sprint and T-Mobile — so you don’t have to sacrifice service. But you might need to pay full price for your phone.

Ting and Republic are cheapest if you want just a little data, but you might find a better value elsewhere if you need a few gigabytes.

• Ting: Individual line, Small
• Price: $15 per month.
• At a glance: 100 minutes, 100 text messages and 100MB of data.

• Republic Wireless 1GB plan
• Price: per month.
• At a glance: Unlimited minutes and text messages, plus 1GB data.

THINGS TO KNOW

• Ting: Minutes, data and texts are billed separately. The per month charge assumes you use some of each, but not more than 100 minutes, 100 text messages and 100MB of data. Didn’t make or receive a single call during your billing cycle? Knock off $3. Didn’t send or receive a single text? You’ll save another $3. And if, during a given billing cycle, you don’t use your phone at all, you’ll pay just $6, plus taxes and fees.
• Republic: All calls, texts and data usage occur over available Wi-Fi networks. If there aren’t any, the carrier defaults to Sprint’s or T-Mobile’s cellular network. The network you’ll use depends on your phone. Since Republic is a Wi-Fi first carrier, your phone options are limited. Right now the carrier offers nine models, including the Samsung Galaxy S7. You can’t use an iPhone with Republic.

Other cheap Prepaid plans

Cheapest non-prepaid plans with data

Traditional plans are pricier than prepaid ones, but they do come with some advantages.

You can get the latest phones and pay for them in installments. You also get priority access to a carrier’s network — a difference from prepaid plans, even with the four largest carriers.

Among non-prepaid carriers, Sprint has the cheapest data plans and a strong nationwide network to boot. U.S. Cellular is the next cheapest, but you need to live in its home area to activate service.

• Sprint Extra Small (1GB)
• Price: $40 per month.
• At a glance: Unlimited minutes and text messages, plus 1GB of data.

• U.S. Cellular Shared Connect (1GB)
• Price: $45 per month.

Source: www.nerdwallet.com