TracFone Wireless Review
TracFone’s low-priced plans are a great alternative for anyone who doesn’t use their mobile phone too much, but not meant for folks looking for unlimited talk, text, and data.
TracFone is one of the original prepaid cell phone providers to come on the market, and were very popular back in the 90’s. TracFone still has a large customer base, and is doing well. But, is now generally used by those who realized they were paying huge dollars for service they don’t use.
TracFone won’t be for everyone. The company doesn’t offer the data, special features, and phones that many people want. And many of TracFone’s plans are priced in ways that don’t make sense. But the options offered by TracFone are extremely unique, and may suite you very well.
Here’s everything we can think of that you need to know.
Getting Started
When you click through to the TracFone website you’ll see phones available, and a menu to begin shopping – everything you need is there, and very simple. On the shop menu they offer Phones, Plans, Deals, and Accessories. If you don’t have a phone add one to the cart, choose the Plan you’d like, and you’re done. However, if you’d like to use your current phone you’ll need to purchase a SimKit compatible with your phone. Once you receive your phone, or SimKit, you’re ready to activate your phone for the plan you’ve purchased. That’s it!
TracFone plans
Flexible and affordable talk and text plans without all the frills.
TracFone Basic Cell Phone Plans
| Includes | Price | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Talk, Text & 1GB Data | - Unlimited Talk, and Text - 1 GB Data - $15 with Auto-Refill | $20 |  |
| 1 Year with Talk, Text, and 1GB Data |
| $199 | |
| 60 Minute Pay As You Go Plan | - For Talk, Text and Web - $17.99 with Auto-Refill | $19.99 | |
| 30 Days Talk, Text, 8GB Data | - Unlimited Talk and Text - 8GB Data - Refill after 30 days - $35 with Auto-Refill | $40 | |
Pros
- Pay-as-you-go plans – no long-term contracts
- Simple unlimited talk and text plans
- Great network coverage
Cons
- No unlimited data plans
- Unconventional pricing
- No family plans
TracFone Advantages
TracFone is very unique to say the least. While other cell phone companies are focus on unlimited data plans, TracFone keeps it simple with deals like you’d see in the 90’s. The company offers up cheap and simple and easy to understand plans with no data or very little data.
Here’s a detailed look at everything we love about these plans.
Low-Cost Pay As You Go Plans
While young folks are all on YouTube or Tik Tok your grandparents probably don’t need all that. And your 6-year-old probably shouldn’t be. So, where are all the cell phone plans for the low data users out there?
TracFone has an answer for those who don’t need any 4G LTE mobile data (or who just want enough to check Google Maps occasionally). Check out these pay-as-you-go plans.
Yes, that’s a 30-minute plan, which is probably the most basic phone plan you can get from any carrier. In fact, it’s a plan that even the least technology-savvy person in your family will probably find boring.
But TracFone’s no-data, pay-as-you-go plans do get more interesting. For instance, there’s that 1,500-minute (!) yearly plan that we featured in the introduction.
TracFone may not win the award for the hippest cell phone carrier. But it’s definitely the most unique and interesting company. And for those who still want to use an old Nokia “brick” phone and have a pay-as-you-go plan, TracFone is the best option around.
Simple Unlimited Talk and Text Plans
Those pay as you go plans are interesting, for sure. But most folks will want a plan with a few more minutes, texts, and maybe even a smidgen of mobile data. Luckily, TracFone has a few of those plans too.
Great Network Coverage
TracFone is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which means that it doesn’t actually have its own cellular network. Instead, MVNOs lease bandwidth from existing networks to bring service to their customers.
Tracone actually uses the bandwidth of all three major networks: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Which specific network you end up on depends on what kind of device you’re using. Either way, you should receive great coverage in most areas.
Disadvantages of TracFone
TracFone has some pretty nifty features that make it great for a certain kind of user. But we’d be lying if we said it’s the right carrier for everyone. Here are some of the features that may be frustrating for TracFone customers.
No Unlimited Data Plans
Most carriers have an unlimited data option. That’s because mobile users are increasingly relying on data for everything they do on their devices. Not just social media, but maps, banking, and work.
So TracFone’s lack of data options is a non-starter for many people. The company’s plan with the most data tops out at just 3 GB. However, many mobile phone users utilize a fraction of the data they’re paying for. So, if that describes you this isn’t much of a disadvantage to you.
Pricing
As we mentioned above, TracFone has some great deals. But that doesn’t mean that all of the company’s phone plans are priced cheaply. In fact, some of TracFone’s prices are downright weird. For example, look at how TracFone’s cheapest unlimited talk and text plan compares to these plans from other discount
As you can see, you can pick up an unlimited talk and text plan from Twigby for less than half the price of TracFone. So, what’s the deal? Honestly, we’re not quite sure.
What we do know is that TracFone’s best deals are the carrier’s unconventional plans, like the 1,500-minute yearly plan.
No Family Plans
One of the best ways to save some cold hard cash on your monthly phone bill is to bundle multiple lines together. Whether you’re bundling with your spouse, your kids, or a couple of your buddies, family plans can cut the cost of phone service almost in half.
So it’s a big bummer that TracFone doesn’t have any family plans to speak of. None. Nada. Zilch.
How do TracFone’s Plans Compare?
Depending on the plan you choose TracFone stacks up very well against the competition. But, don’t compare them to AT&T or one of the other big three carriers. If you’re looking for other cheap MVNO providers, check out: Ultra Mobile, H2O Wireless, Twigby, Boost Mobile, and Mint Mobile.
TracFone Coverage
One of the greatest advantages of TracFone is their coverage.
As we mentioned before TracFone is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). MVNOs lease bandwidth from existing networks to bring service to their customers. The three networks that TracFone uses are AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. All three of these networks have amazing coverage, so you’re fully covered.
Which network will you end up on if you join TracFone? It depends on what phone you plan to put that TracFone SIM card in.
TracFone Cell Phones
TracFone has a great selection of second-tier phones.
TracFone is not a premium cell phone carrier, but more of a discount phone carrier. So, in keeping with their low rates, they also sell phones at reasonable prices. TracFone sells discount phones rather than the latest (and priciest) Samsung and Apple models. For example, TracFone is one of the few companies still selling the iPhone 7. To be honest, we kind of love it.
Here’s some of the most popular devices that TracFone is offering right now.
So, if you’re looking for the best deal on a brand new phone TracFone always has several options to choose from.
TracFone customer service
TracFone customer service is similar to other mobile phone, and Telecommunications companies. Nothing that is very outstanding, however when you visit the website and ordering they have online chat that is very quick and helpful – at least it was for me.
Overall TracFone does tend to respond to issues in a relatively timely manner. Beside the online chat on their website, they offer other methods to notify them (listed below) which are helpful.
Facebook: @TracFoneDeals
Twitter: @TracFoneCalls
TracFone Wireless Forums
Phone: 1-800-867-7183
Is TracFone right for you?
TracFone is definitely one of the most unique cell phone carriers out there. For some, the company will be a perfect fit. For others, a total bust. Let’s do a quick recap to help you figure out if TracFone is right for you.
- Plans: TracFone offers up a variety of basic cell phone plans. There are pay as you go plans and unlimited talk and text plans with some data. There are even plans that you pay for by the year! TracFone’s plans are great for those who don’t use a ton of data and don’t want to worry about being roped into an expensive and confusing contract.
- Prices: TracFone’s prices are kind of all over the place. If you sign up for the company’s pay as you go plans you can get service for as little as $10 a month. But, when you compare some of these prices to the competition, you may find that there are better deals to be had, especially on plans with unlimited talk and text.
- Performance: TracFone uses three different networks to keep its customers connected. Which network you end up on what device you use. Luckily, all three networks have great coverage.
If you’re ready for one of TracFone’s flexible and affordable plans you can sign up here.
Excerpts taken from Reviews.org – a great place to get information on technology.
