Red Pocket Mobile Review

A discount carrier that lets you choose your network

red pocket logo
RedPocket
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
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    Price Range: $10–$40/mo
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    Data Cap Range: 1GB–Unlimited
  • Fire Emoji
    Save up to $600 a year with an annual plan
Easton Smith
Sep 05, 2024
Icon Time To Read6 min read

Red Pocket is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which means that it offers discount plans using major networks’ cell towers. It’s a great option for young kids who need to coordinate rides and adults who don’t need a ton of data.

Before we jump into this whole review, check out Red Pocket’s most popular plan, which costs just $20 a month.

If this awesome deal for talk, text, and data is all you need to see, then go ahead and sign up for Red Pocket now. If you want to know all of the nitty-gritty details, then read the rest of this review.

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Red Pocket Mobile plans

Pros
  • Simple and affordable plans
  • Great coverage options
  • Free international calling
Cons
  • No perks
  • No dedicated hotspot data
  • Pricey unlimited plan

What we like

Red Pocket Mobile is a carrier for those who’d rather buy the cheaper, store-brand cereal than the expensive brand-name stuff that has the same ingredients (Cocoa Nuggets and Honey Nut O’s, anyone?). It may not be the most prestigious company around, but it gets the job done.

Simple and affordable plans

Red Pocket’s most affordable plan is just $10 a month.

This dirt-cheap (or at least cappuccino-cheap) plan has no activation fee and gets you unlimited minutes and texts plus 1GB of data. That might not sound like much, but it’s plenty for many young kids or older adults who aren’t on their phones 24/7.

Red Pocket has tons of other plans. You can see the most popular ones in the chart at the top of this section. As a rule, the plans are affordable and come with talk, text, and mobile data. But, the higher-data plans from Red Pocket tend to be less of a great deal than the cheaper plans.

Need a cheap plan on a strong network?
Megaphone

Looking for more cheap plans on Verizon's network? Try Visible Wireless, which offers unlimited phone plans plus unlimited hotspot data starting at $25/month

Need an affordable plan on T-Mobile's network? Try Mint Mobile or Tello instead. Mint Mobile offers unlimited data for only $15/month. (In 2024, we think Mint Mobile offers the most value of any mobile carrier on the market.) Or, with Tello, you can get cheap, customizable data plans plus an unlimited data plan for just $25/month.

Curious about other prepaid carriers on AT&T's network? Try Boost Mobilewhich is great for bulk buyers. You can get Boost's $25 Unlimited plan with a lifetime price guarantee.

Great coverage options

Free international calling

Red Pocket Mobile doesn’t just piggyback on a single network, like most MVNOs. Instead, it uses all four major networks: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.. This is awesome for those who know what network works best where they live and travel.

You can learn more about how these networks compare when it comes to data speeds and coverage, check out our network review.

If you’re looking for a cheap way to stay in touch with your tia in Argentina or your babushka in Russia? Lucky for you, Red Pocket will give you free international calling to those countries and about 80 others.

What we don’t like

When you buy a discount product, you know there will probably be a few drawbacks. The question is, are these drawbacks you can live with? Let’s review the less-than-great parts of Red Pocket Mobile.

No perks or dedicated hotspot data

We're not entirely shocked that Red Pocket doesn't offer any perks; that's part of the reason why prepaid providers are able to offer such affordable cell phone plans. However, US Mobile offers free entertainment subscriptions with its top-tier unlimited plan, so we know it's not impossible.

Red Pocket's plans include 1GB–30GB of mobile hotspot data, but since this isn't designated hotspot data, it will pull from your regular data allotment. As we mentioned about the lack of perks, this isn't uncommon for MVNOs. However, carriers like Mint Mobile and Tello offer at least 5GB–10GB of additional, dedicated hotspot data with their unlimited packages.

Expensive unlimited plan

For many cell phone users, unlimited data is a must. For those folks, Red Pocket Mobile may not be the best option. While Red Pocket offers an unlimited data plan priced at $40 a month, which is still reasonable compared to major carriers, there are providers that offer more high-speed data for less.

Red Pocket's $40 plan includes 30GB of priority data, whereas Mint Mobile's $30 Unlimited Plan offers 40GB, and Tello's $25 unlimited data package offers 35GB. 

What’s the best unlimited data plan for you?
Light Bulb

We’ve reviewed all of the best unlimited data plans out there. Find out which one is best for you, whether you want a budget plan, a family plan, or a plan with tons of perks.

How do Red Pocket Mobile’s unlimited plans compare?

Red Pocket Mobile offers up some great deals for those who don’t need a ton of mobile data or perks. But it’s not the only company. There are plenty of discount MVNOs out there. We've listed our favorites in the table below.

Cheap MVNO plan comparison

Red Pocket Mobile family plans

Pros
  • Unlimited data plan
  • Mix and match networks
  • Add up to 5 lines on one account
Cons
  • Data throttled at 20GB

What we like

Red Pocket isn't just known for its super cheap individual plans; it also offers a great unlimited data family plan. While we criticized Red Pocket's Unlimited plan for its price and low level of high-speed data, we think it's a really great deal when combined with Red Pocket's family plan discount.

Decently priced unlimited data plan

The price reflected in the chart at the top of this shows that an unlimited family plan with four lines costs $30 a month for the first line and $20 per additional line. That means your monthly bill will be $90 a month for four lines.

Four lines for $90 a month can be a pretty sweet deal if you're splitting it with 3 roommates or family members. That comes down to about $22 a month per line.

Mix and match networks

While it’s somewhat frustrating to choose between GSM and CDMA networks, the fact that Red Pocket allows you to use whatever network you want is great. And it’s even better when you’re on a family plan, because you can mix and match networks.

Yep, you can be on Verizon’s network, while your spouse who’s on your same family plan can be on AT&T’s network because the data speeds are faster. Meanwhile, your kids can be on T-Mobile’s network, if it has better coverage at their school.

What we don’t like

There’s really just one problem with this affordable family plan, and it has to do with your mobile data.

Data throttled after 20GB

When you sign up for an unlimited data plan, you probably want unlimited fast data, not unlimited slow data. Red Pocket Mobile’s family plan will give you a bit of both. You’ll get 20GB of very fast data. After that, your data will be throttled at slower speeds.

20GB of data will be enough for many average users (to learn more about how much data you actually need, read our article on mobile data). But 20GB is not unlimited. And once your plan kicks down to 3G and even 2G speeds you’ll probably notice issues with online gaming and streaming.

How do Red Pocket’s family plans compare?

Red Pocket’s family plan is one of the cheapest ways to get unlimited data for your whole family. But it’s not necessarily one of the best for you and your loved ones. Here’s a look at some other discount family plans with unlimited data.

Affordable family plans comparison

Red Pocket Mobile coverage

Red Pocket lets you choose the network you want.

As we mentioned above, Red Mobile lets you choose which network you want to use. If you’re having a hard time deciding, check out these coverage maps to see what network has the best coverage in your area.

Your phone might limit your network choices

If you’re planning to bring your own phone to Red Pocket, you might be forced to use a certain set of networks, depending on the technology in your device. GSM phones will only work on AT&T and T-Mobile, while CDMA phones will only work on Verizon.

You can learn more about GSM and CDMA phones in our guide.

Red Pocket cell phones and devices

You can always sign up for Red Mobile Mobile online, get your new SIM card in the mail, and pop it into your existing phone. But what if your existing phone is an iPhone X with a broken screen? Maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular devices that you buy directly from Red Pocket when you sign up.

Red Pocket’s customer service

Small MVNOs like Red Pocket generally don’t have the budget for a huge customer service department. This, and the fact that there are fewer customers leaving reviews, makes it hard to evaluate the company’s customer service record.

Still, some online reviews on reputable sites suggest Red Pocket’s customer service is mostly good, with Red Pocket rating 4.4 stars on Trustpilot.

Many reviewers praise the ease of ordering a SIM card from Red Pocket online. Others love the simple and cheap plans. But negative reviews suggest that it’s hard to get an operator from Red Pocket on the phone, and when you do, they might not be too helpful.

Red Pocket Mobile FAQs

Red Pocket Mobile uses Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks.

Red Pocket Mobile offers 5G speeds.

Recap: is Red Pocket Mobile good?

We have no idea what the name Red Pocket means. But we do have a pretty good idea of what the company offers. Here’s the recap.

  • Plans: Red Pocket Mobile offers a variety of super-affordable plans with talk, text, and cellular data. Their $20/month unlimited family plan provides the most value; just know you won't get any perks or dedicated hotspot data. 
  • Family plans: Red Pocket offers one affordable family plan that gives you unlimited talk, text, and data. However, data hogs should know that their data will be slowed down after using 20GB.
  • Overall performance: Red Pocket lets you choose your network (as long as you have the correct phone for the network), which is pretty awesome. Plus, its customer service is mostly positive.

If you’re ready to save some cash on your phone bill, then you can sign up for Red Pocket Mobile now.

Easton Smith
Written by
Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than any human alive. When he’s not sitting in front of a computer, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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