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. This dirt-cheap (or at least cappucino-cheap) plan has no activation fee and gets you 500 minutes, 500 texts and 500 MB of 4G LTE 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. You can learn more about how these networks compare when it comes to data speeds and coverage, check out our network review. This is why it’s pretty frustrating that Red Pocket divides its plans by GSM and CDMA. Many people don’t know what kind of phone they have, and don’t want to take the time to figure it out. 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. 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. Sure, 10 GB 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 10 GB 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. You can learn more about GSM and CDMA phones in our review. Here’s a look at some of the most popular devices that you buy directly from Red Pocket when you sign up. Still, there are some online reviews on reputable sites that suggest Red Pocket’s customer service is a mixed bag.1 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.
Plans: Tons of super-affordable plans with talk, text, and cellular data. Just watch out for the confusing GSM/CDMA distinction between plans, and the expensive unlimited data plan. Family plans: Red Pocket offers one affordable family plan that gives you unlimited talk, text, and data. The biggest problem is that your data will be slowed down after using 10 GB. Overall performance: Red Pocket lets you choose your network (as long as you have the correct phone for the network), which is pretty awesome. However, its customer service leaves something to be desired.
If you’re ready to save some cash on your phone bill then you can sign up for Red Pocket Mobile now.
