Hello Mobile FAQs: 7 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

Hello Mobile is a budget-friendly MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that provides affordable wireless service without the need for long-term contracts. Operating on T-Mobile’s network, Hello Mobile leverages nationwide 5G and 4G LTE coverage, giving users reliable access at a fraction of the price of major carriers. Its straightforward plans are ideal for those who want to keep costs low while staying connected, especially if they don’t require high amounts of data each month.

If you’re searching for a no-frills provider that balances value with essential features, Hello Mobile might be the right fit. Here’s a quick look at what sets Hello Mobile apart and what you should consider when choosing this carrier.

Answering Common Hello Mobile FAQs

• What sets Hello Mobile apart? Affordability is what sets Hello Mobile apart from its competition. If you are looking to switch to an MVNO from your major wireless provider or looking to change carriers from one MVNO to another, this article will review the ins and outs of Hello Mobile so you can decide whether or not it is right for you. 
• What’s the price of Hello Mobile plans? Hello Mobile is affordable. They have seven plans, and the cheapest comes in at $5 a month for unlimited talk and text with 500 MB of data. Their plans rise in price and data allocation up to their $40 unlimited plus plan which comes with a decent allocation of high-speed data as well as unlimited international calling to select countries and a mobile hotspot. 

• What kinds of plans does Hello Mobile offer? Hello Mobile offers a wide variety of limited-data plans. All of their plans have unlimited talk and text, but even their “unlimited” plans only come with around 15 GB of high-speed data before your plan gets throttled down to significantly lower speeds. Fifteen GB does not last long if you are on social media or streaming on the go. 
• What network does Hello Mobile use? Hello Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network. Hello Mobile’s network covers a fair portion of the continental United States, but, through T-Mobile, their 4G LTE Network coverage is the lowest out of the three major wireless companies. Though the lowest, it still has great coverage over just about the whole country. 
• Can you bring your own cell phone? Yes! As long as your cell phone is compatible with Hello Mobile, you can port over your phone and phone number to the new carrier. 

1. Hello Mobile Plans and Pricing

Hello Mobile offers a variety of affordable plans, each with a set amount of high-speed data before speeds are reduced. Here’s a breakdown of their core plans:

Hello Mobile Plan Options:

• $5 Plan: Includes 500 MB of high-speed data
• $10 Plan: Provides 1 GB of high-speed data
• $15 Plan: Provides 4 GB of high-speed data
• $25 Plan: Offers 5 GB of high-speed data
• $40 Plan: Includes 15 GB of high-speed data
• $50 "Unlimited" Plan: Features 25 GB of high-speed data before slowdowns

$5 Plan (500 MB)
Best for minimal data needs, the $10 plan is perfect for those who only use data infrequently—such as checking emails, maps, or other lightweight apps while away from Wi-Fi. If your mobile data use is minimal and you primarily stay connected through Wi-Fi, this plan provides excellent value for staying connected with unlimited talk and text at the lowest price point.

$10 Plan (1 GB)
There’s no real difference between .5 and 1 GB. Both are hugely small data allocations, meaning you won’t get much more utility with the extra 500 MB. Both of these allocations are so small that we recommend going with the 500 MB to save $5 a month. Outside of emergency usage, we don’t recommend any activities outside of WiFi with these kinds of plans. The upside, of course, is saving money! 

$15 Plan (4 GB) and $25 Plan (5 GB)
The $25 plan is a great middle-ground option. It works well for light data users who want a bit more flexibility—perhaps enough to occasionally stream music or browse social media. With 5 GB of high-speed data, this plan allows for casual use without reaching the point of slowdowns too quickly, making it a solid choice for light data users.

$40 Plan (15 GB)
For users who need more freedom, the $40 plan with 15 GB of high-speed data is a cost-effective choice, especially for those who don’t need much data. You might notice a similarity in our description of these plans, and it’s because they are all pretty small data allocations. Among other MVNOs, larger allocations offer between 30 and 50, and some up to 100 GB of high-speed data each month. Now, that is a lot of limited data. With Hello Mobile, really all of their cell phone plans are geared toward light data users. 

$50 “Unlimited” Plan (25 GB)
This plan provides 25 GB of high-speed data, making it Hello Mobile’s best option if you want the most possible high-speed data. With data slowdowns after 25 GB, it’s best suited to users who want a larger data cap with this service. It is expensive, though. This plan and their $40 plan both require their family plan savings to become affordable compared to the competition. 

Hello Mobile family plan savings

Family Plan Discounts (Per Line After Discount):

• 2 Lines: 10% off each line
• 3 Lines: 15% off each line
• 4 Lines: 20% off each line

These discounts make Hello Mobile much more affordable with larger groups on an account. 

2. Hello Mobile Services and Features

Hello Mobile offers a variety of services and features, and understanding what they have to offer is an important first step in figuring out whether this MVNO is right for you. Features on Hello Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text, and free international calling to select countries. Since Hello Mobile is an MVNO, users are able to take advantage of T-Mobile’s 4G LTE and 5G networks at a much lower price point. The major downside is that T-Mobile users have priority data if the bandwidth is ever getting strained in the area. Hello Mobile is a good carrier, but it’s not perfect! If you want a more detailed breakdown of Hello Mobile’s Pros and Cons you can check it out on our website! 

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When there is high-density data usage, MVNO users get their data speeds throttled even if they haven’t reached their data allocation. That is the major downside to the affordability of MVNOs, so you should be ready and prepared for unexpected data deprioritization when using Hello Mobile. Data deprioritization is not unique to Hello Mobile. Most MVNOs have a semi-hidden threshold where they will cut off high-speed data to their customers. MVNOs call those plans “unlimited” because users can still use data after they reach the threshold, just not high-speed data like before. 

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3. Hello Mobile Versus Competition

Hello Mobile vs. T-Mobile

Hello Mobile operates on the same network as its parent company, and this comparison is pretty easy to make. T-Mobile offers faster speeds and more perks at a higher price. Hello Mobile’s affordability is tied to their lower data speeds and more barebones plans. That being said, T-Mobile’s customer service is much better than Hello Mobile’s customer service, and since T-Mobile is a much larger company, it is likely that any issues you have will be resolved quickly. 

Hello Mobile vs. Visible

Visible is a fantastic MVNO that works on Verizon’s network with two unlimited plans to its name. Their unlimited plan starts at a strong $30 a month, which is a close match to Hello Mobile’s. The major benefit of Visible is that they actually have a truly unlimited plan. While data speeds are slowed during high network congestion, they never throttle data based on usage. For that reason, we think that the extra $5 for their unlimited plan is worthwhile over Hello Mobile’s plan. 

Hello Mobile vs. Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile has an incredible unlimited data plan. For just $30 a month you get a plan that has some of the bells and whistles that we have come to expect from major wireless companies. There is one catch. That price is only available when you get a 12-month contract with them. If you are willing to sign on to a year of phone service with Mint then it's a great deal, but if you would rather have the flexibility to change carriers or plans whenever you want, Hello Mobile’s month-to-month plans provide better value

4. Hello Mobile Phone Options

Hello Mobile offers a selection of phones on its website, including popular models like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices. Customers can purchase new devices directly from Hello Mobile, making it easy to find a compatible phone without needing to bring an unlocked device. You can view their current offerings on their phone shop page.

You can also bring a used cell phone along when opening an account at Hello Mobile. Buying a used cell phone can be a cost-effective way to get a high-quality device. Used phones are typically sold in "certified refurbished" or "pre-owned" conditions, meaning they’ve been tested, repaired if necessary, and are guaranteed to be functional. You can buy used phones through various retailers, including Hello Mobile, which sometimes offers refurbished models, as well as sites like Amazon and BackMarket.

Be sure to check compatibility, warranty options, and condition (like “excellent” or “good”) before purchasing a used phone to ensure it meets your needs.

5. Hello Mobile Customer Service

Hello Mobile’s customer service is, unfortunately, difficult to get in touch with. They offer 24/7 support through their website and they have a service line during most hours of the day at 1 (888) 95-HELLO.

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6. Hello Mobile Customer Reviews

“I signed up for unlimited talk/text/500 MB data. It's only $5 and I can also make calls to many countries for free. That's the reason I switched to Hellomobile. I don't need data as I have broadband in my home and lots of free wi-fi hotspots thanks to Comcast. I made a test call to Germany and it works, no minutes from my plan were deducted. That's awesome.” - John B. (via Trustpilot)

“As a mom on a budget, I loved Hello Mobile’s multi-line price. $55 for 3 “unlimited” lines is pretty darn good. What wasn’t good was the spotty coverage and the slow speed, but I went along with it until my phone just stopped working one day. Turns out that, without my permission, they just ported out my number?! And when I say the customer service was useless that’s an understatement no help at all so I said goodbye. And to top it off, weeks later I got an email saying my old number had been ported back to Hello-are you kidding me?” - Chris. (via Trustpilot)

“This is the second time I have had hello mobile, the first time it worked without a hitch but did not need it so let it go. Now I am trying again, ordered Fri and the sim was here today on Sunday no less. put the sim in and turned on the phone, 5 minutes phone was online for data and wifi or 5G my choice. I will see. Everyone says it is no good well I am happy so far is a backup phone so not using massive amounts of data or text or calls going to push it the first month and see what happens.” - Darrell Chiapusio. (via Trustpilot)

7. Hello Mobile Review Summary

The Good

• Affordability. Hello Mobile’s least expensive plan is only $5 a month! For people looking to save money on their plan, be it limited or unlimited data, Hello Mobile is a great place to look. 
• Free second month. A lot of MVNOs have pretty barebones plans with few perks for sticking along, but a free second month is a great part of Hello Mobile’s service.
• Leading 5G network. T-Mobile holds the crown as the major wireless company with the best and most far-reaching 5G network, and Hello Mobile customers (with compatible phones) get to enjoy that same network. 

The Bad

• Spotty 4G LTE coverage. While T-Mobile has the most 5G coverage, its 4G LTE coverage in the continental United States is lagging significantly behind the other two major wireless companies. We recommend checking their coverage map to make sure that they have strong coverage in your area.  
• Data Throttling. While Hello Mobile is very affordable, that comes at a price. After using your monthly data allocation your high-speed data vanishes for the rest of the month. These low speeds make it difficult to do anything but the most basic tasks, and if you are using your phone off WiFi to stream video or load anything significant, your limited allocation will vanish with haste. 
• Low quantity of phones in the store. Hello Mobile’s phone store is, unfortunately, lacking in new models. Users have the choice of many models from 2020 and 2021, but it seems like the latest and greatest are not available in Hello Mobile’s store. 
• Lack of Perks. This is a bit of a reach, but do not expect to see any free subscription services or cloud data included with any Hello Mobile plans. They make up for it in affordability, but in order to keep their prices low, they have to remove the bells and whistles. 

Hello Mobile offers great plans for cheap, but users should prepare for deprioritized data as they use the service. Hello Mobile is a great MVNO for people who are looking to save on their monthly bill, but if you are okay with spending a little extra, other MVNOs provide more comprehensive service and plans. If you want more information regarding cell phone plans in your area, you can check out Really’s comparison tool for all the information you need!