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Tello Cell Phone Plans Review (2023)

Nadav Shemer

In a Nutshell

Since 2016, Tello has built up a reputation as a leading provider of budget, bare-bones cell phone plans. Tello’s custom plans give you as many minutes as you want (zero to unlimited), as much data as you want (zero to 25 GB), and unlimited texts. With plans for as little as $5/month with unlimited minutes and a very small amount of data, Tello really is one of the cheapest options on the market.

pros

  • It’s really cheap
  • No contracts
  • Strong customer approval ratings

cons

  • Limited amount of high-speed data
  • Data slows down to 2G after monthly limit is exceeded
  • Tello doesn’t sell the latest devices

Tello Tello Visit Site

Tello at a Glance

Best for: Cheap, bare-bones phone plan
Price: $5 - $29 per month per line
Plan: Free text plus your choice of minutes and data
Network: T-Mobile
Use your own phone: Yes

What Services and Features Does Tello Offer 

Tello doesn’t offer much in the way of features or add-ons, but this is by design. Its target audience is people who want a phone without having their provider try to upsell them on things they don’t need. The one benefit to Tello – and it’s a big one if you’re looking to save on your phone bill – is that it’s cheaper than everyone else and doesn’t require any commitments.

Highlights include:

  • No contract
  • Upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime with no extra fees
  • Free calls to Canada, Mexico, China and Romania included in every plan
  • Turn your smartphone into a hotspot with free tethering (requires a cable)

Prices, Plans and Value for Money 

Tello lets you choose how much data you want and how many minutes you want, and calculates the price based on the combination of the two. Texts are always unlimited. There are never any overage charges; if you exceed your data limit, your data speed will slow down from the usual 5G / 4G LTE speed to 2G.


No min
100 min
300 min
500 min
Unlimited
No data
N/A
$5/m
$6/m
$7/m
$8/m
500 MB
$5/m
$6/m
$7/m
$8/m
$9/m
1 GB
$6/m
$7/m
$8/m
$9/m
$10/m
2 GB
$10/m
$11/m
$12/m
$13/m
$14/m
5 GB
$15/m
$16/m
$17/m
$18/m
$19/m
10 GB
$20/m
$21/m
$22/m
$23/m
$14/m
25 GB
$29/m
$29/m
$29/m
$29/m
$29/m

Minutes can be used on phone calls in the U.S. as well as to phone numbers in Canada, Mexico, China, and Romania. All other destinations are charged on a per-minute basis, e.g. United Kingdom, 0.7c/minute, Nigeria, 9.9c/min, and Philippines, 13.9c/min. See the Tello site for a breakdown of all overseas calling rates.

As cheap as Tello’s plans are, it is possible to get them even cheaper if you subscribe at the right time. For example, when we last checked in, Tello was promising half-price for the first three months to all new subscribers.

Tello’s family plans don’t include any discounts, but they do offer the flexibility of being able to choose different plans for each family member and pay for everyone in a single bill.

Activation Process

Signing up for Tello is as easy as can be. First, you’ll need to open a new account, build your plan, and decide if you wish to bring your own phone or buy a new one from Tello. After confirming your subscription, Tello will send you your new SIM card(s) and device(s) with free shipping. It takes only a few minutes to activate your SIM card; just click the “Activate SIM” button at the top of the Tello home page for instructions.

Selection of Phones Available 

Tello stays true to its reputation as a budget operator, even when it comes to selling your devices. All its devices are new or refurbished. Costs start at $69 for a new Coolpad Snap or $79 for a refurbished Samsung Galaxy J2 Core to $449 for a refurbished Apple iPhone XR or $459 for a new Google Pixel 4. The selection constantly changes depending on availability, but rest assured that Tello always has a solid range of budget phones.

Tello Call and Text Performance 

Tello operates on the T-Mobile network, one of the big-three U.S. wireless networks covering more than 99% of Americans. Based on a study of the IHS Markit RootMetrics map of the T-Mobile network, call performance is good across the vast majority of locations in the United States, with fair or poor performance in only a handful of rural areas.

Tello Data Speeds 

When you use Tello, you get high-speed data through T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE network until you hit your monthly data limit, after which it slows down to painfully slow 2G. The most high-speed data you can get with Tello is 25 GB (with its “Unlimited” plan). T-Mobile currently has the largest 5G network of the big-three wireless networks, covering more than 80% of Americans.

Tello Customer Service

Aside from its low prices, the other main reason to join Tello is its customer service. In contrast to the big mobile operators, Tello is a small company that really puts the focus on pleasing its customers. Want proof? Tello has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, with 80% of users rating it “excellent”. This compares favorably to the big three operators who hover around the 1.3-1.5-star range with fewer than 3% excellent ratings.

When you become a Tello customer, you are given a login where you can make changes to your account (such as upgrading or downgrading your plan). You can get support through Tello’s online Help Center or by dialing 866-377-0294 (from any phone) or 611 (from your Tello phone).

What People Say About Tello

Here’s a sample of 5-star reviews from Tello customers:

“I love Tello. The flexibility of text/data/phone packages and excellent prices are unbeatable. I have been using Tello for three years and my mobile service has always been reliable. I have not had to reach out to Tello for customer service issues (a good thing), so I cannot comment on customer relations.” – Lori S

“I’m a minimal user of data, so Tello is perfect for me because I can purchase as little as half a gigabyte per month and not pay a disproportionately high price. Keep up the great work, Tello!” – David Bernhart

“Tello provided me expert & fast personal service. I had to call Customer Service a few times with minor technical questions about the cell service itself and a small amount of confusion I encountered with my new phone's menu functions. Customer service picked up my call quickly (*every time) with a courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable rep. This was a "refreshing" experience after several years of AT&T's otherwise terrible customer service! Thank you!” - Kurt.

Tello Tello Visit Site

Bottom Line

If you have minimal data requirements and don’t speak on the phone for more than a few minutes a day, then it’s hard to go past Tello’s affordable and customizable plans. Tello offers bare-bones plans for about the same price as a couple of cups of coffee, and it does all this while offering good customer service and without locking you into any contracts. All up, Tello is one of the top budget cell phone providers.

Frequently Asked Questions
Who’s behind Tello?+-

Tello is owned by KeepCalling, based in Atlanta, GA. KeepCalling launched in 2002 as a provider of virtual calling cards to Romanians living in the U.S. It branched out into cell phone plans in 2016 with the launch of Tello Mobile.

Does Tello have a referral program?+-

Yes. If you introduce a friend to Tello, you and your friend will both earn $10 off your next Tello bills.

Do you have to buy a phone when using Tello’s service+-

No, you may bring your own phone. Just click “Bring your phone” at the top of the Tello home page to check compatibility.

Nadav Shemer specializes in business, tech, and energy, with a background in financial journalism, hi-tech and startups. He enjoys writing about the latest innovations in financial services and products.

Tello customer reviews

Based on 25 reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

Top Reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

1 years ago

I love Tello. You can't beat their prices on different plans. I don't have to pay for services I don't use. They offer minimum plans for a fair price.

1 years ago

Good service. Good connection. Good quality. Good price. Good everything. It works near my home.

1 years ago

Tello is a great product and was easy to use. Easiest product I've used for a while.

1 years ago

I get great service, very affordable plans, and little issues. So it's definitely a "no brainer" why I chose Tello's phone services, and why I will continue to use it in the future.

1 years ago

Have Samsung phone with internet access. I have many apps on my phone. I often use my phone in many locations. This is a quality product.

1 years ago

Easy to use and a good thing. Would recommend to use as a job phone and many more .

1 years ago

I have used them for several years and have never had a problem with them and the price is great.

1 years ago

I like the reliability of service and the price is fair. I needed a new phone and phone company because cheaper isn't always worth it.

1 years ago

Tello has plans that you can customize with the amount of minutes, texts, and data that you need not what they want you to use. The rates are extremely reasonable and you can change the details of your plan anytime with no additional fees. This way your plan changes as your usage changes and you are in complete control.

1 years ago

It's affordable and has plans that are customized It's affordable and has plans that are customized. The service is not great.

1 years ago

I believe that tello is the best possible wireless phone company, as it supplies lines to verizon, but at a much much cheaper price.

1 years ago

Love the service for the price, and it has good coverage services for my area.

1 years ago

The brand is very accommodating. They have great. Customer service, and are always easy to contact. I am very happy with my plan.

1 years ago

I enjoy this brand, It's easy to use and easy to make calls. I have great confidence in what they have to offer. This brand is reliable. I have nothing I don't approve of.

1 years ago

It is very easy to use and didn't quit on me once. I'd recommend this service to anyone.

1 years ago

Good overall service but could be better. Tello provides good coverage and uses the TMobile network which is reliable cell service.

1 years ago

Very new to using and don't really have a lot of input at this point and time. Will continue to use and see. Value seems good and product works. Price, product rating and ease of use helped make my decision.

1 years ago

I give Tello a 4 star review because that's what I think it deserves, 4 stars total.

1 years ago

I did not dislike the brand, but there are some areas that are very low in signal.

1 years ago

It is a helpful tool to use to talk and communicate, it is easy to use and I can communicate with my friends and family.

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