• AD CONTENT •

How to cut down your mobile bill to as low as $0

Tailor your data needs and get affordable 5G with TextNow before you hit the library.
By Mashable BrandX and TextNow  on 
The following content is brought to you by Mashable partners. If you buy a product featured here, we may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.
Young latin student girl smiling happy using smartphone at the city. - stock photo
Credit: Aaron Amat / Getty Images

Like leftovers long forgotten inside a mini fridge, heaps of data that cellphone users buy from their providers go to waste. Research has shown that nearly three out of five Americans with limited data plans rarely consume all of their data. That stinks, especially for college students who'd be better off using that money toward their education. 

TextNow does phone plans differently. Unique in the industry, their service is built around unlimited free access to calling, texting, and using the essential apps on the nation’s largest 5G network. Like several streaming platforms, TextNow provides phone plans for $0 through ad support.

But unlike traditional providers, TextNow strives to provide more for less. They recently introduced Free Essential Data, a signature feature that allows users to access critical apps like email, maps, and rideshare for free (without incurring any data usage fees). Here are three ways TextNow makes it easy and affordable to connect, making it a campus favorite.

Budget-friendly pricing

TextNow recognizes that 75 percent of Americans rely on Wi-Fi for at least half of their phone usage, and 35 percent believe they're paying for more data than they need. That's why TextNow offers flexible, affordable, no-contract data passes based on hourly, daily, or monthly use, ensuring you only pay for the data you need. Hour Passes are $0.99/hour; Day Passes are $4.99/day; and Monthly Passes are $39.99/month. (See more plan details.)

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

So even if you do find yourself without Wi-Fi and a Wordle streak to maintain, you can add on more data without committing to a plan that will take you longer to get out of than finding the nearest Wi-Fi spot.

Flexibility

Because TextNow's calling and texting are supported through an app, the service can be easily installed on pretty much any smartphone, so customers can typically keep their device and phone number when switching hassle-free. Just note that while calls & texts will be immediately available for free over Wi-Fi, the one-time purchase of a SIM card is required to access the nation’s largest 5G network for continued access to calls, texts, plus essential data without Wi-Fi.

Smooth performance

TextNow's technology dynamically changes how calls are connected — via cellular network or Wi-Fi — to maintain the best call quality and limit dropped calls since the provider offers 5G cellular coverage on the nation's largest network. Find out if TextNow is available in your area by consulting its Network Coverage Map.

In the Wi-Fi-blanketed world of college campuses, there's little need to rely on cellular data to browse the internet and use apps on your mobile phone. This means a $0/month phone plan from TextNow can sustain the average student's needs with the cost-effective satisfaction of an endless supply of instant noodles. Learn more here.


Recommended For You


The M3 MacBook Air just hit a new all-time low price (again)
Person sitting down with MacBook Air on lap

Skullcandy EcoBuds are at all-time low price ahead of Prime Day
A pair of light blue earbuds on a mint background

T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon were all tested for speed. Which one won?
Woman wearing green hoodie and holding green phone

More in Tech
Deals under $25 still live after Prime Day: AirTags, speakers, more
An illustrated background with an Amazon Echo Pop, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Apple AirTag, and Anker P20i earbuds.

The best Amazon Prime Day deals still live: Roomba, Apple, Dyson, and other top brands
various tech products

October Prime Day is over but no one told these wireless earbud deals
A person working out with a pair of Apple AirPods

Prime Day is over but you can still find deals on noise-cancelling headphones: Save on Apple, Beats, Sony
A pair of Amazon Echo Buds and Apple AirPods on an illustrated background.

Samsung Galaxy Prime Day deals are still live: Save $250 on cult-favorite Z Flip 6 AI phones
Samsung Galaxy devices overlayed on blue and green illustration

Trending on Mashable
Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 11
a phone displaying Wordle

Astronomers just found a galaxy way too advanced for its time
Galaxy forming in the early universe

NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 11
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Tesla’s surprise announcements: Robovan and Optimus
Two images side by side. On the left is a screenshot of the Robovan. On the right is a Tesla promotional image of an Optimus robot serving someone a drink.

'The Platform 2's twisty ending, explained
A close-up of a topless, bald man holding a lit lighter.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!