Does Tello Really Let You Customize Plans Month To Month Or Do They Push You Toward Their Standard Options - Complete Guide

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Tello Mobile is one of the few prepaid carriers that genuinely lets you build a custom plan rather than nudging you toward a handful of preset options. If you've been wondering whether Tello's advertised flexibility is real or just marketing language, the short answer is: it's real, and it works month to month.

How Tello's Custom Plan Builder Actually Works

When you sign up with Tello, you're not handed a menu of three or four bundled packages. Instead, you're dropped into a plan builder where you independently select your data allotment, your minutes, and your texts. Each variable moves independently, which is genuinely uncommon in the prepaid space.

Here's how the options break down at the time of writing:

• Data: 0 GB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, or unlimited
• Minutes: 100, 200, 500, unlimited, or zero (data-only)
• Texts: Unlimited or none

That combination system creates dozens of possible plan configurations. A customer who needs unlimited talk and text but only 2 GB of data pays a different rate than someone who needs 16 GB but rarely makes calls. That level of granularity is exactly what makes Tello stand out from most MVNOs, which force you to take an all-or-nothing bundle.

What "Month to Month" Actually Means at Tello

Tello operates on a true monthly cycle with no annual commitment. You can change your plan at any time — including mid-cycle — without penalty. If you use more data one month because you're traveling, you can bump up your data tier for that month and drop back down afterward.

This is meaningfully different from carriers like Mint Mobile, which require you to prepay for 3, 6, or 12 months to get their best rates. Tello's pricing is the same whether you've been a customer for a week or three years. There's no "loyalty lock" hiding behind the affordability.

Are There Preset Plans Too?

Yes — and this is worth clarifying. Tello does display a set of "recommended" or highlighted plans on their website. These popular combos (such as unlimited everything for $25/month) are the options most prominently featured when you first land on their site.

Some shoppers interpret this as Tello steering you toward standard bundles. In reality, these highlighted plans are just shortcuts. The full plan builder is still available and accessible, and the recommended plans are simply common combinations that happen to be good deals. They're not trying to hide the customization — it's just that most customers end up choosing one of the popular presets anyway because they're already well-priced.

Think of it like a restaurant that highlights its most popular dishes on the front of the menu. The full menu still exists; the highlights are just there to help people who don't want to spend time comparing every option.

How to Access the Full Plan Builder

From Tello's homepage, you'll see featured plans front and center. To use the builder, look for the "Build Your Own Plan" or "Custom Plan" option — it's present on the site and walks you through each variable step by step. The interface is straightforward, and you can see the price update in real time as you adjust data, minutes, and texts.

If you'd rather use a tool to compare Tello against other carriers based on your specific usage, our prepaid plan comparison tool can help you find the best fit.

Tello Pricing: What You Actually Pay

One of the most appealing things about Tello is that the pricing is genuinely low. Plans start at $8/month for a minimal data and calling configuration, making it an excellent option for people who use Wi-Fi primarily and just need a backup cellular connection.

Here's a sample of what common configurations cost:

Plan Configuration	Monthly Cost
1 GB + Unlimited Talk & Text	~$10/month
2 GB + Unlimited Talk & Text	~$14/month
4 GB + Unlimited Talk & Text	~$17/month
Unlimited Data + Unlimited Talk & Text	$25/month
Data-only (no calls)	Starting at $8/month

These prices include taxes and fees — there are no surprise charges at checkout. That transparency is one of the reasons Tello earns a 9.5/11 on our scoring rubric.

It's also worth noting that every Tello plan includes unlimited hotspot. Most carriers either block hotspot on entry-level plans or charge extra for it. Tello treats it as a standard feature regardless of which plan you're on.

How Tello Compares to Other Flexible MVNOs

Tello isn't the only carrier trying to offer flexibility, but it's one of the best at executing it. Here's how it stacks up against two comparable carriers:

Feature	Tello	US Mobile	Visible
Our Score	9.5/11	9.5/11	10/11
Starting Price	$8/mo	$5/mo	$25/mo
Network	T-Mobile	Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T	Verizon
Custom Plans	Yes	Yes	No
Unlimited Hotspot	Yes	Yes	Yes
Month-to-Month	Yes	Yes	Yes
Data Breaches	None	None	None

US Mobile is the other major carrier that offers true plan customization. Their "build-a-plan" approach is similar to Tello's, and they operate on multiple networks — which is a significant advantage if you need Verizon or AT&T coverage rather than T-Mobile. You can read more in our Tello vs US Mobile comparison.

Visible, which earns our top score of 10/11, takes a different approach. They offer a simplified flat-rate model on Verizon's network for $25/month with taxes included. There's no customization, but there's also nothing to figure out. If you want the most streamlined experience on the most reliable network, Visible wins. If you want granular control over what you're paying for, Tello wins.

Who Should Actually Use Tello?

Tello is best suited for a specific type of cell phone user: someone who knows approximately how much data and calling they use each month and wants to pay only for that. If you're on a $60/month unlimited plan and you routinely use 4 GB of data, you're leaving money on the table every month. Tello lets you pay $17 for that 4 GB instead.

It's also a strong pick for households managing multiple lines. Because each plan is configured independently and priced individually, you can set up a data-heavy line for yourself and a minimal-data line for a family member who only uses Wi-Fi — and pay accordingly. There are no shared plan structures forcing everyone into the same bucket.

Tello may not be the right fit if you regularly exceed 10–12 GB of data per month and don't want to think about it. In that case, Tello's unlimited tier at $25/month is still competitive, but carriers like Visible offer that same simplicity on a stronger network (Verizon vs. T-Mobile) for the same price.

For more on whether T-Mobile's network will serve you well in your area, check out our guide to choosing the right network for your location.

Does Tello Push You Toward Upgrades?

This is a fair concern with any MVNO. Some carriers deliberately design their cheapest tiers to be frustrating — slow speeds, no hotspot, limited customer service — so that customers feel compelled to upgrade. Tello does not operate this way.

Lower-tier Tello plans get the same network access, the same hotspot feature, and the same customer service as higher-tier plans. The only meaningful difference between a $10/month plan and a $25/month plan is the data allotment. There's no upsell pressure built into the service itself.

Tello also has a clean record when it comes to data security. They have had no known data breaches — a detail that matters more than most people realize when evaluating a carrier. Compare this to Mint Mobile, which has experienced data breaches and earns a notably lower 4.75/11 on our scale.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you're switching to Tello and want a phone that works seamlessly on T-Mobile's network, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:

• Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
• Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
• 7 years of software updates
• Excellent camera and battery life
• Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

The Bottom Line

Tello's customizable plans are the real deal. The month-to-month flexibility is genuine — no contracts, no prepayment requirements, and no hidden pressure to choose a standard bundle. The plan builder gives you independent control over data, minutes, and texts, and every configuration includes unlimited hotspot at no extra charge. Pricing starts at $8/month and caps out at $25/month for a fully unlimited plan.

If you want flexibility and price control from a carrier with a clean security record and solid T-Mobile coverage, Tello is one of the best options in the prepaid market. It earns its 9.5/11 score honestly, and the customization isn't a gimmick — it's the core of what makes the service worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I really change my Tello plan every month?

Yes. Tello allows you to change your plan at any point, including mid-cycle. There are no contracts and no fees for switching between plan configurations. You can increase your data for a busy month and scale back down when things are slower.

Q: Does Tello's cheapest plan have any restrictions?

Lower-tier Tello plans include the same hotspot access and network connectivity as higher-tier plans. The main restriction is the data cap itself. Once you hit your monthly data limit, speeds are throttled rather than cut off entirely, depending on your selected plan configuration.

Q: Is Tello's unlimited plan actually unlimited?

Tello's unlimited plan offers unlimited high-speed data for $25/month. Like most MVNOs, Tello operates on T-Mobile's network as a reseller, which means you may experience deprioritization during network congestion. In practice, this is rarely noticeable for the average user.

Q: How does Tello compare to Mint Mobile for flexible plans?

Mint Mobile requires you to prepay for 3, 6, or 12 months to access their best rates. Tello charges the same prices on a month-to-month basis. Tello also has no history of data breaches, whereas Mint Mobile has experienced security incidents. For most users, Tello is the stronger choice.

Q: What network does Tello use?

Tello operates on T-Mobile's network, giving you access to one of the largest 4G LTE and 5G networks in the United States. Before switching, it's worth checking T-Mobile's coverage map for your specific area to confirm signal quality.

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