FreedomPop Review 2026: From 'Free' Wireless to Class Action Lawsuits

FreedomPop was once the most talked-about name in budget wireless. The pitch was irresistible: free cell phone service, forever. A free plan with 200MB of data, some talk minutes, and a handful of texts -- no credit card required. It sounded too good to be true. It was. After years of class action lawsuits, deceptive billing complaints, shady auto-upgrades, and a complete network migration from Sprint to AT&T, FreedomPop in 2026 is a cautionary tale about what happens when a wireless carrier builds its business model on bait-and-switch tactics. Our 11-point scoring methodology gives FreedomPop a 3 out of 11 -- one of the lowest scores we have ever assigned.

The Rise and Fall of "Free" Wireless

FreedomPop launched with a genuinely revolutionary idea: give people free wireless service supported by advertising and premium upsells. On paper, it was brilliant. In practice, it became one of the most consumer-hostile operations in wireless history.

The original free plan offered 200MB of data, 200 minutes of talk, and 500 texts per month. Users flocked to it. But almost immediately, the complaints started piling up. FreedomPop was enrolling customers in premium services they never requested. Cancellation processes were deliberately confusing. Charges appeared on credit cards that users thought were on file only for identity verification, not billing.

Multiple class action lawsuits were filed. The Federal Trade Commission received thousands of complaints. Consumer advocacy sites documented a pattern of behavior that went beyond simple incompetence -- this was systematic.

The lawsuit timeline:

• Class action filings alleging unauthorized charges for premium VoIP service, premium data add-ons, and "account maintenance" fees
• FTC complaints documenting patterns of deceptive enrollment in paid services
• BBB rating consistently among the lowest of any wireless provider
• State attorney general investigations into billing practices

FreedomPop eventually migrated from Sprint's network to AT&T after the Sprint/T-Mobile merger. The "free" plan was quietly discontinued for new customers in most markets. What remains is a carrier that charges $3.99 to $24.99 per month for service you can get cheaper, better, and more honestly from a dozen competitors.

FreedomPop Plans and Pricing

FreedomPop's current plan lineup runs on AT&T's network. All prices exclude taxes and fees.

The $3.99 Basic plan is essentially useless. 300MB of data barely covers checking email, and the talk minutes are VoIP-based -- meaning calls route over data rather than the cellular network. VoIP calling on a 300MB data plan is a contradiction. Every call you make eats into your already microscopic data allotment.

The $9.99 and $14.99 plans are functional but wildly overpriced for what you get. One gigabyte for $9.99 is highway robbery in 2026 when Tello offers the same amount for $8 on T-Mobile's network -- with real cellular calling, not VoIP.

The Hidden Cost Problem

FreedomPop's listed prices do not include taxes and fees. Add $2-4 per month depending on your state, and the "budget" pricing looks even less appealing. But the real hidden costs are the ones that made FreedomPop infamous:

• Auto-upgrades: Historically, FreedomPop would automatically upgrade users to paid tiers without explicit consent
• Premium service enrollment: Users reported being enrolled in premium VoIP services they never requested
• Cancellation charges: Some users reported charges when attempting to cancel service
• Credit card requirements: Even "free" plans required a credit card on file, which FreedomPop would charge

Has FreedomPop cleaned up these practices? Perhaps somewhat. But the documented history of deceptive billing means every interaction with this carrier requires vigilance that no customer should have to exercise.

Speed Test Results

FreedomPop runs on AT&T's network, so the raw network performance is acceptable. The problem is not the network -- it is everything else.

Speed analysis: When the connection works, speeds are typical for an AT&T MVNO. The issue is that FreedomPop's data caps are so low that speed barely matters. What good is 55 Mbps when you only have 300MB to 5GB of data? You will burn through your allotment in minutes of heavy usage.

The VoIP calling on the Basic plan introduces additional latency and quality issues that standard speed tests do not capture. Call quality on VoIP over cellular data is inherently inferior to native cellular calling, and on a data-constrained plan, it becomes borderline unusable.

Our 11-Point Scoring Breakdown

We evaluate every carrier using an objective 11-point methodology. No subjective opinions, no gut feelings -- just criteria that matter to real users. Here is how FreedomPop performed:

A score of 3 out of 11 speaks for itself. FreedomPop earns a point for cheap pricing and a point for offering unlimited talk and text on paid plans. That is where the positives end. Nine categories score zero -- an unprecedented failure rate in our testing. The zeroes on security (no 2FA, no SIM PIN), data breaches (billing trust violations count), and customer service are particularly damning.

For context, Visible scores 10/11 and Tello scores 9.5/11. FreedomPop's 3/11 means it fails at the most basic requirements we set for a trustworthy wireless carrier.

Security Assessment

This is where FreedomPop's failures become genuinely concerning.

FreedomPop offers neither two-factor authentication nor SIM PIN protection. In 2026, when SIM swap fraud is a well-documented threat, the absence of both security features is indefensible. Any carrier that does not offer 2FA is telling you they do not take your account security seriously.

The "no data breaches" category is where things get complicated. FreedomPop has not suffered a traditional data breach in the sense of hackers stealing customer records. But the documented pattern of unauthorized billing -- charging customers for services they did not request, making cancellation deliberately difficult, enrolling users in premium tiers without consent -- represents a breach of trust that is arguably worse. A data breach is something that happens to a company. Deceptive billing is something a company does to its customers.

We score FreedomPop a zero in this category because the billing controversies and class action lawsuits represent a fundamental failure of consumer trust.

Customer Service

FreedomPop's customer service has been consistently rated among the worst in wireless.

Support channels:

• Phone support: Difficult to reach, long hold times reported
• Email support: Slow response times, often canned replies
• Online help center: Basic and unhelpful for complex issues
• No live chat: No real-time support option

The cancellation nightmare: The single most common complaint about FreedomPop's customer service is the difficulty of canceling service. Users have documented multi-step cancellation processes designed to discourage leaving, continued billing after cancellation requests, and charges appearing on credit cards months after supposedly closing accounts.

BBB complaints: FreedomPop has accumulated a significant volume of Better Business Bureau complaints, predominantly related to billing disputes and cancellation difficulties. The pattern is consistent and well-documented.

This is not a customer service department that occasionally drops the ball. This is a systematic failure to serve customers honestly.

FreedomPop vs. the Competition

FreedomPop vs. Visible

Verdict: This is not a close comparison. Visible wins in every meaningful category except raw entry price -- and that $3.99 entry price buys you 300MB of data with VoIP calling, which is functionally useless. Visible's $25 unlimited plan is not just better; it is in an entirely different league. Better network, better security, better service, no billing scandals. If you are considering FreedomPop, Visible is the carrier you should actually sign up for.

FreedomPop vs. Tello

Verdict: Tello demolishes FreedomPop in every category that matters. The build-a-plan flexibility means you can create a plan tailored to your exact needs starting at $10/month. Tello has both 2FA and SIM PIN protection. Tello has free international calling to 60+ countries. Tello has excellent customer service. And Tello has never been sued for deceptive billing. The $6 price difference between FreedomPop's Basic and Tello's entry plan buys you a carrier you can actually trust.

Who Should Get FreedomPop?

Better Alternatives to Consider

Before even thinking about FreedomPop, consider these carriers that score dramatically higher:

For True Unlimited: Visible (10/11)

Visible offers true unlimited data on Verizon's network for $25/month with taxes included. No billing surprises, no class action lawsuits, no VoIP calling tricks. It is the gold standard for budget unlimited wireless and scores 7 points higher than FreedomPop.

For Budget Flexibility: Tello (9.5/11)

Tello lets you build a custom plan on T-Mobile's network starting at just $10/month. Full security features (2FA + SIM PIN), free international calls to 60+ countries, and customer service that actually helps. If you want cheap wireless from a company you can trust, Tello is the answer.

For AT&T Specifically: Cricket Wireless (6/11)

If you specifically need AT&T's network, Cricket Wireless scores 6/11 -- double FreedomPop's score. Cricket is AT&T's own budget brand with taxes included, better plans, and legitimate customer service. Even this middling option vastly outperforms FreedomPop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FreedomPop still free?

The original free plan is effectively dead for new customers. FreedomPop's cheapest plan is now $3.99/month for 300MB of data with VoIP-based calling. The "free wireless" era that made FreedomPop famous is over.

Is FreedomPop legitimate?

FreedomPop is a real company that provides real wireless service. However, its legitimacy is severely undermined by class action lawsuits, documented deceptive billing practices, and thousands of consumer complaints about unauthorized charges.

What network does FreedomPop use?

FreedomPop currently operates on AT&T's network. It originally used Sprint's network but migrated to AT&T after the Sprint/T-Mobile merger.

Why does FreedomPop have such a low score?

FreedomPop scores 3/11 because it fails nine of our eleven criteria. No 2FA, no SIM PIN, no true unlimited data, no build-a-plan options, poor customer service, billing trust violations, limited data caps, and weak coverage quality (due to heavy deprioritization) all contribute to the historically low score.

Was there a class action lawsuit against FreedomPop?

Yes. Multiple class action lawsuits have been filed against FreedomPop alleging deceptive billing practices, unauthorized charges, and enrollment in premium services without customer consent.

Is FreedomPop better than Visible?

No. Visible scores 10/11 compared to FreedomPop's 3/11. Visible offers true unlimited data on Verizon for $25/month with taxes included, 2FA security, and reliable customer service. There is no category where FreedomPop meaningfully outperforms Visible.

Is FreedomPop better than Tello?

No. Tello scores 9.5/11 with full plan customization, both 2FA and SIM PIN security, free international calling, and excellent customer service. Tello is superior in every meaningful way.

Does FreedomPop have 5G?

FreedomPop provides access to AT&T's network, which includes some 5G coverage. However, with data caps of 300MB to 5GB, 5G speeds are largely irrelevant -- you will run out of data long before speed matters.

Can I cancel FreedomPop easily?

Cancellation difficulty has been one of the most consistent complaints against FreedomPop. Users have documented multi-step processes, continued billing after cancellation, and charges appearing after accounts were supposedly closed. If you do sign up, document everything and monitor your credit card statements closely.

Does FreedomPop use VoIP?

Yes, on the lower-tier plans. FreedomPop routes calls over data (VoIP) rather than the cellular voice network. This results in lower call quality, potential latency issues, and calls consuming your already limited data allotment. Higher-tier plans may offer native cellular calling.

Is FreedomPop safe to use?

From a security standpoint, FreedomPop lacks both 2FA and SIM PIN protection, making it vulnerable to account takeover and SIM swap fraud. From a billing standpoint, the documented history of unauthorized charges means you should monitor your payment method closely if you use this service.

Does FreedomPop have good coverage?

FreedomPop uses AT&T's network, which provides decent urban and suburban coverage. However, AT&T's rural coverage lags behind Verizon, and as a low-priority MVNO, FreedomPop users experience significant deprioritization during network congestion.

What is the best FreedomPop alternative?

Visible ($25/mo unlimited on Verizon, 10/11 score) and Tello ($10+/mo custom plans on T-Mobile, 9.5/11 score) are both dramatically better alternatives that score 7+ points higher than FreedomPop.

How do I file a complaint against FreedomPop?

You can file complaints with the FCC, the FTC, your state attorney general, and the Better Business Bureau. Document all charges, save screenshots of your account, and keep records of all communication with FreedomPop's customer service.

Final Verdict

FreedomPop earns a 3 out of 11 in our scoring methodology. This is not a recommendation. This is a warning.

The "free wireless" pitch that made FreedomPop famous was always more marketing than reality, and the documented trail of class action lawsuits, deceptive billing complaints, unauthorized charges, and cancellation nightmares paints a picture of a company that prioritized revenue extraction over customer service.

In 2026, the wireless MVNO market is packed with legitimate, well-run carriers that offer genuine value:

• Want unlimited data? Visible scores 10/11 and delivers true unlimited on Verizon for $25/month with taxes included. No games, no hidden charges, no lawsuits.
• Want budget flexibility? Tello scores 9.5/11 and lets you build a custom plan from $10/month on T-Mobile with both 2FA and SIM PIN security.
• Need AT&T specifically? Cricket Wireless at 6/11 or Red Pocket at 5/11 are both honest alternatives that still double FreedomPop's score.

There is no use case where FreedomPop is the right answer. The $3.99 entry price is a mirage -- 300MB of data with VoIP calling is not a phone plan, it is a rounding error. And the risk of unauthorized charges, based on extensively documented history, makes even that small amount a gamble.

If you are reading this review because you are considering FreedomPop, do yourself a favor: close this tab, go to Visible or Tello, and sign up with a carrier that will not make you regret it.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. This never influences our ratings or recommendations. FreedomPop earned its 3/11 score through our objective 11-point methodology -- and it is one of the lowest scores we have ever recorded. Learn more about how we score carriers.