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Simple Mobile $30 (20GB) Review

Twenty gigabytes and a wider international list than the $25 tier, but only ten gigabytes short of the $40 plan, which is where the lineup makes more sense.

Reviewed by Jean Gilles·How we rank
6.7 OUR SCORE Simple Mobile

At a Glance

Price$30/mo for 30 days ($28.50 with AutoPay)
NetworkVerizon 5G + 4G LTE
High-speed data20GB, then 2G
Talk & textUnlimited in the U.S., plus unlimited global text
HotspotCapable; draws from the 20GB allowance
International callingUnlimited to 125+ countries, plus a $10 worldwide calling credit
International roaming17 countries with 5GB of roaming data
Typical speeds20–148 Mbps down, 2–15 Mbps up, 43–85 ms
Taxes & feesExtra: about $2.05/mo before state tax (effective ~$31–33)
ContractNone: no activation or termination fee

Our Score

Value for money7.2
Network & speed7.5
Hotspot & features5.0
Customer experience6.0

Pricing: the awkward middle

$30 for 20GB is $1.50 per gigabyte, against $1.67 on the $25 tier and $1.33 on the $40. The curve keeps improving as you go up, which makes this the least compelling stop on it.

What $30 does buy over $25 is the wider international list, 125+ countries instead of 100+, and 5GB of roaming data instead of 3GB. If you call a country on the wider list, that's the reason to be here.

What You Get, and What You Don't

What we like
✓20GB at $1.50 per gigabyte on Verizon's network
✓International calling widens to 125+ countries at this tier
✓5GB of international roaming data, up from 3GB on the $25 plan
✓Runs on Verizon's network, so coverage is the real thing rather than a regional patchwork
✓AutoPay brings it to $28.50 with no contract
Where it has limits
✕Once the high-speed allowance is gone, speeds drop to 2G. Simple Mobile notes streaming audio and video may stop working
✕Only $10 more buys 30GB on the $40 tier: a better rate per gigabyte
✕No dedicated hotspot allowance
✕Taxes and fees are extra
✕Video is capped at 480p

Simple Mobile $30 vs. Simple Mobile $40

Against the tier directly above, which most buyers should compare it with.

FeatureSimple Mobile $30Simple Mobile $40
Price$30/mo$40/mo
Data20GB30GB
Cost per GB$1.50$1.33
International calling125+ countries125+ countries
Roaming data5GB5GB
AutoPay price$28.50$37.50

Choose it if

✓You call a country on the 125+ list that the $25 tier doesn't cover
✓You use 15–20GB a month consistently
✓You travel and want 5GB of roaming data rather than 3GB
✓You want Verizon coverage at a mid-range prepaid price

Skip it if

✕You could stretch to $40: 30GB is better value per gigabyte
✕You use under 15GB; the $25 tier saves you $5
✕You tether regularly
✕You want all-in pricing

Final Verdict

6.7/10 · Simple Mobile $30 (20GB)

Sound but squeezed. 20GB on Verizon for $28.50 on AutoPay is perfectly fair, and the wider international calling list is a genuine upgrade for some callers. But $10 more takes you to 30GB with the same international package, which is better value and meaningfully more headroom before the 2G cliff. Choose this tier only if 20GB is comfortably enough.

Consider instead: Red Pocket Plus. Red Pocket Plus gives 20GB for $20 with a choice of AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon, the same allowance for ten dollars less.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much data does the Simple Mobile $30 plan include?

20GB of high-speed data per 30-day cycle with unlimited talk, text and global text. After 20GB, speeds drop to 2G until the plan renews.

What's the difference between the $25 and $30 Simple Mobile plans?

The $30 plan adds 5GB of data, widens international calling from 100+ to 125+ countries, and increases international roaming data from 3GB to 5GB.

What does the $30 plan really cost?

About $31–33/mo, or $28.50 with AutoPay before taxes. Simple Mobile adds roughly $0.17 for the federal universal service fund and $1.88 for a regulatory and telco recovery charge, plus state tax.

Is the $30 plan better value than the $40?

No. The $40 plan is 30GB at $1.33 per gigabyte against $1.50 here, with the same international calling and roaming. If you can stretch, the $40 tier is the better buy.

Does the $30 plan include hotspot?

It's hotspot-capable but has no separate allowance: anything you tether comes out of the 20GB. Only the $50 and $60 unlimited tiers include dedicated hotspot data.

Sources
  1. Simple Mobile plan page and price label
  2. Our scoring method: How we rank

Prices change often; confirm with the carrier before you order.

Simple Mobile $30 (20GB)
6.7/10 · $30/mo
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