Best Prepaid Cell Phone Company

What is the Best Prepaid Cell Phone Company?

This is a rather common question that doesn't have a very easy answer. There are many different prepaid cell phone companies these days, with new ones showing up quickly. Some offer great phones with a flat, monthly prepaid fee while others go for lowest cost. With so many options, tt needs some parameters to make it possible to answer, so lets be a bit more specific in the question.

What is the Best Pay as you Go Prepaid Company?

Best Prepaid Cell Phone - Source Irita Kirsbluma

By, 'Pay as you Go' I mean that it is not unlimited, you buy a certain number of minutes that last for a specific number of days.

The answer still depends a lot on what you are looking for.

Tracfone offers a lot of flexibility and very low prices in their pay as you go prepaid options, but customer service and high end phones are lacking.

In fact, Tracfone is one of the largest prepaid mobile phone companies in America.

Other prepaid cell phone companies have a variety of options including unlimited monthly plans, but the cost is noticeably more expensive than the cheaper Tracfone options, but still cheaper than many contract plans.

Who is Tracfone Right for?

Tracfone is good for anyone looking for a cheap cell phone that does the basics - calling and texting. The initial cost for Tracfone cell phones is very low, typically $50 or less, with many phones around $10-20.

Buying minutes for Tracfone mobile devices is also relatively inexpensive, with a variety of options such as 60 minutes/90 days of service fo $20, alll the way up to 450 minutes/90 days of service for about $100. There are also many other options available at the Tracfone website.

LG 440G
on Amazon

Additionally, Tracfone offers a monthly plan where you get 50 minutes and 30 days of service for just $10 a month. And using the family value plan, you can add people to your plan for just $6 a month. And a simple flip phone like the LG 440G is only $12.

So if you are looking for the cheapest prepaid cell phone company, Tracfone is probably the answer for you.

But what about the best prepaid cell phone company?

There are a lot of different prepaid companies to choose from, such as MetroPCS, Cricket, NET10, Straight Talk, Tracfone, and Virgin Mobile prepaid just to name a few (view a more complete list at About.com). So which one is best?

Obviously, the answer is not universal, in other words, the best company for you, will probably not be the best for me.

But you can find the best prepaid cell phone company by looking at what you need from a phone, and comparing that to what the companies offer in phones and service.

Try asking yourself some questions like how often do you talk on the phone? How often do you text people? Do you like to surf the web from your phone? What other features are important?

If you tend to use your phone for talking, texting, and surfing the web frequently, then a prepaid cell phone company with unlimited plans might be best for your. MetroPCS, Straight Talk, and Virgin Mobile are three of many possibilities.

If you don't use your phone for lots of talking, texting and browsing, than a cheaper option like Tracfone might be your best choice.

Here at TracfoneReviewer, we obviously specialize in information about Tracfone. But we would would love to help answer any questions about other prepaid options, as well as provide information on Tracfone. So leave a comment below if you have questions!

You might want to view our Cell Phone Reviews page to learn more about the phones Tracfone does have to offer.

Best Tracfone Cell Phones for Texting

What is the Best Tracfone for Texting?

This is a great question many people have when considering Tracfone because texting is one of the best ways to make your minutes last longer.

Each text costs just .3 unites, so you can send or receive 3 texts per minute used. While texting can add up if you are sending and receiving hundreds a month, it is generally the cheapest way to communicate using a prepaid cell phone from Tracfone.

So here Tracfone Reviewer brings you three different Tracfone cell phones that are great for texting.

You might also be interested in our post about How to Make your Minutes Last Longer

Top 3 Cell Phones for Texting from Tracfone

These three phones from Tracfone are similar in one important aspect, they all have QWERTY keyboards. For most people, texting using a QWERTY keyboard is fastest and easiest, but everyone has their preference. So you may prefer a touchscreen or a flipphone, but most people will find a QWERTY phone fastest for texting.

3. LG 500G

This phone is great for texting because it is simple, and inexpensive to buy.

The LG 500G comes with a variety of features, like MP3 player, games, and other basic functions. It covers the basic cell phone needs well, and the QWERTY keyboard is also easy to use, and fast for texting.

The one drawback for the LG 500G is that it only comes with Double Minutes for Life, while the other two phones in this list have Triple Minutes for Life. However, this phone's cheap price, usually $20 or less from places like Amazon, make it a bargain phone.

2. Samsung S390G

This phone comes with several great features that make it a popular choice.

Two of the most impressive features for the Samsung S390G are Triple Minutes for Life, and WiFi capability.

With WiFi, you can surf the internet for free anytime you are connected to a wireless internet network. So if you like to check your email, or the weather, from you phone, this is a great choice.

This phone has had some problems, including a number of customers reporting that this phone will randomly dial 911 and other numbers. So be aware of that, and get a replacement if that happens to you.

1. LG 530G

And Tracfone Reviewers choice for the best phone for texting from Tracfone is the LG 530G.

This phone is durable, has a long battery life, comes with lots of nice features, and is fast and easy to text with.

The LG 530G is at the top of our list because it solid phone for those who like to text often. And the included Triple Minutes for Life makes it so you can text even more!

This phone's QWERTY keyboard is quick and responsive, and the phone is a big step up from the LG 500G.

While the price can sometimes be a little high for this phone, we have seen it for under $30 at several places, including Amazon.


Hopefully this helps you choose the right phone for you if you like to text often. Also check out the rest of our Cell Phone Reviews to see what Tracfone Reviewer has to say about these phones, and many others available from Tracfone.

How to Install Google Maps on the LG 840G from Tracfone

How to Get Google Maps on your LG 840G

For some, loading Google Maps onto the LG 840G is a simple thing, for others, for some reason it is a challenge and I have noticed a few questions, so I wanted to share some information and resources for getting Google Maps installed on a LG 840G.

I could copy and paste the information I found from elsewhere, but It is better to get it from the source, so you can read all the information about it. So I will link you to the forum with all the information you should need to load the Google Maps app on your LG 840G.

--Update--
A visitor commented below with another, possibly easier method for getting Google Maps:

Go to boostapps.com/jump and enter 6944 to get the Google signed version of Google Maps 2.3.2. It'll load from the .jad. (from Anonymous)

If that works for you, then great, otherwise, here is another method below. Comment with any results or questions and we will try to help!

Let's get right to it.

1. Visit the forum post at Howard Forums detailing how to get the Google Maps app on an LG 840G

2. Then follow the information provided, including reading the posts on the second forum, Turk Forums.

3. As the post at Howard Forums recommends, read the information provided at Turk Forums, especially starting at post #887, which is 3/4 down the page. (posts are numbered at the top right corner of each post).

If you have questions or comments, leave em below or if they are more technical, try Howard Forums, where there is a large dedicated group of Tracfone users.

Want more info on the LG 840G? Read our LG 840G review!

Leave your thoughts and questions below, as well as any tips for downloading Google Maps or other great apps to the LG 840G.

LG 440G Review - Tracfone

A Feature Packed Flip Phone From Tracfone

The LG 440G is a compact flip phone that packs a nice punch with several great features.

Two of the most notable features for the LG 440G are 3G connectivity, and low price. Not only will surfing the web on the phone's mobile browser be fast, but you can get thise phone for less than $20.

The LG 440G looks like a simple flip phone, but with the impressive features, it is a nice upgrade from other, older Tracfone flip phones.

Let's look at the full feature list next.

LG 440G Features and Specifications

While WiFi and 3G are great features, there are several more features with this phone that are also useful.

• Mobile Web
• 3G Connectivity
• 1.3 MP Camera and Video Recorder
• MP3 Player
• Hands Free Speaker
• Voice and Sound Recorder
• Voice Dialing
• Alarm Clock
• 1000 Entry Phonebook
• Battery Life on Standby 7-10 Days
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Airtime Balance Display
• Double Minutes for Life
• (Initially reported to have WiFi, but does not!)

Likes and Dislikes for the LG 440G

Let's begin with the Likes

The LG 440G comes with many great features for a flip phone from Tracfone.

We already mentioned the 3G feature.  The 3G means that the LG 440G uses a faster network than most older phones, making surfing the web on the phone's mobile browser quicker.

Another big like about this phone is the 1.3 MP camera. While certainly nothing fancy, it is adequate. And pictures can be sent to friends through MMS.

The 3G alone make the LG 440G stand out from other Tracfone flip phones. This is a nice step up from models like the Motorola W376G or other older flip phones.

At $20 retail, and often on sale for less, this phone offers great value for the money, and can easily be used as a backup phone with minimal money spent.

Dislikes for the LG 440G

While this phone does have some valuable features, it is not a fancy phone. If you are looking for a phone that you will use for surfing the web often, you might want to consider a phone with a larger screen, like the LG 840G, or even the Samsung S390G. Both of these phones also come with Triple Minutes for Life and WiFi, which the LG 440G does not have.

If you plan to use your phone for more than just a backup phone, you may want to consider a Tracfone with Triple Minutes for Life, instead of the LG 440G, which only comes with Double Minutes for Life.

The LG 440G has an advertised 7-10 days on standby, which sounds pretty good, and compared to most smartphones these days (which seem to only last 2-3 days), it is pretty good. But compared to say, the Samsung S425G, which lasts 12.5 days on standby, 7-10 days isn't as good.

The LG 440G was initially advertised to come with WiFi, but it turns ot it does not have it.

Finally, this phone does not have a MicroSD card slot, meaning you can't expand the onboard memory, or add very much music/games to the phone. But not many people are planning to use this phone for more than calling and texting anyway.

Overview and Recommendation

Overall, the LG 440G is a good flip phone from Tracfone. The 3G and low price are huge bonus features which give this phone a lot of usefulness.

However, unless you prefer a flip phone style, you may find other phone from Tracfone more appealing with larger screens, and full QWERTY keyboards. Visit our Cell Phone Reviews page to see some of the other options available.

But one of the biggest selling points for us on this phone is the low price. The LG 440G retails for $20 in most stores, but can often be found for much less, even $10 on Amazon!

This low price combined with the useful features makes LG 440G a superb value. For consumers interested in a good value for the money, and a flip style phone, this is a great buy.

View the LG 440G on Amazon to see if you can get it on sale for only $10!

If you're looking for a Tracfone that offers a lot more features, take a look at our reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Centura, ZTE Valet, Huawei Glory and LG Optimus Dynamic. These phones are android powered devices that offer lots of features and still use Tracfone's prepaid service.

Thanks for visiting, leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!

Tracfone Cell Phones with WiFi

A List of Tracfone Mobile Phones that Come with WiFi Internet

Upgrade to WiFi -MS

A WiFi enabled device is able to connect to the internet through WiFi networks for free without charging the user any units/minutes.

Thus using a phone with WiFi capability allows the user to surf the web, email, and much more without spending any money!

This can be a great feature for many people who like to use their phone for more than just calling and texting.

So below is a list of several phones from Tracfone that have WiFi Capability! Leave a comment if you know of other phones offered by Tracfone with WiFi.

Update - Tracfone Android Smartphones have WiFi!

We are excited to update this slightly outdated post with information on the Android powered smartphones that Tracfone has begun to provide to consumers.

These phones all come with WiFi, along with many other great features.

So check out our List of Android Tracfone Smartphones or learn more about Android by viewing our 6 Key Differences between Android and Other Mobile Devices.

WiFi Enabled Tracfone Devices:

Here is a list of the current Tracfone mobile devices that come with WiFi capability. Click the link to view our full review of each phone.

LG 840G - This touchscreen phone comes with lots of features, but most importantly Triple Minutes for Life, and WiFi. If you like touchscreen phones or want a modern device with decent sized screen for surfing the web, the LG 840G is a great choice. Check out our review of the LG 840G for full feature list and specs.

Samsung S390G - This phone comes with a compact full QWERTY keyboard making texting and typing fast. In our experience, full qwerty keypads are easy to get accustomed to and make for easy texting. Learn more about this phone by reading our full Samsung S390G Review.

$10 on Amazon!

LG 440G - A flip phone that offers another option to touchscreen and qwerty keyboards for those who like more traditional style phone. Another great thing about this phone is the low price - typically $20 but often on Amazon for $10! Get more infor about this phone by reading our LG 440G Review.

*Note: Initially Tracfone posted that the LG 440G would have WiFi, but it turns out it does not. However, it does use 3G networks, making surfing the web via the mobile browser faster than most other Tracfone Cell Phones, but you will be charged for it.

Bonus - LG 306G - This phone was recently released by Tracfone and has many similarities to the LG 840G with a handful of differences as well. View our full review of the LG 306G for the details.

Let us know in the comments if there are more Tracfone mobile phones with free WiFi so we can add them to this list!

Visit our Cell Phone Reviews page to see all of our Tracfone reviews and don't forget about our Tracfone Promo Codes for getting free bonus minutes whenever you add minutes to your phone!