A lot of people, when looking for a new prepaid phone, inevitably come to a point where they have to choose between two companies.
In this instance, we compare Straight Talk Wireless to Net10 Wireless.
One thing you should know is that Straight Talk Wireless and Net10 Wireless are both good companies to be considering, so if you find yourself at this particular crossroads, you are generally in a pretty good spot.
We will keep this very basic and not too lengthy, so I will get right to the point.
If you are going to use 250 minutes of talk time or less each month, you are probably best selecting a phone from Net10 Wireless because you will most likely be able to save the most money. Net10 phones are for people who are more frugal with their minutes.
If you are going to be using over 250 minutes per month, Straight Talk Wireless may be a better option since for $30 flat rate, you can get 1,000 minutes of talk time, 1,000 text messages, and ample web browsing time to use each and every month.
If you need more talk time than that, Straight Talk Wireless has an unlimited plan which costs $45 per month.
Both plans have their pros and cons, so choose wisely.
See all plan details at Net10.com and StraightTalk.com.
The image at the top of this post is the Samsung r355c, which is a phone available on all plans from both of the companies mentioned in this post. I figured I’d give you a little taste of a few of the prepaid phones available.
Read a more in-depth comparison of Straight Talk to Net10.
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One new development has occurred that for me puts Straight Talk a nose ahead Net10 and that is the upcoming release of the Straight Talk Android phone the Samsung Precedent. The phone runs on Android 2.2 and is sure to become one of the most popular Straight talk phones yet. I know I might consider getting one just to play around with the Android phone–I haven’t even had my hands on an Android yet. The phone will work with the unlimited plan (which is another thing that really puts ST above Net10 for me). At $45 per month, the unlimited service will really ensure that the Android prepaid phone lives up to its promise.
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I don’t talk that much or that little either and with net10 I get my money’s work. 10¢ a minute for calls and 3¢ for texts is perfect for me! Awesome value!
Based on experience, I’m going to have to go with NET10 when you consider value for the price and quality. I’m not much of a talker so a basic $20 a month plan and .03 a text works prefectly for me and the family I keep in touch with. Also, NET10 is super easy to find and activate – I got mine at Best Buy and visit each month or before a vacation for the ocassional re-charge. Its a great way to keep in touch and save.
I agree with Kimberly. I think Net10 is a great plan that offers reliable service at reasonable prices. And the quality and selection of phones, I felt, was exceptional. Unlike my friends who complain of poor reception and dropped calls, I haven’t had to deal with any issues like that. I haven’t had one dropped call, and my reception is always good. I feel so comfortable knowing that i have a reliable phone & am beyond proud of myself to have found this plan & be saving so much money. Really, you can’t go wrong with Net10. There are nothing but positives here…trust me.
Like you said, these 2 are some of the better prepaid options out there, its just a matter of which one will save you more. In my case I liked Net10 offerings (and their ads) plus their clear and reasonable fees. It also suits my usage, which isnt very high. Great review, and thats a nice phone (think I might be due an upgrade).
Straight Talk has been the king of service in my mind. Signal strength to spare, better than on Verizon itself. On the other hand, I’ve heard CS is a nightmare and the phone selection is pretty, pretty shoddy. But if you’re on a budget and need a powerful plan no matter what then I highly recommend this, unlimited everything for 45 a month and no contract.
Well I have to go with Net10 also, I have it and I get easy minutes, which is 200 min each month for $15, if you don’t use them they roll over unlike straight talk were you lose unused Min. My girlfriend has straightalk, she’s always complains how hard it is to check her Mins , mine are displayed on the screen all the time. When traveling she looses service , I don’t. I just think net10 is sooooo much better. Since I compare them side by side. So if you don’t talk a lot. (200 minutes is 3.3 hours of talking) Then net10 is the way to go. They also have other plans to check out.
Bert – Thanks for your input. I’ve heard the same things about Net10 vs Straight Talk. If you aren’t much of a talker, Net10 is the better plan. If you talk and text quite a bit, Straight Talk’s unlimited plan is superior.
It depends heavily upon what you do with the phone, how many minutes you use, how much you travel, and how much you care about having a “nice, modern” phone. If you use very few minutes, get Tracfone. If you use more, get Net10. And nobody has a better unlimited plan than StraightTalk. Plus, StraightTalk is the only one with an Android phone, which is pretty cool.
One thing to note, however, is that the StraightTalk Android is locked into the Sprint network, which can be spotty if you ever leave urban areas. Other StraightTalk phones are locked to either the ATT or Verizon network, depending upon which phone you purchase. Net10, however, even though their phones are kludgy and old-fashioned, roams between CDMA and GSM networks. In my experience, the Net10 service I gave up was far superior to the service I get on my new StraightTalk android. But that is because I travel a good bit. The StraightTalk $45 plan is excellent, although perhaps not as good as BoostMobile’s unlimited plan that starts at $50 but drops to $35 if you keep your payments on time.
Anyway, that is my 2c.
@Leon – Thanks for your 2c! It’s helpful.
I don’t get it. If Net 10 minutes roll over, then why do I have to buy airtime/minutes every month? Is airtime a seperate fee from minutes? Was the use of having roll over minutes when I have to keep buying air time/minutes every month just to keep my phone on? You’d think that if I had minutes left I could use those until they run out and then get more minutes as needed. I’m confused, can someone explain this to me. Also does anyone know anything about reconditioned phones? Net 10 is offering them for a really good price that also includes minutes.
If you don’t use more than 750 minutes per month than Net10 is the way to go.
you can get Net10′s 30 day 750 minute plan for $25, If you use less than that, or things get tight you can always switch to the pay as you go, which can be had for as little as $30 for 2 months (15 a month) for 2 months of service with 300 minutes
(5 minutes per day for 2 months) If you do pay as you go you have no worries as both the minutes and the days roll over as long as you keep the service active. (on the monthly plans on Net10 or straight talk the minutes do not roll over)
Similarities between Net10, Straight Talk and Tracfone
All have both GSM phones (ATT) and CDMA phones (Verizon)
The coverage is the same on any of these companies, as they use other network towers as America Movil (The Mother company that runs all 3 has no towers here)
A significant difference between Net10, Straight Talk, and Tracfone
(Net10 and Tracfone can easily make International Calls to many locations.
Straight talk does not currently do this.
The most flexible of the 3 is Net10, If you use need a phone for just emergencies
Tracfone is the way to go.
Heavy Talk, or texters who don’t need to call internationally should use Straight Talk
Heavy Talk or texters who do need to call internationally should use Net10′s Unlimited for $50 per month.
Pat – Thanks for taking the time to add to the conversation.