Best Lifeline Providers | Compare Free Phones

What is a Lifeline provider?

A Lifeline provider is a phone or internet company approved to offer the federal Lifeline discount (up to $9.25 a month, or up to $34.25 on Tribal lands). Every provider follows the same federal eligibility rules, but each one chooses its own plan, network, data amount, device offer and service area. That's why comparing providers matters.

How to compare Lifeline providers

• Service area: is the provider available in your state?
• Network and coverage: which network does it use where you live?
• Data: how much monthly data does its plan include in your state?
• Devices: is a free phone offered, which models, and are they 5G?
• Bring your own phone: can you keep a phone you already own?
• Application: how you apply and how verification works.

You can only have one Lifeline benefit per household, but you can transfer it to another provider later.

Provider summaries

Combo Wireless

Our own service, in California, New York, Texas and Florida on the T-Mobile network. It stands out for offering two free refurbished devices in a combo, including tablets, iPads and laptops, with 5G-capable iPhones and Galaxy phones. It serves only four states.

Assurance Wireless

T-Mobile's own Lifeline brand, listing 10GB of data (12GB in California) and a free basic Android phone based on inventory.

SafeLink Wireless

A long-running TracFone brand, now part of Verizon, widely available, with data amounts that vary by state.

TruConnect

Uses T-Mobile and Verizon networks, lists 4.5GB of data plus international calling, and offers same-day eSIM activation for BYOD customers.

AirTalk Wireless

Advertises 5GB to 25GB depending on plan and state, plus Apple and Samsung phones, some of them older models.

Life Wireless

A Telrite service in 40+ states and territories, with data that varies by state and 5G where available.

Which provider fits you?

Before you apply

1. Confirm you qualify with our eligibility guide.
2. Check the provider's plan for your state and ZIP code.
3. Check network coverage at your address.
4. Have a qualifying document ready.

FAQs