AT&T GoPhone

AT&T GoPhone receives below-average ratings in customer surveys by J.D. Power and Associates and PCMag.com. In both surveys, AT&T's prepaid wireless service gets particularly bad scores for its high prices. AT&T gets low ratings from customers at PrepaidReviews.com, too -- but editors there highly recommend AT&T GoPhone, giving it a 4.5 star rating (out of 5). They like that AT&T GoPhone has extensive national coverage and a good choice of handsets, although PCMag.com readers say the handset choice is just average. The Pay As You Go $2 Unlimited Daily Talk and Text plan includes free texting and calling anytime, but it charges a $2 access fee on days you use your phone. For anyone wanting a phone only for emergencies, AT&T GoPhone has a Simple Rate Plan that skips the access fee but charges 10 cents a minute for all calls. Comparable low-use plans – such as the T-Mobile Prepaid Annual plan (*Est. $100 for 1,000 min.) -- charge 10 cents a minute, and the minutes are good for a year.

Large user surveys are the most comprehensive and reliable way to assess prepaid cellular service. ConsumerReports.org, J.D. Power and Associates and PCMag.com conduct large-scale surveys about prepaid wireless plans, evaluating key factors such as call quality, plan options and cost, handset selection and customer service. We also consulted editor reviews and customer postings at PrepaidReviews.com.