Republic Wireless Review [2023 Update]

Many people use their cell phones for everything and think that they need a pricey unlimited data plan. Luckily, you can get fantastic coverage from a cheap, no-contract provider like Republic Wireless.

Our Republic Wireless review will help you determine if the cell phone provider is a good option to help you save money on your cell phone bill.

What is Republic Wireless?

Similar to other prepaid carriers, Republic is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). These discount phone companies rent space on the towers of major wireless providers.

The reduction in cost vs. owning their own towers allows MVNO carriers to pass their savings onto customers.

Republic Wireless offers coverage on the T-Mobile network and has been in business since 2011.

How Reliable Are They?

Reliability is essential when choosing a no-contract cell phone service. You can expect dependable service from Republic Wireless since it runs on the T-Mobile network.

Here is their coverage map.

If you live in an area where T-Mobile is reliable, you can expect similar coverage with Republic.

They previously ran on both T-Mobile and Sprint. However, with the recent merger, it’s only on the T-Mobile network now.

Additionally, phones work on both its GSM and CDMA networks.

How Much Does Republic Wireless Cost?

Republic offers very straightforward cell phone plans. All plans include:

• Unlimited talk and text
• 4G LTE speeds
• Free tethering
• Wi-Fi hotspots available nationwide

There are no unlimited data plans, but you can purchase data for an affordable $5 per gig.

The company lets you monitor data usage directly from your phone. This allows you to know exactly where you stand during the month.

Here is a breakdown of the pricing options.

Taxes range between $3 and $4 per month, so you need to consider that in pricing. You can purchase up to 15GB of data per month with Republic Wireless.

If you use more than 5GB per month, you may find that an unlimited data plan with Mint Mobile is a better deal since it’s only $30 per month.

You can see below how Republic compares with other cheap cell phone plans.

If you use Wi-Fi extensively, you won’t need much data. The company connects to Wi-Fi as much as possible, even on calls, to keep prices low.

Republic Wireless offers two free months of service if you pay for a year in advance. They also offer a 14-day money-back guarantee.

If you’re looking for inexpensive data plans, Republic Wireless offers considerable value.

Activation Process

It’s simple to make the switch to Republic Wireless. First, you must determine if you can get coverage. You can check the map above or use the interactive map on their site.

Simply enter your zip code, and they will tell you what kind of coverage to expect.

Be sure that your home, work, and frequent travel destinations are all within the coverage area. If the service will be reliable, you can bring your phone and buy a new SIM card.

It’s also possible to purchase a new phone through Republic. That said, it’s usually better to bring your own if it’s compatible with the service.

From there, you create your account and choose your plan.

Does Republic Wireless have 5G?

Republic offers 5G service on a limited number of devices. You must consult their list of supported devices to see if your device will have 5G.

5G-enabled phones that are not supported will operate on 4G LTE coverage.

Bring Your Own Phone

If you want to make the switch to start saving but don’t want to buy a new phone, your current device might work with their service.

Supported devices include:

• LG
• Motorola
• Nexus
• Alcatel
• Google
• OnePlus
• Samsung
• Huawei

After selecting your brand, the site allows you to check to see if your phone is compatible with the network. Once you know you have a device that will work with Republic Wireless, it’s time to buy a SIM card.

Their SIM card is just $5 and fits all compatible devices no matter the shape or size of the phone.

Unfortunately, Republic Wireless does not support iPhones. Here is a list of MVNO carriers that work with iPhones:

• Mint Mobile
• Straight Talk
• Tello
• Ting

Any of the above options are terrific ways to save money on cell service and operate much like Republic Wireless.

Does Republic Wireless support mobile hotspots?

Mobile hotspots are helpful when trying to connect to the internet while on the road. You can turn your phone into a hotspot within the Republic Wireless app. However, it will count against your data.

While all phones can tether, you want to mitigate usage so you don’t incur higher data costs.

International Service

Republic Wireless is not the best choice if you want a cell phone that can make international calls.

The carrier does not allow you to make international calls or texts. However, you can receive international communications whether you’re in the U.S. or traveling internationally.

A Wi-Fi connection is necessary to receive those types of calls and texts. While international calling is limited, you can make calls or send texts to the following countries or territories:

• American Samoa
• Canada
• Guam
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Johnston Atoll
• Midway Atoll
• Wake Island

These calls are allowed but cost up to $0.50 per minute. Tello Mobile is a suitable alternative to Republic and offers similar savings on cell service if you need international service.

Customer Support

Like other monthly prepaid plans, Republic Wireless has no physical retail location to manage customer service needs.

Customer support is available via email and live chat. You can also utilize its community of expert members.

Expert members are customers who know about the products and services. You just submit a help ticket through the website to take advantage of this feature.

Republic also has an extensive help center with questions and resolutions that are organized by category. If you can’t find a solution to what you’re experiencing, live chat is the best option to utilize.

Pros and Cons

Every phone company has its flaws, but they all strive to minimize them. Here are some of the pros and cons of using Republic Wireless.

Pros:

• Affordable plans
• Reliable coverage on the T-Mobile network
• Republic Wireless reports 98 percent of members stay each month
• 24/7 technical support
• Add data right from your phone
• Just $5 per GB you add on per month
• No overage fees
• Check bring-your-own-phone compatibility on the website

Cons:

• No phone technical support
• Limited international calling
• No retail locations (but that is usually the case with MVNO carriers)
• Does not work with iPhones

If you need a carrier that offers reliable coverage without many bells and whistles, Republic Wireless is an excellent option to consider.

Bottom Line

Republic Wireless is a good choice for people who want to lower their cell phone bills. They don’t offer unlimited plans for data, but this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re on Wi-Fi most of the time.

It’s helpful that you can add more GB for your data quickly and easily. Once you have a better idea of how much you’ll use, you can customize your plan to fit your needs and budget.

If you want to manage your plan as you wish and only pay $20 per month for service, Republic Wireless is a fantastic choice for cheap phone service.

How much do you pay for cell phone service each month? How much data do you use per month?