Twigby vs. FreedomPop: Which carrier is better?

Twigby and FreedomPop are popular prepaid carriers that offer great deals on limited data.  Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Unsure of what you need out of a plan? Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan. 

Coverage & Reception

Twigby is on the Verizon network, while FreedomPop is on AT&T. 

Twigby and FreedomPop are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Twigby is an MVNO of Verizon, and FreedomPop is on the AT&T network. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers. 

Plan Options

FreedomPop offers a free plan, and Twigby offers several limited plans. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options. Twigby offers several limited data plans along with an unlimited plan and a plan without data. FreedomPop also offers several limited plans, as well as a free plan. Both deprioritize data, which means your connection may slow down during times of high traffic, such as a concert or a crowded parking lot. 

Twigby Plans

Twigby plans give you a discount for the first three months of service. 

Twigby offers 5 plans, ranging from plans with no data included to unlimited data. All plans offer unlimited talk and text, and all data plans offer hotspot access. All plans allow up to 50 lines on an account. All Twigby plans are on QCI tier 9. 

If you purchase your phone from Twigby, your device will be sold to you unlocked after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

No Data Plan

This plan does not have data access. 

With this plan, you do not have access to any data. This means you must have a WiFi connection in order to browse the internet, send emails, stream videos, and play games. According to Twigby, you also need to have WiFi access to use iMessage on iPhones. You also do not have access to group messaging on basic or Android phones. 

You do not have hotspot access on this plan either. 

The plan costs $10 per month, and $5 for the first 3 months. 

2GB Plan 

This plan gives you 2GB per month before slowing down. 

This plan gives you 2GB per month, which slows to 2G speeds after the cap. This slower speed allows you to send texts and emails or browse the internet, but playing games and streaming video. The plan also allows for mobile hotspot access with the 2GB included in the plan. This access stops at the 2GB cap.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 2GB at $7.50 per GB. This plan costs $5 per month for the first 3 months. 

5GB Plan 

This plan gives you 5GB per month if you use their service. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data to use per month, which then slows to 2G speeds after you reach the cap. 

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $4 per GB. The plan also gives you the first 3 months of service at $10 per month. 

8GB Plan 

This plan gives you 8GB monthly. 

This plan gives you 8GB per month of service, which slows to 2G speeds after this cap. You also get access to mobile hotspot data, which stops at 8GB. 

The plan costs $26 per month. At this rate, you get 8GB at $3.25 per GB. The plan also gives you service at $16 per month for the first 3 months. 

Unlimited Plan 

This plan gives you 20GB before slowing speeds. 

This plan gives you 20GB of data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data access, which stops at the cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.75 per GB. You get service at $25 per month for the first 3 months. 

FreedomPop Plans

FreedomPop offers a free plan. 

FreedomPop is one of the most unique carriers, as they offer a free plan that allows people to get free service if they don’t qualify for the Affordable Connectivity program. 

The rest of their plans are limited data. They offer QCI tier 8, as they’re on the AT&T network. You can also only get one line on a plan. 

If you purchase your phone from FreedomPop, your device will be locked for 6 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

Freenium Plan 

This plan is free! 

FreedomPop offers 25MB, or 0.025GB each month. You also get 10 minutes of call time and 10 texts. Access stops once you hit these caps, and the plan does not allow hotspot access.  

The plan is free for those who cannot qualify for the Affordable Connectivity program. 

1GB 

This plan gives you full speeds. 

With the smallest paid plan, you get 1GB of full speed data each month. Access stops after 1GB, and it doesn’t offer hotspot access.

The plan costs $15 per month.

4GB 

This plan gives you 4GB before access stops. 

This plan gives you 4GB of full speed data each month before stopping access once you hit that cap. You don’t get hotspot access with this plan.

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 4GB at $6.25 per GB. 

10GB Plan 

This plan gives you the most data. 

As the biggest FreedomPop plan, this plan gives you 10GB of full speed data before stopping access. You also don’t get hotspot access with this plan. 

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 10GB at $3 per GB. 

Features

Twigby offers more features with their plans than FreedomPop.

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer.

Domestic Roaming Data

Twigby and FreedomPop do not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Twigby plans allow unlimited talk in Mexico and Canada, but not text or data. FreedomPop does not offer this feature. 

International Connection

Twigby allows unlimited talk in up to 80 countries, but not text or data.

Video Streaming Quality

All Twigby data plans stream at 720p High Definition resolution. Their No Data plan requires WiFi to stream video. FreedomPop plans stream at 480p SD resolution.  

Streaming Services

Twigby and FreedomPop do not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

Twigby and FreedomPop do not offer this feature.  

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Twigby, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time with PayPal. FreedomPop does not offer this feature.  

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Twigby and FreedomPop do not offer this feature.  

Free Trial

Twigby and FreedomPop do not offer this feature.   

Customer Service 

Twigby and FreedomPop do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. 

Twigby and FreedomPop are digital-only carriers, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer chat support from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Mon. through Fri. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Sat. through Sun. You can also email Twigby Customer Support at twigby.support@twigby.com. FreedomPop offers chat support and you can speak to a representative over the phone at 1 (888) 702-8302 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST every day.

The Verdict

Twigby offers better plans.  

Because of the price per GB and included features, Twigby offers a better deal on their plans than FreedomPop. Whether you’re looking for a limited or unlimited data plan, Twigby is the better choice of the two. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!