Democracy Wireless Cell Phone Plans Review 2022

Republic's flexible plan options could save you money, unless you desire a lot of data.

Looking for a style to salve money on your cell phone nib? Republic Wireless could exist the answer yous've been waiting for. Democracy lets yous build your own program, so yous don't cease upwards paying for what you don't use.

The main take hold of is that Republic Wireless doesn't have an unlimited data plan, and the data that information technology does offer is expensive. And then we would really only recommend this plan to folks who exercise more talking than streaming (or folks who only want a simple, cheap plan for their kids).

We should also warn you upfront that Republic doesn't work with Apple devices, and some customers have had difficulty porting their number to a new carrier from Republic.

Republic Wireless plans

Plans first out cheap, merely information prices quickly add together up.

Pros

  • Customizable plans

  • Uses T-Mobile'south network

  • Cheap no-data plan

Cons

  • Data costs add up fast

  • No iPhones—can't fifty-fifty bring your own

What nosotros similar

If you can't stand those one-size-fits-all cell phone plans, Republic Wireless's approach may exist a pleasant surprise. Yous only pay for what you desire. And so if you mainly demand a phone for calling and texting (rather than scrolling through Instagram), Republic might be your jam.

Customizable plans

Democracy's My Choice Programme is fully customizable. It starts out with unlimited talk and text for $15 a month (which is quite cheap), and so you lot can choose to add data from there.

Republic Wireless data selection screenshot

Image: screenshot taken from www.republicwireless.com

Amend yet, if y'all make up one's mind you want to change the amount of data on your programme each calendar month, you lot can. It's a bully program for your angsty teenager who needs to text their friends constantly, just doesn't demand the additional distraction of unlimited data.

Lookout out for limited data!

Info Box

Republic Wireless lets you add only xv GB of data to your programme. If you need more, we recommend checking out an unlimited plan instead. Come across our recommendations in the All-time Unlimited Cell Phone Plans review.

Practiced coverage

Democracy Wireless is what we in the manufacture call a mobile virtual network operator.

That's a mouthful, then we'll just call it an MVNO. These MVNOs employ wireless networks built by other, larger companies. In this instance, Republic uses T-Mobile's network.

Nosotros ranked T-Mobile the fastest network for upload and download speeds, but it ranks but third in terms of geographical coverage. Third-best in coverage sounds worse than information technology is—information technology's pretty safe to say you lot'll become practiced coverage with Republic. (Unless you venture way out in the boonies, in which case we doubt even the MVP, Verizon, would have you covered.)

What we don't like

You could say Republic Wireless's plan structure is simple but it might be more honest to say it'south limited. With Republic yous can't add more than v GB of data, you tin't use an iPhone, and you tin't become costless international calls or texts.

No unlimited information plans

More and more than of our daily lives are conducted through apps on our phones. We can socialize, play, work, and even order nutrient on our mobile devices. Just near of this requires information.

Then, while many companies are moving towards unlimited data as a standard, it's strange that Republic is moving in the other management. It offers no unlimited data program, and information technology has even lowered its superlative-tier data offering from 15 GB to just five GB.

Sure, y'all tin connect to a bunch of Wi-Fi hotspots for free using your Republic telephone. Merely being reliant on Wi-Fi hotspots kind of takes the mobile out of your mobile phone plan.

How much data do you really want?

Info Box

Most people want some data. Simply how much is plenty to support your daily habits? Check out our brusk guide to discover out.

Limited phone pick

Looking to hang on to your new iPhone when you switch phone companies? Well, so, Republic Wireless is not the visitor for you. Its service doesn't piece of work with iPhones at all.

Nosotros'll go over Republic's phone compatibility and retail offerings more than below.

How do Republic's unlimited plans compare?

If you cull the My Pick Plan with unlimited talk and text, only no data, it's just $15 a month. That's a pretty sweet deal when you compare it to other talk and text plans from Cricket Wireless and Full Wireless.

Commonwealth Wireless no-information plan comparison

This cheap, no-data program may be the best option for your kids, who only need a telephone for coordinating rides to soccer practice—or for your parents, who don't intendance about all those high falutin' apps and other thingamajigs.

Democracy's prices get-go to add up apace when you add together information. It charges $five for 1 GB of information. (That data doesn't roll over, by the way.) For comparison, Total Wireless charges $10 for 5 GB of actress data, and MetroPCS charges $5 for 2 GB of information.

Here's what that data charge would look similar for a plan with 5 GB of data—and how it compares to similar plans from Cricket Wireless and Total Wireless.

Republic Wireless plan comparing

At $40, Republic's 5 GB programme costs every bit much (or more) than unlimited information plans from companies like Sprint and Visible Wireless.

Republic Wireless family plans

Or maybe nosotros should say a lack of family plans.

You tin add additional lines to your Republic Wireless business relationship. But—and this is a big just—you won't get any boosted benefits or discounts for calculation lines. So, in short, Democracy doesn't really have family plans.

If you're looking for a company that tin can hook up you and your whole family, so nosotros propose checking out these plans from traditional carriers. Or, if you're committed to that prepaid life, then bank check out Visible Wireless, which has a pretty groovy "Party Pay" option.

Republic Wireless coverage

Republic has tons of Wi-Fi hotspots on T-Mobile'due south network.

Republic Wireless tries to go along costs low by relying on Wi-Fi signals for service. Hopping on to Wi-Fi hotspots can significantly reduce your phone's reliance on a wireless network.

If there happens to be no Wi-Fi signal available where you are, Democracy hops onto T-Mobile's network.

Republic Wireless coverage map

Commonwealth cell phones and devices

Google and Samsung users are in luck. Apple tree users, not so much.

If you're all about the Android operating system (OS), then you won't have any problem hopping onto a Commonwealth Wireless plan.

Simply if leaving the sleek and shiny iPhone gives you the heebie-jeebies, we're sorry to say you won't find any Apple tree phones supported hither.

But why not?

Republic Wireless uses its app to prioritize Wi-Fi when y'all place a call. If it can't connect to Wi-Fi, the app hops onto a cellular network. And, unfortunately, that app is currently supported simply on Android phones.

Hopefully, Apple volition get its deed together and approve the Democracy Wireless app for apply on iOS presently.

Available phones on Republic Wireless

Republic has some decent deals on Google devices (you can nab a Pixel 3a for just under $400). Here's a look at Democracy Wireless's five most popular phones.

If y'all want to see what kind of deals other companies are cookin' up, bank check out our cell telephone deals article. We update it every week!

Republic Wireless customer service

Got a question? Time to get chummy with other Republic Wireless customers.

We found a lot of rave reviews of Republic Wireless, but non a lot of commentary about its bodily customer service. This could exist a good thing, since that ways fewer negative reviews.

We likewise noticed that most of the answers on community support posts came from other Republic Wireless users—and the company even recommends asking an "Expert Member" if the FAQs don't answer your question.

republic wireless screenshot

Image: screenshot taken from Republicwireless.com

This is an interesting approach to customer service only information technology doesn't help much if y'all accept a question about your bill. You know, a question that requires someone who actually works for Republic Wireless to answer information technology.

Your other options are chatting with an actual Republic Wireless rep and opening a ticket. But nosotros couldn't find a phone number for client service anywhere—fifty-fifty on Google.

Recap: Republic Wireless is good for low-data users

Here's the last tally for everything y'all demand to know about Republic Wireless.

Plans: The My Choice Plan gives yous unlimited talk and text for $fifteen a month. That'southward pretty cool. What'southward less absurd is that each gigabit of data that you add to that program will run y'all $5, making your cheap program a not-and so-cheap plan. And if you lot desire an unlimited information plan, you ameliorate look elsewhere.

Functioning: Democracy works hard to salve you coin by hopping on a Wi-Fi indicate when one'southward available. When in that location'south no Wi-Fi signal to be found, you'll get neat coverage and speed on T-Mobile's network.

Devices: If you're looking to purchase a new Android device—similar the Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy—yous can go 1 for a decent toll from Republic. Or you tin bring your own. But, if y'all're an Apple iPhone user, then yous're out of luck.

Overall: If y'all but want an easy and cheap fashion to text and telephone call the people you honey, then you should seriously consider signing up for Republic. If you want anything else—data, new devices, family unit plans—then there are better options out at that place for you.

FAQ

Q: Can I transfer my number with Republic?

You shouldn't have issues transferring a number to Democracy from another company. However, 1 of our editors hither at Reviews.org told united states of america about her terrible experience trying to transfer her number from Republic when she was going to another carrier.

Democracy'south website has this to say about it: "Our numbers are classified as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) because of our composite WiFi/prison cell service, which some carriers consider to be the aforementioned as a wireline nomenclature."

Basically, many cell phone companies out at that place won't accept a number from Republic because it'south classified every bit a landline. Bummer.

Does Republic Wireless have skilful coverage?

Republic Wireless tries to keep the costs depression past relying on Wi-Fi signals for service, only if Wi-Fi isn't bachelor in your surface area, yous'll get practiced speed and coverage through Democracy on T-Mobiles network.

Q: Where can I purchase Republic Wireless phones?

Republic Wireless does not currently have any brick and mortar locations, you you'll have to use the company's online shop.

Q: Does Republic Wireless use a GSM network?

According to Republic, most of its phones tin employ both GSM and CDMA networks. Simply some phones may work but with the GSM network. You tin check out GSM or CDMA compatibility here.

Easton Smith

Written by

Easton Smith

Easton has worked every bit a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than whatever human alive. When he's not sitting in forepart of a estimator, Easton spends his fourth dimension camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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