Prepaid Faceoff: Scratch Wireless VS. FreedomPop

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VS

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With the massive number of prepaid MVNOs and carrier options, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of it all and even harder to compare and decide which company is the right one for you. So, every once in a while we’re going to go through and do a Face-off of two popular companies, comparing plans and services to help you better decide. Today, we’ll look at Scratch Wireless, and FreedomPop. Both are Wifi-first companies and, at the time of writing, Scratch recently reorganized its business structure. FreedomPop, by comparison, has been around for a couple years. Here’s how they compare:

Plan Prices  Price range? What is included?

Scratch Wireless – The only plan is $69 per year

As a Wifi-first service, Scratch Wireless offers a yearly prepaid plan which includes cellular texting and voice/text/data via Wifi. Additional 30 day passes can be purchased for voice and data via the cellular network. Amounts do not carry over; unlimited is available. Check it out here.

FreedomPop  – Plans range from free to $80/year

FreedomPop offers three plan options for phones: free (500 texts, 200 minutes, 500 MB), Premium $20 (unlimited talk/text, 1 GB) or the same Premium plan, but on an annual basis, for $80. Top-ups for data are available.

Unlimited Talk/Text  Is it offered? What is the lowest price?

Scratch Wireless  – Yes; both are unlimited on Wifi. Texting via cellular signal is also unlimited with the basic service. Unlimited cellular voice costs $15 per month.

FreedomPop – Yes, both are unlimited on Wifi. The $20 Premium plan includes unlimited talk and text. The annual plan does as well.

Data Ranges  What is the most and least data available?

Scratch Wireless – Data passes are available for 30 days. You can buy them in increments of 200 MB, 500 MB, or 1 GB for $8-$25.

FreedomPop – 500 MB to 1 GB available; top ups are priced per MB (1.5 cents/MB for Premium, or 2 cents/MB for the free plan). Data rollover is available for an additional fee.

Pay-As-You-Go Rates  What are the pay-as-you-go per minute rates?

Scratch Wireless – Not available

FreedomPop – Not available

International Calling  What options are available? What does it cost?

Scratch Wireless – International calling is not available.

FreedomPop – International calling is available with Global Plans; texting is not available. Check the list of countries here.

Activation Fees  How much do they cost?

Scratch Wireless – N/A

FreedomPop – N/A

BYOD  Can you activate your own device?

Scratch Wireless – No; you must purchase a CoolPad Arise through Scratch; it is the only compatible device at the time of writing

FreedomPop – Yes; provided it is compatible. Check this page for more info.

Network/Coverage  What network does it use?

Scratch Wireless – Sprint | Coverage Map

FreedomPop – Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T | Coverage Map

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