The text messaging revolution happened seemingly overnight. One day, we weren't sending any texts. The next day, it was how we made plans. Oh yeah, and that's the point where our phone bill crossed the $100 mark. A day after that, we were offered a text messaging plan that not even we could exceed. We were texting machines. Life was good.

We can't tell you how many people on our contact list with whom we only communicate via text. Hold on, let us scroll through...15. That might not seem like a ton, but just think about it for a minute. That's 15 people that we haven't spoken to in at least four months, yet have exchanged numerous text messages.


It makes sense in a way, though. After all, how many people do you talk to on your IMer of choice, yet never hang out with or call? It's basically the same principle, except the phone contact list is normally considered more sacred than a buddy list.

So for all of you out there who like to tap away at the keypad instead of flapping your gums, here's what we think of each carrier's texting plans. We're looking for reasonably priced unlimited plans here -- $20 is the ceiling, so anything below that is a bonus. Cheap per-message rates are also considered, but five cents is really the lowest you'll find. Ten cents is right out. Why pay that much if you use the service constantly?

They have a plan in some way or another

(read the review) If you go with the Alltel pay per day plan, you have the option of adding unlimited text messaging. The plan costs 75 cents per day, and you choose two of four options for free, with each additional one costing 25 cents: unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited text, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited favorite number calling. Or if you get the $70 plan, which includes unlimited text messaging. Beyond that, though, it's 10 cents in and out, and that's just not going to cut it.



(read the review) There's no plan for pay-as-you-go, but it's five cents in and out, so that's a huge plus. With their Pick Your Plan, that shoots up to an unconscionable 15 cents, but you can buy them in bulk: $5 for 200 messages, or $20 for 3,000 messages. You could do worse, for sure, but we're not so keen on the huge gap in messages. For most people, 200 is too few and 3,000 is too many. Really, AT&T positioned it so big time texters would fork over $20 per month.



(read the review) We're a fan of this one: with their Premium Prepaid plans, you can get unlimited messaging and unlimited mobile web for $10 per month. Now that's a sweet deal. However, other than that, you're stuck with the 10 cents per message rate -- though incoming is free. So it's not all bad for pay-as-you-go. For plans, though, this one of the best text messaging packages.



(read the review) Unlimited texting with all plans. Need we say more?

(read the review) Once again, unlimited texting -- though only within your local calling area. Even when you're out, though, it's only 10 cents per message. Excellent deal if we may say so.

(read the review) Like Cricket, MetroPCS offers unlimited text messaging. However, unlike Cricket, it'll cost you an extra $3 per month. That's more than reasonable. If you want a per-message rate, though, you're out of luck. They don't seem to offer it. And you can't get text messaging with their least expensive plan. So yeah, good deal, but they kinda screw the not-so-frequent user.



(read the review) To start, all incoming texts are free with US Cellular, which is a huge bonus. On top of that, they offer a few bulk plans: $5 for 250 sent messages, $10 for 750, or $15 for unlimited. The difference between this and a plan like AT&Ts is that having more option is almost automatically a better deal. Going from 250 to 3,000 kinda sucks. Going from 250 to 750 to unlimited makes a ton more sense.



(read the review) Here's the skinny on Virgin's plans: $2 gets you 50 messages, $5 for 200, and $10 for 1,000. That's not bad at all -- we especially like the $2 for 50 messages deal. And after that, you're paying just five cents a message both ways. So in any event, you can come out a text messaging winner with Virgin Mobile.

No plans, but cheapish rates

(read the review) Five cents in and out, so at least it's cheap. But no plans, so we can't recommend it.

(read the review) Ten cents for the first message each day, five cents thereafter. Once again, not bad, but you'll run up your bill if you're sending and receiving 300 texts per month.

(read the review) Five cents in and out.

(read the review) Five cents each way.

(read the review) We're stretching the definition of "cheapish" here: 8 cents in and out.

(read the review) Once again, stretching it with the 8 cents in and out.

(read the review) It's tough to figure with Tracfone. They offer texting at .3 units. That relates to your available minutes. The more minutes you buy in a bunch, the cheaper your "unit" cost is, so your text messaging rate is going to vary. If you buy the double minutes card and/or the most expensive cards, you'll get a decent rate. Otherwise, they should be in the bottom category.
(read the review) Seems like a lot of companies have adopted the five cents per text plan.


Avoid these if you tap out messages frequently -- 10 cents per message

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