Virgin Mobile user review

Cons: Cost per minute is typically higher than with a more standard monthly plan; pre-paid; must add $20 to your account every 3 months even if you have money in it already

Summary: I chose Virgin Mobile based on my parents' recommendation. I wanted a cell phone primarily for emergency use and didn't want to be locked into a monthly plan, which would cost a lot more than the time I intended to use. My parents wanted the same thing, so they looked around and decided on Virgin Mobile's by-the-minute option. I also joined with the same option, and it's been a good service for all of us.

The drawback is having to add money to your account every 3 months even though you have money in it. But that's how they keep your service active, and it's only $20 at a time, so it can cost as little as $80 a year to have a cell phone (the phone itself is extra, of course). For small talkers, I think monthly plans would have a hard time matching this.