Can You Buy a Phone Plan Online
By Ultra Team
Published March 27, 2025

Being able to purchase essentials like groceries & clothes online has made a world of difference in how we shop over the years. And yes, you can buy a phone plan online, too. Not needing to visit a wireless store means you can compare plans across multiple carriers and find the right wireless plan for you from the comfort of your own home, at any time, seven days a week. Let’s go over why you may want to purchase your next phone plan online and how to do it with ease.

Benefits of buying a phone plan online
We briefly mentioned a few benefits already, but here are some of the main reasons people prefer shopping for wireless service online:
- Convenience
Purchase a plan when you’re ready, anytime from anywhere. - Easy Comparison
Quickly compare plans, features and pricing side-by-side, even across multiple carriers. - Exclusive Deals
Some carriers offer discounts or promotions that you can only get online. - Instant Activation with eSIM
Get your new service going immediately, without having to wait for a physical SIM card. - No Sales Pressure
Focus on what you really want without anyone trying to upsell you. - Secure Checkout
Most carriers offer encrypted payment options online, to keep your info safe. - Straightforward Process
Simply choose a plan, check compatibility, and activate your service without any runaround.

How to find the best phone plan online
Buying online allows you to take your time and really investigate all your options. With that in mind, here are the steps we recommend you take to make the most of the process.
- Identify Your Needs
Determine how much data you need each month, as well as talk & text. Do you travel often or call friends & family internationally? Ultra Mobile offers unlimited talk & text to 90+ countries on all plans with data amounts ranging from 250MB all the way to Unlimited. - Compare Carrier Websites
Visit multiple carrier websites to explore all plans, pricing, and features. We have a detailed breakdown of each plan we offer at ultramobile.com/plans. - Use Comparison Tools
Check online comparison sites to easily view different plans side-by-side. - Check Coverage Maps
Make sure the carrier you choose provides strong network coverage in all areas you frequent (home, work, relatives’ homes, etc). - Look for Promotions
Don’t overlook any online-exclusive deals, discounts or bonuses. - Consider eSIM Activation
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, you can activate your service instantly without needing a physical SIM card. - Review Fine Print
Keep an eye out for hidden fees, verify contract terms and check for any limitations on data speeds or usage.
Buying online vs. in-store: which is better?
We’ve made a pretty strong case for buying online, but “better” is still subjective. Here are the main things to consider:
- Buying online: Makes the most sense if you’re looking for the convenience of shopping on your own time from the comfort of your own home. Buying online also offers instant activation and the opportunity for exclusive deals & promotions.
- Buying in-store: The better option if you prefer in-person assistance or want a physical SIM card immediately. Just remember, most wireless stores are not open 24/7 and you’ll most likely have to deal with some upselling by the in-person associates.
If you’re looking for the most hassle-free wireless purchasing experience, Ultra Mobile has you covered with easy-to-understand plan comparisons and instant eSIM activation.

Thinking about switching to Ultra Mobile? Here’s how to do it online
Step 1: Check phone compatibility
- Visit our BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) page
- Enter your phone’s IMEI number to make sure it will work on our network
- Ensure your phone is unlocked (if locked, contact your current carrier to request an unlock)
Step 2: Choose a plan
- Browse Ultra Mobile’s available plans and select the one that best fits your needs
- Consider features like data, international calling and hotspot usage
Step 3: Choose a SIM card or eSIM
- eSIM: Check if your phone supports eSIM, which would let you activate your plan instantly
- Physical SIM: You can order a SIM card online or purchase one from a local retailer
Step 4: Transfer your number (Optional)
- If you want to bring your phone number to Ultra, select “Transfer My Number” during activation
- Provide details like your current account number & transfer PIN from your old carrier
- Transferring a number typically can take just a few minutes up to a few hours
- For a complete guide check out how to transfer your number to Ultra Mobile
Step 5: Start the activation process
- If using eSIM, follow the on-screen instructions to install and activate your new plan
- If using a physical SIM, insert the SIM card into your phone and follow the activation steps at ultramobile.com/activate
- If you need more help, check out our guide on how to activate your Ultra Mobile plan
Ultra Mobile Makes Saving Online Easy
Now you know why it makes sense to shop for phone plans online, so it’s time to switch and save. Or you can do it later if that’s more convenient for you, considering that’s one of the main benefits of shopping online. Whenever you’re ready, we definitely recommend including Ultra Mobile when comparing carriers online. Put any of our phone plans, with unlimited talk & text to 90+ countries, free mobile hotspot, free 5G on America’s largest 5G network and more, up against any other wireless phone plan and we think you’ll see why Ultra Mobile is everything you want in wireless.