In 2022, imagining for a single moment paying a lot to have a quality mobile plan seems totally inconceivable.
And for good reason, it's been more than 10 years now that non-binding packages have been a reality on the French mobile telephony market, and that operators are constantly competing to attract ever more subscribers.
In this context, smartphone owners are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a mobile plan that is perfectly suited to their needs.
But faced with a plethora of choices in terms of French mobile telephone operators, which one is it better to turn to?
This may be the question that brought you to this article.
It is likely that you will find an answer by looking at our selection of the ten most interesting French operators when it comes to investing in a cheap mobile plan.
You choose!
The telephone operators who offer the best cheap mobile plans in France
Prixtel, flexible
Not only does the mobile telephone operator Prixtel display particularly attractive rates on all of its non-binding packages, but it also displays a very original proposal: that of flexible billing.
Each month, you only pay for the amount of mobile data you use.
If you are a small user, your bill will be low.
If, the following month, your consumption has doubled, then you will pay a little more.
If it drops again the following month, then the bill also drops… This situation is possible thanks to the three levels found within each package.
It's up to you to choose the one that suits you best.
In addition, each Prixtel package includes unlimited calls, SMS and MMS in France and from Europe and the overseas departments.
A data envelope is also included for these destinations: it varies according to your package.
Prixtel is an operator committed to the purchasing power of its customers, but also to the planet, since it offsets all its carbon emissions by planting trees in French forests.
So many good reasons to take an interest in its unique proposal in France.
Prixtel uses the SFR network.
Discover the Prixtel mobile plans here
Auchan Telecom, reasonable
A virtual operator belonging to Bouygues Telecom, Auchan Telecom offers non-binding packages at reasonable rates.
Its offer is aimed at people looking for an average mobile data envelope, with prices around 10 euros.
It should be noted that like many "low cost" operators, Auchan Telecom varies its offers regularly, in order to reach the widest possible audience.
What does it mean?
Quite simply, don't hesitate to be patient and come back regularly to the Auchan Telecom site to get the best price.
Promotional offers make it possible, throughout the year, to take advantage of very affordable mobile plans for a short period.
If you have a non-binding package with another operator, don't hesitate to seize the opportunity when Auchan Telecom draws a good plan.
Discover the Auchan Telecom mobile plans here
Bouygues Telecom, history
Bouygues Telecom is part of the short list of incumbent mobile telephone operators.
Therefore, most of its offer consists of packages with a 24-month commitment, associated with a mobile phone.
However, we can admit that it is not the most expensive operator to display such a catalog.
The prices of Bouygues Telecom's commitment packages are correct and if you need a new smartphone, it may be interesting to carry out a simulation to see if the proposal may interest you.
By choosing this provider, you have the choice between 4G and 5G plans.
This is not always the case with MVNOs, and so it is one of the other points that tends to lean in favor of Bouygues Telecom.
Do not hesitate to explore its catalog of packages to get a clearer idea of what awaits you.
Discover the Bouygues Telecom mobile plans here
Cdiscount Mobile, the seasonal
Cdiscount Mobile is like Cdiscount: inexpensive and quite efficient.
Again, this is a virtual operator (MVNO) which operates on the Bouygues Telecom network.
Most of its offer focuses on 4G packages, but there is usually a 5G package which is also offered.
Cdiscount Mobile has the particularity of betting on offers that often change every week.
This means that if you come back regularly, you have a chance to find a completely different catalog of packages.
Where Cdiscount Mobile can be very attractive is during periods of promotions and good deals such as sales, Black Friday or even French Days.
If you can wait before changing plans, don't hesitate to try your luck at Cdiscount Mobile during these different periods.
Discover the Cdiscount Mobile mobile plans here
Coriolis Telecom, the discreet
Coriolis Telecom is a French mobile phone operator which is one of the least known to the general public.
And that's a bit of a shame, because his proposal may turn out to be interesting.
Coriolis Telecom's catalog of packages is relatively limited in quantity, but the offers generally show good value for money.
You have to pay attention to the duration conditions to take advantage of the most attractive rates and as the packages are non-binding, when it becomes too expensive, you can change operator.
Depending on the package you are interested in, you can either have access to 4G or 5G as an option.
It should be noted that Coriolis Telecom is a virtual operator that uses the SFR network to operate.
In addition to the classic non-binding packages, there are also blocked packages and packages with smartphone.
Discover here the Coriolis Telecom mobile plans
Free Mobile, the stable
Free Mobile has been one of France's historic mobile telephone operators for about ten years.
This means that it has its own 4G and 5G mobile network across the country.
Free Mobile became known for its no-commitment package at only 2 euros per month, which was launched in 2012 and which still exists today.
The rest of its offer consists of a fixed 5G plan, and a 4G plan at a promotional rate which tends to vary regularly from proposal.
In summary, Free Mobile displays a catalog of reduced and stable packages over time.
Apart from the promotional package which tends to go up or down every month, there are quite a few surprises with this operator.
However, the fact that its offers are inexpensive and that they are non-binding makes it an operator rather appreciated by mobile users.
Discover the Free Mobile mobile plans here
NRJ Mobile, the exclusive
Like most MVNOs, NRJ Mobile focuses its offer on packages exclusive to its Web platform.
It is impossible to find them in stores and this allows him to vary his offer very regularly.
In fact, NRJ Mobile is popular with smartphone users who like to change plans regularly to always be sure of benefiting from low prices, even if it means switching from one operator to another very often for that.
Generally, the NRJ Mobile proposal has between three and five packages.
Some return to the site several times a year, but it happens that offers at reduced prices are only available for a week at most during strategic promotional periods.
It is therefore a good idea to always monitor the offers put forward by the operator, to be sure not to miss out on a cheap mobile plan.
Discover the NRJ Mobile mobile plans here
RED by SFR, à la carte
As its name suggests, RED by SFR is an operator that belongs to SFR.
RED's objective is twofold: to offer non-binding packages, which SFR does not do, and to allow its customers to benefit from access to the operator's network at low cost.
To do this, RED by SFR allows them to compose their mobile plan without any commitment à la carte: it is thus possible to choose the amount of data available, the 4G or 5G network or even the most suitable international option.
The price remains accessible in all cases and the fact that the offer is non-binding is attractive.
RED by SFR also offers to acquire a smartphone in addition to the subscription to the package.
However, as there is no particular subsidy, this point is not necessarily the most interesting.
Discover the RED by SFR mobile plans here
Sosh, the Orange card
Sosh is Orange's low-cost operator: this means that it uses its mobile network and that its packages are both inexpensive and non-binding.
In return, everything happens on the Internet: Sosh packages are never available in physical Orange stores, and after-sales service is provided exclusively on its site.
Sosh offers a nice variety of mobile plans, the prices of which tend to vary greatly depending on the amount of data offered.
If you are looking for a small amount of data and a limited call duration, you can get away with it for just a few euros.
For a large amount of data, you have to watch the promotions to benefit from a really attractive price.
Sosh knows how to be aggressive regularly, but sometimes it is better to turn to the competition to pay less.
Discover the Sosh mobile plans here
La Poste Mobile, the blocked
La Poste Mobile is an MVNO that operates on the SFR network.
Basically, the offers of this virtual operator use 4G, but it is possible to switch to 5G for a few euros more each month.
One of the peculiarities of its plans is that once you have reached the amount of your monthly mobile data envelope, then you are blocked until the following month unless you buy a recharge.
This is a point to take into account if your consumption tends to vary greatly.
It should be noted that if you are an SFR customer on the Internet box side, La Poste Mobile can allow you to benefit from a reduction on your telephone plan.
This can allow you to save a few euros if you are in this case: it may be interesting to look into the question.
Discover the La Poste Mobile mobile plans here
Why subscribe to a cheap mobile plan?
Rather than asking yourself why it is worth subscribing to a cheap mobile plan, you can also ask yourself the following question: why opt for a mobile plan that seems far too expensive for what is offered?
In practice, the most expensive mobile plans are those with a huge amount of mobile data, which sometimes exceeds 200 GB monthly.
Do you really need all this?
It is not certain!
On average, you should know that the user of a mobile plan in France consumes less than 10 GB of data every month.
You can check how much you consume yourself by going to the menus of your smartphone: you will probably be surprised to find that you don't use that much.
If you use less than 50 GB of mobile data during the month, you have everything to gain by subscribing to a cheap mobile plan that focuses on an envelope of this type.
In addition, it is very likely that a low-cost mobile plan corresponds to your habits in terms of calls, SMS and MMS.
Generally, they are unlimited in these packages, and they are even included in Europe and the overseas departments.
The most expensive packages often include other destinations, such as the USA or Canada: if you never travel there, no need to subscribe!
In summary, choosing a cheap mobile plan is more than enough for most uses.
And if you find that your plan is no longer suitable, you can always change it if it is without obligation.
Try to always pay the right price according to your needs, and you will save money.
How to find a cheap mobile subscription?
First of all, start by determining what your specific needs are in terms of the amount of mobile data, calls, SMS and MMS, but also for use abroad.
If you just need a plan that allows you to call less than two hours a month and send a lot of texts, you can find a plan under 5 euros that suits you.
If you use your smartphone a lot to watch videos or play games when you're not at home, choose a plan with at least 100 GB of data instead: it should cost you less than 15 euros.
Once you've figured out your needs, shop around for the carrier sites we've listed above for you.
Then, select the packages that seem to be suitable for you, then compare prices, advantages and conditions of access.
This should allow you to find the cheap mobile plan that suits you.
Ideally, choose a non-binding offer, which will allow you to change your mobile subscription if necessary.
The essential point in this approach is to listen to your specific needs.
We must also bring competition into play at all times.
There are so many mobile telephone operators in France that there is always at least one that displays promotions: it's up to you to play to be on the lookout for the best offers, in order to always pay less without making sacrifices on the quality of your mobile connection.