FreedomPop vs. RingPlus! | August 2016

[@danm1215]

I'd want to say more, but, for now, I'll say this: Thank you!!! Thank you very much for your quality work and communication style. I, for one, can say on behalf of those retired, on their way to retire, people living on a budget or just people living frugal lives as a matter of principle(s): your video(s) here, as well as the individual review of both offers are a tremendous help. The only reason you don't have millions of viewers on them yet is that people like AARP, Next Avenue (pbs) blog and other retirees and frugal living communication media are still unaware of them. But, by all means: persevere, because yours is a great beginning. I'm sure if you keep up your good work you'll get there. All the best! God be with you!

[@wholeNwon]

Thanks to you I've been using RingPlus for a few months now (Truly free 2 plan). It's for a couple of phones I leave in cars for backups. No problems. In stead of ads, I've set mine to play soothing classical music. I think the TOS mentioned something about having to use the plan at least every 60 days, so I make sure to do that.

[@player911m]

We've used FreedomPops free service and we actually got a phone number that would work WITH the device's built in dialer and messaging app. You have 200 Minutes and 200 Texts, but when connected via WiFi, you essentially get unlimited talk and text. As long as you have an internet connection at home, work, or school, you can get by with heavier usage. Just make sure to disable cellular data unless you need it on the go. Also McDonalds has free wifi if you ever find yourself out of minutes and need to make an emergency WiFi Call. Pairing it up with Hangouts or Messenger is a good way to bypass using text messages and also to use for emergency calls over a wifi network.

[@PaulRSmith-ky6qg]

I tried both, but dumped FreedomPop in less than a month and I had the $19.99 plan with them. Been with RingPlus since November of last year. FreedomPop might be a good back-up or alternative if you go with their free plan. Updated January 2017: RingPlus has made major issues with stability and trust so I can no longer recommend them after they dropped all the Legacy plans last year after telling people they weren't going to cut anybody during their Q&A only to dump a number pf plans several weeks later with numerous reassurances they were only cutting the handful of plans and they weren't going to cut any other plans, only to drop the rest of the Legacy non-Mad plans shortly thereafter. I still have several people on RingPlus lines, but unless they do a major management overall it's only a matter of time before they implode.

[@mickeyscv67]

Paul R. Smith o

[@MCPOSJ117films]

From my experience with it, freedompop's app on android seems to work a lot better compared to what you showed of the ios version. idk tho

[@seemoremacstuff]

actually the freedompop sim gives you access to HSPA+ aka 4G, and you can get up to 700mb free a month by adding freedompop friends, it also makes use of the T mobile network, and the sims now cost 1 dollar generally. In fact as of right now they are 25 cents shipped.

[@tracyandrew2276]

Like this a lot, now that KZbin uses close captioned for hard of hearing/deaf. Deaf usually use text and internet for Videophone use. So good to save funds!!! Thanks!

[@nigguhslick]

You should try the new 4g LTE sim from FreedomPop.

[@iWinRar]

Travis Vo I got 2 for 1 cent apiece so I just need the phone

[@nigguhslick]

if you looking for a phone, buy something that is Dual Sim capable so that way you can utlilize the most data.

[@iWinRar]

Travis Vo any suggestions on something on the cheap side of things? I want it as a backup

[@nigguhslick]

Maybe Blu R1 HD

[@andyvo7756]

iWinRar perhaps the honor 5x

[@JoshuaPan]

Unfortunately R+ recently ended all free plans except for MAD Avatar/MAD Avatar Upgrade.

[@tc1uscg65]

If you want the FREE service, you have to pay the 120.00 lifetime fee. I just moved the money from one phone to the other (now topped up to $52) and put on a credit card that I will be terminating right after I make the switch. Since we can't get refunds, this is my way of getting my money back. :-)

[@mama6159]

Thanks that was awesome of you to reply. Much appreciated, I think you are a remarkably bright indivisidual.

[@mama6159]

I signed up for ringplus with a $38 top up plus $9.01 in taxes. This is the BLT promo plan. It's a totally free plan except after top up is used. Question if 6 months go by and I dont need to top up do I still get taxed every month the $9.01 or is t hat only when I top up. BTW awesome video.

[@StetsonDoggett]

You are only taxed when you top up.

[@justanidiot213]

Ringplus is going under sprint canceled the contract for them to use their cell towers. All ringplus service will be suspended on feb 11th sad bc it was great not having a phone bill since may.

[@Yes-xk8kn]

I use freedompop for 3g/4g internet and Google voice and hangouts to call and text.

[@tc1uscg65]

Ring Plus is not FREE. You if you want a free account, you must pay a 120.00 "fee" which is said to be a lifetime. I had two phones with them, paid 30 bucks each for the free account. Then, getting some lame email about how they "didn't meet numbers" and you could switch to a different type account, which 99% of them have a monthly charge. Then there's the free account which wants 120 bucks up front. At least for a back up phone, and if you willing to do a test call and text every 30 days to keep it from going to sleep, Freedom Pop is the best choice for anyone who just wants a active phone that they can carry in the car for emergencies.

[@nikrbawker]

FreedomPop charged me $15 to my paypal without authroization for each sim I ordered after they arrived. I would advise having some money in your account and making sure the Sims dont ship with a $80 plan like mine did I had to manually switch them then complain that they charged me without authorization to get my money back

[@MsHinds-cp1oq]

do you need the freedom pop app if you purchase a $20 plan?

[@Dkdid9183]

Can you do a review on the Verizon prepaid network? Because my iPhone 6s is currently being unlocked from sprint

[@nuggets003]

Sprint unlocked my iPhone in 24 hours upon request and I use FreedomPop on it ..works great but 3G is slow at times but decent to not be paying a dime ..I want to get ringplus too lol

[@darricktopofthehitlist8592]

How do you use Google Hangouts with Freedompop.It thinks I'm in the UK.So it wants me to add money for calls.global sim.

[@If_Only_I_Knew_Why]

Okay, I'm planning on switching my family (3-4 people) over to ringplus. Anybody here have any tips, suggested plans, and phones? (No iPhones, and finding unlocked CDMA phones can be tricky) Also, were extremely light users.

[@donirona]

I have an Iphone 5S with Verizon. Use about 5G data a month and paying $150.00 for two phones, unlimited calls and text. My son is using the other phone on the plan (Iphone6). I am thinking about upgrading my phone in September, but now thinking of trying Ring Plus. I need to receive calls from guests at our rental property, when an issue arrises perhaps 30-40 calls per month and would like to keep my current phone number if possible, but would consider changing it if necessary to make the switch. We have great cell coverage where we live (city suburb) and have wifi at home and work. Wondering which route you recommend. Would also consider paying a bit $20-$40 per month if it gets me to the same or very similar quality. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks for the helpful videos Stetson!!!

[@StetsonDoggett]

You may want to consider Cricket Wirless, Total Wireless, or Straight Talk. 5GB on Cricket would be $45/month, 5GB on Total Wireless would be $35/month, and 5GB on Straight Talk would be $45/month also. Depends what network you want to use (Verizon or AT&T) and if you can deal with throttled data speeds. Cricket throttles 8Mbps, Total throttles at 5Mbps, and Straight Talk is unthrottled on the AT&T network and 5Mbps down on the Verizon network. Keeping your current numbers should be possible reguardless which carrier you decide to switch to. RingPlus is also an option, but it doesn't look like they offer 5GB of data.

[@tyh2989]

Check out tello.com

[@rickycanada1386]

you do not have to use the freedompop app to text or call when using a android - i know from experience with freedom pop. All you have to do is provision the phone properly

[@rickycanada1386]

Yes you can make phone calls over normal cell service. you only have to run the freedompop to load the apn. Then you can uninstall it and still have service. I had it on a sprint note 2

[@rickycanada1386]

Np, i hate all the misinformation that was passed around (requiring a app to get service)

[@AyushK]

Ricky Canada can u do it on an iPhone if it's jailbroken

[@mr.superiortv4289]

Will a sprint iPhone work with freedompop?

[@ecinquebz]

I have a Nexus 7 that I bought from t mobile in 2013. I just want to use it as a back up, so freedom pop or ring plus would be perfect. First would either work with my Nexus 7? I would like to just use Hangouts to call and text when Im not on wifi. Thanks in advance

[@StetsonDoggett]

I'm uncertain if RingPlus will work with your Nexus 7 because the Nexus 7 is a tablet and not a phone. RingPlus does offer some data only plans, but those cost money and are not free. I actually think your best bet is to order a global GSM SIM card from FreedomPop. The SIM card is technically data only (because the phone number is on the FreedomPop app) so it should work fine with your tablet. Remember to downgrade your plan to the free service, and you're good to go.

[@ecinquebz]

Excellent! Thanks for your response and keep up the great videos!

[@SimplisticallyDigital]

Good comparison. Is it true that Ring plus is not allowing new accounts using Prepaid phones? I want to get my mom a flip phone from best buy. Also, did RP update their system to allow phones from other carriers like AT&T, T- Mobile etc.?

[@DOSBoxMom]

It's Sprint's new rule constraining RingPlus (as of 1 May this year, I think), not a RingPlus-specific rule. If it's a Sprint Prepaid/Virgin Mobile/Boost Mobile phone activated on RingPlus after that date, it has to have been used a certain number of months on the carrier it's branded for first. If you just want to get your mom a flip phone, try either the RingPlus Marketplace (where everything should already have a clean ESN/MEID), or eBay (but only bid after either you or the seller has confirmed a clean ESN/MEID on RingPlus' ESN Checker). If you can find a new CDMA carrier-unlocked smartphone (such as the Prime-exclusive Moto G4 at Amazon), that would also work on RingPlus. As to phones from GSM-based carriers like AT&T or T-Mobile, only certain specific higher-end phones (f.ex., newer IPhones and Nexus) can be brought over to RingPlus (they should have a chart at the end of the description for whatever their current promotion is). I have a used Boost Mobile LG Volt on RingPlus, and my daughter has a new budget LG smartphone on RingPlus which was on Black Friday special at Best Buy -- but both of our phones were activated on RingPlus before Sprint's more restrictive new rule kicked in.

[@SimplisticallyDigital]

***** Gotcha. Thank you for the info. I have 1 Smartphone on RP before the restriction started. I saw a phone on the RP marketplace that was a flip phone, but it is $30 more than the one on the Sprint website. I want to buy this device and check it's compatibility.

[@DOSBoxMom]

Swarthy Daisy If there's any way to check the device against RingPlus' ESN checker before purchase, do that; otherwise, you might want to contact customer service at the Sprint website. (You wouldn't necessarily even have to mention RingPlus in your inquiry; if it's a phone intended for Sprint Prepaid, ask if it could be activated directly to Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile or Ting.) Or at least confirm that you can return the device for a full refund as long as it isn't activated (since you can check the ESN prior to going through the activation process). I'd hate for you to be stuck with a device that can't be used on the service you bought it for your mom for.

[@SimplisticallyDigital]

***** Good idea. So would a Boost or Virgin Mobile phone work with RP?

[@DOSBoxMom]

Per Sprint's new rules, a new Boost or VM phone probably could not be activated on RingPlus until it had been used a certain number of months on Boost/VM. (But always check the ESN/MEID before purchase on RingPlus's ESN checker, just in case a particular Boost/VM phone might clear it anyway.)

[@jmacie]

@Stetson Doggett I think Freedompop is a Sprint MVNO NOT an AT&T MVNO (except for global sim) I have 6 Freedompop phones and they all are Sprint phones on the Sprint network, so I'm not sure why you start out this video saying that FP is on AT&T

[@daniellee7484]

Freedom pop uses both networks

[@jmacie]

Freedompop is not AT&T it is GSM, it locks on T-Mobile too. The global sim operates at 3G, whereas the Sprint MVNO runs 4Glte, This video makes an improper comparison. I have an FP iphone 5 that smokes the 300 Ms ping of the global gsm sim, and the bandwidth is much much higher on LTE

[@StetsonDoggett]

I was using the FreedomPop Global SIM because I had problems trying to get activated on their Sprint network. Hence the video is based on my experience with FreedomPop on the AT&T network.

[@iiplaya]

+Stetson Doggett should i use freedompop global bc my phone has a bad esn on sprint and it only works on gsm. I need something that lets me call through the default iphone calling app and use iMessage. Should i use the freedompop's sim or ringplus?

[@StetsonDoggett]

antuan XI You'll have to try and go with RingPlus because FreedomPop doesn't allow you to use the built in iPhone calling app or iMessage.

[@brandheadlights]

I would like to use my ipod touch as a cell phone because it's a very compact device. What do you recommend to use? i wa thinking a Mobile Hotspot and an app to make calls and text, what combination do you think might work?

[@StetsonDoggett]

I suggest Google Voice and Hangouts for legitimate texting on your iPod Touch.

[@brandheadlights]

Stetson Doggett what about for mobile Hotspot on the go?

[@StetsonDoggett]

brandheadlights I'm a bit unfamiliar with the mobile hotspot devices and options. I know US Mobile will give you a good deal on data only, so maybe consider checking them out. Or possibly one of RingPlus's Mad plans.

[@dgtytechandunboxing3719]

You should try freeup mobile

[@Prince-fr2lr]

Hey guys what is the best free cell service or one what is considerable cheap?

[@hansharby1837]

I am planning to resurrect my Motorola Razr V3 with one of these services as an emergency phone, or just to unplug from social media without being completely cut-off by just using basic call and text. Are either of these services compatible with the Razr V3? Thanks in advance.

[@PaulRSmith-ky6qg]

Try this link for RingPlus ringplus.net/#byosd and for FreedomPop, try here www.freedompop.com/byod

[@floriankuechen6875]

Can u do a review on Lycamobile?

[@StrifePulse]

Florian Kuechen Lycamobile is shit for residents in an area. Only good for temporary visitors who might need a quick call here and there.

[@Jayce762]

I have Ben using freedom pop for 10 months

[@sonleq987]

how in the world do you figure? unlimited talk/text on google voice with freedom-pop when its only offer 200mb?

[@LionWaffles11]

Son Le because talk and text dont use a lot of data. You would probably be having to talk and text for the whole month straight to use that much data.

[@StetsonDoggett]

Google Voice uses about 1MB of data per minute, so you could call for about 200 minutes. That in my mind is enough for most people. Texting from Hangouts uses KB of data, so that would definitely be essentially unlimited. Is it truly unlimited? No. But is it enough so most people probably wouldn't need to think about it? I think so.

[@LionWaffles11]

Stetson Doggett OMG HE REPLIED!! :D awesome videos Stetson!!

[@TheQueue841]

FYI: After two weeks and some involvement from the FCC, I finally got FreedomPop to provide me with my PIN.

[@StetsonDoggett]

Damn. Congrats! Sounds like it was a pain in the butt though.

[@nuggets003]

I don't understand the top-up part of ringplus plan ...is there one time fee for the 1k mins n 1k text ?

[@dantran6190]

For the free plans, you pay the top up fee up front, which gets added to your account. When you go over your limits the top up fee gets subtracted until it hits zero, where it will automatically top up again. The 1k talk and text plan with 1gb of data has a $27 top up fee. As long as you don't go over your limits, it's pretty much a one time fee.

[@nuggets003]

+Dan Tran so basically when that initial fee hits $0 balance you will have to pay another top up fee but if I never hit $0 balance or go over ever I won't be charged ?

[@StetsonDoggett]

This is correct.

[@StetsonDoggett]

This is correct.

[@rwafford1]

Also, you can top up as little as $5 at any time if your balance starts to come close to $0. That way, you can avoid the full automatic top-up.

[@FloridaStateDeputy]

Thanks for review

[@Manhattan_]

Rip ring plus.

[@SynThenergy]

Your videos are excellent and well-made

[@StetsonDoggett]

Thank you, Bryce!

[@StetsonDoggett]

***** Yes, I think RingPlus will stay around for a while. They are making revenue from ads playing during phone calls.

[@angiewilson5476]

So chu tellin meh I spent 16 dollars on shipping n sim 4 nun n ring plus is better

[@BruhHowDidIGetHere]

Have you tried US Cellular?

[@LionWaffles11]

Bruh yes he did, check his channel.

[@The1Jsmoove]

What plan are u currently using?

[@StetsonDoggett]

I'm currently in a family plan on Cricket's network. I pay $20/month for unlimited talk and text with 2.5GB of LTE data.

[@StrifePulse]

Stetson Doggett That's a really good plan. Fuck Canada and their non affordable cell phone plans.

[@tombeast1786]

What phone is that?

[@seandixon6718]

How can you get ringplus

[@cubingclassroomfan4323]

It's dead

[@seandixon6718]

@@cubingclassroomfan4323 ok is freedompop

[@sammymarrco2]

Ugh why did ring plus shut down.

[@tahiasyeda]

Love it !

[@Muggs068]

Freedom pop is sprint mvno

[@waqasshah9553]

RingPlus is dead, What to do now?

[@StetsonDoggett]

I guess FreedomPop is the best option at this point for free service.

[@waqasshah9553]

I am not able to buy freedompop sservices in asia.

[@jamespopovich6281]

MEANT TO SAY DIDN'T GET A PHONE FROM YOU..

[@orlandobelo8195]

Muito bom

[@carloslunaramos7771]

i called u and didnt answer it said you are a sub

[@seatedabove]

I have 4glte 500megs free on freedompop

[@moto2stroketrails348]

so theres ads before 911? lmao

[@AnthonyJohnson-plus]

911 only rings once so probably not

[@jamespopovich6281]

FREEDOOMPOP I HAD TO FILE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST YOU, I DID GET A PHONE FROM YOU, I AM NOT ON YOUR SERVER, I HAD BOOST MOBILE FOR 5 YEARS, YOU BEEN HITTING MY MASTER CARD FOR MONEY???? HOW AND WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS??? YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM MASTER CARD COMP, I SENT THE CRIMINAL PAPERS IN THE OTHER DAY!!!!!!!! 😠😠😠

[@mooveegurl]

If u are going to have your hands in a video get a manicure. Clean up your cuticles. Spend $10 for a manicure and walk out with professional, hand-model looking hands. #friendlyadvice

[@colewinsor2547]

Damn look at that long neck

[@StetsonDoggett]

+Cole Winsor Finally someone noticed.

[@SynThenergy]

+Stetson Doggett I hate trolls. Great video!

[@GaryWRose]

poop

[@washx2k755]

ring plus is dead