Sprint - $0 in fact you make money
I would highly advocate against this move, especially now that it looks like a merger will go through with them and T-Mobile. I've seen it play out too many times over the years. You never want to be a customer on the business end of the absorbed network, no matter how "cheap" it is. Also, Sprint's developed a bad rep over network quality for a reason. It says something that they're a) still making money while giving service away, and b) the fact that they have to give service away to sufficiently bolster their subscriber numbers to make them attractive for a buyout... that's not a good thing, man.
I won't even address the other questionably ethical and foolish suggestions there, such as depending on a stranger's family plan to save money beyond this observation.
Everything else? Trying, I know you're trying to help... but just throwing out a mess of brand names from disparate networks with no discrimination towards actually addressing the needs of the people asking isn't actually helping them as much as advertising. I want to encourage you to do better.
Doesn't matter how you perceive.
I used straight talk 3 years back, before then used T mobile for 5 years. Then mint sim for 6 months, now, I own a phone in Sprint network in free plan from last November. They did improve their nw. There were 7 of my friends who moved to Sprint from Verizon and att.
I own a cricket on family plan ($20/$100 plan) for 12 months.
The family plan you can create and manage with friends or external 8apple depending on your comfort level.
Used freedom pop+ Google voice 6 months for my wife where she was home mostly and while outside she gets google voice calls through hangouts and we use watsapp for most friends voice calls and messaging.
I used ringplus (mvno of sprint) too. I had Google fi on getting Sprint and t mobile. tested t mobile and sprint on a 1200 mile road trip with Verizon and ATT prepaid and postpaid.
Just to let you know that, if you didn't believe or something didn't make sense it doesn't mean there is nothing in it. And there is only literal meaning of good and bad except until how it is applied.
OP asked for options. These are something I personally tested. Provided inputs, not just throwing some mess. I am not taking it as insult or fight but just intended to clarify that things exist for reason.
Mergers can bring good things too. T mobile is the company behind price wars in USA.
On Sprint, I don't advertise. If you have coverage, use it. They had to do all these because of multi factors market created. First t mobile wanted way out but declined. Now Sprint. If you think these shouldnot exist, then we would end up paying high dollars for stupid plans in ATT and Verizon.
I looked up your guide on the link you have given. Nice work. But it's your view and not necessarily the absolute truth.
I had owned fp sims they were great during international trips. Last used them for pporting out. They are stingy for mkoney but they do deliver what they promised.
But I will try to be more effective on helping, I would take it.