Are you wondering if you have the best cell phone plan for your needs? That nagging feeling that you might be overspending on your monthly wireless service is a common one. Comparing your current plan to other available options could be the motivation you need to find a better fit for yourself and your family.
In my years of experience at Tom’s Guide reviewing cell phone plans, I’ve learned the importance of looking beyond the major carriers for the best deals. While AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer solid plans, exploring smaller carriers can often lead to more data for less money.
Coverage concerns? Don’t let them deter you. Many smaller carriers, known as MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), utilize the networks of these larger providers. This means if you have strong coverage from a major carrier in your area, discount carriers using that same network will provide similar reach. To simplify your choice, we’ll highlight which networks these smaller carriers use.
When evaluating mobile plans, my primary focus is on data allowance relative to the monthly cost. Network performance and plan perks also play a significant role in my recommendations.
My top recommendations for the best mobile phone plans emphasize budget-friendly options from Mint Mobile and Visible. Visible currently has an attractive deal extending into March, reducing the price of their premium plan. For those who prefer established providers, I’ll also highlight the best plans from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
Quick Recommendations
Best Overall
- Mint Mobile
The Best Plan Overall
Starting at just $15 per month, Mint Mobile offers significant savings on your cell phone bill. These low rates apply to your initial three months of service, after which you prepay for a year to maintain the discounted rate.
Best Cheap Unlimited Data
- Visible
Best Unlimited Plan
Visible offers two unlimited data plans. The more affordable option provides Verizon network coverage for only $25 per month, even less than Mint. A current promotion lowers the price of Visible’s premium unlimited plan to $35/month.
Best Tiered Data Plan
- Verizon
Best Tiered Data Plan
Our top prepaid plan pick from Verizon costs just $35 per month with autopay. It includes 15GB of data, usable as hotspot data, with 5G coverage on Verizon’s nationwide network.
Best Family Plan
- T-Mobile
Best Family Plan
T-Mobile’s Go5G plan is an excellent unlimited option, especially for families. Four lines are typically $200 monthly, but a current discount waives the third line cost, saving you money. This family plan includes a Netflix subscription, and taxes and fees are also included.
Bulk Data
- AT&T
Best Pay-in-Advance Plan
AT&T excels with its large data allowance when you prepay for a year. This brings your monthly cost down to $25 for unlimited data, with 16GB at high speeds.
Guaranteed Rate
- Boost Mobile
Locked-in Rate
Boost Mobile’s best plan is also its cheapest. The $25/month unlimited plan lacks frills but guarantees your rate will remain constant as long as you remain a customer.
Detailed Plan Reviews
1. Mint Mobile – Best Overall
Specifications
- Data amount: 5GB
- Monthly cost: $15
- Parent network: T-Mobile
Reasons to Buy
- Highly affordable
- Generous data options
Reasons to Avoid
- Requires annual prepayment for the best rate
If you are seeking a low monthly cell phone bill, Mint Mobile is an excellent choice. However, achieving that low price involves a prepayment model.
Mint Mobile offers a variety of plans, starting with 5GB of data and extending to an unlimited data plan. Their rates begin at $15/month for 5GB, increasing in $5 increments for 15GB ($20), 20GB ($25), and unlimited ($30). For most users, 5GB is sufficient, making it our primary recommendation, although all Mint plans are competitively priced. Exceeding your data limit with Mint simply results in reduced data speeds for the remainder of the month, without overage charges.
The initial three months of any Mint plan are offered at their lowest monthly rate. For the 5GB plan, this is $15, totaling $45 for the trial period. After three months, you must decide: committing to a full year maintains the low rate but necessitates a one-time payment. For the 5GB plan, this is $180. For the unlimited plan, an annual payment of $360 secures the $30 monthly rate. A current promotion reduces the unlimited monthly rate to $25 ($300 annually), saving you $60 per year. While the upfront cost is substantial, the trade-off is a significantly lower monthly expense compared to other carriers.
Mint’s combination of a generous introductory rate and low monthly cost makes it compelling for those who can manage the annual prepayment. Those preferring month-to-month billing will need to explore other options.
Alt text: Mint Mobile logo representing affordable cell phone plans.
Best Overall Cell Phone Plan: Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan is ideal for budget-conscious users needing enough data for social media, web browsing, and navigation. After a $45 three-month trial, a $180 annual payment secures their lowest $15 monthly rate. Coverage is provided by T-Mobile’s network, including 5G on compatible devices.
2. Visible – Best Unlimited Data Plan
Specifications
- Data amount: Unlimited
- Monthly cost: $25
- Parent network: Verizon
Reasons to Buy
- Low monthly rate
- Excellent Verizon network performance
Reasons to Avoid
- No multi-line discounts
Visible offers just two unlimited data plans. Both are excellent for single-line users. Visible lacks multi-line discounts, making carriers like T-Mobile, with their family-focused pricing, better for multiple lines.
Visible’s basic plan costs $25/month and uses Verizon’s nationwide network (Visible is owned by Verizon). It includes unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico, and mobile hotspot capability. The primary drawback is potential speed throttling during Verizon network congestion.
The $45 Visible Plus plan guarantees 50GB of premium data without throttling and access to Verizon’s faster 5G Ultra Wideband network where available. The absence of data throttling is a key benefit. In my experience, Verizon’s nationwide 5G is generally fast enough unless you are a heavy data user.
Visible Plus also includes a Global Pass for one day of international use (normally $10) and free smartwatch cellular service (major carriers usually charge around $10/month for additional devices). If you own a smartwatch or travel frequently, Visible Plus is superior to the basic plan.
The current promotion lowering Visible Plus to $35/month with code ‘35PLUS‘ until March 31st makes it even more appealing.
Visible also offers annual prepayment options for further savings. For instance, the $25/month unlimited plan can be prepaid for $275 annually. Existing customers can also switch to annual billing.
My testing of Visible showed performance comparable to Verizon, with occasional slower speeds in certain locations or times. However, with plans at least $20 cheaper than Verizon’s cheapest unlimited plan, it’s a worthwhile trade-off.
Alt text: Visible Wireless logo representing cheap unlimited mobile data plans.
Best Cheap Unlimited Data Plan: While the $45 Visible Plus plan offers more perks, Visible’s $25 unlimited plan is our top pick for the most affordable unlimited data without commitments. Visible uses Verizon’s network, including 5G. Both Visible plans include taxes and fees in the price.
3. Verizon – Best Tiered Data Plan
Specifications
- Data amount: 15GB
- Monthly cost: $35
- Parent network: Verizon
Reasons to Buy
- Ample data allowance
- Excellent coverage and speeds
- Nationwide 5G coverage
Reasons to Avoid
- Not the cheapest prepaid option
- Lacks Verizon’s faster Ultra Wideband 5G
Verizon’s postpaid plans primarily focus on unlimited data, with the lowest option starting at $65/month. While these are among the best unlimited plans, Verizon’s prepaid options offer better value for those seeking deals. Prepaid plans are not only more affordable but also help maintain fixed wireless spending.
Verizon offers three prepaid plans, two with unlimited data. However, the 15GB option stands out. 15GB is generally sufficient data for average users, avoiding overpayment for unused data. Verizon’s $45 monthly rate for 15GB drops to $35 with autopay, approaching discount carrier pricing like Mint or Visible.
Perks are minimal on the 15GB prepaid plan, but it does include Verizon’s nationwide 5G coverage (generally sufficient for most users). The $60/month unlimited prepaid plan offers faster Ultra Wideband 5G and 25GB of hotspot data for those needing more. However, $35 is significantly more affordable, and 15GB should meet most needs.
Alt text: Verizon Wireless logo for tiered data mobile plan options.
Best Tiered Data Plan: Verizon’s prepaid plan balances price and data effectively. 15GB monthly is ample for most, and autopay reduces the monthly cost to $35. (Without autopay, loyalty discounts eventually lower the rate to $35 after nine months). Perks are limited, but 5G coverage and mobile hotspot are included.
4. T-Mobile – Best Family Plan
Specifications
- Data amount: Unlimited
- Monthly cost: $200 (4 lines)
- Parent network: T-Mobile
Reasons to Buy
- Free Netflix subscription
- 5G access included
- Data speeds not throttled unless exceeding 100GB
Reasons to Avoid
- Inflexible plan mixing within T-Mobile unlimited options
T-Mobile’s Go5G plan is a strong choice for individuals wanting unlimited data with more benefits than Visible, and who are willing to pay slightly more. A single Go5G line costs $75/month, offering better value than similarly priced AT&T and Verizon plans due to included travel and streaming perks. However, the plan truly shines with multi-line discounts.
Adding lines reduces the per-line cost. A family of four pays $155/month for Go5G, as T-Mobile is currently waiving the third line cost. This averages to $38.75 per line. Even at full price, four lines would be $45 each. This multi-line discount structure makes T-Mobile’s Go5G the best family cell phone plan, lowering the per-line cost with each addition.
Among T-Mobile’s unlimited plans, Go5G offers the best balance of price and perks. Plans with two or more lines include a Netflix Standard subscription and six months of Apple TV Plus. Go5G travel perks include free in-flight texting and video/music streaming on four flights annually.
The Go5G Plus plan is slightly more expensive (+$30 compared to Go5G with the waived third line), offering additional streaming and travel perks. However, for most families, the regular Go5G plan provides the optimal mix of benefits and affordability.
Alt text: T-Mobile Go5G family mobile plan for best family value.
Best Family Plan: T-Mobile Go5G offers unlimited data and increasing per-line discounts for families. Perks include 15GB of hotspot data and free data roaming in Canada and Mexico. Go5G Plus offers even greater perks, but Go5G is more affordable. With T-Mobile waiving the third line cost, a four-line plan is $155/month (including a $20 autopay discount), down from $180.
5. AT&T – Best Pay-In-Advance Plan
Specifications
- Data amount: Unlimited data
- Monthly cost: $25
- Parent network: AT&T
Reasons to Buy
- Large data allowance
- Low monthly cost
Reasons to Avoid
- Requires significant upfront payment
- Speeds slowed after 16GB of data usage
Like Verizon, AT&T has postpaid unlimited data plans, but their prepaid options offer superior value. AT&T mirrors Mint Mobile’s strategy with an annual plan trading data for a large upfront payment, but AT&T offers an even lower monthly rate.
AT&T’s unlimited data plan offers a low $25 monthly rate with a year-long commitment. This requires a $300 upfront payment but provides a lower monthly cost than Mint’s unlimited plan.
However, AT&T limits high-speed data to 16GB on this unlimited plan before throttling speeds. Mint has removed data caps on their unlimited plan. AT&T anticipates most users won’t exceed 16GB, which is often true. However, exceeding 16GB reduces speeds to 1.5Mbps for the remainder of the billing cycle.
The full year prepayment is required. But if a $300 payment is manageable, the locked-in rate enhances this AT&T plan’s appeal.
Alt text: AT&T Wireless logo representing pay-in-advance mobile plan value.
Best Pay-In-Advance Plan: AT&T’s 12-month prepaid unlimited plan offers great value on AT&T’s network. Major carriers rarely offer the best prepaid values, which are more common from MVNOs. However, AT&T is more affordable and flexible than some. While monthly payment is possible, the best price is the $300 annual prepaid plan for unlimited data with 16GB of high-speed data. Monthly payment options include 5GB for $30/month.
6. Boost Mobile – Best Price Guarantee
Specifications
- Data amount: Unlimited
- Monthly cost: $25
- Parent network: Dish
Reasons to Buy
- Low price, guaranteed for life
- Extensive network coverage
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited perks
Boost Mobile, formerly an MVNO, is now establishing itself as a national carrier competing with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Boost is building its own network, supplemented by AT&T and T-Mobile coverage for broader reach. To highlight its national carrier status, Boost offers several unlimited plans, with one standing out for its price stability.
Boost charges $25/month for its standard unlimited plan, matching Visible’s monthly unlimited rate. However, Boost guarantees this $25/month rate for customers who maintain continuous service with them.
This ensures predictable monthly cell phone bills, excluding tax variations. Some Boost plans include taxes and fees, but the $25 unlimited plan does not. It offers 30GB of high-speed data before potential slowdowns, unlike Visible’s $25 plan where speeds can be throttled at any time.
Regardless of perks, this Boost plan offers price certainty, a valuable feature in today’s market. A current promotion halves the $25 monthly rate for the first month of Boost service.
Alt text: Boost Mobile logo representing price guaranteed mobile plans.
Best Price Guarantee: For predictable long-term cell phone costs, Boost’s cheapest unlimited plan is ideal. Perks are minimal beyond 30GB of high-speed unlimited data, but the rate is locked-in for as long as you remain a Boost customer with autopay enabled.
Cell Phone Plan Comparison
To easily compare the costs of these top cell phone plans, the chart below summarizes monthly rates for a single line. It notes annual payment requirements for Mint and AT&T and the family plan price for T-Mobile’s Go5G (four lines).
As shown, AT&T, Boost, and Visible offer the lowest unlimited data rates, while Mint’s 5GB plan is the cheapest overall. T-Mobile’s strength lies in multi-line discounts for family coverage.
| Plan | Data amount | Monthly price, 1 line | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile 5GB plan | 5GB | $15 (requires $180 annual payment) | $180 annual payment required for $15 monthly rate |
| Visible Wireless Visible plan | Unlimited data | $25 | Plus plan costs $45/month |
| Verizon Prepaid 15GB plan | 15GB | $35 | Rate reflects $10 autopay discount |
| T-Mobile Go5G Family plan | Unlimited data | $75 | Family of four pays $155, or $38.75 per line |
| AT&T Prepaid Unlimited plan | Unlimited data | $25 | $300 annual payment required for plan |
| Boost Mobile Unlimited plan | Unlimited data | $25 | Rate is guaranteed for as long as you remain at Boost |
How We Choose the Best Cell Phone Plans
Selecting the best cell phone plans involves thorough research of each carrier’s offerings. This includes examining plans from the three major carriers and lesser-known MVNOs, which often provide lower-priced plans. After compiling data on available plans, we identify the most affordable options.
Beyond price, we consider plans offering attractive data allowances, particularly unlimited data (though tiered data plans are also included for users with lighter data needs). Plan perks are also factored into our evaluations.
Network coverage is considered, primarily based on third-party testing and national average download speeds. Coverage varies regionally and even locally. Therefore, consulting friends, family, and neighbors about reliable local coverage is recommended. Then choose from our highlighted plans involving different providers.
Given the frequent changes in phone carrier plans, we regularly update our rankings monthly to reflect pricing and perk updates. We also highlight promotions offering additional savings on new cell phone plans when available.
Choosing the Right Cell Phone Plan for You
Price is a major factor when comparing mobile plans, especially for families needing multiple lines. Most carriers offer tiered discounts as lines are added, so comparing total plan costs based on the number of lines is essential.
However, cell phone plans involve more than just monthly costs. Consider network coverage in your area and phone compatibility. Our guide to the best phone carriers addresses these factors. Additionally, inquire about specific carrier coverage at your home and workplace if switching providers.
Switching carriers often comes with incentives. Major carriers frequently offer promotions to attract new customers. Monitor carrier deals when considering a switch to maximize potential savings.
Carriers have invested heavily in 5G network expansion. With a compatible 5G phone, you can benefit from faster speeds in 5G-covered areas. T-Mobile includes 5G with all plans, extending to MVNOs like Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile using their network. AT&T now includes 5G in all plans, including prepaid. Verizon also offers 5G, though faster Ultra Wideband 5G access is plan-dependent.
What Type of Cell Phone Plan Do You Need?
The “best” plan is subjective and depends on individual needs and priorities.
For budget-conscious and flexible users, prepaid cell phone plans are excellent. They are often the cheapest and contract-free, ideal for frequent carrier changes.
Heavy data users who stream, game, or heavily use mobile data will benefit from unlimited plans, especially with increasing 5G availability.
For detailed guidance, consult our guide on how much data you need in your cell phone plan.
Family cell phone plans offer cost savings per line as carriers reduce per-line costs with added lines. Some carriers, like Verizon and AT&T, allow mixing plans, enabling unlimited lines with more perks for parents and cheaper data lines for children, optimizing overall cost.
If lowest price is the primary concern, carriers like Visible and Boost Mobile offer very low costs, potentially with smaller data caps. Prepaying annually, as with Mint Mobile, can also lower rates.
MVNOs vs. Other Carriers
MVNOs offer budget-friendly cell phone plans. What are they, and how do they differ from major carriers?
Major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile – which absorbed Sprint in 2020, and Boost Mobile attempting to establish itself nationally) own and operate their networks.
MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) lease network access from major carriers. This allows for lower prices but means potential data prioritization during peak usage and fewer added benefits compared to major carriers.
Our MVNO guide provides more detail. Key MVNO examples include:
- Mint Mobile (T-Mobile network)
- Metro by T-Mobile (T-Mobile network)
- Tello (T-Mobile network)
- Cricket Wireless (AT&T network)
- Visible (Verizon network)
- Xfinity Mobile (Verizon network)
