Knowing you have the best cell phone plan can eliminate the constant worry of overspending on your monthly wireless bill. Comparing your current plan with other available options might be the push you need to discover a better fit for you and your family’s needs.
After years of examining cell phone plans, I’ve learned the importance of looking beyond the major carriers for the most affordable monthly options. While AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer solid plans, exploring smaller carriers can often lead to more data for less money.
Don’t let coverage concerns hold you back. These smaller carriers utilize the networks of the larger providers. So, if you have strong coverage from a major carrier in your area, discount carriers using that network will offer similar reach. We’ll help you understand which smaller carriers use which major networks in our cell phone plan recommendations.
When evaluating cell phone plans, the key question is: how much data am I getting for my monthly payment? I also consider network performance and plan perks when comparing various options.
My top recommendations for the best cell phone plans highlight budget-friendly options from Mint Mobile and Visible, with Visible currently offering a compelling deal into March on its premium plan. I also include the best plans from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T for those who prefer established wireless providers.
The Quick List
- 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. To maintain the discounted rate, you prepay for a year of service.
Best Cheap Unlimited Data
2. Visible
Best unlimited plan
Visible provides two unlimited data plans. The more affordable option offers Verizon’s network coverage for only $25 per month, even less than Mint Mobile. A limited-time promotion reduces the price of Visible’s premium unlimited plan to $35/month.
Best Tiered Data Plan
3. Verizon
Best tiered data plan
Verizon’s prepaid plan is a top choice, costing just $35 per month with auto-payments. It includes 15GB of data, usable as hotspot data, and 5G coverage on Verizon’s nationwide network.
Best family plan
T-Mobile’s Go5G plan is an excellent unlimited option, especially for families. While four lines are typically $200 per month, a current discount waives the third line’s cost. This plan includes a Netflix subscription and covers taxes and fees.
Best pay-in-advance plan
AT&T offers exceptional value with its annual prepaid plan. Paying upfront lowers your monthly cost to $25 for unlimited data, with 16GB at high speeds.
Guaranteed Rate
6. Boost Mobile
Locked-in rate
Boost Mobile’s standout plan is its most affordable unlimited option at $25/month. While it lacks extra perks, Boost guarantees this rate will remain constant for as long as you maintain active service.
Compare Rate Plans for the Best Cell Phone Service
1. Mint Mobile – Best Overall Cell Phone Plan
Specifications
Data amount: 5GB
Monthly cost: $15
Parent network: T-Mobile
Reasons to Buy
- Highly affordable cell phone rate plans
- Generous data options for the price
Reasons to Avoid
- Requires annual prepayment for the best monthly rate
Mint Mobile is an excellent choice for those seeking low monthly payments for cell phone service and looking to compare rate plans. However, the low cost comes with a condition.
Let’s explore Mint Mobile’s plans, which range from 5GB of data to unlimited data. Mint’s rates start at $15/month for 5GB, increasing in $5 increments for 15GB ($20), 20GB ($25), and unlimited ($30). Since 5GB suits most users, it’s often the recommended plan, though all Mint Mobile plans are competitively priced. Even if you exceed your data limit, Mint Mobile simply reduces data speeds for the remainder of the month, without overage charges.
The initial three months of any Mint Mobile plan are offered at the lowest monthly rate. For the 5GB plan, this is $15, totaling $45 for the trial period. After three months, you decide whether to commit to a full year to maintain the low rate, requiring a one-time payment of $180 for the 5GB plan. For the unlimited plan, a $360 upfront payment locks in the $30 monthly rate. (A current promotion lowers the unlimited plan to $25/month when you prepay $300 for a year, saving $60 annually.) While a significant upfront cost, the trade-off is a lower monthly expense compared to other carriers.
With its attractive introductory rate and low monthly costs, Mint Mobile is compelling for those who can manage the annual payment. If you prefer month-to-month payments, you’ll need to explore other options to compare rate plans.
Best Cell Phone Plan Overall: Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan is the best cheap plan for most users, providing sufficient data for social media, web browsing, and maps. After a $45 three-month trial, a $180 annual payment secures the $15 monthly rate. Coverage is provided via T-Mobile’s network and includes 5G service on compatible devices.
Mint Mobile | 5GB Plan | $15/month – Best Overall Cell Phone Plan
Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan is the best cheap plan for most users, providing sufficient data for social media, web browsing, and maps. After a $45 three-month trial, a $180 annual payment secures the $15 monthly rate. Coverage is provided via T-Mobile’s network and includes 5G service 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 for unlimited data plans
- Excellent network performance with Verizon
Reasons to Avoid
- No multi-line discounts to compare with family plans
Visible offers two unlimited data plans, either of which are excellent if you only need a single line. However, Visible doesn’t offer discounts for multiple lines, making carriers like T-Mobile, with their family-focused pricing, more attractive for multi-line accounts when you compare rate plans for families.
Visible’s basic plan costs $25/month and uses Verizon’s nationwide network, as Visible is owned by Verizon. The plan includes unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico, and mobile hotspot capability. A potential drawback is that speeds may be temporarily slowed 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 significant advantage, as Verizon’s nationwide 5G is generally fast enough for most users unless you are downloading large files.
Visible Plus also includes a Global Pass for one day of international use (usually $10) and the option to add a cellular smartwatch at no extra charge. (Major carriers typically charge around $10 to add devices.) If you own a smartwatch or travel frequently, Visible Plus is a worthwhile upgrade over the basic plan when you compare rate plans with added benefits.
The Visible Plus plan is even more appealing with a current promotion, reducing the monthly cost to $35 with the code ‘35PLUS‘. This offer ends March 31st, making now a good time to switch if you’re considering Visible.
Visible also offers annual payment options for both plans, providing further savings compared to month-to-month billing. For instance, the $25/month unlimited plan can be prepaid for $275 annually. Existing Visible customers can also switch to annual billing to compare rate plans with long-term savings.
Testing Visible previously, I found performance comparable to Verizon, with occasional slower speeds in certain locations or at peak times. However, with Visible plans costing at least $20 less than Verizon’s cheapest unlimited plan, it’s a reasonable trade-off for users looking to compare rate plans and save money.
Best Cheap Unlimited Data: While Visible’s $45 Plus plan has enhanced features, the $25 unlimited plan is our top pick for the most affordable unlimited data with no commitments. Visible’s use of Verizon’s network, including 5G, is a significant benefit. Both Visible plans include taxes and fees in the advertised price.
Visible | Visible Unlimited | $25/month – Best Cheap Unlimited Data Plan
Even though Visible’s $45 Plus plan has the better perks, Visible’s $25 unlimited offering is our pick if you want the cheapest unlimited data with no strings attached. It helps that Visible uses Verizon’s network for coverage, including 5G coverage. Both Visible and Visible Plus plans include taxes and fees in their rates.
3. Verizon – Best Tiered Data Plan
Specifications
Data amount: 15GB
Monthly cost: $35
Parent network: Verizon
Reasons to Buy
- Substantial data allowance for a tiered plan
- Excellent coverage and fast speeds from Verizon
- Nationwide 5G network access
Reasons to Avoid
- Not the cheapest prepaid option available for rate plan comparison
- Does not include Verizon’s fastest Ultra Wideband 5G
Verizon’s postpaid plans are heavily focused on unlimited data, with the most affordable option starting at $65/month. While these are among the best unlimited plans, Verizon’s prepaid options are more appealing for budget-conscious users who want to compare rate plans. Verizon’s prepaid plans offer better prices and help manage wireless spending with predictable costs.
Verizon offers three prepaid plans, two of which are unlimited. However, the 15GB option stands out as the best value. 15GB is generally sufficient data for average users, preventing overpayment for unused data. Furthermore, Verizon’s $45 monthly rate for the 15GB plan drops by $10 with auto-payment enrollment, bringing the cost closer to discount carriers like Mint Mobile or Visible when you compare rate plans.
Perks are minimal with the 15GB prepaid plan, though it includes Verizon’s nationwide 5G coverage. (As mentioned with Visible, nationwide 5G speeds are adequate for most users.) For more features in a Verizon prepaid plan, the $60/month unlimited plan offers faster Ultra Wideband 5G speeds and 25GB of hotspot data. However, $35 is significantly more affordable, and 15GB should meet most data needs when you compare rate plans based on data usage.
Best Prepaid Plan: Verizon’s 15GB prepaid plan offers a balanced combination of price and data. 15GB per month is ample for most users, and auto-pay discounts reduce the monthly rate to $35. (Without auto-pay, loyalty discounts eventually lower the rate to $35 after nine months of service.) Perks are basic, but 5G coverage and mobile hotspot capability are included.
Verizon | 15GB Prepaid | $35/month – Best Prepaid Plan for Tiered Data
Verizon’s prepaid plan offers the right mix of price and data. That 15GB per month is more than enough for most users, and autopay discounts bring your monthly rate down to $35. (If you don’t enroll in autopay, loyalty discounts eventually drop the rate to $35 if you stick with Verizon for nine months.) Perks are minimal with this plan, but you do get 5G coverage and the ability to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.
4. T-Mobile – Best Family Cell Phone Plan
Specifications
Data amount: Unlimited
Monthly cost: $200 (4 lines)
Parent network: T-Mobile
Reasons to Buy
- Includes a free Netflix subscription
- 5G network access
- Data speeds are only slowed after 100GB of usage
Reasons to Avoid
- Cannot mix and match different T-Mobile unlimited data plans for family members
T-Mobile’s Go5G plan is a strong choice for individuals seeking an unlimited plan 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 plans from AT&T and Verizon, which lack the travel and streaming perks included with T-Mobile’s plan when you compare rate plans with added features. However, the Go5G plan truly shines when adding multiple lines.
As lines are added, T-Mobile discounts the cost per additional line, reducing the overall per-line cost. A family of four pays $155/month for four Go5G lines, thanks to T-Mobile currently waiving the third line’s cost. This brings the per-line cost to $38.75. Even at full price, four lines would only be $45 per line. This multi-line discount makes T-Mobile’s Go5G the best family cell phone plan for families looking to compare rate plans for multiple users.
Among T-Mobile’s many unlimited options, the Go5G plan offers the best balance of price and perks. A Netflix Standard plan is included with plans of two or more lines, along with six months of Apple TV Plus. Travel perks include unlimited in-flight texting and video/music streaming on four flights annually.
The Go5G Plus plan is slightly more expensive – $30 more than Go5G with the third line discount – but offers additional streaming and travel benefits. However, for most families, the standard Go5G plan provides the optimal mix of perks and price when you compare rate plans for family use.
T-Mobile Go5G | 4-Line Family Plan | $155/month – Best Family Cell Phone Plan
In addition to unlimited data and increasing per-line discounts as you add people to your plan, Go5G offers families attractive perks, with 15GB of hotspot data and the ability to use more of your data for free when you travel in Canada and Mexico. The perks are even grander with Go5G Plus, but Go5G is the more affordable option — and when T-Mobile waives the cost of a third line, a four-line plan drops to $155/month, instead of the usual $180. (That latter price includes a $20 autopay discount.)
5. AT&T – Best Pay-In-Advance Plan
Specifications
Data amount: Unlimited data
Monthly cost: $25
Parent network: AT&T
Reasons to Buy
- High data allowance
- Low monthly cost with annual prepayment
Reasons to Avoid
- Requires a significant upfront payment
- Speeds are reduced after 16GB of high-speed data usage
Similar to Verizon, AT&T’s postpaid plans are primarily focused on unlimited data. However, AT&T’s prepaid options offer better value, especially their annual plan, which provides substantial data for a large upfront payment, similar to Mint Mobile, but at a lower monthly cost when you compare rate plans for prepaid options.
AT&T’s unlimited data plan offers a low $25 monthly rate if you commit to a year of service. This requires a $300 upfront payment, but provides a lower monthly rate than Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan.
However, AT&T’s plan limits high-speed data to 16GB, after which speeds are reduced. Mint Mobile recently removed data caps on its unlimited plan, allowing unlimited high-speed data. AT&T anticipates most users will not exceed 16GB, which is likely true for many. However, exceeding 16GB reduces speeds to 1.5Mbps for the rest of the billing cycle.
As mentioned, the full year’s payment is required upfront. But if a $300 payment is manageable, the locked-in rate adds to the appeal of this AT&T option for those comparing rate plans with annual commitments.
AT&T | Unlimited 12-Month Prepaid | $25/month – Great Value on AT&T Prepaid Plans
Major carriers rarely offer the best value prepaid plans, with MVNOs typically being more competitive. However, AT&T can be slightly more affordable and flexible than Verizon. While monthly payments are available, the best price comes with a 12-month prepaid plan at $300 upfront. This includes unlimited data, though speeds may slow after 16GB of monthly usage. For monthly payments, AT&T offers 5GB of data for $30 per month when you compare rate plans with flexible payment options.
AT&T | Unlimited 12-Month Prepaid | $25/month – Great Value on AT&T Prepaid Plans
The main carriers rarely offer the best value prepaid plans and these tend to be more common from MVNOs. However, AT&T can be slightly more affordable and flexible than the likes of Sprint or Verizon. While you can pay for one month at a time, the best price is going to come from investing in a 12-month prepaid plan with AT&T by paying $300 upfront. That gives you unlimited data, though speeds will slow down should you use more than 16GB in a month. If you prefer monthly payments to larger annual ones, you can get 5GB of data from AT&T for $30 per month.
6. Boost Mobile – Best Cell Phone Plan Price Guarantee
Specifications
Data amount: Unlimited
Monthly cost: $25
Parent network: Dish (Utilizing AT&T and T-Mobile networks)
Reasons to Buy
- Low price guaranteed for life
- Extensive network coverage through partnerships
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited additional perks compared to other plans
Boost Mobile has transitioned from an MVNO to a national carrier, competing directly with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Boost has built its own network, supplemented by agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile to extend coverage. To emphasize its national carrier status, Boost offers several unlimited plans, with one standing out due to its price guarantee when you compare rate plans for long-term cost certainty.
Boost Mobile’s standard unlimited plan is $25/month, matching Visible’s monthly rate. However, Boost guarantees that customers signing up for this plan will always pay $25/month as long as they remain Boost customers, offering a unique selling point when you compare rate plans.
This provides predictable monthly cell phone bills, excluding potential tax fluctuations. While some Boost plans include taxes and fees, the $25 unlimited plan does not. This plan includes 30GB of high-speed data before potential slowdowns, unlike Visible’s $25 unlimited plan where speeds can be slowed at any time based on network congestion.
Despite limited perks, Boost’s plan offers price certainty, a valuable feature for many in today’s market. A current promotion halves the $25 monthly rate for the first month of Boost service, enhancing its appeal when you initially compare rate plans.
The Same Price Forever: For consistent cell phone costs, Boost Mobile’s cheapest unlimited plan is ideal. It offers 30GB of high-speed data and guarantees a locked-in rate as long as you remain a Boost customer and maintain auto-pay enrollment, making it attractive when you compare rate plans for budget stability.
Boost Mobile | Unlimited Data | $25/month – The Same Price Forever Guarantee
If you want to know what you’ll be paying for cell phone coverge for the foreseeable future, turn to the cheapest unlimited plan option at Boost. You won’t get many perks apart from 30GB of high-speed unlimited data, but you will get a locked-in rate for however long you keep your service at Boost and stay enrolled in autopay.
Best Cell Phone Plans Compared
To easily compare the costs of the best cell phone plans, the table below summarizes monthly rates for a single line. It notes plans requiring annual payments, like Mint Mobile and AT&T, and includes the family plan price for T-Mobile’s Go5G.
As shown, AT&T, Boost, and Visible offer the lowest unlimited data rates, while Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan is the most affordable overall. T-Mobile’s strength lies in its multi-line discounts for families seeking affordable wireless coverage when you compare rate plans for different needs.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Plan | Data Amount | Monthly Price, 1 Line | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile 5GB plan | 5GB | $15 (annual payment required) | $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 includes $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 |
| Boost Mobile Unlimited plan | Unlimited data | $25 | Rate guaranteed for as long as you remain with Boost |
How We Pick the Best Cell Phone Plans
Selecting the best cell phone plans involves thorough research into each carrier’s offerings. This includes examining plans from the three major carriers and extending our search to lesser-known MVNOs, which often provide more affordable options. After gathering data on all available smartphone plans, we identify the lowest-cost options for users looking to compare rate plans.
Beyond price, we evaluate plans offering attractive data allowances, focusing on unlimited data plans and highlighting tiered data plans for users with lighter data needs. Plan perks are also considered in our evaluations.
Network coverage is a factor, assessed using third-party testing and national average download speeds. Coverage can vary by region, even within cities. It’s best to consult local friends and neighbors about reliable coverage in your specific area and then choose from our recommended plans involving different wireless providers.
Because cell phone carriers frequently adjust their plans, we regularly update our rankings monthly to reflect pricing or perk changes and ensure our recommendations are current when you compare rate plans. We also highlight promotions that can provide additional savings on new cell phone plans.
How to Choose the Best Cell Phone Plan for You
Price is a significant factor when choosing cell phone plans, especially for families needing multiple lines. Most carriers offer tiered discounts for additional lines. Therefore, comparing the total plan cost based on the number of lines is essential when you compare rate plans for families.
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 can address these questions. Additionally, inquire about specific carrier coverage at your home and office if you’re considering switching providers.
Switching carriers often comes with incentives. Major carriers frequently offer promotions to attract new customers. Monitor new carrier deals when considering a switch, as these can provide extra savings.
Wireless carriers have invested heavily in 5G network deployment. If you have a 5G-compatible phone, you can benefit from faster speeds in 5G-covered areas. T-Mobile includes 5G access in all plans, extending to MVNOs like Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile that use T-Mobile’s network. AT&T also includes 5G in all plans, including prepaid options. Verizon includes 5G as well, though faster 5G Ultra Wideband access is limited to certain plans.
What Kind of Cell Phone Plan Do I Need?
(Image credit: AndreyPopov)
There’s no universal answer; the best plan depends on individual needs. Consider your budget and usage patterns to effectively compare rate plans.
For budget-conscious users seeking flexibility, prepaid cell phone plans are excellent. They are often the most affordable and contract-free, ideal for frequent carrier changes or those looking for no-contract options when they compare rate plans.
If you stream frequently, play mobile games, or use substantial data, an unlimited plan is recommended, especially with increasing 5G availability.
For detailed guidance, consult our guide on how much data you need in your cell phone plan to help inform your comparison of rate plans based on data needs.
Family cell phone plans offer cost savings per line, with many carriers reducing per-line costs for additional lines. Some carriers, like Verizon and AT&T, allow mixing and matching plans, enabling parents to choose premium unlimited plans while selecting cheaper data plans for children to optimize costs when comparing rate plans for families.
For the lowest possible price, carriers like Visible and Boost Mobile offer very competitive rates, often with smaller data caps. Prepaying for a year of service, as with Mint Mobile and AT&T, can also lower monthly costs when you compare rate plans with different payment structures.
MVNOs vs. Other Carriers
MVNOs provide a cost-effective way to obtain cell phone service. But what are they, and how do they differ from major carriers when you compare rate plans?
The main carriers are AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile (which absorbed Sprint). Boost Mobile is also establishing itself as a nationwide provider with its own growing network.
MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) do not own network infrastructure. They lease network access from major carriers, allowing them to offer cheaper plans. However, MVNO users may experience deprioritization during peak network usage and may have fewer additional benefits compared to major carrier plans when you compare rate plans and features.
Our MVNO guide provides further details, but key MVNOs 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)
