If you’re shopping for an unlimited data plan with one of the major wireless providers, how do you choose between T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon?
With plans changing from one week to the next, money expert Clark Howard suggests that you start by making a list of the things that are important to you and your family members when it comes to your cell phone service. For example:
- Monthly price
- High-speed data
- HD-quality video
- Streaming TV
- Mobile hotspot
- International features
Unlimited Plans Comparison: T-Mobile vs. AT&T vs. Verizon
The monthly plans in this article offer unlimited talk, text and data, but note that these major wireless carriers may place limits on your high-speed data. If you use too much or the network is busy, your data speeds could be slowed down.
“It’s really confusing when you try to pick a cell phone plan because unlimited doesn’t mean unlimited,” Clark says. “Everybody has restrictions or ‘gotchas,’ depending on what you pay per month.”
Before we get to the list of best unlimited data plans, we should point out that cheaper options do exist with discount cell phone service providers. If you’re willing to leave the major carriers, read our guide that details the best cell phone plans and deals!
If you see a plan that you like below, check the provider’s website for limited-time deals on service plans and devices.
Table of Contents:
T-Mobile Unlimited Plans
Taxes and fees are included with T-Mobile’s Magenta and Magenta Max plans but cost extra with Essentials. All of the plans provide access to T-Mobile’s 5G network.
| Plan | T-Mobile Essentials | T-Mobile Magenta | T-Mobile Magenta Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $60/month with auto pay $105/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $70/month with auto pay $140/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees included | $85/month with auto pay $170/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees included |
| Features | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed during times of congestion and after 50GB of usage Stream video at DVD-quality, 480p Unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data Talk, text and 2G data in Mexico and Canada | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 100GB/line during times of congestion Stream video at DVD-quality, 480p 5GB hotspot at 4G LTE speed, then unlimited 3G speed Data and text included when traveling to 215+ worldwide destinations Talk, text and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada 4 full-flight streaming sessions a year, plus, unlimited in-flight texting & 1 hour of streaming, where available | Unlimited talk, text and data, speeds won't be slowed Stream video at 4K UHD 40GB hotspot at 4G LTE speed, then unlimited 3G speed Data and text included when traveling to 215+ worldwide destinations Talk, text and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada Full-flight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available |
| Perks | Paramount+ for one year T-Mobile Tuesdays | Netflix Basic included if you maintain 2+ qualifying T-Mobile Magenta lines 6 months of Apple TV+ Paramount+ for one year T-Mobile Tuesdays | Netflix Basic with one line or Netflix Standard included if you maintain 2+ qualifying T-Mobile Magenta Max lines Apple TV+ Paramount+ for one year T-Mobile Tuesdays |
AT&T Unlimited Plans
AT&T’s 5G network is included with all three unlimited plans. While AT&T’s highest-tier plan has included HBO Max in the past (and may include it again in the future), you won’t find any additional perks with AT&T’s unlimited plans. Plus, taxes and fees are extra.
| Plan | AT&T Unlimited Starter | AT&T Unlimited Extra | AT&T Unlimited Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $65/month with auto pay $140/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $75/month with auto pay $160/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $85/month with auto pay $200/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra |
| Features | Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (Data may be slowed when network is busy) 3GB hotspot data per line Standard-definition streaming Suspected spam and fraud alerts Unlimited texting from U.S. to 200+ countries | Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (After 50GB, data may be slowed when network is busy) 15GB mobile hotspot per line Standard-definition streaming Suspected spam and fraud alerts Unlimited texting from U.S. to 200+ countries | Unlimited talk, text and high-speed data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada that can't be slowed based on usage 50GB mobile hotspot per line High-definition streaming Suspected spam and fraud alerts Unlimited texting from U.S. to 200+ countries |
Verizon Unlimited Plans
All of Verizon’s unlimited plans include a streaming perk. Taxes and fees are extra.
| Plan | 5G Start | 5G Do More | 5G Play More | 5G Get More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $70/month with auto pay $140/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $80/month with auto pay $180/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $80/month with auto pay $180/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $90/month with auto pay $220/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra |
| Features | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed during times of congestion DVD-quality streaming (480p) 5GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion HD-quality streaming (720p) 25GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion HD-quality streaming (720p) 25GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included | Unlimited talk, text and premium data, which won't slow based on usage HD-quality streaming (720p) 50GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included |
| Perks | Try Disney+, discovery+, Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass for 6 months Apple Music for 6 months | Try Disney+, discovery+, Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass for 6 months Apple Music for 6 months | Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ included Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass included Discovery+ for 6 months Apple Music for 6 months | Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Apple Music included Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass included Discovery+ for 6 months 600GB cloud storage |
Final Thoughts
Switching to a discount carrier is probably the best way to lower your cell phone bill, but we know that many people want to stay with T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. That’s why we created this guide.
Here are some things to consider if you want to save money with the major carriers:
- Have you thought about a family plan?
- Are you searching for phone deals?
- Do you take advantage of auto-pay discounts?
- Military, employer, senior discounts?
- Can you get free cell phone insurance from a credit card?
Even if you apply just one or two of these money-saving strategies, you can save $20 a month or more on your cell phone needs. That adds up to $240 after just one year!
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