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 matter most to you and your family. 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 the 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 unlimited plans, we should point out that cheaper options do exist with discount cell phone carriers. If you’re willing to leave the Big 4, read our separate guide with the best cell phone plans and deals!
And if you see a plan that you like below, check the provider’s website for limited-time deals on service plans and devices.
T-Mobile Magenta is the newest unlimited plan, replacing T-Mobile One. Magenta adds 3GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot, but only Netflix’s cheapest plan is included for 2+ lines.
Taxes and fees are included with T-Mobile’s Magenta and Magenta Plus plans, but they’ll cost extra with Essentials.
AT&T changed up its unlimited plans again! AT&T Unlimited Elite is the only plan to include free HBO Max, and the AT&T WatchTV streaming service is no longer offered for new unlimited wireless customers.
After overhauling its unlimited plans in August 2019, Verizon now has four of them available. Monthly prices are slightly lower than before, starting at between $70 and $90 for a single line before taxes and fees.
All but the cheapest plan include free access to Verizon’s 5G network, a $10/month value. 5G is not yet widely available.
Unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE data, which may be slowed after 75GB/line during times of congestion
HD-quality streaming (720p)
30GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps
Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included
Perks
Free year of Disney+ streaming service
Apple Music included
500GB of Verizon Cloud
Final Thought
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 one year and $2,400 after 10 years!
