Depending on your budget, lifestyle and preferred service provider, you may be able to save big money on your cell phone bill. If you’re willing to switch providers, there are cheap phone plans starting as low as $9 a month!
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you choose the best cell phone plan for you — and your wallet. Our goal is to find you the cheapest phone plan for your specific needs.
My Quick List of Cheapest Phone Plans
These are the cheapest and best plans for the money. Some are super cheap (Tello Economy -$9 – 1GB of Data) and others (AT&T Unlimited Premium – $85.99 – Unlimited Everything) are much more expensive. It just depends on what you need in a phone plan.
- Cheapest Monthly Cell Phone Plan: Tello Economy (Review)
- Best Cheap Unlimited Plan: Visible (Review)
- Best “Unlimited Everything” Plan: AT&T Unlimited Premium (Review)
- Best Multiline Plan: T-Mobile Essentials Saver (Review)
- Cheapest Unlimited Hotspot Plan: Visible (Review)
- Best Cell Phone Plan for Seniors: Consumer Cellular (Review)
- Best Cheap International Phone Plan: Google Fi Wireless (Review)
- Best Cheap Hotspot Plan: Boost Unlimited (Review)
This article was updated in June 2024 and I review it every month. Detailed notes on all recent updates can be found here.
- Unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data
- Cheapest monthly plan available with high-speed data
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Unlimited mobile hotspot with 5 Mbps speeds
- The cheapest price for unlimited data
- Unlimited high-speed data that can’t slow based on usage
- 60GB of high-speed hotspot data per line before reduced speeds
- International calls to 50+ destinations
- International data abroad in 200+ destinations with no extra roaming cost
- Includes all the same international features as T-Mobile Magenta for a lower cost
- Low prices on limited data plans
- Discounts available for AARP members
- Highly rated by Consumer Reports
- 30GB of mobile hotspot data
- Highest allotment of high-speed hotspot data with the best price for a single line
Choosing the Best Cell Phone Plan
Choosing the best cell phone plan can be a complicated task. Depending on your needs, the best plan for you may not be the same plan that’s best for someone else. However, if you’re simply looking to reduce your current cost, check out a prepaid phone plan or consider dropping unlimited data.
Money expert Clark Howard and his team have reviewed more than 100 cell phone plans to help identify the best options for you. Price, network reliability and customer service are three main factors that we considered. One thing we aren’t able to take into account is cell phone coverage in your specific area. For this reason, it’s important that you research a potential cell phone provider and its local coverage before switching.
The Best Cell Phone Plans in 2024
- Cheapest Cell Phone Plans
- Cheapest Unlimited Plans
- Best Cheap Unlimited Plans
- Best Multiline Plans
- Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
- Best Cheap International Phone Plans
- Best Hotspot Plans
- Best Plans by Network
Cheapest Cell Phone Plans
The cheapest cell phone plans start at $9 per month per line. These plans all offer unlimited calls and text and 1GB-5GB of data. Opting for a plan that isn’t unlimited is one of the best ways to save on your phone bill. Choosing a prepaid plan is another great way to save. Taking these tips into consideration, below you’ll find my top picks for cheap cell phone plans. For more options, check out our full list of the best cheap phone plans.
| Tello Economy | US Mobile Light Plan | Mint 5GB | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $9/month (plus taxes) | $10 monthly (taxes & fees included); $72 for 12 months ($6/month) | $15/month (plus taxes & fees) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | T-Mobile | Verizon (Warp 5G) or T-Mobile (GSM 5G) | T-Mobile |
| Data | 1GB | 1GB | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | Free; pulls from monthly data | None | Free; pulls from monthly data |
| Data Cap Overage | 1GB | 1GB | 5GB |
Winner: Tello Economy (Review)
|
Price:
$9/month (plus taxes)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
1GB
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
|
Tello offers unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data for $9 monthly, making it the cheapest monthly cell phone plan with high-speed data available from any service provider. More great plans from Tello Mobile include 2GB for $10 per month, 5GB for $14 per month and 35GB for $25 per month. If you’re switching to one of Tello’s plans, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
- 2nd Place: US Mobile (Review) offers a light plan with unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data on Verizon or T-Mobile’s network. The light plan costs $10 per line monthly or $72 for 12 months of service ($6/month).
- 3rd Place: Mint Mobile (Review) offers unlimited talk and text plus 5GB of high-speed data for $15 per month, which is only $1 more than Tello’s 5GB plan. With Mint Mobile plan, you’ll have to prepay for three months making it $45 upfront. Mint Mobile provides access to T-Mobile’s excellent 5G network.
- Other Plans To Consider:
- Boost Mobile (Review) offers an annual plan on AT&T’s network that includes unlimited talk and text plus 1GB of 5G/4G data monthly. This plan costs $100 upfront, but you’ll get 12 months of service. That works out to be $8.33 per month before taxes and fees. Make sure your phone is compatible and that you’ll have service on AT&T’s network before switching. When I tried to test this plan, my phone wasn’t compatible. Boost Mobile also offers cheap monthly plans on T-Mobile’s network including unlimited talk and text plus 5GB of high-speed data for $15 per month.
- Connect by T-Mobile (Review) offers prepaid plans beginning at $10 per month for 1GB of data plus 1,000 minutes and text messages.
- Xfinity Mobile (Review) offers $20 per GB of data for Xfinity customers.
- Twigby’s (Review) current introductory offer gives you 2GB for only $5 for the first three months and $15 per month after that (Verizon network).
To see a full list of our top picks for the best cheap phone plans, check out this roundup.
Best Cheap Unlimited Data Plans
When it comes to unlimited phone plans, there’s a lot of fine print to consider. Many plans advertise unlimited data, but this often includes slower speeds after a certain amount of use. While these plans may have a limited amount of high-speed data, they are technically unlimited and come with better prices. Of course, you can always save more by choosing a phone plan with limited data (which may work for you especially if you have Wi-Fi access throughout the day).
If you are looking for a cheap unlimited phone plan, below are my top picks. You can find a full list of the best unlimited data plans here.
| Visible | Boost Mobile Monthly Unlimited Data Plan | US Mobile Unlimited Starter | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $25/month (taxes & fees included) | $25 (including taxes & fees) | $29 monthly (taxes & fees included); $276 for 12 months ($23/month) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | Verizon | T-Mobile and AT&T | Verizon (Warp 5G) or T-Mobile (GSM 5G) |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | Unlimited (speeds up to 5Mbps) | Free; pulls from monthly data | 10GB |
| Data Cap Overage | None, but speeds may slow during congestion. | 30GB | 35GB Premium Data |
Winner: Visible (Review)
|
Price:
$25/month (taxes & fees included)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Data Cap Overage:
None, but speeds may slow during congestion.
Hotspot Data:
Unlimited (speeds up to 5Mbps)
|
Visible has recently lowered its basic plan from $30 to $25, which made it slightly cheaper per month than Mint Mobile. Visible’s $25 plan includes unlimited talk, text and data on Verizon’s network. With this plan, there is no high-speed data limit; however, 4G LTE and 5G typical download speeds are expected to be between 9-149Mbps. The plan also includes unlimited data sharing via mobile hotspot, but speeds are capped at 5Mbps. Calling and texting to Canada and Mexico are also included. You can check your phone’s compatibility with Visible online before deciding to make the switch.
- 2nd Place: Boost Mobile (Review) offers an unlimited plan on AT&T’s network that includes 30GB of high-speed data per month. It costs $25 per month including taxes and fees. Check your phone’s compatibility in person first (know there’s a $25 activation fee for bringing your own phone), and make sure you’ll have service on AT&T’s network before switching.
- 3rd Place: US Mobile (Review) offers two unlimited plans starting at $29 per line monthly. For this price, you can get the Unlimited Starter plan, which includes unlimited talk, text and data. You’ll get 35GB of premium data as well as 10GB hotspot data. The same plan can cost as low as $25 with 3+ lines or $23 when you prepay for a year.
- Other Plans To Consider:
- Mint Unlimited (Review) offers unlimited talk, text and data for $30 monthly plus taxes and fees. The plan also includes an additional 10GB of mobile hotspot data. Data speeds reduce after 40GB, but you can still continue using unlimited data. Note that you’ll have to prepay for three months in advance with Mint Mobile, bringing the price to $90 upfront.
- Boost Infinite (Review) offers the Infinite Unlimited plan for $25 on either AT&T or T-Mobile’s network with 30GB of high-speed data before deprioritization.
For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best unlimited data plans.
Best “Unlimited Everything” Data Plans
If you’re looking for a phone plan that’s completely unlimited with no caps on data speed, you can expect to pay a slightly higher price. Opting for a phone plan with limited high-speed data is the best way to reduce your bill. If you can get by on 15GB or less, you’ll find more affordable options. Still, you can get completely unlimited data for less than $100 monthly. Here are our picks for the best completely unlimited data phone plans.
| AT&T Unlimited Premium | Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Visible | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $85.99/month per line (plus taxes & fees) | $90/month (plus taxes & fees; autopay required to get the best rate) | $25/month (taxes & fees included) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | AT&T | Verizon | Verizon |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | 60GB high-speed data | 60GB high-speed data | Unlimited (speeds up to 5Mbps) |
Winner: AT&T Unlimited Premium (Review)
|
Price:
$85.99/month per line (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
2 for $75.99/line, 3 for $60.99/line, 4 for $50.99/line
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Data Cap Overage:
Unlimited with no slowdown
Hotspot Data:
60GB high-speed data
|
AT&T offers the Unlimited Premium plan for $85.99 monthly for one line. It includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data that never slows. The plan also includes 60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data. You’ll also get AT&T ActiveArmor advanced security as well as unlimited talk, text and high-speed data in 20 Latin American countries at no extra cost. If you’re switching to this plan, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
- 2nd Place: Verizon Wireless’ Unlimited Ultimate Plan includes unlimited 5G Nationwide data for $90 per line with autopay. The plan also includes 60GB of mobile hotspot data. Other unlimited data plans from Verizon Wireless begin at $65 per line with autopay.
- 3rd Place: Visible (Review) offers unlimited data on Verizon’s 4G/LTE and 5G network for $25 per month, but speeds slow with congestion. For $45 per month, you can get Visible+ which includes 50GB of premium high-speed data and access to 5G Ultra Wideband.
- Another Plan To Consider: T-Mobile’s Go5G Plans start at $75 per month for one line with autopay. These plans each include unlimited talk, text and high-speed data. Go5G Plus ($90) and Go5G Next ($100) each include unlimited premium data plus 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot.
For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best unlimited data plans.
Best Multiline Phone Plans
If you have four lines of service, you can pay as little as $25 per month per line with a multiline plan. If you’re shopping for four lines, these plans are worth checking out.
| T-Mobile Essentials Saver | Google Fi Wireless Simply Unlimited | T-Mobile Go5G Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $50 per month (plus taxes & fees) | $50 (plus taxes & fees) | $90 per month (taxes & fees included) |
| Multiline Discounts | $80/month for 2, $100/month for 3, $100/month for 4, $125/month for 5 | $40/line for 2, $30/line for 3, $25/line for 4+ | $75 per line for two, $50 for three, $46.25 for four, $44 for five |
| Network | T-Mobile | T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular | T-Mobile |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited Premium Data |
| Hotspot Data | Unlimited at 3G speeds | Included; data counts towards mobile data allowance. After 5GB, speeds reduce to 256 Kbps. | 50GB high-speed then unlimited 3G speeds |
Winner: T-Mobile Essentials Saver (Review)
|
Price:
$50 per month (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
$80/month for 2, $100/month for 3, $100/month for 4, $125/month for 5
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Data Cap Overage:
50GB
Hotspot Data:
Unlimited at 3G speeds
|
T-Mobile’s “Essentials Saver” or “Essentials 4 Line Offer” is an excellent unlimited postpaid plan available directly from a major carrier. The plan includes everything you’d get with T-Mobile Essentials for a slightly better price. You’ll get 50GB of premium data per person per month plus unlimited 3G mobile hotspot.
The T-Mobile Essentials plans don’t come with a ton of perks that you’ll find with T-Mobile’s pricier postpaid plans, but for a basic unlimited service, it’s a hard price to beat. Essentials Saver is also available for $100 for three phone lines, $80 for two or $50 for one.
Taxes and fees are extra with this plan. To save even more, check your phone’s compatibility online and bring it with you when you switch to T-Mobile. You can check out the plan’s full details on T-Mobile’s website.
- 2nd Place: Google Fi Wireless (Review) offers a Simply Unlimited plan with great multi-line discounts. You can get four lines for $25 each ($100 total) with 35GB of premium data before slower speeds as well as 5GB of mobile hotspot data per month.
- 3rd Place: T-Mobile Go5G Plus (Review) is a pricier option for family plans, but it offers the best perks. The plan costs $185 for four lines ($46.25 per line) and includes unlimited talk, text and high-speed data that never slows. Plus, it includes 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot, a standard Netflix subscription and AppleTV+.
- Other Plans To Consider:
- US Mobile (Review) offers unlimited plans beginning at $25 per line per month for 3+ lines. For this price, you can get the Unlimited Starter plan which includes unlimited talk, text and data (35GB premium data + 10GB hotspot).
- Straight Talk Wireless (Review) offers a Silver Unlimited family plan that includes four lines for $100/month. The plan includes unlimited high-speed data and 10GB of mobile hotspot per line.
- Cricket Wireless (Review) offers four lines for $100 with unlimited talk, text and data; however, no mobile hotspot is included.
- H2O Wireless (Review) also offers four lines for $100 monthly with unlimited data (slower speeds after 40GB of data use per line per month) plus 5GB of mobile hotspot.
- Xfinity Mobile (Review) offers two lines for $30 each with unlimited data. You’ll have to have another Xfinity service to qualify for Xfinity Mobile, but if you already use Xfinity, this is a great deal.
- Spectrum Mobile (Review) offers an unlimited plan at $29.99 per line for existing Spectrum customers. New customers can get the same plan for $25 per line per month for the first 12 months when you activate two lines.
For more options, check out our full list of the best family plans. If you need only two phone lines, you can see my top picks for the best phone plans for two here.
Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
When choosing the best cell phone plans for seniors, any of the phone plans on this list are great options. We’ve highlighted plans that include unlimited talk and text but limited data in order to stay at a low monthly price. These plans also offer discounts and/or senior services to anyone over the age of 55. For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best cell phone plans for seniors here.
| Consumer Cellular | T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 | Lively | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $25/month (plus taxes & fees) | $45 per month (plus taxes & fees) | $24.99/month (plus taxes & fees) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | AT&T | T-Mobile | Verizon |
| Data | 5GB | Unlimited | 1GB |
| Hotspot Data | Free; pulls from monthly data | Unlimited at 3G speeds | No |
| Data Cap Overage | If you go over 5GB, you’ll be upgraded automatically to the next plan. | 50GB | None |
Winner: Consumer Cellular (Review)
|
Price:
$25/month (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
$40/month for 2, $55/month for 3
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
5GB
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
If you go over 5GB, you’ll be upgraded automatically to the next plan.
|
Consumer Cellular, which utilizes AT&T’s network, offers a 5% discount to AARP members. Although its prices aren’t the lowest, the carrier makes our list for its high customer satisfaction scores and Consumer Reports ratings. For one line, Consumer Cellular offers plans beginning at $20 per month for 1GB of data, but for $25 per month, you can get 5GB of data. The same plan is available for two lines at $40 per month or three lines for $55 per month. The unlimited plan costs $50 per month for a single line. If you do switch to Consumer Cellular, you may be able to bring your own phone to save even more money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
- 2nd Place: T-Mobile Essentials offers a “Choice 55” plan that includes additional discounts. You can get the plan for $45 for one line, or $60 for two lines. It includes unlimited talk, text and 50GB of premium high-speed data.
- 3rd Place: Lively (Review) offers unlimited talk and text along with 1GB of data or $24.99 monthly, but you’ll have to purchase a Jitterbug phone to use Lively’s service. Lively runs on Verizon’s network.
- Other Plans To Consider:
- Boost Mobile (Review) offers annual plans with limited data from as low as $100 upfront. That works out to be $8.33 per month before taxes and fees. The plan includes 1GB of data per month and unlimited talk and text on AT&T’s network. If you don’t want to worry about paying a monthly phone bill and you don’t need a lot of data, this is a great plan to consider. Just make sure your phone is compatible first and that you’ll have service in your area. When I tried to test this plan out myself, I found that my phone wasn’t compatible.
- Tello Mobile (Review) also offers a cheap phone plan with 1GB of high-speed data and unlimited minutes. The plan costs $9/month before taxes and fees. If you don’t want to commit to a full year of service with Boost Mobile, Tello’s most affordable monthly plan is nearly the same deal.
For more cell phone plans for seniors, see our full list of top picks here.
Best International Phone Plans
If you’re shopping for an international phone plan, you’ll want to look for unlimited international data. Most plans include Wi-Fi calling that can be used internationally, and many plans offer international roaming at an additional cost. If you plan on traveling only once or just calling internationally, consider these options before switching your phone plan. If you are a frequent traveler, here are my top picks for the best international phone plans.
| Google Fi Wireless Flexible | T-Mobile Go5G Plus | |
|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | |
| Price | $20/month + $10/GB | $90 per month (taxes & fees included) |
| Data | $10/GB | Unlimited Premium Data |
| Network | T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular | T-Mobile |
| Mexico and Canada | Free calls, texts and data |
Unlimited talk and text, and up to 15GB of high-speed data, then unlimited data at up to 256Kbps in Canada & Mexico |
| International from the US | Free texts globally; calls at additional charge |
Unlimited texting and data to 210+ locations |
| International from other countries | International data abroad for $10/GB in 200+ destinations with no extra roaming cost |
Unlimited text and up to 5GB of high-speed data, then unlimited data at up to 256Kbps in 215+ countries and destinations |
Winner: Google Fi Wireless (Review)
|
Price:
$20/month + $10/GB
Multiline Discounts:
$18/line/month for 2, $17/line/month for 3 or 4
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
$10/GB
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
Data slows after 15GB.
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When it comes to traveling abroad, Clark says Google Fi Wireless (formerly Google Fi) has great international features. Google Fi Wireless offers unlimited calls and texts beginning at $20 monthly for a single line. This plan includes data at $10 per GB and no charge after 6GB for one person with the Bill Protection feature. Google Fi Wireless also offers an Unlimited Plus plan with international data included for $65 per month for a single line. If you’re switching to this plan, you can likely bring your own phone with you to save extra money. Check your phone’s compatibility here.
- 2nd Place: T-Mobile Go5G Plus (Review) is available for $90 per month and includes unlimited texting and up to 5GB of high-speed data, then unlimited data at up to 256Kbps in 215+ countries and destinations.
For more options, check out our full list of the best international phone plans.
Best Hotspot Phone Plans
If you don’t have regular access to Wi-Fi, you may be looking for a plan with a high allotment of mobile hotspot data. Below, you’ll find my top picks for the best hotspot plans available now. You can check out our full list of the best hotspot phone plans here.
| Boost Unlimited $60 | T-Mobile Essentials Saver | AT&T Unlimited Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $60 (taxes & fees included) | $50 per month (plus taxes & fees) | $85.99/month per line (plus taxes & fees) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | T-Mobile and AT&T | T-Mobile | AT&T |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | 30GB | Unlimited at 3G speeds | 60GB high-speed data |
Winner: Boost Unlimited (Review)
|
Price:
$60 (taxes & fees included)
Multiline Discounts:
$40/line (Check family plans for 3+ lines.)
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
30GB
Data Cap Overage:
Speeds reduced to 2G after 35GB
|
Boost Mobile offers a few different unlimited plans. For $25 per month, you can get unlimited talk, text and data without mobile hotspot. For $40 per month, you can get 12GB of mobile hotspot data. For $60 per month, you can increase the mobile hotspot data to 30GB. This plan also includes unlimited talk and text as well as 35GB of high-speed data before reduced speeds. You can add a line for $40 a month more, and you can bring your own phone to save even more. Check your phone’s compatibility online before switching.
- 2nd Place: T-Mobile Essentials Saver (Review) offers unlimited mobile hotspot data at 3G speeds for only $50 per month. High-speed hotspot is available for purchase.
- 3rd Place: AT&T Unlimited Premium (Review) offers 60GB of mobile hotspot data for $85.99 per month.
- Other Plans To Consider:
- AT&T Prepaid (Review) offers an in-store exclusive plan at select retailers called Unlimited Max Plus. The plan costs $65/month with autopay and includes unlimited talk, text and data as well as 35GB of mobile hotspot.
- Verizon’s Unlimited Plus plan offers 30GB of mobile hotspot data for $80 per month.
- T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus plan offers 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot for $90 per month.
- Visible (Review) Offers a $25 plan that includes unlimited hotspot on one device with data speeds up to 5Mbps.
For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best hotspot phone plans available now.
Best Plans by Network
If you know you have good coverage with a specific network, you may want to stick with a phone plan that runs on that network’s towers. Still, that doesn’t mean that you pay the full price of a phone plan directly from that company. Instead, you could consider an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that works with the same service. Below, you’ll find my top picks for each network including affordable MVNOs and plans available directly from the service provider:
Verizon
Best Verizon MVNOs
If you’re willing to switch to an MVNO that still uses Verizon’s towers, you’ll likely find a better price for the same service. A few of the best plans highlighted throughout this article come from the following MVNOs that work with Verizon Wireless towers:
- Visible (Review): This Verizon MVNO is our top pick for the cheapest unlimited hotspot plan and offers two of the best and cheapest unlimited phone plans available. Lines begin as low as $25 per month.
- Xfinity Mobile (Review): If you’re an Xfinity customer, you can find cheap phone plans from $20 per GB. Unlimited data is available for two lines for $30 per line. Xfinity Mobile also runs on Verizon towers.
- Twigby (Review): Plans start as low as $5 per month for 2GB for the first three months. 5GB plans are $10 per month for the first three months with unlimited talk and text.
- Total by Verizon (Review): Formerly Total Wireless, Total by Verizon offers plans beginning at $30 per month for 5GB of high-speed data followed by reduced speeds. Unlimited options begin at $50 for one line and include a subscription to Disney+. Family plans are also available online or in-store with four lines for $25/line for unlimited.
For more options, check out our full list of the best Verizon MVNOs.
Best Verizon Plans
Some people want to buy their plans directly from the carrier. Here are a few of the best plans available from Verizon right now:
- Verizon Prepaid: 15GB of 5G data plus unlimited talk and text starting at $45 per month. After autopay discounts, the plan can be as low as $35 a month.
- Prepaid Unlimited: Unlimited talk, text and data starting at $60 per month with a prepaid plan; $50 with autopay discounts.
- Welcome Unlimited: Unlimited talk, text and 5G data for $65 per month for one line (autopay and paper-free billing required).
Select Verizon plans are eligible for discounts and savings when you switch to Verizon and bring your own phone. You can check online to see if your phone is compatible.
T-Mobile
Best T-Mobile MVNOs
If you’re a fan of T-Mobile, consider an MVNO that uses T-Mobile’s towers. A few of our highlighted picks for phone plans came from these T-Mobile MVNOs:
- Tello Mobile (Review) offers one of the best cheap phone plans with 1GB of high-speed data and unlimited minutes for $9/month. Additionally, you’ll find a great “unlimited” plan with 35GB of high-speed data and unlimited minutes for $25/month.
- Mint Mobile (Review): Mint Mobile offers several great, affordable plans beginning at $15/month. However, you’ll have to prepay for three months in advance to get the best deal.
- Boost Mobile (Review): Boost offers some of the lowest prices for prepaid phone plans and runs on T-Mobile’s towers. You can find a 5GB plan beginning as low as $15 per month. Unlimited plans start at $25 per month.
- Metro by T-Mobile (Review): Plans from Metro begin at $25 monthly for unlimited talk, text and 35GB of high-speed data (in-store only with eligible port-in). Metro plans are prepaid and include access to T-Mobile’s 5G network.
For more options, check out our full list of the best T-Mobile MVNOs.
Best T-Mobile Plans
When it comes to major carriers, Clark is a fan of T-Mobile. If you’re looking for the best T-Mobile phone plans, here are a few to consider:
- Essentials: This plan includes unlimited talk, text and smartphone data for four lines for $105 per month plus taxes and fees. The plan also includes 3G mobile hotspot data per line. During congestion, customers may notice slower speeds.
- Go5G Plus: T-Mobile’s Go5G plans have replaced the Magenta plans. Go5G starts at $75 for 100GB of premium data. For truly unlimited data that never slows, consider Go5G Plus ($90 per month for one line). This plan also includes 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot, a basic Netflix subscription and AppleTV+.
- Connect by T-Mobile: If you’re looking for a more affordable phone plan directly from a major carrier, Connect by T-Mobile offers great options. Plans start at $10 per month for 1,000 minutes and text messages plus 1GB of data.
If you like the phone you’re currently using, you can bring it to T-Mobile when you switch to one of its plans. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
AT&T
Best AT&T MVNOs
If you’re willing to switch to an MVNO that still uses AT&T’s towers, you’ll find better prices for access to the same network.
- Cricket Wireless (Review): With several plans to choose from, Cricket Wireless is a great AT&T MVNO to consider. For four lines, you can get unlimited talk, text and data for $100/month.
- H2O Wireless (Review): This carrier provides access to AT&T’s network and offers a few different plans worth considering. It earned an honorable mention under the best multiline phone plans with $100/month for four lines and unlimited data.
- Consumer Cellular (Review): This MVNO won first place in the best cell phone plans for seniors category. Plans start at $20 per month.
- Boost Mobile (Review): Boost Mobile is an MVNO that offers plans on both T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Boost’s annual “carrier crusher” plans are available on AT&T’s network and include some of the lowest total prices for cheap and unlimited phone plans. Just make sure your phone is compatible with the plan you’re interested in before switching.
For more options, check out our full list of the best AT&T MVNOs.
Best AT&T Plans
AT&T is another major cell phone service provider. If you’re looking for a plan directly from the company, here are a few of the carrier’s best deals:
- AT&T Unlimited Starter: This family plan includes four lines for $35.99 per month per line. It includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data though AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy.
- AT&T Prepaid: AT&T offers a few different prepaid plans beginning at $30 per month for 5GB of high-speed data. For $40 per month, you can increase that data to 15GB with unlimited talk and text. Save $5 on AT&T Prepaid by activating service in person at Walmart or by purchasing an annual plan.
- AT&T Prepaid Unlimited: If you need an unlimited data plan, AT&T Prepaid Unlimited is available for $50 per month with AutoPay. The plan includes unlimited data, 5G access and 5GB hotspot data.
Select AT&T plans allow you to bring your own phone for additional savings. You can browse eligible plans and check your phone’s eligibility online.
Deal Alert: Cell Phone Plan Deals Available Right Now!
Below, you’ll find some of the best ongoing deals available from cell phone service providers right now. Check out our roundup of the best new cell phone deals this month to see a few of the latest deals!
| Provider | Deal | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Cellular | Buy any phone and get two months of service for free. To get this deal, call Consumer Cellular at (888) 511-3894 before July 31. | AT&T |
| Visible | Get your first three months of service for $15/month with promo code MOOLAH (new customers only). Additionally, Visible’s new annual plans include a discount of up to 26%. | Verizon |
| Mint Mobile | All plans are $15 per month for the first three months for new customers. That means you can get the unlimited plan (30GB high-speed data) for 50% off the first three months! | T-Mobile |
| Boost Infinite | Amazon Prime members get a free month of service + 20% discount on a SIM kit. | AT&T, T-Mobile |
| Boost Mobile (Review) | Boost Mobile is currently offering one month of unlimited data for $10. You can also get 5GB for $5 per month for the first three months ($15 total). | AT&T |
| Cricket Wireless (Review) | New customers can try Cricket with a 14-day free trial including unlimited talk, text and 3GB of high-speed data. | AT&T |
| Twigby (Review) | Ten dollars off for the first three months! Plans include unlimited talk, text and 5GB of data starting at $10 per month. 2GB data plans begin as low as $5 per month. | Verizon Wireless |
| AT&T Prepaid (Review) | Students can get $10 off unlimited data with this online-only offer. | AT&T |
| Total by Verizon (Review) | Get 50% off any unlimited plan for the first 12 months (new customers only). To get this deal, bring your own phone to Verizon and sign up for any unlimited data plan by July 31. | Verizon Wireless |
Clark’s Picks: Best Unlimited, Multiline and Cheap Cell Phone Plans
After comparing the prices and features of each available phone plan, this guide highlights my top picks for the best phone plans in 2024.
If you’re curious about Clark’s phone, he has a grandfathered unlimited data plan with T-Mobile and more than a dozen lines on his account. He likes T-Mobile if you want to stick with an unlimited plan from a major network.
Of course, there are cheaper options that let you keep your preferred network. They fall into these categories:
- Discount brands owned by major networks: Verizon owns Visible, AT&T owns Cricket Wireless and T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile as well as Mint Mobile.
- Prepaid brands from major networks: Verizon Prepaid, AT&T Prepaid, T-Mobile Simply Prepaid and T-Mobile Connect offer prepaid service from the major networks.
- Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs): These brands don’t own any cell phone towers, but they partner with the major networks to offer affordable wireless service.
These low-cost cell phone service providers have deals for people who need unlimited data, families and for those who just want the cheapest phone plan.
Team Clark’s Methodology
For the purposes of this review, Team Clark determined that the top three things customers care about when it comes to cell phone carriers are price, network reliability/coverage and overall satisfaction.
Various members of our staff tried out each of these popular cell phone providers to get a feel for their reliability and service. We have individual reviews of those providers available on the website.
We used analysis of the following characteristics when determining the best options for each category:
- Price
- Network reliability
- Network coverage
- Monthly data allotments
- “Bring your own device” availability
- Available deals and discounts (loyalty, autopay, additional lines, etc.)
- Online reviews from real customers
Final Thoughts: How To Choose a Cell Phone Plan
Switching to a cheaper phone plan can be a great way to save on your monthly bill. But how do you know if one of these deals is right for you? Team Clark has come up with the top five questions you need to answer when shopping for a new cell phone provider.
- How much data do I need? Unlimited plans prevent overage charges, but you may use less data than you think. This is especially true if you’re connected to Wi-Fi at home and work. Plans that charge for a fixed amount of data can be much cheaper.
- Which network is best? Each wireless provider has its coverage map on its website. If you’re happy with your network (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile), consider a low-cost carrier that uses your existing provider’s towers.
- Single line or family plan? Looking for more than a single line? In general, you’ll pay a lower price per line if you add two, three, four or even more lines of service.
- Prepaid or postpaid? Prepaid service is paid for in advance, while postpaid service is when you pay at the end of your billing cycle. No credit check is required for prepaid service and it’s often much cheaper than postpaid plans.
- Is my phone compatible? Most carriers will sell you a new phone, but if you want to bring your own device it must be unlocked. Check compatibility on the wireless provider’s website before you sign up.
If this is your first time switching cell phone providers, check out this guide that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process. It’s easier than you think!
Did we miss a plan on our list or did you find a better deal? Let us know in our Clark.com Community or check out the latest conversations around cell phones.
Article Updates
- June 7, 2024: Updated current phone plan deals available now
- June 7, 2024: Added US Mobile’s light plan as #2 under the cheapest cell phone plans (moved Mint to third place and Boost Mobile to “other plans to consider”)
- June 7, 2024: Added US Mobile’s Unlimited Starter as #3 under best cheap unlimited data plans (moved Mint to “other plans to consider”)
- June 7, 2024: Added US Mobile’s Unlimited Starter plan as another plan to consider under the best multiline plans
- June 7, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile Essentials Saver with T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55+ for the second place best phone plan for seniors
- May 10, 2024: Tello Mobile no longer throttles data; when you hit your monthly data cap, you’ll be out of data for the month.
- May 10, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile Essentials with Essentials Saver as the best multiline plan
- May 10, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile Magenta Max with AT&T Unlimited Premium for the best unlimited everything plan (Magenta plans no longer available)
- May 10, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile Magenta plans throughout the article with the new best option for each category
- May 10, 2024: H2O Wireless now throttles data at 40GB (previously 10GB) on multiline plans
- April 1, 2024: Xfinity Mobile’s by-the-gig plan now costs $20/GB (up from $15)
- April 1, 2024: Visible’s expected download speeds are now 9-149Mbps (up from 9-56Mbps)
- April 1, 2024: Google Fi Simply Unlimited now costs $25 per line for four lines (up from $20 per line)
- April 1, 2024: Replaced Google Fi Simply Unlimited with T-Mobile Essentials in the best multiline category. (Google Fi Simply Unlimited now costs the same as Essentials. Essentials includes an additional 15GB of premium high-speed data and unlimited 3G hotspot)
