Choosing one of the best cell phone plans isn't exactly a walk in the park these days, as there are quite a few options available out there, from both mainstream 'Big Three' carriers and alternative Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). However, as complicated as it can often get, this variety ultimately benefits you as the consumer, as you can pick a plan that suits your individual requirements the best. To make things easier, we've rounded some of the finest offerings from both traditional service providers and MVNOs.
Visible continues to be our top overall choice as the best prepaid wireless carrier, and it's not surprising at all. Owned and operated by Verizon, it leverages its parent company's nationwide network to deliver fantastic coverage and a wide range of perks through a trio of feature-laden plans. Then there's Mint Mobile, which is owned and operated by T-Mobile and lets you save some money by offering its service in multi-month chunks. Of course, there are also some full-featured premium plans worth checking out, as long as you're willing to shell out the cash for them.
- MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket
At a glance
Best overall
The mid-tier plan from Visible comes with unlimited premium data and offers access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network. You also get unlimited mobile hotspot at a speed of 10Mbps and international use benefits.
Best MVNO plan
Mint Mobile's unlimited plan offers unlimited talk and text, reliable 5G access, and usage in Mexico, Canada, and the UK. You can save by buying multiple months of service in advance.
Best budget plan
Tello's extremely affordable plan is perfect for light users, offering 2GB high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, shared hotspot use, and free international calls to more than 60 countries. You can also get the top plan for up to 10GB of dedicated hotspot data.
Best premium plan
Although Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan is very expensive, it gives you 200GB high-speed mobile hotspot data, Ultra-Wideband 5G access, as well as up to 4K video streaming. You can also add extra perks at $10-15 per month.
From $65/mo. at Google Fi Wireless
Best for travelers
The highest plan from Google Fi Wireless packs in unlimited data in not just the United States, but Mexico and Canada too. It has 100GB high-speed data, 50GB hotspot data, and much more.
From $55/mo. at Cricket Wireless
Best for multi-line discounts
With its top-tier Supreme Unlimited plan, Cricket Wireless offers unlimited high-speed data, AT&T's nationwide 5G network, and goodies like ad-supported HBO Max and 150GB cloud storage.
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Best for students
Offering 8GB high-speed data on T-Mobile's network, this Ultra Mobile plan has perks like unlimited talk and text, use in Mexico and Canada, as well as unlimited talk to more than 90 destinations.
From $46.67/per month at T-Mobile
Best for families
The Better Value plan from T-Mobile packs in perks such as unlimited high-speed data use, up to 250GB premium hotspot data, a five-year price guarantee, phone upgrades, and a lot more.
Best overall
Visible is a prepaid carrier owned and operated by Verizon that lets you pick from three plans, all having unlimited data. The base plan (Visible) is quite a bargain at $25 per month (standard pricing), and although it'll be a great option for many, it is the carrier's mid-level offering (Visible Plus) that's now arguably one of the best values in the market as far as Verizon's network is concerned. Priced at $35 per month (before promotional discounts), it offers unthrottled access to the carrier's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network. If you're looking to make the most of a new phone, Visible Plus offers plenty of performance, even in dense areas. You can also pay upfront for a full year to save more cash.
Visible Plus delivers higher speeds on average than the basic Visible plan, thanks to it having unlimited premium data. It also includes unlimited hotspot data at a speed of 10Mbps, which should be more than enough for everything from casual browsing to even some video streaming every now and then. Other features are one day (per month) of 'Global Pass' roaming add-on service, unlimited talk, text, and data while roaming in Mexico & Canada, and more.
Then there's the top-tier plan (Visible Plus Pro), which costs $45 per month (again, before frequent discounts). It includes all the perks of the mid-level plan, while increasing the unlimited hotspot data speed to 15Mbps. In addition, you get video streaming at up to 2160p (4K) resolution, two days (per month) of 'Global Pass' roaming add-on service, smartwatch connectivity (for Apple Watch and some of the best Android smartwatches) thrown into the mix.
Even though Visible offers some Mexico & Canada usage with all three plans, the highest plan also includes calling to over 85 countries and texting to more than 200 countries. All of Visible's prices are inclusive of taxes and fees. There are also a lot of frequent discounts available, and you can pay for an entire year of service to save more cash.
Best MVNO plan
Hands down one of the best MVNO carriers out there, Mint Mobile is now owned by T-Mobile and uses its network infrastructure exclusively. There are four plans—with 6GB, 17GB, 23GB, and unlimited high-speed data—to choose from. All these plans come with unlimited talk and text in the United States, in addition to free calls to Mexico, Canada, and the UK. Of course, you also get full 5G access as well as hotspot usage with all the plans, with the top-tier option now offering 20GB dedicated hotspot data.
Arguably the most unique feature of Mint Mobile is that it lets you save money by offering service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months. While it does mean that you have to pay upfront for the desired duration but the more you buy, the more you can save. Best of all, if you're unsure if the carrier will be a good fit for you, you can easily switch as there are no contracts here. You can even sign up for a free one-week trial that runs alongside your existing carrier to see if you like the service or not.
Since Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile's network, most of the best Android phones will work on it without any issues. Also, 'Mint Family' lets you effortlessly manage the family members (up to four) on any of the carrier's feature-laden plans, while also allowing for easier plan payments.
Best budget plan
Tello is a prepaid carrier that works on T-Mobile's network. While it formerly used Sprint, current activations are on the new network with improved coverage and much better speeds. This also means that you get better access to 5G network all across the country. All plans can be tailored to include the amount of data and talk time minutes that you want, via the carrier's 'Build Your Own Plan' tool on its website. It's worth mentioning here that unlimited texts are bundled with all the plans.
The 'Starter' plan is one of Tello's ready-made offerings, with 2GB high-speed data and unlimited minutes at a mere $10 per month. Of course, like any Tello plan, you can customize it with the data allotment and talk time minutes of your liking. Tello allows for hassle-free upgrades or downgrades at any time so if you aren't happy with the initial setup, you can easily change it. You can get up to 50GB high-speed data (with the most premium plan) if you need, and the pricing is very competitive. There is also hotspot data (shared with the plan's allotment) included with all plans, with the top-of-the-line 'Max' plan having 10GB dedicated data.
Tello does offer much support for international roaming at 'Pay As You Go' rates, but it's not exactly the best, which means you'll have to find another option if you are a frequent traveler. That said, the carrier does give free international calling to more than 60 countries including Mexico, Canada, and India. If you're looking for an affordable yet reliable carrier, Tello is one of the best options you can consider.
Best premium plan
An unlimited plan with Verizon is never a bad idea, especially when you consider the carrier's huge 4G LTE network and ever improving 5G infrastructure. Verizon has a great selection of unlimited plans for you to pick from, but we recommend going for the 'Unlimited Ultimate' plan if you don't really care about the price tag. It's priced at $95 per month (before taxes and fees, autopay discounts, as well as limited-time discounts) for a single line, and you can also choose to have one of the many add-ons such as Netflix (with ads), Apple Music Family, or even 100GB extra mobile hotspot data, starting at $10 per month.
It goes without saying that 'Unlimited Ultimate' gives you full access to Verizon's high-speed Ultra-Wideband 5G network, unlimited premium data, up to 200GB premium mobile hotspot data, as well as international talk, text, and data while traveling in more than 210 countries around the world.
Although the single-line pricing is quite high, you can get some great discounts if you sign up for multiple lines. The top-plan also includes video streaming at up to 4K (2160p) resolution, phone upgrades, and a lot more. Device compatibility is also extremely good, with modern flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra fully supported on the network.
Best for travelers
Google Fi Wireless has sort of become the default carrier for most of the Android enthusiasts, thanks to its best-in-class support for Google's Pixel lineup of phones and some of the finest international perks out there. While the carrier originally supported only a handful of smartphones, compatibility has improved to include nearly all of the best T-Mobile phones without any issues.
The 'Unlimited Premium' plan offers you unlimited calls, texts, and 100GB high-speed data. It also has 50GB high-speed mobile hotspot data, connectivity with selected smartwatches, and video streaming at up to 480p (SD) resolution. You also get 100GB cloud storage (via Google One), as well as six months of YouTube Premium at no extra cost. This plan costs $65 per month for a single line, before any taxes and fees and time-limited discounts.
Arguably the most impressive feature of Google Fi Wireless is the ability to call, text, and use data when you're abroad. You do get calls, texts, and data within the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but it's even available when you're traveling outside of these countries. The top-tier plan offers free calls to over 50 countries, as well as 50GB high-speed data in more than 200 countries. Spam blocking and family controls for calls and other content are also included, and Google Fi Wireless offers multi-line discounts too.
Best for multi-line discounts
Owned by AT&T, Cricket Wireless offers one of the best ways to get solid coverage on the carrier's nationwide 5G network without going for an expensive postpaid plan. Cricket Wireless has also removed the speed restrictions that were in place earlier and has revamped all of its plans to make them even more exciting than before. The top 'Supreme Unlimited' plan now offers unlimited high-speed data, usage in Mexico and Canada, as well as unlimited texting from the United States to more than 200 countries around the globe. The plan has a monthly cost of $55 (inclusive of all taxes and fees, and autopay discounts), which is quite fabulous for what's offered.
Besides unlimited calling, texting, and data, Cricket Wireless also throws in many extra goodies with its highest plan, including ad-supported HBO Max, and 150GB cloud storage. You also get 50GB dedicated mobile hotspot data that should be more than sufficient if you want to get some work done while on the move. This plan comes with spam call blocking and usage in Mexico and Canada.
As good as this unlimited plan is, the other plans also offer quite a bit of goodies. The base plans are a bit lacking, but other plans like 'Smart Unlimited' offer perks like 100GB cloud storage and 15GB dedicated hotspot data.
Best for students
As a student, it's important to keep tabs on your expenses, and that includes the phone service too. Thankfully, there are quite a few carriers that have a range of affordable yet feature-laden plans, with Ultra Mobile being one of the best in the business. An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) using T-Mobile's network infrastructure, Ultra Mobile lets you pick from six prepaid plans, with the cheapest costing just $19 per month before taxes and fees. However, it's worth mentioning that if you pay for multiple months of service upfront, you can save quite a lot. There's also a basic talk and text plan, but it's only available if you sign up for at least three months of service in advance.
Although the base plan is good, we recommend going for the 8GB plan if you're a student. Having a regular price of $24 per month, this plan will cost you a mere $17 per month (before taxes and fees, and any promotional discounts) if you sign up for a full year of service. For that price, you get 8GB high-speed data on the T-Mobile network, unlimited talk and text, as well as unlimited calls to more than 90 international destinations. You also get Mexico and Canada usage, Wi-Fi calling, as well as mobile hotspot use. Ultra Mobile also offers $1.50 international calling credit each month and a one-time $5 international roaming credit with this plan, making the 8GB plan ideal if you're an overseas student.
If this isn't enough, you can go for one of the higher plans, with the top-tier pick having unlimited high-speed data, 25GB dedicated mobile hotspot data, and lots of other bonuses. This plan has a regular price of $59 per month (before taxes and fees), but it can be yours for $41 per month (before promotional discounts) if you sign up for an entire year of service in advance.
Best for families
If you're looking for a premium and feature-packed wireless plan for you and your family, we recommend taking a look at T-Mobile's Better Value plan. Available for a limited time, this plan needs at least three lines (before all taxes and fees, and a $35 connection charge per line) to deliver the best bang for the buck(s). For three lines, you'll have to pay a per line cost of around $46.67 per month, which is quite a steal for T-Mobile's incredible nationwide 5G network coverage. Along with that, each line receives a five-year price guarantee, unlimited premium data, unlimited hotspot allowance (up to 250GB at high speeds), and 30GB high-speed data that can be used in Mexico and Canada.
That's not all! T-Mobile's Better Value plan also comes bundled with Netflix (with ads), Hulu, and satellite connectivity. If you want to get Apple TV as well, you can get it for an extra $3 per month. For international usage, the plan includes up to 30GB high-speed data, as well as unlimited data (at 256 Kbps) in more than 215 countries and destinations around the world. You also get to enjoy up to 4K video streaming on the 5G network, as well as upgrade eligibility for some of the best T-Mobile phones every two years.
Of course, as with most of T-Mobile's premium plans, this one also packs in perks such as spam call prevention, discounted offers for watch and tablet lines, as well as travel-oriented goodies.
How to choose
To be honest, the best cell phone plan really doesn't exist. Still, if you're searching for one, we suggest starting by picking a carrier based on your individual needs. Do you love gaming or streaming on your device, or just want something for talk and text? Do you have friends and family abroad that you need to frequently stay in touch with? Asking yourself all these questions could help a lot when it comes to finding the right plan. Other factors come into play as well, with a few of them being mentioned below.
How much data do you need?
Although we don't want to risk running out of data, most of us don't need much more than 5GB. You can get an idea of how much data you use by looking at the previous phone bills, or by keeping tabs on data usage in your phone's network settings. Furthermore, you could also take steps to reduce your data usage, such as connecting to Wi-Fi whenever it's possible.
If you find yourself using more than 10GB data, you might actually save some cash by getting an unlimited plan. Many affordable unlimited plans are usually structured to deprioritize data usage when network traffic is high. This is due to a lack of premium data which aims to keep you connected at top speeds, as long as you haven't used too much data.
Deprioritization looks as if your network speeds get reduced for a short period of time before the network gets back to full power. This isn't ideal for someone who relies on their phone for on-demand high-speed data access. However, if you just browse some social media or exchange messages with friends and family, you'll most likely never even notice a change.
Do you need a new phone?
The next thing to consider is your phone. If you just bought a new one and want to keep using it for a few years, you'll want to make sure it works as well on the new network as it did on the previous one. While phones can be unlocked to use on other carriers once they're paid off, you might not get optimal performance on a different set of towers. This is also true for smartphones purchased in other markets such as Europe or India. Also, even if your phone supports all the right bands, you still might run into activation issues.
If you are ready for a new phone and can pay the full cost, you can buy one of the best Android phones unlocked and bring it with you. However, if you want to pay for it monthly, you have to plan ahead a bit more. You can just buy an unlocked phone with payments directly from the manufacturer, like Samsung, but other options exist as well. For example, some credit cards will allow you to spread out payments interest-free too.
Finally, you can buy a phone from the carrier you wish to switch to, but keep in mind that you're on the hook for the full amount if you're paying monthly for it. If you lose or break the phone, you'll have to finish paying for it. If you are signing up in a carrier store and the salesperson suggests a bundle, be sure to get an itemized invoice with payment durations for each item, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
If you already have a phone and you know it's unlocked, make sure to check with customer support or use a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) compatibility checker on the carrier's website. If you're taking a bit of a risk with this, familiarize yourself with each carrier's return policy too.
Do you need hotspot data?
Nearly all smartphones are capable of sharing their mobile data connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot. This feature is great for getting other devices such as a tablet or a Chromebook online. Hotspots can work in one of two ways, with the first sharing your standard mobile data with other devices. This is nice because you don't have to worry about managing a second data pool, but it will eat into the data that you need for phone usage. This is common on the cheapest data plans such as Mint Mobile's 6GB, 17GB, or 23GB plans.
The second way is with dedicated hotspot data. Most unlimited plans utilize this approach with unlimited data on your phone, and a smaller amount for devices that are connected through the hotspot. Verizon, for example, offers 200GB high-speed hotspot data with its Unlimited Ultimate plan. Some wireless carriers have unlimited hotspot data usage with speed restrictions. Visible, for instance, offers unlimited hotspot data at a maximum speed of 10Mbps on its mid-level plan.
Do you need international features?
The last thing to consider with your phone plan is international features. While many postpaid offerings include talk and text to some countries, you may need to pay by the minute to call internationally in some cases. If you need to call another country frequently, check to make sure it's included or at least affordable to call to.
If you have to travel to another country, things are a bit more limited. Google Fi Wireless is a shining example of international roaming support, with more than 200 countries included at no extra charge. Some other carriers such as Cricket Wireless offer service in Mexico and Canada, while others (e.g., T-Mobile) come with at least some international roaming data, although it may be slower than what you have back home.
Pick the cell phone plan that fits your needs
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As you've seen above, there's a lot to keep in mind when you're on the hunt for the perfect plan for your new phone, but if you stay focused on the aspects that are most important to you, there should be plenty of options. It's not possible to eliminate all extra stuff included with your phone plan, and you'll likely buy more data than you need, but running out of it is a lot more hassle. For most people, we recommend the Visible Plus plan, since it offers outstanding Verizon coverage with premium carrier perks such as unlimited hotspot usage and international benefits, at MVNO prices. You can also consider Tello's Starter plan, which offers 2GB data, unlimited talk and text, as well as shared mobile hotspot use at a price that's just incredible.
All said, the plans listed here will cover everyone's needs pretty well and should help everyone get the most out of their device(s).
- MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost Mobile | Tello | Cricket Wireless
