Best unlimited data plans 2024: Verizon, Mint Mobile, and beyond

With one of the best unlimited data plans, you'll never have to worry about running out of data, regardless of whether you end up with one of the 'Big Three' carriers like Verizon, or an MVNO such as Mint Mobile. To make things easier, we've rounded up some of the best unlimited plans that'll suit the requirements of every type of user, that too at every budget point. 

There was a time, not too long ago, when you couldn't sign up for an unlimited plan without expecting to spend a fortune but thankfully, those days are over. Nearly all wireless carriers today have made their unlimited plans more accessible than ever, to the point where even the most affordable prepaid operators give you the option to go unlimited. Of course, if price isn't an issue, there are plenty of feature-packed plans that come with more data and perks than you could shake a stick at. The key is finding the right balance in a plan that works well for you. So, with that said, here are the best unlimited data plans for Android phones and beyond.

Patrick Farmer

Patrick is a no-nonsense deal hunter with over 10 years of experience in the eCommerce space. Whether you’re interested in a new wireless carrier, smart home device, or Android phone, Patrick combines hands-on research with practical shopping advice to get you the answers you need. 

At a glance

Best overall

For just $45 per month (that too with all taxes and fees), the 'Visible Plus' plan offers premium features usually not found on prepaid carriers, including 50GB of premium data and unthrottled access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network.

The 'Visible Plus' plan also packs in some great international perks, such as unlimited calls and texts to Mexico and Canada, international calling to over 30 countries, and international texting to more than 200 countries. You get unlimited mobile hotspot usage (capped at 10Mbps), as well as spam and robocall protection. 

Unlike traditional MVNO carriers that piggyback off larger networks, Visible is a full-stack digital carrier fully owned by Verizon. This means that you get almost all of the benefits of a big service provider, without having to pay the big carrier's pricing. Plus, there are no hidden fees, and you can cancel at any time. Visible also offers great deals on a regular basis, so make sure to check those out before you sign up. You can also pay for a full year of service to save even more money.

Best premium pick

After replacing its legacy unlimited plans, Verizon has come up with a solid mix-and-match system that lets you customize your plan's benefits through a variety of add-ons, with each costing just $10 per month. These add-ons include streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Hulu), extra hotspot data, a Walmart+ membership, and many more. 

This means that the data plans themselves have become pretty stripped back, but if you can afford it, you certainly won't be missing out on anything with the 'Unlimited Ultimate' option. Starting at $90/month (before taxes and fees) for a single line, this high-end plan offers unlimited premium data, 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network access, 60GB of mobile hotspot data, and up to 1080p (Full-HD) video streaming.

You also get some amazing international perks, including talk, text, and data in over 210 countries around the world. Obviously $90/month is quite a hefty bill, but like all of Verizon's plans, you can save some money by adding additional lines. You can also take advantage of the many Verizon deals that are available.

Best prepaid option

If you're interested in taking the MVNO route, Mint Mobile is easily among the best options you can check out. The prepaid carrier is now completely owned by T-Mobile and uses its excellent network infrastructure to provide amazing coverage at a lower cost. With the 'Unlimited' plan, you get up to 40GB of high-speed 5G/LTE data before speeds are reduced. 

Mint Mobile is unique in that you are required to buy service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months upfront. However, you can save a lot of money by paying in advance for multiple months. If you're not sure, you can try the carrier for a full week before committing, thanks to a convenient seven-day free trial that runs right alongside the existing service with zero interruptions. New customers can pay a total of $45 (taxes and fees extra) for the first three months of the 'Unlimited' plan as part of a limited-time promotion, which comes down to just $15 per month. After that, the cost goes up to $90 for three months, but you can sign up for an entire year for $360, thereby locking in the $30 monthly price. 

With Mint Mobile 'Unlimited' plan, you also get free calls to Mexico and Canada, free 10GB mobile hotspot use, and all the benefits of T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network. 

Best budget plan

With carriers like Tello, you don't have to forego unlimited plans even when you are shopping on a tight budget. For just $25 per month, can get up to 35GB of 5G/LTE data (on T-Mobile's network) before speeds are reduced, as well as Wi-Fi calling, 5GB mobile hotspot data, and free international calls to more than 60 countries.

Tello is very much a no-frills carrier so don't expect a lot of fancy perks. However, if you value simplicity and transparent business practices, it might just be the perfect MVNO for you. It's also worth mentioning here that all of Tello's plans are extremely customizable via its 'Build Your Own Plan' tool. However, you can also choose from a few popular pre-configured plans, including the above-detailed unlimited 'Data' plan at $25/month.

Need less data in a month? Simply adjust your plan via Tello's app and the changes will instantly go into effect. That means you can pay $25 to enjoy a month of Tello's 'Unlimited' plan then switch to the $10/month 'Economy' plan and face no penalties.

Best for travelers

Google Fi is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile's network infrastructure to give its users access to consistently great coverage everywhere, even abroad. The 'Unlimited Plus' plan offers free calls to more than 50 countries around the world, free data in over 200 countries, and unlimited free texts in any country where Google Fi coverage is available. Naturally, speeds will vary depending on the country you're in, but it still beats the international coverage offered by most competing carriers. 

There are also additional benefits that come with the 'Unlimited Plus' plan, including unlimited hotspot tethering, 100GB of free cloud storage (via Google One), and up to 50GB of premium data before speeds are reduced. They'll even hook you up with six months of YouTube Premium at no extra cost. Like all of the other Google Fi plans, this one also has spam blocking, family location sharing, and content filters. 

One issue with Google Fi Wireless is that you'll only get full access to everything that the carrier has to offer if you pick up a 'Designed for Fi' phone. These include most of the newer Samsung Galaxy devices, Pixels, and Motorola phones since they are able to seamlessly switch between wireless networks and Wi-Fi hotspots used by Google Fi Wireless. The majority of other unlocked devices will still work, but the service may not be as smooth.

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How to choose

So what's the best unlimited data plan for me?

As you can probably tell by going through the options listed above, there really is no single unlimited plan that's perfect for everyone. Instead, you need to think about your own individual needs when customizing your wireless service. Do you prioritize loads of premium data? Do you want flexibility? What about affordability? Once you have answers to these questions, you can decide which of the many best unlimited data plans will fit your requirements the best. 

Most importantly, you need to know how much data you use and need. If you simply can't decide, we suggest getting 'Visible Plus' as it's arguably the most well-rounded plan out there that offers plenty of data, along with other benefits on Verizon's solid network infrastructure. If you don't care about the bill, Verizon's 'Unlimited Ultimate' plan not only includes loads of premium data and international perks, but also lets you customize your plan further via a variety of add-ons. Then there's Mint Mobile's 'Unlimited' offering, which lets you save a lot of money by requiring upfront payment for multiple months of service.