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A cell phone plan can cost as little as $8 per month and up to $70 per month, depending on the type of plan you're looking for. Choose the best plan based on your needs and the number of people for whom you need the plan.
No, most people don't really need an unlimited data plan. Since these plans can get pricey, it's better to opt for a cheaper plan with limited data within what you will actually use.
The average person uses around 6 GB of data per month. You can always check your phone usage history to see how much data you typically use in a month, and then choose a plan that gives you a little bit of extra cushion in case you go over your data allowance
Choosing between postpaid, prepaid, or resold service depends on your needs and preferences. Postpaid plans require paying for service at the end of each billing cycle, a credit check, and may come with a contract or early termination fees. They offer perks like subsidized phones and international roaming, but can be more expensive. Prepaid plans require upfront payment, no credit check or contract, and can be a good option for those on a budget or who want more flexibility, but may not include as many perks. Resold service is a type of prepaid service offered by third-party providers with more affordability, but may have coverage limitations and data speed caps.
To determine which network has the best coverage for you, you can check coverage maps, ask people in your area, research online, and test drive the network. It's important to consider factors like cost, data plans, and customer service in addition to coverage when choosing a carrier.
The best cell phone carrier depends on your needs. Mint Mobile offers affordable high-speed data plans with great coverage. Tello offers free international calling, while AT&T has one of the best 5G networks available now.
Verizon offers the best coverage in rural areas, while AT&T has the best 5G coverage in cities. If coverage is your priority, consider choosing one of the major carriers—Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile—rather than an MVNO.
Mint Mobile is the overall best wireless carrier in terms of value, coverage, and reliability. It offers affordable plans with plenty of high-speed data and you can try out the carrier risk-free for seven days.
We find the 10 best options, so you can make informed decisions on tons of products and services.
There’s nothing worse than trying to make a call or send a text, only to find that there’s no cell service in your area or the network is clogged with traffic. Not being able to get a message out when you need to can effectively turn the advanced smartphone in your pocket into a useless paperweight.
That’s why it’s so important to find a reliable cell phone carrier. In this guide, we’ll review the 10 best cell phone companies available today. We consider everything from coverage and pricing to data allotments, so you can pick the right provider for your needs.
What makes the top cell phone providers stand out? Let's l take a closer look at several factors that influence a provider’s affordability, reliability, and overall quality.
Cell phone plan price: Cell phone providers can charge widely differing amounts for what might appear to be the same level of service. It’s important to dig into providers’ pricing to find out whether there are limitations on talk, text, or data, and whether an unlimited data plan is really unlimited after all. If you’re looking for cellular coverage for a whole family, look for providers that offer family plans that can save you money.
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) offers: MVNOs are carriers that piggyback on the cellular networks of major telecom companies like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. MVNOs can offer much cheaper prices, but you typically get second-tier status when the networks are busy. So, think carefully about whether the money savings are worth a slight decrease in reliability.
Network coverage and service: All of the major cellular carriers claim to provide nationwide coverage in the US, but coverage can still vary quite a bit depending on where you are. Some carriers offer better coverage in some areas, especially for LTE and 5G data speeds. Be sure to check coverage maps for your region when deciding on a cell phone provider.
Deals and features: Cell phone providers occasionally have introductory offers or deals that can help them stand out. For example, if your family needs new phones, you might be able to find appealing offers such as buy one, get one free when you sign up for a new cellular plan.
Affordable coverage with plenty of high-speed data
Best for: Low-cost 5G data
Price per month: From $15/month
Money-back guarantee: Seven days
Uptime: 100%
Mint Mobile is an MVNO that piggybacks on T-Mobile cell towers. It offers some of the lowest prices around for 5G data, with plans starting at just $15 per month for 4GB of data. All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text, and you can connect WiFi devices to cellular data via a mobile hotspot.
Mint Mobile has impressive uptime for an MVNO, eliminating any concerns about reliability. Plus, the company offers a seven-day money-back guarantee so that you can try out Mint Mobile’s service in your area before committing to a plan. Mint Mobile requires a minimum plan term of three months, but there are no contracts longer than 12 months.
Pros:
Affordable plans offering 5G data
Use your data as a mobile hotspot
Introductory offer for new customers
Cons:
Hotspot limited to 5GB for unlimited plans
No month-to-month plans
Free international calling to more than 60 countries
Best for: Making international calls
Price per month: From $5/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 99.6%
Tello offers free international calls to over 60 countries with every plan, making it an ideal cellular provider for international travel or those who have family and friends abroad. Plus, plans with limited minutes and no data start from just $5 per month.
Tello offers an unlimited talk, text, and data plan for $25 per month, which is competitive with other top MVNOs. The Unlimited plan comes with 35GB of high-speed data and 5GB of free hotspot.
Tello doesn’t have contracts and you can change your monthly minutes and data allotments as frequently as every month. All Tello plans include 24/7 customer service.
Pros:
No contracts
Free international calling to over 60 countries
Inexpensive calling plans with no data
Unlimited plan with 35GB of high-speed data for $25/mo
Cons:
Highly variable coverage
Unlimited plans with outstanding 5G coverage
Best for: Access to 5G networks
Price per month: From $50/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 99.99%
AT&T is one of the major cellular network providers in the US, and the company has been leading the charge for 5G. AT&T boasts more 5G coverage than any other carrier, although 5G networks are still mostly limited to cities.
AT&T cell phone plans are somewhat pricey, with options for a single phone line starting at $50 per month. The company offers discounts if you sign up for multiple phone plans. Unlimited talk, text, and data for four phones, for example, costs $35 per line per month.
All AT&T plans include unlimited talk and text, and most include the ActiveArmor mobile security app to block spam.
Pros:
Widespread 5G coverage
Discounts for multiple lines
ActiveArmor security app included
Cons:
Expensive pricing for a single phone
Hotspot data is severely limited
Truly unlimited 5G data
Best for: Unlimited high-speed data
Price per month: From $30/month
Money-back guarantee: 15-day free trial
Uptime: 100%
Visible offers only two plans, both with unlimited talk, text, and data. The more expensive, premium Visible+ plan, which costs $45 per month, includes roaming data in Canada and Mexico plus international calling to over 30 countries.
What’s unique about Visible’s unlimited plans is that they’re really unlimited—Visible doesn’t throttle your data speeds after a certain amount of data use. You can use as much 5G data or use your phone as a hotspot as much as you want each month.
Visible is an MVNO operating on the Verizon network. Service is very reliable, especially in rural parts of the US where other providers have more spotty coverage.
Pros:
Unlimited high-speed data with no bandwidth limits
Offers roaming data in Canada and Mexico
Reliable coverage
Cons:
No cheaper plans with limited data
No family plans
Discounted plans for seniors, veterans, and first responders
Best for: Couples aged 55 and older
Price per month: From $55/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 100%
T-Mobile recently merged with Sprint and now claims one of the largest networks of high-speed cellular towers in the US. It offers a range of unlimited data plans for individuals and stands out for offering discounts to active-duty military members, veterans, and first responders.
In addition, T-Mobile has special cell phone plans for couples who are aged 55 and older. These Unlimited 55+ plans include two lines with unlimited talk, text, and data starting at $55 per month. Premium plans also include a Netflix subscription and AAA membership as perks.
T-Mobile does not require annual contracts. Customer service is available 24/7.
Pros:
Discounts for active-duty military, veterans, and first responders
Offers Netflix and AAA subscriptions
Fast-growing 5G network
Cons:
Expensive for individual lines
Very limited hotspot data
Affordable 5G data plans for individuals
Best for: Mobile hotspot data plans
Price per month: From $8.33/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 99%
Boost Mobile is an MVNO that offers cellular plans starting at just $8.33 per month for new customers. There’s a relatively wide range of plans to choose from, all of which offer unlimited talk and text, plus varying amounts of 5G data.
Unlimited data plans start at $50 per month, making Boost Mobile slightly more expensive than competitors. Boost also charges an activation fee if you bring your own device.
If you plan to use your phone as a hotspot frequently, Boost Mobile offers hotspot data plans starting from $15 per month. The company also offers a hotspot device that can connect up to 16 devices for a one-time payment of $9.99.
Pros:
Cheap plans offering limited high-speed data
Hotspot data plans available
Wide selection of phones
Cons:
Moderately expensive unlimited data plans
Activation fee if you bring your own phone
Affordable plans with customizable options
Best for: Budget-conscious users looking for customizable plans
Price per month: From $5/month
Money-back guarantee: 10-day free unlimited trial
Uptime: 100%
US Mobile is a prepaid mobile phone provider that operates on the T-Mobile network. What sets US Mobile apart is its emphasis on customization, allowing users to tailor their plans to their specific needs by selecting the desired amount of talk time, text messages, and data. This flexibility gives users control over their mobile expenses.
In addition to customizable plans, US Mobile provides useful add-ons such as mobile hotspot data, international calling, and text message packs. These options allow users to enhance their plans according to their individual requirements. However, it's important to note that international texting is limited to a specific number of countries.
Pros:
Cons:
International roaming limitations
A limited selection of devices available for purchase
Huge selection of mobile plans to suit every situation
Best for: Mix-and-match family plans
Price per month: From $35/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 100%
Verizon is one of the major carriers and is following closely on the heels of AT&T and T-Mobile in rolling out 5G coverage. Verizon often has better coverage in rural areas of the US as well, so it can be more reliable for frequent travelers.
What’s unique about Verizon is that the company has a phone plan for seemingly every situation. There are prepaid data plans with unlimited talk and text, 5G plans with included hotspot data, and data-only plans for connecting tablets and other smart devices. Verizon makes it easy to mix-and-match plans to build a customized family plan.
Pros:
Wide range of plans with mix-and-match options
Excellent coverage across the US
Includes free subscriptions to major streaming services
Cons:
Expensive 5G plans
Plan offerings can be confusing
Share data across multiple lines
Best for: Xfinity internet customers
Price per month: From $15/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 99%
Xfinity Mobile makes it easy to get the data you need for a whole family without paying for an expensive unlimited plan. You can purchase 1GB, 3GB, or 10GB of high-speed data per month and share the data allotment across as many lines as you want. Built-in alerts and metering help ensure that you don’t exceed your data limit. Each line gets unlimited talk and text.
Xfinity Mobile also offers an unlimited plan that costs $30 per line per month when you sign up for at least 2 lines.
Note that Xfinity Mobile is only available for current Xfinity internet customers.
Pros:
Share data across multiple lines
Affordable unlimited data plan
Bring your own phone for free
Cons:
Only available to Xfinity internet customers
A limited selection of phones for sale
Affordable family plans with lots of data
Best for: Families that need up to four lines
Price per month: From $25/month
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Uptime: 99%
PureTalk offers a wide range of prepaid plans with no contract and unlimited talk and text. All plans include high-speed data and unlimited plans start at $55 per month.
PureTalk offers discounts the more lines you add. It’ll take 10% off your bill for two lines, 15% off for three lines, or 20% off for four lines. That makes this carrier a great option for families who want to mix and match lines with different amounts of data while keeping their monthly costs as low as possible.
New PureTalk customers can also qualify for up to $250 off a new phone.
Pros:
Mix-and-match data plans
Discounts for adding multiple lines
Get up to $250 off a new phone
Cons:
No international data options
Doesn’t offer live chat support
With so many cell phone providers and plans available today, the options are nearly endless. Every cell phone carrier has different selling points, cell phone coverage, and all of their plans offer different amounts of minutes, data, and package costs. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help pin down the best choice for you.
Finding the right cell phone plan is all about knowing what you need, which is all about what you use your phone for. Are you a phone call kind-of-person, or do you spend most of your time texting? Do you spend your commutes to work catching up on the news and streaming videos, or do you prefer to listen to pre-downloaded audiobooks?
These are all questions you should be answering, as they will greatly help you whittle down your choices to find the right plan.
If you’re going to be sharing a plan with a social media obsessed, series-streaming teen, you will get the most bang for your buck with a plan from Mint Mobile which offers unlimited plans for the first 3 months starting at only $15 per month.
The T-Mobile is ideal for families, as it starts at just $160 for 4 lines. With the plan you also get a Netflix plan for free, unlimited HD streaming and 4G LTE data.
Since you’re purchasing the plan for your family, you will likely have members that own a tablet or wearable, like an Apple Watch or other smartwatch. Adding these to your plan is simple and only costs an extra $20 per tablet, and $10 per wearable. If that’s not enough, T-Mobile also offers perks on Tuesdays with its T-Mobile Tuesday app. The company really does offer a great all around plan that you and your whole family will enjoy. Your kids and spouse will be able to do what they want on their phones, while you will feel you’re getting what you pay for.
If you’re only buying a phone plan for you and your partner, you will probably need less data and a smaller amount of minutes compared to that of a family plan. Two really popular providers for couples are Boost Mobile and Cricket. Boost Mobile has a $60 a month plan that gives you unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as 20GB of mobile hotspot.
Since it’s backed by Sprint, you will get top-quality nationwide LTE coverage. You can also add extras to your plan like BoostTV, Boost Dealz, and roaming. Cricket also has a plan ideal for couples, that gives you a whopping 8GB per user at just $90 a month. Cricket runs on AT&T’s network, so you know you will get good coverage in most places, and offers excellent customer service.
There are also more simple and straightforward providers like Tello, where you can choose how many minutes and data you waqnt. .
No matter if you’re a single person, family, or couple looking for a plan, if you have family living abroad that you plan on staying in contact with, you should choose Verizon. It’s important to choose a plan that lets you make international calls because if not, you will get nailed on your monthly bills. Verizon offers really great coverage and competitive pricing for international calls.
Cell phone companies offer many plans to satisfy a broad range of customers, including cell phone plans for seniors or kids, whether they have a smartphone or not. But before going into the store and getting overwhelmed by the choices, plan types, and differentiating factors, it’s important to be informed. So get the most bang for your buck by knowing what you need and how much of it you need. With that, you’re sure to leave a happy customer!
