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Last Updated: Mar 2024

The Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024
Get the most out of your plan

From unlimited data plans to prepaid to family deals, everyone needs something different from their wireless carrier. Compare our top picks below.

Our Top 3 Unlimited Mobile Plans
We Recommend
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile
exceptional
9.9
SALE: All plans $15/mo
Shop Now
Tello
Tello
excellent
9.2
No extra fees
Shop Now
Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile
very good
8.9
Plans start at $10/month
Shop Now
mint
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Our Best Cell Phone Plan Provider

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We find the 10 best options, so you can make informed decisions on tons of products and services.

What are unlimited mobile plans?

Unlimited mobile plans are cell phone plans that offer unlimited mobile data each month.

Unlimited mobile plans include unlimited talk, text, and data. Unlimited talk and text means you can communicate by phone or text message as much as you want, without any surprise limits or charges.

Unlimited mobile data is the biggest selling point for most of these types of phone plans. By mobile data, we mean internet connectivity that comes from a 3G, 4G, or 5G connection, rather than from a WiFi signal. 

With the best unlimited phone plan, you can connect to the internet as much as you want from anywhere you have service. Whether you want to use internet-connected apps, send email, check social media, surf the web, or even watch videos on the go, there are no limits and no extra charges for using your smartphone to its full potential.

How to choose the right unlimited plan for your needs?

Choosing the right unlimited mobile plan is key to getting the most out of your smartphone while only paying for the talk, text, and data you actually need. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key factors to consider when comparing unlimited plans.

Data

When mobile providers use the term “unlimited,” they usually include data—but not always. In some cases, unlimited only applies to talk and text.

If you’re looking for a cheap unlimited data plan, make sure that data service is indeed unlimited. Otherwise, you’ll pay extra every time you exceed your plan’s allotted data limit.

Talk

All unlimited plans include unlimited phone calls. Mobile network availability can vary widely, however, so it’s worth checking whether a provider has good coverage at your home and office before you sign up.

Text

All unlimited plans also include unlimited text messaging. Once again, make sure that your provider offers strong coverage in the region where you live.

Hotspots

Most new smartphones allow you to transform them into WiFi hotspots with just the tap of a button. In effect, this enables you to use your mobile data to connect your laptop or another device to the internet.

Many unlimited data plans do put limits on how much data you can use while in hotspot mode or throttle your data speeds after a certain amount of hotspot data each month. If you need a hotspot frequently, you may need a more expensive unlimited hotspot plan.

International Calling

Unlimited talk and text only apply to the US with most mobile plans. If you travel internationally, you may be able to get unlimited international talk and text for an additional daily or monthly price.

4G & 5G

Data speed is one of the most important things to consider when comparing cheap unlimited data plans. Top-tier plans offer 5G speeds, which can be up to 20 times faster than 4G speeds. In turn, 4G speeds are around 500 times faster than 3G speeds.

Most unlimited data plans require you to pay extra for access to 5G speeds. In addition, you might receive 4G and 5G speeds only up to a certain amount of data per month. If you go over this limit, you’ll still get data on your phone, but it may be throttled to slower 3G speeds.

Pricing

Pricing for unlimited data plans can vary widely depending on network coverage and how much 4G and 5G data is included with your plan. The difference between the cheapest unlimited data plan and the most expensive can be significant, so be sure to think carefully about what you need.

How do unlimited mobile plans work?

Depending on the carrier, unlimited mobile plans may or may not require a commitment. Some major carriers lock you into 1- or 2-year contracts, while others boast that you can cancel anytime. Long-term contracts can reduce your monthly plan price, but there can also be steep fees if you break your contract.

Typically, unlimited mobile plans are billed monthly. Some carriers also let you pay for several months or a whole year upfront at slightly discounted prices.

When you first sign up for an unlimited mobile plan, be sure to keep an eye out for special deals. For example, some carriers offer a free year of unlimited talk, text, and data when you purchase a new phone. Others offer to buy out your existing long-term mobile contract if you have one, making it easier to switch carriers.

FAQs

How much do unlimited mobile plans cost?

Unlimited mobile plans cost around $30 to $90 per month. Prices vary based on whether you want 4G and 5G data speeds, the quality of the network, and whether you sign up for a long-term contract.

Do I need to sign a contract for an unlimited mobile plan?

Many mobile carriers offer unlimited data plans with no contract. You can cancel your plan at any time and switch carriers without fees or penalties.

Can I call internationally with an unlimited plan?

Most unlimited mobile plans offer unlimited calling in the US only. You may be able to purchase unlimited international calling for specific countries for an additional fee.

Our Top 3 Picks

  • 1
    Mint Mobile

    Mint Mobile

    • Best ForBest cell phone plan overall
    • Starting PriceFrom $15/month
    • PlansPrepaid

    Mint Mobile - Best cell phone plan overall

    Mint Mobile gives you access to 5G, cutting-edge technology with high network speed and reliability. Plans also come with unlimited talking and texting, so you never need to worry about topping up or checking if you’re near the limit. And by connecting to your network's servers through the internet, their WiFi messaging and calling feature can also be useful when overseas.

    "With Mint Mobile, you will get reliable service and fast download speeds. They have the fastest download speeds of any mobile network operator I’ve tried,” says Joe Troyer, CEO of tech company Digital Triggers.

    After a few months of using the plan, the customer support team will reach out to help you select one that better suits your usage needs. You can keep your 4G LTE device if you decide on Mint’s “Bring Your Own Phone” program. Although the connection will slow down if you reach the monthly data limit, your service will remain active.

    Why we chose Mint Mobile: Mint Mobile offers robust coverage and cost-effective and customizable plans to match your specific data usage patterns. They’re also committed to providing personalized recommendations based on your usage, improving your experience.

    Our experience: We found Mint Mobile's service highly reliable in urban areas, with a strong signal on their 5G and 4G LTE networks. While several new phones maintained consistent and dependable connections, a few older cell phones weren’t updated and required additional support during the setup process.

    Pros
    • WiFi-based texting and calling
    • You can keep your device with the “Bring Your Own Phone” program
    • Personalized recommendations for plans based on your usage
    Cons
    • Older phones can have trouble connecting to the network
    • Connection slows down if you go over the monthly usage limit
  • 2
    Tello

    Tello

    • Best ForBest for low-data plans
    • Starting PriceFrom $5/month
    • PlansPrepaid and custom plans

    Tello - Best for low-data plans

    Tello offers new prices, including unlimited nationwide talking and texting, with free calls to over 60 countries. And with the “Build Your Own” subscriptions, you can tweak data or minutes to further lower the cost.

    “The coverage is superb, and I can make phone calls from almost anywhere I go without any difficulty,” says Michael Collins, managing director of IT company SphereIT.UK. He also states, "4G speeds are consistently fast and responsive.”

    All of Tello's default and customizable plans offer 4G and 5G LTE data and mobile hotspot sharing. When you reach your monthly limit, they downgrade your network to 2G, which even comes with the “No Data” custom subscription.

    Why we chose Tello: Tello offers unlimited international calling to over 60 countries—this can be useful if you have family living overseas and want to stay in touch. We could opt for “Build Your Own” plans starting from 1GB/month if we didn’t need as much data and only wanted unlimited texting and calling.

    Our experience: Tello’s plans were straightforward to set up and connect, and the SIM card worked with various new and old phones. Throughout our testing, we experienced consistent cell coverage within the US for all our calls, including international ones.

    Pros
    • Consistent cell coverage
    • Most affordable option on this list
    • Minutes include international calling to over 60 countries
    Cons
    • Download speeds can be inconsistent
    • They don’t include the latest devices
  • 3
    Ultra Mobile

    Ultra Mobile

    • Best ForFlexibility of short prepaid plans
    • Starting PriceFrom $15 per month
    • PlansUnlimited domestic talk and text plus high-speed data. Unlimited international calling to 90+ countries and unlimited global text

    Ultra Mobile sells low-cost prepaid cell phone plans with unlimited domestic and international calls to 80+ countries on T-Mobile’s cellular network. They offer three different single-month plans with 250MB, 2GB, or Unlimited data. Option to renew on multi-month plans and unlock further savings is available after the first month of service.All Ultra Mobile’s plans include 5G and 4G LTE coverage up to varying data limits, unlimited global text, and mobile hotspot. 

    Prepaid mobile plans serve a certain purpose and as long as you know what it entails, then Ultra Mobile may be a good choice for you. If you’re in the U.S. on a temporary basis, have reasons to not want to use your credit card, or don’t want anything more than a one-month commitment, Ultra Mobile’s prepaid phone plans are a viable option for you.

    Pros
    • Unlimited calls to 90+ countries
    • No long-term contracts
    • Up to 10 GB mobile hotspot per month
    Cons
    • More expensive than contracts from big providers
    • Poor customer service ratings

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Mint Mobile
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