We tested 11 popular phone plans from 10 separate carriers to see which plans offer the best value for the price. Our tests determined that the best plan on the market for most customers is US Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan for $44/month, thanks to its combination of affordability, massive premium data allotment, and excellent coverage on all three national networks.
Read on for our full lineup of the best unlimited phone plans and their included features, and learn how to pick the right unlimited plan to meet your needs.
Best phone plans of 2026
|
Best overall plan US Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan → Up to unlimited priority data on AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon networks → $44/month |
View at US Mobile |
|
Best budget pick Visible → Unlimited premium 5G data on Verizon's network → $25/month |
View at Visible |
|
Best unlimited family plan Essentials Saver plan → 50GB of full-speed 5G on T-Mobile's network → $100/month for four lines |
View at T-Mobile |
Why you can trust WhistleOut
.svg)
15+
years of mobile industry experience
900+
published wireless guides
35+
firsthand carrier reviews
We've been around since the birth of the iPhone. Along the way, we've learned how to spot the best deals for your wallet (and your sanity). We spend our days researching informative guides and writing insightful reviews on every kind of wireless plan, distinguishing what matters from what doesn't. We played around with these plans before recommending them, ensuring they're worth your hard-earned money.
Want to know more? Check out how we review every cell phone plan we rank.
Best phone plans: Our top 3 picks
US Mobile Unlimited Premium plan is the best overall
|
US Mobile
Unlimited Premium Plan
$39.00/mo
|
US Mobile's Unlimited Premium is the best overall plan because it offers incredible value for its price. Customers can get unlimited premium data, massive mobile hotspots, and access to all three major networks for less than $50/month.
Reasons to buy
- Access to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks
- Huge premium data allowance
- Hotspot and international data included
- Entertainment perks, including Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, and more
Reasons to avoid
- No multi-line discount with family plans
- No entertainment perks with single-line plans
Why it beats the competition
It's rare to find an unlimited plan that offers so much for so little, but that's certainly the case with US Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan. Users get unlimited talk, unlimited text, and massive data allotments depending on their network. Coverage on the Dark Star network (AT&T) includes unlimited premium data and a 200GB high-speed mobile hotspot. If you opt for the Light Speed (T-Mobile) or Warp (Verizon) networks, you'll receive unlimited premium data and a 50GB mobile hotspot.
In our testing of US Mobile, we found that 4G and 5G speeds were extremely fast in more populated areas, topping out around 350Mbps near a T-Mobile 5G tower and a whopping 488Mbps near an AT&T one. For that reason, we recommend opting for the AT&T Dark Star network if you have solid AT&T coverage in your area.
Mirroring our general network experience, we found the hotspot performed extremely well in urban areas with 5G coverage, with download speeds around 200Mbps, but less so when testing in remote regions with 4G LTE service.
Other perks include up to 20GB of international roaming data (depending on your destination), and calling/texting within over 120 countries. Plus, this is one of the few plans from an MVNO that includes a streaming perk. Family plans with three or more lines can choose a free subscription to services like Spotify, Netflix, or Hulu.
Finally, one of the best things about the Unlimited Premium plan is unlimited access to US Mobile's TelePortal tool. TelePortal allows you to switch among the networks for free, though that process can be difficult to manage.
Our experience with US Mobile
"There are not many other MVNOs that offer perks like streaming subscriptions, international data, and network transfers as standard parts of several plans," Senior Staff Writer Max McCaskill said after spending a month using US Mobile. "These perks become even more surprising when you consider the cost of US Mobile’s plans is mostly competitive with other carriers that don’t include all those extras."
Read his full US Mobile review.
What users are saying
Several users on the US Mobile subreddit recommend paying for a full year of Unlimited Premium to maximize your savings. u/c50grand said they were "pretty happy to lock in" a price. The math explains why: Purchasing an Annual subscription for the Unlimited Premium allows customers to save up to $138.
The bottom line
The US Mobile Unlimited Premium plan is the best phone plan overall because it offers cheap access to all three major wireless networks, massive data allotments, and great entertainment perks. These are features you'd normally find in a major carrier phone plan for almost double the price.
- Price: $44/month
- Coverage: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
- Data: Unlimited high-speed data, no data caps
- Hotspot: 50GB (T-Mobile, Verizon) or 200GB (AT&T)
Visible offers the best cheap unlimited plan
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
The Visible plan's unlimited data and unlimited mobile hotspot for just $25/month make it the ideal choice for the best budget phone plan.
Reasons to buy
- Excellent price for unlimited data
- Unlimited mobile hotspot at 5Mbps
- Verizon's awesome 4G LTE and 5G networks
Reasons to avoid
- No premium data or dedicated high-speed hotspot
- No options for add-on perks like streaming or storage
Why we love it
The Visible plan offers just enough valuable features to beat out other cheap unlimited plans. Offering both unlimited 5G data (subject to deprioritization) and unlimited mobile hotspot (speeds capped at 5Mbps), the Visible plan is a steal at just $25/month. During testing, we consistently saw speeds around 150Mbps on Verizon's 4G LTE connection, which was plenty fast enough for us to stream videos, play mobile games, and download files.
As a basic unlimited plan, you won't find features like streaming perks or other extra add-ons with the Visible plan. That said, we still think it's the best option for unlimited data for customers on a budget.
Our experience with Visible
"My hands-on testing showed that Visible provides consistent data speeds and broad coverage, thanks to Verizon’s reliable wireless network," Angelo Ilumba said after testing Visible for a month. "Features such as unlimited data and a user-friendly app make it a compelling choice."
Read his full Visible review.
What users are saying
Users on the Visible subreddit are fans of the Visible plan because it meets their needs at an affordable price. u/FishinShirt noted they've been on the Visible plan for over four years, use an average of 60–90GB of data per month, and have had no problems with the plan so far.
The bottom line
The Visible plan is the best option if you're looking for a cheap, unlimited phone plan for one person. There are not many plans offering unlimited data and an unlimited mobile hotspot for just $25/month.
- Price: $25/month
- Coverage: Verizon
- Data: Unlimited (subject to deprioritization)
- Hotspot: Unlimited (capped at 5Mbps)
T-Mobile Essentials Saver is the best family plan
|
T-Mobile
$15 Connect by TMO 5GB
$60.00/mo
Taxes & Fees NOT included
+ $40 Upfront
|
T-Mobile's Essentials Saver plan is the best family plan available, offering generous multi-line discounts and 50GB of full-speed data for everyone on your plan for just $25/line for four lines.
Reasons to buy
- Hefty premium data per line
- Unlimited 3G hotspot
- Significant multi-line discounts
- Autopay discounts
Reasons to avoid
- Spotty coverage in rural areas
- Not eligible for T-Mobile's perks suite
Why it's the best family phone plan
The Essential Savers plan is the best unlimited family plan because it offers enough premium data for everyone in your family and is extremely affordable—just $25/line for a family of four. The plan's generous data chunks, T-Mobile's seriously fast 5G speeds, and the carrier's nationwide 5G coverage map will ensure you can stay connected whether you're all together or several states apart. T-Mobile offers several other perks with this plan, too, including a free year of AAA membership and free in-flight Wi-Fi with participating airlines.
Our experience with T-Mobile
"The absolute best way to save money with T-Mobile is by having more lines on one plan," Angelo Ilumba said in his T-Mobile review. "The more lines on the account, the cheaper the rate is per line...If you look at the price per line, they rival rates for single-line unlimited plans from MVNOs."
Read his full T-Mobile review.
What users are saying
Users on the T-Mobile subreddit like the savings on the Essential Savers plan and urge prospective customers to keep an eye out for additional promotions. Several users recommend looking out for seasonal discounts (usually in late summer) for new activations in order to earn additional rebates. T-Mobile is also known for offering special offers to customers switching from AT&T or Verizon.
The bottom line
The T-Mobile Essential Savers plan is the best family plan available because of it's low prices and large data caps. The plan's multi-line discounts allow you to grab excellent 5G coverage for a fraction of the typical price. It's difficult to make plans from major carriers affordable, but the Essential Savers plan manages to do just that.
- Price: $100/month (4-lines)
- Network: T-Mobile
- Data: Unlimited (50GB premium)
- Hotspot: Unlimited at 3G speeds
All phone plans we reviewed in 2026
Our top three picks aren't the only plans we evaluated for this list. Below are some of the other plans we considered that didn't quite make the cut. That doesn't mean they're bad plans; in fact, some of them are quite good... they're just not the best. Some of them, though, are bad, and we're calling them out here so you can avoid the headaches of dealing with a high payment for subpar service.
Other top phone plans we tested and recommend
Mint Mobile's 3-month Unlimited is a great prepaid unlimited plan
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
This Mint Mobile plan is another one of the best prepaid unlimited plans on the market, with 50GB of premium data and a 20GB mobile hotspot on the T-Mobile network for $30/month for the first three months. We consider it to be an excellent T-Mobile alternative to Visible for customers looking for a cheap unlimited plan. Just remember the price jumps after that initial three-month introductory period unless you buy a family plan or an annual plan. Otherwise, the overall savings are large enough that we still recommend it, especially because we're big fans of Mint's service.
Unlimited Value 2.0 is the best AT&T plan
|
AT&T
Value 2.0℠
$50.00/mo
+ $35 Upfront
|
The Value 2.0 is one of the best phone plans from AT&T. The $50/month price is a bit high compared with MVNOs operating on the AT&T network (like Cricket, US Mobile, or Boost Mobile), but we still think it's a great option if you're looking to stick with a major carrier or can purchase it on a family plan.
Unlimited Welcome is the best Verizon plan
|
Verizon
Unlimited Welcome
$55.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
The Unlimited Welcome plan is our pick for the best phone plan from Verizon. It includes unlimited 5G data for $65/month for a single line. The benefit of Verizon is it offers extra perks for just $10/month. You can customize your plan with features like streaming perks, international data, or a 100GB mobile hotspot. Plus, this plan becomes a great deal with a family plan, which can drop the price as low as $30/line.
US Mobile 10GB By the Gig plan is a great budget alternative
|
US Mobile
10GB By the Gig Plan
$20.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
|
This is our second plan pick from US Mobile. If you want access to all three major networks, but don't need a large unlimited plan, the 10GB By the Gig plan is a great alternative. The cheap phone plan includes a 10GB premium data allotment and mobile hotspot capability for just $20/month. Plus, you can turn it into a shared family plan for just $8/month for each additional line.
Data plans worth considering (with reservations)
Unlimited Talk, Text & Data plan from Consumer Cellular
|
Consumer Cellular
Unlimited for Ages 50+ Plan
$35.00/mo
|
This is a great phone plan for seniors, thanks to its AARP discount, which adds up to average savings of $24. That said, everyone else can find cheaper pricing with other mobile carriers, as $40/month for a 50GB high-speed data allotment is not the best deal around.
Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data plan from Tello
|
Tello
Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data Plan
$25.00/mo
|
We reviewed this plan in our Tello review and found it to be a solid option for cheap unlimited data. Still, we ranked it behind similar plans from Mint Mobile, Visible, and US Mobile due to its lack of perks. Tello Unlimited offers 50GB of premium data, a 10GB mobile hotspot, and virtually no other features. Mint offers international roaming in Canada, Visible offers unlimited mobile hotspots, and US Mobile has access to all three major networks.
Phone plans we don’t recommend
Unlimited plan from Ting
Ting's Unlimited Plan offers a relatively low premium data amount (22GB) for the relatively high $45/month. With so many other more affordable MVNOs operating on T-Mobile (including US Mobile and Mint Mobile), this Ting plan does not earn the nod for being a great choice for service.
Unlimited Month Pass from TextNow
TextNow offers a free basic talk and text plan if you purchase their $4.99 SIM card. Unfortunately, you have to use the TextNow app for your phone calls and texts, which most customers do not like. If you want mobile data, you must purchase it in the form of timed passes. The Unlimited Month pass offers a measly 20GB of full-speed data for a whopping $35.99/month. For most customers this should be a hard pass.
How to choose the best phone plan
Not all phone plans are built the same! You should pick your phone plan based on your needs and what you want to pay. Don't be fooled into purchasing a massive plan from a major carrier if you'll never use the features. That's simply overpaying for service. On the other hand, your plan actually needs to meet your needs, so don't underpay for a limited plan if you're a power user.
What to look for
- If and when deprioritization occurs.
Some unlimited plans offer unlimited premium (or full-speed) data. This is typically premium plans from major carriers, like Experience Beyond from AT&T or Unlimited Ultimate from Verizon. For the most part, though, unlimited plans slow your speeds if you exceed your premium data allowance or when the network is congested. Making sure that your plan (unlimited or limited) has enough premium data to meet your needs is important. If you're unsure how much data you need, be sure to read our mobile data usage guide to help determine the most practical plan for you. - Whether or not the low price will stay low.
Some carriers offer low introductory pricing, then raise their rates after a few months. That doesn't mean introductory pricing is a red flag. After all, we love Mint's Unlimited plan, which includes a low $15/month rate for new customers who purchase a 12-month plan. But introductory pricing does require you to be sure you know what you're activating. Be prepared to switch carriers if you don't like the real pricing after your introductory period is completed. - The size of the mobile hotspot allowance.
Some phone plans give you generous mobile hotspots, which allow you to turn your cell phone plan into a portable Wi-Fi router for your other devices. If you use a mobile hotspot frequently, you'll likely need to purchase a larger unlimited plan or hotspot add-on. Otherwise, you can get by with smaller plans that offer limited hotspots.
What to avoid
- Unlimited data for the sake of unlimited data.
Is it worth getting unlimited data? No, most people don't need unlimited data, especially if they have access to reliable high-speed Wi-Fi. The average American only uses around 10GB of data per month, an amount that's far below the premium data threshold of most unlimited plans. Limited data plans from prepaid carriers offer more modest plans at more modest prices. - Fancy perks you'll never use.
Major carriers love to stuff extra perks into their postpaid unlimited plans to convince customers to sign up. Things like streaming subscriptions, international data, in-flight Wi-Fi, shopping subscriptions, and early device upgrades have all been used to entice customers to overpay for service. If you're not actively using these perks, you can probably save by picking a barebones phone plan from a smaller carrier.
How we picked the best phone plans
Each of our plan picks is underpinned by an extensive first-hand test and review of its features and performance. Our team evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras & perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts spent at least one month using each of the plans we've recommended to you. In addition to running speed tests, tethering to the hotspot, and analyzing coverage reliability, we also leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate plan options, cost, and inclusions. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After our hands-on testing and extensive research, we picked the best plans we feel meet the needs of most people.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to dive deeper into how we evaluate plans and carriers, and how to pick the right plan for yourself or your family.
FAQs: Best phone plans
How much should I be paying for a phone plan?
You shouldn't be paying more than $50/month for an unlimited phone plan. If your monthly bill is higher than this, you're likely overpaying and can get the same coverage and even plan type for less from an MVNO.
Do I actually need an unlimited plan?
Most people don't need an unlimited phone plan. The average American uses around 10GB of data per month, and most people have Wi-Fi at home and at work. A limited data plan (like US Mobile's 10GB By the Gig plan at $20/month) can cover most users for less than an unlimited plan. Unlimited plans make sense if you stream a lot of video on the go, use your phone as a hotspot regularly, or travel frequently without reliable Wi-Fi.
What's the difference between a major carrier and an MVNO?
Major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) own and operate their own cell towers. MVNOs like Visible, Mint Mobile, or US Mobile rent access to those same towers and resell service at lower prices. In practice, you get the same coverage, but MVNO customers may be deprioritized during network congestion. For most people in most places, the difference isn't noticable, but the savings are significant.
Are family plans actually cheaper per person?
Yes, family plans are cheaper than single-line plans. T-Mobile's Essentials Saver plan, for example, drops to $25/line for a family of four, which is competitive with single-line MVNO pricing. If you're on a major carrier and paying full single-line rates, adding lines is one of the fastest ways to cut your per-person bill. Even some MVNOs like US Mobile and Mint offer multi-line discounts.
Is it worth staying with a major carrier?
It depends. Major carriers make sense if you need device financing, want premium customer support, or like flashy perks. They're also competitive with multi-line pricing. But for people in urban or suburban areas, an MVNO on the same network will almost always offer better value. Our overall pick, US Mobile Unlimited Premium at $44/month, gives you access to all three major networks for less than most single-line postpaid plans.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
Find a better phone plan
Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
.png?w=160&h=160&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "The Best Cheap Phone Plans for 2026: We Tested Them All to Help You Save")
.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "Best Cell Phone Deals for June 2026: Get the New iPhone 17 for Free")
.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "Cell Coverage Near You: Who Has the Best 5G Network?")
