Best cell phone plans in 2022 Tom s Guide
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Best option for coverage: Verizon (opens in new tab)
Best unlimited plan on a budget: Visible (opens in new tab)
Best prepaid value: AT&T (opens in new tab) Don't worry about having to track down all the differences between various cell phone plans to find the best options, though - we've done that for you. We continually check cell phone plan prices to see what's new and how it impacts our best cell phone plan rankings. We look beyond price when picking the best cell phone plan. Coverage and data speeds are critical, too, especially in the area where you'll use your phone the most. It also helps to get a plan from a top phone carrier so that your service comes with some solid perks. To make the decision easier, we've gone through the plans of both major wireless carriers and smaller MVNOs to create a list of the best cell phone plan for all sorts of different needs. You'll find our top picks and a little bit of helpful advice on how to choose the plan for you.
Mint Mobile has quickly become one of the best carriers for those on a budget. While 4GB isn't a huge amount, Mint's cheapest cell phone plan will be perfect if you're mainly using your phone for a bit of social media, internet searches and less data intensive apps like Google Maps. Mint piggybacks off of T-Mobile which covers 62% coverage of the country. It is important to keep in mind that after three months, Mint Mobile will require you to pay for a whole year to hold onto the $15/month price. Check our Mint Mobile coupons (opens in new tab) page for the latest offers and discounts.
Pros: Very affordable, decent amount of data
Cons: Offer changes after 3 monthsView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Tello Economy 1GB $10/month - Lowest priced cell phone plan (opens in new tab)
Tello has added more data to its pricier plans, but the Economy Plan is still the way to go if you want the cheapest possible service. With Tello, you can get a monthly price of $10. You will find yourself limited at 1GB of data in this plan. While you do get unlimited calls and texts, some will find that data cap quite limited so this really is just for those after the lowest monthly cost. Fortunately, jumping up to Tello's 2GB plan costs just $4 more each month.
Pros: Cheapest cell phone plan, unlimited calls and texts
Cons: Very limited on data at this priceView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)T-Mobile Connect 3GB data $15/month - Low cost cell phone plan from a big name carrier (opens in new tab)
The T-Mobile Connect plan now gives you 3GB of data each month for just $15. (T-Mobile bumps up the data allotment every year by 0.5GB.) Need more than that? Upgrade to the 6GB T-Mobile Connect option for $25 a month, or opt for the cheap $10/month plan for 1GB of data if your needs are minimal. Still, there's a big limitation to T-Mobile Connect plan: once you use up your allotment, you're out of data for the rest of the billing cycle. Many rival plans simply slow your speeds when you hit your monthly limit. Pros: Low costs, 500Mb data boosts annually
Cons: Out of data once you hit your capView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Verizon 15GB prepaid $45/month - Best prepaid for coverage (opens in new tab)
Verizon's regular $50-a-month prepaid plan offers a generous pool of data, and a $5 autopay discount can take your monthly rate down to $45 after a couple months of service. The prepaid discounts don't stop there, though -stick with Verizon's plan for three months, and the monthly rate drops another $5. Hold out for longer than 9 months with Verizon, and your rate drops $5 once more. That means after 10 months, you're paying $35 a month for the same 15GB of data. Along with the pricing and data benefits, Verizon is also the carrier with both the best speeds and coverage. This prepaid plan gets 5G coverage, though not the faster Ultra Wideband service Verizon includes with other plans.
Pros: Lots of data, great coverage and speeds, nationwide 5G coverage
Cons: Not the cheapest prepaid around, doesn't include Verizon's Ultra Wideband serviceView Deal (opens in new tab)
Verizon has tweaked its unlimited data plans now that it's launched an expanded Ultra Wideband network for fast 5G coverage. But even with those changes, we still recommend the 5G Play More plan for most people. Yes, it does cost $80 for a single line of unlimited data but that price includes access to Verizon's fastest Ultra Wideband 5G service, 50GB priority data and free subscriptions to a number of streaming services, highlighted by Disney's streaming bundle. The per-line charge also drops the more lines you add to your plan - a good thing for families. If you go over that 50GB limit, Verizon could slow down your speeds; the $90/month 5G Get More plan removes that limitation while also adding extra perks.
Pros: Excellent coverage, free streaming subscriptions, 5G access
Cons: Not the cheapest option for unlimited dataView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Mint Mobile Unlimited data $30/month - Unlimited data on a budget (opens in new tab)
Mint Mobile once again pops up as the affordable option, especially when it comes to unlimited data. Piggybacking off of T-Mobile's network, Mint Mobile will only charge you $30 its unlimited plan. While that is a great price, you won't be surprised to hear that it does come with some catches. Mint's speeds - both for 4G and 5G - are slowed after your first 35GB of data usage and Mint's plans can start to get pretty costly after the first three months, with large upfront costs to get the best rates. If these two issues are putting you off, Visible's $30 unlimited plan (opens in new tab) is a great alternative now that it matches Mint's price.
Pros: Cheap unlimited plan, 5G speeds
Cons: Speed restrictions, price increases after 3 months if you don't commit to a year of serviceView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Visible Visible Unlimited $30/month - No-strings-attached unlimited data on the cheap (opens in new tab)
If you don't want to commit to a year with Mint to get that carrier's best price, consider Visible instead. The Verizon-owned carrier's base plan used to cost $40 a month, but now it's dropped to $30 (opens in new tab) - and taxes and fees are included. As a Verizon MVNO (opens in new tab), Visible enjoys the benefits of Verizon's network - including 5G coverage on supported devices. If you pay an extra $15 a month for the Visible Plus plan, you can even access Verizon's fast Ultra Wideband 5G network and enjoy other perks that don't come with the $30 monthly plan.
Pros: Low rate, excellent network performance
Cons: Data can be slowed if network is congested, no more discounts on multiple linesView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)T-Mobile Magenta unlimited data $70/month - Best value unlimited plan from a main carrier (opens in new tab)
T-Mobile's $70 option provides a great mix of value and performance. While this middle-tier plan cuts a few features like HD streaming the regular Magenta plan is worth it for this more attractive price. With Magenta, you get unlimited priority data and free Netflix when you've got two or more lines on your plan. The Magenta plan also includes a year of Paramount Plus and six months of Apple TV Plus. Magenta Max subscribers get HD streaming, an Apple TV Plus subscription and other perks for $15 more each month. Pros: Attractive perks, affordable price
Cons: HD video streaming costs extraView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Tello Unlimited Data Plan $29/month - Cheapest unlimited option (opens in new tab)
To get Mint Mobile's low price on unlimited data, you need to commit to a year of service. That's not the case with Tello and its unlimited data plan. Tello dropped the cost of unlimited talk, text and data to $29/month, one of the lowest prices you'll pay. Perks are few and far between with this plan, but you can make free calls to 60-plus countries, and Tello lets you turn your phone into a mobile hotspot at no extra cost. Note that Tello gives you 25GB of unlimited data per month, and will slow your speeds if you use more than that amount.
Pros: Price beats Mint's without 12-month commitment, includes free calls to 60-plus countries
Cons: Not many perksView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)AT&T Value Plus plan $50/month - AT&Ts cheapest unlimited plan (opens in new tab)
Now that AT&T's rebranded Unlimited Premium plan no longer includes HBO Max, the best unlimited data option at AT&T is the carrier's Value Plus plan. It costs just $50 a month for a single line of data, which is $15 cheaper than the carrier's Unlimited Starter plan. In addition to unlimited data, you get 5G access, coverage when traveling in Mexico and Canada and texting to 200-plus countries. You'll miss out on the hotspot data AT&T's more expensive unlimited options include and AT&T can slow your speeds if its network gets congested. Value Plus is only available to individuals, not families.
Pros: Unlimited data for $50, includes 5G access
Cons: Limited to just 1 line, few perks, AT&T can slow your data speedView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan $65/month - Best unlimited plan for Pixel phones (opens in new tab)
Whether you're planning to get a Pixel 6a (opens in new tab) or Pixel 7 (opens in new tab), consider Google Fi. Google's wireless service is optimized for its phones, letting them seamlessly switch between different cellular networks for the best coverage. (Google Fi also sells other optimized phones for its network, including all three Galaxy S22 models.) Google Fi's unlimited plan costs $65/month, with discounts available on additional lines. More importantly, you can use your Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan when you travel to more than 200 other countries with no disruption in service or extra charges; that makes Google Fi Unlimited Plus one of the best international phone plans (opens in new tab).
Pros: Good for international travel, optimized for Pixel phones
Cons: Cheaper options available elsewhereView Deal (opens in new tab)
Even as carriers offer multiple tiers of unlimited data plans, T-Mobile Magenta is still the best choice for families. It gives a family of four unlimited data for $160 a month once you factor in an autopay discount. Occasionally, T-Mobile will waive the cost of the third line, lowering your bill even further.
Pros: Free Netflix, 5G available, data speeds aren't slowed unless you use 100GB
Cons: Can't mix-and-match unlimited plansView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Verizon Welcome Unlimited 4-line family plan $120/month - Best family plan for coverage (opens in new tab)
When all that matters is unlimited data on a far-reaching network, Verizon's Welcome Unlimited plan offers an unbeatable price for families. With four lines, escalating discounts lower the per-line cost to $30 each for a total payment of $120/month. You can't mix and match with other Verizon unlimited plans, and there are very few perks associated with Welcome Unlimited. You get 5G coverage through Verizon's nationwide network, and that's it - no hotspot, no streaming service, no extras. But for families who want an affordable monthly plan, that may be enough.
Pros: Excellent coverage, unlimited data for cheap
Cons: No high-speed 5G access, Few perksView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Mint 4GB Plan 4-line plan $60/month - Discounts on every line (opens in new tab)
Mint now includes new family plans, though it takes a different approach from other carriers on this list. Instead of increasing the discount as you add lines of data, Mint extends the same discount to everyone on the plan, provided you pay for the service in advance. (You get a discounted rate for the first three months, then you commit to a full year to keep the low rate.) That means everyone on your plan can get 4GB of data for the same $15 per line. Mint also lets families mix and match its different plans.
Pros: Low cost, ability to mix and match different plans for each line
Cons: You have to pay in advance to get the biggest discount
Mint Mobile is arguably one of the best providers of prepaid plans in the US. While it has quite a few available options, the overall best value seems to be its 10GB for $20. While that isn't the cheapest price available at Mint, it's the best mix of data and costs. Mint Mobile piggybacks off of T-Mobile and offers free hot spotting and access to 5G where it is available. But "prepaid" at Mint really does mean prepaid - to get the lowest possible rate, you've got to buy a year of service in advance after your first three discounted months.
Pros: Very affordable price, free hot spotting
Cons: Might not be enough data for someView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)AT&T 16GB 12-month prepaid $25/month - Great value on AT&T (opens in new tab)
The main carriers rarely offer the best value prepaid plans and these tend to be more common from MVNOs. However, AT&T can be slightly more affordable and flexible than the likes of Sprint or Verizon. While you can pay for one month at a time, the best price is going to come from investing in a 12-month prepaid with AT&T, offering 16GB for $25 a month. That's double the amount of data AT&T used to offer, but at the same $300 upfront price. If you prefer monthly payments, you can get 5GB of data from AT&T for $30 per month.
Pros: Major carrier, more data than ever
Cons: Best prices require a longer contract
View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited data $60/month - Best perks for prepaid unlimited data (opens in new tab)
Now that Metro by T-Mobile's plans focus on unlimited data, choosing between them is a matter of finding the perks that fit your needs. We think the best package of add-ons comes with Metro's $60 monthly plan. In addition to unlimited talk, text and data, you get 15GB of hotspot data, 100GB of Google One cloud storage and an Amazon Prime membership. Cheaper unlimited plans are available at $50 and $40 per month, though with fewer perks. All plans can access T-Mobile's 5G network, though.
Pros: Includes coverage from T-Mobile's 5G network, Amazon prime membership
Cons: Metro's most expensive planView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Cricket Wireless 10GB $40/month - A competitive alternative to Metro (opens in new tab)
It used to be easy to dismiss Cricket's prepaid plans because of an 8 Mbps speed cap imposed on downloads. But Cricket's lifted that now and added 5G coverage to all its plans, so this 10GB offering is more compelling than it used to be. You can save $5 per month if you enroll in automatic payments.
Pros: No more speed caps on Cricket's plans, autopay discounts, includes 5G access
Cons: Limited perksView Deal (opens in new tab)
Best cell phone plans in 2022 The best options for your monthly phone service
By Philip Michaels published 3 October 2022 The best cell phone plans for families and individuals - from unlimited data to low-cost options (Image credit: Shutterstock) Jump to: Cheap plans Unlimited plans Family plans Prepaid plans How we pick the best cell phone plans Cell phone plans comparison There's never been a better time to track down the best cell phone plan for your needs. New phones are out for the fall, and Black Friday deals on handsets are just around the corner, so maybe you'll want a new wireless plan to accompany your new device. (In some cases, you may not have a choice, as many of the best cell phone deals require you to sign up for specific plans.) At the same time, monthly costs are on the rise, and finding the best cell phone plan might help you lower how much you're spending each month. In fact, comparing your current plan to other options is the first thing you should do when looking to save money on your cell phone bill.Best cell phone plans: quick linksBest cheap cell phone plan: Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Best option for coverage: Verizon (opens in new tab)
Best unlimited plan on a budget: Visible (opens in new tab)
Best prepaid value: AT&T (opens in new tab) Don't worry about having to track down all the differences between various cell phone plans to find the best options, though - we've done that for you. We continually check cell phone plan prices to see what's new and how it impacts our best cell phone plan rankings. We look beyond price when picking the best cell phone plan. Coverage and data speeds are critical, too, especially in the area where you'll use your phone the most. It also helps to get a plan from a top phone carrier so that your service comes with some solid perks. To make the decision easier, we've gone through the plans of both major wireless carriers and smaller MVNOs to create a list of the best cell phone plan for all sorts of different needs. You'll find our top picks and a little bit of helpful advice on how to choose the plan for you.
Cheap cell phone plans
Simply want a cell phone plan on a budget? There are plenty of carriers that can offer you a cheaper plan if you don't mind sacrificing your data cap somewhat. If you're the kind of person who occasionally uses social media and the essential apps like Google Maps, WhatsApp or general browsing of the internet, you could get away with a plan offering anywhere from 1GB to 4GB of data each month. Depending on the wireless provider you use, you can get your costs down somewhere between $10 and $15. In fact, three of the four plans below hit that price range, and the fourth gets less expensive the longer you stick with it. CarrierPlanMonthly costMint Mobile4GB$15Tello1GB$10T-Mobile3GB$15Verizon15GB$40 (opens in new tab)Mint Mobile 4GB $15/month - Best overall cheap cell phone plan (opens in new tab)Mint Mobile has quickly become one of the best carriers for those on a budget. While 4GB isn't a huge amount, Mint's cheapest cell phone plan will be perfect if you're mainly using your phone for a bit of social media, internet searches and less data intensive apps like Google Maps. Mint piggybacks off of T-Mobile which covers 62% coverage of the country. It is important to keep in mind that after three months, Mint Mobile will require you to pay for a whole year to hold onto the $15/month price. Check our Mint Mobile coupons (opens in new tab) page for the latest offers and discounts.
Pros: Very affordable, decent amount of data
Cons: Offer changes after 3 monthsView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Tello Economy 1GB $10/month - Lowest priced cell phone plan (opens in new tab)
Tello has added more data to its pricier plans, but the Economy Plan is still the way to go if you want the cheapest possible service. With Tello, you can get a monthly price of $10. You will find yourself limited at 1GB of data in this plan. While you do get unlimited calls and texts, some will find that data cap quite limited so this really is just for those after the lowest monthly cost. Fortunately, jumping up to Tello's 2GB plan costs just $4 more each month.
Pros: Cheapest cell phone plan, unlimited calls and texts
Cons: Very limited on data at this priceView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)T-Mobile Connect 3GB data $15/month - Low cost cell phone plan from a big name carrier (opens in new tab)
The T-Mobile Connect plan now gives you 3GB of data each month for just $15. (T-Mobile bumps up the data allotment every year by 0.5GB.) Need more than that? Upgrade to the 6GB T-Mobile Connect option for $25 a month, or opt for the cheap $10/month plan for 1GB of data if your needs are minimal. Still, there's a big limitation to T-Mobile Connect plan: once you use up your allotment, you're out of data for the rest of the billing cycle. Many rival plans simply slow your speeds when you hit your monthly limit. Pros: Low costs, 500Mb data boosts annually
Cons: Out of data once you hit your capView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Verizon 15GB prepaid $45/month - Best prepaid for coverage (opens in new tab)
Verizon's regular $50-a-month prepaid plan offers a generous pool of data, and a $5 autopay discount can take your monthly rate down to $45 after a couple months of service. The prepaid discounts don't stop there, though -stick with Verizon's plan for three months, and the monthly rate drops another $5. Hold out for longer than 9 months with Verizon, and your rate drops $5 once more. That means after 10 months, you're paying $35 a month for the same 15GB of data. Along with the pricing and data benefits, Verizon is also the carrier with both the best speeds and coverage. This prepaid plan gets 5G coverage, though not the faster Ultra Wideband service Verizon includes with other plans.
Pros: Lots of data, great coverage and speeds, nationwide 5G coverage
Cons: Not the cheapest prepaid around, doesn't include Verizon's Ultra Wideband serviceView Deal (opens in new tab)
Unlimited cell phone plans
On the opposite end of the spectrum to the best cheap phone plans above, unlimited cell phone plans are often going to be among the most expensive on the market. But if you're glued to your phone to stream Netflix on the go, scroll through Facebook and power through lots of data each month, the additional cost of an unlimited plan could well be worth it. Realistically, you should expect to pay at least $30 here, though the bigger carriers charge between $60 and $90 a month for unlimited data. Those more expensive plans include more perks, such as free streaming service subscription, increased data for hotspots, and more. The best unlimited data plans often include 5G coverage, too. Carrier planMonthly costPerk highlightsVerizon 5G Play More$80Disney bundle, streaming game subscription, 25GB hotspot dataMint Unlimited$30After 3 months, $30 pricing requires a year commitmentVisible Unlimited$30Unlimited mobile hotspot, taxes and fees includedT-Mobile Magenta Unlimited$701 year of Apple TV and Paramount Plus, 5GB hotspot dataTello Unlimited$29Free calls to 60-plus countries, includes hotspotAT&T Value Plan Plus$50Unlimited talk, text and data when traveling in Mexico and CanadaGoogle Fi Unlimited Plus$65Use data when traveling in 200-plus countries (opens in new tab)Verizon 5G Play More $80/month - Best unlimited plan for coverage (opens in new tab)Verizon has tweaked its unlimited data plans now that it's launched an expanded Ultra Wideband network for fast 5G coverage. But even with those changes, we still recommend the 5G Play More plan for most people. Yes, it does cost $80 for a single line of unlimited data but that price includes access to Verizon's fastest Ultra Wideband 5G service, 50GB priority data and free subscriptions to a number of streaming services, highlighted by Disney's streaming bundle. The per-line charge also drops the more lines you add to your plan - a good thing for families. If you go over that 50GB limit, Verizon could slow down your speeds; the $90/month 5G Get More plan removes that limitation while also adding extra perks.
Pros: Excellent coverage, free streaming subscriptions, 5G access
Cons: Not the cheapest option for unlimited dataView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Mint Mobile Unlimited data $30/month - Unlimited data on a budget (opens in new tab)
Mint Mobile once again pops up as the affordable option, especially when it comes to unlimited data. Piggybacking off of T-Mobile's network, Mint Mobile will only charge you $30 its unlimited plan. While that is a great price, you won't be surprised to hear that it does come with some catches. Mint's speeds - both for 4G and 5G - are slowed after your first 35GB of data usage and Mint's plans can start to get pretty costly after the first three months, with large upfront costs to get the best rates. If these two issues are putting you off, Visible's $30 unlimited plan (opens in new tab) is a great alternative now that it matches Mint's price.
Pros: Cheap unlimited plan, 5G speeds
Cons: Speed restrictions, price increases after 3 months if you don't commit to a year of serviceView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Visible Visible Unlimited $30/month - No-strings-attached unlimited data on the cheap (opens in new tab)
If you don't want to commit to a year with Mint to get that carrier's best price, consider Visible instead. The Verizon-owned carrier's base plan used to cost $40 a month, but now it's dropped to $30 (opens in new tab) - and taxes and fees are included. As a Verizon MVNO (opens in new tab), Visible enjoys the benefits of Verizon's network - including 5G coverage on supported devices. If you pay an extra $15 a month for the Visible Plus plan, you can even access Verizon's fast Ultra Wideband 5G network and enjoy other perks that don't come with the $30 monthly plan.
Pros: Low rate, excellent network performance
Cons: Data can be slowed if network is congested, no more discounts on multiple linesView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)T-Mobile Magenta unlimited data $70/month - Best value unlimited plan from a main carrier (opens in new tab)
T-Mobile's $70 option provides a great mix of value and performance. While this middle-tier plan cuts a few features like HD streaming the regular Magenta plan is worth it for this more attractive price. With Magenta, you get unlimited priority data and free Netflix when you've got two or more lines on your plan. The Magenta plan also includes a year of Paramount Plus and six months of Apple TV Plus. Magenta Max subscribers get HD streaming, an Apple TV Plus subscription and other perks for $15 more each month. Pros: Attractive perks, affordable price
Cons: HD video streaming costs extraView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Tello Unlimited Data Plan $29/month - Cheapest unlimited option (opens in new tab)
To get Mint Mobile's low price on unlimited data, you need to commit to a year of service. That's not the case with Tello and its unlimited data plan. Tello dropped the cost of unlimited talk, text and data to $29/month, one of the lowest prices you'll pay. Perks are few and far between with this plan, but you can make free calls to 60-plus countries, and Tello lets you turn your phone into a mobile hotspot at no extra cost. Note that Tello gives you 25GB of unlimited data per month, and will slow your speeds if you use more than that amount.
Pros: Price beats Mint's without 12-month commitment, includes free calls to 60-plus countries
Cons: Not many perksView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)AT&T Value Plus plan $50/month - AT&Ts cheapest unlimited plan (opens in new tab)
Now that AT&T's rebranded Unlimited Premium plan no longer includes HBO Max, the best unlimited data option at AT&T is the carrier's Value Plus plan. It costs just $50 a month for a single line of data, which is $15 cheaper than the carrier's Unlimited Starter plan. In addition to unlimited data, you get 5G access, coverage when traveling in Mexico and Canada and texting to 200-plus countries. You'll miss out on the hotspot data AT&T's more expensive unlimited options include and AT&T can slow your speeds if its network gets congested. Value Plus is only available to individuals, not families.
Pros: Unlimited data for $50, includes 5G access
Cons: Limited to just 1 line, few perks, AT&T can slow your data speedView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan $65/month - Best unlimited plan for Pixel phones (opens in new tab)
Whether you're planning to get a Pixel 6a (opens in new tab) or Pixel 7 (opens in new tab), consider Google Fi. Google's wireless service is optimized for its phones, letting them seamlessly switch between different cellular networks for the best coverage. (Google Fi also sells other optimized phones for its network, including all three Galaxy S22 models.) Google Fi's unlimited plan costs $65/month, with discounts available on additional lines. More importantly, you can use your Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan when you travel to more than 200 other countries with no disruption in service or extra charges; that makes Google Fi Unlimited Plus one of the best international phone plans (opens in new tab).
Pros: Good for international travel, optimized for Pixel phones
Cons: Cheaper options available elsewhereView Deal (opens in new tab)
Family cell phone plans
When shopping for the best family cell phone plan, cheaper isn't always better. More expensive options tend to have larger data caps (or unlimited data), better coverage and more perks. The best value does tend to be around the four-line mark but there are also plenty of two-line plans if that suits you better. Realistically, for four lines of data, you should expect to pay in excess of $100 and anywhere up to $200 depending on the plan and carrier. Carrier planDataMonthly cost (4 lines)T-Mobile MagentaUnlimited$160Verizon Welcome UnlimitedUnlimited$120Mint Family Plan4GB (per line)$60 (opens in new tab)T-Mobile Magenta 4-line family plan $160/month - Best value family plan (opens in new tab)Even as carriers offer multiple tiers of unlimited data plans, T-Mobile Magenta is still the best choice for families. It gives a family of four unlimited data for $160 a month once you factor in an autopay discount. Occasionally, T-Mobile will waive the cost of the third line, lowering your bill even further.
Pros: Free Netflix, 5G available, data speeds aren't slowed unless you use 100GB
Cons: Can't mix-and-match unlimited plansView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Verizon Welcome Unlimited 4-line family plan $120/month - Best family plan for coverage (opens in new tab)
When all that matters is unlimited data on a far-reaching network, Verizon's Welcome Unlimited plan offers an unbeatable price for families. With four lines, escalating discounts lower the per-line cost to $30 each for a total payment of $120/month. You can't mix and match with other Verizon unlimited plans, and there are very few perks associated with Welcome Unlimited. You get 5G coverage through Verizon's nationwide network, and that's it - no hotspot, no streaming service, no extras. But for families who want an affordable monthly plan, that may be enough.
Pros: Excellent coverage, unlimited data for cheap
Cons: No high-speed 5G access, Few perksView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Mint 4GB Plan 4-line plan $60/month - Discounts on every line (opens in new tab)
Mint now includes new family plans, though it takes a different approach from other carriers on this list. Instead of increasing the discount as you add lines of data, Mint extends the same discount to everyone on the plan, provided you pay for the service in advance. (You get a discounted rate for the first three months, then you commit to a full year to keep the low rate.) That means everyone on your plan can get 4GB of data for the same $15 per line. Mint also lets families mix and match its different plans.
Pros: Low cost, ability to mix and match different plans for each line
Cons: You have to pay in advance to get the biggest discount
Prepaid cell phone plans
For a lot of people, the best prepaid phone plans are going to be the ideal way to go. They are often some of the most affordable plans around, offering flexible contracts that usually have no contracts or credit checks. If you don't want to get tied to a contract, that flexibility to cancel anytime will be a huge bonus. While these plans tend to focus on more affordable, low data contracts, you can also get unlimited data plans or slightly more expensive options with more benefits. CarrierDataMonthly costMint Mobile10GB$20AT&T16GB$25 (must pay 12 months in advance)Metro by T-MobileUnlimited$60Cricket10GB$40 (opens in new tab)Mint Mobile 10GB $20/month - Best value prepaid plan (opens in new tab)Mint Mobile is arguably one of the best providers of prepaid plans in the US. While it has quite a few available options, the overall best value seems to be its 10GB for $20. While that isn't the cheapest price available at Mint, it's the best mix of data and costs. Mint Mobile piggybacks off of T-Mobile and offers free hot spotting and access to 5G where it is available. But "prepaid" at Mint really does mean prepaid - to get the lowest possible rate, you've got to buy a year of service in advance after your first three discounted months.
Pros: Very affordable price, free hot spotting
Cons: Might not be enough data for someView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)AT&T 16GB 12-month prepaid $25/month - Great value on AT&T (opens in new tab)
The main carriers rarely offer the best value prepaid plans and these tend to be more common from MVNOs. However, AT&T can be slightly more affordable and flexible than the likes of Sprint or Verizon. While you can pay for one month at a time, the best price is going to come from investing in a 12-month prepaid with AT&T, offering 16GB for $25 a month. That's double the amount of data AT&T used to offer, but at the same $300 upfront price. If you prefer monthly payments, you can get 5GB of data from AT&T for $30 per month.
Pros: Major carrier, more data than ever
Cons: Best prices require a longer contract
View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited data $60/month - Best perks for prepaid unlimited data (opens in new tab)
Now that Metro by T-Mobile's plans focus on unlimited data, choosing between them is a matter of finding the perks that fit your needs. We think the best package of add-ons comes with Metro's $60 monthly plan. In addition to unlimited talk, text and data, you get 15GB of hotspot data, 100GB of Google One cloud storage and an Amazon Prime membership. Cheaper unlimited plans are available at $50 and $40 per month, though with fewer perks. All plans can access T-Mobile's 5G network, though.
Pros: Includes coverage from T-Mobile's 5G network, Amazon prime membership
Cons: Metro's most expensive planView Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Cricket Wireless 10GB $40/month - A competitive alternative to Metro (opens in new tab)
It used to be easy to dismiss Cricket's prepaid plans because of an 8 Mbps speed cap imposed on downloads. But Cricket's lifted that now and added 5G coverage to all its plans, so this 10GB offering is more compelling than it used to be. You can save $5 per month if you enroll in automatic payments.
Pros: No more speed caps on Cricket's plans, autopay discounts, includes 5G access
Cons: Limited perksView Deal (opens in new tab)