How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- The cheapest single-line unlimited plan worth using is Visible at $25 per month with taxes included, or US Mobile Unlimited Starter at $25 per month with your choice of network.
- Mint Mobile Unlimited drops to $15 per month effective when you pay a year upfront, but costs $30 per month on a standard 12-month plan, so read the prepay terms.
- Big carrier plans cost far more per line, from around $50 to $105 depending on carrier and plan, but add premium data priority, perks, and in-store support.
- "Unlimited" rarely means unlimited at full speed. Check premium data allotments, hotspot caps, and deprioritization rules before switching.
- Prices in this category shift often and guides conflict, so confirm the current price, taxes, and AutoPay terms on the carrier site before switching.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Visible | Cheapest Verizon unlimited | $25 per month | No |
 Mint Mobile | Cheapest annual unlimited | $15 per month | No |
 US Mobile | Choice of all three networks | $25 per month | No |
 T-Mobile | Premium service and families | See website | No |
 Verizon | Best Verizon coverage and perks | See website | No |
 AT&T | AT&T coverage and value plans | See website | No |
 Cricket Wireless | AT&T coverage with stores | $35 per month | No |
 Google Fi | Flexible and international use | $20 per month | No |
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The best cell phone service deals
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
Visible is the cheapest way onto the Verizon network, at $25 per month with taxes and fees included and no contract. The base plan includes unlimited data and hotspot, which suits most single-line users who want a simple bill and strong Verizon coverage without a store visit.
The trade-offs are support and priority. Support runs online and through the app only, and data can wait behind Verizon direct customers when a tower is busy. Hotspot speeds are capped on the base plan. For a single user who wants the lowest Verizon bill and can live with online support, Visible is the best deal in this guide.
What we like- $25 per month with taxes and fees included
- Verizon network
- Unlimited data with hotspot
- No contract
Watch out for- Online and app support only
- Data can be deprioritized behind Verizon customers
- Hotspot speeds capped on the base plan
Starting price$15 per month
Free planNo
Mint Mobile rewards commitment. New customers can get Unlimited at $15 per month effective when paying a year upfront, while the standard 12-month Unlimited plan runs $30 per month, with taxes added. The plan runs on the T-Mobile network and includes 20GB of hotspot, which covers most users.
The catch is the prepay structure. If you leave early, you lose the annual discount, and the low intro rate does not last forever. For a user sure about T-Mobile coverage at their address and comfortable paying a year ahead, Mint is the cheapest unlimited deal available. For month-to-month flexibility, Visible or US Mobile fits better.
What we like- $15 per month effective for new customers on an annual prepay
- T-Mobile network
- 20GB hotspot on Unlimited
- Retail cards available
Watch out for- Annual prepay required for the best rate
- Standard Unlimited at $30 per month on 12-month prepay
- Taxes added on top
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
US Mobile is the most flexible budget carrier, letting you pick the network that works best at your address from all three national carriers. Unlimited Starter costs $25 per month with taxes included, while Unlimited Premium at $44 per month adds a large premium data allotment and 100GB of hotspot, which won independent plan tests in 2026 for value.
Data and hotspot details vary by the network you choose, so read the plan page for your network before signing. For a user who wants budget pricing without guessing which network covers their home and commute, US Mobile is the smartest pick.
What we like- Choose T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T towers
- Unlimited Starter at $25 per month taxes included
- Premium plan with 100GB hotspot
Watch out for- Data allotments and hotspot vary by chosen network
- Premium at $44 per month costs more than Starter rivals
- Online support only
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
T-Mobile suits users who want premium service, family pricing, and perks. Its higher plans add large premium data allotments, hotspot, international data, and streaming bundles, and family plans cut per-line costs sharply compared with single lines. In-store support and a strong 5G network round out the case.
Single-line pricing is the weakness. Guides cite figures from $25 per line on four-line deals to $55 for a single Essentials line, with premium plans reaching $85 to $105, and taxes extra on some plans. For a family or a user who values perks and priority data, T-Mobile earns its price. For a single budget line, Visible or Mint wins.
What we like- Strong 5G network
- Family plans bring per-line costs down
- Perks like streaming bundles on higher plans
- In-store support
Watch out for- Entry prices vary by guide, from $25 per line on multi-line deals to $55 for a single line
- Taxes extra on some plans
- Premium plans reach $100-plus
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Verizon is the coverage pick, especially outside cities, where its network often reaches where rivals do not. Its premium plans add large hotspot allotments, international features, and perks, and in-store support suits users who want a person to talk to. If Verizon is the only carrier that works at your home, this is the carrier to buy from directly.
The price is the highest in this guide. Guides cite $65 to $75 per month for entry unlimited single lines, with top plans reaching $105, plus taxes and fees. Most budget users should buy Verizon coverage through Visible at $25 instead, unless they need premium priority data or perks only Verizon sells directly.
What we like- Broadest rural coverage in many areas
- Premium plans with large hotspot and perks
- In-store support
- Visible runs on its network
Watch out for- Most expensive single lines here, with guides citing $65 to $75 for entry unlimited
- Taxes and fees extra
- Top plans reach $105
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
AT&T suits users whose coverage runs best on its network, with value plans for budget users and premium plans for families and heavy users. Its stores and support network suit buyers who want in-person help, and family plans bring per-line costs down well below single-line rates.
Single-line value plans run $50 to $60 per month in recent guides, with top plans reaching $120, plus taxes and fees. That is double the budget carriers, so AT&T direct makes sense mainly for users who need AT&T priority data, family perks, or in-store service. Budget AT&T coverage is cheaper through Cricket or US Mobile.
What we like- Strong nationwide coverage
- Value plans for budget users
- Family plans cut per-line costs
- In-store support
Watch out for- Entry prices vary by guide, from $50 to $60 for value plans
- Top plans reach $120
- Taxes and fees extra
Starting price$35 per month
Free planNo
Cricket Wireless is the best way to get AT&T coverage with a store to walk into, at $35 per month for entry plans with taxes included, and family deals around $100 for four lines on some plans. It suits users who want budget pricing plus in-person help, a combination online-only carriers cannot offer.
Unlimited pricing varies by guide and plan, from $35 to $60, so confirm the current plan before signing. Data priority sits below AT&T direct customers when towers are busy, and hotspot limits vary by plan. For an AT&T-area user who values stores and simple billing, Cricket is the best balance of price and support.
What we like- AT&T network
- Taxes included
- Stores to walk into
- Four lines for around $100 on some plans
Watch out for- Entry unlimited pricing varies by guide, from $35 to $60 depending on plan
- Data priority below AT&T direct customers
- Hotspot limits vary
Starting price$20 per month
Free planNo
Google Fi suits flexible users and international travelers. The Flexible plan starts at $20 per month plus $10 per gigabyte, so light users pay very little, while Unlimited plans run to $65 per month for Premium. International data in many countries at no extra charge is a genuine advantage for travelers, and switching plans is easy month to month.
Heavy users pay more on Flexible than on a flat unlimited plan, so the math only works for light to moderate use. For a traveler, a light user, or a household with mixed usage, Google Fi flexibility is worth the premium over budget carriers. For a heavy single-line user, Visible or Mint is cheaper.
What we like- Flexible plan at $20 plus $10 per GB
- International data in many countries
- Runs on T-Mobile network
- Easy plan switching
Watch out for- Unlimited Premium at $65 per month costs more than budget rivals
- Data costs add up for heavy users on Flexible
- Fewer stores
How we chose
We compared carriers on single-line price, taxes and fees, network, premium data allotments, hotspot caps, deprioritization, family pricing, and current status in October 2026 guides and carrier pages. We included budget MVNOs and all three national carriers, since the right deal depends on which network works at your address. Prices conflict across guides, so we used "See website" where guides disagreed and flagged the conflict rather than presenting one figure as certain.
How to pick a cell phone service deal
Start with coverage, not price. Ask neighbors and coworkers which carrier works at your home, workplace, and commute, since the cheapest plan on a dead network is worthless. Then match usage: light users save on Flexible or small data plans, heavy users need true unlimited with a large premium allotment, and families should price multi-line plans, which often halve per-line costs.
Read the fine print before switching
Check four numbers: the premium data allotment before speeds slow, the hotspot cap and speed, whether taxes and fees are included, and whether AutoPay is required for the advertised rate. Confirm phone compatibility and number porting steps, and test the new service during any trial window before cancelling the old plan. A deal that throttles you at 25GB is not a deal for a heavy user.
Consider the total yearly cost
A $15 annual prepay plan costs $180 per year plus taxes, while a $25 monthly plan costs $300 per year taxes included. Factor in activation fees, phone financing, and perks you actually use. A plan with a streaming bundle you never watch is not cheaper than a bare plan, and a store visit you never make is not worth $20 monthly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest unlimited cell phone plan?
Visible at $25 per month with taxes included, and US Mobile Unlimited Starter at $25 per month, are the cheapest month-to-month unlimited plans worth using. Mint Mobile Unlimited drops to $15 per month effective on an annual prepay for new customers.
Should I switch to an MVNO like Visible or Mint?
Yes, if the host network works well at your address. MVNOs use the same towers as Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T at much lower prices. The trade-off is lower data priority when towers are busy and online-only support at most budget brands.
What does deprioritization mean?
Deprioritization means your data waits behind the host carrier direct customers when a tower is busy, so speeds can slow at crowded times. Premium data allotments delay that slowdown. If you use your phone heavily in crowded places, a plan with more premium data matters.
Are taxes included in the advertised price?
It varies. Visible, US Mobile Starter, and Cricket include taxes in the advertised price, while Mint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T often add taxes and fees on top. Compare the final bill, not the headline rate.
Can I keep my phone number when switching?
Yes, in almost all cases. Do not cancel your old plan before porting, since cancelling can release the number. Start the port with the new carrier, keep the old line active until the transfer completes, and confirm the number works before cancelling.
Is a family plan cheaper than separate lines?
Usually yes. Four lines run roughly $100 to $140 per month taxes included at budget carriers, well below most postpaid family plans once taxes are added, and far below four separate single lines. Price your exact line count, since savings grow with each line added.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.visible.com
- https://www.mintmobile.com
- https://www.usmobile.com
- https://www.t-mobile.com
- https://www.verizon.com
- https://www.att.com
- https://www.cricketwireless.com
- https://fi.google.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.