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
- Visible at $25 per month with taxes included is the simplest unlimited deal on Verizon's network.
- Mint Mobile drops to $15 per month effective for new customers on an annual prepay, or $30 per month on a 12 month plan.
- US Mobile at $25 per month lets users pick Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T towers, which solves coverage problems other MVNOs cannot.
- Tello, Cricket, Metro, Boost, and Google Fi cover light users, store shoppers, and international travelers at different price points.
- Coverage varies by address, and low cost plans usually deprioritize data behind the host carrier's own customers on busy towers. Check coverage at your address and confirm the current promo price at checkout, since deals change often.
Quick comparison
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The best phone service deals
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
Visible, owned by Verizon, offers the simplest unlimited deal in the US: $25 per month with taxes and fees included, unlimited data, and 20 GB of hotspot, with no contract. Because the price includes taxes, $25 is the price paid, unlike big carrier plans that add fees on top.
The limits are support and priority. Visible is online only with no stores, and data can wait behind Verizon's own customers when a tower is busy. For a user with good Verizon coverage who wants one flat price, Visible is the easiest deal to recommend.
What we like- $25 per month with taxes and fees included
- Unlimited data with 20 GB hotspot
- No contract and online only simplicity
Watch out for- Verizon network only
- Online and app support only, no stores
- Data can be deprioritized on busy towers
Starting price$30 per month
Free planNo
Mint Mobile sells unlimited data on T-Mobile's network for $30 per month when paid as a 12 month prepay, with new customer promotions bringing the effective rate to $15 per month for the first term. That annual price is the cheapest unlimited deal available for users sure enough to pay a year upfront.
The trade is commitment and taxes. The best rate needs a full year paid at once, taxes are added to the advertised price, and support is mainly online. For a T-Mobile coverage household willing to prepay, Mint saves over $600 a year against a standard big carrier single line.
What we like- Unlimited for $30 per month on a 12 month prepay
- New customer promos from $15 per month effective
- Runs on T-Mobile's network
Watch out for- Annual prepay required for the best rate
- Taxes added on top
- Online and retail cards only, with limited store help
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
US Mobile's advantage is unique: one brand, all three networks. Users pick the tower that works best at their address, and switch networks if coverage disappoints. Unlimited Starter costs $25 per month with taxes included, with 35 GB of high speed data and 20 GB of hotspot in current comparisons, while lighter plans start near $8 per month.
The service is online only, and plan details vary by network choice, so read the terms for the chosen network. For a user whose address has one strong network and two weak ones, US Mobile's choice solves the problem no single network MVNO can.
What we like- Choice of Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T towers
- $25 per month with taxes included
- Unlimited Starter with 35 GB high speed data and 20 GB hotspot
Watch out for- Online only
- Plan details vary by network choice
- Annual options change the effective price
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
Tello runs on T-Mobile's network with a build your own model: light users can pay from $5 per month for a small plan, while unlimited costs $25 per month with taxes included. Unlimited includes 50 GB of high speed data before speeds reduce, plus 10 GB of hotspot, which is generous for the price.
Tello is T-Mobile only and online only, with no stores. For a light user who wants to pay only for what is used, or a heavy user who wants simple T-Mobile unlimited month to month, Tello is a flexible, low cost pick.
What we like- Unlimited for $25 per month with taxes included
- Build your own plans from $5 per month
- 50 GB high speed data then reduced speeds
Watch out for- T-Mobile network only
- Hotspot capped at 10 GB on unlimited
- No stores
Starting price$35 per month
Free planNo
Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, offers unlimited plans from $35 per month with taxes included, plus stores for users who want in person help. Four lines run about $100 in current offers, which suits families on AT&T coverage. The in store option matters for users who dislike online only support.
Unlimited tiers run $35 to $60 depending on hotspot and priority features, and data priority sits below AT&T's own postpaid customers. For an AT&T coverage household that wants a store to walk into, Cricket is the best value with retail support.
What we like- AT&T coverage with taxes included
- Stores for in person help
- Four lines for $100 in current offers
Watch out for- Unlimited plans run $35 to $60 depending on features
- Data priority is lower than AT&T postpaid
- Add on costs for hotspot on some plans
Starting price$30 per month
Free planNo
Metro by T-Mobile offers unlimited plans from $30 per month with taxes included, plus stores nationwide and switcher promotions from $25 per month in current offers. It suits users who want T-Mobile coverage with in person help and extra perks on higher tiers.
Full feature plans run closer to $40 per month, and data priority sits below T-Mobile postpaid on busy towers. For a T-Mobile user who values retail support and is willing to pay a little more than Mint or Tello, Metro is the store backed choice.
What we like- T-Mobile network with taxes included from $30 per month
- Stores nationwide
- Switcher promotions from $25 per month
Watch out for- Some plans cost $40 per month for full features
- Taxes and fees treatment varies by plan
- Data priority below T-Mobile postpaid
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
Boost Mobile offers unlimited from $25 per month with autopay, with a price locked for life promise in current offers, plus stores nationwide. Its network combines its own 5G build with partner coverage, which suits users in areas where Boost's footprint is strong.
The network mix varies by area, so coverage checks matter more here than with a single host MVNO, and autopay is required for the best rate. For a user who wants a locked price and store access, Boost is a strong low cost pick.
What we like- Unlimited from $25 per month with autopay
- Price locked for life in current offers
- Stores nationwide
- Runs on its own 5G plus partner networks
Watch out for- Network mix varies by area
- Autopay required for the best rate
- Some plans cost $30 per month for full features
Starting price$50 per month
Free planNo
Google Fi Unlimited Standard costs $50 per month and stands out for international travel, with data in over 200 destinations, hotspot support, and multi device options. It suits travelers and Google centric users who want one plan that works abroad without swapping SIMs.
At $50 per month it is the priciest deal here, and domestic value lags the $25 MVNOs for users who never travel. For a frequent international traveler, Fi's roaming inclusion can beat buying local SIMs or paying carrier travel passes.
What we like- Unlimited Standard at $50 per month
- International data in 200 plus destinations
- Hotspot and multi device support
Watch out for- Highest price on this list
- Best value needs Google ecosystem use
- Data priority and coverage depend on partner networks
How we chose
We ranked deals by single line monthly price with taxes stated clearly, then by network choice, hotspot allowance, and high speed data cap. Plans that hide taxes or rely on short promos scored lower, while plans with taxes included and stable rates scored higher. We favored MVNOs because they deliver the same towers as big carriers at a fraction of the price.
We stated the priority trade plainly: on most low cost plans, data waits behind the host carrier's own customers when a tower is busy. That matters in stadiums, rush hour, and dense cities, and it is the main reason a $25 plan can feel slower than an $85 plan at peak times. Coverage checks at the user's address matter more than any national ranking.
Buying guide
Start with coverage at your address. Ask neighbors, check each carrier's coverage map, and trial the network with a prepaid SIM before porting a number. US Mobile's network choice helps here, since a wrong network pick can be fixed without changing brands.
Next, compare the price you will actually pay. Add taxes where they are not included, check whether autopay is required, and read the promo end date: a $15 Mint promo becomes $30, and a $25 switcher deal may rise after a few months. For a household, compare multi line totals, since four lines run about $100 to $140 at several prepaid brands, well below postpaid family plans with taxes added.
Finally, check the fine print that affects daily use: high speed data caps, hotspot limits and speeds, video quality caps, and deprioritization thresholds. If money is tight, Lifeline takes up to $9.25 per month off phone service for qualifying low income households, and up to $34.25 on Tribal lands, with one benefit per household.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest unlimited phone plan in 2026?
Visible and US Mobile offer unlimited at $25 per month with taxes included, while Mint Mobile drops to $15 per month effective for new customers on an annual prepay. The best pick depends on which network covers your address.
Do MVNOs use the same towers as big carriers?
Yes. MVNOs rent Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T towers, so coverage matches the host network. The trade is data priority: MVNO data can wait behind the host carrier's own customers on busy towers.
Are taxes included in the advertised price?
It varies. Visible, US Mobile, Cricket, and Metro include taxes on most plans, while Mint adds taxes on top. Always confirm the total at checkout for your ZIP code.
Can I keep my number when switching?
Yes, number porting is standard across these carriers. Do not cancel the old line before the port completes, and keep the account number and port PIN ready.
Is there help if money is tight?
Yes. Lifeline takes up to $9.25 per month off phone or internet service for qualifying households, and up to $34.25 on Tribal lands. One benefit per household applies.
Sources we checked (0)
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.
Visible
Mint Mobile
US Mobile
Tello
Cricket Wireless
Metro by T-Mobile
Boost Mobile
Google Fi