Depending on your budget, lifestyle and preferred service provider, you may be able to save big money on your cell phone bill. If you’re willing to switch providers, there are cheap phone plans starting as low as $10 a month!
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you choose the best cell phone plan for you — and your wallet. Our goal is to find you the cheapest phone plan for your specific needs.
To begin, here are my top picks on the best cell phone plans available right now.
- Unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data
- Cheapest pre-built plan available
- 35GB data cap before reduced data speed
- Prepay three months in advance when you sign up to get this rate.
- Although the contract changes, the plan price stays the same after three months.
- Best price for high-speed data that never slows
- 40GB of hotspot data
- Unlimited talk, text and data with 5-12 Mbps data speeds
- Unlimited mobile hotspot on one device with speeds up to 5 Mbps
- One of the cheapest prices for unlimited data
- Low prices on limited data plans
- Discounts available for AARP members
- Highly rated by Consumer Reports
- 30GB of mobile hotspot data
- Highest allotment of high-speed hotspot data with the best price for a single line
- Cheapest Monthly Cell Phone Plan: Tello Economy (Review)
- Best Cheap Unlimited Plan: Mint Unlimited (Review)
- Best Unlimited Plan: T-Mobile Magenta Max (Review)
- Best Multiline Plan: Cricket Wireless (Review)
- Cheapest Unlimited Hotspot Plan: Visible (Review)
- Best Cell Phone Plan for Seniors: Consumer Cellular (Review)
- Best International Phone Plan: Google Fi (Review)
- Best Hotspot Plan: Boost Unlimited (Review)
Choosing the Best Cell Phone Plan
Choosing the best cell phone plan can be a complicated task. Depending on your needs, the best plan for you may not be the same plan that’s best for someone else. However, if you’re simply looking to reduce your current cost, check out a prepaid phone plan or consider dropping unlimited data.
Money expert Clark Howard and his team have reviewed more than 100 cell phone plans to help identify the best options for you. Price, network reliability and customer service are three main factors that we considered. One thing we aren’t able to take into account is cell phone coverage in your specific area. For this reason, it’s important that you research a potential cell phone provider and its local coverage before switching.
The Best Cell Phone Plans in 2023
- Cheapest Cell Phone Plans
- Cheapest Unlimited Plans
- Best Unlimited Plans
- Best Multiline Plans
- Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
- Best International Phone Plans
- Best Hotspot Plans
- Best Plans by Network
Cheapest Cell Phone Plans
The cheapest cell phone plans start around $10 per month per line. These plans all offer unlimited calls and text and 1GB-4GB of data. Opting for a plan that isn’t unlimited is one of the best ways to save on your phone bill. Choosing a prepaid plan is another great way to save. Taking these tips into consideration, below you’ll find my top picks for cheap cell phone plans. For more options, check out our full list of the best cheap phone plans.
| Tello Economy | Mint 4GB | Boost Mobile Annual Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $10/month (plus taxes) | $15/month (plus taxes & fees) | $100 ($8.33/month) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | T-Mobile | T-Mobile | T-Mobile and AT&T |
| Data | Unlimited | 4GB | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | Free; pulls from monthly data | Free; pulls from monthly data | Included; data counts towards mobile data allowance. |
| Data Cap Overage | 1GB | None | 1GB |
Winner: Tello Economy (Review)
|
Price:
$10/month (plus taxes)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
1GB
|
Tello offers unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data for $10 monthly, making it the cheapest pre-built plan available from any service provider. Additional plans from Tello Mobile include 2GB for $14 per month and 5GB for $19 per month. If you’re switching to this plan, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
- 2nd Place: Mint Mobile (Review) offers unlimited talk and text plus 4GB of high-speed data for $15 per month. With this plan, you’ll have to prepay for three months making it $45 upfront. Mint Mobile provides access to T-Mobile’s excellent 5G network. This plan currently holds the title of Best Value for a Cheap Phone Plan at Clark.com!
- 3rd Place: Boost Mobile (Review) offers an annual plan on AT&T’s network that includes unlimited talk and text plus 1GB of 5G/4G data monthly. This plan costs $100 upfront, but you’ll get 12 months of service. That works out to be $8.33 per month before taxes and fees. Make sure your phone is compatible and that you’ll have service on AT&T’s network before switching. When I tried to test this plan, my phone wasn’t compatible. Boost Mobile also offers cheap monthly plans on T-Mobile’s network including unlimited talk and text plus 2GB of high-speed data for $15 per month.
- Other Plans To Consider: Connect by T-Mobile (Review) offers prepaid plans beginning at $10 per month for 1GB of data plus 1,000 minutes and text messages. Spectrum Mobile (Review) offers $14 per GB for Spectrum customers, and Xfinity Mobile (Review) offers $15 per GB of data for Xfinity customers. Twigby’s current introductory offer (for the three months) gives you 7GB for only $15 for three months and $20 per month after that (Verizon network).
To see a full list of our top picks for the best cheap phone plans, check out this roundup.
Best Cheap Unlimited Data Plans
When it comes to unlimited phone plans, there’s a lot of fine print to consider. Many plans advertise unlimited data, but this often includes slower speeds after a certain amount of use. While these plans have a limited amount of high-speed data, they are technically unlimited and come with better prices. Of course, you can always save more by choosing a phone plan with limited data (which may work for you especially if you have Wi-Fi access throughout the day).
If you are looking for a cheap unlimited phone plan, below are my top picks. You can find a full list of the best unlimited data plans here.
| Mint Unlimited | Boost Mobile Monthly Unlimited Data Plan | Tello Mobile Data | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $30/month (plus taxes & fees) | $25 (including taxes & fees) | $29/month (plus taxes) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | T-Mobile | T-Mobile and AT&T | T-Mobile |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | 5GB | Free; pulls from monthly data | Unlimited |
| Data Cap Overage | Slower speeds after 35GB | 30GB | Speeds will be slowed to 2G after 25GB. |
Winner: Mint Unlimited (Review)
|
Price:
$30/month (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
5GB
Data Cap Overage:
Slower speeds after 35GB
|
Mint Mobile offers unlimited talk, text and data for $30 monthly plus taxes and fees. The plan also includes an additional 5GB of mobile hotspot data. Data speeds reduce after 35GB, but you can still continue using unlimited data. When I tested out Mint Mobile myself, I saw the fastest download speeds among any MVNO I’ve tested. Note that, to get this price ($30 per month), you must prepay for three months at a time, ($90 total). You can bring your own phone to Mint Mobile to save even more. Check your phone’s compatibility here before switching.
- 2nd Place: Boost Mobile (Review) is offering an unlimited plan on AT&T’s network that includes 30GB of high-speed data per month. It costs $25 per month including taxes and fees. Check your phone’s compatibility in person first (know there’s a $25 activation fee for bringing your own phone), and make sure you’ll have service on AT&T’s network before switching.
- 3rd Place: Tello Mobile (Review) offers 25GB of high-speed data before reduced speeds for $29 per month.
- Other Plans To Consider: Visible (Review) offers unlimited data with no cap for $30 per month.
For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best unlimited data plans.
Best Unlimited Data Plans
If you’re looking for a phone plan that’s completely unlimited with no caps on data speed, you can expect to pay a slightly higher price. Opting for a phone plan with limited high-speed data is the best way to reduce your bill. If you can get by on 15GB or less, you’ll find more affordable options. Still, you can get completely unlimited data for less than $100 monthly. Here are our picks for the best completely unlimited data phone plans.
| T-Mobile Magenta Max | AT&T Unlimited Premium | Visible | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $85/month (taxes & fees included; autopay required to get best rate) | $85/month per line (plus taxes & fees) | $30/month (taxes & fees included) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | T-Mobile | AT&T | Verizon |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | 40GB high-speed data | 50GB high-speed data | Unlimited |
Winner: T-Mobile Magenta Max (Review)
|
Price:
$85/month (taxes & fees included; autopay required to get best rate)
Multiline Discounts:
$70/month for 2, $94/month for 3, $156/month for 4
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
40GB high-speed data
Data Cap Overage:
Unlimited
|
T-Mobile offers the Magenta Max plan for $85 monthly for one line. It includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data that never slows. The plan also includes 40GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data and a basic Netflix subscription. T-Mobile also offers the Essentials plan for $60 per month, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data as well as 3G mobile hotspot data. If you’re switching to this plan, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
- 2nd Place: AT&T Unlimited Premium (Review) is available for the same price ($85 per month) with no data cap. If you’re getting four lines, T-Mobile Magenta Max ends up being slightly cheaper.
- 3rd Place: Visible (Review) offers unlimited data on Verizon’s 4G/LTE and 5G network for $30 per month, but speeds slow with congestion. For $45 per month, you can get Visible+ which includes 50GB of premium high-speed data and access to 5G Ultra Wideband.
- Other Plans To Consider: Verizon’s Play More and Do More Unlimited plans include 50GB of high-speed data for $80 per month.
For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best unlimited data plans.
Best Multiline Phone Plans
If you have four lines of service, you can pay as little as $20 per month per line with a multiline plan. If you’re shopping for four lines, these plans are worth checking out.
| Cricket Wireless | H2O Wireless Multi-Line | Google Fi Simply Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $55/month (taxes included; $50 rate available w/ autopay) | $25 per line per month (plus taxes & fees) | $50 (plus taxes & fees) |
| Multiline Discounts | $40 for 2, $30 for 3, $25 for 4 | Two and four lines available at this price. | $40/line for 2, $25/line for 3, $20/line for 4+ |
| Network | AT&T | AT&T | T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | No | None | Included; data counts towards mobile data allowance. After 5GB, speeds reduce to 256 Kbps. |
Winner: Cricket Wireless (Review)
|
Price:
$55/month (taxes included; $50 rate available w/ autopay)
Multiline Discounts:
$40 for 2, $30 for 3, $25 for 4
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
No
Data Cap Overage:
Speeds may be slowed during congestion.
|
Cricket Wireless offers multiline discounts on three different plans. With four lines, you can get unlimited talk, text and data for $100 per month total (plus taxes and fees). With this plan, you’ll get unlimited high-speed data on AT&T’s network, though speeds may slow during congestion. If you need mobile hotspot data, you can get 15GB per line for four lines on Cricket’s highest-tier plan for $33 per line ($130 total plus taxes and fees). You can bring your own phones to save even more; simply visit Cricket Wireless’ website to check your phone’s compatibility online.
- 2nd Place: H2O Wireless offers four lines for $100 monthly with unlimited data (slower speeds after 6GB data use per line).
- 3rd Place: Google Fi (Review) offers Simply Unlimited with great multiline discounts. You can get four lines for $20 each ($80 total). This plan includes 35GB of premium data before slower speeds as well as 5GB of mobile hotspot data per month.
- Other Plans To Consider: Xfinity Mobile (Review) offers multiple lines for $30 each with unlimited data. You’ll have to have another Xfinity service to qualify for Xfinity Mobile, but if you already use Xfinity, this is a great deal. Spectrum Mobile (Review) offers an unlimited plan at $29.99 per line for existing Spectrum customers. Boost Mobile (Review) offers three lines for $90 monthly with unlimited data.
For more options, check out our full list of the best family plans. If you need only two phone lines, you can see my top picks for the best phone plans for two here.
Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
When choosing the best cell phone plans for seniors, any of the phone plans on this list are great options. We’ve highlighted plans that include unlimited talk and text but limited data in order to stay at a low monthly price. These plans also offer discounts and/or senior services to anyone over the age of 55. For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best cell phone plans for seniors here.
| Consumer Cellular | T-Mobile Magenta 55+ | Lively | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $25/month (plus taxes & fees) | $35/line/month for 2 lines (taxes & fees included; autopay required to get this rate) | $24.99/month (plus taxes & fees) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | AT&T and T-Mobile | T-Mobile | Verizon |
| Data | 5GB | Unlimited | 500MB |
| Hotspot Data | Free; pulls from monthly data | 5GB high-speed data, then unlimited at 3G speeds | No |
| Data Cap Overage | If you go over 5GB, you’ll be upgraded automatically to the next plan. | Speeds may be slowed during congestion. | None |
Winner: Consumer Cellular (Review)
|
Price:
$25/month (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
$40/month for 2, $55/month for 3
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
5GB
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
If you go over 5GB, you’ll be upgraded automatically to the next plan.
|
Consumer Cellular, which utilizes AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, offers a 5% discount to AARP members. Although its prices aren’t the lowest, the carrier makes our list for its high customer satisfaction scores and Consumer Reports ratings. For one line, Consumer Cellular offers plans beginning at $20 per month for 1GB of data, but for $25 per month, you can get 5GB of data. The same plan is available for two lines at $40 per month or three lines for $55 per month. Unlimited plans begin at $50 per month for a single line. If you do switch to Consumer Cellular, you may be able to bring your own phone to save even more money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
- 2nd Place: T-Mobile Magenta 55+ offers two unlimited lines for $35 each (discount included).
- 3rd Place: Lively offers unlimited talk and text along with 500MB of data or $24.99 monthly. Lively runs on Verizon’s network.
- Other Plans To Consider: Boost Mobile (Review) offers annual plans with limited data from as low as $100 upfront. That works out to be $8.33 per month before taxes and fees. The plan includes 1GB of data per month and unlimited talk and text on AT&T’s network. If you don’t want to worry about paying a monthly phone bill and you don’t need a lot of data, this is a great plan to consider. Just make sure your phone is compatible first and that you’ll have service in your area. When I tried to test this plan out myself, I found that my phone wasn’t compatible.
For more cell phone plans for seniors, see our full list of top picks here.
Best International Phone Plans
If you’re shopping for an international phone plan, you’ll want to look for unlimited international data. Most plans include Wi-Fi calling that can be used internationally, and many plans offer international roaming at an additional cost. If you plan on traveling only once or just calling internationally, consider these options before switching your phone plan. If you are a frequent traveler, here are my top picks for the best international phone plans.
| Google Fi Flexible | T-Mobile Magenta | |
|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | |
| Price | $20/month + $10/GB | $70 for one line; $40 per line for 3 lines (taxes & fees included) |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular | T-Mobile |
| Mexico and Canada | Free calls, texts and data |
Free calls to Mexico and Canada; additional countries at $.25/min |
| International from the US | Free texts globally; calls at additional charge |
Unlimited texting and data to 210+ locations |
| International from other countries | International data abroad for $10/GB in 200+ destinations with no extra roaming cost |
Unlimited texting in 210+ locations; 2G data speeds |
Winner: Google Fi (Review)
|
Price:
$20/month + $10/GB
Multiline Discounts:
$18/line/month for 2, $17/line/month for 3 or 4
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
Data slows after 15GB.
|
When it comes to traveling abroad, Clark says Google Fi has great international features. Google Fi offers unlimited calls and texts beginning at $20 monthly for a single line. This plan includes data at $10 per GB and no charge after 6GB for one person with the Bill Protection feature. Unlimited international data plans begin at $50 per month for a single line. If you’re switching to this plan, you can likely bring your own phone with you to save extra money. Check your phone’s compatibility here.
- 2nd Place: T-Mobile Magenta (Review) is available for $70 per month and includes unlimited talk, text and data in more than 200 locations.
For more options, check out our full list of the best international phone plans.
Best Hotspot Phone Plans
If you don’t have regular access to Wi-Fi, you may be looking for a plan with a high allotment of mobile hotspot data. Below, you’ll find my top picks for the best hotspot plans available now. You can check out our full list of the best hotspot phone plans here.
| Boost Unlimited $60 | T-Mobile Magenta Max | AT&T Unlimited Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Price | $60 (taxes & fees included) | $85/month (taxes & fees included; autopay required to get best rate) | $85/month per line (plus taxes & fees) |
| Talk and Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network | T-Mobile and AT&T | T-Mobile | AT&T |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Data | 30GB | 40GB high-speed data | 50GB high-speed data |
Winner: Boost Unlimited (Review)
|
Price:
$60 (taxes & fees included)
Multiline Discounts:
$40/line (Check family plans for 3+ lines.)
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
30GB
Data Cap Overage:
Speeds reduced to 2G after 35GB
|
Boost Mobile offers a couple of different unlimited plans. For $40 per month, you can get 12GB of mobile hotspot data. For $60 per month, you can increase the mobile hotspot data to 30GB. This plan also includes unlimited talk and text as well as 35GB of high-speed data before reduced speeds. You can add a line for $40 a month more, and you can bring your own phone to save even more. Check your phone’s compatibility online before switching.
- 2nd Place: T-Mobile Magenta Max (Review) offers 40GB of mobile hotspot data for $85 per month.
- 3rd Place: AT&T Unlimited Premium (Review) also offers 50GB of mobile hotspot data for $85 per month.
- Other Plans To Consider: Verizon’s Get More plan offers 30GB of mobile hotspot data for $90 per month. If you’re looking for completely unlimited hotspot, consider Visible (Review). The $30 plan includes unlimited hotspot on one device with data speeds up to 5Mbps.
For more options, be sure to check out our full list of the best hotspot phone plans available now.
Best Plans by Network
If you know you have good coverage with a specific network, you may want to stick with a phone plan that runs on that network’s towers. Still, that doesn’t mean that you pay the full price of a phone plan directly from that company. Instead, you could consider an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that works with the same service. Below, you’ll find my top picks for each network including affordable MVNOs and plans available directly from the service provider:
Verizon
Best Verizon MVNOs
If you’re willing to switch to an MVNO that still uses Verizon’s towers, you’ll likely find a better price for the same service. A few of the best plans highlighted throughout this article come from the following MVNOs that work with Verizon Wireless towers:
- Visible (Review): This Verizon MVNO is our top pick for the cheapest unlimited hotspot plan and offers two of the best and cheapest unlimited phone plans available. Lines begin as low as $30 per month.
- Xfinity Mobile (Review): If you’re an Xfinity customer, you can find cheap phone plans from $15 per GB. Unlimited data is available for two lines for $30 per line. Xfinity Mobile also runs on Verizon towers.
- Twigby (Review): Plans start as low as $5 per month for 1GB for the first three months. 4GB plans are $10 per month for the first three months with unlimited talk and text.
- Total by Verizon (Review): recently acquired Total Wireless. The new prepaid option offers plans beginning at $30 per month for 5GB of high-speed data followed by reduced speeds. Unlimited options begin at $50 for one line and include a subscription to Disney+.
For more options, check out our full list of the best Verizon MVNOs.
Best Verizon Plans
Some people want to buy their plans directly from the carrier. Here are a few of the best plans available from Verizon right now:
- Verizon Prepaid: 15GB of 5G data plus unlimited talk and text starting at $45 per month. After autopay discounts, the plan can be as low as $35 a month.
- Prepaid Unlimited: Unlimited talk, text and data starting at $65 per month with a prepaid plan.
- Shared Data: Get unlimited talk and text plus 10GB of shared data on three lines for $115 monthly (after paper-free billing and autopay discounts).
Select Verizon plans are eligible for discounts and savings when you switch to Verizon and bring your own phone. You can check online to see if your phone is compatible.
T-Mobile
Best T-Mobile MVNOs
If you’re a fan of T-Mobile, consider an MVNO that uses T-Mobile’s towers. A few of our highlighted picks for phone plans came from these T-Mobile MVNOs:
- Mint Mobile (Review): This T-Mobile MVNO offers several great, affordable plans. This earned Mint a spot as our winner for the cheapest unlimited phone plan as well as second place for the cheapest cell phone plan. Plans begin at $15 monthly.
- Republic Wireless (Review): Plans begin at $15 per month for unlimited talk and text with this T-Mobile MVNO. You can also get 1GB of data per month for $200 annually.
- Boost Mobile (Review): Boost offers some of the lowest prices for prepaid phone plans and runs on T-Mobile’s towers. You can find a 2GB plan beginning as low as $15 per month. Unlimited plans start at $40 per month.
- Metro by T-Mobile (Review): Plans from this T-Mobile MVNO begin at $40 monthly for unlimited talk, text and 10GB of high-speed data. Metro plans are prepaid and include access to T-Mobile’s 5G network.
For more options, check out our full list of the best T-Mobile MVNOs.
Best T-Mobile Plans
When it comes to major carriers, Clark is a fan of T-Mobile. If you’re looking for the best T-Mobile phone plans, here are a few to consider:
- Magenta: This plan includes unlimited talk and text as well as unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data for $70 per month for a single line or $40 per line with three lines ($120 monthly total). This plan also includes 100GB of “Premium” (high-speed) data per line, Netflix Basic for all accounts with at least two lines and 5GB of high-speed data/unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data.
- Essentials: This plan includes unlimited talk, text and smartphone data for four lines for $105 per month plus taxes and fees. That works out to $26 per line. The plan also includes 3G mobile hotspot data per line. During congestion, customers may notice slower speeds.
- Magenta 55+: If you’re 55 or older, you can take advantage of this plan. It includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data for $35 per line when you get two lines ($50 per month for a single line). It also includes 5GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data for each line and a basic Netflix subscription.
- Connect by T-Mobile: If you’re looking for a more affordable phone plan directly from a major carrier, Connect by T-Mobile offers great options. Plans start at $10 per month for 1,000 minutes and text messages plus 1GB of data.
If you like the phone you’re currently using, you can bring it to T-Mobile when you switch to one of its plans. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
AT&T
Best AT&T MVNOs
If you’re willing to switch to an MVNO that still uses AT&T’s towers, you’ll find better prices for access to the same network.
- Cricket Wireless (Review): With several plans to choose from, Cricket Wireless is a great AT&T MVNO to consider. Its plan including four lines for $100 per month with unlimited data earned Cricket Wireless third place for the best multiline phone plans.
- H2O Wireless: This carrier provides access to AT&T’s network and offers a few different plans worth considering. It earned an honorable mention under the best multiline phone plans with $100/month for four lines and unlimited data.
- Consumer Cellular (Review): This MVNO runs on both AT&T and T-Mobile networks. It won first place in the best cell phone plans for seniors category. Plans start at $20 per month.
- Boost Mobile (Review): Boost Mobile is an MVNO that offers plans on both T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Boost’s annual “carrier crusher” plans are available on AT&T’s network and include some of the lowest total prices for cheap and unlimited phone plans. Just make sure your phone is compatible with the plan you’re interested in before switching.
For more options, check out our full list of the best AT&T MVNOs.
Best AT&T Plans
AT&T is another major cell phone service provider. If you’re looking for a plan directly from the company, here are a few of the carrier’s best deals:
- AT&T Unlimited Starter: This family plan includes four lines for $35 per month per line. It includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data though AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy.
- AT&T Prepaid: AT&T offers a few different prepaid plans beginning at $30 per month for 5GB of high-speed data. For $40 per month, you can increase that data to 15GB with unlimited talk and text. Save $5 on AT&T Prepaid by activating service in person at Walmart.
- AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Plus: If you need an unlimited data plan, AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Plus is available for $50 per month with AutoPay. The plan includes unlimited data, 5G access and 10GB hotspot data.
Select AT&T plans allow you to bring your own phone for additional savings. You can browse eligible plans and check your phone’s eligibility online.
Deal Alert: Cell Phone Plan Deals Available Right Now!
Below, you’ll find some of the best ongoing deals available from cell phone service providers right now. Check out our roundup of the best new cell phone deals this month to see a few of the latest deals!
| Provider | Deal | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile (Review) | Through January 15, 2023, new customers can buy any three-month plan and get three months of service for free. Additionally, if you buy a new device and a six-month plan, you can get six months of service for free. | T-Mobile |
| Verizon Wireless (Review) | For a limited time, new customers can get discounted rates on all unlimited postpaid plans when you bring your own phone. Plans start at $60 for one or $25 per line for four lines. | Verizon |
| Boost Mobile (Review) | You can get 10GB of data for $5 (first month only) with Boost Mobile. Boost also offers an unlimited plan for free for 14 days. Finally, you can get 5GB for $5 per month for the first three months ($15 total). | AT&T |
| Cricket Wireless (Review) | New customers can try Cricket with a 14-day free trial including unlimited talk, text and 3GB of high-speed data. | AT&T |
| Visible (Review) | Save $15 each month for the first 12 months with promo code 15OFF12. Or get unlimited talk, text and data for $10 a month after you refer a friend on Visible's basic plan. | Verizon |
| Twigby (Review) | Ten dollars off for the first three months! Plans include unlimited talk, text and 4GB of data starting at $10 per month. 1GB data plans begin as low as $5 per month. | Verizon |
| AT&T Prepaid (Review) | Students can get $10 off unlimited data with this online-only offer. Additionally, anyone can get a year of AT&T Prepaid with 16GB of data per month if you prepay a year in advance. | AT&T |
Clark’s Picks: Best Unlimited, Multiline and Cheap Cell Phone Plans
After comparing the prices and features of each available phone plan, here are my top picks for the best phone plans in 2023.
(If you’re curious about Clark’s phone, he has a grandfathered unlimited data plan with T-Mobile and more than a dozen lines on his account. He likes T-Mobile if you want to stick with an unlimited plan from a major network.)
- Cheapest Monthly Cell Phone Plan: Tello Economy (Review)
- Best Cheap Unlimited Plan: Mint Unlimited (Review)
- Best Unlimited Plan: T-Mobile Magenta Max (Review)
- Best Multiline Plan: Cricket Wireless (Review)
- Cheapest Unlimited Hotspot Plan: Visible (Review)
- Best Cell Phone Plan for Seniors: Consumer Cellular (Review)
- Best International Phone Plan: Google Fi (Review)
- Best Hotspot Plan: Boost Unlimited (Review)
Of course, there are cheaper options that let you keep your preferred network. They fall into these categories:
- Discount brands owned by major networks: Verizon owns Visible, AT&T owns Cricket Wireless and T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile.
- Prepaid brands from major networks: Verizon Prepaid, AT&T Prepaid, T-Mobile Simply Prepaid and T-Mobile Connect offer prepaid service from the major networks.
- Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs): These brands don’t own any cell phone towers, but they partner with the major networks to offer affordable wireless service.
These low-cost cell phone service providers have deals for people who need unlimited data, families and for those who just want the cheapest phone plan.
Team Clark’s Methodology
For the purposes of this review, Team Clark determined that the top three things customers care about when it comes to cell phone carriers are price, network reliability/coverage and overall satisfaction.
Various members of our staff tried out each of these popular cell phone providers to get a feel for their reliability and service. We have individual reviews of those providers available on the website.
We used analysis of the following characteristics when determining the best options for each category:
- Price
- Network reliability
- Network coverage
- Monthly data allotments
- “Bring your own device” availability
- Available deals and discounts (loyalty, autopay, additional lines, etc.)
- Online reviews from real customers
Final Thoughts: How To Choose a Cell Phone Plan
Switching to a cheaper phone plan can be a great way to save on your monthly bill. But how do you know if one of these deals is right for you? Team Clark has come up with the top five questions you need to answer when shopping for a new cell phone provider.
- How much data do I need? Unlimited plans prevent overage charges, but you may use less data than you think. This is especially true if you’re connected to Wi-Fi at home and work. Plans that charge for a fixed amount of data can be much cheaper.
- Which network is best? Each wireless provider has its coverage map on its website. If you’re happy with your network (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile), consider a low-cost carrier that uses your existing provider’s towers.
- Single line or family plan? Looking for more than a single line? In general, you’ll pay a lower price per line if you add two, three, four or even more lines of service.
- Prepaid or postpaid? Prepaid service is paid for in advance, while postpaid service is when you pay at the end of your billing cycle. No credit check is required for prepaid service and it’s often much cheaper than postpaid plans.
- Is my phone compatible? Most carriers will sell you a new phone, but if you want to bring your own device it must be unlocked. Check compatibility on the wireless provider’s website before you sign up.
If this is your first time switching cell phone providers, check out this guide that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process. It’s easier than you think!
Did we miss a plan on our list or did you find a better deal? Let us know in our Clark.com Community or check out the latest conversations around cell phones.
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