Unlimited Plans Comparison: T-Mobile vs. AT&T vs. Verizon

Written by |
Advertisement

If you’re shopping for an unlimited data plan with one of the major wireless providers, how do you choose between T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon?

With plans changing from one week to the next, money expert Clark Howard suggests that you start by making a list of the things that are important to you and your family members when it comes to your cell phone service. For example:

  • Monthly price
  • High-speed data
  • HD-quality video
  • Streaming TV
  • Mobile hotspot
  • International features

Unlimited Plans Comparison: T-Mobile vs. AT&T vs. Verizon 

The monthly plans in this article offer unlimited talk, text and data, but note that these major wireless carriers may place limits on your high-speed data. If you use too much or the network is busy, your data speeds could be slowed down.

“It’s really confusing when you try to pick a cell phone plan because unlimited doesn’t mean unlimited,” Clark says. “Everybody has restrictions or ‘gotchas,’ depending on what you pay per month.”

Before we get to the list of best unlimited data plans, we should point out that cheaper options do exist with discount cell phone service providers. If you’re willing to leave the major carriers, read our guide that details the best cell phone plans and deals!

If you see a plan that you like below, check the provider’s website for limited-time deals on service plans and devices.

Table of Contents: 

T-Mobile Unlimited Plans 

T-Mobile Unlimited

Taxes and fees are included with T-Mobile’s Magenta and Magenta Max plans but cost extra with Essentials. All of the plans provide access to T-Mobile’s 5G network.

PlanT-Mobile EssentialsT-Mobile MagentaT-Mobile Magenta Max
Price$60/month with auto pay

$105/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
$70/month with auto pay

$140/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees included
$85/month with auto pay

$170/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees included
FeaturesUnlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed during times of congestion and after 50GB of usage

Stream video at DVD-quality, 480p

Unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data

Talk, text and 2G data in Mexico and Canada
Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 100GB/line during times of congestion

Stream video at DVD-quality, 480p

5GB hotspot at 4G LTE speed, then unlimited 3G speed

Data and text included when traveling to 215+ worldwide destinations

Talk, text and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada

4 full-flight streaming sessions a year, plus, unlimited in-flight texting & 1 hour of streaming, where available
Unlimited talk, text and data, speeds won't be slowed

Stream video at 4K UHD

40GB hotspot at 4G LTE speed, then unlimited 3G speed

Data and text included when traveling to 215+ worldwide destinations

Talk, text and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada

Full-flight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available
PerksParamount+ for one year

T-Mobile Tuesdays
Netflix Basic included if you maintain 2+ qualifying T-Mobile Magenta lines

6 months of Apple TV+

Paramount+ for one year

T-Mobile Tuesdays
Netflix Basic with one line or Netflix Standard included if you maintain 2+ qualifying T-Mobile Magenta Max lines

Apple TV+

Paramount+ for one year

T-Mobile Tuesdays

See full details here.

AT&T Unlimited Plans

AT&T Unlimited

AT&T’s 5G network is included with all three unlimited plans. While AT&T’s highest-tier plan has included HBO Max in the past (and may include it again in the future), you won’t find any additional perks with AT&T’s unlimited plans. Plus, taxes and fees are extra.

PlanAT&T Unlimited StarterAT&T Unlimited ExtraAT&T Unlimited Premium
Price$65/month with auto pay

$140/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
$75/month with auto pay

$160/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
$85/month with auto pay

$200/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
FeaturesUnlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (Data may be slowed when network is busy)

3GB hotspot data per line

Standard-definition streaming

Suspected spam and fraud alerts

Unlimited texting from U.S. to 200+ countries
Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (After 50GB, data may be slowed when network is busy)

15GB mobile hotspot per line

Standard-definition streaming

Suspected spam and fraud alerts

Unlimited texting from U.S. to 200+ countries
Unlimited talk, text and high-speed data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada that can't be slowed based on usage

50GB mobile hotspot per line

High-definition streaming

Suspected spam and fraud alerts

Unlimited texting from U.S. to 200+ countries

See full details here.

Verizon Unlimited Plans

Verizon Unlimited

All of Verizon’s unlimited plans include a streaming perk. Taxes and fees are extra.

Advertisement
Plan5G Start5G Do More5G Play More5G Get More
Price$70/month with auto pay

$140/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
$80/month with auto pay

$180/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
$80/month with auto pay

$180/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
$90/month with auto pay

$220/month for 4 lines with auto pay

Taxes and fees extra
FeaturesUnlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed during times of congestion

DVD-quality streaming (480p)

5GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps

Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included
Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion

HD-quality streaming (720p)

25GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps

Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included
Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion

HD-quality streaming (720p)

25GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps

Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included
Unlimited talk, text and premium data, which won't slow based on usage

HD-quality streaming (720p)

50GB of 5G/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps

Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included
PerksTry Disney+, discovery+, Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass for 6 months

Apple Music for 6 months
Try Disney+, discovery+, Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass for 6 months

Apple Music for 6 months
Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ included

Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass included

Discovery+ for 6 months

Apple Music for 6 months
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Apple Music included

Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass included

Discovery+ for 6 months

600GB cloud storage

See full details here.

Final Thoughts 

Switching to a discount carrier is probably the best way to lower your cell phone bill, but we know that many people want to stay with T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. That’s why we created this guide.

Here are some things to consider if you want to save money with the major carriers:

  • Have you thought about a family plan?
  • Are you searching for phone deals?
  • Do you take advantage of auto-pay discounts?
  • Military, employer, senior discounts?
  • Can you get free cell phone insurance from a credit card?

Even if you apply just one or two of these money-saving strategies, you can save $20 a month or more on your cell phone needs. That adds up to $240 after just one year!

Advertisement
Welcome bonuses can be a great way to boost the value of a credit card. Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses for 2023 - If you're in the market for a new credit card in 2023, you may be hoping to cash in on the hundreds of dollars in sign-up bonuses offered to new customers. Welcome bonuses and offers are a marketing tool that…
The best cell phone plans include Tello, Mint Mobile, Visible, T-Mobile, Consumer Cellular and more Best Cell Phone Plans in 2023: The Cheapest Plan for Every Need - Team Clark ranks the best cell phone plans and deals! See our favorites for unlimited data, families and cheap plans starting at $10/month.