The best cell phone plans in 2026 aren’t always the ones with the loudest ads. They’re the ones where the price on the plan card is close to the price on your bill. We checked 23 carriers on their own plan pages, from the Big 3 down to $6 build-your-own plans, and added up what each one actually costs. US Mobile took the top slot. US Mobile wrote this comparison; how we did it is at the end.
This is the October 2026 edition of our guide to the best cell phone plans. For the version we keep up to date, see the main article.
What’s New in the October 2026 Edition
Every price in this edition was read on the carriers’ own sites and FCC Broadband Facts labels on . Where those pages differ from our August 2026 edition, the figures below replace it.
- Our August edition said Verizon had dropped its activation fee to $0; Verizon now charges $40 per line, plus a $3.78-a-line administrative charge that rises to $4.69 on November 15, 2026.
- Our August edition put Mint Unlimited at $15/mo for $180 a year; that is Mint’s 6GB plan. Mint Unlimited is $30/mo on the 12-month plan ($360 up front), taxes extra.
- T-Mobile’s plans are now Essentials 2.0, Essentials Saver 2.0, Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0. Essentials 2.0 is $60/mo for one line with AutoPay (our August edition had Essentials at $50), and Essentials Saver 2.0 is $50/mo with AutoPay at 1 or 2 lines.
- Metro by T-Mobile replaced Basic, Starter Plus and the Flex Unlimited plans with three unlimited plans from $40/mo (web only), all with taxes and fees included and a 5-year price guarantee.
- Our August edition listed US Mobile first-year promo codes that have since ended. New lines now get Unlimited Starter for $199 or Unlimited Premium for $299 the first year (then $270 and $390 a year), and port-in codes FBF10 and FBF20 make Starter $10/mo and Premium $20/mo for 6 months, then $25 and $44.
Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services.
Best Cell Phone Plans by Category
Nobody trusts a list where one carrier sweeps every category, and frankly it wouldn’t be true here. This is who wins what once you line the October prices up. Only care about the lowest bill? Our cheap phone plans roundup ranks by price alone.
| Category | Winner | Why it wins | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | US Mobile Unlimited Starter BEST VALUE | Consumer Reports Top Rated. Taxes and fees included, 20GB of hotspot, access to all three major networks. | $25/mo |
| Best Premium Big 3 Plan | Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited premium data, 200GB of full-speed hotspot, international use included. Taxes extra. | $95/mo with AutoPay |
| Cheapest Unlimited, Paid Yearly | US Mobile Unlimited Flex | $210 for the year with taxes included. Speeds may slow after 10GB a month. | $17.50/mo |
| Runner-Up, Month to Month | Visible | Taxes included, unlimited hotspot capped at 5 Mbps, on Verizon’s network. | $25/mo |
| Best for International Travel | Google Fi Unlimited Premium | 50GB of high-speed data in 200+ destinations and free calls from the US to 50+. Taxes extra. | $65/mo |
| Best for Seniors | Consumer Cellular Unlimited 50+ | US-based phone support and 5% off for AARP members. The account holder must be 50 or older. Taxes extra. | $35/mo with AutoPay |
| Cheapest Unlimited for 4 Lines, Taxes Included | Total Wireless Total Starter | Four lines with taxes and fees included and a 5-year price guarantee. | $95/mo for 4 lines with AutoPay |
| Best Streaming Bundle | T-Mobile Experience Beyond 2.0 | Netflix Standard with ads and Hulu included, Apple TV for $3/mo, 250GB of hotspot. Taxes extra. | $100/mo with AutoPay |
| Best for a Backup Line | Tello | Build your own plan: 2GB of data and 300 minutes. Taxes extra. | $8/mo |
Awards reflect our editorial evaluation against the criteria in the methodology section. The “Best Overall” pick is supported by US Mobile’s Consumer Reports Top Rated designation. See the full ratings. Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services. This table mixes prepaid and postpaid prices; here’s how they line up.
Full Comparison: Best Cell Phone Plans Side by Side
The cheapest and the top plan from each carrier, for one line, at the regular price without AutoPay. Where an AutoPay discount lasts, its price is in brackets. For every plan type laid out in one place, see cell phone plans compared.
| Carrier | Entry plan | Entry price | Top plan | Top price | Taxes included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Mobile | Light (2GB) | $10/mo | Unlimited Premium | $44/mo | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Essentials Saver 2.0 (1 or 2 lines) | $55/mo ($50) | Experience Beyond 2.0 | $105/mo ($100) | No |
| Verizon | Unlimited Welcome | $75/mo ($65) | Unlimited Ultimate | $105/mo ($95) | No |
| AT&T | Value 2.0 | $60/mo ($50) | Elite 2.0 | $120/mo ($110) | No |
| Mint Mobile | 6GB (12-month plan) | $15/mo ($180 up front) | Unlimited (12-month plan) | $30/mo ($360 up front) | No |
| Visible | Visible | $25/mo | Visible+ Pro | $45/mo | Yes |
| Google Fi | Flexible | $20/mo plus $10 per GB | Unlimited Premium | $65/mo | No |
| Consumer Cellular | Basic 1GB | $20/mo with AutoPay | Unlimited 18-49 | $60/mo with AutoPay | No |
| Cricket Wireless | Sensible 10GB | $35/mo ($30) | Supreme Unlimited | $60/mo ($55) | Yes |
| Metro by T-Mobile | Unlimited 5G Data (web only) | $40/mo | Unlimited Premium 5G Data | $60/mo ($55) | Yes |
| Boost Mobile | Unlimited | $30/mo ($25) | Unlimited Premium | $60/mo with AutoPay | Taxes and fees apply |
| Spectrum Mobile | Unlimited Plus (needs Spectrum Internet) | $40/mo | Unlimited Plus Premium | $50/mo | No |
| Xfinity Mobile | Mobile Select (needs Xfinity Internet) | $30/mo | Mobile Plus | $45/mo | No |
| Straight Talk | Bronze 10GB | $35/mo | Platinum Unlimited | $65/mo | No |
| Total Wireless | Total Starter | $40/mo ($35) | Total All Access | $65/mo ($60) | Yes |
| Tello | Custom: 2GB + 300 min | $8/mo | Unlimited | $25/mo | No |
| Simple Mobile | $25 Plan (15GB) | $25/mo | Unlimited World+ | $60/mo | No |
| TracFone | Basic (1GB) | $15/mo | Unlimited | $50/mo | No |
| TextNow | Free (with ads) | Free | Monthly Unlimited | $35.99/mo | No |
| H2O Wireless | $20 Plan (10GB) | $20/mo | $60 Unlimited | $60/mo | No |
| Ultra Mobile | 4GB | $19/mo | Unlimited+ | $59/mo | No |
| Optimum Mobile | Unlimited | $45/mo | Unlimited Max | $55/mo | No |
| Lycamobile | $19 Unlimited International Plan (5GB) | $19/mo | Unlimited Pro | $59/mo | Carrier does not say |
US Mobile
Consumer Reports Top RatedUS Mobile sells everything from a $6 texts-only plan up to Unlimited Premium at $44/mo, all prepaid and none of it on contract. Every line gets access to all three major US wireless networks, branded as Warp 5G, Dark Star, and Light Speed. You pick one when you sign up, and you can move your line to a different network later from your dashboard.
Want more than one network on the same phone? The Multi-Network add-on does that for $10/mo per line, or $7.50/mo on an annual plan.
Unlimited Starter is where most people should start: $25/mo for one line with taxes and fees included, 20GB of hotspot, and unlimited high-speed data on one of its networks (on the others, speeds may slow after 70GB a month). Unlimited Premium, at $44/mo, adds unlimited priority data, unlimited hotspot on one of its networks, 20GB of roaming in 180+ countries, international calling and texting, and a free smartwatch plan on select networks. Three or more Premium lines on monthly billing also earn one subscription perk worth up to $15/mo.
Barely touch your data? Light is $10/mo for 2GB with unlimited talk and text, or $96 for a year ($8/mo). By the Gig plans share data across lines, at $15/mo for 5GB, $20 for 10GB or $35 for 20GB, and each extra line adds $8. There’s even a build-your-own option: unlimited texts alone for $6/mo, or unlimited minutes alone for $8/mo. For more plans under $10, see $10 mobile phone plans.
What US Mobile doesn’t do is discount extra Unlimited lines. Four Starter lines are $100/mo, exactly four times the one-line price, though taxes are still included.
US Mobile is named a Consumer Reports Top Rated Cell Phone Service Provider. See the full ratings.
Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services.
US Mobile pricing at a glance
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly plan | First-year offer | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light (2GB) | $10/mo | $96/yr ($8/mo) | None | Included |
| Unlimited Flex | Yearly only | $210/yr ($17.50/mo) | None | 5GB |
| Unlimited Starter POPULAR | $25/mo | $270/yr ($22.50/mo) | $199 first year, then $270/yr | 20GB |
| Unlimited Premium | $44/mo | $390/yr ($32.50/mo) | $299 first year, then $390/yr | Unlimited on one network |
Taxes and fees are included on Unlimited, Light and By the Gig plans. First-year offers are for new lines and renew at the regular yearly price. Right now, if you port in your number, code FBF10 makes Starter $10/mo and code FBF20 makes Premium $20/mo for the first 6 months, then $25/mo and $44/mo (limit 5 per household). Flex speeds may slow after 10GB a month.
Pros
- Access to all three major US wireless networks on one plan
- Consumer Reports Top Rated Cell Phone Service Provider
- Taxes and fees included on Unlimited, Light and By the Gig plans
- No contract, and yearly plans that cut the monthly cost
- Multi-Network add-on for more than one network on the same phone
- 30-day free trial with 30GB for new customers who transfer one number, on select networks
Cons
- No retail stores
- No multi-line discount on Unlimited plans
- Unlimited Flex is yearly only and may slow after 10GB a month
- After the free trial, the line renews on monthly Unlimited Premium ($44/mo) unless you change plans
T-Mobile
T-Mobile’s lineup is now all “2.0” plans. For one line with AutoPay: Essentials Saver 2.0 is $50/mo (sold only at 1 or 2 lines), Essentials 2.0 is $60/mo, Experience More 2.0 is $85/mo and Experience Beyond 2.0 is $100/mo. Skip AutoPay and each costs $5 more.
The two Essentials plans get 50GB of premium data, hotspot at 3G speeds and no streaming extras. Experience More 2.0 adds 60GB of high-speed hotspot, Netflix Standard with ads and a 5-Year Price Guarantee. Experience Beyond 2.0 goes further with Hulu, 250GB of hotspot, T-Satellite and up to 15GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries and destinations. Both Experience plans get Apple TV for $3/mo.
Then the extras: taxes, a $5.49-a-line fee, government surcharges and a one-time $35-a-line device connection charge. Where T-Mobile does get sharp is groups. Four lines of Experience More 2.0 are $170/mo with AutoPay, a price that leans on “3rd line free” bill credits, which stop if you cancel a line. If you’re 55 or older, Essentials Choice 55+ 2.0 is $45/mo for one line or $60/mo for two, with AutoPay.
| Plan | 1 line (AutoPay) | 4 lines (AutoPay) | Hotspot | Premium data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials Saver 2.0 | $50/mo | Not offered (1 or 2 lines only) | 3G speeds | 50GB |
| Essentials 2.0 | $60/mo | $105/mo | 3G speeds | 50GB |
| Experience More 2.0 | $85/mo | $170/mo | 60GB, then 3G speeds | Unlimited |
| Experience Beyond 2.0 | $100/mo | $215/mo | 250GB, then 3G speeds | Unlimited |
4-line prices include T-Mobile’s “3rd line free” bill credits. Taxes and fees are extra on every plan.
See T-Mobile plans. Weighing the two biggest? Read T-Mobile vs Verizon.
Verizon
Verizon’s three myPlan tiers, for one line with AutoPay and paper-free billing: Unlimited Welcome at $65/mo, Unlimited Plus at $80/mo and Unlimited Ultimate at $95/mo. Without AutoPay, add $10.
Welcome’s data is deprioritized, so it may be temporarily slower than other traffic during congestion, while Plus and Ultimate get unlimited premium data. That difference matters most when a cell site is packed. Welcome has no hotspot at all and no 5G Ultra Wideband. Plus adds 5G Ultra Wideband and 30GB of hotspot, and Ultimate gives 200GB of full-speed hotspot (then 6 Mbps) with international use included. Our QCI 8 vs QCI 9 guide explains the priority tiers.
The fees are where Verizon’s bill drifts away from its plan card: a $40 activation fee per line, a $3.78-a-line administrative charge that rises to $4.69 on November 15, 2026, and surcharges Verizon says can add 16% to 58% to your monthly charges. Groups do better. At four lines, Welcome comes to $30 a line ($120/mo) with AutoPay.
| Plan | 1 line (AutoPay) | 4 lines (AutoPay) | Hotspot | Data priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Welcome | $65/mo | $120/mo ($30/line) | None | Deprioritized |
| Unlimited Plus | $80/mo | $180/mo ($45/line) | 30GB | Premium data |
| Unlimited Ultimate | $95/mo | $240/mo ($60/line) | 200GB full speed | Premium data |
See Verizon plans. Thinking of a cheaper brand instead? See Mint Mobile vs Verizon.
AT&T
AT&T sells four 2.0 tiers. For one line with AutoPay: Value 2.0 is $50/mo, Extra 2.0 $70/mo, Premium 2.0 $90/mo and Elite 2.0 $110/mo, and each is $10 more without it. Small catch on that AutoPay price: it needs a bank account or AT&T’s own card. Pay by debit card and the discount is only $5.
The data gap between tiers is wide. Value 2.0 has just 5GB of high-speed data, after which AT&T may slow you when the network is busy, plus 3GB of hotspot. Extra 2.0 has 100GB and 50GB of hotspot, Premium 2.0 unlimited high-speed data and 100GB of hotspot, and Elite 2.0 250GB of hotspot.
On top come taxes, a fee of up to $4.99 a line and a $35 activation fee. Like the other two, AT&T gets much cheaper per line in groups: four lines of Value 2.0 are $120/mo ($30 a line) with AutoPay.
| Plan | 1 line (AutoPay) | 4 lines (AutoPay) | Hotspot | High-speed data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value 2.0 | $50/mo | $120/mo ($30/line) | 3GB | 5GB |
| Extra 2.0 | $70/mo | $160/mo ($40/line) | 50GB | 100GB |
| Premium 2.0 | $90/mo | $200/mo ($50/line) | 100GB | Unlimited |
| Elite 2.0 | $110/mo | $280/mo ($70/line) | 250GB | Unlimited |
See AT&T plans. Comparing it with the budget brands? See AT&T vs Visible and AT&T vs Mint Mobile.
Mint Mobile
Mint doesn’t really do month to month. You buy 3, 6 or 12 months at once, and the 12-month plan is the cheapest per month: 6GB at $15/mo ($180 up front), 17GB at $20/mo ($240), 23GB at $25/mo ($300) and Unlimited at $30/mo ($360). Taxes aren’t included.
The shorter terms are where the intro pricing hides. New customers get the first 3 or 6 months cheap, then the price climbs. On the 6-month plan every tier is $10/mo for the first term ($60 up front), after which Unlimited renews at $35/mo. Mint Unlimited includes 50GB of premium data and 20GB of hotspot.
| Plan | 3 months (first term) | 6 months (first term) | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6GB | $15/mo, then $25/mo | $10/mo, then $20/mo | $15/mo ($180) |
| 17GB | $20/mo, then $35/mo | $10/mo, then $25/mo | $20/mo ($240) |
| 23GB | $25/mo, then $45/mo | $10/mo, then $35/mo | $25/mo ($300) |
| Unlimited | $30/mo, then $40/mo | $10/mo, then $35/mo | $30/mo ($360) |
See Mint Mobile plans. Deciding between the two big budget names? See Mint Mobile vs Visible.
Visible
Visible runs on Verizon’s network, includes taxes and fees, and lists no one-time fees at signup. Three tiers: Visible at $25/mo, Visible+ at $35/mo and Visible+ Pro at $45/mo, or $275, $375 and $450 on a yearly plan. Hotspot is unlimited on all three but speed-capped at 5, 10 and 15 Mbps.
The plus tiers add 5G Ultra Wideband. Visible+ adds roaming in Mexico and Canada and one Global Pass day a month; Pro adds calling to 85+ countries, two Global Pass days and smartwatch service. On monthly billing, code 5OFF5 takes Visible+ to $30/mo and Pro to $40/mo for 5 years, then back to the regular price.
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly plan | Hotspot | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visible | $25/mo | $275/yr | Unlimited (5 Mbps) | Talk and text to Mexico and Canada; Global Pass from $5/day |
| Visible+ | $35/mo | $375/yr | Unlimited (10 Mbps) | Adds roaming in Mexico and Canada |
| Visible+ Pro | $45/mo | $450/yr | Unlimited (15 Mbps) | Adds calling to 85+ countries |
Google Fi
Fi is postpaid, and it adds taxes and surcharges that it says normally run 10 to 20 percent. There’s no activation fee. Flexible is $20/mo plus $10 for every GB you use, which suits a phone that mostly lives on Wi-Fi; Bill Protection stops the data charge at 15GB.
The unlimited tiers split mostly on travel. Unlimited Essentials ($35/mo) has 30GB of high-speed data and no hotspot. Unlimited Standard ($50/mo) has 50GB, 25GB of hotspot and use in Canada and Mexico. Unlimited Premium ($65/mo) has 100GB, 50GB of hotspot, 50GB of high-speed data in 200+ destinations and free calls from the US to 50+.
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 4 lines | High-speed data | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible | $20/mo plus $10/GB | $35/mo | $65/mo | $10 per GB; data charges stop at 15GB | Included |
| Unlimited Essentials | $35/mo | $60/mo | $90/mo | 30GB | None |
| Unlimited Standard | $50/mo | $80/mo | $100/mo | 50GB | 25GB |
| Unlimited Premium | $65/mo | $110/mo | $160/mo | 100GB | 50GB |
Flexible’s multi-line prices are before data charges. Taxes and surcharges are extra on every plan.
Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular has built its whole pitch around older customers. Its prices already include a $5 AutoPay and eBilling credit, and AARP members take another 5% off. Plans run from Basic 1GB at $20/mo up to Unlimited 50+ at $35/mo for one line, which needs an account holder aged 50 or over; two lines of Unlimited 50+ are $60/mo. Under 50, Unlimited 18-49 is $60/mo.
Phone support is US-based. Budget for the extras, though: taxes, a $3.99-a-line monthly operational compliance fee and a $10 activation fee per line. The unlimited plans slow down after 35GB on a single line.
| Plan | 1 line (AutoPay) | AARP members | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic 1GB | $20/mo | $19/mo | 1GB |
| 5GB Data | $25/mo | $23.75/mo | 5GB |
| Unlimited 50+ | $35/mo | $33.25/mo | Unlimited, slower after 35GB |
| Unlimited 18-49 | $60/mo | $57/mo | Unlimited, slower after 35GB |
See Consumer Cellular plans. More options for older shoppers in our senior phone plans guide.
Cricket Wireless
Cricket runs on AT&T’s network and includes taxes and fees in its prices. AutoPay takes $5 off each plan. The catch sits at the cheap end: Sensible 10GB drops to 128 Kbps once the 10GB is gone and has no hotspot, and Select Unlimited only gets hotspot as an add-on, with video limited to SD. Smart Unlimited includes 15GB of hotspot; Supreme Unlimited 50GB, HBO Max Basic with Ads and 150GB of cloud storage. Activating in a Cricket store costs $25 a line.
| Plan | Regular monthly | With AutoPay | 4 lines (AutoPay) | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensible 10GB | $35/mo | $30/mo | $120/mo | Not available |
| Select Unlimited | $40/mo | $35/mo | $100/mo | Add-on only |
| Smart Unlimited | $50/mo | $45/mo | $110/mo | 15GB |
| Supreme Unlimited | $60/mo | $55/mo | $130/mo | 50GB |
See Cricket plans. Head to head with us: Cricket Wireless vs US Mobile.
Metro by T-Mobile
Metro has rebuilt its lineup around three unlimited plans, all with taxes and fees included and a 5-year price guarantee. The cheapest is a web-only Unlimited 5G Data plan at $40/mo with 35GB of premium data. The regular Unlimited 5G Data plan is $55/mo ($50 with AutoPay) with 8GB of hotspot, and Unlimited Premium 5G Data is $60/mo ($55 with AutoPay) with 25GB. Activating online is free; in a store it’s $25 a line.
| Plan | 1 line | With AutoPay | 4 lines (before AutoPay) | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 5G Data (web only) | $40/mo | No AutoPay discount listed | $100/mo | Carrier does not say |
| Unlimited 5G Data | $55/mo | $50/mo | $125/mo | 8GB |
| Unlimited Premium 5G Data | $60/mo | $55/mo | $140/mo | 25GB |
Boost Mobile
Boost’s plan page says taxes and fees apply, so budget a little over the sticker. Unlimited is $30/mo ($25 with AutoPay) with 30GB of premium data. Global Connection, $45/mo ($40), carries 40GB plus global talk and text and 1GB of global roaming. Unlimited+ is $55/mo ($50) with 40GB, and Unlimited Premium is $60/mo with AutoPay, with 50GB and hotspot included. Those top two get multi-line savings: four lines of Unlimited Premium are $160/mo with AutoPay.
| Plan | Regular monthly | With AutoPay | Premium data | 4 lines (AutoPay) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | $30/mo | $25/mo | 30GB | No multi-line discount |
| Global Connection | $45/mo | $40/mo | 40GB | No multi-line discount listed |
| Unlimited+ | $55/mo | $50/mo | 40GB | $120/mo |
| Unlimited Premium | Not listed | $60/mo | 50GB | $160/mo |
Spectrum Mobile
Spectrum Mobile needs Spectrum Internet and AutoPay, and taxes may apply on top. Unlimited Plus is $40 a line with 50GB of premium data, 10GB of hotspot and use in 215+ countries and destinations. Unlimited Plus Premium is $50 a line and adds 50GB of hotspot and a free smartwatch data plan. New customers get the first line for $10 (Plus) or $20 (Plus Premium) a month for one year, then the regular price.
The plain Unlimited plan is $60/mo for two lines, and new customers get the first line free for a year. Its single-line price is murkier: Spectrum’s plan card and its FAQ don’t agree, so check at checkout. Spectrum also charges an activation fee without saying how much.
| Plan | Regular price | New customers, first line for 1 year | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | $60/mo for 2 lines | Free | 5GB |
| Unlimited Plus | $40/mo a line | $10/mo | 10GB |
| Unlimited Plus Premium | $50/mo a line | $20/mo | 50GB |
Other Carriers Worth Considering
Smaller or more specialised carriers, each here for one specific reason. Prepaid is most of this list; our best prepaid phone plans roundup goes deeper on them.
Xfinity Mobile
Needs Xfinity Internet. Mobile Select is $30/mo with 15GB of hotspot and Mobile Plus $45/mo with 50GB. New customers get the first line for $0 (Select) or $15 (Plus) a month for the first year, then the regular price. Taxes are extra, plus a $25 activation fee per line, covered on a first order through October 30. Xfinity Mobile plans.
Straight Talk
Four tiers: Bronze 10GB at $35/mo (then 2G speeds), Silver Unlimited at $45/mo, Gold Unlimited at $55/mo and Platinum Unlimited at $65/mo. Four Silver lines come to $100/mo ($25 each). The AutoPay discount only lasts the first 3 months, and taxes are extra. Straight Talk plans.
Total Wireless
On Verizon’s network, with taxes and fees included and a 5-year price guarantee. Total Starter is $40/mo, Total MAX 5G $55/mo and Total All Access $65/mo; AutoPay takes $5 off from the second month, once per account. Four lines of Total Starter are $95/mo with AutoPay. Total Wireless plans.
Tello
Build-your-own, and properly granular about it. 2GB with 300 minutes comes to $8/mo; the preset plans are 2GB for $10, 10GB for $15, 20GB for $20 and Unlimited for $25 (50GB at full speed, 10GB of hotspot). Free calls to 60+ countries come with any calling plan. Taxes extra. Tello plans.
Simple Mobile
Data-bucket plans at $25 (15GB), $30 (20GB) and $40 (30GB), plus Unlimited World at $50/mo and Unlimited World+ at $60/mo. Taxes extra. Simple Mobile plans.
TracFone
Basic is $15/mo for 1GB ($10 with Auto-Refill, first 2 months only). From there it climbs through 4GB ($20), 10GB ($30) and 20GB ($40) to Unlimited at $50/mo with 15GB of hotspot. Taxes extra. TracFone plans.
TextNow
Free really is free: $0/mo with ads and 550MB of data, plus a $3.99 SIM. Plus Monthly is $18.99/mo (no streaming or gaming) and Monthly Unlimited $35.99/mo; the labels for both show 20GB of data. Taxes vary by location. TextNow plans.
H2O Wireless
Five tiers from the $20 Plan (10GB) to $60 Unlimited, with AutoPay about 10% cheaper and lower rates if you prepay 12 months (the $20 plan drops to $16/mo, $192 up front). Taxes and a small monthly regulatory fee are extra. H2O Wireless plans.
Ultra Mobile
Built for international callers: every plan includes unlimited talk to 90+ international destinations plus talk and text in Mexico and Canada. 4GB is $19/mo, Unlimited $49/mo and Unlimited+ $59/mo. New customers on the 12-month plan pay $300 for Unlimited ($25/mo) for the first term; the regular 12-month rate is $34/mo. Taxes extra. Ultra Mobile plans.
Optimum Mobile
Unlimited is $45/mo for one line and falls to $20 a line from three lines ($80/mo for four); Unlimited Max is $55/mo. Taxes are extra and pricing is based on good credit. Optimum’s plan page doesn’t say you need Optimum Internet. Optimum Mobile plans.
Lycamobile
Unlimited talk and text to 100 countries on every plan, from $19/mo for 5GB to $59/mo for Unlimited Pro. Watch the headline prices, though: most are first-term promos. The 5GB plan is $10/mo for 12 months, then $19; Unlimited Plus is $18/mo for 9 months, then $49. Lycamobile doesn’t say whether taxes are included. Lycamobile plans.
How Much You Can Save by Switching to US Mobile
Same-tier comparisons: entry unlimited against entry unlimited, premium against premium. Big 3 prices are their single-line AutoPay rates, the cheapest they advertise. US Mobile is the regular monthly rate, no promo code.
| Currently on | Their monthly | Move to | US Mobile monthly | Monthly savings | Yearly savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Unlimited Welcome | $65/mo | Unlimited Starter | $25/mo | $40/mo | $480/yr |
| AT&T Value 2.0 | $50/mo | Unlimited Starter | $25/mo | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| T-Mobile Essentials Saver 2.0 | $50/mo | Unlimited Starter | $25/mo | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | $95/mo | Unlimited Premium | $44/mo | $51/mo | $612/yr |
| T-Mobile Experience Beyond 2.0 | $100/mo | Unlimited Premium | $44/mo | $56/mo | $672/yr |
| AT&T Elite 2.0 | $110/mo | Unlimited Premium | $44/mo | $66/mo | $792/yr |
What a year really costs on the cheapest plans
The table above only compares plan prices. The bill is a different animal, because each Big 3 carrier adds its own monthly line fee and a one-time activation charge, and none of them include taxes. Here’s year one on each carrier’s cheapest unlimited plan for one line, adding only the fees the carriers publish.
| Cost | Verizon Unlimited Welcome | AT&T Value 2.0 | T-Mobile Essentials Saver 2.0 | US Mobile Unlimited Starter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan, 12 months | $780 ($65 × 12, AutoPay) | $600 ($50 × 12, AutoPay) | $600 ($50 × 12, AutoPay) | $300 monthly, or $270 on the yearly plan |
| Carrier line fee, 12 months | Up to $56.28 ($4.69 × 12) | Up to $59.88 ($4.99 × 12) | $65.88 ($5.49 × 12) | Included |
| Activation | $40 | $35 | $35 device connection charge | Carrier does not say |
| Taxes | Extra, plus surcharges | Extra | Extra, plus government surcharges | Included |
| First year, before taxes | Up to $876.28 | Up to $694.88 | $700.88 | $270 to $300 |
Verizon’s administrative charge is $3.78 a line until November 15, 2026, then $4.69; we used $4.69 for all 12 months, so its fee line is a ceiling. Verizon says its surcharges can add 16% to 58% to your monthly charges, and T-Mobile says government surcharges typically run $0.08 to $4.57 a line.
Even before a cent of tax, AT&T’s cheapest plan can cost $394.88 more in year one than monthly Starter, and it may slow after 5GB of high-speed data when the network is busy. New US Mobile lines can also pay $199 for the first year of Unlimited Starter (then $270/yr), which makes the gap even larger in year one.
Which Cell Phone Plan Is Right for You?
Prices are for one line unless we say otherwise. US Mobile, Visible, Cricket and Total Wireless include taxes; the others add them.
- Best for most people: US Mobile Unlimited Starter, $25/mo with taxes included, 20GB of hotspot and access to all three major networks.
- You want a Big 3 carrier and premium data: Verizon Unlimited Ultimate ($95/mo with AutoPay, unlimited premium data), before taxes and fees. For priority data at less than half that, US Mobile Unlimited Premium is $44/mo.
- You want the cheapest unlimited: US Mobile Unlimited Flex at $210/yr ($17.50/mo), or Visible at $25/mo month to month. Our cheapest unlimited data plans list has the rest.
- You barely use data: US Mobile Light at $10/mo for 2GB, Tello from $8/mo, or TextNow Free if $0 matters more than data. A first phone for a kid? See phone plans for kids.
- You travel abroad: Google Fi Unlimited Premium ($65/mo), or US Mobile Unlimited Premium with 20GB of roaming in 180+ countries.
- You want streaming thrown in: T-Mobile Experience Beyond 2.0 (Netflix with ads and Hulu) or Cricket Supreme Unlimited (HBO Max Basic with Ads).
- You’re buying for a family: Total Wireless Total Starter at $95/mo for four lines with AutoPay, or four US Mobile Starter lines at $100/mo, both with taxes included. Compare more in our best family phone plan and best cell phone plans for 2 lines guides.
- You’re 50 or older: Consumer Cellular Unlimited 50+ ($35/mo with AutoPay), or T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55+ 2.0 if you’re 55+.
- You already pay for cable internet: Spectrum Mobile or Xfinity Mobile, which need their internet service.
- It’s just you: see the best phone plans for one.
Want to go deeper on one plan type? Try the best unlimited data plan and best phone plans roundups, or the AT&T vs Verizon vs T-Mobile comparison.
How We Evaluated These Cell Phone Plans
US Mobile wrote this comparison, and it’s in it. To keep that honest, every price and allowance here was read on the carrier’s own plan pages or FCC Broadband Facts labels on , and we saved screenshots of those pages. Prices are for one line without AutoPay unless we say otherwise; “/mo” on a yearly plan is the yearly price divided by 12. Where a carrier doesn’t publish something, we say “Carrier does not say” rather than guess.
For the category picks we weighed the regular price, what’s actually included (high-speed data, hotspot, international use, whether taxes are in the price), the fees each carrier adds, network access and choice, and what happens when an intro price ends. The first-year cost table adds only published prices and fees; your taxes depend on your address.
Savings comparisons match tiers (entry with entry, premium with premium) and are labelled where they cross from prepaid to postpaid. We don’t rate network speed or coverage ourselves. For customer ratings, see Consumer Reports; Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services. For speed and coverage, independent sources include Ookla’s Speedtest reports and Opensignal, and the FCC’s wireless consumer guides explain your rights as a customer.
US Mobile coverage details live on the plans page and the network coverage page. The previous edition is the August 2026 edition, and the main article is updated as prices change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best cell phone plans in 2026?
For most people, US Mobile. Unlimited Starter is $25/mo for one line with taxes and fees included, and every line gets access to all three major US wireless networks. US Mobile is named a Consumer Reports Top Rated Cell Phone Service Provider. See the full ratings. Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services. Runner-up: Visible, also $25/mo with taxes included.
Is US Mobile worth it?
For most people, yes. Unlimited Starter is $25/mo with taxes and fees included, Light is $10/mo for 2GB, and there’s no contract. US Mobile is named a Consumer Reports Top Rated Cell Phone Service Provider. See the full ratings. Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services. The trade-offs: no retail stores and no multi-line discount on Unlimited plans.
Who has the best deal on cell phone plans right now?
Paying for a year, new US Mobile lines get Unlimited Starter for $199 the first year, then $270/yr, with taxes included. Month to month, Visible’s code 5OFF5 makes Visible+ $30/mo for 5 years, then $35. With Xfinity Internet, new Xfinity Mobile customers get the first Mobile Select line free for a year, then $30/mo before taxes.
What’s the best cell phone deal for switching carriers?
Bring your number to US Mobile and code FBF10 makes Unlimited Starter $10/mo, or FBF20 makes Unlimited Premium $20/mo, for the first 6 months, then $25 and $44 (limit 5 per household). Or start with a free 30-day trial with 30GB on select networks. Before you move, run through our switching carriers checklist.
Do any carriers still offer family plan discounts?
Yes, the Big 3 do. With AutoPay, four lines of Verizon Unlimited Welcome or AT&T Value 2.0 cost $120/mo ($30 a line), and four lines of T-Mobile Experience More 2.0 cost $170/mo, all before taxes and fees. US Mobile doesn’t discount extra Unlimited lines: four Starter lines are $100/mo with taxes included.
Which cell phone plans have no hidden fees?
US Mobile, Visible, Cricket, Metro and Total Wireless put taxes and fees in the monthly price (Cricket and Metro charge $25 to activate in a store). The Big 3 add their own: Verizon $40 to activate plus $3.78 a line, rising to $4.69 on November 15, 2026; AT&T $35 plus up to $4.99 a line; T-Mobile $35 plus $5.49 a line.
Do I need an unlimited data plan?
Not if most of your data is on Wi-Fi. US Mobile Light is $10/mo for 2GB, and By the Gig is $15/mo for 5GB or $20 for 10GB, all with taxes included. Need more than that and unlimited costs little extra: Unlimited Starter is $25/mo with 20GB of hotspot, and Unlimited Flex is $210 for a year.
How do I choose a cell phone plan?
Start with how much data you really use, how many lines you need and the monthly price after taxes and fees. Then check which network covers your address. Under 2GB a month, US Mobile Light is $10/mo; for unlimited, Starter is $25/mo, both with taxes included. Our cell phone plans compared guide covers every plan type.
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