The best cell phone plans for March 2024

Cell phone plan quick links

Red, white, and black SIM cards on yellow background

(Image credit: Future)

Jump straight to phone plans by type:
1. Cheap cell phone plans
2. Prepaid
3. Unlimited
4. Family plans
5. Plans for seniors
6. Plans for kids
Quick tips:
1.
How to find the right plan for you
2. How to save money

Navigating the world of data, minutes, perks and prices can sometimes be a real hassle for those looking to make the switch. That's why we've put together this guide to this month's best cell phone plans to arm our readers with the know-how to make the right decision for them. We've tirelessly researched all the top companies, carriers, and services to come up with a list of recommendations based on what we think most people are looking for in regard to the best cell phone plans.

At the very top of the page, you'll see a very quick summary of our choices alongside a few quick-fire top tips to help you decide which plan is for you. If you're looking for a really detailed breakdown of each selection, however, we've gone in-depth with specific user sections just below. We're covering topics like the best cheap unlimited plan, best value plans overall, best plans for seniors, and even the best family plans in their own sections. So, if you have a solid idea of what you need, feel free to skip to the section that's relevant for you.

Generally speaking, cell phone plans are split into cheaper 'prepaid' options and more expensive 'postpaid options'. In a nutshell, prepaid plans don't have contracts, feature smaller data allowances, but also have way cheaper monthly costs. Conversely, postpaid plans are probably going to be for you if you're data-hungry and don't mind spending a little more. You'll find options for both in our roundup of the best cell phone plans, plus a whole frequently asked questions section at the bottom of the page. If you're struggling to figure out the best cell phone plan for you or want some money-saving tips, we highly recommend reading the FAQ section.

Recent updates

Amendments to Twigby Mobile entry in best family cell phone plans section.

Best cell phone plans: quick list

Advice and tips

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Cell phone plan jargon explained

5G: the latest, fastest phone network connection
Data allowance:
how much internet you can use
Prepaid: no-contract plan renewed each month
Postpaid: contracted plan paid for in installments
Pay as you go: only pay for what you use
Coverage: how good cellular service is near you

1. Determine budget
Set an upper limit to how much you're willing to spend

2. Determine data usage
More data equals higher bills, so cut out what you don't need

3. Check if you're covered
Check to see if you're best covered on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile

4. Compare the market
See who offers the cheapest rate possible for your requirements

Cheap cell phone plans

Cheap cell phone plans are going to be great for you if you're a single-line user who just needs the basics and wants a dirt-cheap monthly bill. All our choices here are pretty stripped down, but they do still include a bit of data allowance each month just in case.

Good value for most users: Mint Mobile | $15pm | 5GB | T-Mobile network

Good value for most users: <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">Mint Mobile | $15pm | 5GB | T-Mobile network<a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">
Mint Mobile is a good choice if you're looking for a cheap plan that doesn't skimp out too much on features. This prepaid carrier has recently upped the data allowances on all of its plans across the board, which makes the most basic 5GB plan an absolute steal for $15 per month. Included in the plan is mobile hotspot and 5G coverage on the T-Mobile network, which should cover most people in metropolitan areas. One slight downside with Mint is that it operates a buy-in-bulk pricing scheme that only gets you the cheapest rates if you buy your data in yearly allotments. If you're willing to pay for your plan upfront, however, then it's a superb choice.

Best super-cheap plan: Tello Economy | $9pm | 1GB | T-Mobile network

Best super-cheap plan: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13252628?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans" data-link-merchant="tello.com"">Tello Economy | $9pm | 1GB | T-Mobile network<a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13252628?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans" data-link-merchant="tello.com"" data-link-merchant="tello.com"">
If you're looking for the cheapest, and we mean the cheapest plan (which still has some data), then Tello is a great option that also operates on the wider T-Mobile network. The Tello Economy plan gives you unlimited texts, calls, and 1GB data for just $9 a month, which is exceptional value. While extremely basic, Tello's build-your-own-plan setup allows you to easily upgrade or downgrade your data allowances if need be, which is a real selling point versus the carriers that require you to commit. Check out our <a href="https://www.techradar.com/coupons/tello" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="tello.com"" data-link-merchant="tello.com"">Tello promo codes page for more ways to save.

Cheap Verizon alternative: US Mobile | $10pm | 1GB | Verizon &amp; T-Mobile network

Cheap Verizon alternative: <a href="https://twigby.sjv.io/c/221109/1710073/19879?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twigby.com%2Fpage%2Fhowitworks" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"">US Mobile | $10pm | 1GB | Verizon & T-Mobile network<a href="https://twigby.sjv.io/c/221109/1710073/19879?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twigby.com%2Fpage%2Fhowitworks" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"">
US Mobile operates on both the Verizon and T-Mobile networks, which makes it a relatively easy recommendation if you have coverage concerns. At $10 per month, its basic 1GB shared data plan is a good starting place if you're strictly on a budget - especially because you can add more lines for relatively cheaply. If you need more data, then the 6GB, 12GB, and 30GB shared plans are also fairly competitive, albeit at slightly higher prices for a single-line user versus Mint Mobile. The Unlimited Starter plan for $25 per month is also outstanding value, although we're headed into slightly pricier territory with that particular option (and there are also competitive rival choices from <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2F" data-link-merchant="visible.com"" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"">Mint and <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2F" data-link-merchant="visible.com"" data-link-merchant="visible.com"" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"">Visible).

Cheap AT&amp;T alternative: Red Pocket| $20pm | 5GB | AT&amp;T network

Cheap AT&T alternative: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redpocket.com%2Fplans&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - redpocket.com"">Red Pocket| $20pm | 5GB | AT&T network<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.puretalkusa.com%2Flanding%2F&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - puretalkusa.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - redpocket.com"">
Super cheap prepaid carriers that operate on the wider AT&T network are a little rarer to find but they are out there. <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13751603?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.cricketwireless.com/cell-phone-plans" data-link-merchant="cricketwireless.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - puretalkusa.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - redpocket.com"">Cricket Wireless, <a href="https://www.puretalk.com/cell-plans" data-link-merchant="puretalk.com"" data-link-merchant="cricketwireless.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - puretalkusa.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - redpocket.com"">Pure Talk, <a href="https://www.freeupmobile.com/shop/plans/new" data-link-merchant="freeupmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="puretalk.com"" data-link-merchant="cricketwireless.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - puretalkusa.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - redpocket.com"">FreeUp Mobile, and <a href="https://www.h2owireless.com/12-month-plan" data-link-merchant="h2owireless.com"" data-link-merchant="freeupmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="puretalk.com"" data-link-merchant="cricketwireless.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - puretalkusa.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - redpocket.com"">H20 Mobile are all good choices right now, although we've included Red Pocket here as a good all-arounder. At just $20 per month, the 5GB plan is a match for some of the best value prepaid plans on the market right now - and you can get that price down to just $14 per month if you bill for your plan annually (much like with Mint).

Who these cell phone plans are great for

  • Light phone users
  • People with easy access to Wi-Fi

Downsides of these cell phone plans

  • Often have slower data speeds when networks are busy (deprioritization)
  • Smaller data allowances
  • Zero perks (like free streaming services)

See our main cheap cell phone plans article for even more great options.

^ Back to top

Prepaid cell phone plans

The best prepaid cell phone plans on our list overlap pretty heavily with our prior choices for cheap cell phone plans, but generally speaking, we've included options here with more data allowance. As prepaid plans, all the following choices don't include contracts or credit checks.

Best all around value: Mint Mobile | $20pm |15GB | T-Mobile network

Best all around value: <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">Mint Mobile | $20pm |15GB | T-Mobile network<a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">
Mint Mobile has a ton of great prepaid options right now including a brand new unlimited data plan for $30 months. However, for best bang for the buck we'd recommend the 15GB data plan. Not only is this one enough data for most people but this plan tier has recently been bumped up from 10GB. Aside from the price, Mint also has plenty of generous perks, free mobile hotspotting, and 5G/4G speeds where applicable. Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network, which covers 62% of the country for 4G LTE, slightly behind Verizon and AT&T but still within the reach of most users.

Best value unlimited data plan:

Best value unlimited data plan: <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2Fplan" data-link-merchant="visible.com"">Visible | $25 - $40pm | Verizon network
If you're looking for a prepaid unlimited data plan on a budget then we'd highly recommend checking out Visible Wireless. This Verizon subsidiary has recently reduced the cost of its basic (or standard) Visible plan down to just $25 per month (was $30), which is absolutely awesome value considering you get completely unlimited data and free mobile hotspot. One caveat with Visible is that the basic plan is obviously subject to deprioritization when the local area is busy, which may or may not be an issue depending on your location. The good news is that Visible also has a Plus tier plan that offers a whopping 50GB of priority data on the Verizon Wideband 5G network - pretty great for just $40 per month.

Best AT&amp;T: AT&amp;T | $25pm | Unlimited data | 12-month prepaid

Best AT&T: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15735111?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.att.com/buy/wireless/prepaid/devices" data-link-merchant="att.com"">AT&T | $25pm | Unlimited data | 12-month prepaid<a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15735111?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.att.com/buy/wireless/prepaid/devices" data-link-merchant="att.com"" data-link-merchant="att.com"">
While the big carriers are normally pretty stingy when it comes to their prepaid options, AT&T leads the way with a ton of very flexible (and competitively priced options).  Like Mint Mobile, the best prices here are reserved for those who buy their data in chunks, with the sweet spot for value being the $25 per month unlimited data 12-month plan. For a compelling pay-monthly option with less commitment, we'd also recommend checking out H20 Wireless, which offers an excellent <a href="https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/plan/monthly" data-link-merchant="h2owirelessnow.com"" data-link-merchant="att.com"" data-link-merchant="att.com"">15GB premium plan for $36 a month.

Cheap Verizon alternative: US Mobile | $25pm | Unlimited data | Verizon network

Cheap Verizon alternative: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usmobile.com%2Fplans&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - usmobile.com"">US Mobile | $25pm | Unlimited data | Verizon network<a href="https://twigby.sjv.io/c/221109/1710073/19879?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twigby.com%2Fpage%2Fhowitworks" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - usmobile.com"">
While Visible Wireless just edges it out for unlimited data value, US Mobile is another fantastic prepaid carrier that operates on the Verizon and T-Mobile network. Unlike at Visible, US Mobile has options for set-data plans with a much lower cost overall. For example, the 6GB shared data plan comes in at $18 per month, which could be enough for you based on your usage. The Unlimited Starter plan is also great at US Mobile at $25 per month, although it doesn't include the free mobile hotspot allowance that Visible Wireless offers.

Who these cell phone plans are great for

  • Those who don't want a long-term contract
  • Those who don't want a credit check for your plan
  • Those who want a bit of data, but on a budget

Downsides of these cell phone plans

  • Slower data speeds when the networks are busy (deprioritization)
  • Fewer perks like HD video streaming, international calling, and free streaming services

See our main page on the best prepaid plans for more excellent options.

^ Back to top

Unlimited cell phone plans

Unlimited data cell phone plans, as the name suggests, give you oodles of high-speed data for all your streaming and browsing needs. Note, these plans will generally cost a lot more, came from the 'big names', but also give you the best service and speeds plus a ton of included goodies like third-party streaming subscriptions.

Best coverage and flexibility: Verizon Unlimited Plus | $65pm

Best coverage and flexibility: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/plans/unlimited/" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"">Verizon Unlimited Plus | $65pm<a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/plans/" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"">
With a 5G network covering more than 175 million people nationwide across the US, Verizon is simply going to be a great option for most users who want to make the most of that unlimited data. While you're paying a premium with Verizon, the carrier has a flexible array of options due to its new 'myPlan' system for 2023. As of writing, there are three distinct plan tiers with different amounts of unthrottled data and hotspot alliance but we'd recommend the middle 'Unlimited Plus' plan as the best for most users. With this plan, you'll get completely unlimited data on the high-end Verizon 5G Wideband network, 30GB mobile hotspot, and a number of optional perks that you can add on for $10 per month each. These include Disney+ subscriptions, Walmart+ memberships, more hotspot data, and international travel passes. 

Best cheap unlimited plan:

Best cheap unlimited plan: <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2Fplan" data-link-merchant="visible.com"">Visible | $25-$40pm | Verizon network
Visible is a subsidiary of Verizon and uses its parent companies' excellent network, tieing it to the best and most consistent coverage nationwide. We're including it here alongside Verizon because it's quite simply a great option if all you want is data but don't want any of the above bundled Verizon perks. With this service, you've got the choice between a 'basic' plan for $25 per month and a 'plus' plan for $40. The basic plan is better value all around but will be subject to de-prioritization if the local area is busy. The Plus plan has 50GB of priority 5G data with increased speeds, if you're willing to pay a bit more for guaranteed top-notch cellular service. 

Best T-Mobile plan:

Best T-Mobile plan: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phone-plans&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - t-mobile.com"">T-Mobile Go5G| $75pm
T-Mobile used to be the best of the big carriers value-wise but the gap has significantly narrowed in 2023. The new "Go5G" plan is still a fantastic choice for most people, however. For $75 per month for a single line, you get 100GB of 5G priority data and a decent chunk of 15GB mobile hotspot data (Versus 5GB for Magenta). One fantastic thing about T-Mobile's plans specifically is that you can bundle in a third line for free, which can mean some superb savings for multi-line plans - you'll also get a free Netflix Basic subscription if you add two or more lines on your Go5G plan. For one line, we wouldn't say T-Mobile is the best value but it's extremely competitive if you're a multi-line user who can make use of the free Netflix sub.

Cheap T-Mobile alternative: Boost Mobile | $25pm | T-Mobile network
Boost Mobile is a prepaid carrier that's always offered great value options but its recent revisions to its lineup has provided a superb budget unlimited data plan. Right now, you can get the basic Boost Mobile unlimited data plan for just $25 per month, which is $5 per month cheaper than the equivalent plan at Mint Mobile. There are a few trade-offs here versus Mint, such as no mobile hotspot allowance, and less 5G data (30GB versus 45GB) but the $5 saving is likely worth it for light-data users. Note

Cheap T-Mobile alternative: <a href="https://boostmobile.sjv.io/c/221109/1330603/16069?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boostmobile.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="boostmobile.com"">Boost Mobile | $25pm | T-Mobile network
Boost Mobile is a prepaid carrier that's always offered great value options but its recent revisions to its lineup has provided a superb budget unlimited data plan. Right now, you can get the basic Boost Mobile unlimited data plan for just $25 per month, which is <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="boostmobile.com"">$5 per month cheaper than the equivalent plan at Mint Mobile. There are a few trade-offs here versus Mint, such as no mobile hotspot allowance, and less 5G data (30GB versus 45GB) but the $5 saving is likely worth it for light-data users. Note, Tello is also a good choice here with <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13252628?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans" data-link-merchant="tello.com"" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"" data-link-merchant="boostmobile.com"">its unlimited data plan for $25 per month (it's recently been discounted from $39).  

Best AT&amp;T:

Best AT&T: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15735111?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.att.com/plans/wireless/" data-link-merchant="att.com"">AT&T Unlimited Extra | $75pm
With AT&T you're getting the second-best coverage in the country and their pricing overall tends to be a little bit easier on the wallet than Verizon. Our pick is the mid-tier Unlimited Extra plan, which has unlimited 5G access, 50GB of data prioritization, and 15GB of mobile hotspot data. This is a pretty no-thrills package, focusing on getting you the most amount of prioritized data for your cash. If you're after more perks, you may prefer the top-tier Unlimited Elite plan which will set you back another $10 a month but gets you HD video streaming and a free subscription to HBO Max.

Who these cell phone plans are great for

  • Heavy phone users who never use Wi-Fi
  • Those who love to stream high-definition content
  • Those with a bit more cash to spend
  • Those who want to get discounts on handsets

Downsides of these cell phone plans

  • Often twice the cost of prepaid cell phone plans
  • Lengthy (two year) contract terms with costly buy-outs
  • Credit checks to be eligible for some plans

For more unlimited data plan options, check out our guide to the best unlimited data plans in the US. 

^ Back to top

Family cell phone plans

In recent years we've seen most carriers move away from plans that are specifically branded for families - instead opting for a more flexible approach. That said, discounts for multiple lines on a plan (or account) are still commonplace and remain the best way to save on your cell phone bills. We've included pricing for four-line plans just below but note - most of these options will have discounts from 2-lines. As a rule of thumb, however, more lines equals cheaper rates per line on average.

Best high-end family plan: T-Mobile Go5G| $155pm (4 lines)

Best high-end family plan: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phone-plans%3Flines%3D4&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - t-mobile.com"">T-Mobile Go5G| $155pm (4 lines)<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phone-plans&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - t-mobile.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - t-mobile.com"">
T-Mobile has a unique pricing feature that allows it to throw in the third line for free on all its multi-line unlimited data plans. That makes its service particularly good for families, offering on average one tier of plan higher than its competitors for the price. Case in point is the 4-line T-Mobile Go5G plan, which offers 100GB of 5G data (unlimited 3G) plus a free subscription to Netflix Basic - a nice little freebie you'd normally pay more for. 

Best big carrier value:

Best big carrier value: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/plans/" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"">Verizon Welcome Unlimited | $100pm (4 lines)
Verizon's recently switched up its unlimited data plan lineup with a handy new 'myPlan' system. The perks, data allowances, and prices are essentially similar but there's now a flexible mix-and-match layout that allows you to choose exactly what perks, addons, and lines you want to pay for. For example, Verizon's most basic plan tier, the Welcome Unlimited plan, comes in at just $100 for four lines and offers a good starting point to build on if you want streaming perks or Walmart+ membership for $10 per month each. If you wanted to add a line of the higher-tier Unlimited Plus plan, which includes a quicker 5G connection and 30GB of mobile hotspot, then you can do so. In short, there's a lot of flexibility at Verizon and you get some of the best 5G coverage possible to boot.

Best for budget setups: Mint Mobile | $30 - $60pm (2 lines) | T-Mobile network

Best for budget setups: <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">Mint Mobile | $30 - $60pm (2 lines) | T-Mobile network<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.simplemobile.com%2Fserviceplan&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - simplemobile.com"" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">
It's really hard to fault Mint Mobile if you're looking for a cost-effective family cell phone plan for two or more users. While the prepaid carrier doesn't specifically offer discounts for multiple lines it's pretty damn cheap overall and offers a flexible array of data options. Adding to the flexibility at Mint Mobile is the carrier's new family plan feature, which allows you to mix and match various data allowances under the same overall plan. Again, there are no additional savings here for adding multiple lines but you'll skip out on red tape and automatically enroll each line on the cheapest rate without having to pay for a whole year of data upfront. Another great choice here is Visible Wireless' standard unlimited data plan <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2F" data-link-merchant="visible.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - simplemobile.com"" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">for $25 per month, although it's not specifically set up for multiple lines (you'll need to set them up separately). 

Best AT&amp;T:

Best AT&T: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13751603?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.cricketwireless.com/cell-phone-plans" data-link-merchant="cricketwireless.com"">Cricket Unlimited plan | $100pm (4 lines) | AT&T network
For those who get the best coverage on the AT&T network but want a cheaper option, we recommend the basic Cricket Unlimited plan.  At just $100 a month for four lines, this Cricket plan is coming in at much, much cheaper than the equivalent big carrier offerings. That said, your unlimited data is capped out at 8Mbps - much slower than 5G speeds, and you're also not getting any mobile hotspot allowance here, so bear in mind this is a very stripped-down plan indeed.

Who these cell phone plans are great for

  • Families... (duh)
  • Couples who want to save a bit of cash 

Downsides of these cell phone plans

  • Very pricey on the four-line options per month
  • Lengthy contracts on the postpaid cell phone plans
  • Credit checks to be eligible for some options

For a more detailed look at cell phone plans for your family, see our guide to this month's best family cell phone plans

^ Back to top

Phone plans for seniors

Like other user demographics, the needs of seniors will differ greatly from user to user. Our choice of the best cell phone plans for seniors focuses on offering a wide range of options, so whether you're just looking for the cheapest plan available or want some flexibility, you're covered.

Best pay as you go:

Best pay as you go: <a href="https://imp.i127448.net/c/221109/797176/11371?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ultramobile.com%2Fpaygo%2F" data-link-merchant="ultramobile.com"">Ultra Mobile | $3pm | T-Mobile network
If you're a senior who doesn't use your phone much and really wants to keep it simple, you can opt to go for Ultra Mobile's pay-as-you-go plan. With 100 minutes, 100 texts, and 100Mb of data, you're only getting the bare essentials here - but enough if you're using your phone sparingly, or making use of WiFi connections primarily. At just $3 a month, this is a very, very cheap plan indeed, although we'd also recommend the <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13252628?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans" data-link-merchant="tello.com"" data-link-merchant="ultramobile.com"">Tello economy plan as well if you'd like something a bit less restrictive. That will bump up your cost to $10 a month, but secure you unlimited calls, texts, and 1GB of data a month.

Best for flexibility: Tello | $9 - $25pm | T-Mobile network

Best for flexibility: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13252628?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans" data-link-merchant="tello.com"">Tello | $9 - $25pm | T-Mobile network<a href="https://ting.7eer.net/c/221109/76893/2020?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fting.com%2Frates" data-link-merchant="ting.com"" data-link-merchant="tello.com"">
Tello is a great option for thrifty seniors who want to tailor a plan around their needs. The carrier operates a flexible 'build your own' plan that enables you to choose exactly how much data you want each month, as well as minutes and texts. Don't want data? You can do that too via Tello and choose to upgrade your plan further down the line if you require. Since there are no contracts and you pay each month, it's easy to make any amendments.

Best for unlimited: T-Mobile Essentials Unlimited 55 | $55pm (2 lines)

Best for unlimited: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phone-plans%2Funlimited-55-senior-discount-plans&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - t-mobile.com"">T-Mobile Essentials Unlimited 55 | $55pm (2 lines)
If you're a senior who thinks you'll be best suited by spending more to get an unlimited data plan, we'd recommend T-Mobile as the best value option amongst the big carriers - specifically its Essentials 55 plan. As the name suggests, this one's a plan specifically meant for seniors, offering unlimited data, texts, and minutes, but none of the usual streaming service perks. We'd recommend this one for heavy users only. 

Who these cell phone plans are great for

  • Older individuals (or couples) who want to keep the monthly costs down
  • Those who want flexibility
  • Those who are eligible for seniors discounts

Downsides of these cell phone plans

  • Generally very basic, with fewer options and data allowances
  • Not great value if you're a heavy data user (aside from the T-Mobile option)

For a full deep-dive on the top options right now for older citizens, see our roundup on this month's best cell phone plans for seniors.

^ Back to top

Phone plans for kids

The best cell phone plans for kids will generally sit within the prepaid market where monthly data allowances are capped, and those monthly bills can be kept at a minimum. We've rounded up what we think are the best plans for each network just below, so if you're limited by coverage requirements you'll still have options.

Value pick:

Value pick: <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"">Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15 pm | T-Mobile network
Mint Mobile is yet again a good pick for kids thanks to its all-around dirt cheap, great value plans. We'd recommend the introduction 5GB / $15/mo plan as a good option for most kids. You'll get a small amount of 5G data but fairly limited speeds afterward, as well as unlimited calling and texting. If the parent is a Mint customer, they can also make use of the new 'Mint Family' feature, which allows them to monitor usage on up to four accounts at a time. 

Also great value: Twigby Mobile | $20pm | 5GB | Verizon network

Also great value: <a href="https://twigby.sjv.io/c/221109/1710073/19879?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twigby.com%2Fpage%2Fhowitworks" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"">Twigby Mobile | $20pm | 5GB | Verizon network<a href="https://twigby.sjv.io/c/221109/1710073/19879?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twigby.com%2Fpage%2Fhowitworks" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"" data-link-merchant="twigby.com"">
Twigby Mobile is a prepaid carrier operating on the wider Verizon network, meaning it has superb coverage. Its prices are also fantastic with five distinct plans offering competitive pay-month options ranging up to 20GB of monthly usage. Unlike some carriers, Twigby Mobile has several parental controls featured directly on its app, which can be used for restricting a wide range of content. New customers can also get a $10 per month discount across all the carrier's plans for their first three months right now, making Twigby Mobile a cheap option to try out.

Best for flexibility:

Best for flexibility: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-6361382-13252628?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans" data-link-merchant="tello.com"">Tello Smart plan | 5GB | $14pm | T-Mobile network
Tello offers completely customizable plans as well as set options which are perfect if you want to keep your kid's data usage low. The pricing is fairly competitive due to recent adjustments and keeps up with the latest offers from Mint and Twigby while retaining all that bonus flexibility you get through going with a prepaid option. Tello runs off of the Sprint / T-Mobile network and is compatible with GSM devices.

Who these cell phone plans are great for

  • Parents who want to limited their child's data usage
  • Parents on a budget
  • Kids who will be using Wi-Fi primarily

Downsides of these cell phone plans

  • Fairly small data-allowances
  • Not many options for parental control (aside from Verizon)

^ Back to top


Best cell phone plan: FAQ

Google Pixel 7 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S23 on purple background

(Image credit: Future)

How to choose the best cell phone plan for you

Check coverage

Before you start choosing a provider, we always recommend checking you can get a specific plan or network in your area. Most of the big carriers have coverage checkers on their websites, where you can enter your zip code or pinpoint your location to see what kind of coverage and speeds are available. Here are some quick links to the coverage maps.

All the providers mentioned in this article will either be directly using, or sharing coverage with, the above networks so definitely check your area before you set your heart on one particular plan. You might like the pricing of a pre-paid plan such as Mint Mobile for example, but then find that T-Mobile coverage in your local area is poor, in which case you may be better served with Twigby or Tello.

Check your bill usage

You'll want to have a general idea of how much data and how many texts and minutes you use per month before you start deep diving into plan comparisons. You might actually be surprised at your levels of usage - especially so if you find yourself predominantly using your phone over WiFi instead of cellular. Subsequently, reducing your data allowance can actually be a great way to shave off those monthly costs.

When it comes to data allowance, everyone's different, but generally there are some rules of thumb that can be applied to the common usages over cellular:

  • Emailing and messaging - under 5GB of data a month
  • Social media and web browsing - 5GB a month
  • Streaming music - 10GB a month
  • Streaming HD video - 10GB+ a month

If you're unsure about how much data you use, iOS and Android devices have features that can track your cellular usage in their settings. Most big carriers will also have usage reports that you should be able to access via your account.

What perks do you want?

Lastly, we'd recommend deciding what kind of perks and bonuses are important to you when picking a cell phone plan. Most of the big carriers offer things like free subscriptions to streaming services, international roaming, or varying amounts of mobile hotspot data.

For some, missing out on these won't be a big deal and therefore they'll most likely want to opt for a prepaid plan. For others, these will be a deal-breaker, and they'll actually get the most value out of a plan with one of the big carriers, even though there's a higher associated monthly cost.

How to save money on your cell phone plan

Review your plan and usage often

The easiest way to save cash on your cell phone plan bill is to not pay more than you need to - duh! To really nail down your monthly usage requirements we heartily recommend checking in every now and again to see what you're really using. You may be surprised to find how much WiFi data you're using as opposed to cellular, especially if you're working from home. Subsequently, it might be time to ditch that pricey unlimited cell phone plan for a cheaper prepaid option. 

Conversely, if you're always hitting that data cap on your cheap cell phone plan (and perhaps even incurring charges), then you might benefit from spending a little bit extra each month to get better service and perks like streaming service subscriptions.

Make use of switching offers

A lot of carriers, especially the bigger ones, will offer juicy discounts for new customers who are willing to switch cell phone plans and port their number over to its network. Things like introductory discounts on plans, discounts on handsets, and even free phones are sometimes up for grabs with these switching promotions, so they're definitely worth keeping an eye out for when shopping around for new cell phone plans.

You will, however, want to be aware of early termination fees (ETF) - which some carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), like to keep hidden in the fine print of service contracts. Normally there's no fee for switching your cell phone plan per se, but it's common for customers to pay off their handset upfront if they happen to have it financed via the carrier. Devices are commonly locked to services until they're paid off, so you'll definitely want to consult your contract before you make the jump, just to make sure you don't get stung.

The good news is some carriers (but not all) may actually be willing to pay some cash towards your ETF bill if you're switching over to them. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer switching promotions of up to $650, although details on eligibility and the exact nature of your discount/payment can differ by carrier. 

Make use of discounts

If you're a serving member of the military, a college student, senior, or even a key worker you may be able to get yourself a discount on your monthly cell phone plans. Verizon currently offers discounts for military staff, teachers, and medical works, among others. If you're a  student, Verizon also offers a special $10 monthly discount on unlimited data plans that can really add up. AT&T, another huge provider, currently offers discounts for military staff and first responders. While some of these discounts can be fairly minor in terms of overall savings, when it comes to expensive cell phone plans any little discount helps in our eyes. 

Other useful pages

We're ever-expanding our cell phone plans content here at TechRadar, so you'll find plenty more articles covering more topics in-depth if you're looking for something specific. We'd particularly recommend our pages covering the best Verizon plans, AT&T plans, and Mint Mobile plans if you're looking to do more research on some of our favorite carriers.

Alex Whitelock
Deals Editor

Alex is deals editor at TechRadar. With over three years of experience on-site and eight years working in e-commerce, Alex has made it his personal mission to share all his favorite tips, bargains, and deals with our readers here at TechRadar. At work, he specializes in computing, phones, and covering huge sales events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Outside of work, you'll find him indulging his keen love of photography and PC gaming, or down at the local climbing gym hanging off boulders far too difficult for his abilities. His editorial bylines also include contributions to T3 and GamesRadar.