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TOP 2024 CELL PHONE PLANS

Discover budget-friendly unlimited talk, text, and data plans. Explore and
choose the perfect cell phone plan that suits your needs!

Last Updated: August 2024

Advertising Disclosure
Editor’s Choice - August 2024

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 * 3-Month Unlimited Premium Plans for $15/Month
 * No SIM card needed, thanks to Mint Mobile eSIM
 * Free calling to Canada and Mexico
 * Free mobile hotspot
 * Nationwide coverage, up to 99% of the US population
 * Recommended by NYT Wirecutter and JD Power

9.7
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Mint Mobile




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 * Buy 3 Months and Get 1 Month Free
 * Access to the nation's largest 5G network
 * Unlimited talk and text to 90+ countries
 * Free Wi-Fi calling and hotspot

9.2
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Ultra Mobile




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 * Unlimited Plans for $25/Month
 * Unlimited talk, text, data, and hotspot
 * Access to Verizon's 5G and 4G LTE networks

8.7
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Visible




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 * No-Contract, Prepaid Cell Service
 * 4G LTE and 5G coverage
 * Free international call to 60+ countries
 * Add additional lines at no setup cost

8.2
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Tello




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 * 4 Lines for $35/Month Per Line
 * 5G access and mobile hotspot
 * Free international calling: Mexico and Canada

7.8
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AT&T




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OUR TOP CHOICE

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 * 3-Month Unlimited Premium Plans for $15/Month
 * No SIM card needed, thanks to Mint Mobile eSIM
 * Free calling to Canada and Mexico
 * Free mobile hotspot
 * Nationwide coverage, up to 99% of the US population
 * Recommended by NYT Wirecutter and JD Power

9.7
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Mint Mobile




Read More Visit Site >

100,000+

people have viewed our rankings in the last 30 days




HOW WE RANK?

Learn more about how comparecellplans.com rankings are determined.

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RECOMMENDED READS

Unlimited Data Plans: What's The Deal?

Read More

Things to Know Before Choosing Your Plan

Read More

Comparing Prepaid & Contract Phone Plans

Read More

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

Mint Mobile Learn More

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Tello Learn More

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Boost Mobile Learn More

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WHY COMPARE WITH US?

Be Informed

We've spent 200+ hours researching and reviewing the best cell phone plans to
give you our best choices.

Choose Confidently

Review our list and choose the best cell phone plan that works best for your
intended lifestyle and needs.

Cell Phone Plans: All the Basics

Whether you just bought a new phone or are simply switching your cell phone
carrier, the next step is to find your best-fit cell phone plan. To get talking,
texting, and data streaming ASAP, start with our quick overview of cell phone
plans.

The Big Cell Phone Companies vs. MVNOs

You might have noticed something surprising about our list of cell phone
companies: some of those brands are household names, yet others you may have
never even heard of. What’s up with that? In the world of wireless connectivity,
the big names own their own networks while the little guys borrow the extra
space.

The biggest companies are called MNOs, or Mobile Network Operators. MNOs create
and maintain their own cellular networks. When you purchase a phone plan from an
MNO, you’re being given access to a phone plan that operates on the company’s
own telephone lines, 4G/5G networks, and other operating services.

On the flip side, there are smaller, lesser-known service providers called
MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators. MVNOs do not own their own
network—instead, they lease their network space from MNOs at a discounted rate
and then connect their customers to this leased network space.

As a customer, here’s what you really need to know about MNO and MVNOs:

MNOs

 * Pro: Your calls, texts, and data are prioritized along the network, meaning
   your speeds rarely slow down.
 * Con: You pay more for your phone plan, as you’re helping pay for the
   maintenance of the entire network.

MVNOs

 * Pro: You pay significantly less for your phone plan, as MVNOs do not have to
   maintain a network.
 * Con: You may experience slower data speeds at times from a practice called
   “throttling,” in which an MNO restricts the data use of MVNO customers along
   their network.

Prepaid vs. Postpaid (Bill Pay) Phone Plans

Network providers let you pay your phone bill in one of two ways: prepaid or
postpaid.

Prepaid: With a prepaid phone plan, you can skip a credit check and keep an eye
on your finances as you only pay for the phone services you use. At the start of
the month, you select plan details such as calling minutes, text messaging, and
data. If you exceed your purchased amount, you can simply buy more minutes/data.

The great thing about prepaid is that you won’t be charged more than what you
agreed up-front. Unfortunately, that means that any unused minutes or data will
feel like “wasted money.” Additionally, if you use your cell phone more than
most, you may pay more over the course of a month than a postpaid customer.

Postpaid: Sometimes called “Bill Pay,” postpaid phone plans allow you to use
your phone however you like and then pay the fixed monthly price each billing
cycle.

Postpaid phones are extremely convenient: you can use your phone when and how
you want and never worry about losing access to the network. Unfortunately, they
tend to be pricier, may require a contract, and might stick you with extra
charges for bonus services like international calling.

How Much Do Cell Phone Plans Cost?

The cost of your phone plan could vary quite a bit depending on the following
factors:

 * MNO vs. MVNO: Big-name MNO carriers tend to charge more for their services
   when compared to lesser-known MVNO companies.
 * Prepaid vs. Postpaid: Prepaid phones tend to be cheaper on a minute-to-minute
   basis, but may cost more than postpaid plans if overused.
 * Data Caps: Both prepaid and postpaid wireless plans reign in your data with
   caps. If unlimited data is important to you, you’ll have to pay more for it.
 * Number of Lines: If you pay for multiple lines at once—maybe you’re
   connecting your partner or your children—you might save more per line than
   singles.

We get it: you want a ballpark estimate. On the low end, you may pay as little
as $15/month for one line of limited data from an MVNO; on the higher end, you
may pay as much as $65 for one line of unlimited data.

Here’s How You Switch to a New Phone Provider

Ready to make the switch to a new phone provider? The process is super easy and
will look something like this:

 1. Confirm network compatibility: Double-check that your new or old phone is
    compatible with your potential new network by searching on your new wireless
    provider's website.
 2. Keep your old service: To port your old phone number and other important
    information to your new wireless plan, don’t cancel your old wireless plan
    just yet.
 3. Purchase your new plan: Select your favorite plan and confirm your purchase.
 4. Enter SIM card and activate: Your new provider will send either a physical
    SIM card in the mail or a digital eSIM card to your phone. Enter your SIM,
    activate your new carrier, and transfer your old network information.
 5. Breakup with your old carrier: Confirm the transfer with your old provider.
    Once you get the all-clear, it’s time to make that breakup official with the
    old provider and say “Hello” to your new provider.

For even more help, check out our step-by-step guide on how to swap your phone
carrier.

How to Choose the Best Phone Plan for You

The best phone plan is the one that best fulfills your needs. Are you a sports-
and TV-streaming diehard? An unlimited plan would be your best bet. Own a
business? You’ll want a carrier that offers multiple lines for you and your team
to work together. Chatting on a budget? A simple prepaid service might save you
the most money.

When thinking about your best-fit cell phone service, consider the following
plan details:

 * Pricing: How much does it cost for unlimited talk and text? What about data?
   Hotspot? International calls?
 * Wireless Coverage: Whether your contacts are across the country or across the
   world, you’ll want to make sure your provider covers everyone in your contact
   list.
 * Compatibility: Is your new network compatible with the phone of your dreams?
   What about your old phone that you intend to keep using?
 * Family Plans: Will your new provider offer a deal if you add three lines, or
   charge you extra per line?

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find the top-rated cell phone plans
right here on our comparison site.


HOW WE RANK?

Learn more about how comparecellplans.com rankings are determined.

Read More


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Who has the best cell phone plan?
Our best-pick cell phone plan is Mint Mobile. With unlimited talk, text, and 5GB
of data for $15/month, it’s hard to beat. Although Mint Mobile is our editorial
team’s favorite, your specific needs might better match up with a different
company. When it comes to quality coverage and fair pricing, you can’t go wrong
with the cell phone companies on our list.
What is the best cell phone plan for 4 lines?
Our editorial team also chose Mint Mobile as its top cell phone provider. Mint
Mobile’s Modern Family Plan is the most inclusive we’ve seen, meaning families
of two can snag the no-setup-cost family deals as families of five.
How much is a single cell phone plan?
On the lower end, some providers offer unlimited talk, unlimited text, and
limited data for $15/month.
What is the cheapest cell phone plan?
Our editorial team found that, for phone carriers who provide high-quality
wireless networks and data, Mint Mobile provided the cheapest cell phone plans.
What is data on a cell phone plan? How much do I need?
Cell phone data refers to the wireless internet connectivity your phone can tap
into from almost anywhere that has access to a mobile network. If you’re not
connected to Wi-Fi but still able to stream media or web search on your phone,
you’re using data. Data needs vary from customer to customer. For reference, 5GB
of monthly data will allow you to browse the internet and social media for 50
hours.
What is an eSIM card?
A traditional SIM card is a tiny chip a wireless carrier sends to their new
phone plan customers. Your SIM card fits directly into your phone and connects
your personal device to the broader network of your cell phone provider. An eSIM
is the digital version of a SIM card. eSIM cards allow customers to skip the
mailbox and sync to their new carrier immediately.
Which carrier has the best coverage?
For the price, Mint Mobile offers fantastic coverage. Mint Mobile connects its
customers to T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE Networks, which reach 99% of the United
States population.
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