Article
Best Mobile Plans in 2026
Compare the best cell phone plans with unlimited data, affordable pricing, and nationwide coverage. Find the perfect mobile plan for your needs and budget.
Choosing the right mobile plan can save you hundreds of dollars per year while ensuring you have the coverage and data you need. Whether you’re looking for unlimited data, the cheapest prepaid option, or the most reliable network, there’s a plan that fits your needs.
Our team analyzed dozens of mobile carriers, testing network performance, comparing pricing, and evaluating real-world usage. Here are the best mobile plans for every need and budget in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Carrier | Best For | Starting Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Verizon | Best Coverage | $25/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 2. T-Mobile | Best for Features | $25/month | ★4.7/5 |
| 3. AT&T | Best Network Performance | $35.99/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 4. Mint Mobile | Best Value | $15/month | ★4.7/5 |
| 5. Visible | Best Unlimited Budget Plan | $25/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 6. Cricket Wireless | Best Family Plan Value | $25/month | ★4.5/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Verizon
Verizon delivers the most reliable network coverage in the US, especially in rural areas. Their Unlimited Welcome plan starts at $25/line with 4 lines, while Unlimited Ultimate at $45/line includes premium features and a 3-year price lock.
Pros
- ✓Best overall network reliability
- ✓Strongest coverage in rural areas
- ✓5G Ultra Wideband in urban areas
- ✓3-year price lock guarantee
- ✓200GB mobile hotspot on Ultimate plan
Cons
- ✗Most expensive carrier
- ✗Entry-level plan may slow during congestion
- ✗$40 activation fee per line
T-Mobile
T-Mobile's Experience More and Beyond plans offer incredible value with unlimited premium data, streaming subscriptions, and the best international benefits. Their 5-year price guarantee protects against increases.
Pros
- ✓5-year price lock guarantee
- ✓Unlimited premium data (no throttling)
- ✓Netflix and Apple TV+ included
- ✓Best international roaming (215+ countries)
- ✓Fastest 5G speeds nationwide
Cons
- ✗Coverage gaps in rural areas
- ✗Data speeds can slow after 50GB on Essentials
- ✗Higher pricing for single lines
AT&T
AT&T offers the best tested network performance in 2026 according to RootMetrics. Their Unlimited Premium PL at $50.99/line (4 lines) includes unlimited premium data that never slows down and 60GB hotspot.
Pros
- ✓Best overall network performance (RootMetrics)
- ✓Large multi-line discounts
- ✓ActiveArmor security included
- ✓4K UHD streaming on Premium plan
- ✓Strong coverage nationwide
Cons
- ✗Expensive for single lines
- ✗Entry plan may throttle after heavy use
- ✗Fewer international perks than T-Mobile
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile offers unbeatable value with plans starting at $15/month for 5GB. Now owned by T-Mobile, they've removed the 45GB throttle cap on unlimited plans. You must prepay for 3, 6, or 12 months to get the best rates.
Pros
- ✓Incredibly affordable pricing
- ✓Runs on T-Mobile's 5G network
- ✓Unlimited plan now truly unlimited (no 45GB cap)
- ✓3-month plans start at $15/month
- ✓Free WiFi calling and hotspot
Cons
- ✗Must prepay for 3-12 months upfront
- ✗Renewal pricing higher than intro rate
- ✗Deprioritized during network congestion
Visible
Visible, owned by Verizon, offers unlimited data on Verizon's network for just $25/month with no hidden fees. Their Visible+ Pro plan at $45/month adds premium data, 4K streaming, and international calling to 85 countries.
Pros
- ✓Simple $25/month unlimited (taxes included)
- ✓Runs on Verizon's network
- ✓No contracts or family plan required
- ✓Unlimited hotspot (5 Mbps on base plan)
- ✓Current promo: $6-12/month off for 26 months
Cons
- ✗Video limited to SD quality on base plan
- ✗Deprioritized data during congestion
- ✗Customer service is chat/email only
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless delivers the best family plan value with 4 unlimited lines for just $100/month total on AT&T's network. Their Supreme Unlimited plan at $55/month includes 50GB hotspot, 150GB cloud storage, and HBO Max.
Pros
- ✓4 unlimited lines for $100 total
- ✓Runs on AT&T's reliable network
- ✓No annual contracts (prepaid)
- ✓Supreme plan includes HBO Max
- ✓Taxes and fees included in price
Cons
- ✗Speeds capped at 8 Mbps on some plans
- ✗Data slows to 128 Kbps after limit on tiered plans
- ✗Limited international roaming
How We Evaluate Mobile Plans
Our mobile plan evaluation process is comprehensive and data-driven:
Network Coverage Testing
We analyze real-world coverage data:
- Coverage maps: Comparing carrier coverage in urban, suburban, and rural areas
- Independent testing: RootMetrics and Opensignal testing results
- Speed tests: Download and upload speeds across different networks
- Reliability: Call quality and data consistency
Pricing Analysis
We calculate the true cost:
- Per-line pricing at different quantity levels (1, 2, 4 lines)
- Introductory vs. renewal pricing
- Required fees (activation, taxes, etc.)
- Value of included perks (streaming services, hotspot data)
Feature Comparison
We evaluate all plan features:
- Data limits and throttling policies
- Mobile hotspot allowances
- International calling and roaming
- Streaming quality and perks
- Family plan discounts
Flexibility Assessment
We consider contract terms:
- Prepaid vs. postpaid options
- Contract requirements and cancellation policies
- Price lock guarantees
- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) support
Understanding Mobile Plan Types
Major Carriers (MNOs)
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile own and operate their own networks. They offer:
- Most reliable coverage and fastest speeds
- Premium customer service
- Latest phones with payment plans
- Higher monthly costs
MVNOs (Budget Carriers)
Mint Mobile, Visible, and Cricket lease network access from major carriers. They offer:
- Same coverage as parent networks
- Significantly lower prices
- Fewer perks and customer service options
- Possible data deprioritization during congestion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest unlimited data plan?
Visible offers unlimited data for $25/month on Verizon’s network with no hidden fees. Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan costs $30/month (or $15/month promotional), and Cricket’s Select Unlimited is $35/month. These budget carriers offer excellent value but may be deprioritized during network congestion.
Which carrier has the best coverage?
Verizon has the best overall coverage, especially in rural areas, winning 874 RootMetrics awards in 2024. AT&T ranks second for coverage reliability. T-Mobile has improved significantly but still has coverage gaps in rural regions.
What does unlimited data really mean?
“Unlimited” typically means no hard data caps, but carriers may slow speeds (deprioritize) after certain thresholds during network congestion. Premium plans from major carriers offer truly unlimited premium data that maintains full speed. Budget carriers usually deprioritize all data during busy times.
Should I choose a prepaid or postpaid plan?
Prepaid plans (pay in advance) offer flexibility with no contracts and credit checks, but you must pay upfront. Postpaid plans (pay after use) offer premium features, phone financing, and better customer service, but require contracts and credit checks. Prepaid is great for budget-conscious users.
Can I keep my phone number when switching carriers?
Yes, all carriers support number porting. The process typically takes 1-3 business days. You’ll need your account number and PIN from your current carrier. Don’t cancel your old service until the port completes, or you may lose your number.
How much data do I really need?
Average users consume 5-10GB per month. Heavy streamers may use 20-50GB. If you primarily use WiFi at home and work, a 5-10GB plan may suffice. Unlimited plans make sense if you stream video, game, or hotspot frequently.
What is 5G and do I need it?
5G is the latest wireless technology offering faster speeds (up to 10x faster than 4G) and lower latency. Most phones now support 5G, and major carriers have extensive 5G coverage in cities. While 4G is still sufficient for most uses, 5G improves streaming, gaming, and video calls.
Do family plans really save money?
Yes, significantly. For example, Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome costs $65/month for one line but only $25/line with 4 lines—a $160/month savings. Cricket offers 4 unlimited lines for $100 total. Family plans offer the best value if you have 2+ lines.