Summary:
- The most cost cost-effective option if you have 1 to 3 lines is to purchase an unlocked phone and use it with a prepaid carrier such as US Mobile, Mint Mobile, or Visible
- The most cost-effective strategy for a family with 4+ lines is typically to do phone trade-in deals with the big carriers
- All carriers in the U.S. use either AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, or Verizon for coverage. See what network is best in your area using resources such as CoverageMap.com
You’re looking for a new cell phone plan.
You feel like you’re paying too much.
You’re tired of dropped calls and slow data speeds. Or maybe you want to switch carriers to get a free new phone.
This article is for you.
These are the best cell phone plans of 2025:
- Best overall plan: US Mobile Unlimited Starter
- Best budget unlimited plan: Visible Base
- Best cheap plan: US Mobile 2GB
- Best custom plan: MobileX
- Best annual plan: US Mobile Unlimited Flex
- Best unlimited plan: Visible+
- Best shared data plan: US Mobile 10GB
- Best plan with a free phone: Boost Mobile Infinite Access for iPhone
- Best plan from a major carrier: AT&T Unlimited Starter SL
- Best plan for international travel: Google Fi Unlimited Plus
Why trust me?
Before we dive in, why should you trust some random guy on the internet?
Answer: you shouldn’t.
As with everything on the internet, you want to do your own thorough research.
That said, I have been reviewing cell phone plans for over a decade. My YouTube channel has grown to over 125K subscribers, 552 videos, and over 33 million views.
My goal is help 1 million people save $10 per month or more on their cell phone bill.
I hope this article helps you do exactly that.
Best Cell Phone Plans of 2025
Let's dive in to the best cell phone plans of 2025.
Most of these plans come from prepaid carriers. I’ve tested all of these plans personally, and I believe they offer an excellent value for your money.
I also include a couple of plans from big carriers.
These will be great if you have multiple lines, or if you’re looking to get a free phone without spending a lot of money up front.
Here are the 11 best cell phone plans for 2025 that will save you hundreds of dollars per year on your cell phone bill:
- Best overall plan: US Mobile Unlimited Starter
- Best budget unlimited plan: Visible Base
- Best cheap plan: US Mobile 2GB
- Best custom plan: MobileX
- Best annual plan: US Mobile Unlimited Flex
- Best unlimited plan: Visible+
- Best shared data plan: US Mobile 10GB
- Best plan with a free phone: Boost Mobile Infinite Access for iPhone
- Best plan from a major carrier: AT&T Unlimited Starter SL
- Best plan for international travel: Google Fi Unlimited Plus
1. Best Plan Overall: US Mobile Unlimited Starter
When my friends ask me, "What cell phone plan do you recommend?" my number one answer is US Mobile Unlimited Starter.
It's the perfect balance of price and features.
For $25, you get 35GB of high-speed data, 10GB of hotspot, and free international texts to over 200 destinations.
Coverage is excellent, too. US Mobile piggybacks off of AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon for coverage. You choose which network you want when you activate your plan.
My favorite feature is that US Mobile comes with priority data on the Verizon network.
Priority data ensures you get the best network performance available. You'll have the same network experience as a Verizon customer paying $80 per month for Unlimited Plus.
I have also found US Mobile's customer service reps to be friendly, helpful, and quick to respond, and having good customer service is a big reason I recommend US Mobile to my friends and family.
I use US Mobile Unlimited Starter for my personal phone number and confidently recommending it.
US Mobile Unlimited Starter Pros:
- Includes priority data on Verizon (add-on available for priority data on AT&T).
- 10GB hotspot data
- $3/mo add-on for international calls to 200+ destinations
- Switch networks at any time with the Network Transfer Tool (first transfer is free, then $3 per transfer)
US Mobile Unlimited Starter Cons:
- Data slows to 1 Mbps when high-speed allotment is exceeded
- International features vary by network. AT&T network includes 1GB, 150 minutes, and 150 texts in 36 countries. T-Mobile network includes 1GB, 150 minutes, and 150 texts in 183 countries. And the Verizon network includes 1GB, 150 minutes, 150 texts only in Canada and Mexico
- RCS doesn't work on AT&T or T-Mobile just yet (but it does work on Verizon)
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2. Best Budget Unlimited Plan: Visible Base
Visible Base is the best budget unlimited plan of 2025.
It gives you everything you need at an unbeatable price.
You get truly unlimited high-speed data, unlimited hotspot data at 5 Mbps, and robust coverage on the Verizon network. And it costs just $25 per month all-in.
You can even get Visible Base for as low as $23 per month with the annual option.
Visible Base Pros:
- Unlimited high-speed data
- Unlimited hotspot data
- Unbeatable price
Visible Base Cons:
- Data is deprioritized, so you may temporarily notice slower speeds when the network is congested
- Visible has room to improve on customer service
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3. Best Cheap Plan: US Mobile 2GB
US Mobile’s 2GB plan is the best cheap cell phone plan available.
It’s perfect for lighter data users, as well as kids getting their first phone.
You get unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and 2GB of high-speed data for just $10 per month.
You can choose to use this plan on either AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon for coverage. It supports the mobile hotspot, and you can buy extra data at any time for $2 per GB. Plus, you get free international calls and texts to over 200 destinations.
US Mobile also has a well-designed mobile app and website for tracking your usage.
For $10, this plan is unbeatable.
US Mobile 2GB Pros:
- Excellent price at $10 (taxes and fees included)
- Your choice of AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon coverage
US Mobile 2GB Cons:
- Data stops if you reach your limit, which may prevent features such as visual voicemail and group and picture messaging from working
- RCS doesn't work on AT&T or T-Mobile just yet (but it does work on Verizon)
4. Best Custom Plan: MobileX
MobileX is the perfect option if you want to build your own, custom cell phone plan.
First, you choose your minutes and texts package:
- No minutes or texts for $0
- 50 minutes and 50 texts $1.50
- 150 minutes and 150 texts for $2.50
- Unlimited minutes and texts for $4.50
Then, you add however much data you want for just $2.10 per GB.
MobileX is also running a promotion where they will double your data for free. If you pay for 3GB, you will get 3GB of bonus data for a total of 6GB.
One of the best parts of MobileX they give you account credit for any of your unused data at the end of each billing cycle.
So if you pay for 3GB and only use 2GB, you will get credit back for the 1GB of data you did not use ($2.10 in credit). You won't get any credit back for any of your unused bonus data because that is data you didn't pay for.
MobileX only charges two other fees: a flat $1.98 service fee and state and local taxes.
An example plan of 150 minutes, 150 texts, and 4GB of data (2GB plus a 2GB bonus) comes out to just $12.88 per month before taxes.
If you're not sure what you need, MobileX can help.
MobileX offers all customers the option to try their AI forecaster, which provides 10 free days of service. The AI monitors your usage for 10 days and then recommends a plan based on your usage patterns.
No other carrier offers this level of flexibility and control over your cell phone plan as MobileX.
MobileX Pros:
- Customize a plan to meet your needs, never overpay for data you don’t use
- AI forecaster gives you 10 days of service for free
- Priority data on the Verizon network
MobileX Cons:
- Can be more expensive if you use lots of data
- May require more careful monitoring of your talk, text, and data use
5. Best Annual Plan: US Mobile Unlimited Flex
If you're willing to pay for a year's worth of service upfront in exchange for extra savings, US Mobile Unlimited Flex is the best option available.
It costs $210 upfront after tax, which breaks down to $17.50 per month.
This plan comes with an impressive 10GB of high-speed data per month. That’s double the data you get from plans on Tello, T-Mobile Connect, Mint Mobile, Boost Mobile, and Red Pocket at similar price points.
And after 10GB, US Mobile gives you unlimited data at 1 Mbps.
That is better than competing plans, which slow your speeds to 256 Kbps or shut off your data completely.
Extra features include 5GB of hotspot data and free international calls and texts to over 200 destinations.
US Mobile Unlimited Flex Pros:
- 10GB for $17.50 is unbeatable
- Unlimited data at 1Mbps after your high-speed allotment is reached
- Your choice of coverage on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon
US Mobile Unlimited Cons:
- Requires $210 upfront payment
- You forfeit any remaining months of service if you leave before the 12 months are up
6. Best Premium Unlimited Plan: Visible+
Visible+ is hands down the best premium unlimited plan of 2025.
You get unlimited data on the Verizon network for just $45 per month.
Importantly, the data is priority data. This gives you the best network experience available. You get 50GB of priority data on LTE and 5G Nationwide. You get unlimited priority data on 5G Ultra Wideband.
You also get unlimited hotspot data with speeds up to 10Mbps. That is fast enough to stream videos at 1080p quality and should be excellent for getting work done on your laptop.
To make the plan even more premium, Visible+ comes packed with extra features.
It includes a free smartwatch line. Free international texting. 500 minutes of free international calling to 30+ destinations. And one free international roaming pass each month, which accumulate and give you up to 12 days.
The Visible+ annual option can help you save even more money. It drops the price to $33 per month and includes all the same features. The annual option is $395 upfront.
If you're looking for a premium cell phone plan with priority data, hotspot, a free smartwatch line, and great international features, look no further than Visible+.
Visible+ is one of the best deals in the wireless industry right now.
Visible+ Pros:
- Priority data
- Unlimited hotspot data at 10Mbps
- Free smartwatch line included
Visible+ Cons:
- Customer support has room to improve
- Poor device trade-in deals
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7. Best Shared Data Plan: US Mobile 10GB
Shared data plans are awesome for 1-5 lines of lighter users.
US Mobile’s 10GB plan is no exception.
It starts at $20 per month for a single line. You can add as many lines as you want to the shared pool of data for just $8 per line. A couple with two lines would end up paying just $28 per month.
Each line is able to choose whether it activates on the AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon network for coverage.
You can also add more data any time you want for just $2 per GB.
If it turns out you have a bigger family and want more data, you may consider upgrading to the 30GB shared data plan, which is $50 for your first line and then $8 for each additional line.
A family of four on the 30GB shared data plan would pay just $74 total, or $18.50 per line.
There is no shared data plan that is a better price or more flexible than US Mobile’s.
US Mobile 12GB Pros:
- Each line chooses either T-Mobile or Verizon coverage
- Add more data for $2 per GB
- Supports adding tablet lines at $8 per line
US Mobile 12GB Cons:
- Data shuts off when limit is reached
8. Best Plan with a Free Phone: Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile's Infinite Access for iPhone plan is the best option if you want a plan with a free phone.
It includes a free iPhone 16 today with no trade-in. Then, every year after this you can trade in your iPhone for a free new one.
The plan itself costs $65 per month.
It comes with unlimited minutes and texts, 30GB of high-speed data before unlimited data at 512 Kbps, free stateside international calls and texting, and 5GB of data roaming in Canada and Mexico.
Boost Infinite also offers this same plan with a free phone for Samsung Galaxy users with the Infinite Access for Galaxy plan.
It’s important to know how the trade-in mechanics work for Boost Infinite’s plan.
When you get your free iPhone 16 today, you are not getting the free iPhone upfront.
Instead, you are financing the phone over three years. Boost Infinite then applies device credit to your account over those three years.
If you want to upgrade your device before your three years are up, you simply trade it in to Boost Infinite. That erases any future payments owed on the device. Then you start a new three year financing agreement with the new device you purchase.
If you keep the same phone for three years, then the device is yours to keep. It is also eligible to be unlocked.
Also worth noting is that all devices purchased from Boost Infinite are locked to the Boost Infinite network.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money up front and you still want the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy phone, Boost Infinite’s plans may be a good option for you.
Infinite Access for iPhone Pros:
- Get a free iPhone 16 today with no trade-in
- Then get a free iPhone every year after with trade-in
- Coverage on either AT&T, T-Mobile, or Boost Wireless (Dish 5G)
Infinite Access for iPhone Cons:
- Enabling hotspot is a $10 add-on
- You won’t know what network you get for coverage until you sign up
9. Best Plan from a Major Carrier: AT&T Unlimited Starter SL
AT&T Unlimited Starter SL is the best cell phone plan if you want a plan from a major carrier.
Before we dive in, I want to emphasize that there are only two reasons you should consider a plan from a major carrier:
- You have three or more lines and you’re okay doing the phone trade-in deals. In this scenario your net cost of your phones and service generally end up being cheaper than prepaid plans.
- You want to be able to go to a physical store for help and support.
That’s it.
If you have fewer than three lines, you can save money with a prepaid cell phone carrier.
If you do not want to do device trade-in deals, which typically require 3-year commitments, and you prefer to buy your devices unlocked, then you can save money with a prepaid carrier regardless of how many lines you have.
And if you’re okay with online chat support and phone support, then prepaid carriers will give you the same coverage and save you money.
That said, if you are interested in a cell phone plan from a major carrier, then AT&T Unlimited Starter SL is 100% the plan you should consider.
It’s at $66 per month for a single line and $144 per month for four lines, and it comes with the core features you need.
You get unlimited high-speed data, 5GB of hotspot data, free international texting, and free unlimited high-speed data roaming in Canada and Mexico.
The #1 reason why I selected AT&T Unlimited Starter SL as the top pick here is that even though it is AT&T’s most affordable plan, it is still eligible for the best trade-in deals.
That means up to $1,000 off an iPhone 16 Pro Max.
When you combine the cost of getting a phone plus getting service, AT&T Unlimited Starter SL rises to the top as the most affordable option available from a major carrier:
That’s why I think it’s the best option.
Plus you get great coverage on the AT&T network.
AT&T Unlimited Starter SL Pros:
- Excellent coverage on AT&T
- Eligible for AT&T’s best device trade-in deals
AT&T Unlimited Starter SL Cons:
- Phones are locked to AT&T for 3 years
- AT&T’s app and website can be slow and janky to use (thankfully you shouldn’t need to use it much though)
10. Best Plan for International Data Roaming: Google Fi Unlimited Plus
If you’re an international globetrotter, Google Fi Unlimited Plus is easily the best plan for you.
Google Fi Unlimited Plus comes with a lot of nice features.
It comes with 50GB of high-speed data. The data is priority data, which gives you the best network experience available on T-Mobile. You can use up to all 50GB of data as hotspot data. As a bonus, Google Fi even lets you add a free SIM card to your plan to share the data with a tablet.
And most importantly for international travelers, you can use all 50GB in whatever country you visit, automatically.
Yep, that’s right.
The magic of Google Fi is your phone just works wherever you go. Texting and cellular data automatically work for free when you touchdown in a new country. The only thing you pay for when you travel abroad is making international calls, which are $0.20 per minute.
That is better than T-Mobile’s Go5G plans, which charge $0.25 per minute for international calls.
Google Fi also includes one free smartwatch line per account.
For the price of $65 per month, Google Fi is a bit expensive if you just intend to use it here in the United States. You can get a better unlimited plan with Visible+, which costs $45, or save even more money with Metro by T-Mobile’s $25 unlimited plan.
BUT, if you travel internationally more frequently and want the convenience of a plan that just works, Google Fi Unlimited Plus is unmatched.
Google Fi Unlimited Plus Pros:
- Free texting and data roaming that automatically just works when you travel abroad
- Priority data on the T-Mobile network here in the United States
- Add a free tablet line and smartwatch line to your account
Google Fi Unlimited Plus Cons:
- Expensive for a U.S. plan
- You can get international data on any plan by purchasing low-cost international eSIM data plans, which will likely be more affordable than Google Fi (but will lack texting and calling capabilities)
- Taxes and fees can be quite high in some areas
Bonus Resource
One more thing!
In addition to recommending cell phone plans, I ALSO give out a free spreadsheet. This free spreadsheet helps you compare 447 plans from 55 cell phone carriers.
Get the free spreadsheet here.
Watch this video tutorial below how to use the spreadsheet:
If you are a more visual person, you can also compare all cell phone plans on my website.
The website has all the same information as the spreadsheet. It’s just displayed in a more visually appealing manner. I think it has a better interface than the spreadsheet. (I also designed it so I am 100% biased here 😄).
I'm Stetson, and I hope you found this article helpful!
If you did, please do me a favor and share it with one friend because it helps support my work.