US Mobile: Plans, Coverage & Deals

By Stetson Doggett · Updated October 2026 · Prices checked October 3, 2026

Compare all US Mobile plans · Coverage by network · My full US Mobile review

My take on US Mobile

US Mobile is my own carrier: my personal phone has been on US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan on Warp (its Verizon network) for the past three to four years. Most prepaid carriers lock you into one network. With US Mobile, each line picks Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T, and you can switch later if your coverage turns out to be bad. That flexibility is the main reason I recommend it.

The tradeoff is priority. On the Starter plans, your data goes behind regular postpaid customers when a tower gets busy. Most people only notice that at concerts, stadiums, or packed downtown areas. If it matters to you, look at Premium. And if you'd rather talk to someone in a store, look elsewhere, because US Mobile is online-only.

Which US Mobile plan should I get?

• Most people: Unlimited Starter on Dark Star: my Best Overall Plan 2026. $25/mo for unlimited high-speed data, a 20GB hotspot and video up to 4K on AT&T, plus free international texting to 200+ countries. The annual version is $22.50/mo. You can add T-Mobile or Verizon as a second network for $10/mo more. Check the Deals section for any current first-year promo.
• You need Verizon: Unlimited Starter on Warp. It's the plan I use myself. Same $25/mo, but it slows to 1 Mbps after 70GB, with a 10GB hotspot and 720p video.
• You want T-Mobile 5G: Unlimited Starter on Light Speed. $25/mo for 70GB of fast data, a 10GB hotspot and 4K video.
• Travelers: Unlimited Premium on Light Speed: my Best Plan for International Travel 2026. $44/mo for unlimited high-speed data, a 50GB hotspot, 4K video, and free international calling and texting to 200+ countries. When you're abroad, you get 200 minutes, 250 texts and 20GB of data in Canada, Mexico and 180+ countries. There's sometimes an annual promo, so check Deals.
• Heavy users who want priority data: Unlimited Premium on Dark Star or Warp. $44/mo with priority data. Dark Star has a 200GB hotspot. Warp is the Verizon option.
• Kids, light users, or a backup line: 2GB: my Best Plan for Kids 2026. $10/mo with taxes and fees included, on any of the three networks. You can turn data off for talk and text only, and it includes free international calling and texting to 200+ countries. Data stops at 2GB instead of slowing down.

Not sure about US Mobile? The closest alternatives are Visible (Verizon, from $25/mo; Visible+ adds priority data), Mint Mobile (T-Mobile, cheapest if you prepay for a year), and Cricket (AT&T, with stores and taxes included).

What network does US Mobile use?

All three. US Mobile runs on Verizon (it calls this network Warp), T-Mobile (Light Speed), and AT&T (Dark Star). You choose a network for each line when you sign up, and you can switch later in the app if your coverage isn't good. I'm on Warp myself. The point is that you're not stuck if you picked wrong.

Who owns US Mobile?

US Mobile is independent and privately held. It was founded in 2015 and is run by its CEO, Ahmed Khattak. It isn't owned by Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T. It leases network access from all three, which makes it an MVNO (here's what that means).

Is US Mobile the same as US Cellular?

No, they're unrelated companies with similar names. US Cellular was a regional carrier whose wireless business T-Mobile bought in 2025. US Mobile is a separate prepaid carrier that runs on Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. If you're looking for US Cellular, here's that page.

Is US Mobile good? What's the catch?

For most people, yes. I've used US Mobile as my personal carrier for years. Its Unlimited Starter Dark Star plan is my Best Overall Plan for 2026. You get your choice of all three major networks, taxes are included in the price, and you can switch networks without changing carriers. There are two catches. First, the Starter plans are deprioritized, so your data can slow down on busy towers. Second, there are no stores, so support is by live chat, email, or phone. If either of those is a dealbreaker, look at US Mobile Unlimited Premium or a carrier with stores, like Cricket.

Which US Mobile plan should I get?

For most people, I'd get Unlimited Starter on Dark Star, my Best Overall Plan 2026. It's $25/mo with unlimited high-speed data and a 20GB hotspot. If you need Verizon, get Starter on Warp (that's what I use). If you travel internationally, Unlimited Premium on Light Speed ($44/mo) is my Best Plan for International Travel 2026. For kids or light users, the 2GB plan at $10/mo is my Best Plan for Kids 2026. There's a longer breakdown at the top of this page.

Does US Mobile slow down your data?

It depends on the plan. Starter plans are deprioritized, which means your data waits behind higher-priority customers when a tower is congested. Premium on Dark Star and Warp gets priority data. Separately, Unlimited Starter on Warp and Light Speed slows to 1 Mbps after 70GB, and Unlimited Flex slows to 1 Mbps after 10GB. Starter on Dark Star has no high-speed cap. I explain priority in more detail in my data priority guide.

Is US Mobile's coverage good?

Coverage is the same as the network you pick, because you're on the actual Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T towers. According to CoverageMap's data, all three networks reach about 99% of the US population. Land area is where they differ: Dark Star (AT&T) covers about 77% of US land area, Warp (Verizon) about 73%, and Light Speed (T-Mobile) about 63%. For 5G, Light Speed covers about 53% of land area, Dark Star 45%, and Warp 23%. What really matters is coverage where you live and work, so check your address on CoverageMap's US Mobile coverage map before you pick a network. Full disclosure: I co-founded CoverageMap, so I'm biased. But it's free, and it's the tool I use myself.

Will my phone work with US Mobile? Does it support eSIM?

Most unlocked phones work, and eSIM is supported on all three networks, so you can usually activate in minutes without waiting for a SIM card. Check your phone on US Mobile's site before you buy. Phones bought from US Mobile unlock after 60 days. There's a step-by-step walkthrough in my US Mobile activation guide.

Can I use US Mobile internationally?

Yes, and it's one of US Mobile's strengths. Unlimited Premium on Light Speed is my Best Plan for International Travel 2026. It includes free international calling and texting to 200+ countries from the US, plus 200 minutes, 250 texts and 20GB of data while you're in Canada, Mexico and 180+ countries. Premium on Dark Star and Warp also includes 20GB of roaming data, in about 80 and 125 countries. Even the Starter Dark Star and 2GB plans include free international texting to 200+ countries. Here's how roaming breaks down:

Can I keep my number when I switch to US Mobile?

Yes. You can port your number from any carrier during signup. You'll need your account number and transfer PIN from your old carrier. Some promos require bringing your number, so check the Deals section on this page for what's running now.

Does US Mobile work with Apple Watch?

Yes. The Apple Watch companion plan is $9.50/mo, or $6.50/mo on the annual plan, and it works on Warp (Verizon) only. It shares your phone's number, so calls and texts come through on the watch.

How do I contact US Mobile?

US Mobile is online-only, with no retail stores. Support is through live chat in the US Mobile app and on its website, by email, and by phone.

Related guides

• My full US Mobile review
• How to activate US Mobile
• Data priority explained: why your data slows down
• What is an MVNO?
• Best cell phone plans
• Best cheap cell phone plans
• Best plans for one line
• Alternatives: Visible · Mint Mobile · Cricket Wireless