11 Best Cell Phone Plans for 2024
Save money on your cell phone bill with these affordable yet feature-packed cell phone plans.
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Selected cell phone plans (scroll left and right):
In this article:
Here are the 11 best cell phone plans for 2024 that will save you hundreds of dollars per year on your cell phone bill:
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Methodology
To pick out the 11 best cell phone plans for 2024, I made a massive spreadsheet to compare 401 cell phone plans from 56 of the biggest cell phone carriers in the U.S.
If you’re interested, you can get the free spreadsheet here and compare the plans for yourself.
I even made a video tutorial on how to use the spreadsheet and apply custom filters to find the plan perfect for your needs:
I analyzed the cell phone plans using the spreadsheet and picked the ones that were the best value for consumers.
I also factored in my decade of experience testing out and reviewing different cell phone plans from the most popular carriers on my YouTube channel with over 100K subscribers.
Based on my hundreds of hours of research, these are the 11 best cell phone plans for 2024.
1. Best Overall Plan: Visible Base
Visible Base is the best overall cell phone plan for 2024 because it gives you everything you need at a great price.
It comes with unlimited high-speed data, unlimited hotspot data, and excellent coverage on the Verizon network.
And it costs just $25 per month with all taxes and fees included.
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 notice slower speeds when the network is busy
- You get what you pay for when it comes to customer support (there is room for Visible to improve customer support)
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2. Plan I Recommend To My Friends: US Mobile Unlimited Starter
When my friends ask me what cell phone plan I recommend for them, my number one answer is US Mobile Unlimited Starter.
You’ll notice Unlimited Starter is a bit more expensive than Visible Base.
So how come I recommend it?
US Mobile Unlimited Starter has five features that I think make it worth the extra cost:
- US Mobile Unlimited Starter comes with priority data on the Verizon network. Priority data means you will always get the fastest speeds available. You’ll get a better network experience on US Mobile than on Visible Base.
- US Mobile Unlimited Starter is available on either the Verizon or the T-Mobile network. You choose what network you want for coverage when you sign up.
- US Mobile Unlimited Starter comes with excellent international features. You get free international texting, free international calling to 200+ destinations, and low-cost options for adding cellular data when you travel abroad.
- US Mobile has a nice online dashboard for managing your account. My favorite feature is their data usage analytics tool. You can track how much cellular data you use each month, and based on your usage you could potentially even switch to a more affordable plan from US Mobile.
- I think most people on Reddit would agree that US Mobile generally has better customer service than Visible. The support agents tend to be a bit more knowledgeable and therefore more helpful.
Those five reasons are why I generally recommend US Mobile Unlimited Starter to my friends and family.
You can get this plan for $23 per month with US Mobile’s annual pricing.
If you want the best value and truly unlimited high-speed data, Visible Base is for you.
However, if you’re interested in a bit more premium of an experience with some extra features in exchange for a slightly higher price, US Mobile Unlimited Starter is worthy of your consideration.
US Mobile Unlimited Starter Pros:
- Priority data on Verizon for the best network experience available
- 10GB hotspot data
- Great international features
US Mobile Unlimited Starter Cons:
- Data slows to 1Mbps after high-speed allotment is reached
- No option to receive international calls or texts while abroad if you activate on the Verizon network (the option is available if you activate on the T-Mobile network)
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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 costs just $10 per month.
For the price, it includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 2GB of high-speed data, and supports the mobile hotspot feature.
You can choose to use this plan on either the T-Mobile or Verizon networks for coverage. Extra data is available any time you need it for $2 per GB. You also get free international texting and international calling with this plan.
You can easily monitor your talk, text, and data usage with US Mobile’s well designed mobile app and website.
For just $10, this is the best plan available.
It’s perfect for lighter data users, as well as kids getting their first phone.
US Mobile 2GB Pros:
- Excellent price at $10 per month (taxes and fees included)
- Great coverage with your choice of T-Mobile or Verizon coverage
US Mobile 2GB Cons:
- Data shuts off when your high-speed allotment is reached, which may impact features such as visual voicemail and group and picture messaging
- No device trade-in deals
4. Best Custom Plan: MobileX
MobileX lets you choose exactly how many minutes, texts, and megabytes of data you want in your cell phone plan each month.
First, you choose how many minutes and texts you want.
The options are:
- 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 can add the precise amount of data you want.
Data costs just $2.10 per GB on MobileX.
The only other fees MobileX charges are a flat $1.98 service fee and state and local taxes.
An example plan with 150 minutes, 150 texts, and 4GB of data comes out to just $12.88 per month before taxes.
Not bad!
If you’re unsure what your exact needs are, MobileX has you covered.
MobileX allows all customers the option to try their AI forecaster. The AI forecaster gives you 10 days of service for completely free. The AI monitors your usage over 10 days, and then based on your usage it recommends a cell phone plan built for your needs.
One of the best parts of MobileX is if you ever accidentally buy too much data, they will issue you account credit for any of your unused data at the end of your billing cycle.
How nice is that?
MobileX Pros:
- Customizable plans 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 a lot of data
- Requires entering custom APN settings on your device to get cellular data working
5. Best Annual Plan: US Mobile Unlimited Flex
If you’re open to paying annually for your cell phone plan, you won’t find a better option than US Mobile Unlimited Flex.
US Mobile Unlimited Flex costs $180 upfront, which breaks down to $15 per month.
It includes unlimited minutes, texts, and an impressive 10GB of high-speed data per month. That’s double the data you get on the $15 plans from Tello, T-Mobile Connect, Mint Mobile, Boost Mobile, or Red Pocket.
Additionally, US Mobile gives you unlimited data at 1 Mbps after you reach your high-speed allotment.
That is much better than the competing plans, which either slow your speeds to 256 Kbps or shut off your data entirely.
US Mobile also includes free stateside international calls and texts. Hotspot is available as a $30 per year add-on. You can choose to activate US Mobile Unlimited Flex on either the T-Mobile or the Verizon network.
If you’re okay with paying annually for a cell phone plan in exchange for extra savings, you’re going to want to consider this plan.
US Mobile Unlimited Flex Pros:
- 10GB for $15 is unbeatable
- Unlimited data at 1Mbps after your high-speed allotment is reached
US Mobile Unlimited Cons:
- Extra $30 per year ($2.50 per month) to enable the hotspot feature
- Requires $180 upfront payment
6. Best Unlimited Plan: Visible+
The best unlimited data plan for 2024 is hands-down Visible+.
Visible+ gives you unlimited data on the Verizon network for just $45 per month.
The data is also priority data, which gives you the best network experience available. You get 50GB of priority data when you’re connected to LTE or 5G Nationwide and unlimited priority data anytime you’re connected to 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 via your hotspot connection.
Visible+ also includes a bunch of extra features.
It comes with a free smartwatch line included, international texting, 500 minutes of free international calling to 30+ destinations, and one free international day each month.
If you’d like to save even more money, you may consider the Visible+ annual, which drops the price from $45 to $33 per month for all the same features. It costs $395 upfront.
I think Visible+ is the best deal in the wireless industry right now.
If you’re interested, you can save $10 off your first 3 months of Visible+ with code MOOLAH when you sign up.
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 12GB
Shared data plans are awesome for 1-5 lines of lighter users.
US Mobile’s 12GB plan is no exception.
It starts at $25 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 $33 per month.
Each line is able to choose whether it activates on the T-Mobile or the 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
- No support for smartwatches
8. Best Family Plan: US Mobile Unlimited Premium
My pick for the best cell phone plans for families is US Mobile Unlimited Premium.
The reason I choose US Mobile Unlimited Premium is when you have 3 or more lines, the family discount knocks the price down to just $40 per line.
That is less than Visible+.
And US Mobile Unlimited Premium is packed with features.
It comes with 100GB of high-speed data, 50GB of hotspot data, and free international calls and texts.
You also get up to 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts, and 10GB of free international roaming data if you activate on T-Mobile.
If you activate on Verizon, you don’t get the international features, but you do get priority data for the best network experience available.
US Mobile Unlimited Premium also includes one free streaming perk of your choice when you have 3 or more lines. Popular options include Spotify Family, Apple Music Family, Disney+, Netflix Standard, Max, PlayStation Plus, or Xbox Gamepass.
If you’re looking to save even more money, you may want to consider US Mobile’s Unlimited Starter plan as well.
The price of Unlimited Starter drops to just $25 per line with 3+ lines, all taxes and fees included.
It is a great way for families to save big on their wireless bill.
US Mobile Unlimited Premium Pros:
- 100GB of high-speed data
- 50GB of hotspot data
- Excellent international features
US Mobile Unlimited Premium Cons:
- To be eligible for the discount, all lines need to be on Unlimited Premium and have auto-pay enabled (does not support mix-and-match with Unlimited Starter)
- No device trade-in deals or promotions
9. Best Plan with a Free Phone: Boost Infinite
Boost Infinite’s Infinite Access for iPhone plan is the best option if you want a plan with a free phone.
It includes a free iPhone 15 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 $60 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 15 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 15 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
10. 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 15 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)
11. 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