9 Best Unlimited Data Plans of 2023 (Hand-Picked)
If you are in the market for a new cell phone plan, you may be wondering:
What is the best cell phone plan with unlimited data?
Here are the 9 best unlimited data plans of 2023:
- US Mobile Unlimited Starter - best unlimited plan overall
- Mint Mobile Unlimited - best multi-month unlimited plan
- Visible Base - best cheap unlimited plan
- Boost Infinite Access for iPhone - best unlimited plan with a free phone
- Visible+ - best premium unlimited plan
- AT&T Prepaid Unlimited MAX - best prepaid unlimited plan
- AT&T Unlimited Starter - best postpaid unlimited plan
- Verizon Unlimited Ultimate - best for hotspot data
- Google Fi Unlimited Plus - best for international travel
Mint Mobile (limited time): Get 3 months FREE when you buy any 3-month plan
Compare the Best Unlimited Data Plans of 2023
When you are looking at unlimited data plans, there are six key differences to consider:
- How much high-speed data is included
- How much hotspot data is included
- Video streaming quality
- International calling
- Canada and Mexico data roaming
- International data roaming
In this article, I will highlight these differences for the unlimited plans.
The most important features for a majority of people are the amount of included high-speed data, the amount of hotspot data, and the video streaming quality.
Unlimited data plans range from $25 per month to $90 per month in cost.
Some plans come from MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators. MVNOs do not own their own networks. Instead, they pay to use the networks from the big carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Popular MVNOs include US Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Visible.
MVNOs often provide more affordable plans than big carriers because they:
- Negotiate good rates for network access for talk, text, and data
- Don’t need to spend billions of dollars per year building their own networks
- Operate online, cutting retail expenses
- Pass savings on to customers
Surprisingly, some of the best unlimited data plans of 2023 come from MVNOs.
They can save you money while still offering the same coverage as the big carriers.
Why Should You Trust Me?
I've been reviewing cell phone plans for nearly a decade on my YouTube channel with over 100,000 subscribers.
To pick out the best unlimited data plans, I created a comprehensive spreadsheet to compare the different options:
I selected the best unlimited data plans for this article that deliver the best value to consumers and are plans I have personally tested.
Best Unlimited Data Plans of 2023
1. US Mobile Unlimited Starter - Best Unlimited Plan Overall
US Mobile’s Unlimited Starter plan is one of the best value cell phone plans right now.
It is just $25 per month.
It includes 30GB of high-speed data, 5GB of hotspot data, and up to 4K video streaming quality.
What happens after your 30GB of high-speed data?
You get unlimited data at 1 Mbps, which is plenty fast for most things you would use your phone for.
Additionally, US Mobile rides on either the T-Mobile or the Verizon networks for coverage. You pick which network you want when you sign up for service.
Activating on the T-Mobile network gives you free international calling to over 200 destinations.
If you choose to activate on Verizon, then you’ll get priority data, which means you will get the exact same network experience as Verizon customers paying over $80 per month on their cell phone plan.
US Mobile’s superb value, great mobile application, and good customer service make them easy to recommend.
US Mobile Unlimited Starter Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Choice of coverage on either T-Mobile or Verizon
US Mobile Unlimited Starter Cons:
- Data slows to 1Mbps after the 30GB high-speed allotment (but remains unlimited)
- No device financing deals
11 things to know about US Mobile before you sign up
2. Mint Mobile Unlimited - Best Multi-Month Unlimited Plan
Mint Mobile (limited time): Get 3 months FREE when you buy any 3-month plan
Only want to deal with a cell phone bill once per year?
If so, then Mint Mobile's unlimited plan may be a great option for you.
Mint Mobile is kind of like Costco. They sell their plans in bulk. Instead of signing up for one month at a time, you sign up for 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. The longer you sign up for, the better price you get on your cell phone bill.
The unlimited plan starts at $40 per month for three months.
However, you can get it for as low as $30 per month if you sign up for a full year:
Included with the plan is 40GB of high speed data, 10GB of hotspot data, and 480p video streaming. After your 40GB allowance, data is still unlimited, but speeds are slowed to 512 Kbps.
Mint Mobile also includes free unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico.
If you’d like to make calls to other countries, then pay-per-minute calling is available to over 160 destinations worldwide.
It is also possible to use Mint Mobile outside of the United States. Unfortunately, international roaming tends to be quite expensive. Mint charges especially high rates for international data.
Thankfully, international data is off by default so you don’t get any surprise bills from your trip abroad.
I used Mint Mobile as my personal cell phone carrier for two years in college.
I loved the experience of not having to think about my cell phone bill.
Mint’s well-designed mobile app and fast 5G speeds on the T-Mobile network also make for a great experience.
Mint Mobile Unlimited Pros:
- Great coverage and speeds on T-Mobile’s 5G network
- Good price and value
Mint Mobile Unlimited Cons:
- Have to pay $360 upfront for 12 months to get the best price
- Expensive international roaming rates (especially for data)
Mint Mobile (limited time): Get 3 months FREE when you buy any 3-month plan
11 things to know about Mint Mobile before you sign up
3. Visible Base - Best Cheap Unlimited Plan
If you want the cheapest truly unlimited data plan currently available, look no further than Visible Base.
Visible Base comes with truly unlimited high-speed data and unlimited hotspot data.
And the best part?
The price is just $25 per month. Flat. All taxes and fees are included. Nothing extra.
There are three things you should know about the Visible Base plan though:
First, the unlimited high-speed data is deprioritized.
This means you may experience slightly slower data speeds than customers with priority plans during times when the cellular network is busy. When the cellular network is no longer busy, you’ll resume getting the fastest speeds available.
Second, the high-speed data is limited to 200 Mbps. This almost seems silly to mention, as 200 Mbps is plenty fast for everything you could possibly do on your phone, but it is still worth knowing about.
You just won’t get the crazy fast gigabit-per-second speeds on Visible Base that you’ll find on some other unlimited plans.
And third, the hotspot data speeds are limited to 5 Mbps. You can use as much hotspot data as you wont though.
For a plan that delivers truly unlimited high-speed data, I don’t think you will find a better plan than Visibile Base.
And the $25 price is impossible to beat.
Visible Base Pros:
- Truly unlimited high-speed data and unlimited hotspot data on Verizon’s robust 4G LTE and 5G networks
- $25 per month
Visible Base Cons:
- Hotspot speeds are limited to 5 Mbps
- No options for international data roaming
11 things to know about Visible before you sign up
4. Boost Infinite Access for iPhone - Best Plan With A Free Phone
If you would like a free iPhone every year, then the Boost Infinite Access for iPhone plan may be for you.
For just $60 per month, Boost Infinite gives you a free iPhone every year.
How does the plan work?
Well, if you sign up today you get $1,000 off a new iPhone 15 series, with no trade-in required. That’s enough for a free iPhone 15, 15 Plus, or 15 Pro.
Or you could grab an iPhone 15 Pro Max for just $200, which is what I did.
Then, every year after this you have the option to trade in your existing iPhone for a free new one.
It is important to note that while Boost Infinite is giving you up to $1,000 off this year, I suspect that trade-in credit will drop to $800 for the following years.
That would mean you could get a free entry-level iPhone each year, but you may have to pay extra if you want the Plus or Pro models.
What is included with the Boost Infinite plan?
The $60 unlimited plan includes 30GB of high-speed data before unlimited data at 512 Kbps.
Hotspot is available as a $10 add-on and allows you to use up to all 30GB as hotspot data.
Video streams at 480p.
Other features that are included are free unlimited talk, text and 5GB of data in Canada and Mexico, and free international calling to over 80+ international destinations. International calling to other destinations is available at affordable rates.
If you sign up for Boost Infinite, you will either be placed on the T-Mobile or AT&T network for service.
Eventually, Boost will allow you to automatically switch between the T-Mobile, AT&T, and Dish networks for coverage, but that feature is not working just yet.
Most new activations are on the T-Mobile network.
Overall, not a bad plan for $60 per month, especially considering that includes a free iPhone every year.
The only other plan that includes a free phone every year is T-Mobile Go5G Next for an expensive $100 per month.
Boost Infinite Access for iPhone Pros:
- Get a new iPhone every year, for free
- Decent plan features and perks
Boost Infinite Access for iPhone Cons:
- Hotspot is a $10 add-on
- iPhone is locked to Boost Infinite
11 things to know about Boost Infinite before you sign up
5. Visible+ - Best Premium Unlimited Plan
Premium data, also called priority data, is data that gives you faster speeds and better performance any time the cellular network is busy.
Having priority data can be the difference between loading the Uber app and summoning a driver come pick you up from the concert you’re at, or being stuck waiting for an app that never loads.
So if you want a premium network experience, what is the best option?
The answer:
Visible+.
Visible+ is just $45 per month. It uses Verizon for coverage. It comes with unlimited priority data anytime you’re connected to Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband. You also get 50GB of premium data any time you’re connected to 5G Nationwide or LTE.
This means you will get the best network experience Verizon has to offer, all for a plan that’s around half the price of Verizon Unlimited Plus.
Visible+ includes extra features, too.
You get free unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of free data roaming in Canada and Mexico, as well as 500 minutes of free international calling to 30+ destinations.
And did I mention that hotspot data is unlimited, with speeds at 5 Mbps?
I don’t think anything can beat Visible+ if you are looking for a premium experience at a great price.
Visible+ Pros:
- Unlimited priority data on 5G Ultra Wideband that will never slow down based on how much data you use
- Unlimited hotspot data
Visible+ Cons:
- International roaming is limited to Canada and Mexico
- No multi-line discount for families
11 things to know about Visible before you sign up
6. AT&T Prepaid Unlimited MAX - Best Prepaid Unlimited Plan
AT&T Prepaid Unlimited MAX is another great option for an unlimited data plan.
This plan is just $55 per month with auto-pay.
What do you get?
You get 50GB of priority data, 25GB of mobile hotspot data, 4K video streaming, 100GB of personal cloud storage, and free international texting to over 230 destinations.
What happens after your 50GB of priority data?
You still get unlimited high-speed data on AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Max, but after 50GB you may notice slightly slower speeds during times when the network is busy.
Truth be told, most people will never go over 50GB.
You are unlikely to notice the slower speeds.
You are more likely to notice the excellent coverage you get on AT&T’s 4G LTE and 5G networks, as well as the robust service.
This plan even includes free unlimited talk, text, and 25GB of high-speed data roaming in Canada and Mexico.
If you get good AT&T service in your area, this plan is tough to beat.
AT&T Prepaid Unlimited MAX Pros:
- 50GB priority data for the best network experience
- 25GB hotspot data included
AT&T Prepaid Unlimited MAX Cons:
- The AT&T Prepaid website for managing your account is terrible
- A bit more expensive than some other options
11 things to know about AT&T Prepaid before you sign up
7. AT&T Unlimited Starter - Best Postpaid Unlimited Plan
If you’re looking for a reasonably affordable unlimited data plan from a big carrier, look no further than AT&T Unlimited Starter.
Unlimited Starter is AT&T’s most affordable plan.
Pricing begins at $65 per month for a single line. Families can pay as low as $30 per line for five lines.
What makes AT&T Unlimited Starter so great?
Two things:
- It comes with all the features you need
- It gives you the best deals on smartphones from AT&T
First, what does AT&T Unlimited Starter include?
For $65 per month, you get unlimited high-speed data on the AT&T network. The data is deprioritized, so you may momentarily notice slightly slower speeds during times when the network is congested.
You also get 3GB of hotspot data, 480p video streaming, and unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data roaming in Canada and Mexico.
Second, AT&T Unlimited Starter gives you the best deals on AT&T smartphones.
This means you can get up to $1,000 off the iPhone 15 Pro Max from AT&T.
On AT&T’s most affordable plan!
The combination of an affordable plan PLUS the best discounts AT&T has to offer is what makes Unlimited Starter such a sweet value.
11 things to know about AT&T before you sign up
8. Verizon Unlimited Ultimate - Best for Hotspot Data
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate is currently the plan with the most hotspot data available of any consumer-facing cell phone plan.
It includes a whopping 60GB of high-speed hotspot data per month.
AT&T and T-Mobile’s plans top out at just 50GB of hotspot data per month, so you get 20% more hotspot data on Verizon’s plan!
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate comes at a cost though.
It’s a mouth-gaping $90 per month for a single line.
If you are not opposed to saving some money, you may also consider some more affordable alternatives:
- US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium plan includes 50GB of hotspot data for $50 per month
- Visible+ includes unlimited hotspot data with speeds at 5 Mbps for $45 per month
Still, 60GB of hotspot data from Verizon Unlimited Ultimate is a huge amount.
The plan also includes unlimited priority data, 1080p video streaming, 10GB of high-speed data roaming in Canada and Mexico, and 10GB of international data roaming in 208 supported destinations.
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Pros:
- The most hotspot data you can get on a consumer-facing plan
- Eligible for the best phone deals Verizon has to offer
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Cons:
- It’s expensive
- Yeah, it’s crazy expensive
11 things to know about Verizon before you sign up
9. Google Fi Unlimited Plus - Best for International Travel
Google Fi Unlimited Plus is one of the best options if you need service when you travel abroad.
Why?
It just works.
Google Fi Unlimited Plus includes free data roaming that automatically works when you land in over 200 destinations.
Texts are free, and international calls are $0.20 per minute.
Considering Google Fi Unlimited Plus is $65 per month, this is not a bad value.
What else does the plan include?
It comes with 50GB of high-speed data before unlimited data at 256 Kbps. Hotspot data is included, and you can use up to all 50GB of your high-speed data as hotspot data. Video streams at 480p.
The only real downside to Google Fi Unlimited Plus is that international calls are $0.20 per minute.
The runner-up plan, Verizon Unlimited Ultimate, includes 10GB of free international data per month along with unlimited free international calls and texts.
Still, you could talk for 124 minutes while abroad on Google Fi and still save money over Verizon.
Using voice calling services such as FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, or others also do not count towards your minutes.
For a decent value unlimited plan in the United States and for having peace of mind when you travel abroad, Google Fi Unlimited Plus is definitely worth considering.
Google Fi Unlimited Plus Pros:
- Texts and data automatically work for free in 200 destinations
- 50GB of high-speed international data per month
Google Fi Unlimited Plus Cons:
- International minutes are $0.20 per minute
- Data slows down a if you use over 50GB
11 things to know about Google Fi before you sign up
Do You Need Unlimited Data?
It turns out that on average, people in North America use just 20GB of data per month:
This data suggests people would likely be fine with a plan that comes with 20GB to 30GB of high-speed data per month.
You could use your phone as much as you normally would and still use under 20GB per month.
Paying for unlimited data they don’t need is one of the biggest ways people are losing money on their cell phone bill.
But how do you tell how much data you need?
It turns out that there is an easy way to check your historical data usage on iPhone and on Android.
Checking your usage and getting a plan that meets your specific needs can literally save you hundreds of dollars per year!
It is the difference between paying $80 per month for a plan with unlimited data from Verizon and just $18 per month for a plan with 6GB of data from US Mobile
Here’s how to check your data usage:
How to check cellular data usage on iPhone:
- Go to Settings, Cellular
- Scroll down until you see “Current Period”
- Write your current period usage down
- Scroll all the way down to the bottom until you see the “Last Reset” date in a tiny gray font
- Use TimeAndDate.com to calculate how many days it has been since today and when your usage was last reset
- Divide your Total Usage by the number of days it has been to get your average data use per day
- Multiply your average data use per day by 30 to get your average data use per month
How to check cellular data usage on Android (Samsung)
- Go to Settings, Connections, Data Usage, Mobile Data Usage
- Tap the date range in the top left to check your data usage for historical periods
- Your historical periods should give you a good idea of how much data you use per month
How to check cellular data usage on Android (Google Pixel)
- Go to Settings, Network & Internet, SIMs, App Data Usage
- Tap the date range at the top to check your usage for historical periods
- Your historical data usage should give you a good idea of about how much data you need per month
How Do You Pick A Cell Phone Plan?
Choosing a cell phone plan involves answering four questions:
- How much cellular data do you need?
- What features do you need?
- What network has the best coverage in your area?
- How many lines do you have?
Let’s walk through each:
1. How Much Data Do You Need?
As we’ve covered above, people in North America use an average of just 20GB of data per month.
Most Americans likely use even less than this.
Checking your data usage in your phone’s settings or from your current carrier is an excellent way to figure out how much data you really need.
Light to medium data users will likely be fine with a plan with 5GB to 15GB of data.
If you are a heavier data user and you watch a lot of YouTube videos, Twitch streams, TikToks, or any other video content, you may benefit from a plan with more data, perhaps in the 30GB to 50GB range.
Here’s what my usage looks like on T-Mobile:
2. What Features Do You Need?
When you are picking a cell phone plan, it is important to ask yourself what features you need.
Some plans include extra features such as mobile hotspot data, free international calling, or data roaming in Canada and Mexico.
Most people do not need extra bells and whistles.
They just need an affordable plan with enough high-speed data per month and good cellular coverage.
But if you do need certain extra features, such as hotspot data, international calling, or data roaming in Canada or Mexico, then it is important to make sure the plans you look at include those features.
I made a free worksheet for you to help you better understand the different features cell phone plans can offer:
Download the free worksheet here.
3. What Network Has The Best Coverage In Your Area?
Making sure you get great coverage is an important part of picking a cell phone plan.
What is the point of saving money on a plan if you never have service, right?
To help you figure out what network is best in your area, I co-founded a website called CoverageMap.com.
We are building crowd-sourced maps of 4G LTE and 5G coverage for AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Dish.
To make things easy for you, we also built a check coverage tool.
All you do is enter your ZIP code, and the website will tell you the #1 network in your area.:
Keep in mind that there are only four nationwide cellular networks in the United States:
- The AT&T network
- The T-Mobile network
- The Verizon network
- The Dish network
All cell phone plans from all carriers will use one of those four networks for coverage.
Even plans from regional carriers, such as UScellular, will end up roaming on one of the major four networks in areas where the regional carrier does not provide service.
What network has the best coverage?
According to FCC data, AT&T’s network has the most overall coverage.
That said, Ookla’s speed test report for Q3 of 2023 indicates AT&T has the slowest network.
You may also consider Verizon or T-Mobile’s network for a better balance of speed and coverage.
Keep in mind that cellular coverage varies greatly from city to city and state to state.
Your best option is to check CoverageMap.com to get a clearer picture of how the networks compare in your area.
4. How Many Lines Do You Have?
If you have one or two lines, you are typically better off putting each line on its own separate plan.
However, if you have three or more lines, then it becomes worth it to look at the multi-line discounts.
The big carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, all offer pretty substantial multi-line discounts. The discounts can bring the cost of a plan down from $80 for a single line to around $40 per line for a family of four.
The big carriers also offer pretty good deals on new smartphones, which can add to your savings.
Some people will still prefer the flexibility of purchasing their phone unlocked and choosing a prepaid plan that meets their needs though.
Instead of $40 per line, prepaid carriers typically offer unlimited data for as low as $25 per line.
Choosing a prepaid plan means you will pay more upfront for your phone. But you will save money with a lower monthly cell phone bill.
FAQ
What is the best unlimited plan?
I think the best unlimited plan for most people is US Mobile Unlimited Starter. It comes with 30GB of priority data and 5GB of hotspot data, and it is a great price at just $25 per month.
It is the plan I recommend to all of my friends.
How much should I pay for unlimited data?
Unlimited data plans range from $25 per month and go up to $100 per month for a single line. I believe most people will be fine with an unlimited plan that costs $45 or less per month.
If you have a family, then unlimited plans are typically around $100 to $160 per month for four lines.
Are unlimited data plans worth it?
Unlimited data plans are nice because you don’t need to worry about how much data you use.
That said, most people do not need unlimited data.
On average, people only use around 20GB of data per month. You can save the most money by checking your data usage and getting a plan that meets your specific data needs. Plans with 5GB of data only cost around $15 per month these days, which can be the perfect amount for a lot of people.
Who is the best cell phone provider now?
The best cell phone provider is pretty subjective. In the prepaid space, I think US Mobile is the best with their combination of affordable prices, excellent mobile app, and good support.
Between the big three carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, AT&T is probably the best cell phone provider overall right now. AT&T has excellent phone deals, affordable prices, and some of the best coverage.
Who is the #1 cell phone provider?
AT&T is currently the #1 cell phone provider in the United States with 46% market share. Verizon has 29% market share, and T-Mobile is currently in last place with only 24% market share.
What cell phone company has the cheapest unlimited everything?
Visible has the cheapest plan with unlimited everything. Visible Base is just $25 flat for unlimited, talk, text, data, and hotspot on Verizon.
Which phone carrier is most expensive?
T-Mobile currently has the most expensive cell phone plan. Their Go5G Unlimited Next costs $100 per month for a single line, even after all discounts are applied.
How can I get a better deal on my phone bill?
Switching to a prepaid cell phone carrier can typically save you a lot of money off your phone bill. You may also consider checking if your current carrier offers any teacher, student, first responder, or military discounts you may be eligible for. Sometimes your current carrier will also offer more affordable plans that you can switch to.