The Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2026 (Tested & Ranked)

My picks for the best unlimited cell phone plans, by category:

• Best overall: US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star
• Cheapest unlimited: Total MAX 5G BYO
• Best for priority data: Visible+
• Best for hotspot: Visible+ Pro
• Best for international travel: US Mobile Unlimited Premium Light Speed
• Best from a big carrier: Verizon Simplicity
• Best for families: AT&T Extra 2.0

Want to see my recommendations for all cell phone plans, including cheap and non-unlimited? See my best cell phone plans.

Best Unlimited Plans at a Glance

Best Unlimited Plan on Each Network

My Picks

Best Overall: US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star

US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star is my pick for the best unlimited data plan. It's the plan I recommend to most of my friends and people who tune into my live streams on my YouTube channel.

For $25 a month with taxes and fees included, you get unlimited high-speed data, 4K video streaming, and a 20GB hotspot. That covers what most people need.

US Mobile's app makes it easy to manage your line, track data usage, and swap your eSIM between devices. Customer service is great, too. A unique multi-network add-on lets you add coverage on a second network (T-Mobile or Verizon) to the same phone.

Unlimited Starter is also available on the Warp network (Verizon) and Light Speed network (T-Mobile) for the same $25, but those versions limit your high-speed data to 70GB and only come with 10GB of hotspot.

Funny enough, my personal line is on Unlimited Starter Warp. Even though it has less high-speed data and less hotspot data, Verizon has way better coverage than AT&T in my area, which makes the trade-off worth it.

Know this before you buy: your data is deprioritized (QCI 9). If you want priority data on the same AT&T network, Unlimited Premium Dark Star upgrades you to QCI 8 priority data for $44 a month.

Who it's for: people who want unlimited data at a low price, with an easy app and good customer service.

The catch: smartwatch lines are only available on the Warp network, and international calling and roaming are paid add-ons.

Cheapest Unlimited: Total MAX 5G BYO

If price comes first, Total MAX 5G BYO is the plan you want to look at.

It's $20 a month with Auto Pay, including taxes and fees.

This is a limited-time online offer for new customers. The first month is $30, then it's $20 per month. Total's 5-year price guarantee locks the plan's base monthly price, but not the Auto Pay discount. For the price, you get unlimited priority data (QCI 8) on Verizon, unlimited hotspot at 5Mbps, and 720p video streaming.

There's no better-value plan out there for truly unlimited high-speed data.

Data roaming is also shockingly good for the price. You get 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 10GB of data in Canada, Mexico and 140+ other countries, plus free calls to 180+ countries.

Unfortunately, the app sucks, the website is slow, and customer service...let's just say it has room to improve.

I personally signed up for Total Wireless to test it out.

Despite the negatives of what feels like a forgotten mobile app and a clunky website, once you are activated, the service itself is excellent. And you don't really need the app except for once every few years when you switch your eSIM to a new phone. And when you do that, I have a guide on how to transfer your Total Wireless eSIM to a new phone.

You simply cannot beat priority data on the Verizon network for this price, which is why Total Wireless earns my recommendation.

Who it's for: people who want priority data on Verizon for the lowest price and already own an unlocked phone.

The catch: a sucky app, a clunky website, room to improve customer support, a 5 Mbps hotspot cap, and no smartwatch support.

Best Priority Data: Visible+

For most people who want priority data, I'd recommend Visible+ over Total Wireless.

It has a better app and website, it doubles your hotspot speed from 5Mbps to 10Mbps and it upgrades your video streaming quality to 1080p. You get the same unlimited priority data, QCI 8, on the Verizon network.

Visible+ also comes with decent international features. You get free calls and texts to Canada and Mexico, 2GB a day of roaming there, and one free international day a month (up to 12 a year) in 180+ countries.

Visible+ is a bit more expensive at $35 per month.

Visible often runs promos that bring the cost down (see current Visible deals).

Plus, Visible+ also lets you add a smartwatch line for $10 per month if you need it. (Though it is worth mentioning if you do want a smartwatch line, it is worth upgrading to Visible+ Pro, which comes with extra features and a smartwatch line for free.)

I think the better app experience and improved features of Visible+ make it worth the extra cost, and it's the plan I recommend to my friends.

Who it's for: anyone who wants priority data on Verizon without paying Verizon's own prices, anyone who wants a smartwatch line.

The catch: video tops out at 1080p, and there is no support for tablet lines.

Best for Hotspot: Visible+ Pro

If you're a heavy hotspot user, check out Visible+ Pro.

For $45 a month with taxes and fees included, you get unlimited hotspot data at 15Mbps, 4K video streaming, and unlimited priority data (QCI 8) on Verizon.

A smartwatch line is included for free, and so is roaming. You get two free international days a month (up to 24 a year), plus unlimited talk, text and 2GB a day in Canada and Mexico.

I've personally tested Visible+ Pro for hotspot data use, and it rocks.

15Mbps is plenty fast for everything you want to do on your laptop or tablet. Having unlimited hotspot use also means you never need to worry about your usage.

Who it's for: people who work from their hotspot, and anyone with a smartwatch.

The catch: it costs $10 more than Visible+, it doesn't support tablet lines, and under Visible's network management policy, a line that uses more than 450GB in a month may be slowed to 1.5Mbps for the rest of the billing cycle.

Best for International Travel: US Mobile Unlimited Premium Light Speed

For travel, I'd pick US Mobile Unlimited Premium Light Speed.

It's $44 a month with taxes and fees included. It includes 200 minutes, 250 texts and up to 20GB of data in 180+ supported countries, plus free international calling to 200+ destinations. At home you get unlimited data and a 50GB hotspot. Despite the "Premium" name, your data is deprioritized on T-Mobile (QCI 7, below T-Mobile postpaid).

Google Fi Unlimited Premium is often recommended for international roaming (50GB of data in 200+ countries), but it's about $70 a month after taxes, and calls abroad cost $0.20 a minute.

To be fair, Google Fi is still a great experience, but I don't recommend it because I don't believe its higher cost is worth it for most people.

Honorable mention: Xfinity Mobile Select includes unlimited talk, text and data in 215+ destinations (the first 10GB of data each month is high-speed) for $30 a month. The only catch is you have to be an Xfinity Internet customer.

Who it's for: frequent international travelers who want international talk, text, and roaming included at a low price, plus strong plan features here in the U.S.

The catch: It doesn't support smartwatch lines.

Best From a Big Carrier: Verizon Simplicity

If you want your phone service directly from a big carrier, then Verizon Simplicity is perfect for one or two lines.

You get unlimited priority data (QCI 8, the same as Verizon's other top plans), 10GB of hotspot data, and 720p video streaming. Each line is also eligible for Verizon's perks and bundles, which discount streaming services and more.

The standard price for Simplicity is $45 a month with Auto Pay, plus taxes. New customers who switch to Verizon can often get it for less (the plan card above shows the current offer).

With a switcher discount, Verizon Simplicity is easily the best-value postpaid plan on the market for one or two lines. Heck, it even competes with some of the prepaid plans we've talked about above.

Who it's for: one or two people who want service from a big carrier, the option to go to a store for help and support, or who want to save money with streaming bundles.

The catch: there are no device trade-in deals (read: no free iPhone 18 Pro with trade-in), high-speed data slows to 4Mbps after 500GB, a smartwatch line is $7.50 extra (before tax), and a tablet line is $20 extra (before tax).

Best for Families: AT&T Extra 2.0

For families who want phone deals and physical stores, I'd pick AT&T Extra 2.0.

You get 100GB of priority data (QCI 8) and a 50GB hotspot. AT&T also offers big phone discounts (see the current deal), and that mix of price and phone discounts makes it a good value for families.

Monthly price before taxes and fees:

If you don't need phone deals, US Mobile is the cheaper multi-line option. It has no multi-line discount, but Unlimited Starter Dark Star is a flat $25 a line with taxes included, so four lines cost $100 a month.

For most people most of the time, getting a prepaid cell phone plan at roughly $25 per month and buying your phones outright (either directly from the manufacturer or gently used/refurbished from sites such as Swappa or Back Market) will be measurably cheaper than doing the phone trade-in deals from a big carrier.

That said, I also totally understand the convenience of going with a big carrier and doing the phone trade-in deals.

And if that's you, you're going to want to give AT&T Extra 2.0 a look.

Who it's for: families who want a big carrier with physical stores and phone deals.

The catch: video streams at 480p, and there's a $35 activation fee and a $3.99 monthly carrier fee on top of taxes.

Cheapest Unlimited Data Plans (1 Line)

These are the cheapest unlimited plans for one line. All are standard prices except Total's $20, which is a limited-time Auto Pay offer for new customers:

Total MAX 5G BYO is the cheapest way to get priority data on Verizon, but $20 is a limited-time Auto Pay price for new customers (the first month is $30). You need your own unlocked phone.

US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star is $25 with taxes included, with 4K video and a 20GB hotspot on AT&T. Data is deprioritized.

Visible Base is also $25 with taxes included, on Verizon, with an uncapped 5Mbps hotspot. Data is deprioritized and video is 480p.

Ting Unlimited 25 is the cheapest standard price for priority data (QCI 8) on Verizon. It's postpaid and taxes are extra, so Visible+ at $35 all-in is the better deal for most people.

Mint Mobile Unlimited Annual works out to $30 a month on T-Mobile if you pay $360 upfront for the year. Data is deprioritized, and taxes are extra.

Metro Unlimited $30 BYOD is the month-to-month T-Mobile option, with taxes included. Data is deprioritized, and the hotspot is 10GB.

The short answer: Total MAX 5G BYO is cheapest while its $20 new-customer offer lasts. Otherwise, US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star at $25 with taxes included is your best bet.

How to Pick an Unlimited Plan

Start with coverage. An unlimited plan is only as good as the network where you live. Every plan on this page runs on AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon, so compare those three first: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

My picks come from US Mobile, Total Wireless, Visible and AT&T. To see real coverage at your address, use CoverageMap. Full disclosure: I co-founded it.

Then decide whether you need priority data. "Priority" means that when a tower is busy, your data waits in the same line as the carrier's own priority plans; "deprioritized" means it waits behind them. QCI numbers aren't comparable across networks: QCI 8 is top-tier consumer priority on Verizon, while QCI 7 on T-Mobile is still deprioritized. Here's how data priority and QCI work.

Then check the extras:

• Hotspot: most "unlimited hotspot" plans cap the speed. Heavy users should look at Visible+ Pro.
• Video quality: many cheap plans cap video at 480p or 720p.
• International: roaming is usually an add-on. US Mobile Light Speed includes it.

Unlimited Plans FAQ

What is the best unlimited data plan right now?

For most people, it's US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star: unlimited high-speed data on AT&T for $25 a month with taxes included. If you need priority data, Visible+ is $35 a month on Verizon.

Which unlimited data plan is the cheapest?

Total MAX 5G BYO is the cheapest at $20 a month with Auto Pay on Verizon (a limited-time price for new customers), and it includes priority data. At standard prices, US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star and Visible Base are $25 with taxes included, and the cheapest priority option is Ting Unlimited 25 at $25 plus taxes.

How much does an unlimited data plan cost?

On prepaid carriers like US Mobile and Visible, unlimited starts at about $25 a month with taxes included ($20 with Total Wireless's limited-time Auto Pay offer). AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon's own unlimited plans run from about $45 to $110 a month for one line, before taxes.

Is Verizon or T-Mobile better for unlimited data?

It depends on coverage where you live (see my Verizon and T-Mobile pages). On price, Verizon's network has cheap plans with priority data, while the cheap T-Mobile-network plans here are deprioritized.

What is the $30 unlimited plan with Verizon?

Verizon sometimes offers Simplicity for $30 a month to new customers who switch, but its standard price is $45 a month with Auto Pay, plus taxes. At a standard price, Xfinity Mobile Select is $30 a month on Verizon's network, plus taxes and fees, with 50GB of priority data, but you need Xfinity Internet to get it.

Is unlimited data really unlimited?

Usually your data doesn't stop, but most cheap plans are deprioritized, and some slow down after a set amount (Verizon Simplicity drops to 4Mbps after 500GB).

Do I even need unlimited data?

Maybe not, so check your usage first. My best cell phone plans guide includes cheaper plans with data caps.

How I Test

I've been reviewing cell phone plans for over 10 years. I pay for 30+ lines with my own money, which costs me over $800 a month, so I can test activation, apps, customer support and real-world speeds myself.

Update Log

• Oct 12, 2026: Corrected Total's price-guarantee wording and Visible's 450GB policy, added Visible Base and Ting Unlimited 25 to the cheapest table, and removed promo details that go out of date.
• Oct 7, 2026: Rewrote for 2026; replaced retired plans (AT&T Unlimited Starter SL, T-Mobile Go5G Plus); new picks.

Related: Best plans for traveling internationally · Data priority and QCI levels explained