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Top Best 10 Cell Phone Plans In US 2022 – Compare Plans
The American cell phone market is highly competitive, with three major cellular carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) and more than 120 mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) offering plans through the major carriers’ networks.
From a consumer perspective, lots of competition means lots of choice. While cell phone plans may all appear similar – most of them offer more-or-less nationwide coverage, unlimited minutes, and unlimited data – there are subtle differences. In short, the best cell phone plan for you might not be the best cell phone plan for someone else, and vice-versa. Here’s a look at the top 10 cell phone plans to help you find the one that’s best for you.
- AT&TÂ – Best for families
- Verizon Wireless – Best for gamers and streamers
- Straight Talk Wireless – Best for choice of networks
- Boost Mobile – Best for cheap prepaid plans
- Xfinity Mobile – Best for spreading costs across up to 10 people
- Ultra Mobile – Best for prepaid plans
- Mint Mobile – Best for customer service
- Tello – Best for affordable plans
- Cricket Wireless – Best for no-contract plans
- Visible Wireless – Best for rewards for referring friend
#1
- Best for:- 3-month trial at discount prices
- Starting Price– $15 per month
- Plan– Unlimited
- Network- T-Mobile
#2
- Best For:-Cheap, bare-bones phone plan
- Starting Price:-$5 per month per line
- Plan:- Free text plus your choice of minutes
- Network: T-Mobile
#3
- Best For:-Families that use lots of data
- Starting Price:-$35 per month
- Plan:- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Network: AT&T Mobility
#4
- Best For:-Cheap, bare-bones phone plan
- Starting Price:-$5 per month per line
- Plan:- Free text & your choice of minutesÂ
- Network: T-Mobile
#5
- Best For:-Spreading costs across up to 10 people
- Starting Price:-$15 per month
- Plan:- Unlimited; By the Gig (1-10 GB)
- Network: Verizon Wireless
#6
- Best For:-Rewards for referring lots of friends
- Starting Price:-$40 per monthÂ
- Plan:- Unlimited
- Network: Verizon Wireless
#7
- Best For:-Affordable data plan
- Starting Price:-$20–$55 per month
- Plan:- Unlimited talk and text; 5G data
- Network: AT&T
#8
- Best For:-People who use a different amount of data each month
- Starting Price:-$20-$45 per month
- Plan:- 2-25 GB
- Network: Verizon Wireless
#9
- Best For:-Affordable, no-contract plans with 5G data
- Starting Price:-$25 per month
- Plan:- Unlimited
- Network: AT&T Mobility
#10
- Best For:-Cheap pre-paid plans with some high speed data
- Starting Price:-$10 per month
- Plan:- Unlimited
- Network: T-Mobile
Plans
1
Must Reads
- Best For- 3-month trial at discount prices
- Starting Price - $15 per month
- Plans - Unlimited
Mint Mobile offers a choice of four cell phone plans on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network. It is best known for its unique marketing approach, which includes a substantial 3-month introductory discount, free SIM card and 7-day trial for a friend of your choice, and promos featuring part-owner and Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds.
Mint Mobile has one of the best customer ratings of any mobile plan provider, with a 4.6-star rating from around 5,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot. Customers say they value Mint Mobile for its superior prices (compared to the big three carriers), reliable service, and user-friendly website and app.
Prons
- User-friendly app and website
- Free instructional videos on website
- Refer-a-friend bonus
Cons
- Unlimited plan slows down after 35 GB monthly data usage
- Quite expensive after 3-month trial is up
Plans
Tello
- Best For-Cheap, bare-bones phone plan
- Starting Price - $5 per month per line
- Plans - Free text plus your choice of minutes and data
Tello has built up a reputation as one of the leading providers of budget, bare-bones cell phone plans. Tello’s custom plans give you as many minutes as you want (zero to unlimited), as much data as you want (zero to 25 GB), and unlimited texts – and Tello charges you accordingly. Plans start from as little as $5/month with unlimited minutes and limited data.
True to its status as a budget cell phone operator, Tello lets you bring over your existing phone for free or purchase a new or refurbished device for as little as $69. The end result is that Tello is much cheaper than the big mobile operators and it doesn’t require any contracts or commitments.
Prons
- It’s really cheap
- No contracts
- Strong customer approval ratings
Cons
- Limited amount of high-speed data
- Data slows down to 2G after monthly limit is exceeded
- Tello doesn’t sell the latest devices
Mint Mobile Plans
AT&T
- Best For-Families that use lots of data
- Starting Price - $35 per month
- Plans - Unlimited talk, text and data
Subscribing to AT&T is worthwhile for families, but less so for individuals. That’s because the plans are quite expensive on a per-user basis for one or two users, but decently priced if you’re paying for four or five lines. AT&T offers faster speeds than third-party operators that use its infrastructure, making it a good option for families that use a lot of mobile data.
Prons
- 5G access included with all plans
- Unlimited talk, text and data in U.S., Mexico and Canada
- Advanced mobile security with premium plans
Cons
- Data speeds may temporarily slow down if network is busy
- Very expensive for individual users
AT&T Plans
- Best For-High-speed data and lots of extra perks
- Starting Price - $35 per month
- Plans - Unlimited
Like the other big telecommunications companies, Verizon targets the premium segment of cell phone customers. It isn’t the cheapest cell phone plan provider, but it more than makes up for this with its high speeds and extra perks like 6-12 free months of Disney+, Apple Music, and Discovery+. The child-friendly plan (with parental controls) makes it a particularly good option for families with underage kids
Prons
- Up to 50 GB of 5G / 4G LTE premium data per month
- Kid-friendly phone plans
- 600 GB wireless cloud storage (with premium plans)
Cons
- At busy times, data may temporarily slow down
- Fairly expensive (but has more features and perks)
Verizon Wireless 
- Best For-Spreading costs across up to 10 people
- Starting Price -$15 per month
- Plans -Unlimited; By the Gig (1-10 GB)
Prons
- Allows you to spread costs among up to 10 people
- Runs on Verizon Wireless 5G network
- Switch plans any time you need
Cons
- Unlimited plans slow down after 20 GB data usage
- By the Gig plans only run on 4G LTE
Xfinity Mobile 
- Best For-Spreading costs across up to 10 people
- Starting Price -$15 per month
- Plans -Unlimited; By the Gig (1-10 GB)
Another interesting thing about Visible Wireless is its “Party Pay” group discounts. Basically, it offers the same “Unlimited” plan to all users in month one. In the second month, you have the option of bringing on board friends to earn savings. If you add one friend, you save $5/ month, two friends saves you $10/month, and three friends or more saves $15/month (i.e., with groups of four, everyone pays $25/month per line).
Prons
- Big discounts for referring friends
- Genuine unlimited data
- Flexible billing options
Cons
- Only one type of plan
- Data slows down at peak times
Visible 
- Best For-Affordable data plans
- Starting Price -$20–$55 per month
- Plans -Unlimited talk and text; 5G data from 2 GB to unlimited
PureTalk allows you to bring your own phone and keep your existing number if you want to. If you need a new phone, you can choose from hundreds of Samsung, Apple, Nokia, and ZTE models and get a discount when you sign up for a plan. There are no fees for activation and no hidden charges.
Prons
- No data overage fees
- 5G data plans starting from $20 per month
- Keep your existing phone number
Cons
- Deprioritization when AT&T’s network is busy
- Mostly Apple and Samsung phones available
PureTalk 
- Best For-People who use a different amount of data each month
- Starting Price -$20-$45 per month (plus taxes and fees)
- Plans -2-25 GB
Reach is best known for its “Best Fit” plans, where your monthly bill is automatically discounted if you don’t use all your data. For example, if you choose the 10GB ($35/month plus taxes and fees) but use under 5 GB in a given month, you’ll only pay the price of the 5GB plan for that month ($30/month plus taxes and fees). And if you sign up for the 5GB or 10GB plans but use less than 2GB in a month, you’ll only pay $20/month plus taxes and fees that month – a saving of $10 or $15
Prons
- No contracts
- Automatic discount if you don’t use all your monthly data
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Expensive compared to similarly-sized competitors
- Max 25 GB before data slows down
Reach Mobile 
- Best For-Affordable, no-contract plans with 5G data
- Starting Price -$25 per month
- Plans -Unlimited
Overall, Cricket Wireless offers everything parent company AT&T offers in its cell phone plans – but for a lower price and without the need for an annual contract. Subscriptions for one or two users are a little pricey, but if you’re purchasing for three or four users then Cricket Wireless offers affordable and commitment-free access to the best of AT&T Mobility’s high-speed data network.
Prons
- No annual contracts
- AT&T 5G coverage in most areas
- Built-in fraud protection (with compatible phones)
Cons
- Limited speeds for all but most expensive plan
- Cricket may slow data speeds if network is busy
Cricket Wireless 
- Best For-Cheap pre-paid plans with some high-speed data
- Starting Price -$10 per month
- Plans - Unlimited
Boost Mobile is a leader in prepaid plans, where you pay at the start of the month. The benefit to this type of service is that it’s super-cheap – with plans starting from $10/month for unlimited talk and text with 1 GB of high-speed data through to $45/month for unlimited talk and text and 15 GB high-speed data. The premium $45 plan discounts to $35/month after six on-time payments.
Pros
- Cheap pre-paid plans
- Discounts for on-time payments
- Mix and match or create a family plan
Cons
- Limited speeds for all but most expensive plan
- Service disconnects if you miss a payment
Boost Mobile FAQs
Q. What’s the difference between a cell phone plan provider and cell phone network?
A. Building wireless infrastructure is expensive, which is why there are only three major nationwide networks (and a handful of regional ones). More of the 120+ cell phone plan providers in the countries don’t have their own networks. Instead, they rent space on one of the big three networks: AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile US.Â
Q. Do I have to buy a device from my new cell phone plan provider?
A. No. When you sign up for a new cell phone plan, you usually get a choice of buying (or more often, financing) a new device or bringing your own device. However, note that your phone must be compatible with whichever network your cell phone provider is on. You can usually check compatibility for free on the provider’s website.
Q. Which plans are best for activities that use lots of data, e.g., HD streaming, mobile gaming?Â
A. If you need high data usage, then you’ll need an unlimited plan – and preferably one with as much high-speed data usage as possible. Obviously, these plans tend to be more expensive than basic ones with limited high-speed data.
Reviewing the Top Cell Phone Plans: Our Methodology
thequick10.com cell phone plan reviews are based on objective facts.  Our reviews are based on research via the cell phone plan provider’s site, trusted 3rd party sites, customer reviews, and use of the product through free trials, or through paid use in some cases.
It is not always possible to use the product through its entire lifecycle. However, reviewers will try the signup process, make customer service queries to check response times and perform any other possible function within the review period. For the rest of the information, we rely on what the brand says about its own product offering, customer reviews, and complaints, ratings from independent agencies like the BBB, and trusted journalistic publications.
Some of the key features we compared when looking at the cell phone plans on our list were:Â Customer serviceÂ
- Monthly price
- Plans available
- Network
- Customer service
What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Cell Phone Plan
Price is the most obvious factor people look at when comparing cell phone plans, but there are actually a lot of other things to look for in your research:
- Contract or prepaid. As a general rule, the bigger cell phone plans tend to lock you into contracts (usually 1 year, but it varies) or post-paid plans where you are automatically charged at the end of the month. Some smaller providers offer prepaid, where you pay at the start of the month. Post-paid plans tend to cost more but have more data and more perks. Prepaid is cheaper but has fewer features, and if you don’t pay at the start of the month your service gets disconnected.
- Network. Most cell phone plans operate on one or more of the big three wireless networks: AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile US. All three wireless networks operate nationwide and offer 5G to roughly 2/3 to 3/4 of Americans (and growing). Before signing up to a cell phone operator, it’s worth checking the availability of whichever network they use in your area.
- Target audience. As the above reviews of our top 10 cell phone plan providers show, some providers are better for individuals and some for large groups, some are great for premium plans and some for bare-bones plans.
- Additional features. You might only want a cell phone plan or you might want loads of extra features, like HD video, subscriptions to third-party streaming services, or lots of hotspot data. Your preferences determine which provider is best for you.
What Types of Cell Phone Plans Are There?
Another important thing to think about when comparing providers is the types of cell phone plans they offer.
- Unlimited. The most common type of plan offered by cell phone companies, this includes unlimited talk and text and an unlimited amount of data (although many companies cap the amount of 4G/5G high-speed data, after which it slows down to 2G until the next billing month).Â
- Talk and text only. This is great if you want to use your phone the traditional way and don’t need to use the internet or apps (or are happy to only use these things via Wi-Fi access)
- Data only. These are tailor-made for other devices such as tablets and smart watches.Â
- Pay as you go. A handful of providers offer alternative plans, e.g., text-only plus pay-as- you-go for any minutes or data usage.
COVID-19 and the Growing Importance of Mobile Hotspots
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on every area of our lives, including cell phone plans. If you’re one of the millions of people now working remotely on a full-time or part-time basis, then you could benefit from having a mobile hotspot connection as part of your plan. Some cell phone providers include unlimited mobile hotspot usage in their plans, while others limit hotspot usage to a fraction of the overall data usage (e.g., if you have 50 GB high-speed data, they might only let you use 15 GB as a hotspot connection). Either way, having a hotspot connection is crucial if you ever find yourself working in locations where the Wi-Fi isn’t great.
How to Find a Trustworthy Cell Service Provider
Like any other sector with hundreds of providers, there are good cell phone providers and not-so-good ones. Therefore, always check a provider’s reputation before handing over your billing details or signing a contract. Also, read plenty of reviews and read through the fine print to make sure you aren’t putting yourself at risk of hidden fees.Â
As a cell phone user, it’s worth noting that you may also be the target of scammers trying to steal your identity. Thankfully, some of the top cell phone providers offer extra protection to block scam calls and messages. Alternatively, there are plenty of third-party call-blocking apps you can use to prevent unwanted callers.Â
Tips on Cell Phone Plans
No two cell phone plans are the same and no two cell phone customers are the same. Therefore, it pays to think about what you need before comparing cell phone providers. Here are a few things to consider when doing your comparison shop:
- Data usage. Most people use their phone to talk and text, but where people really differ is data usage. Do you use a lot of data? If so, you’ll probably want an unlimited plan. If not, you can get by with a cheaper, limited plan.
- Bringing your own device (BYOD). Do you have a device you’d like to bring with you to your new cell phone plan? Most providers allow BYOD in principle, but don’t forget to check compatibility on the provider’s website.
- How many people? As our cell phone provider reviews above show, some providers offer generous discounts for grouping together on one plan. If you have a large household (or just a group of friends willing to share one bill), then you have the power to pay less.
How Much Do Cell Phone Plans Cost?
Cell phone plans can be divided into roughly two groups: limited (usually prepaid) and unlimited (often, but not always, contract) plans.Â
Limited plans start from as little as $5-$10 a month for bare-bones plans with very limited data (500 MB to 5 GB). They’re perfect if you only need a little bit of data but can quickly rise to $50-$60/month if your data usage gets out of control.
Unlimited plans start from $25-30/month in some cases, although you’ll need to pay at least $35/month for features like mobile hotspot. Prices can reach up to $60/month for plans with lots of extra features. The great thing about unlimited plans is that the price is fixed. If you exceed your data limit, your data will simply slow down from 4G/5G to 2G but you will never pay extra.
Make the Right CallÂ
The more competition there is, the more power consumers have. The cell phone plans market is highly competitive, which means the power is in your hands. Before switching cell phone providers, always shop around to see who has the best prices, best features, and best terms and conditions for your lifestyle.Â