Unlimited plans are one of the most popular types of phone plans, but they aren't always affordable. While all unlimited plans offer uncapped data to keep you connected, extra features like premium high-speed data, mobile hotspots, and streaming perks can quickly drive up the price. The good news is there are plenty of unlimited plans that offer the features you want at a low price you'll love.
We tested 11 unlimited plans and carriers to see which offered the best features for the cheapest price.
Our tests determined that the best cheap unlimited plan on the market is US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan for $25/month. It's an excellent plan that offers a combination of affordability, an unlimited premium data allotment, and excellent coverage on all three national networks.
Read on for our full lineup of the cheapest unlimited phone plans and their included features, and learn how to pick the right unlimited plan to meet your needs.
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We've been around since the birth of the iPhone. Along the way, we've learned how to spot the best deals for your wallet (and your sanity). We spend our days researching informative guides and writing insightful reviews on every kind of wireless plan, distinguishing what matters from what doesn't. We played around with these plans before recommending them, ensuring they're worth your hard-earned money.
Want to know more? Check out how we review every cell phone plan we rank.
Our picks for the best cheap unlimited plans
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Cheapest overall plan US Mobile Unlimited Starter Plan → Unlimited premium data on Dark Star (AT&T) network → $25/month |
View at US Mobile |
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Runner-up Visible → Unlimited 5G data on Verizon network → $25/month |
View at Visible |
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Cheapest unlimited family plan Mint Modern Family Plan → 50GB of full-speed 5G data on T-Mobile network → $120/month for four lines |
View at Mint Mobile |
Best cheap unlimited plans
1. Unlimited Starter Plan from US Mobile for $25/month
US Mobile's Unlimited Starter is not only one of the best unlimited plans under $30/month, but it's also packed with real value. For just $25/month, you'll find an unlimited premium data allotment (on AT&T's network), up to 20GB of mobile hotspot data, and the ability to switch service between the three major networks.
Unlimited Starter is the best choice for heavy data users who require large allotments of high speed data, like streamers, mobile gamers, or remote workers. This is one of the cheapest options on the market for a truly unlimited premium data allotment. To get the same high-speed data allotment and coverage from AT&T itself, you'd need to sign up for the Premium 2.0 plan, which starts at $90/month. Going with US Mobile instead can save you $780/year for access to the same network.
Reasons to buy
- Pricing starts at $25/month
- Unlimited premium data (AT&T network)
- 20GB mobile hotspot (AT&T network)
- Access to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks
- International add-ons available
Reasons to avoid
- $2 fee per network transfer
- No additional perks
Why it beats the competition
US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan offers generous data allotments and incredible features for just $25/month. Users get massive premium data and mobile hotspot allotments with coverage on all three major networks. Customers can choose any network they want, including the Dark Star network (AT&T), Light Speed (T-Mobile), or Warp (Verizon) networks. Each network's data allotment looks like:
- Dark Star: Unlimited premium data, 20GB mobile hotspot
- Light Speed: 70GB premium data, 10GB mobile hotspot
- Warp: 70GB premium data, 10GB mobile hotspot
If you discover that you don't like the network you chose, you can easily switch using the TelePortal feature. The first two network transfers are free, then $2 per transfer afterward. For the best experience and truly unlimited premium data allotment, we recommend the Dark Star (AT&T) network for most customers.
Remember that with an unlimited premium data allotment, you never have to worry about running out of high-speed data. Your speeds can only slow down during times of extreme network congestion. This plan offers the same unlimited premium data allotment and lightning-fast speeds found with AT&T's most expensive postpaid plans.
How fast is US Mobile Unlimited Starter in the real world?
During our testing, we recorded data speeds on the Dark Star (AT&T) network at 488Mbps with 5G coverage. That's incredibly fast and works for virtually any online activity.
Our experience with US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan

"In the course of my testing, I did not attempt to conserve my data. I used it to stream Netflix, browse social media, listen to music in my car, and even download files," Senior Staff Writer Max McCaskill said after using US Mobile for a month. "Despite all that, I didn’t come close to using the full allotment."
Read his full US Mobile review.
What users are saying
Users on the US Mobile subreddit describe Unlimited Starter as a great basic unlimited plan. u/meditry said, "[I] like that it's cheap and I don't have to think about it. I know US Mobile has a lot of features I'm not using (switching between carriers, etc.), but as far as a set it and forget it phone plan, I'm very happy."
Why should I switch to Unlimited Starter from US Mobile?
Starting at $25/month, the US Mobile Unlimited Starter plan is the cheapest unlimited plan that offers premium unlimited data and access to all three major wireless networks. It's a cheap plan that is packed full of value. Overall, it's difficult to find another plan that offers network customization and a generous data allotment for that low a price.
What is US Mobile's cheapest plan?
For just $10/month, the 2GB By the Gig Plan includes 2 gigs of unlimited data at 4G/5G speeds plus unlimited talk & text.
How is US Mobile's coverage?
US Mobile provides excellent coverage by allowing customers to select from the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks. They use different names for the networks—referring to them as Dark Star (AT&T), Light Speed (T-Mobile), and Warp (Verizon)—but that's just semantics. The fact is that if there's great cell phone coverage near you, you'll be able to use it through your US Mobile plan.
Does US Mobile offer promotional discounts?
Yes, US Mobile frequently offers promotional discounts, including deals on its unlimited plans that offer discounted monthly rates, free trial periods, and rebates for customers who BYOD.
2. Visible Plan from Visible
The Visible plan's unlimited 5G data on Verizon's network and unlimited mobile hotspot feature make it surprisingly cheap at $25/month. It's excellent for people like college students and remote workers who have access to plenty of high-speed Wi-Fi.
This plan the same cost as the US Mobile Unlimited Starter plan above. What is the key difference? This plan does not have premium data, so it's subject to deprioritization during network congestion (which we never experienced during our tests).
That said, this is the best low-priced plan you'll find if you use your mobile hotspot frequently. Customers who use their tablets or laptops away from home frequently can rely on having truly unlimited mobile hotspot data with speeds capped at 5Mbps. That's perfect for basic online tasks like streaming SD videos, scrolling social media, and many remote work tasks.
Reasons to buy
- Low $25/month price for unlimited data
- Unlimited 5G data (subject to deprioritization)
- Unlimited mobile hotspot at 5Mbps speed
- Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G network
Reasons to avoid
- No dedicated high-speed hotspot
- No options for add-on perks like streaming or storage
Why we love it
The Visible plan offers plenty of valuable features for the low price of just $25/month. The plan offers unlimited data on Verizon's 5G network and an unlimited mobile hotspot with speeds capped at 5Mbps. The Visible plan doesn't have any data caps, but your data is subject to deprioritization. That means your speeds may briefly slow down during times of network congestion.
Visible is owned by Verizon, but they exist as two different carriers. That means you can expect to have excellent coverage and speeds as a Verizon-adjacent customer, but won't be able to take advantage of Verizon's robust customer service if you need help. That said, even though Visible's customer service is only available online, we've still found their digital channels to be helpful with any issues we've experienced.
How fast is the Visible plan in the real world?
During our Visible testing, we saw speeds around 150Mbps on a 5G LTE connection, which was fast enough for us to stream videos, play mobile games, and download and upload files. Plus, we never experienced deprioritization or data slowdowns, keeping our speeds fast at all times.
Our experience with the Visible plan

"One of the biggest concerns you might have with a plan like the Visible plan is that your speeds may be slowed down during network congestion. The good news is that I didn't really experience this during my tests," UX Analyst Angelo Ilumba said after testing Visible for a month.
Read his full Visible review.
What users are saying
Many Visible plan users love the cheap prices of the Visible plan. However, some have noted that their 5G coverage is somewhat limited and recommended doing Visible's free trial. u/theonlybuster said: "The simple truth is that your service quality is going to be unique based on your region and device. Do the Visible 15-day trial to see how the service fares for you specifically. If it goes well, turn the trial into a monthly membership."
Is the Visible plan worth switching to?
The Visible plan worth switching to if you're looking for a cheap $25/month unlimited plan with a large mobile hotspot capability. The cheapest unlimited Verizon plan with mobile hotspot capability is the Unlimited Plus plan for $70/month. Visible offers access to the same Verizon 4G LTE and basic 5G networks for $50/month less.
Plus, remember you will never run out of data with this plan, but it might be subject to brief periods of slower speeds if you're in a very busy location. As for the hotspot, no other plan offers a truly unlimited mobile hotspot. While the speeds are capped at 10Mbps, it'll work perfectly for basic internet tasks.
Does Visible include hotspot data and how fast is it?
Yes, all Visible plans include mobile hotspot data, but each plan offers different speed limits. The Visible plan hotspot is capped at 5Mbps, the Visible+ plan at 10Mbps, and the Visible+ Pro plan at 15Mbps.
Does Visible offer discounts?
Yes, Visible offers discounts if you purchase an annual plan or sign up for an Inner Circle group account.
Are all Visible plans unlimited?
Yes, all of Visible's plans are unlimited plans. The Visible plan includes unlimited 5G data, and the Visible+ and Visible+ Pro plans include unlimited premium data.
3. Mint Modern Family Plan from Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile's Modern Family plan is one of the cheapest ways to build an unlimited family plan. Mint's multi-line discount scores you the Mint Unlimited plan for just $30/month per line, no matter the length of your plan. It's best for families with multiple power users who need unlimited plans with lots of premium data. If your family has parents that love to stream videos and kids that like mobile gaming, this is the plan for you.
Mint Unlimited has 50GB of premium data, which is a massive allotment for most people. After that, you'll remain connected, but you may see slower speeds due to deprioritization during periods of network congestion. That said, that shouldn't happen often, and you'll remain connected to the network no matter what, making this a true unlimited plan.
Reasons to buy
- 50GB premium data
- 20GB mobile hotspot
- Excellent multi-line discounts
- T-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G coverage
Reasons to avoid
- Spotty coverage in rural areas
- Few perks included with plan
Why it's the best cheap unlimited family plan
Mint Mobile's Modern Family Plan is one of the best options for a cheap unlimited family plan because it gets you the lowest price available per line. All of Mint's plans are sold in blocks of 3, 6, or 12 months. For a single-line plan, the only way to score Mint's cheapest pricing is to purchase a 12-month plan.
With family plans, Mint offers the lowest price available, no matter which length you choose. This means that each Mint Unlimited line on your plan is only $30, so a four-line family plan is just $120/month.
The Mint Unlimited plan offers 50GB of priority data on T-Mobile's 5G network, which sports the largest coverage area in the nation. If you exceed 50GB, you'll still have high-speed data that's subject to deprioritization during times of network congestion. The plan also offers a 20GB mobile hotspot that uses data from your premium allotment.
How fast is Mint Unlimited in the real world?
During our Mint Mobile testing, we saw download speeds up to 600Mbps on the Mint Unlimited plan. That's extremely fast and will allow you to complete any online task you need, including 4K streaming, video chatting, and intense mobile gaming.
Our experience with Mint Mobile's Unlimited plan

During his Mint Unlimited testing, Angelo Ilumba noted that he never exceeded his data allotment despite heavily using his plan, "As for those 50GB of premium data, it’s difficult to come close to reaching that allowance."
Read his full Mint Mobile review.
What users are saying
Users on the Mint Family plan point out that it's one of best ways to make your service more affordable. User r/BigHersh14 simply said, "You can get the 12-month pricing but pay by 3 months at a time." This is a big deal because Mint requires an upfront payment on all of its plans. Four lines of unlimited in a 12-month plan would require a one-time payment of $1,440. Instead, Mint's family plan structure allows that price to be broken down into smaller blocks for customers on a budget.
Why should families switch to Mint Unlimited?
Many MVNOs don't even offer family plan discounts, making Mint's deal all that much better. Add in massive premium data allotments and a generous mobile hotspot and this quickly becomes an excellent choice for heavy data-users on a budget.
Mint Unlimited's family discounts allow you to grab T-Mobile's excellent 5G coverage for $120/month, which is a fraction of the typical price. The closest official T-Mobile plan to offer both premium data and a high-speed mobile hotspot is the Experience More plan, which is $170/month for four lines. Your family would save $600/year just by picking Mint Mobile instead of T-Mobile, despite having the same network access.
How is Mint Mobile's coverage?
Mint Mobile's coverage is excellent because it uses T-Mobile for coverage. T-Mobile has the largest 5G network in the U.S., covering 40% of the country. Its 4G LTE network is much larger, covering 62% of the map, and reaches into more suburban areas where 5G may not be available from other carriers.
Does Mint Mobile have a free trial?
Yes, Mint Mobile offers a 7-day free trial to test out the network. It includes 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 250MB of data.
Is Mint Mobile's unlimited plan truly unlimited?
No, Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan speeds are reduced after 35GB of monthly data usage. However, during testing, we found it nearly impossible to use that much data in a single month, and never experienced slowdowns.
Every plan
we evaluated
Our top three picks aren't the only cheap unlimited plans we evaluated for this list. Below are some of the other plans we considered that didn't quite make the cut. That doesn't mean they're bad plans; in fact, some of them are quite good... they're just not the best. Some of them, though, are bad, and we're calling them out here so you can avoid the headaches of dealing with a high payment for subpar service.
Recommended
Unlimited plan from Tello
Tello's Unlimited plan offers 50GB of premium data on T-Mobile's network and a 10GB mobile hotspot for just $25/month. It's just as cheap as the plans above, but it didn't quite make the top of the list because it offers a smaller mobile hotspot than US Mobile, Visible, and Mint Mobile. That said, if hotspot usage is not a priority or you prefer paying a monthly bill, Tello is an excellent alternative to Mint.
Unlimited 30 Plan from MobileX
MobileX's claim to fame is offering an AI-enabled phone plan that can predict your data needs. However, MobileX also has a cheap unlimited plan for just $24.88/month. If offers unlimited data (50GB of high-speed) on Verizon's network that's subject to deprioritization during congestion. For an extra $5/month, you can add MobileX's Gold Network Priority Access that gives you priority data during times of network congestion. If you don't need Gold Network access throughout the entire month, you can purchase Priority Access data on demand as you need it for $2.10/GB.
You'll also find a solid 10GB mobile hotspot. This plan didn't make the top of the list because we had some coverage issues during our review of MobileX's service. That said, if you're looking for the absolute cheapest price on an unlimited plan on Verizon's network, MobileX's Unlimited plan is a few cents cheaper than the Visible plan.
Unlimited Plan from Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile offers access to the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Boost networks. Its basic Unlimited Plan starts at just $25/month, but it's an extremely barebones option. It offers 30GB of priority data. Features like mobile hotspot and international roaming are only available through paid add-ons. One unique feature of this plan is that the $25 price is guaranteed forever as long as you don't leave your plan.
Worth considering (with reservations)
Essentials from T-Mobile
The Essentials plan is T-Mobile's cheapest standard postpaid plan. That said, with a $60/month starting price, it's still not very cheap. The plan comes with 50GB of premium data and an unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G speeds.
Unlimited Welcome from Verizon
Unlimited Welcome is Verizon's cheapest postpaid plan, coming in at $55/month for one line. While it's cheaper than competing plans from T-Mobile and AT&T, you're not getting much for your money. Unlimited Welcome only offers unlimited 5G data that's subject to deprioritization. There are no perks or mobile hotspot data included. Extra perks and plan features—like mobile hotspot data or streaming subscriptions—can be added to your plan for $10/month for each.
Not recommended
Unlimited plan from Ting
Ting's Unlimited plan is a poor value overall, offering a low premium data allotment (22GB) for the relatively expensive price of $45/month. With so many other cheap unlimited plans operating on T-Mobile's network (including US Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Tello), we can't find a reason to recommend this Ting plan for customers on a budget.
Unlimited Month Pass from TextNow
TextNow does offer the cheapest talk and text plan on the market, but its Unlimited Data Pass add-on is downright unaffordable. It offers just 20GB of full-speed data for a whopping $35.99/month.
How to evaluate
a cheap unlimited plan
Not all cheap unlimited plans are the same. While all unlimited plans technically offer unlimited data throughout a given month, the way they deliver that data varies depending on the carrier and plan. There are other distinctions too—in speed, priority windows, perks, and more—and it's crucial to understand what you're getting before you activate. Here's what to seek out (and what to avoid) when shopping for the best unlimited plan for you.
What to look for
- If and when deprioritization occurs.
Cheap unlimited plans generally don't offer unlimited full-speed data (US Mobile Unlimited Starter is unique in that aspect). Instead, they typically offer smaller high-speed allotments with unlimited slower data afterward or unlimited data that can be deprioritized due to network congestion. If you live in a city where network congestion may happen frequently, you may want to purchase a plan with at least a small allotment of high-speed (premium) data. If you're unsure how much data you need, be sure to read our mobile data usage guide to help determine the best plan for you. - Whether or not the low price will stay low.
Many carriers offer low introductory pricing on their plans, but raise the prices after a few months. That doesn't mean introductory pricing is a red flag. After all, we recommended Mint's Unlimited plan, which includes a low rate for the first three months of service. But it does require you to understand what the price will increase to once the introductory period is over, and if you want to keep the plan at that more expensive rate. - The size of the mobile hotspot allowance.
Many cheap unlimited plans come with small mobile hotspots, which allow you to turn your cell phone plan into a portable Wi-Fi router. That said, if you use a mobile hotspot extensively, you may need to purchase a more expensive plan to get a larger data allotment.
What to avoid
- Unlimited data for the sake of unlimited data.
You may not need an unlimited plan at all, especially if you have access to Wi-Fi. The average American only uses around 10GB of data per month, an amount that's far below the premium data threshold of most unlimited plans. If you're truly on a budget, limited data plans from prepaid carriers can offer more modest plans at even lower prices that still meet your needs. - Plans with extra perks.
Some carriers try to lure you into paying for a more expensive unlimited plan to gain access to free perks like streaming subscriptions or international data. The cheapest unlimited plans are typically barebones, with no extra perks included. Luckily, cheaper unlimited plans can help you pay for extra perks out of pocket when you need them, helping you still save overall.
How we picked the best cheap unlimited plans
Each of our plan picks is underpinned by an extensive first-hand test and review of its features and performance. Our team evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras & perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts spent at least one month using each of the plans and carriers we've recommended to you. In addition to running speed tests, tethering to the hotspot, and analyzing coverage reliability, we also leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate plan options, cost, and inclusions. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After our hands-on testing and extensive research, we picked the best cheap unlimited plans we feel meet the needs of most people.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to dive deeper into how we evaluate plans and carriers, and how to pick the right plan for yourself or your family.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer






