If the arrival of the iPhone 13 makes you hunt for the best unlimited data plan – or even if you’re just wondering what other options are out there to supplement your current wireless service – you’ve come to the right place. We can help you find a plan that offers the right combination of benefits and prices, as well as unlimited data flow for your smartphone.
Each unlimited data plan also includes unlimited talk time and texts. But you can get other perks like LTE hotspot data, the ability to use your plan when traveling abroad, and HD video streaming. We would also consider the possibility of a wireless operator 5G cover if you are looking to purchase any of the best 5G phones.
The best mobile phone plans with unlimited data at a glance
1. Cheapest unlimited plan: Mint Mobile
2. Unlimited plan at the best value for money: Visible
3. Best overall unlimited plan: Verizon
4. Best Unlimited Value of a Primary Operator: T Mobile
5. Perfect for big streamers: AT&T
Finding the best unlimited data plan is especially critical these days, as many mobile carriers make it a condition for getting the biggest discounts on their phone deals. (Signing up for unlimited data is a requirement in most of the best pre-order deals for iPhone 13, in fact.)
Fortunately, we took a look at the unlimited data plans offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to determine which best meets the needs of different types of users. Additionally, we looked beyond the big carriers for cheaper options from Mint Mobile, Visible, and others.
Here is an overview of the best unlimited data plans for a wide range of different smartphone users. And if you don’t need all that data, we’ve featured the best tiered data plans from the limited options available.
- The best unlimited data plans you can get today
- The best unlimited data plan on a budget
- The best unlimited data plan overall
- The best value unlimited data plan
- The best unlimited value for money from a main operator
- The best unlimited plan for Comcast customers
- Unlimited data packed with features
- Best unlimited data plan for travelers
- Best unlimited plan for switchers
- How to choose the best unlimited data plan for you
- Are there limits to the best unlimited data plans?
The best unlimited data plans you can get today
The best unlimited data plan on a budget
Mint Mobile | Unlimited data | $ 30 / month – Unlimited data on a budget
If you’re just looking for an unlimited data plan at its lowest price, Mint Mobile is the way to go. It cuts the cost of unlimited data down to just $ 30 per month. At this price, you still get 5G access and no limits on speed, usage, or video quality. However, you only get that price for three months – after that you will have to sign up for an additional 12 months to keep the $ 30 rate.
Pros: cheapest global unlimited plan, 5G speeds
The inconvenients: Speed restrictions, price increases after 3 monthsSee the offer
The best unlimited data plan overall
Verizon | Play more unlimited | $ 80 / month – Best Unlimited Plan Overall
In contrast to the Mint Mobile spectrum, Verizon’s Play More plan will set you back $ 80 per month. But it’s also pretty much the most feature-rich option. It includes 5G and subscriptions to Hulu, ESPN Plus, and Disney Plus, as well as 15GB of LTE hotspot data. Verizon added 12 months of Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass for streaming games. Another benefit of Verizon’s impressive coverage and speeds is that it is the best overall unlimited data plan.
Pros: Excellent coverage, free streaming subscriptions, 5G access
The inconvenients: Not the cheapestSee the offer
The best value unlimited data plan
Visible | Unlimited data | $ 40 / month – The best prepaid unlimited data on a low budget
While Mint Mobile offers the cheapest price for unlimited data, Visible’s unlimited option is also great value for money. You get unlimited 5G data that uses Verizon’s coverage and speeds, unlimited hotspot data, and no limits on LTE speeds. (5G speeds are currently capped at 200 Mbps.) The other major benefit of Visible’s unlimited plan is the “Party Pay” setup. This allows you to keep costs down if friends or families join a plan with you. All contracts will be separate and you each pay your own bill. This can reduce your bills to just $ 25 per month.
Advantages: Very affordable, unlimited 5G data, group payment system
The inconvenients: Few additional advantagesSee the offer
The best unlimited value for money from a main operator
T-Mobile Magenta | Unlimited data | $ 70 / month – Unlimited plan at the best value for money from a main operator
T-Mobile’s Magenta plan has a lot to offer. You get 100 GB of priority data and 5 GB of LTE access point data with unlimited access point data at 3G speeds. While Magenta doesn’t have as many features as the Verizon option above, it’s cheaper and actually sees its best value when combined with other lines. Right now, T-Mobile is launching the third line for free, which means you only pay $ 35 per line for four lines. Plus, you get plenty of benefits like a free year of Apple TV Plus with T-Mobile’s unlimited data plan.
Advantages: Attractive advantages, affordable price, advantages for additional lines
The inconvenients: HD video streaming costs extraSee the deal
The best unlimited plan for Comcast customers
Mobile Xfinity | Unlimited plan | $ 45 / month – Best Unlimited Plan for Comcast Customers
If you already get internet service from Comcast – and there’s a good chance you are, since it’s the largest ISP in the country – consider bundling phone service through Xfinity Mobile. The price is certainly right, at $ 45 per month for unlimited data on a single line. And for months when you know you won’t be using as much data, you can switch to the gig price.
Advantages: Low cost, uses Verizon network
The inconvenients: Only available to Xfinity Internet customersSee the offer
Unlimited data packed with features
AT&T | Unlimited Elite Plan | $ 85 / month – AT & T’s feature-rich unlimited plan
It’s definitely not a budget mobile plan, with AT&T charging $ 85 per month for just one line of its Elite Unlimited plan. However, this plan includes free access to the HBO Max streaming service, and you can stream in both HD and 4K (at least in cases where the latter is supported). AT&T has removed all data limits from this plan, so your speeds won’t be slowed down no matter how much data you use. The plan now includes 40 GB of access point data. If the price of $ 85 is still too high, AT&T offers two more unlimited plans at $ 75 and $ 65 (neither of which include HBO Max).
Pros: Unlimited 5G data, Free HBO Max, 40GB hotspot data
The inconvenients: See the offer
Best unlimited data plan for travelers
Google Fi | Unlimited plan | $ 70 / month – Best unlimited plan to travel
Google Fi’s unlimited plan isn’t one of the more affordable plans, costing as much as T-Mobile’s Magenta. But if you travel a lot, this will be the perfect option for you. Google doesn’t charge you extra for texting or using data in over 200 countries. There are other benefits to Google Fi’s plan as well, but they’re limited to the latest devices from Samsung, Google handsets like the new Pixel 5a, and a few Moto phones. If you have one of these devices, you will be able to seamlessly switch between cellular networks and Google Wi-Fi hotspots. However, any handset can use Google Fi, and any 5G capable phone can connect to the fastest network when available. If $ 70 a month is too much, Google offers a $ 60 plan, although you forgo international coverage and broadband connection.
Pros: Excellent international coverage, now supports many phones
The inconvenients: Some features are limited to certain phonesSee the offer
Best unlimited plan for switchers
Metro by T-Mobile | Unlimited plan | $ 25 / month – Best unlimited plan for money changers
Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plans usually start at $ 50 per month, but anyone planning to switch from Cricket or Boost can save a lot of data right now. Metro is reducing the price of its unlimited plan to $ 25 per month; even better than the lower price remains for 24 months. You can also pick up a free Galaxy A32 5G as part of this offer in-store.
Advantages: Use T-Mobile’s network, low price for unlimited data
The inconvenients: Price changes after 24 months, limited time offerSee the offer
How to choose the best unlimited data plan for you
In addition to making sure you choose a carrier that offers good service in your area, check out our guide to fastest wireless networks in addition to asking friends and family about the coverage, think about both the price and the benefits. With the best unlimited data plans from major carriers ranging in price from $ 60 to $ 90 per month, choose the plan that fits your budget or turn to a discounted carrier like Mint or Visible. Also consider the advantages of each wireless operator with their different levels of unlimited data.
Wondering if you need unlimited data? Unless you stream video and music on a fairly regular basis, you can probably get by with a tiered data plan, like those offered by AT&T and Verizon.
Are there limits to the best unlimited data plans?
Yes and no. While you technically get unlimited data on all of these plans, many of them will impose a restriction somewhere in the plan to limit you slightly.
AT&T reserves the right to begin limiting data to 50 GB for Unlimited Extra; Unlimited Starter customers can be limited at any time. Unlimited Elite customers no longer have to worry about caps, as AT&T removed this limitation from their most expensive plan. Verizon is able to slow down data once 50 GB is used by Do More, Play More, and Get More customers. T-Mobile also lets you use 100GB of data before the throttling can start, although if you go for the more expensive Magenta Max plan, there is no cap on data usage.
There could also be limits on the quality of video you can stream – some plans limit video streaming to 480p, forcing you to pay more for HD video streaming. Many plans also place limits on access point data, allocating only a limited amount of high-speed access point data. This is not really as big a problem as it seems. For the average person, hotspotting is just an added benefit and you won’t really lose too much by being limited to it.
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