By
Max McCaskill Sr. Staff Writer
Updated

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, a solid 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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Our picks for the best cheap unlimited plans

US Mobile
Cheapest overall plan
US Mobile Unlimited Starter Plan
→ Unlimited premium data on Dark Star (AT&T) network
→ $25/month
View at US Mobile
Visible
Runner-up
Visible
→ Unlimited 5G data on Verizon network
→ $25/month
View at Visible
Mint Mobile
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

US Mobile
US Mobile

Unlimited Starter Plan (Dark Star)

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 20GB mobile hotspot data
  • whistleOut Exclusive: Get this plan for only $45 for 3 months ($15/mo.) with new number activation OR $5 off per month for 6 mo. (up to 3 lines) OR 30 Days FREE Trial
$25.00/mo
$20/mo. for 6 months; $25/mo. thereafter

US Mobile's Unlimited Starter is not only cheap, but it's also packed with value. You'll find an excellent premium data allotment, mobile hotspot, and the ability to switch service between the three major networks for just $25/month. For the best experience and largest data allotments, we recommend the Dark Star (AT&T) network. 

Reasons to buy

  • Access to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks
  • Unlimited premium data (AT&T network)
  • 20GB mobile hotspot (AT&T network)
  • International add-ons available

Reasons to avoid

  • Fees for network transfers

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 switch using the TelePortal feature. The first two network transfers are free, then $2 per transfer afterward. 

In our hands-on testing of US Mobile, we found that 4G and 5G speeds were extremely fast in more populated areas, topping out around 350Mbps near a T-Mobile 5G tower and a whopping 488Mbps near an AT&T one. 

Our experience with US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan

Max McCaskill
4.0 out of 5 overall

"I tested the Unlimited Starter plan because it’s a solid mid-range plan that’ll meet most people’s needs," Senior Staff Writer Max McCaskill said after using US Mobile for a month. "A case can be made that [it] is one of the best values on the market because it offers generous data allotments for a lower price than many competitors."

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."

The bottom line

The US Mobile Unlimited Starter plan offers access to all three major wireless networks and unlimited premium data for just $25/month. 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. 


2. Visible Plan from Visible

Visible
Visible

$25 Visible Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included

The Visible plan's unlimited data and unlimited mobile hotspot feature make it surprisingly cheap at $25/month. This is one of the best low-priced plans you'll find if you use your mobile hotspot frequently. 

Reasons to buy

  • Excellent price for unlimited data
  • Unlimited 5G data (subject to deprioritization)
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot at 5Mbps speed
  • Verizon's 4G LTE and fastest 5G networks

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. 

During our Visible testing, we saw speeds around 150Mbps on a 4G LTE connection, which was fast enough for us to stream videos, play mobile games, and download and upload files.

Visible is owned by Verizon, but they exist as two different carriers. That means you 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. 

Our experience with the Visible plan

Angelo Ilumba
4.5 out of 5 overall

"My hands-on testing showed that Visible provides consistent data speeds and broad coverage, thanks to Verizon’s reliable wireless network," UX Analyst Angelo Ilumba said after testing Visible for a month. "Features such as unlimited data and a user-friendly app make it a compelling choice."

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."

The bottom line

The Visible plan is the best option if you're looking for a cheap unlimited plan with a large mobile hotspot capability. No other plan offers a truly unlimited mobile hotspot for just $25/month. While it doesn't offer incredibly fast speeds, it'll work perfectly for basic internet tasks. That said, being limited to just one network puts it a peg below the US Mobile plan above. 


3. Mint Modern Family Plan from Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile

Unlimited Data Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 20GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get this plan for just $25/mo. when you switch to Mint Mobile using promo code 15OFF at checkout. Upfront payment required
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.

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. 

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 is the largest in the nation. If you exceed 50GB, you'll 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. 

Our experience with Mint Mobile's Unlimited plan

Angelo Ilumba
4.5 out of 5 overall

"Mint Mobile's prices are definitely a standout feature," Angelo Ilumba said in his T-Mobile review. "With unlimited plans starting at $30/month with a 3-month package, Mint easily beats out the major carriers' rates."

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.  

The bottom line

Many MVNOs don't even offer family plan discounts, making Mint's deal all that much better. Mint Unlimited's family discounts allow you to grab T-Mobile's excellent 5G coverage for a fraction of the typical price.

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
Tello

Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
$25.00/mo

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
MobileX

Unlimited 30 Plan

  • 30GB of 4G LTE/5G data
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get this plan for only $24.88/mo. with 50GB high-speed data. New customers only
$24.88/mo
+ $9.88 Upfront

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
Boost Mobile

Unlimited Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • No mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get this Unlimited plan for only $10/mo. for the first 3 months of service with Boost Mobile!
$10.00/mo
with AutoPay

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

T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Essentials

  • Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with 50GB of Premium Data
  • 3GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers
$60.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included

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

Verizon
Verizon

Unlimited Welcome

  • Unlimited 5G speeds
  • No mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get $10 off per line for 1 line via monthly promo credits over 36 months. For new customers only
$55.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront

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. 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 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 that the price may increase after the introductory period ends. 
  • 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. Limited data plans from prepaid carriers offer more modest plans at even lower prices.
  • 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 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

Max McCaskill
Max is a Senior Staff Writer at WhistleOut, specializing in mobile plans, operating systems, and carrier news. He regularly tests and reviews dozens of phone plans firsthand, evaluating real-world data speeds, coverage reliability, and plan features. He's been featured in publications such as Yahoo Finance, AARP, AP News, and GoBankingRates.

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