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Unlimited Data
From $32.50/mo
No hard caps, ranked by value.
5 plans →
Prepaid
From $15/mo
Major towers, no contract.
5 plans →
Cheap Plans
From $10/mo
Full service, under $30.
5 plans →
Hotspot
From $25/mo
Real tethering data, compared.
6 plans →
Or by carrier deal
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Free trials
Test before you switch
Test real coverage at your address · cancel anytime
See our full cell phone service trials guide for every carrier's fine print, hidden fees, and how to cancel before you're charged.
Editor's picks
The best plans right now, ranked
Sorted by overall score · 134 plans tested
Rankings
Best Phone Plans
22 buyer’s guides plus all 134 plans reviewed. Every plan scored on value, coverage, data, and perks.
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Coverage
Check your state
An interactive U.S. map, 51 state guides (50 states + D.C.), and 148 city guides. See which carrier wins where you live.Interactive U.S. map, 51 state guides, and 148 city guides.
Open the coverage map →Latest from ShopCellPlans
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Popular guides
The how-tos readers open most.
01Which Free Trial to Start With for Rural Coverage
02How to Switch Carriers and Keep Your Number
03What Network Does Each Carrier Use?
04T-Mobile Legacy Plans: What the Migration Means
05The Hidden Cost of Switching Carriers
06How Much Data Do I Need?
All how-to guides →
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
The six we get asked most, answered from plans we've tested ourselves.
Get told when prices change
Carriers raise rates quietly. We re-check weekly and email you when your plan moves.
Does "Unlimited" actually mean unlimited?
Not exactly. Every U.S. "unlimited" plan has a premium high-speed threshold — typically 30GB to 100GB. After that, speeds may slow during congestion. Truly uncapped plans exist but cost $90+/month.
What is an MVNO and should I trust one?
MVNOs like Visible, US Mobile, and Mint rent access from major carriers and pass on the savings — same towers, 30–60% less. The trade-off is possible deprioritization during congestion.
Carrier phone or unlocked?
Carrier "free phone" deals are 24–36 month bill credits that lock you in. Unlocked costs more upfront but lets you switch anytime — often onto cheaper MVNO plans like US Mobile at $32.50/mo.
Which carrier has the best coverage?
It varies by ZIP. T-Mobile leads urban 5G; Verizon is strongest rural; AT&T sits between. A great plan on a weak-coverage network beats nothing — check your area first.
Are there senior discounts?
Availability differs by carrier. T-Mobile's 55+ plans are nationwide; Verizon's 55+ is Florida-only; AT&T's 55+ has limited eligibility. Consumer Cellular and Lively are nationwide alternatives.
Can I keep my number and phone?
Yes. If unlocked, bring your phone to any carrier. For your number, request an account number and transfer PIN — never cancel first. Ports usually finish within 24 hours.