Best Single-Line Phone Plans
Single-line plans are evaluated differently than family plans — multi-line discounts don't apply when you're the only line, so the best 4-line plan often isn't the best plan for one person. Solo users benefit from single-line pricing that doesn't depend on hidden scaling, all-in pricing for a cleaner bill, and per-line perks (Apple Watch service, streaming credentials, international).
How we judged these plans ▾
Solo users lose the multi-line discounts that make carrier pricing look reasonable, which changes the answer entirely. We rank on the real single-line cost after taxes, not the four-line rate.
We reweight the four pillars for solo economics: single-line monthly cost (multi-line scaling is irrelevant), all-in pricing transparency (a $5 gap matters more on a solo bill), and per-line perks like Apple Watch service that don't scale across other lines.
We also fairly evaluate single-line-restricted plans (Cricket 12-Month, US Mobile Flex annual) that ranked low for families — solo is exactly their use case, and their restrictions become advantages.
US Mobile Unlimited Premium, at $32.50/mo
Our highest-scored plan, and particularly strong solo — unlimited priority data, unlimited hotspot, 20GB international, and free smartwatch service at $32.50/month all-in, without multi-line bloat. Multi-network choice lets you pick the strongest coverage in your specific area.
The catch: Multi-network simultaneous use is a $7.50/mo add-on; single-network is the right default.
Check price at US Mobile →For most solo users, US Mobile Unlimited Premium at $32.50/mo is our highest-scored plan; for the cheapest permanent unlimited, Visible Base at $25/mo.
At a Glance
What a year costs
Every plan on this page, annualised. Top to bottom, the gap is $240 a year.
Why These Plans Win
Every plan is scored against the same four pillars. Here is why each one made the ranking, who it fits, and what to watch for.
Also Worth Considering
Plans that didn’t make the ranking but are the right answer in a narrower case.
$15/mo — the cheapest credible single-line plan for light users on T-Mobile.
Read more →$15/mo first year ($40 regular) — the cheapest T-Mobile unlimited for a solo line.
Read more →$16.60/mo first-year promo with multi-network choice and 20GB hotspot.
Read more →$35/mo ($33.25 AARP) on AT&T + T-Mobile with top-rated U.S. support.
Read more →How to Choose
The questions that decide it, in the order worth asking them.
The biggest hidden solo cost difference. Visible's three tiers include or offer Watch service; Visible+ Pro includes it free (saving $120–180/year). Most other plans charge $10–15/mo extra.
Single-line bulk delivers big savings — Cricket 12-Month ($25/mo, $300 upfront), US Mobile Starter annual ($16.60/mo, $199), Mint ($15/mo first-year unlimited, $40 regular). For monthly flexibility, Visible Base at $25 is strongest.
Verizon: Visible tiers. AT&T: Cricket, AT&T Prepaid. T-Mobile: Mint, Google Fi. Multi-network: US Mobile — pick at signup.
Heavy: US Mobile Premium, Visible+, Cricket Supreme. Moderate: Visible Base, Mint 17GB. Light: Mint 6GB. Heavy tethering: Visible+ Pro (15 Mbps) or US Mobile Premium (unlimited).
Best Plans by Use Case
$25/mo all-in Verizon unlimited with permanent pricing.
Runner-up: US Mobile Starter at $16.60/mo first-year.
The only Visible tier including Watch service free, saving $10/mo.
Runner-up: Visible+ Plan with a $10/mo Watch add-on.
$25/mo effective ($300 upfront) — AT&T unlimited plus MX/Canada.
Runner-up: US Mobile Starter annual at $16.60/mo.
Unlimited 15 Mbps hotspot on Verizon.
Runner-up: US Mobile Premium with unlimited priority hotspot.
Pick Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T at signup.
Runner-up: US Mobile Starter at $22.50/mo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best single-line phone plan? +
Are single-line plans more expensive than family plans? +
What's the cheapest single-line plan? +
Do single-line plans include Apple Watch service? +
Are MVNO single-line plans good? +
Affiliate disclosure: ShopCellPlans earns a commission on qualifying signups through some of the links on this page. Our rankings reflect editorial judgment, not commercial relationships. Read our methodology.