Best-of ranking Ranked for solo value · Prices checked Oct 2026

Best Phone Plans for One Person (Single Line)

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.

First Not sure how much data you actually need? Seven questions and you’ll know which tier to shop. Work it out →
Our verdict At a glance What a year costs Why these plans win Also worth considering How to choose Best by use case FAQ
Our verdict

US Mobile Unlimited Premium, at $32.50/mo (annual)

Our highest-scored plan, and strong as a single line: unlimited priority data, 20GB of roaming in 180+ countries, and free smartwatch service. It's $299 for the first year on the annual plan (about $24.92 a month), then $390 a year ($32.50 a month), or $44 month to month, taxes included. You pick Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T at signup.

The catch: The best price needs a year upfront. Unlimited hotspot is on the AT&T network option only.

Check price at US Mobile →
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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

Plan Network Price Best for
US Mobile Unlimited Premium Verizon / T-Mobile / AT&T $32.50/mo (annual) Best overall for solo
Visible+ Plan Verizon $35/mo Best value for one line
Visible+ Pro Plan Verizon $45/mo Best premium single line
Visible Base Plan Verizon $25/mo Cheapest permanent unlimited
Cricket 12-Month Unlimited AT&T $25/mo (annual) Best bulk pricing
Swipe the table to compare all columns

What a year costs

Every plan on this page, annualised. Top to bottom, the gap is $240 a year.

Shorter bar — less per year Longer bar — more per year
Visible Base Plan
$300/yr
Cricket 12-Month Unlimited
$300/yr
US Mobile Unlimited Premium
$390/yr
Visible+ Plan
$420/yr
Visible+ Pro Plan
$540/yr

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.

1
US Mobile US Mobile Unlimited Premium Best overall for solo
Our highest-scored plan: $24.92 a month the first year on the annual plan, taxes included.
Price verified November 2, 2026
$32.50/mo (annual)
See the verdict above
Best for Solo users wanting flagship-class features at MVNO pricing.
2
Visible Visible+ Plan Best value for one line
Verizon-network unlimited with priority data for $35 a month, taxes and fees included, or $30 a month for 5 years with code 5OFF5.
Price verified November 2, 2026
$35/mo
Read our full review →

Verizon-network unlimited with priority data for $35 a month, taxes and fees included, or $30 a month for 5 years with code 5OFF5. Apple Watch service is a $10 add-on (free on Visible+ Pro).

Best for Solo users on Verizon wanting priority UWB data.
Watch for Digital-only support.
3
Visible Visible+ Pro Plan Best premium single line
The premium single-line tier: priority UWB, unlimited 15 Mbps hotspot, and free Apple Watch service at $45/month all-in.
Price verified November 2, 2026
$45/mo
Read our full review →

The premium single-line tier: priority UWB, unlimited 15 Mbps hotspot, and free Apple Watch service at $45/month all-in. For solo users with sustained tethering or an Apple Watch, it's the sweet spot.

Best for Solo professionals with heavy tethering or an Apple Watch.
Watch for Digital-only; hotspot caps at 15 Mbps.
4
Visible Base Plan Cheapest permanent unlimited
The cheapest single-line unlimited with permanent pricing: $25/mo all-in on Verizon.
Price verified November 2, 2026
$25/mo
Read our full review →

The default solo pick: Verizon-network unlimited plus unlimited 5 Mbps hotspot at $25/month all-in, the cheapest single-line unlimited with permanent (not promotional) pricing.

Best for Wi-Fi-first solo users wanting Verizon coverage at the lowest permanent price.
Watch for Deprioritized data; 5 Mbps hotspot; digital-only.
5
Cricket 12-Month Unlimited Best bulk pricing
AT&T unlimited at $25/mo effective, paid yearly and single-line by design.
Price verified November 2, 2026
$25/mo (annual)
Read our full review →

AT&T-network unlimited plus Mexico and Canada for $300 upfront, about $25 a month, taxes included. It's for one new line with your own phone, which suits a solo user.

Best for AT&T-network solo users committed to 12 months who want bulk savings.
Watch for $300 upfront; new customers only; no hotspot; BYOD required.

Also Worth Considering

Plans that didn’t make the ranking but are the right answer in a narrower case.

Mint Mobile 6GB
Mint Mobile
Cheapest light

$15 a month with 12 months upfront, plus tax: the cheapest single line for light users on T-Mobile.

Read more →
Mint Mobile Unlimited
Mint Mobile
T-Mobile unlimited

$30 a month with 12 months upfront, plus tax: the cheapest T-Mobile unlimited for one line.

Read more →
US Mobile Unlimited Starter
US Mobile
Cheapest first-year

$199 for the first year (about $16.58 a month), taxes included, with your choice of network.

Read more →
Consumer Cellular Unlimited 50+
Consumer Cellular
Seniors

$35/mo ($33.25 AARP) on AT&T + T-Mobile with top-rated U.S. support.

Read more →
Tello Everyday
Tello
Light users, month to month

$15 a month for 10GB with 10GB of hotspot, plus taxes, no annual payment.

Read more →
Ultra Mobile 24GB
Ultra Mobile
International calling

$27 a month on 12 months, on T-Mobile's network, with international calling.

Read more →

How to Choose

The questions that decide it, in the order worth asking them.

Do you have an Apple Watch?

The biggest hidden solo cost difference. Visible's three tiers include or offer Watch service; Visible+ Pro includes it free (saving $120 to $180/year). Most other plans charge $10 to $15/mo extra.

Can you commit to annual prepay?

Single-line bulk delivers big savings: Cricket 12-Month ($25/mo, $300 upfront), US Mobile Starter annual ($16.60/mo, $199), Mint ($30/mo unlimited on 12-month prepay, $360 upfront). For monthly flexibility, Visible Base at $25 is strongest.

Which network at your home/work?

Verizon: Visible tiers. AT&T: Cricket, AT&T Prepaid. T-Mobile: Mint, Google Fi. Multi-network: US Mobile: pick at signup.

How much data and hotspot?

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

Best Single-Line on a Budget
Visible Base Plan

$25 a month, taxes included, Verizon unlimited with permanent pricing.

Runner-up: US Mobile Starter at $16.58 a month for the first year.

Best Single-Line with Apple Watch
Visible+ Pro Plan

$45/mo, and the only Visible tier including Watch service free, saving $10/mo.

Runner-up: Visible+ Plan ($35/mo), plus $10/mo for Watch service.

Best Single-Line Bulk Pricing
Cricket 12-Month Unlimited

$25/mo effective ($300 upfront): AT&T unlimited plus MX/Canada.

Runner-up: US Mobile Starter at $199 for the first year.

Best Single-Line for Heavy Hotspot
Visible+ Pro Plan

Unlimited 15 Mbps hotspot on Verizon.

Runner-up: US Mobile Premium on the AT&T network option, with unlimited hotspot.

Best Single-Line for Multi-Network
US Mobile Unlimited Premium

Pick Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T at signup.

Runner-up: US Mobile Starter at $25/mo, or $22.50/mo on annual after year one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best phone plan for one person? +
For most solo users, US Mobile Unlimited Premium: $299 for the first year on the annual plan, then $32.50 a month, taxes included, with your choice of network. For Verizon priority data month to month, Visible+ at $35 ($30 with code 5OFF5). For the cheapest unlimited, Visible at $25.
Are single-line plans more expensive than family plans? +
Per-line yes, per-bill no. Single-line plans cost $25 to $65/mo total; family plans cost $100 to $260 at four lines. For one person you only pay for one line. You just don't get the multi-line discount.
What's the cheapest single-line plan? +
Mint Mobile 6GB at $15 a month with 12 months upfront (plus tax) or Tello Starter at $10 a month (2GB, plus taxes). For unlimited, US Mobile Unlimited Starter works out to $16.58 a month for the first year. Both need a compatible phone.
Do single-line plans include Apple Watch service? +
Most don't include it free. Among Visible's tiers, only Visible+ Pro ($45) includes it; Visible+ and Base offer it as a $10/mo add-on. Most carriers charge $10 to $15/mo for a Watch line.
Are MVNO single-line plans good? +
Often the best single-line value: Visible, US Mobile, Mint, and Cricket deliver postpaid-class solo service at much lower prices. The trade-offs are digital-only support and possible deprioritization.

Looking for something different?

Best Family Phone Plans Multi-line economics → Best Unlimited Data Plans Unlimited rankings → Cheapest Phone Plans Under $30/month → Best Prepaid Phone Plans No-contract carriers →

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.