The best low-cost unlimited data plan for most single-line users is Visible at $25 per month, with taxes and fees included. Visible includes unlimited on-device data and unlimited mobile hotspot data on Verizon's network. Hotspot speeds are capped at 5 Mbps, and data may slow during congestion.

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For consistently high-priority data, compare T-Mobile Experience Beyond, AT&T Premium 2.0 or Elite 2.0, and Verizon Unlimited Ultimate. These plans cost more, but they offer stronger premium-data, hotspot, international or device benefits.

Unlimited Data Cell Phone Plans at a Glance

Provider and plan Typical price shown by provider What "unlimited" includes Main limitation
Visible $25/month Unlimited data, talk, text and hotspot Hotspot up to 5 Mbps; data may be slower during congestion
Visible+ $35/month regular price Unlimited premium data on Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband and unlimited hotspot Hotspot speed is limited; regular 5G/LTE access has network-management terms
US Mobile Unlimited Premium $299 for the first annual term Unlimited priority data, 100GB hotspot on selected network options and international roaming Annual pricing and network choice affect benefits
Boost Mobile Unlimited $25/month with AutoPay Unlimited talk, text and data Speeds may slow after 30GB
Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited 5G Data From $40/month Unlimited 5G data, talk and text Entry plans may slow after a usage threshold during congestion
Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited Premium $60/month with AutoPay Unlimited premium 5G data Hotspot is limited to 25GB
AT&T Value 2.0 $30 per line with four lines Unlimited data, talk and text Only 5GB of high-speed data before possible congestion-based slowdowns
AT&T Extra 2.0 $40 per line with four lines Unlimited data, talk and text 100GB of high-speed data, then possible slowdowns
AT&T Premium 2.0 $50 per line with four lines Unlimited high-speed data that does not slow based on usage 100GB hotspot allowance
AT&T Elite 2.0 $70 per line with four lines Unlimited high-speed data plus international benefits Higher price; hotspot slows after 250GB
T-Mobile Experience Beyond $105 for one line or $280 for four lines Unlimited premium data, hotspot and international benefits Taxes, fees and plan conditions apply
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Price varies by account and lines Unlimited premium data, hotspot and international data Higher cost than prepaid alternatives

Prices and benefits can change based on AutoPay, line count, taxes, fees, device financing and limited-time promotions.

Which Unlimited Data Plan Is Best for One Line?

Visible is the best low-cost option for most single-line users. US Mobile Unlimited Premium is a better fit for heavy data use, while T-Mobile Experience Beyond suits people who want premium carrier features and international benefits.

Best Cheap Unlimited Plan: Visible

Visible is a good value if Verizon coverage works well at your home, workplace and regular travel locations. The standard plan costs $25 per month with taxes and fees included. It provides unlimited smartphone data, hotspot use, talk and text.

The trade-off is network management. Hotspot speeds are limited to 5 Mbps, video quality is generally capped at standard definition, and data may slow during congestion.

Choose Visible if you want:

  • One monthly price
  • No contract
  • Unlimited smartphone data
  • Unlimited hotspot data
  • Verizon network coverage
  • Taxes and fees included

Visible+ costs $35 per month at its regular price. It adds unlimited premium data on Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network and faster hotspot speeds. Visible+ Pro costs $45 per month at its regular price.

Best for Heavy Data Use: US Mobile Unlimited Premium

US Mobile Unlimited Premium is designed for people who need a large amount of high-speed data, hotspot data or international service. US Mobile says the plan includes unlimited priority data, up to 100GB of hotspot data on certain network options and up to 20GB of international roaming data.

US Mobile also offers Unlimited Flex and Unlimited Starter, but their data limits vary. Flex includes 10GB of high-speed data before speeds may be reduced. Starter can provide unlimited high-speed data on US Mobile's Dark Star network, while other network options may have a high-speed threshold.

Best Premium Carrier Plan: T-Mobile Experience Beyond

T-Mobile Experience Beyond includes unlimited premium data, unlimited mobile hotspot access, 4K UHD video streaming and 30GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico. T-Mobile lists the plan at $105 per month for one line or $280 per month for four lines, before applicable taxes and fees.

This plan makes the most sense if T-Mobile performs well in the places you use your phone and you value premium data, international service, higher-quality streaming or frequent device upgrades.

Which AT&T Plans Offer Unlimited Data?

AT&T Premium 2.0 is the best middle option for heavy smartphone use. AT&T Elite 2.0 is better for extensive hotspot use or international service, while Value 2.0 costs less but has only 5GB of high-speed data.

AT&T's four main unlimited plans are:

  • AT&T Value 2.0: Unlimited data, with 5GB of high-speed data before AT&T may slow speeds during congestion.
  • AT&T Extra 2.0: 100GB of high-speed data and 50GB of hotspot data.
  • AT&T Premium 2.0: Unlimited high-speed data that does not slow based on monthly usage, plus 100GB of hotspot data.
  • AT&T Elite 2.0: Unlimited high-speed data, 250GB of hotspot data and expanded international benefits.

AT&T lists these plans at $30, $40, $50 and $70 per line, respectively, when four lines are active. Taxes and fees are extra. Hotspot speeds may be reduced after the stated allowance.

Which Verizon Plans Offer Unlimited Data?

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate is the carrier's premium unlimited plan. It includes unlimited premium data, hotspot and international benefits, but it costs more than prepaid alternatives such as Visible.

Verizon's current unlimited smartphone portfolio includes Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate. Verizon also promotes a Simplicity plan with unlimited smartphone data, 5G Ultra Wideband access and a flat per-line structure.

Verizon says Unlimited Ultimate includes unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband, unlimited mobile hotspot data and unlimited international data, talk and text with Global Choice.

Verizon still applies usage policies to its unlimited plans. Some plans can reduce speeds after 500GB in a billing cycle. Hotspot speeds can also drop after the included high-speed hotspot allowance.

Choose Visible if you want Verizon coverage at a lower price and can accept lower priority or slower hotspot speeds. Choose Unlimited Ultimate if you need the carrier's premium data, hotspot and international benefits.

Which Prepaid Plans Offer Unlimited Data?

Boost Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile all offer prepaid plans marketed with unlimited data. Their high-speed limits, hotspot rules and payment terms differ.

Boost Mobile Unlimited

Boost Mobile's standard Unlimited plan starts at $25 per month with AutoPay, or $30 per month without AutoPay. It includes unlimited talk, text and data. Boost says speeds may slow after 30GB of use.

Metro by T-Mobile

Metro offers several unlimited 5G data plans. Prices start at $40 per month. Its $60-per-month plan with AutoPay includes unlimited premium 5G data and 25GB of hotspot data. Lower-priced plans may slow after a usage threshold during congestion.

Mint Mobile Unlimited

Mint Mobile's Unlimited plan includes high-speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. Check the current price, payment term and data-management rules before buying. Mint generally sells service in multi-month terms rather than as a traditional postpaid monthly plan.

What Does "Unlimited Data" Actually Mean?

Unlimited data does not always mean unlimited high-speed data under every network condition. Before choosing a plan, check these four details:

  1. Premium data: Premium data determines whether your traffic receives priority when the network is busy.
  2. High-speed threshold: Some plans remain technically unlimited but reduce speeds after a stated amount of monthly use.
  3. Hotspot data: Smartphone data and hotspot data usually have separate limits. A plan may include unlimited phone data but only 5GB, 25GB or 100GB of high-speed hotspot data.
  4. Video streaming quality: Some plans limit video to standard definition, while others allow HD, 4K or higher-quality streaming.

AT&T Value 2.0, for example, includes unlimited data but only 5GB of high-speed data. Boost Mobile's $25 plan may slow after 30GB. Visible includes unlimited data, but its standard plan has slower hotspot speeds and may be deprioritized during congestion.

Bottom Line

  • Lowest-cost simple option: Visible at $25 per month.
  • Best for unlimited premium data at a lower prepaid price: Visible+ or US Mobile Unlimited Premium.
  • Best for AT&T coverage: AT&T Premium 2.0.
  • Best for premium T-Mobile benefits: T-Mobile Experience Beyond.
  • Best for premium Verizon benefits: Verizon Unlimited Ultimate.
  • Best low-cost alternatives: Boost Mobile Unlimited and Metro by T-Mobile's unlimited plans.

Check coverage at your home, workplace and regular travel locations before switching. Network performance matters more than the word "unlimited" in a plan name.