One of the most essential decisions for any cell phone user is figuring out which cell phone plan to go with. If you want to save money and access the best features, comparing your options should be part of the regular routine. After all, things are constantly changing, which means providers are always trying to throw in extra features or make other changes. To make things a little less complex, we’ve rounded up our favorite picks.
T-Mobile’s Essentials
T-Mobile’s Essentials plan offers solid value if you want the least expensive cell service and don’t need a lot of data. Its single line costs $60 per month and includes unlimited calling and texting, plus 3G hotspot data and access to T-Mobile’s 5G network. T-Mobile offers an inexpensive way to try out the network on your own phone without switching providers. It’s currently compatible only with certain iPhones, and you should be aware that the Essentials plan’s data speeds might be slower than what your current carrier offers.
Verizon’s 5G Play More Unlimited
Verizon offers three unlimited plans, but two of them are essentially the same except for their mix of included services. But the 5G Play More Unlimited Plan is a great value-for-money choice. When you need to stream something or store it digitally, Verizon has you covered with its plan. There’s even enough for the whole family to get in on the action with access to Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus.
Google Fi Flexible
We recommend Google Fi Flexible, which costs between $30 and $80 a month. It isn’t the least expensive plan, and it has a structure that may be confusing at first. But it includes things other plans don’t, such as access to mobile hotspot service, and it allows you to add more SIM cards for non-phone devices like tablets. It’s a little different from your standard mobile phone plan, but it offers you the flexibility to only pay for the data you utilize in a given month. This is great if you find yourself using less data one month than another. You can add or remove data-only SIMs without paying anything more.
Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan
Mint Mobile offers unlimited data for $30 per month, but it’s a bit of a commitment. Customers who prepay for a year get a sizable rebate, but you can try Mint Mobile for three months at that rate ($30 per month) and then renew for another six months ($35 per month) or get the full-year price with a substantial up-front cost of $210.
