10 Best Phone Carriers of 2024

Verizon have the most extensive and reliable nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas. They also offer various plans with flexible add-on perks.

Serving millions of customers, Verizon offers a range of plans supporting to diverse needs, from individual users to families and businesses. Its network infrastructure encompasses both urban centers and rural areas, providing consistent connectivity across the country.

Features:

• Wireless Services
• 5G Network
• Broadband and Internet Services
• Fios TV
• Digital Media and Entertainment
• Business Solutions
• Home Automation and Security
• Customer Support and Service
• Retail Presence
• Additional Services like Verizon Up, Verizon Visa Card, and Verizon Cloud

Top Plans:

• Get More Unlimited (unlimited data, talk, and text, 5G Ultra Wideband access, HD video streaming, 30GB of hotspot data)
• Play More Unlimited (similar to the Get More plan with 25GB of premium data, and 15GB of mobile hotspot data)
• Do More Unlimited (similar to the Play More plan with 50GB of premium data, 15GB mobile hotspot data, and 500GB of Verizon Cloud storage)
• Start Unlimited (unlimited data, talk, and text, with DVD-quality streaming, 5G Nationwide access (where available), and unlimited mobile hotspot at 600 kbps)
• Business Unlimited Plans (Verizon also offers various unlimited plans tailored to business needs, including Business Unlimited, Business Unlimited Plus, and Business Unlimited Pro. These plans offer features such as unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband access, mobile hotspot data, and business-grade security solutions.)

T-Mobile is a major cellphone carrier in the United States, boasting over 117 million subscribers. They offer cellphone plans, including unlimited data options, along with selling devices like smartphones. It is the third largest carrier in the country, following Verizon and AT&T. They also own Metro by T-Mobile, a prepaid service.

Features:

• Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data Plans
• 5G Network
• Streaming Service Included
• International Calling and Roaming
• Discounts on Devices
• T-Mobile Tuesdays
• Family Features

Top Plans:

• Go5G, Go5G Plus, and Go5G Next (Unlimited Premium Data, 100GB Premium Data, Apple TV+ and Netflix in the US, 15GB of high-speed hotspot data, Free in-flight Wi-Fi, streaming, and messaging where available)
• Magenta MAX (Unlimited talk, text and smartphone data on its network, Unlimited Premium Data, 40GB high-speed hotspot, Netflix on the US, Up to 4K UHD streaming)
• T-Mobile Essentials (Unlimited with all the basics, at a great price, Unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data on a great network)

AT&T is one of the biggest mobile carrier in the US with over 241 million subscribers. They offer a variety of phone plans, including unlimited options, and sell the latest smartphones like the iPhone 15.

They also have prepaid plans under the Cricket Wireless brand. AT&T boasts a large network coverage area, but it's always wise to check for specific coverage in your area before choosing a carrier.

Features:

• Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data Plans
• 5G Network
• International Roaming
• Phone Security
• Entertainment Bundles (DIRECTV, AT&T TV, and HBO Max)
• Discounts on Other AT&T Services
• Large Network Coverage
• AT&T Thanks
• Customer Support
• Digital Home Phone Service
• Smart Home Solutions

Top Plans:

• AT&T Unlimited Premium (unlimited talk, text, and data, 60GB of hotspot data per line per month, and AT&T ActiveArmor advanced security, costs $50.99 per month per line)
• AT&T Unlimited Extra (unlimited talk, text, and data, 50GB of hotspot data per line per month and AT&T ActiveArmor security, costs $75.99 per month per line for a single line)
• AT&T Unlimited Starter (unlimited talk, text, and data with speeds, 10GB of hotspot data per line per month, costs $65 per month per line for a single line)
• AT&T also offers a variety of prepaid plans, which can be a good option for people who don't want to sign a contract. These plans typically have a set amount of data per month, and you can add more data if you need it.

Visible is a budget-friendly phone carrier running on Verizon's expansive network. They offer unlimited data, talk, and text for as low as $25 a month, with no annual contracts or hidden fees.

You can bring your own compatible phone to use on their service. Also, customer service is only available through online chat. Despite these drawbacks, Visible is a good option for those who prioritize affordability and coverage over data speed and traditional customer support.

Features:

• Unlimited data, talk, and text
• Runs on Verizon's network
• Two unlimited plans
• Mobile hotspot
• International calling and texting
• Straightforward pricing
• Bring your own phone (BYOP) service

Top Plans: 

Visible ($25/month):

• Perfect for: Budget-conscious users with moderate data needs.
• Includes: Unlimited data, talk, and text.
• Network: Verizon's 4G LTE and Nationwide 5G (with potential speed deprioritization during congestion).
• Extras: Unlimited mobile hotspot (5 Mbps), calling & texting to Canada and Mexico.

Visible+ ($45/month):

• Perfect for: Users who prioritize speed and want some international features.
• Includes: Everything in the Visible plan, plus:
  • Priority data (avoiding slowdowns during congestion).
  • 50GB of premium data per month for the fastest speeds.
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot (5 Mbps).
  • Unlimited calling & texting to Canada and Mexico (including data roaming).
  • International calling to 30+ countries.
  • International texting to 200+ countries.
  • Access to Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G (for the absolute fastest speeds in available areas).

Mint Mobile is a budget-friendly cell phone carrier in the US. They piggyback off T-Mobile's network, so you get 5G coverage without the high price tag.

Mint Mobile offers plans with unlimited talk and text, plus data starting at just $15 a month. It distinguishes itself through its unique approach, selling plans in bulk for 3, 6, or 12 months, which significantly reduces costs for customers.

Features: 

• Affordability
• Prepaid Service
• T-Mobile Network
• Unlimited Talk & Text
• Free Mobile Hotspot 
• Free Features (Extras like Wi-Fi calling, a free 3-in-1 SIM card, and eSIM support)
• Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) services
• Transparent Pricing

Top Plans: 

• Mint Mobile Mobile saver (ideal for light data users who don't stream much or game online, 5GB of data, unlimited talk and text for $15 per month when you prepay for a year)
• Mint Mobile Moderate (good middle-ground option for users who stream some videos and browse the web regularly, 15GB of data, unlimited talk and text for $20 per month when you prepay for a year)
• Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile's network, so make sure you have good coverage in your area before you switch. You can check T-Mobile's coverage map on their website.
• Mint Mobile offers prepaid service, so you'll need to pay for your plan upfront for a set period (typically 3, 6, or 12 months).
• Mint Mobile requires you to bring your own phone (BYOP) or buy a compatible phone from their limited selection.
• Mint Mobile offers a free trial, so you can try out their service before you commit to a plan.

Google Fi is a unique cell phone service provider rather than a traditional carrier. It piggybacks on existing networks, primarily T-Mobile's, offering strong coverage and 5G speeds in many areas.

Fi can also switch to US Cellular towers if a T-Mobile signal is weak. It includes unlimited calling and texting within the US, Canada, and Mexico, with international calling at competitive rates.

Features: 

• Network switching
• Flexible data plans
• International coverage
• Built-in spam filtering
• Google One VPN
• Multi-line management tools
• Bring your own phone (BYOP) compatible

Top Plans:

• Simply Unlimited: The Budget-Friendly Choice

• Unlimited calls, texts, and data in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
• Data slows down to 256 kbps after 35 GB per line (enough for basic tasks).
• Affordable pricing: $50 for the first line, with significant discounts for additional lines (as low as $25 per line with 4+ lines)

• Unlimited Plus: The Premium Option for Travelers & Power Users
  • Unlimited data at full speed up to 50 GB per line (perfect for streaming and heavy data use).
  • Unlimited calls and texts to over 200 destinations worldwide.
  • Data used abroad is charged at the same rate as domestic data.
  • Bonus: Includes 100 GB of Google One storage for backups and photos.
  • Higher pricing: $110 for the first line, but discounts apply for additional lines (down to $25 per line with 4+ lines).

Xfinity Mobile offers cell service on the massive Xfinity internet network. This translates to potentially strong and familiar coverage for existing Xfinity users.

They have flexible plans with options for data-hungry users and budget-conscious folks alike. A big perk is saving money by bundling Xfinity Mobile with your existing Xfinity internet or cable plan.

Features: 

• Plan options
• Network coverage
• Phone features
• Digital experience
• Xfinity Mobile is only available to existing Xfinity internet customers.
• There are no phone line or activation fees.
• You can mix and match unlimited and By-the-Gig plans on a single family account.

Top Plans: 

Flexible Data Options:

• Unlimited plans: Ideal for heavy data users. Start at $45/month with varying data prioritization, hotspot data, and streaming quality depending on the tier (Unlimited Intro, Plus, Premium).
• By-the-Gig plans: Perfect for light data users. Pay only for what you use, starting at $15 for 1GB.

US Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), offers a variety of features to attract budget-conscious phone users.

US Mobile boasts both limited data and unlimited plans, with some unlimited plans offering hotspot data, international calling, and priority data over congested networks. Users can also manage multiple lines on a single account and enjoy perks like Wi-Fi calling and mobile app support.

Features: 

• Network Choice
• Plan Flexibility
• Priority Data
• Multi-Line Savings
• Convenience Features

Top Plans: 

Unlimited Plans:

• Unlimited Starter: This is their most affordable unlimited plan, starting at $23 per month (when billed annually). It includes 35GB of high-speed data, 10GB of hotspot data, unlimited talk and text.
• Unlimited Premium: This plan offers 100GB of premium data, 50GB of hotspot data, and unlimited talk and text for $50 per month. It also includes up to 10GB of international roaming data depending on the country (with 5GB in other countries).

Shared Data Plans:

• These plans are a good option if you use data with multiple lines. They offer a pool of data that can be shared among the lines on the plan.
• Plans start as low as $5 per month for 2GB of data, with options for 6GB, 12GB, and 30GB shared data.

Other:

• US Mobile also offers a Home Phone Plan for $9.99 per month, which includes unlimited calling to the US and international destinations.

Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, offers prepaid cell phone plans in the US. They focus on affordability with no contracts, letting you choose a plan that fits your budget.

Cricket covers 99% of the population with their 4G LTE network and has been expanding their 5G service.

Features:

• Prepaid Plans
• Nationwide Coverage
• Affordable Plans
• Unlimited Data Plans
• No Annual Contracts
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) services
• International Features
• Group Save Discounts
• Cricket Rewards Program
• Auto Pay Discount

Top Plans:

• Cricket More (ideal for heavy data users, unlimited data on the carrier's fastest speeds, 15GB of mobile hotspot data, HBO Max with Ads, and 150GB of cloud storage, $60 per month before the Autopay discount)

• Cricket Core (data speeds are capped at 8 Mbps (LTE) and 4 Mbps (4G), unlimited talk and text, and the price starts at $55 per month before the Autopay discount)

Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide:

• For heavy data users with a need for mobile hotspot and extras like HBO Max: Cricket More
• For those on a budget who prioritize basic unlimited data needs: Cricket Core

Metro by T-Mobile is a prepaid phone service provider in the US, owned by T-Mobile. They offer a variety of affordable plans with unlimited data, talk, and text, along with access to T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network.

Features and Top Plans:

• Network: Runs on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network, offering good coverage throughout the US.
• Plan Options: Primarily focuses on prepaid plans with various options, including data-capped plans and popular unlimited data plans.
• Unlimited Plans: These include unlimited calling, texting, and high-speed data.
• Bonus Perks:
  • Free extras like T-Mobile Tuesdays with weekly discounts and offers.
  • Free 1-year subscription to VIX Premium for Spanish-language streaming.
  • Some plans include free mobile hotspot data and cloud storage with Google One. (Amount varies by plan)
  • Potential for additional perks like Amazon Prime on select plans.
• Device Selection: Carries a variety of smartphones, including the latest models.
• Prepaid: Requires upfront payment for service, unlike postpaid contracts.
• Retail Stores: You can't sign up online and need to visit a Metro by T-Mobile store to activate service.

Content Sources:

Toms Guide

T-Mobile

Verizon

Mint Mobile

Att