There’s nothing worse than trying to make a call or send a text message, only to find that there’s no signal in your area or the network is overloaded. Not being able to send a message when you need to can turn your smartphone into a useless bundle of paper.
That’s why it’s so important to find a reliable provider. In this guide, we’ll analyze the 10 best cell phone companies available today. We look at everything from coverage and pricing to data availability so you can choose the right provider for your needs.
What to Look for in the Best Cell Phone Providers
What Sets the Best Cell Phone Providers Apart? Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that affect a provider’s affordability, reliability, and overall quality.
- Cell Phone Plan Pricing: Cell phone providers can charge very different amounts for the same level of service. It’s important to analyze phone company pricing to see if there are any limits on calls, texts, or data, and whether an unlimited data plan is truly unlimited. If you’re looking for cell phone coverage for the whole family, look for providers that offer family plans that save you money.
- Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) deals: MVNOs are carriers that use the cellular networks of major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. MVNOs can offer much lower prices, but they’re often overlooked when networks are congested. So consider carefully whether the savings are worth the slight drop in reliability.
- Network coverage and service: All major phone companies claim to offer nationwide coverage in the U.S., but coverage can vary significantly depending on your location. Some companies offer better coverage in certain areas, especially for LTE and 5G data speeds. Be sure to check coverage maps in your area when choosing a carrier.
- Deals and features: Cell phone carriers sometimes offer introductory offers or promotions that set them apart. For example, if your family needs new phones, you might find attractive deals like “buy one, get one free” when you sign up for a new cell phone plan.
The Best Companies in 2023
1. Mint Mobile
Best for Low-Cost 5G Data
Monthly Pricing Starting at $15/month
Seven-Day Money-Back Guarantee
100% Uptime
Mint Mobile is a virtual private network (VPN) that uses T-Mobile’s cell towers. It offers some of the lowest prices for 5G data, with plans starting at just $15/month for 4GB of data. All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text, and you can connect Wi-Fi devices to cellular data over your cellular connection.
Mint Mobile has impressive uptime for an MVNO, which eliminates any concerns about reliability. Additionally, the company offers a seven-day money-back guarantee so you can try out Mint Mobile in your area before signing up for a plan. Mint Mobile requires a minimum three-month contract, but there are no contracts longer than 12 months.
Pros:
- Available plans with 5G data
- Use your data as a mobile hotspot
- Introductory offer for new customers
Cons:
- Tethering is limited to 5GB on unlimited plans
- No monthly plans
2. Tello
Great for international calling
Monthly rates start at $5
No money-back guarantee.
99.6% uptime
Tello offers free international calling to over 60 countries with every plan, making it an ideal mobile provider for international travelers or those with family and friends abroad. Plus, plans with limited minutes and no data start at just $5 per month.
Tello offers an unlimited talk, text, and data plan for $25 per month, which is competitive with other leading MVNOs. The unlimited plan includes 35GB of high-speed data and 5GB of hotspot data.
Tello has no contracts, and you can change your monthly minutes and data allowances month to month. All Tello plans include 24/7 customer support.
Pros:
- No contracts
- Free international calls to over 60 countries
- Available calling plans without data
- Unlimited plan with 35GB of high-speed data for $25 per month
Cons:
- Highly variable coverage
2. Tello
Best for accessing 5G networks
Monthly price: Starting at $50 per month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 99.99%
AT&T is one of the leading providers in the US and a leader in the 5G industry. AT&T boasts the largest 5G coverage of any carrier, although 5G networks are still largely limited to cities.
AT&T’s plans are quite expensive, with single-line options starting at $50 per month. The company offers discounts if you buy multiple plans. For example, unlimited talk, text, and data for four phones costs $35 per line per month.
All AT&T plans include unlimited talk and text, and most include the ActiveArmor mobile security app to block spam.
Pros:
- Wide 5G coverage
- Multi-line discounts
- ActiveArmor security app included
Cons:
- High prices per phone
- Very limited data allowance
4. Visible
Ideal for unlimited high-speed data
Monthly price: $30/month
Money-back guarantee: 15-day free trial
Uptime: 100%
Visible only offers two plans, both with unlimited talk, text, and data. The more expensive Visible+ premium plan, which costs $45/month, includes roaming data in Canada and Mexico, plus international calling to over 30 countries.
What makes Visible’s unlimited plans unique is that they are truly unlimited. Visible doesn’t cap your data plan after a certain amount of data usage. You can use as much 5G data as you want each month or use your phone as a hotspot.
Visible is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that operates on Verizon’s network. The service is very reliable, especially in rural areas of the US where other providers have less coverage.
Pros:
- Unlimited high-speed data with no bandwidth caps
- Offers data roaming in Canada and Mexico
- Reliable coverage
Cons:
- No cheaper plans with limited data
- No family plans
5. T-Mobile
Best for couples 55 and older
Monthly price starts at $55/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 100%
T-Mobile recently merged with Sprint and now claims to have one of the largest high-speed cell tower networks in the U.S. It offers a variety of unlimited data plans for individuals and is notable for offering military discounts to active duty military, veterans, and first responders.
Additionally, T-Mobile offers special plans for couples 55 and older. These unlimited plans for people 55 and older include two lines with unlimited talk, text, and data, starting at $55/month. Premium plans also include a Netflix subscription and AAA membership as perks.
T-Mobile doesn’t require annual contracts. Customer service is available 24/7.
Pros:
- Discounts for active military, veterans, and first responders.
- Offers Netflix and AAA subscriptions.
- Rapidly expanding 5G network.
Cons:
- Expensive for individual lines.
- Very limited data from hotspots.
6. Boost Mobile
Best for Mobile Hotspot Data Plans
Monthly Price: Starting at $8.33 per month
Money-Back Guarantee: None
Uptime: 99%
Boost Mobile is a virtual private network (VNO) that offers mobile phone plans for new customers starting at $8.33 per month. There are a variety of plans, all with unlimited talk and text, plus varying amounts of 5G data.
Unlimited data plans start at $50 per month, making Boost Mobile a bit more expensive than its competitors. Boost also charges an activation fee if you bring your own device.
If you plan to use your phone as a hotspot frequently, Boost Mobile offers hotspot data plans starting at $15 per month. The company also offers a hotspot device that can connect up to 16 devices for a one-time fee of $9.99.
Pros:
- Available plans with limited data speeds
- Hotspot data plans available
- Wide selection of phones
Cons:
- Average unlimited data plans
- Activation fee if you bring your own phone
7. US Mobile
Monthly price: Starting at $5/month
Money-back guarantee: 10-day unlimited free trial
Uptime: 100%
US Mobile is a prepaid mobile phone provider operating on the T-Mobile network. US Mobile stands out for its emphasis on personalization, allowing users to tailor their plans to their specific needs by choosing the amount of talk time, messages, and data they want. This flexibility gives them control over their mobile spending.
In addition to customizable plans, US Mobile offers useful add-ons like mobile hotspot data, international calling, and texting bundles. These options allow users to upgrade their plans based on their individual needs. However, it’s important to note that international messaging is limited to a select number of countries.
Pros:
- Available plans with customization options.
- Reliable coverage on the T-Mobile network.
- Additional features for additional features.
Cons:
- Restrictions on international roaming.
- Limited selection of devices available for purchase.
8. Verizon
Monthly price: Starting at $35/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 100%
Verizon is one of the major carriers and is lagging behind AT&T and T-Mobile in terms of 5G coverage. Verizon also has better coverage in rural areas of the US, so it can be more reliable for frequent travelers.
What makes Verizon unique is that the company has a phone plan for almost every situation. There are prepaid data plans with unlimited talk and text, 5G plans that include hotspot data, and data-only plans to connect tablets and other smart devices. Verizon makes it easy to combine plans to create a personalized family plan.
Pros:
- Wide range of plans with options to combine
- Excellent coverage in the US
- Includes free subscriptions to major streaming services.
Cons:
- Expensive 5G plans
- The packages offered can be confusing
9. Xfinity Mobile
Ideal for: Xfinity Internet customers.
Monthly price: Starting at $15/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 99%
Xfinity Mobile makes it easy to get the data your whole family needs without paying for an expensive unlimited plan. You can purchase 1GB, 3GB, or 10GB of high-speed data per month and share your data allowance between as many lines as you want. Built-in alerts and metrics help you make sure you don’t exceed your data allowance. Each line gets unlimited calls and texts.
Xfinity Mobile also offers an unlimited plan that costs $30 per line per month when you purchase at least two lines.
Please note that Xfinity Mobile is only available to current Xfinity Internet customers.
Pros:
- Data sharing between multiple lines
- Unlimited data plan available
- Bring your own phone for free
Cons
- Only available to Xfinity Internet customers
- Limited selection of phones for sale.
10. PureTalk
Ideal for families who need up to four lines
Monthly price: $25/month
30-day money-back guarantee
99% uptime
PureTalk offers a wide range of prepaid, no-contract plans with unlimited talk and text. All plans include high-speed data, and unlimited plans start at $55/month.
PureTalk offers discounts when you add additional lines. There’s a 10% discount for two lines, a 15% discount for three lines, or a 20% discount for four lines. This makes this carrier a great option for families looking to mix and match lines with varying amounts of data while keeping their monthly costs as low as possible.
New PureTalk customers can also get up to $250 off a new phone.
Pros:
- Mix and match data plans
- Discounts for adding multiple lines
- Get up to $250 off a new phone
Cons:
- No international data options
- No live chat support
Choosing the Best Plan for Your Needs
With so many providers and plans available today, the options are almost endless. Each carrier has different benefits and coverage, and all of their plans offer different amounts of minutes, data, and bundle prices. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to find the best option:
What Kind of User are You?
Finding the right plan means knowing what you need based on how you use your phone. Do you prefer to make calls or send messages? Do you spend time on the road reading the news and watching videos, or do you prefer to listen to pre-loaded audiobooks?
All of these questions are important to help you narrow down your options and find the perfect plan.
Are You Choosing a Plan for Your Entire Family?
If you plan to share your plan with a teenager who is addicted to social media and TV, Mint Mobile’s plan will provide you with the best value, offering unlimited plans for the first 3 months starting at just $15 per month.
T-Mobile is ideal for families, starting at just $160 for 4 lines. It also includes a free Netflix plan, unlimited HD streaming, and 4G LTE data.
When buying a family plan, you’ll likely have members who have a tablet or wearable device like an Apple Watch or other smartwatch. Adding them to your plan is easy and costs just $20 per tablet and $10 per wearable. If that’s not enough, T-Mobile also offers bonuses on Tuesdays with its T-Mobile Tuesdays app. The company offers a great program that you and your whole family will enjoy. Your kids and spouse can do whatever they want with their phones, while you feel like you’re getting what you pay for.
Is It Just You and Your Partner?
If you get a phone plan just for you, you’ll likely need less data and minutes than a family plan. Two popular providers for couples are Boost Mobile and Cricket. Boost Mobile offers a $60 per month plan that offers unlimited talk, text, and data, plus 20GB of mobile hotspot.
With Sprint, you’ll enjoy high-quality nationwide LTE coverage. You can also add additional services to your plan, like Boost TV, Boost Dealz, and roaming. Cricket also has a plan that’s perfect for couples, giving you an incredible 8GB per user for just $90. Cricket partners with AT&T, so you’re guaranteed good coverage in most areas and offers excellent customer service.
There are also simpler, simpler providers like Tello, where you can choose how many minutes and data you want.
Do You Have any Family Members Living Abroad?
Whether you’re looking for a plan for an individual, a family, or a couple, if you have family living abroad that you plan to stay in touch with, you should choose Verizon. It’s important to choose a plan that allows you to make international calls, otherwise you’ll be stuck paying your monthly bill. Verizon offers excellent coverage and competitive rates for international .
There’s a Plan for Everyone
Companies offer a variety of plans for a wide range of customers, including plans for seniors or children, whether they have a smartphone or not. But before you walk into a store and feel overwhelmed by the options, plan types, and differentiating factors, it’s important to do your research. So, get the most out of your money by knowing what you need and how much. This way, you will ensure that your customers are satisfied.
