There’s nothing worse than trying to make a call or send a text message and finding that there’s no coverage in your area or that the network is overloaded. Not being able to send a text 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 mobile phone provider. In this guide, we’ll analyze the 10 best mobile phone companies available today. We look at everything from coverage and pricing to data limits so you can choose the right provider for your needs.
What to Look for in the Best Cell Phone Providers
What Sets the Best Mobile Phone Providers Apart? Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that affect a provider’s affordability, reliability, and overall quality.
- Mobile plan pricing: Mobile phone providers can charge very different prices for what may seem like the same level of service. It’s important to research each carrier’s 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 mobile coverage for the whole family, look for providers that offer family plans that can save you money.
- Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) offerings: MVNOs use the cellular networks of major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. MVNOs can offer much lower prices, but they often get priority when networks are congested. So consider whether the savings are worth the slight loss in reliability.
- Coverage and service: All major carriers claim to offer nationwide coverage in the U.S., but coverage can vary significantly depending on your location. Some carriers 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.
- Offers and promotions: Cell phone carriers sometimes have introductory offers or promotions that help them stand out. For example, if your family needs new phones, you might find attractive deals like 2 for 1 when you sign up for a new plan. Best
The Best Cell Phone Companies in 2023
1. Mint Mobile
Great for: Low-cost 5G data
Monthly price: Starting at $15 per month
Money-back guarantee: Seven days
Availability: 100%
Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses T-Mobile’s cellular network. It offers some of the lowest prices on 5G data, starting at just $15 per month for 4GB of data. All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text, and you can connect your Wi-Fi devices to the cellular network using a mobile hotspot.
Mint Mobile boasts impressive availability for an MVNO, which eliminates any concerns about service reliability. The company also offers a seven-day money-back guarantee so you can try Mint Mobile’s service in your area before committing to a plan. Mint Mobile requires a three-month minimum contract, but there are no contracts longer than 12 months.
Pros:
- Available plans with 5G data
- Use your data as a mobile hotspot
- Welcome offer for new customers
Cons:
- Tethering is limited to 5GB on unlimited plans
- No monthly plans
2. Tello
Ideal for international calling
Monthly prices start at $5/month
Money-back guarantee: Not available
Uptime: 99.6%
Tello offers free international calling to over 60 countries with all of its plans, making it an ideal mobile carrier 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 unlimited talk, text, and data for $25 per month, which is competitive with other leading mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). The unlimited plan includes 35GB of high-speed data and 5GB of free hotspot.
Tello has no contracts, and you can change your monthly minutes and data limits whenever you want. 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
3. AT&T
Ideal 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 mobile phone providers in the US and has led the development of 5G. AT&T boasts the widest 5G coverage of any carrier, though 5G networks are still largely limited to cities.
AT&T’s phone plans are quite expensive, with single-line options starting at $50 per month. The company offers discounts when 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
- Discounts for multiple lines
- Includes ActiveArmor security app
Cons:
- High price per phone
- Very limited shared data
4. Visible
Ideal for unlimited high-speed data
Monthly price: $30/month
Money-back guarantee: 15-day free trial
Availability: 100%
Visible only offers two plans, both with unlimited talk, text, and data. The more expensive Visible+ premium plan costs $45 per month and includes data roaming in Canada and Mexico, plus international calling to over 30 countries.
Visible’s unlimited plans are different in that they are truly unlimited. Visible doesn’t throttle data speeds after a certain usage limit. You can use all 5G data or share your phone as a hotspot for as long as you want each month.
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
Ideal for: Couples 55 and older
Monthly pricing starts at $55/month
Money-back guarantee: Not available
Availability: 100%
T-Mobile recently merged with Sprint and now claims to have one of the largest high-speed cell tower networks in the US. It offers a variety of unlimited data plans for individuals and is known for offering military discounts to active duty military personnel, veterans, and first responders.
Additionally, T-Mobile offers special mobile plans for couples 55 and older. These unlimited plans for seniors include two lines with unlimited talk, text, and data starting at $55 per 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 allowance.
6. Boost Mobile
Ideal for data plans.
Monthly pricing starts at $8.33/month.
Money-back guarantee: Not available.
Uptime: 99%.
Boost Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that offers cell phone plans starting at just $8.33 per month for new customers. It has a wide 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 data plans to share your internet connection, 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:
- Affordable plans with limited high-speed data
- Hotspot data plans available
- Wide selection of phones
Cons
- Average-priced 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
Availability: 100%
US Mobile is a prepaid mobile carrier that operates on the T-Mobile network. US Mobile stands out for its focus on customization, allowing users to tailor their plans to their specific needs by choosing the amount of talk, text, and data they want. This flexibility gives users control over their mobile spending.
In addition to customizable plans, US Mobile offers useful add-ons such as hotspot data, international calling, and text messaging packages. These options allow users to enhance their plans to suit their individual needs. However, it is important to note that international text messaging is limited to a certain number of countries.
Pros:
- Available plans with customization options.
- Reliable coverage on the T-Mobile network.
- Add-ons for additional features.
Cons:
- International roaming restrictions.
- Limited selection of devices available for purchase.
8. Verizon
Monthly pricing starts at $35/month
Money-back guarantee: None
Uptime: 100%
Verizon is a major carrier and is closely following AT&T and T-Mobile in their rollout of 5G coverage. Verizon also tends to have better coverage in rural areas of the US, so it can be more reliable for frequent travelers.
Verizon stands out because it offers a phone plan for almost any situation. There are prepaid data plans with unlimited talk and text, 5G plans with hotspot data included, 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 compatible plans
- Excellent coverage across the United States
- Includes free subscriptions to major streaming services
Cons:
- Expensive 5G plans
- Specs offerings can be confusing
9. Xfinity Mobile
Ideal for: Xfinity Internet customers
Monthly pricing starts at $15/month
Money-back guarantee: Not available
Uptime: 99%
Xfinity Mobile makes it easy for the whole family to access the data they need 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 monitoring help you stay within your data limits. Each line gets unlimited talk and text.
Xfinity Mobile also offers an unlimited plan for $30 per line per month when you sign up for at least two lines.
Please note that Xfinity Mobile is only available to current Xfinity Internet customers.
Pros:
- Share data across multiple lines
- Available unlimited data plan
- Bring your own phone for free
Cons
- Only available to Xfinity Internet customers
- Limited selection of phones for sale
10. PureTalk
Ideal for families requiring up to four lines
Monthly price: $25/month
30-day money-back guarantee
99% uptime
PureTalk offers a wide range of prepaid plans with unlimited talk and text. All plans include high-speed data, with unlimited plans starting at $55 per month.
PureTalk offers discounts based on the number of lines you add. You’ll get 10% off for two, 15% off for three, and 20% off for four lines. This makes it a great option for families who want to combine plans with different data limits and keep their monthly costs as low as possible.
New PureTalk customers can also get up to $250 off a new phone.
Pros:
- Combine data plans
- Discounts for adding multiple lines
- 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 mobile carriers and plans available today, the options are almost endless. Each carrier has its own benefits, coverage, and plans, with varying amounts of minutes, data, and prices. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you find the best option.
What Kind of Cellphone User are You?
Finding the right cell phone plan means knowing what you need based on how you use your phone. Do you prefer to make calls or send messages? Do you use your workplace to read the news and stream videos, or do you like to listen to pre-recorded audiobooks?
These are important questions to answer because they will 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 a plan with a teenager who spends a lot of time on social media and watching TV, Mint Mobile’s plan offers the best value, with unlimited plans for the first 3 months starting at just $15 per month.
T-Mobile is ideal for families, offering plans starting at just $160 for 4 lines. It also includes free Netflix, unlimited HD streaming, and 4G LTE data.
Since you’re getting a family plan, some members probably have a tablet or wearable like an Apple Watch or other smartwatch. Adding these devices to your plan is easy and costs just $20 per tablet and $10 per wearable. Plus, T-Mobile offers bonuses on Tuesdays with its T-Mobile Tuesdays app. The company offers a great plan that your whole family will enjoy. Your kids and your partner can use their phones however they want, and you’ll feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.
Is It Just You and Your Partner?
If you get a plan for just you and your partner, you’ll likely need less data and minutes than you would with a family plan. Two popular providers for couples are Boost Mobile and Cricket. Boost Mobile has a $60 per month plan with unlimited talk, text, and data, plus 20GB of shared data.
Since it uses the Sprint network, you’ll have 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, offering up to 8GB per user for just $90 per month. Cricket operates on the AT&T network, so you’ll have good coverage in most areas, and they offer excellent customer service.
There are also simpler, simpler providers like Tello, where you can choose the amount of minutes and data you need.
Do You Have any Family Members Living Abroad?
Whether you’re a single person, a family, or a couple looking for a plan, if you have family living abroad and want to stay in touch, you should choose Verizon. It’s important to choose a plan that allows you to make international calls, otherwise you’ll end up paying very high monthly fees. Verizon offers excellent coverage and competitive rates for international calls.
There’s a Plan for Everyone
Cell phone companies offer a wide variety of plans to meet the needs of a variety of customers, including plans for seniors and children, whether they have a smartphone or not. But before you walk into a store and feel overwhelmed by the options, types of plans, and the differences between them, it’s important to be well-informed. That way, you’ll get the most for your money by knowing exactly what you need and how much. You’re sure to be satisfied.
