Start here
What are you shopping for?
Unlimited Data
From $32.50/mo
No hard caps, ranked by value.
5 plans →
Prepaid
From $15/mo
Major towers, no contract.
5 plans →
Cheap Plans
From $10/mo
Full service, under $30.
5 plans →
Hotspot
From $25/mo
Real tethering data, compared.
6 plans →
Or by carrier deal
T-Mobile →
Verizon →
AT&T →
Phone deals →
Free trials
Test before you switch
Test real coverage at your address · cancel anytime
See our full cell phone service trials guide for every carrier's fine print, hidden fees, and how to cancel before you're charged.
Editor's picks
The best plans right now, ranked
Sorted by overall score · 144 plans reviewed
Rankings
Best Phone Plans
30+ buyer’s guides plus all 144 plans reviewed. Every plan scored on value, coverage, data, and perks.
Browse best plans →
Coverage
Check your state
An interactive U.S. map, 51 state guides (50 states + D.C.), and 148 city guides. See which carrier wins where you live.Interactive U.S. map, 51 state guides, and 148 city guides.
Open the coverage map →Latest from ShopCellPlans
Oct 31·DEAL
Visible Black Friday Deals 2026: What to Expect
Oct 31·DEAL
Mint Mobile Black Friday Deals 2026: What to Expect
Oct 31·DEAL
Prepaid Black Friday Deals 2026: What to Expect
Oct 31·CARRIER NEWS
Should You Cancel or Return Your iPhone Duo?
Popular guides
The how-tos readers open most.
01Which Free Trial to Start With for Rural Coverage
02How to Switch Carriers and Keep Your Number
03What Network Does Each Carrier Use?
04T-Mobile Legacy Plans: What the Migration Means
05The Hidden Cost of Switching Carriers
06How Much Data Do I Need?
All how-to guides →
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
The six we get asked most, answered from plans we've reviewed.
Get told when prices change
Carriers raise rates quietly. We re-check weekly and email you when your plan moves.
Does "Unlimited" actually mean unlimited?
Not always. Most "unlimited" plans have a high-speed or premium-data threshold, and after it your speeds may slow when the network is busy. A few plans include unlimited priority data, including US Mobile Unlimited Premium from $32.50/mo.
What is an MVNO and should I trust one?
MVNOs like Visible, US Mobile, and Mint rent access from major carriers and pass on the savings — same towers, 30–60% less. The trade-off is possible deprioritization during congestion.
Carrier phone or unlocked?
Carrier "free phone" deals are 24–36 month bill credits that lock you in. Unlocked costs more upfront but lets you switch anytime — often onto cheaper MVNO plans like US Mobile at $32.50/mo.
Which carrier has the best coverage?
It varies by ZIP. T-Mobile leads urban 5G; Verizon is strongest rural; AT&T sits between. A great plan on a weak-coverage network beats nothing — check your area first.
Are there senior discounts?
Some carriers sell 55+ plans or discounts, and who qualifies differs by carrier and sometimes by state, so check the carrier's own page. Consumer Cellular and Lively are nationwide options built for older adults.
Can I keep my number and phone?
Yes. If unlocked, bring your phone to any carrier. For your number, request an account number and transfer PIN — never cancel first. Ports usually finish within 24 hours.