Cheap unlimited mobile phone plans often run on the networks of major carriers, with prepaid plans offering even more affordable rates and useful perks like free streaming video. The best prepaid unlimited plan offers include T-Mobile's Essentials Savings with 50GB of premium data and AT&T Prepaid's Unlimited Max with 5GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data.
T-Mobile Essentials Savings
T-Mobile recently announced three new plans that add more options and discounts for families. The Essentials Savings plan is less expensive than T-Mobile's flagship unlimited plan, but it still offers the same talk, text and data for a low price. It also includes mobile hotspot at 3G speeds.
This new plan, which is available for a limited time, is the same as T-Mobile's existing Essentials plan but with added benefits. This includes the same talk, text and data but with 50GB of premium data where customers are prioritized in times of network congestion.
This is a great option for anyone looking to get an affordable unlimited plan with no contract. However, it's important to note that this plan does not include a free streaming service or taxes and fees in the monthly price. This could make a big difference in your budget. The Essentials Savings plan also doesn't offer T-Mobile Tuesdays or the New In Two perk.
T-Mobile Magenta Max
T-Mobile recently launched its Magenta MAX plan to take full advantage of the Un-carrier’s impressive 5G network. It includes unlimited Premium Data—4G LTE and 5G—on smartphones without data caps or speed reductions. It also offers free Netflix and incredible international perks, including global roaming.
For a single line, the MAX plan costs \$85 per month with autopay included. That’s a good deal for those who gobble up mobile data like Skittles and don’t want to worry about being deprioritized. It includes unlimited talk and text, 4K UHD video streaming and 40 GB of mobile high-speed hotspot data.
However, it’s not the best T-Mobile plan for those who don’t use a lot of mobile data. For those, the carrier’s Essentials plan is better and cheaper with similar features. Plus, it includes automated robocall screening and Scam Shield Premium. This saves most single-line customers an estimated \$60 to \$80 per year compared with AT&T’s and Verizon’s cheapest plans.
Google Fi
Google Fi is a month-to-month wireless service that is typically cheaper than many major carriers. It requires a compatible phone, including most Android phones and the iPhone (if you use a model that’s "Designed for Fi"). Fi uses multiple networks to provide coverage, which includes T-Mobile, US Cellular, and even a private Google Wi-Fi network. It also offers a feature called Bill Protection, which automatically credits customers for unused data and stops rates after a specified amount of data usage.
Fi’s standard plan costs \$20 for the first line, \$15 for each additional line, and \$10 per GB of data. Its Flexible plan throttles data speeds after 15 GB, while its Simply Unlimited plan slows after 35 GB. Both plans have a free data SIM and high-speed hotspot access. It’s best for individuals who travel frequently and want a low-cost option that doesn’t include the extra fees of other plans. Families that consume a lot of data should consider other options, like the cheaper MVNO Mint Mobile or a big carrier family plan.
AT&T Prepaid
AT&T offers a couple of cheap unlimited prepaid plans that are essentially the company’s “basic” options. That means they do away with some juicy perks like high-definition video quality, prioritized data speeds and a larger mobile hotspot allowance. However, they do provide solid performance and more data for your dollar.
AT&T’s cheapest plan currently costs \$33 per month for an unlimited talk and text plan with 8 GB of fast data. That’s a great deal, but it does lack 5G access and rollover data.
If you’re looking for even more savings, there are a few MVNOs that operate on AT&T’s network and offer cheaper plans. You can check out our full list of the best MVNOs here. These include Consumer Cellular, Cricket Wireless and Straight Talk. These options also offer better device deals than AT&T Prepaid. However, if you want to stay with AT&T’s network, the best way to save is to sign up for one of its new multi-month prepaid plans that require you to pay upfront in bulk.
