If you’re shopping for an unlimited data plan with one of the major wireless providers, how do you choose between T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon?
With plans changing from one week to the next, money expert Clark Howard suggests that you start by making a list of the things that matter most to you and your family. For example:
- Monthly price
- High-speed data
- HD-quality video
- Streaming TV
- Mobile hotspot
- International features
Unlimited Plans Comparison: T-Mobile vs. AT&T vs. Verizon
The monthly plans in this article offer unlimited talk, text and data, but the major wireless carriers may place limits on your high-speed data. If you use too much or the network is busy, your data speeds could be slowed down.
“It’s really confusing when you try to pick a cell phone plan because unlimited doesn’t mean unlimited,” Clark says. “Everybody has restrictions or gotchas, depending on what you pay per month.”
Before we get to the list of unlimited plans, we should point out that cheaper options do exist with discount cell phone service providers. If you’re willing to leave the major carriers, read our separate guide with the best cell phone plans and deals!
If you see a plan that you like below, check the provider’s website for limited-time deals on service plans and devices.
Table of Contents:
T-Mobile Unlimited Plans
Taxes and fees are included with T-Mobile’s Magenta and Magenta Max plans but cost extra with Essentials. All of the plans provide access to T-Mobile’s 5G network.
| Plan | T-Mobile Essentials | T-Mobile Magenta | T-Mobile Magenta Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $60/month with auto pay $105/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $70/month with auto pay $140/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees included | $85/month with auto pay $170/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees included |
| Features | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed during times of congestion Stream video at DVD-quality, 480p Unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data Talk, text and 2G data in Mexico and Canada | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion Stream video at DVD-quality, 480p 5GB hotspot at 4G LTE speed, then unlimited 3G speed Data and text included when traveling to 210+ worldwide destinations Talk, text and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada In-flight texting and 1 hour of data on Gogo-enabled flights to, from, or within the U.S. | Unlimited talk, text and data, speeds won't be slowed Stream video at 4K UHD 5GB hotspot at 4G LTE speed, then unlimited 3G speed Data and text included when traveling to 210+ worldwide destinations Talk, text and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada In-flight texting and unlimited data on Gogo-enabled flights to, from, or within the U.S. |
| Perks | T-Mobile Tuesdays | Netflix Basic included if you maintain 2+ qualifying T-Mobile Magenta lines T-Mobile Tuesdays | Netflix Basic with one line or Netflix Standard included if you maintain 2+ qualifying T-Mobile Magenta Max lines T-Mobile Tuesdays |
AT&T Unlimited Plans
AT&T’s 5G network is included with all three unlimited plans, but AT&T Unlimited Elite is the only plan that comes with free HBO Max. Taxes and frees are extra.
| Plan | AT&T Unlimited Starter | AT&T Unlimited Extra | AT&T Unlimited Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $65/month with auto pay $140/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $75/month with auto pay $160/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $85/month with auto pay $200/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra |
| Features | Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (Data may be slowed when network is busy) Standard-definition streaming Suspected spam and fraud alerts Unlimited texting from U.S. to 120+ countries | Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (After 50GB, data may be slowed when network is busy) Standard-definition streaming Suspected spam and fraud alerts Unlimited texting from U.S. to 120+ countries 15GB mobile hotspot per line | Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (After 100GB, data may be slowed when network is busy) High-definition streaming Suspected spam and fraud alerts Unlimited texting from U.S. to 120+ countries 30GB mobile hotspot per line |
| Perks | HBO Max included |
Verizon Unlimited Plans
All of Verizon’s unlimited plans include a streaming perk. Taxes and fees are extra.
| Plan | Start Unlimited | Play More Unlimited | Do More Unlimited | Get More Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $70/month with auto pay $140/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $80/month with auto pay $180/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $80/month with auto pay $180/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra | $90/month with auto pay $220/month for 4 lines with auto pay Taxes and fees extra |
| Features | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed during times of congestion DVD-quality streaming (480p) Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion HD-quality streaming (720p) 15GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion HD-quality streaming (720p) 15GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included | Unlimited talk, text and data, which may be slowed after 50GB/line during times of congestion HD-quality streaming (720p) 30GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, followed by unlimited at speeds up to 600 Kbps Mexico and Canada talk, text and data included |
| Perks | Disney+ for 6 months Discovery+ for 6 months Apple Music for 6 months | Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ included Discovery+ for 12 months Apple Music for 6 months | Disney+ for 6 months Discovery+ for 6 months Apple Music for 6 months 600GB cloud storage | Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ included Discovery+ for 12 months Apple Music included 600GB cloud storage |
Final Thought
Switching to a discount carrier is probably the best way to lower your cell phone bill, but we know that many people want to stay with T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. That’s why we created this guide.
Here are some things to consider if you want to save money with the major carriers:
- Have you thought about a family plan?
- Are you searching for phone deals?
- Do you take advantage of auto pay discounts?
- Military, employer, senior discounts?
- Can you get free cell phone insurance from a credit card?
Even if you apply just one or two of these money-saving strategies, you can save $20 a month or more on your cell phone needs. That adds up to $240 after one year and $2,400 after 10 years!
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