Cell phones are a must for nearly everyone, but choosing the best cell phone plan can be challenging because carriers offer many different features and plan prices. Regardless of your decision, it's important to select services that help you stay connected at home or on the road. To make your decision simpler, we analyzed 20 providers. We looked at coverage areas, quality of customer service, and 5G availability. Then we narrowed our selection by comparing features and perks based on specific use cases. Best Cell Phone Plans for September 2024 Best Cell Phone Plans for September 2024 Bottom Line Compare Providers What Is a Cell Phone Provider? How Can I Get the Best Coverage? Can I Port a Landline to a Cell Phone? What Does a Cell Phone Plan Cost? Methodology Enjoy business features like a mobile virtual private network (VPN) and go almost anywhere as Verizon networks cover the vast majority of the United States. Pros Choose from over 65 different smartphones Unlimited mobile hotspot Discounted pricing for additional phone lines Cons International calling is an add-on feature Unlimited plans are pricey With an extensive national network, Verizon is the leading wireless provider. It receives top scores for network coverage, speed, and reliability. Verizon's plan and device flexibility, combined with excellent business features, makes it the clear winner in our best overall cell phone provider category. In over 50 large cities, Verizon offers its 5G mmWave coverage, while its lower-band 5G has wider availability. Features include: Verizon gives extra savings when you add more lines. For example, for one phone line, you'll pay $70 to $95 per month. With five or more lines, the price drops to $30 to $45 per month per line. You can also add international calling for $5 to $15 per month. The following prices reflect a $5-per-month savings for paperless billing and autopay. Verizon business plans consist of: Travel from coast to coast and get 5G services, available in more than 7,500 cities. Pros Best nationwide coverage for 5G Discounts for people over 55, veterans, first responders, and more No contract required Cons Top plan only available with iPhone T-Mobile is a well-known cell phone carrier that acquired the Sprint network in 2020, expanding its coverage area. T-Mobile's 5G coverage includes over 7,500 cities. The company claims its 5G network is bigger than both AT&T's and Verizon's 5G networks. Strong 5G coverage and plenty of business features make T-Mobile the best choice for 5G. T-Mobile offers many standard and available features, such as: As is typical, the more lines you buy the less you'll play for each line. One phone line ranges from $60 to $95 per month versus five phone lines for $24 to $48 per line per month. The following T-Mobile plans include a discount for autopay: Mint Mobile offers one of the lowest prices for unlimited nationwide talk and text, with enormous savings on prepaid plans. Pros You can bring your own device Excellent coverage via the T-Mobile network Device compatibility checker Cons Data throttling No unlimited international calling plans (excluding Canada and Mexico) Some service inconsistency during peak hours With many prepaid cell phone plans, you pay more for convenience. However, Mint Mobile offers excellent prices, 5G connections, and plenty of device options. Its standout prepaid packages put Mint Mobile at the top of the pack for the best prepaid carrier. Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), meaning it uses T-Mobile networks to provide phone and data services. This network delivers reliable service and 5G access in over 7,500 cities. On Mint Mobile’s excellent prepaid packages, you’ll get features such as: Mint Mobile offers three, six, and 12-month prepaid plans, based on your data requirements. You can buy up to four plans per order. The following packages don't include taxes and fees and reflect your total for a three-month prepaid plan: If you need to buy phones for your remote or on-site staff, Republic Wireless provides the basics for a low price. Pros 30-day money-back guarantee No contracts Extremely affordable Cons Not a good option for international use Republic Wireless, owned by Dish, is an MVNO that runs on the reliable and nationwide T-Mobile wireless network. The plans are best for those looking to save money without a lot of extra features. With Republic Wireless, your teams can take business calls from anywhere without breaking the bank, which is why it's the best basic option. This phone carrier keeps its prices low by offering a basic service that includes WiFi calling without a lot of bells and whistles. Two of their three plans have unlimited data. The cheapest plan includes 1GB of data, but only charges $5 per GB after that. All plans come with essential features such as: Republic Wireless offers three different plans. Two of them come with unlimited calling, texting, and data in the U.S. The first one only comes with unlimited texts and calls. Their plans are not the best for international calling or data use. Prices below are for one line. You'll pay less per line if you buy more lines. The following prices don't include fees or taxes: With plans starting at $2.50 per month and the ability to mix and match your networks, RedPocket is the best deal online. Pros No contracts or credit checks Special plans available through eBay Lowest priced services Cons No rollover minutes, text, or data Limited features No mobile app Since 2006 RedPocket has worked out agreements with all major networks to provide nationwide coverage at low prices, making it an excellent choice for business owners needing the best value for their money. RedPocket is an MVNO that offers coverage using T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon networks. Cell phone services include: RedPocket offers various plans on its website, or you can purchase packages on eBay. All plan prices are actual prices before any current deals, and pricing doesn't include taxes or fees. RedPocket has monthly, annual, and eBay plans, and one special offer plan with limits. The following packages are RedPocket's monthly and annual plans: The following plans are available through eBay: There is also a plan from RedPocket called "special offer" that includes 500 minutes, 500 text, and 500MB of high speed data for $10 per month. Use your Google Fi service with data and text while visiting more than 200 countries. Pros Available 100GB cloud storage No contracts Mobile application Cons Works best on Google Pixels as well as select Samsung and Moto phones Flexible plan is more expensive if you use a lot of data Google Fi is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Sprint networks. With Google phones or compatible third-party devices, you can seamlessly switch between networks to ensure you have coverage everywhere. Business travelers appreciate features like: With Google Fi, you can choose between three plans. Prices drop when you add more users, but pricing doesn't include taxes or fees. Google Fi packages include: Save money and only pay for what you use with custom plans from US Mobile. Pros 20% student discount 10-day risk-free trial Mobile application Cons Fewer features than top carriers US Mobile is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile and Verizon networks, making it a reliable cell phone provider. But the real appeal of US Mobile is how you can create plans that fit each of your employees. US Mobile is the only carrier offering personalized packages, making it the best choice for customization. Use the US Mobile tool to design your order based on minutes, text, and data needs. Standard features on unlimited plans include: You'll find tons of variety in plans, from a single phone to group packages. US Mobile offers many packages, a few examples are: However, the standout packages are the build-your-own plans. Simply select the amount of data, minutes, and text you want, then tally up your total. À la carte options include: Bundle high-speed internet and your choice of mix-and-match phone plans to get top speeds at low prices. Pros Great selection of cell phones One of the lowest prices for unlimited services Free SIM card if you bring your own phone Cons Online pricing only shows up to 5 lines Xfinity Mobile uses the Verizon network and Xfinity hotspots to deliver stable and fast cell service. It comes bundled with Comcast's Xfinity internet services, a top internet service provider (ISP) available from coast to coast. Xfinity Mobile's affordable pricing and robust internet services make it the best choice for phone and internet. Cell phone plans offer available features such as: With Xfinity Mobile, you can mix and match plans to give each employee what they need to do their job. With the following programs, your data is sharable. You can add extra data for $15 per 1GB or unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada for $10 per month. The Xfinity Mobile plans below don't include fees or taxes: Xfinity internet services and prices are based on your location. Although the major carriers offer similar prices and features, not all services will work in your area. You can save money with an MVNO, but you still need to check which network it uses. While basic plans offer pay-as-you-use service, others include exclusive perks. With prices ranging from $2.50 to $95 per month, it's vital to consider coverage and features while considering how you and your employees use the phone.Business phones also provide users with a tax-deductible business expense. Verizon's advanced security bundle with mobile endpoint security and device management, combined with a VPN, make it a fantastic option for small businesses. You can mix and match plans based on your usage and you'll save money when you add more lines. Verizon also offers frequent deals on cell phones so that you can equip your crew with their choice of more than 65 phones. A cell phone provider, also called a mobile service provider (MSP), is a business that offers mobile phone services like data, text, and calling. It transmits your calls using a network of towers instead of the copper wires used for landlines. Get the best coverage by looking at a map or using an online tool to see which towers are near you. All providers use phone lines owned by the major MSPs. Recently, T-Mobile purchased Sprint, which may extend its coverage further. Below is the estimated amount of coverage in the United States per company: If you're in a major city, then there's a good chance most cell services will deliver the highest speeds. However, coverage drops outside metro areas. 5G is new and not available in most non-urban regions. For super-fast 5G speeds, here's how the networks compare: Yes, according to the Local Number Portability act, all landline and wireless providers must give customers the option of porting eligible phone numbers. Several factors determine your eligibility, including geography and service area coverage. You can use a free online tool or check with your landline provider to see if your number is eligible. Cell phone plans offer packages to fit all budgets. Many providers offer discounts for multi-line plans. You can also find great deals when buying phones or annual plans, with hundreds of dollars in savings. For unlimited text, calling, and data plans, prices range from $45 to $95 per phone per month. Or select basic talk and text plans, starting at $2.50 per month per phone. With most packages, you can add data with 1GB costing $5 to $15. Several carriers charge according to data amounts: Most services don't include taxes and fees in plan costs. You may not know what your total bill will cost until it arrives. According to the Tax Foundation, in 2022 "taxes, fees, and government surcharges make up a record-high 25.4 percent tax on taxable voice services." Depending on where you live, you may pay 911 fees, state universal service fund charges, or taxes to your local government. We reviewed 20 different mobile service providers and mobile virtual network operators to uncover leaders in categories critical to small business owners. During our research, we discovered service perks or special features that made individual companies stand out. However, we also analyzed pricing structures, customer service reviews, and overall quality. Since MVNO's rely on three phone networks for service quality, we also explored the best options based on coverage areas. Article Sources Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy. Verizon. "Verizon Coverage Map." Verizon. "Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service available in more cities." Verizon. "Business Unlimited Phone Plans." T-Mobile. "T-Mobile Launches World’s First Nationwide Standalone 5G Network." T-Mobile. "T-Mobile Completes Merger with Sprint to Create the New T-Mobile." T-Mobile. "Experience America’s largest, fastest & most reliable 5G network." T-Mobile. "Business Phone Plans." Mint Mobile. "Prepaid Phone Plans with Unlimited Talk, Text & Data." Republic Wireless. "Republic Wireless by DISH." Republic Wireless. "Cell Phone Plans." RedPocket. "RedPocket." RedPocket. "About Us." RedPocket. "How it Works." RedPocket. "Plans." RedPocket. "Are Tethering and Hotspot services included with Red Pocket plans?" RedPocket. "What is WiFi calling and can I use it with my Red Pocket service?" eBay. "Red Pocket Store." Google Fi. "International Roaming, Calling & Data Rates." Google Fi. "Frequently Asked Questions About Our Phone Plans." Google Fi. "Unlimited, Flexible & Group Cell Phone Plans & Rates." US Mobile. "Prepaid unlimited, family and custom phone plans." Fierce Wireless. "Comcast taps its 19 million Wi-Fi hotspots to offload Xfinity Mobile traffic." Xfinity. "Mobile Service from Xfinity." Compare Cellular. "U.S. Cellular Coverage Map: How U.S. Cellular Compares to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint." FCC. "Porting: Keeping Your Phone Number When You Change Providers." Tax Foundation. "Wireless Taxes by State 2022." Related Terms Generative AI: How It Works and Recent Transformative Developments In a matter of seconds, generative artificial intelligence can produce new content, such as text, images, video, and code, in response to a user-given prompt. more Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): Definition, How It Works, and Examples Researchers working on artificial general intelligence (AGI) aim to eventually produce a form of AI with human-level intelligence. AGI would ideally be able to learn, self-teach, and perform generalized tasks without human supervision or intervention. more File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Meaning and Uses File transfer protocol (FTP) is a mechanism for the transfer of files between systems. FTP software can be downloaded for free. more What Is a Large Language Model (LLM)? Large language models use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to understand and generate language that is natural and human-sounding. Learn how large language models work and the different ways in which they’re used. more Web 3.0 Explained, Plus the History of Web 1.0 and 2.0 Web 3.0 is the next iteration of the internet, which is expected to be more decentralized, more open, and of greater utility than today's Web 2.0. more HyperText Markup Language (HTML): What It Is and How It Works HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the set ofmarkupsymbols or codes used to display on the internet. The markup tells web browsers how to display a webpage’s words and images. moreBest Cell Phone Plans for September 2024
Best Overall : Verizon
Best for 5G : T-Mobile
Best Prepaid Carrier : Mint Mobile
Best Basic Option : Republic Wireless
Best Value : RedPocket
Best for International Use : Google Fi
Best for Customizing Plans : US Mobile
Best for Phone and Internet : Xfinity Mobile
Bottom Line
Compare Providers
Best Cell Phone Providers Phone Carrier Why We Picked It Top Features Verizon Best Overall Well-rounded plans with business features and nationwide coverage T-Mobile Best for 5G Offers coast to coast 5GB across 7,500 cities Mint Mobile Best Prepaid Carrier Choose between three, six , and 12-month prepaid plans at affordable rates Republic Wireless Best Basic Option Offers the lowest price per 1GB of data and affordable talk and text plans RedPocket Best Value Save money when choosing from plans that range from $2.50 to $50 per month Google Fi Best for International Use Visit more than 200 countries and use your data and text plan US Mobile Best for Customizing Plans Build your own plan with a custom number of minutes, texts, and data Xfinity Mobile Best for Phone and Internet Bundle your internet and cell phone What Is a Cell Phone Provider?
How Can I Get the Best Coverage?
Can I Port a Landline to a Cell Phone?
What Does a Cell Phone Plan Cost?
How We Chose the Best Cell Phone Providers
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