What Is the Average Cellphone Bill Per Month?

The average monthly cellphone bill for U.S. users, ages 25 to 64, costs $114 for a smartphone plan. This high cost, when compared to plans in other countries, is mostly due to the accessibility of expensive unlimited data plans and frequent smartphone upgrades.

How Can I Lower My Cellphone Bill?

The biggest way to lower your cellphone bill is to stop paying for unlimited data, and instead keep track of your data usage and only pay for what you use. Also, only upgrade your phone when it's absolutely necessary to avoid contract installment payments. Older people can also cut costs by inquiring about a senior cellphone plan.

How Do I Switch Cellphone Plans?

You can switch plans by contracting with a new provider, either by phone or in person, and walking through the steps needed to port your number to the new plan. Keep in mind, however, if you have a contract with your old provider, you may receive a final bill that includes a hefty termination fee. It's best to inquire about this before making the switch.

What Is the Best Place to Get a Phone Plan?

It is best to sign up for a phone plan in person at one of the carrier's flagship stores. This way, the trained personnel can walk you through the setup process, make sure your phone number ports correctly, and tackle any tech issues that may arise.

Which Cellphone Carrier Has the Best Coverage?

Verizon claims to have the best U.S. cellphone coverage, with AT&T and T-Mobile coming in second. Sprint rounds out the list of what's considered "The Big Four." And while the coverage from these companies is certainly robust, it comes with a high cost.

The 8 Best Cellphone Plans of 2023

Close up of woman using smart phone Cell Phone Plans — Tim Robberts / Getty Images

A good cellphone plan elevates your user experience while also saving you from hefty overage fees. And picking the best service provider for you involves comparing your needs with the company's offerings. First, estimate how much data you'll use and if you'd like a contract or contract-less program. Next, choose a plan that reaches your network abroad, if you frequently travel internationally, either for work or for play.

Once you decide on your cellphone needs, take a look at what options suit your device (consider upgrading to a 5G phone if your new coverage allows for it). Companies like Google Fi work great for Android users, while iPhone users may prefer T-Mobile or Verizon. We did our research and compiled a list of the best cellphone plans to help you pick the one that works best for both you and your family.

Best Cellphone Plans of 2023

Best Overall: T-Mobile Magenta Max
Best High-Speed Data: Verizon Wireless
Best Family Plan: T-Mobile Essentials
Best Prepaid: Metro by T-Mobile
Best for International Travelers: T-Mobile Magenta
Best Unlimited: Google Fi Unlimited Plus
Best No Contract: Cricket Wireless
Best for Kids: Tracfone

Best Overall: T-Mobile Magenta Max

Cost: $150 a month for three phone lines with AutoPay
Services: Unlimited high-speed data, 50 GB mobile hotspot, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada, and Netflix access for two screens
Coverage: Over 215 countries and destinations

Why We Chose It

T-Mobile's Magenta Max plan offers unlimited high-speed 4G and 5G LTE data and 50GB of high-speed hotspot data in the United States, as well as 15GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, and 5GB globally.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Global high-speed data access
T-Mobile Travel plan included
UHD-quality video streaming
Full-flight texting and Wi-Fi when available

Cons

Expensive without discounts

Overview

For heavy data users and families, there's no better choice than T-Mobile's Magenta Max plan and its outstanding feature set.

Starting at $150 for three phone lines, T-Mobile Magenta Max customers receive unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data for every line, along with a mobile hotspot with 50GB of high-speed data (and unlimited data at lower speeds). UHD-quality streaming comes standard in the Magenta MAX plan, up to 4K, and the plan includes a free two-screen Netflix and Apple TV+ subscription.

Add in unlimited international texts, full-flight texting and Wi-Fi on Gogo-enabled flights, and the T-Mobile Tuesdays program, which features discounts on Shell gasoline or free coffee at Dunkin Donuts, and you're hard-pressed to find a better unlimited plan on any carrier.

Best High-Speed Data: Verizon Wireless

Cost: $35 to $55 a month per line with paperless billing and auto-pay
Services: Unlimited talk and text, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, and entertainment perks with most plans
Coverage: Over 220 countries

Why We Chose It

Verizon offers a nationwide 5G network complete with several different plan options that consistently wins coverage and speed awards.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Unlimited 5G and 4G Ultra Wideband available nationwide
Four unlimited plans offering various speeds and costs
Entertainment perks available with some plans

Cons

Fastest plan is expensive for multiple lines

Overview

If you're searching for the best nationwide coverage, Verizon's the easy choice. The company's unlimited plans start at $35 a month per line, it costs $45 a month for the two higher-speed offerings, and $55 per month for the highest tier.

With four rate plans to choose from, Verizon's costs make it a budget-friendly option, complete with entertainment perks. For example, the $35-per-month 5G Start plan throws in six months of free Disney +, Apple Arcade or a Google Play Pass, and Apple Music for six months. The $45-per-month 5G Play More plan includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, along with your choice of Apple Arcade or a Google Play Pass, and Apple music for six months. And the 5G Play More and Get More plans have even more entertainment perks.

Verizon also offers home internet for only $25 a month with the higher-tier plans. It's a mix of coverage, speed, perks, and reliability makes Verizon well worth its bang for the buck.

Best Family Plan: T-Mobile Essentials

Cost: $90 a month for three phone lines with AutoPay
Services: Unlimited talk, text, and data, 3GB mobile hotspot, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, unlimited talk and text up to 128Kbps in Mexico and Canada, and DVD-quality streaming
Coverage: United States, Mexico, and Canada

Why We Chose It

T-Mobile's Essentials family plan is seriously hard to beat with unlimited talk, text, and data and DVD-quality streaming for the kids.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers a new iPhone upgrade annually
Economical option for families
Unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico
No annual service contract required

Cons

DVD-quality streaming only

Overview

T-Mobile's baseline Essentials plan comes in at $90 a month for three lines (after the AutoPay discount), making it the most popular option for families. Add in unlimited talk, text, and data alongside 3GB of mobile hotspot data, DVD-quality streaming, and unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, and it's easy to see why customers are flocking to T-Mobile's network.

T-Mobile's recent perk introduction allows you to upgrade to a new iPhone after completing 12 equipment payment installments, assuring customers of a new device annually with every new release. Then, parents can hand down their older devices to the kids, keeping everyone on the latest technology.

Best Prepaid: Metro by T-Mobile

The Metro By T-Mobile logo.

Cost: $40 a month for one line
Services: Unlimited high-speed data, 5G network access, unlimited local and domestic long-distance calling, text and picture messaging, and coverage for no-contract phones and devices
Coverage: United States

Why We Chose It

Metro by T-Mobile offers a prepaid, no-contract service that delivers unlimited high-speed data and unlimited calling and messaging.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Perfect for no-contract phones and devices
Superior coverage in nationwide cities
Flexible payment options

Cons

Coverage only available in the United States
Only provides 3G speeds after data cap is reached

Overview

When it comes to a prepaid service, Metro by T-Mobile (formerly MetroPCS) is the king of the hill. Starting at $40 a month for an individual line (with no contract), this plan certainly suits the budget-conscious.

Piggybacking on parent company T-Mobile's network, Metro by T-Mobile boasts a nationwide LTE network with fast download speeds and allows unlimited music streaming from 40-plus music apps that don't eat into your monthly data limit. Customers can jump to the $50 plan and add 8GB of hotspot data, or the $60 plan with unlimited texting to over 210 countries and destinations.

As a prepaid carrier, Metro by T-Mobile offers an extensive lineup of smartphones, including the latest from Apple and Samsung, but requires a full-price purchase (no contracts). Alternatively, you can bring your own SIM-compatible device to the network.

Best for International Travelers: T-Mobile Magenta

Cost: $130 a month for three phone lines with AutoPay
Services: Unlimited high-speed data, 15GB mobile hotspot, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, unlimited talk and text and 10GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, and a one-year AAA membership for free
Coverage: Over 215 countries and destinations

Why We Chose It

For travelers, T-Mobile Magenta offers free texting, unlimited data in over 215 countries and destinations, and four full-flight streaming sessions a year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers coverage in over 215 countries and destinations
T-Mobile Travel included
Unlimited talk and text, and up to 10GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada
Unlimited in-flight texting and one hour of streaming, when available

Cons

HD-quality streaming only available with an upgrade

Overview

T-Mobile's Magenta plan includes a host of features, like free Netflix and unlimited data, but it also excels at international coverage.

If you travel to Mexico and Canada on the regular, T-Mobile adds unlimited calling, texting, and 5GB of high-speed data. T-Mobile also offers an international pass (to other countries around the globe), complete with 512MB of high-speed data for an extra $5 per day.

T-Mobile Magenta provides traveling customers with unlimited free in-flight texting and an hour of Wi-Fi on planes that are Gogo-enabled, as well as four full-flight streaming sessions a year, and access to T-Mobile travel rewards, offering up to 40% off on select hotels and rental cars.

Best Unlimited: Google Fi Unlimited Plus

Cost: $40 a month for one phone line
Services: Unlimited high-speed data, shareable data for tablets and other devices, international coverage, unlimited hotspot tethering, 100GB of cloud storage
Coverage: Over 200 countries and destinations

Why We Chose It

Google Fi's Unlimited Plus Plan offers unlimited data and doesn't toggle the speed until you reach 50GB per person.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Provides high-speed data up to 50GB per person
Offers 100GB of cloud storage
Exceptional international coverage
Great choice for non-iPhone users

Cons

Does not support the iPhone
Newer company with less history in the industry

Overview

Opting for Google Fi seems like a great idea for a variety of reasons. Its Unlimited Plus plan ($40 per month for one person) provides you with unlimited data and 100GB of Google One storage for each line.

Google Fi's plan works great for power users, like data- and app-happy teens, as well as those who don't want to pay for data that they won't actually use (you can choose a lesser plan). The company's coverage also delivers the same performance overseas as you'd get in the United States.

If you can stomach using a Pixel, Samsung, or Moto phone, and you're willing to be an early adopter of a new network, this unlimited plan offers great service without making you jump on Apple's latest releases.

Best No-Contract: Cricket Wireless

Cost: Starts at $30 a month for one phone with AutoPay
Services: Unlimited data and a mobile hot-spot add-on ($10/month), coverage in Mexico and Canada, and unlimited text to 37 countries is available with some plans
Coverage: United States, Mexico, and Canada

Why We Chose It

Cricket allows subscribers to pay month to month and has an ultra-transparent fee policy with a rolling structure.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Month-to-month pay schedule
Family plan grants you four lines of unlimited data
You can add a mobile hotspot for $10 a month

Cons

Cricket may provide slow data speeds if network is busy
5G is not available everywhere

Overview

Similar to other no-contract plans, Cricket Wireless allows you to pay month to month and has no hidden fees. Cricket offers a rolling structure with a basic talk and text package starting at $30 per month (with 5GB of high-speed data) and goes up to a premium high-speed plan for $60 per month, including a 15GB mobile hotspot add-on.

The standout, however, is the $100 family plan, which grants you four lines of unlimited data. Heavy users will want to note that Cricket may throttle your speeds at times of high use. This is one of the downfalls of a budget-friendly, month-to-month plan.

That said, with Cricket, what you see is what you get. All prices include taxes and fees, and while Cricket's coverage isn't quite as robust as Verizon's or AT&T's, it's a solid option for those looking to save money and not be tied down by a contract.

Best for Kids: Tracfone

Cost: Starts at $15 a month for a basic phone plan
Services: Unlimited talk and text and up to 8GB of data with most plans, and hotspot capabilities with some plans
Coverage: United States

Why We Chose It

Tracfone offers a no-frills way of keeping your child's usage in check and offers plans that suit both smartphones and basic phones.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers plans for both smartphones and basic phones
Operates off of Verizon towers, assuring great coverage
$10 global calling card available with all plans

Cons

Reduced network speeds during high-volume times
Inconsistent customer service

Overview

Tracfone's smartphone plans start at $20 for 30 days with unlimited minutes and texts and 2GB of data. But parents can also choose a plan for basic phones that costs $15 a month for 500 minutes of talk time, 500MB of data, and 500 texts.

Smartphone plans remain the best option, fairly priced at $125 for a full year's worth of service (365 days) allowing for 1,500 minutes, 1,500 texts, and 1.5GB of data. Alternative plans offer 60 and 90 days' worth of service for various amounts of minutes, texts, and data allotments.

Tracfone also offers an extensive line of basic and smartphones for purchase, and allows customers to activate service on their older devices, too.

Final Verdict

We chose T-Mobile's Magenta Max plan as the best cellphone plan because, unlike most of its counterparts, this plan offers unlimited high-speed 4G and 5G LTE data that won't get throttled down once you hit a limit. The plan also grants you 50GB of high-speed hotspot data in the United States, as well as 15GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, and 5GB globally. For travelers, this plan's features come in handy, like its UHD-quality video streaming and full-flight texting and Wi-Fi, when available. T-Mobile Magenta customers also get perks like discounts on Shell gasoline or free coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

Compare the Best Cellphone Plans of 2023

Company	Cost	Services	Coverage
Best Overall T-Mobile Magenta Max	$150 a month for three phone lines	Unlimited high-speed data, 50GB mobile hotspot, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada, and Netflix access for two screens	Over 215 countries and destinations
Best High-Speed Data Verizon Wireless	$35 to $55 a month per line	Unlimited talk and text, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, and entertainment perks with most plans	Over 220 countries
Best Family Plan T-Mobile Essentials	$90 a month for three phone lines	Unlimited talk, text, and data, 3 GB mobile hotspot, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, unlimited talk and text up to 128Kbps in Mexico and Canada, and DVD-quality streaming	United States, Mexico, and Canada
Best Prepaid Metro by T-Mobile	$40 a month per line	Unlimited high-speed data, 5G network access, unlimited local and domestic long-distance calling, text and picture messaging, and coverage for no-contract phones and devices	United States
Best for International Travelers T-Mobile Magenta	$130 a month for three phone lines	Unlimited high-speed data, 15GB mobile hotspot, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE, unlimited talk and text and 10GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, and a one-year AAA membership for free	Over 215 countries and destinations
Best Unlimited Google Fi Unlimited Plus	$40 a month per line	Unlimited high-speed data, shareable data for tables and other devices, international coverage, unlimited hotspot tethering, 100Gb of cloud storage	Over 200 countries and destinations
Best No Contract Cricket Wireless Unlimited	Starts at $30 a month per line	Unlimited data, and a mobile hot-spot add-on ($10/month), coverage in Mexico and Canada, unlimited text to 37 countries are available with some plans	United States, Mexico, and Canada
Best for Kids Tracfone	Starts at $15 a month for one basic phone line	Unlimited talk and text, and up to 8GB of data with most plans and hotspot capabilities with some plans	United States

FAQ

What Is the Average Cellphone Bill Per Month?

The average monthly cellphone bill for U.S. users, ages 25 to 64, costs $114 for a smartphone plan. This high cost, when compared to plans in other countries, is mostly due to the accessibility of expensive unlimited data plans and frequent smartphone upgrades.
How Can I Lower My Cellphone Bill?

The biggest way to lower your cellphone bill is to stop paying for unlimited data, and instead keep track of your data usage and only pay for what you use. Also, only upgrade your phone when it's absolutely necessary to avoid contract installment payments. Older people can also cut costs by inquiring about a senior cellphone plan.
How Do I Switch Cellphone Plans?

You can switch plans by contracting with a new provider, either by phone or in person, and walking through the steps needed to port your number to the new plan. Keep in mind, however, if you have a contract with your old provider, you may receive a final bill that includes a hefty termination fee. It's best to inquire about this before making the switch.
What Is the Best Place to Get a Phone Plan?

It is best to sign up for a phone plan in person at one of the carrier's flagship stores. This way, the trained personnel can walk you through the setup process, make sure your phone number ports correctly, and tackle any tech issues that may arise.
Which Cellphone Carrier Has the Best Coverage?

Verizon claims to have the best U.S. cellphone coverage, with AT&T and T-Mobile coming in second. Sprint rounds out the list of what's considered "The Big Four." And while the coverage from these companies is certainly robust, it comes with a high cost.

Methodology

We looked at cellphone plans from several companies before coming up with our list of the best. We researched the unique services offered by each plan and made sure to select those with unlimited data, broad coverage, and hotspot and HD streaming options. We included no-contract plans for the budget conscious, as well as plans best suited to limit the usage of kids and teens. We also evaluated plans with travel features, and included those that offer international calling and data, as well as in-flight services, like free texts and Wi-Fi, when available.