Best unlimited data plans 2024: Verizon, Mint Mobile, and beyond

The best unlimited data plans are essential for anyone who spends a lot of time on their smartphone(s) playing online games, binge-watching their favorite movies and TV shows, or even using social media platforms. If that includes you, you'll be happy to know that there's no dearth of options in the market when it comes to getting unlimited high-speed data access on your mobile device(s).

Thanks to constantly improving network infrastructure and steady advancements in wireless technologies like 5G, you no longer have to shell out a fortune to get an unlimited data plan. Whether you prefer one of the mainstream 'Big Three' carriers (e.g., T-Mobile) or want to go prepaid with a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (e.g., Mint Mobile), there are a lot of choices to pick from, that too at fairly reasonable prices. Of course, you still have premium plans, but those usually come bundled with additional perks such as streaming services that you may or may not need. It all depends on choosing a well-rounded wireless service plan that works best for your requirements. With that said, here's our round-up of some of the best unlimited data plans, from carriers both big and small.

Patrick Farmer

Patrick is a no-nonsense deal hunter with over 10 years of experience in the eCommerce space. Whether you’re interested in a new wireless carrier, smart home device, or Android phone, Patrick combines hands-on research with practical shopping advice to get you the answers you need. 

At a glance

Best overall

For a regular price of just $45 per month (that too with all taxes and fees), the 'Visible Plus' plan offers premium features usually not found on prepaid carriers, including 50GB of high-speed data and unthrottled access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network.

The 'Visible Plus' plan also packs in some great international perks, such as unlimited calls and texts to Mexico and Canada (as well as 2GB of daily roaming data per day in these two countries), international calling to over 30 countries, and international texting to more than 200 countries. You get unlimited mobile hotspot usage (capped at 10Mbps), spam and robocall protection, and bundled smartwatch service (only for Apple Watch). 

Unlike traditional MVNO carriers that piggyback off larger networks, Visible is a full-stack digital carrier owned and operated by Verizon. This means that you get almost all of the benefits of a big service provider, without having to pay the big carrier's pricing. Plus, there are no hidden fees, and you can cancel the service at any time if you don't like it. Visible also offers great deals frequently, so make sure to check those out before you sign up. You can also pay for a full year of service to save even more money.

Best premium pick

Having replaced its legacy unlimited plans, Verizon has introduced a great mix-and-match system that lets you customize your plan's benefits through a variety of add-ons, with each costing just $10 per month. These add-ons include streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Hulu), 100GB of hotspot data, a Walmart+ membership, and more. 

This means that the data plans themselves are now pretty stripped-back; However, if you can afford it, you certainly won't be missing out on anything with the high-end 'Unlimited Ultimate' plan. Starting at $90 per month (before taxes and fees) for one line, this premium plan offers unlimited premium data, 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network access, 60GB of mobile hotspot data, and up to 1080p (Full-HD) video streaming.

You also get some amazing international perks, including talk, text, and data in over 210 countries around the world. Obviously, $90 per month isn't a small amount, but like all of Verizon's plans, you can save some money by adding additional lines. You can also take advantage of one the many Verizon deals that are available regularly.

Best prepaid option

If you're interested in taking the MVNO route, Mint Mobile is easily among the best options you can go for. The prepaid carrier is now fully owned by T-Mobile and uses its parent carrier's excellent network infrastructure to provide amazing coverage at a much lower cost. With the 'Unlimited' plan, you get up to 40GB of high-speed 5G/LTE data before the speeds are reduced, but the connectivity is never fully cut-off. 

Mint Mobile is a unique Mobile Virtual Network Operator, because you're required to buy service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months in advance. However, you can save a lot of cash by paying in advance for multiple months. If you're not sure, you can try the carrier for a full week before committing, thanks to its convenient seven-day free trial that runs right alongside your existing service without any interruptions. New customers have to pay a mere $45 (taxes and fees extra) for the first three months of the 'Unlimited' plan, as part of a limited-time offer, which comes down to just $15 per month. After that, the cost goes up to $90 for three months, but you can sign up for an entire year for $360 too, thus locking in the $30 monthly price, which is a bit less than what you'd pay with a six-month renewal. 

With Mint Mobile 'Unlimited' plan, you also get free calls to Mexico and Canada, free 10GB of dedicated mobile hotspot usage, and all the perks of T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network. These goodies make Mint Mobile one of the best MVNO carriers out there.

Best budget plan

With carriers like Tello, you don't have to forego unlimited plans even when you are shopping on a shoestring budget. For a price of $25 per month, can get up to 35GB of high-speed 5G/LTE data on T-Mobile's network before speeds are reduced, as well as Wi-Fi calling, 5GB of mobile hotspot data, and free international calls to more than 60 countries.

Tello is very much a no-frills carrier so don't expect a lot of fancy perks. However, if you value simplicity and transparent business practices, it might just be the perfect MVNO for you. It's also worth mentioning here that all of Tello's plans are extremely customizable via its 'Build Your Own Plan' tool. However, you can also choose from a few popular pre-configured plans, including the above-detailed unlimited 'Data' plan at $25 per month.

Need less data in a month? Simply adjust your plan via Tello's app and the changes will instantly go into effect. That means you can pay $25 per month to enjoy Tello's 'Unlimited' plan, then switch over to the $10 per month 'Economy' plan without any penalties.

Best for travelers

Google Fi is an MVNO that utilizes T-Mobile's network to give its customers access to consistently reliable coverage everywhere, including abroad. The 'Unlimited Plus' plan offers free calls to more than 50 countries around the world, free data in over 200 countries, and unlimited free texts in any country where Google Fi coverage is available. Naturally, speeds will vary depending on the country you're in, but it still beats the international coverage offered by most competing carriers. 

There are also additional benefits that come with the 'Unlimited Plus' plan, including unlimited hotspot tethering, 100GB of free cloud storage (via Google One), and up to 50GB of premium data before speeds are reduced. They'll even hook you up with six months of YouTube Premium at no extra cost. Like all of the other Google Fi plans, this one also has spam blocking, family location sharing, and content filters. 

One issue with Google Fi Wireless is that you'll only get full access to everything that the carrier has to offer if you pick up a 'Designed for Fi' phone. These include most of the newer Samsung Galaxy devices, Pixels, and Motorola phones since they are able to seamlessly switch between wireless networks and Wi-Fi hotspots used by Google Fi Wireless. The majority of other unlocked devices will still work, but the service may not be as smooth.

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How to choose

So what's the best unlimited data plan for me?

As you can probably tell by going through the options listed above, there really is no 'one-size-fits-all' unlimited plan. Instead, you need to think about your own individual needs when choosing a wireless service provider. Do you prioritize loads of premium data? Do you prefer flexibility? What about affordability? Once you have the answers to these questions, you'll be able to decide which of these best unlimited data plans will fit your requirements the best. 

But even more importantly, you need to know how much data you use and need. If you simply can't decide, we suggest getting 'Visible Plus' as it's easily the most well-rounded plan out there that offers plenty of data, along with several other benefits on Verizon's solid network infrastructure. If you don't care about the bill, Verizon's 'Unlimited Ultimate' plan not only includes loads of premium data and international perks, but also lets you customize the plan further via a wide range of extra add-ons. Then there's Mint Mobile's 'Unlimited' offering, which lets you save a lot of money by requiring upfront payment for multiple months of service.