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M-Budget at a glance

M-budget network coverage, m-budget cancellation, m-budget mobile phone subscription offers, m-budget internet offers for your home, m-budget tv offers.

M-Budget is the mobile phone brand of the Swiss retail company MIGROS. With all M-Budget Mobile plans, you use the strong Swisscom network. This means you can benefit from 99% 4G network coverage and 90% for 5G and 5G+. Network coverage is above average, especially on trains.

Check M-Budget coverage

The network coverage of a mobile phone provider shows you the availability of a mobile phone network at a certain location. If this is good at a location, good reception can be guaranteed.

There are numerous providers of mobile phone subscriptions in Switzerland, but few of these companies also have their own network. This is mainly due to the high costs involved in building, operating and expanding such a network. Normally, the smaller providers use the existing networks of a large provider. 

The mobile provider M-Budget cooperates with Swisscom and benefits from its nationwide network coverage. According to Swisscom, the following networks are operated: 3G (UMTS/HSPA), 4G (LTE), 4G /LTE Advanced, 5G and 5G+. According to the network operators, almost 100% of Swiss people already benefit from the 4G network.

The providers are now working on comprehensive 5G network coverage, which guarantees even faster internet. According to Swisscom, 96% of the population have already taken advantage of the basic version of the 5G network.

At the end of 2020, Swisscom had more than 1239 antennas in 522 locations with 5G+. Especially in urban regions, the new standard can already be used. The abbreviations 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G are the designations for the different generations of the mobile communications standard. The "G" stands for generation. The individual connection types differ mainly in the speed of data transmission.

You can check the network coverage of M-Budget with our coverage map .

Want to cancel your M-Budget subscription? Over time, it can make sense to cancel your mobile phone subscription to get a better deal. That's why we recommend cancelling your mobile phone contract after two or three years or changing your mobile phone subscription.

Cancel Your M-Budget Subscription - This Is How It Works

You should give notice of termination to the provider, M-Budget, in writing. You can give notice by registered mail, email, fax or letter. The letter should include your name, customer number, contract number or mobile phone number and the services to be cancelled. You can also include other contact details, such as your own telephone number, so that you can be contacted immediately if you have any questions.

Send the letter to Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund, Limmatstrasse 152 in 8031 Zurich, Switzerland. To ensure that the cancellation can be assigned to the responsible department more quickly, you can write Customer Service in the address. The cancellation will be sent by e-mail to [email protected].

M-Budget Cancellation Period and Minimum Contract Duration

Before you cancel your M-Budget subscription, you should take a close look at your contract. Among other things, the contract specifies the period of notice and the minimum contract term. The notice period describes the period between the submitted notice and the termination of the contract with the provider. At M-Budget, a notice period of 60 days applies. You should therefore submit the notice of termination two months before the desired termination date.

The minimum contract period, on the other hand, is the time during which the contract is effective and legally binding. The contractual relationship cannot be terminated prematurely within this period.

Cancel M-Budget Mobile Phone Subscription

If you want to keep the phone number, you should register it with the new provider in good time. You will receive the form for transferring the number from the new provider. Also, make sure that you only cancel your M-Budget subscription when you switch to a new subscription. If you cancel your M-Budget subscription first and switch to a new one later, your phone number will be lost and cannot be reactivated. The easiest way is to order a new subscription. The new provider will then take care of the cancellation and the transfer of the mobile phone number.

M-Budget mobile subscriptions Maxi One and Mini One do not have a minimum contract term and can be cancelled at any time subject to the 60-day notice period.

Cancel M-Budget Internet Subscription

For the Internet subscriptions of M-Budget, a notice period of two months applies, taking into account the contract period. You must send the letter of termination by letter to the provider address mentioned above. The date of the postmark is the date of termination. You can also cancel earlier if you paid a flat rate when ordering the subscription. In this case  you are not bound to a minimum contract period.

Cancel M-Budget TV Subscription

The TV subscriptions included in the combination subscriptions are also subject to a minimum contract term of two years. A notice period of 60 days applies. Cancellation must be made by letter to the mobile phone provider.

M-Budget Hotline for Customers

If you have any questions, you can call the M-Budget hotline. The customer service number is 0800840848. If you have a flat rate phone, the M-Budget landline number is free of charge.

M-Budget Mobile offers different mobile phone subscriptions. Below is an overview of the subscription options.

M-Budget Mobile MAXI

The M-Budget Mobile Maxi subscription offers you higher Internet speeds as well as unlimited SMS/MMS and minutes to make calls in Switzerland.

You have 4 GB of data volume at your disposal per month. Additional volume costs CHF 0.10 per MB.

The contract has no minimum term and can be terminated at any time with a notice period of two months.

M-Budget Mobile MEGA

The M-Budget Mobile Mega subscription is the provider's high-end tariff. With this subscription, you can make unlimited calls and texts throughout Switzerland and to Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Spain and Portugal.

Every month you get 6 GB data volume at your disposal. For additional volume, you pay CHF 0.10 per MB.

There is no minimum contract period. The subscription can be cancelled at any time with a notice period of two months.

Additional tariff dataPLUS

You can add the dataPLUS tariff to the Mega subscription and get unlimited data volume in Switzerland.

For dataPLUS you pay CHF 20 per month, regardless of how much you surf.

Currently, M-Budget is offering a promotion:

With the dataPLUS option for the Mega subscription, you only pay CHF 39 per month for one year instead of CHF 59.

Roaming and international rates for M-Budget Mobile subscriptions

Planning a trip or need to go abroad on business? M-Budget offers additional international options for all mobile subscriptions. The roaming options and data packages are purchased only once.

Below is an overview of the M-Budget international packages:

With EuropePLUS, your M-Budget Mobile subscription is also valid in the EU/Western Europe.

The international tariff costs CHF 10 per month and is automatically renewed. EuropePLUS can be cancelled with a notice period of 60 days.

Europe Fixnet 100 Min.

With Europe Fixnet 100 Min. you can call up to 100 minutes to European landlines during the 30 days.

The option costs CHF 5 and is not automatically renewed.

National Data

With the M-Budget international package National Data you get 500 MB data volume for 30 days for surfing abroad. The package can be used anywhere in the EU or Western Europe.

The price of the international package is CHF 5. The tariff is valid for a maximum of one month or until the data volume is used up.

Data Travel

With the M-Budget Data Travel international package, you can use 100 MB or 500 MB of mobile data abroad for 30 days from CHF 3.90. The prices depend on the countries to which you want to travel. 

Voice Travel

With Voice Travel you can make calls and send texts abroad for less. During the 30 days, you have 30 call minutes and 30 SMS at your disposal abroad in the countries listed by M-Budget.

FamilyPLUS and combiPLUS offers

With the familyPLUS offer, families save on the M-Budget Mobile Maxi and Mega subscriptions: the first customer in a household pays the full price. Each additional subscription has a discount. Up to five subscriptions can be combined.

In addition to the familyPLUS, M-Budget also offers the combiPLUS combination benefit. Here, customers can combine their mobile subscription with the M-Budget Kombi Mini (TV, Internet, fixed network). Up to five people per household each receive 1 GB more data volume.

Surfing is becoming increasingly important in this day and age. Depending on the need for surfing volume, other subscriptions are recommended. On the market, there are data-only subscriptions as well as subscriptions that include a certain internet speed. You can find out which M-Budget data packages are available and how you can find out how much data volume you need below.

Know Your Own Needs

The first question you should ask yourself is how much internet you need. Data-intensive apps and applications are becoming more and more popular and data consumption is increasing year after year. For this reason, it's best to budget a few megabytes more to have enough internet available.

If you don't want to miss out on any applications while on the move and want to stream video content easily via the mobile network, a M-Budget subscription with at least 5 GB data volume is recommended.

If you are occasionally on the go on platforms, stream music and are constantly in contact with others, you belong to the normal users. It is advisable to choose a tariff with 2 to 5 GB data volume.

If, on the other hand, you only use the Internet at home and are logged into WLAN networks almost exclusively, a mobile phone tariff with up to 500 MB data volume is perfectly adequate.

M-Budget Internet Subscription

M-Budget offers an internet subscription that allows you to surf on Swisscom's fast network, which guarantees network quality of up to 5G+.

The contract includes a free Wi-Fi router. With the M-Budget Internet subscription, you can count on a download speed of up to 200 Mbit/s and an upload speed of up to 40 Mbit/s, routed via DSL or fibre.

In addition to the Internet service, a landline connection is included, which is activated at no additional cost. If you want to use the fixed network, you pay the tariff prices of M-Budget.

A notice period of 60 days applies with a minimum contract term of twelve months.

The price of the M-Budget Internet subscription is CHF 49.80 per month. The Internet activation fee is a one-off charge of CHF 49.00.

M-Budget Combi Mini

M-Budget Kombi Mini is a combination offer from M-Budget that allows you to have internet access as well as a telephone connection and TV. With the M-Budget Kombi Mini, you benefit from a download speed of up to 50 Mbit/s and an upload speed of up to 10 Mbit/s.

The M-Budget Kombi Mini subscription includes 250 digital channels, over 100 of which are broadcast in HD quality. It also includes 100 recording hours and a replay function that allows you to watch the programmes you've missed in the last 30 hours.

The contract may be terminated after a minimum contract period of 24 months, subject to the 60-day notice period.

The price of the M-Budget subscription is 49.80 francs per month and a one-off activation fee of 59.80 francs.

Current offer if ordered between 3/23/2021 and 4/26/2021:

The subscription is available for 39.80 francs instead of 49.80 francs for two years.   The following additional services can be added to M-Budget Internet subscriptions:

M-Budget Speed Maxi

M-Budget Speed Maxi guarantees faster Internet. Up to 200 Mbit/s download speed and up to 40 Mbit/s upload speed are possible here.

The price here is an additional 10.00 francs per month.

M-Budget TV Maxi

M-Budget TV Maxi includes 250 TV channels and a replay function of 7 days. In addition, the offer includes 1000 hours of recording memory.

For an additional CHF 20.00 per month, you can buy M-Budget TV Maxi.

M-Budget Voice Maxi

With Voice Maxi you get a flat rate for calls to all Swiss mobile and fixed networks. In addition, the phone number can be taken over. M-Budget Voice Maxi can be purchased for CHF 10.00 per month.

In addition to the numerous mobile phone subscriptions, M-Budget also offers home subscriptions. M-Budget offers various combined subscriptions, which include television, internet and landline. These subscriptions are presented below:

The M-Budget Kombi Mini subscription includes Internet, fixed network connection and television.

With the M-Budget Kombi Mini subscription you get 250 digital channels, over 100 channels are in sharp HD quality. The subscription also includes 100 recording hours and a replay function for 30 days.

With the live pause function included in the M-Budget package, the program currently being broadcast can be paused for up to 60 minutes and continued later. In addition, the M-Budget subscription includes a TV guide that provides an overview of the TV programme.

In addition to the TV selection, the M-Budget Kombi Mini offer also provides 200 radio stations that can be activated with the radio function in the TV menu.

The internet performance of the subscription allows a maximum download speed of 50 Mbit/s and a maximum upload speed of 10 Mbit/s. Fixed network usage is subject to M-Budget tariff charges.

The notice period is 60 days with a minimum contract period of 12 months.

For the M-Budget Kombi Mini subscription, you pay CHF 49.80 per month and a one-time Internet activation fee of CHF 59.80. For an additional TV box, you pay CHF 5 per month and a one-off fee of CHF 99.

If you want more, you can book the M-Budget TV Maxi option in addition to the M-Budget Kombi Mini. This offer also includes 250 TV channels, over 100 of the channels in sharp HD quality. In addition, TV Maxi includes a recording memory of 1000 hours and a replay function of 7 days.

For an additional CHF 20.00 per month, M-Budget TV Maxi can be added to the M-Budget Kombi Mini subscription.

There's a promo going on right now:

M-Budget is offering the subscription for CHF 39.80 instead of CHF 49.80 for orders placed between 23.3.2021 and 26.4.2021. The promotion is valid for two years for new Kombi Mini subscriptions.

M-Budget Reviews

How can you check how good the offers of the provider M-Budget are?

It can be difficult to decide which provider to choose. To help you decide, our comparison page shows you all the tariffs that match your needs. This gives you the opportunity to quickly find a suitable offer.   What criteria should you look for when choosing a subscription? When evaluating subscriptions, performance (network coverage, listening quality, internet speed) is one of the key factors. You should ask yourself whether the price is justified for the service offered. Furthermore, the management of the subscription (billing, call number transfer) plays a role.   According to surveys, network coverage and quality are the most important factors for many people when making their choice. Customer service, discounts and roaming are perceived as less important. In general, we recommend that you look less at the discounts and benefits when making your choice and more at the overall price.

How Reviews Help You Decide

Customer reviews can be very helpful when deciding on your subscription. This will give you a first impression of how satisfactory the offer was rated by previous customers. If you have your own experience with the subscription, you can also write a review and help others with their decision.

User reviews

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Compare M-Budget mobile plans

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Network: Swisscom

No minimum contract

Initial credit CHF 15.00

Price per month

Activation fee

24 months with discount CHF 14.50

Other deals

Suitable plans are available for all types of user. You should ask yourself the following questions: • How many minutes of calls do you make per month? • How much mobile data do you use per month? • Do you often travel abroad and need to use your mobile while you are there? Your answers to these questions will give you an idea of your needs. If you only use your mobile phone occasionally, a prepaid deal should suffice. Simply top up your phone credit before use. This option does not tie you to a particular provider, so you can switch to a different company at any time. Prepaid deals that include data packages are also available, so you can still access the Internet when away from home. If you make a lot of calls or do a lot of surfing, you should consider opting for a flat-rate deal. If you frequently travel abroad, your plan should include roaming.

Mobile plans vary by features, length of contract and price. The price is based on the following: • Volume of mobile data • Roaming (mobile use abroad) • Internet speed • Unlimited Internet, calls or text/multimedia messages • Provider and network coverage

The most common data plans offer a monthly data volume of 1 GB, 4 GB or unlimited data. 1 GB of mobile data is enough to read news articles and e-mails and for writing WhatsApp messages. Users of social media will find 1 to 4 GB of mobile data sufficient. If you listen to music for several hours at a time, you'll need at least 4 GB. If you like to stream videos and films on YouTube and Netflix or surf on your laptop using your mobile phone hotspot, an unlimited deal is your best bet. Here are some examples of data usage as a guide: - Social media: 300 MB for 30 minutes - Watching a football match while out and about: 6 GB - Watching Netflix with low-quality resolution: 250 MB - Sending a WhatsApp text message of 200 characters: 1 KB - Sending a photo via WhatsApp: up to 90 KB - Sending a WhatsApp voice message: 0.3 MB per minute So depending on your usage, you may need anything from very little mobile data to an unlimited, flat-rate deal. Such flat-rate deals give you unlimited data in Switzerland and even abroad if necessary.

Your provider will notify you as soon as you have used up your data allowance. Some providers may limit your Internet speed. You have the option of purchasing another data package, or data packages may be added automatically up to a defined price limit.

Many plans include a certain amount of mobile data. If you do not have a flat-rate plan or you have used up your data allowance, you can purchase additional data from most providers for a monthly price. 1 GB costs around 5 francs. If you have a prepaid card, the prices for mobile data are considerably higher.

Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom operate the mobile network in Switzerland. This means that other mobile providers also use the network of these three companies and therefore offer the same quality. For example, the following providers share network coverage: - Salt network: Coop mobile plans before 2019, Lidl Connect - Sunrise network: Aldi Suisse, Digital Republic (more recent data plans), Galaxus Mobile, Lebara, Quickline, TalkTalk, Yallo, UPC - Swisscom network: Coop mobile plans as of 2019, Digital Republic (prepaid data), M-Budget Mobile, MUCHO Mobile, Wingo Network coverage quality differs from place to place. Think about the places where you spend your time, e.g. your home, the office or your route to work. It's important to check the network coverage offered by your chosen provider in these places: check mobile network coverage

Your smartphone needs mobile data to be able to access the Internet when you are away from home. If you have WiFi at home and at work and only use your phone occasionally when on the go, you will not need much mobile data. The mobile data volume refers to how much data you can use via the mobile network in one month.

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10 Ways to Use Less Mobile Data When You Travel

data travel m budget mobile

It's one of the paradoxes of modern travel that just when we become even more dependent on our smartphones than usual, it gets harder and more costly to use them.

Checking maps, downloading travel plans, finding contact information for hotels and taxis, and dozens of other things all need a data connection, but  unless you're with the right cell company , roaming data is extremely expensive outside North America. Even when you're using a local SIM card , prepaid data allowances can be quite small compared to what you're used to back home.

Not all is lost, though. There are plenty of ways to burn through far less data on your smartphone, while still being able to use it as normal.

Use Google Chrome

Culture RM Exclusive/Chad Springer/Getty Images

Google's popular Chrome browser is available on both iOS and Android, as well as desktop operating systems. One of its most useful mobile-specific features is a Data Saver that, once switched on, reduces the amount of data being transferred by up to 50%.

It does this by compressing most images and text on Google's servers before they get sent to your phone, which means faster transfers and lower roaming costs. There's even a handy dashboard that shows how much data you've saved in the last month.

Use Opera Mini

Opera Mini is an alternative browser for your Android, iOS, or basic phone. Like Chrome, it sends traffic via its own servers to be compressed before downloading and has a dashboard to see how effective it has been.

It boasts up to 90% data savings compared to other browsers, and there's also a built-in ad blocker to help speed things up even more.

Download Apps That Work Offline

John Moore/Getty Images

Of course, even better than reducing the amount of data is not using any at all. Look for offline versions of the apps you usually use–you'd be surprised how many there are.

Everything from itinerary management to currency conversion, city guides to translation tools, and plenty more is available offline. These apps work partially or entirely without an Internet connection and sync the latest information (usually automatically) whenever you have Wi-fi available.

Use Offline Mapping Tools

Navigation apps are among the most useful things on your phone when you're traveling, but they can quickly chew through your data allowance.

Instead, use an offline mapping tool like Citymaps2Go or Here WeGo that lets you download country and region maps ahead of time.

Google Maps has a similar feature built in, but you can only download a single city or small region at a time, rather than all the maps for an entire country at once.

Disable the Data Hogs

As well as using the compression apps mentioned earlier, there are plenty of settings you can change to help reduce your cellular data usage .

Automatic backup and app updating tools are some of the biggest data hogs on your smartphone. They're very useful, sure, but really don't need to run over your mobile connection.

Make sure to either turn auto-updating off for your Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS,) or at least set automatic updates to only run over Wi-Fi.

The same applies to backup tools like iCloud, Google Photos, and Dropbox. Carefully check the settings inside each app to make sure photos, video, and other large files are only backed up automatically when there's a Wi-Fi connection available.

Finally, it's worth double-checking all the other apps you've got installed, and turning off any kind of inbuilt automatic updating or refreshing system unless it can be set to only run over Wi-Fi. It's amazing how many apps want to update their information without caring about which connection they're using, and just how much data they'll use while doing so.

Limit Cellular Data Access for iOS Apps

Yahoo Weather

iOS has the ability to individually limit which apps can access cellular data. If you're using an iPhone or iPad, just before you head overseas, go to  Settings–Cellular–Use Cellular Data for,  and disable access for anything that doesn't absolutely require it.

Netflix, weather apps, Spotify, and many other apps can all safely have their access turned off until you get back home. If you really need to get the latest forecast or listen to your favorite song while on the move, you can briefly re-enable access–but at least you'll know it's happening!

Stop Apps Refreshing in the Background

Again on iOS, it's worth turning off  Background App Refresh.  Found under  Settings–General,  this setting prevents apps from sending and receiving data in the background.

If it's going to save you money, does it really matter if Twitter is a few hours out of date when you first open it? Almost certainly not.

Auto-Playing Videos Are Not Your Friends

Auto-playing videos when you're on a cell connection will use up lots of data for no good reason, so be sure to disable or limit it in as many apps as possible.

The approach varies slightly depending on which app you're using, but it's possible on social apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as video services like YouTube.

Use Lightweight Versions of Apps

As major companies have expanded into developing markets, they've realized that older phones and slow Internet connections are common, and released lightweight versions of their apps to help compensate.

That's good news for international travelers, too, since these lightweight apps almost always use less data than their full-size counterparts. You're more likely to find them available for Android than iOS, with well-known examples include Facebook Lite, Twitter Lite, and several Google products (including Maps) collected under its "Go" brand.

Just Turn It Off

Finally, the simplest options can sometimes be the best. If you don't need cell data at all, turn it off. Either use Airplane Mode if you don't want to be connected at all or just disable cellular data if you still want access to calls and texts.

Either way, it'll guarantee you don't burn through your data allowance without knowing about it, or come home to an unexpected bill!

Related Articles

More related articles.

What’s the best international phone plan right now?

Katie Genter

On my first trip to Japan, I decided to forgo international data on my cellphone. I figured I could rely on public Wi-Fi, but I regretted not having data on my phone when I became lost. From that experience, I learned to download offline maps and a translation app beforehand if I know I won't have data.

But now, I almost always have data when I travel via my international phone plan, or through a physical SIM I buy at my destination or an eSIM I purchase online.

There are many reasons why you may want to remain connected while abroad. In this guide, I'll compare the best international phone plans. Note that many plans function differently in Canada and Mexico from other international locations. This guide focuses on the best phone plans for U.S. residents who travel outside North America.

data travel m budget mobile

First things first: You might not need an international phone plan. If you primarily need data, using a different SIM on your trip may be the simplest and cheapest solution. Some apps even support text and voice communication over data connections.

If your device supports eSIM, you may be able to purchase a data plan for your destination through an app like Airalo . Over the past year, I've purchased and used the following Airalo eSIMs either to gain data in a destination not served by my primary international phone plan (Google Fi) or to get less-expensive data than what Google Fi provides:

  • Global (84 countries) : 20 GB over 180 days for $89
  • Japan : 20 GB over 30 days for $26
  • France : 20 GB over 30 days for $36
  • Fiji : Three GB over 30 days for $19.50
  • U.S. : One GB over seven days for $4.50

If your device doesn't support eSIM, you could still purchase a local SIM card at your destination. For example, I bought a monthlong SIM card with unlimited high-speed data in Vietnam for less than $10. But data is significantly more expensive in some destinations, and it can be difficult to determine exactly what you're getting when you purchase a physical SIM card. As such, I've mostly stuck with a physical Google Fi SIM card and Airalo eSIMs instead of using local SIM cards.

If you plan to use eSIM or a local SIM card, you should ensure your phone is unlocked. A locked phone won't be able to accept any other SIM cards until it is unlocked.

Related: How TPG's Zach Griff avoids the pesky $10 daily roaming charges when traveling

data travel m budget mobile

  • Cost for one line : $20 (plus taxes and fees) per month plus data usage costs for the Flexible plan or $65 (plus taxes and fees) per month for the Unlimited Plus plan
  • Data abroad : $10 per GB (with free data after six GBs per month but slower speeds after 15 GBs in a month) in more than 200 destinations for the Flexible plan or free (but with slower speeds after 50 GBs in a month) in more than 200 destinations for the Unlimited Plus plan
  • Voice abroad : 20 cents per minute from more than 200 destinations (and calls via Wi-Fi to the U.S., Canada and Mexico are free)
  • Text abroad : Free from more than 200 destinations

I've used Google Fi as my primary cellphone plan for most of the past six years. I've had a few connectivity issues in the U.S. — where Google Fi currently uses the T-Mobile network — including in Tampa, Austin and New York City. However, I keep Google Fi primarily because I usually get high-speed data as soon as I turn airplane mode off, and I can seamlessly receive calls and texts on my U.S. number while traveling internationally.

You might be tempted to only use Google Fi when traveling outside the U.S., but doing so isn't a good idea. After all, the Google Fi terms of service state:

The services are offered only to residents of the United States. The Services must be primarily used in the United States (territories not included) and are not intended for extended international use. Further, the services are designed for use predominantly within our network. If your usage outside our network is excessive, abnormally high, or causes us to incur too much cost, we may, at our option and sole discretion, suspend your Google Fi account, terminate your service, or limit your use of roaming.

Google Fi has shut down some U.S. residents who used Google Fi primarily outside the U.S. So, I recommend avoiding extended international use and using Google Fi more in the U.S. than abroad if you don't want to get shut down. I buy eSIMs to decrease my Google Fi usage in some destinations, especially when I can purchase a package through Airalo for significantly less than $10 per GB (the amount I pay Google Fi for data on my Flexible plan).

Google Fi is the best international phone plan for U.S.-based travelers who want fast data without hassle while traveling abroad. Plans become slightly cheaper as you add more members. In my travels with Google Fi since 2016, I've only failed to get any service in three locations: parts of Alaska, the all-inclusive resort I lived out of for a month in the Dominican Republic and Liberia .

Related: Can you use your cellphone on a cruise?

data travel m budget mobile

  • Cost for one line : $60 per month for the Essentials plan, $70 per month for the Magenta plan, $75 per month for the Go5G plan, $85 per month for the Magenta Max plan and $90 per month for the Go 5G Plus plan
  • Data abroad : Free for up to five GB of high-speed data (in 11 European countries for the Magenta and Go5G plans, and in more than 215 countries and destinations for the Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans) and then free for up to 256 kilobits per second in more than 215 countries and destinations for Magenta, Go5G, Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans (no data outside North America is included in the Essentials plan)
  • Voice abroad : 25 cents per minute from more than 215 countries and destinations for the Essentials, Magenta, Go5G, Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans
  • Text abroad : Free from more than 215 countries and destinations for the Essentials, Magenta, Go5G, Magenta Max and Go5G Plus plans

Before using Google Fi in 2016, I relied on T-Mobile when traveling internationally until I grew tired of slow data speeds. However, the plans have improved, and many travelers swear by T-Mobile as their international phone and data plan . T-Mobile customers can avoid slow data by purchasing international passes to add to their existing plan as follows:

  • International 1-day pass : 512 MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 24 hours for $5
  • Five-GB international pass : Five GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 10 days for $35
  • 15-GB international pass : 15 GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling for 30 days for $50

Long-term and frequent international travelers should note that T-Mobile says the following about its plans:

Not for extended international use; you must reside in the US and primary usage must occur on our network. Device must register on our network before international use. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming.

Additionally, T-Mobile's terms and conditions state you are not permitted to use T-Mobile services if it "results in more than 50% of your voice and/or data usage being Off-Net (i.e., connected to another provider's network) for any 2 billing cycles within any 12-month period." There have been instances of T-Mobile shutting down travelers for roaming excessively . So, don't go with T-Mobile if your primary usage won't be domestically on T-Mobile's network.

Related: 6 reasons why Apple's entry-level iPhone 14s are great for travelers

Other international phone plans to consider

data travel m budget mobile

Finally, you may want to check your current provider's options if you only occasionally travel internationally. Here are some options that are available as optional add-ons for many AT&T and Verizon plans:

  • AT&T international day pass : Pay an extra $10 per 24 hours for unlimited high-speed data, talk and text in more than 210 destinations. You'll only be charged for days (as determined by your local U.S. time zone) you use data, make or receive a call or send a text message while in a destination covered by the international day pass.
  • Verizon TravelPass : Pay an extra $10 per day per line for unlimited calls, texts and data (data speeds decrease after two GBs in a day) in more than 210 countries. You'll only be charged for days you send or receive a call, send texts or use data while abroad.
  • Verizon international monthly plan : Pay an extra $100 per month for 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and unlimited data (data speeds decrease after 20 GBs in a month) in more than 210 countries.

You could also check out U.S. Mobile's plans. U.S. Mobile plans don't include calling or texting from outside the U.S. Still, the Unlimited Premium plan offers up to 10 GB of international data, and most plans let you buy eSIMs for more than 100 countries from within the U.S. Mobile app.

Mint Mobile could also be a viable solution if you're on a budget and don't travel abroad frequently. Although Mint Mobile doesn't offer any international data, text or voice on its plans, you can purchase international roaming credits and then use them to text, talk and use data in more than 210 countries and destinations. Rates for talk, text and data vary based on the country you're visiting; they usually cost about 25 cents per minute for talk, 5 cents per text and 20 cents per MB of data. If you don't plan to use much data — after all, you'd be paying a massive $205 per GB in many countries — Mint Mobile could be a feasible option.

Most cellphone plans allow you to pay as you go for international use, but these rates are almost always excessive. As such, frequent international travelers should find a different solution because pay-as-you-go costs will add up quickly.

Related: Credit cards that cover cellphone loss and damage

Bottom line

Having a functioning international phone plan when traveling abroad is important for travelers who want to stay connected. Traveling as a digital nomad , I've found Google Fi is by far my best option for fast data, modestly priced calling and free texting in most destinations. However, I supplement my Google Fi plan with eSIMs in some destinations to gain access to less-expensive data.

If you already have T-Mobile or a plan that offers international add-ons, you may want to stick with your plan. Otherwise, it's worth considering an eSIM or a local SIM card. You can buy eSIMs ahead of your trip, and it's usually possible to pick up local SIM cards at the airport when you land in a new country.

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5 of the Best International Cell Phone Plans 2024

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You come home from vacation. You’re relaxed. You’re refreshed. Then you check your cell phone bill and find that you owe $800.

International roaming rates are nothing to mess around with, so it’s important to know what you’re on the hook for before you travel abroad. We surveyed the mobile landscape to find carriers and plans that are friendly to out-of-country travelers.

Some choices below are add-ons to an existing plan, paid either daily or monthly when needed, while others are monthly service plans that include good international access in their features.

data travel m budget mobile

International roaming plans: postpaid

Plan: International Day Pass.

Price: $10 per day for first line, $5 for additional lines used in the same 24-hour period, on top of your regular phone plan cost. Requires an AT&T unlimited, AT&T 4 GB, or Mobile Share plan.

At a glance: Calls from and between the U.S. and included countries are free.

Things to know: Once you have signed up, it activates automatically when you travel.

Plan: Go5G.

Price: $80 per month, $5 autopay discount available.

At a glance: Talk is at a flat 25 cents per minute in more than 215 countries. Unlimited texting and up to 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico. Unlimited data at 256Kbps speeds in more than 215 other countries.

Things to know: Price includes taxes and fees, but add-ons such as insurance or device payments are still assessed. You can upgrade to Go5G Plus for $15 per month, per line to get extra features, including 4K video streaming, 50GB of mobile hot spot data, faster data speeds in more than 215 countries and unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi on some flights.

Plan: International Monthly Plan.

Price: $100 per line per month.

At a glance: The plan includes unlimited data plus 250 minutes of talk and unlimited texts. It can be used in more than 210 countries.

Things to know: If you don’t opt in to the international plan, then you will be charged “pay as you go” rates when you travel overseas. Looking for options? Verizon also offers a cruise-specific plan for $20 a month or the Travel Pass for $10 per day, which comes with unlimited calls, texts and data.

» Learn more: What to know about electronics insurance

International roaming: prepaid

Google fi wireless.

Plan: Flexible.

Price: $20 per month, plus $10 per GB of data. Taxes and fees are extra.

At a glance: Unlimited talk and text in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Unlimited texting while abroad. High-speed data is a flat $10 per gigabyte, even when roaming internationally, but speeds are slower after 15GB of use.

Things to know: Texts and data in more than 200 countries for the same price you pay at home. Calls are an additional cost. The Flexible plan includes bill protection, where usage is free after you hit a certain monthly threshold — 6GB for one line, 10GB for two lines, 12GB for three lines, 14GB for four lines and 16GB for five lines. Google Fi uses the T-Mobile network and does not slow down speeds even when the network is busy.

Plan: International Connect and eSIM.

Price: For $10 additional per month on any Boost plan, International Connect adds calling to more than 120 countries and texting to more than 200. It requires using an eSIM card on an unlocked phone; once you have an eSIM you can add data for as low as $5 for 1GB over a seven-day timeframe. Use Boost’s country list to identify specific costs for data packages.

At a glance: An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to activate roaming services without needing a physical SIM card. A Dual SIM option supports two numbers at the same time, such as separate numbers for personal and business use.

Things to know: ESIM cards only provide access to data; you will not be able to call or text unless you add International Connect or use internet-based apps or services like Skype or FaceTime.

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METHODOLOGY

We surveyed major international roaming cell phone plans, checking the price of the international roaming option, data costs, and the price of international calls and texts.

On a similar note...

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Navighi all’estero a tariffe convenienti con data travel. già a partire da 9.90 si può scegliere tra diversi pacchetti di dati per 12 mesi per il suo abbonamento., vantaggi dell’opzione data travel.

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Article updated on August 7, 2024 at 6:00 AM PDT

Best Travel Phone Plans in August: How to Choose and What to Consider

Using your phone when going abroad isn't always as simple as popping in a SIM card. Here are a few tips to keep in mind and plans to consider this summer if you want to use your phone internationally.

Our Experts

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CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Verizon logo on a phone

Traveling with your phone has gotten better in recent years, but it can still get costly. Though roaming in Canada and Mexico is included by all three major US carriers, going beyond North America can be expensive, particularly if you want faster than 3G or 2G speeds, which aren't helpful for much more than light messaging, navigation and email checks. 

The rise of the eSIM has also made the need to hunt down a physical SIM card a thing of the past , as most modern phones can get you a local SIM card in seconds through an app. Though with the increased length of installment plans, you may save money by just paying the roaming fees and keeping your trade-in credits for more valuable things than paying to unlock your phone. 

Sounds confusing? Let's clear things up as the summer travel season is now fully underway.

sim-cards

Using your phone internationally is no longer as simple as just popping in a different SIM card. 

What are the best phone plans with international roaming included? 

While we're going to focus this section on US carriers, many of the other tips could be applied to those traveling in from other countries. 

In the US, my pick for the best plan for frequent globe-trotters is Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate. The carrier's latest, most premium unlimited plan takes a page from T-Mobile's playbook and includes international texting and data in over 210 countries (neither includes voice, though you can get around that by using WhatsApp, FaceTime or other messaging apps' voice-calling features). 

Verizon, unlike T-Mobile, lets you "mix and match" plans for different lines on your account, which could be helpful for those on family plans. This means that you can have one line on Ultimate for the month when you'll be traveling while keeping the other lines on more affordable Unlimited Plus or Welcome options. You can also lower the line on an Ultimate plan down to a more affordable one when you aren't traveling, though if you also get an upgrade during this time, moving away from the Ultimate plan could affect any new phone deals you may have taken advantage of (Verizon's best upgrade offers are generally now tied to its priciest unlimited plans).

Best plan for frequent international travelers

Verizon unlimited ultimate.

In addition to international talk, text and data, Unlimited Ultimate also includes 60GB of mobile hotspot use in the US and Verizon's highest discounts on new devices. There's also unlimited talk and text from the US to Canada, Mexico and "one additional country of your choice." There are no streaming services included, though you can add a number of options, including the Disney bundle and Apple One for $10 per month, per "perk." The carrier will also let you upgrade on its best device deals (usually reserved for new customers) once every three years.

Verizon, unlike T-Mobile, lets you "mix and match" which plans are for which lines on your account. So you can have one line on Ultimate for the month when you'll be traveling while keeping the other lines on more affordable Unlimited Plus or Welcome options. You can also lower the Ultimate line down to a more affordable plan when you aren't traveling, though if you upgraded on Ultimate, lowering the plan may force you to lose your upgrade deal.

Verizon logo on a phone

Runner up for international plans

T-mobile magenta max and go5g plus.

In addition to international data, T-Mobile's plans also include plenty of high-speed hotspot data in the US (40GB on Magenta Max, 50GB on Go5G Plus), in-flight texting and Wi-Fi, as well as subscriptions to Netflix and Apple TV Plus. T-Mobile's plans also include taxes and fees in their prices. 

Some additional notes: T-Mobile requires all plans on an account to be on the same plan. If only one line needs international data, you should consider Magenta (if you only have one or two lines) or Go5G (if you need three or more lines), with the MaxUp or PlusUp $15 per line add-on. This will let your other lines get a cheaper rate while allowing you to bolster your international data to tap into the Go5G Plus or Magenta Max offerings for the lines that need it. 

And as mentioned, T-Mobile's plans for one or two lines are cheaper under the Magenta option while promotions have made the Go5G plans better for those looking for three or more lines. It is worth noting that you will need to call or chat with T-Mobile to get the Magenta options.

tmobile-logo-blue

Best for Latin America

At&t unlimited premium pl.

AT&T's top unlimited plan also includes 50GB of high-speed hotspot data. Like Verizon, the carrier also lets you put each line of your account on different unlimited plans. So if only one line out for your four is traveling to a Latin American country, you can put them on Premium PL and lthe rest on more affordable options like Unlimited Starter SL.

AT&T logo on a phone

Factors to consider: Know your area

As we covered in our other wireless guides, to get the best deal, you need to make sure you have the coverage that you need abroad but also at home. This makes it hard to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier. T-Mobile's service in New York may be excellent, but if you're in rural Iowa, Verizon is more reliable. 

While your mileage may vary, the good news is that these networks are growing and improving all the time, particularly as the three major players race to blanket the US with 5G. It's quite possible that you left a network complaining about its sparse service a decade ago, but it's since beefed itself up because of that race to acquire customers.

If you know any friends or family in your area that already use the carrier you're considering, ask about their experience. You could also go to a carrier's store and see if they offer any free ways to try out the service before switching over, such as  T-Mobile's Network Pass . Verizon  offers a similar 30-day "Test Drive" program,  while the Cricket prepaid service  has its own trial program  that lets you sample parent AT&T's network.

How we test

Picking a wireless plan and carrier is a very individualized process. What works for you and your family's needs may be vastly different from your friends or neighbors. Even geographically, some areas have better AT&T coverage while others work best on Verizon or T-Mobile (and vice versa). The picks we make are based on over a decade of covering and evaluating wireless carriers, their offerings and overall performance. 

In particular, we take into account the following: 1. Coverage 2. Price 3. Value 4. Perks Since all three major providers blanket most of the country with good 4G LTE or 5G, this is largely a toss-up on a macro level and why we recommend a variety of eSIM options for figuring out what works best for you in your particular location so you can best decide what is right for you. Looking at coverage maps on each provider's website will likely show whether you can get good coverage even if your experience isn't full bars or the fastest speeds. This is also why with prepaid plans, we specify which network each prepaid provider uses as they sometimes make that a bit difficult to figure out. Value is factoring in the total experience you might get, such as how much high-speed data you get and what's included in the sticker price. Perks are add-ons beyond the core components of wireless service (talk, text and data). This could range from bundling in or discounting streaming services to extra hotspot data or the ability to use your phone internationally.

Travel phone plan FAQs

What if i don't want to change my plan.

While T-Mobile has long included even slow international data in its plans, AT&T and Verizon largely haven't. For most plans, adding this functionality will cost extra. The good news is that both have gotten a lot better on roaming rates, and depending on your trip, it could make sense to do this rather than going through the process of unlocking, finding a local SIM card and playing that game (we'll get more into this in a moment). 

In the past, roaming was charged on a per-megabyte or -gigabyte used system, which could quickly lead to bills of hundreds of dollars (or more). Today, both Verizon and AT&T allow you to roam with unlimited talk, text and high-speed data for $10 per day on many of their respective unlimited plans.

If you're traveling with a family plan, AT&T will only charge that $10 to one of the lines with other members being billed at $5 per day -- and it'll only bill you for 10 days, per line per billing cycle. So if you have one line with AT&T and are traveling for two weeks, you could only end up paying $100 instead of $140 for international roaming (though if your AT&T bill resets during that window, you'd be on the hook for those days since the clock starts each billing cycle).

Verizon doesn't cap the number of days it will charge you, but it does offer a couple of different options. One is its TravelPass perk, something that is offered as part of its latest unlimited plans . With this, you can get three days of international roaming for $10 per month. If you don't use those days, you could roll them over (and bank up to 36 of them). You can similarly add it for the month you're traveling, save a little there and then get rid of the perk for all the other months you wouldn't be using it. 

Verizon also offers a $100 monthly plan option that lets you get unlimited texts and data as well as 250 minutes for traditional calling (as opposed to using a messaging app like WhatsApp or FaceTime). Of the data, 20GB will be at "high speed" and the rest at "3G speeds." Note that with this plan you will need to remove it manually or else risk it being a recurring charge on your bill every month.

T-Mobile similarly offers the option to buy high-speed data "international passes." It has a few options here, including a  15GB of high-speed data option  (to be used "up to 30 days") running $50 for the month.

Roaming vs. local SIM cards

The big reason we're focusing on roaming is because one of the most common ways US consumers still buy their phones is through wireless carriers and installment plans. To keep people from taking advantage of subsidized phones and then leaving for other providers, the carriers "lock" their phones to their networks until you finish the 24- or 36-month installment plans. 

Each carrier has different policies on when they unlock. Verizon's is the best and it will automatically unlock your phone after 60 days. T-Mobile will automatically unlock phones after their installment plans are paid off, which normally is two years at the carrier. AT&T is the worst: Like Verizon, its installment plans are 36 months, and even after that period, you will still need to actually reach out to the carrier to have it unlock your device. We  covered all of this here . 

You could pay off the balance owed on your device to get your carrier to unlock it sooner, but doing so would forfeit the bill credits and the deal you likely got when you upgraded or switched. For example, if you purchased an iPhone 14 at AT&T last year and took advantage of its trade-in deal, paying off that phone early to unlock it would require you to shell out hundreds of dollars now and give up the deal you were given. And then you would still need to go out and get international service on top of that while still keeping your local service for when you return home. 

Depending on your situation, this could make sense. If, for instance, you're traveling abroad for a couple of months and only have a month or two left on your installment plan, paying the $50 or so to your carrier to unlock your phone early so you can get a cheaper phone plan while away could make sense. But you'll want to check what you owe by heading into your account on your carrier's website and do the math before rushing to pay everything down and unlocking.

The FCC may change this in the future and make unlocking automatic even for devices purchased on AT&T or T-Mobile, but for now this is where things stand.

data travel m budget mobile

What if I have an unlocked phone? Can I get an eSIM?

If you have an unlocked device, looking at a local SIM card could be much cheaper. eSIM options, which allow you to add a SIM card to your phone virtually, meaning you could load up a local provider's SIM card into your phone through apps like  Airalo  or  Ubigi  before you even leave home. As eSIMs become more popular we're seeing more of these options become available, even from international carriers themselves like Vodafone and Orange (two of the larger providers in Europe).

While Apple has made eSIM more commonplace after  ditching the physical SIM card slot in US iPhones  with the iPhone 14 line, it has actually included the technology in iPhones dating back to 2018's iPhone XS and XR devices. A number of Samsung, Google and other Android phones have also long supported eSIMs as well so its very possible the phone you have now already supports eSIMs.

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Best cell phone plans in 2024: The best options for your monthly phone service

The best cell phone plans for families and individuals — from unlimited data to low-cost options

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  • Best plan overall

Best cheap unlimited plan

Best prepaid plan

  • Best unlimited data plan

Best bulk data plan

Best for travelers

Best family plan

Most flexible family plan

  • Best low-cost plan
  • Best alternative
  • Best Comcast plan
  • Best price-locked plan

Making sure you've got one of the best cell phone plans for your wireless device is a great way to save money. If you haven't compared your current plan to other offerings in a while, you may be surprised at how much things have changed — and how much better a plan you can get for a lower monthly rate.

I've been tracking cell phone plans for nearly a decade, and each month I review what different carriers, large and small, charge for their service. Not only that, I look at the perks available for each plan for a better idea of the added value you can get by signing up for one plan over another. That's what forms the basis of my recommendations for the best cell phone plans, which include options for different-sized budgets.

The fall is a perfect time to consider a new wireless service provider, as the arrival of new devices like the Pixel 9 and the iPhone 16 may prompt you to switch to one of the best phone carriers . Knowing the different plan options out there can make that process go more smoothly. 

Right now, the best plans come from two of those less-heralded carriers — Mint and Visible — though we also shine the spotlight on the best cell phone plans from more established names like Verizon , AT&T and T-Mobile .

The quick list

Mint Mobile logo

The best cell phone plan overall

With plans starting at $15 per month, Mint is a great way to save money on your cell phone bill. The low rates cover your first three months of service, then you pay for a year of service ahead of time to keep that rate locked in. 

Read more below

Visible logo

Visible has just two plans, both of them with unlimited data. The cheaper of the two lets you enjoy coverage on Verizon's network for just $25 per month, which is less than what you'd pay at Mint.

Verizon logo

Our favorite prepaid plan costs just $35 per month when you enroll for automatic payments at Verizon. You'll get 15GB of data, which can also be used as hotspot data. And your coverage includes 5G on Verizon's nationwide network.

T-Mobile logo

Best unlimited plan

T-Mobile has the best unlimited plan among the major carriers, with its Go5G plan. For $75 a month, you get unlimited talk, text and data with 15GB of hotspot data, plus other perks including six free months of Apple TV Plus.

AT&T Logo

You can't beat AT&T for the huge bucket of data you get by paying for a year up front. That lowers your monthly cost to $25 while giving you unlimited data, with 16GB of that data at high speeds. 

Google Fi Wireless Logo

Google Fi's $65 per month Unlimited Plus plan is about what you'd pay for unlimited data with many phone carriers. But the plan pays off when you go overseas and can use your unlimited text and data at no additional cost.

Load the next 6 plans...

The Go5G plan is also a good option for families who need unlimited data. Four lines cost $200 per month, though autopay enrollment lowers that cost by $20. T-Mobile covers the cost of a Netflix subscription with this plan; taxes and fees are included, too.

Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan starts at $80 per month with discounts as you add more lines. You can also mix and match with the cheaper Unlimited Welcome plan. Perks like streaming services are available as add-ons that you can drop at any time.

tello best prepaid phone plans

Lowest cost plans

Tello is great for bargain hunters who just want the lowest-cost plan available. Prices range from $9 per month for 1GB of data all the way to a $25 unlimited plan with multiple stops in between. Tello uses T-Mobile's network.

Cricket Wirelss logo

Best prepaid plan perks

At $60, Cricket's unlimited data plan isn't the cheapest option out there. But it's one of the few prepaid options with extensive perks like a free Max streaming subscription, cloud storage and hotspot data.

xfinity mobile logo on white background

Best for Comcast customers

If you get your internet via Comcast's Xfinity service, why not bundle your mobile phone coverage, too? Xfinity Mobile charges $40 for one line of unlimited data, with generous discounts as you add lines. A family of four pays $100/month, or $25/line.

Boost Mobile logo on white background

Locked-in rate

As part of a rebranding effort, Boost now features a $25/month unlimited data plan. While the plan itself has few perks, you get a lifetime price guarantee so long as you stay enrolled in autopay.

1. Mint Mobile

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Mint Mobile is a great option to turn to if you want to keep your monthly cell phone bill low. In addition to the 5GB plan, the best Mint Mobile plans include 15GB, 20GB and unlimited data tiers. The most you'll pay for any plan is $30 per month for unlimited data. 

After your three months of service are up, you need to commit to a full year of service to keep the low monthly rate. That means paying up front, which in the case of the 5GB plan is $180. If you can swing that initial cost, Mint provides a great way to lock in a low rate. 

Mint currently charges $15/month for all of its plans; after that, plans revert back to their old rate, and you have to commit to a full year to get the best monthly price.

Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15/month - Best overall cheap cell phone plan

Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15/month - Best overall cheap cell phone plan Mint's 5GB plan is the best cheap plan for most people, as it provides enough data for social media, internet searches and Maps. You'll pay $15 a month for the first three months, before Mint requires you to pay $180 for a full year of service at the same low monthly rate. Coverage is provided on T-Mobile's network and includes 5G on compatible phones.

The best cheap unlimited data plan

Visible offers just two plans, both of which have unlimited data. For $25 a month, you get coverage on Verizon's nationwide network — Verizon owns Visible — and the ability to make unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot. The biggest downside is that your network can be slowed at any time if Verizon's network gets congested. Customers switching to Visible from T-Mobile can use promo code 'BYEBYETMO' to knock $10 off the standard Visible plan's monthly rate for the next five years.

The $45 Visible Plus plan guarantees you 50GB of high-speed data (i.e., no data throttling), and you can connect to Verizon's faster 5G Ultra Wideband network where available. You also enjoy calling and texting to more countries, with Visible now including a Global Pass that allows you to use your plan overseas for one day. (Normally, that costs $10/day.) Visible Plus subscribers can also add a smartwatch to their plan at no extra cost. 

The carrier now lets customers pay for service annually , which comes with even more savings. For example, its $25/month unlimited plan can be paid in full for $275 for the entire year. Existing Visible customers can now switch to annual pricing as well.

Visible | Visible Unlimited | $25/month - Best cheap unlimited data

Visible | Visible Unlimited | $25/month - Best cheap unlimited data Even though Visible's $45 Plus plan has the better perks, Visible's $25 unlimited offering is our pick if you want the cheapest unlimited data with no strings attached. It helps that Visible uses Verizon's network for coverage, including 5G coverage. 

The best prepaid cell phone plan

You'll find three prepaid options at Verizon — one that gives you 15GB of data each month, and the other two promising unlimited data. The more expensive of Verizon's prepaid unlimited plans has the most perks, with access to Verizon's fastest 5G coverage. (Verizon's other prepaid plans can connect to the slower nationwide 5G.) You also get more hotspot data and 180 minutes of talk time with a country of your choosing.

Whichever prepaid plan you get at Verizon, be sure to enroll in autopay as it lowers your rate significantly. We recommend the 15GB option as the best prepaid phone plan — it normally costs $45/month, but the price drops to $35 with autopay enrollment.

Verizon | 15GB prepaid | $35/month - Best prepaid plan

Verizon | 15GB prepaid | $35/month - Best prepaid plan Verizon's prepaid plan offers the right mix of price and data. That 15GB per month is more than enough for most users, and autopay discounts bring your monthly rate down to $35. (If you don't enroll in autopay, loyalty discounts eventually drop the rate to $35 if you stick with Verizon for nine months.) Perks are minimal with this plan, but you do get 5G coverage and the ability to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.

The best unlimited data plan overall

4. t-mobile.

T-Mobile has retired some of its unlimited data plans, but there's still a number of options out there, starting with a $50 Essentials Saver plan for just one line of data all the way up to the $100 Go5G Next offering that packs in the perks. You'll want to pay careful attention to those perks, as they'll help you determine just how much you should be paying for one of the best unlimited data plans at T-Mobile.

Your current choices at T-Mobile boil down to Go5G, Go5G Plus and Go5G Next plans, though there are cheaper Essentials plans, available, too. (Just be aware that taxes and fees aren't included in Essentials pricing like they are in T-Mobile's other options.) Go5G lets you use 100GB of data before your speeds are slowed; you also get 15GB of hotspot data. Go5G Plus adds streaming and travel perks, plus 50GB of hotspot data. Go5G Next is the most expensive plan, but its streaming service package includes free Apple TV Plus, Netflix and Hulu subscriptions. 

T-Mobile | Go5G unlimited data | $75/month - Best unlimited data plan

T-Mobile | Go5G unlimited data | $75/month - Best unlimited data plan We think T-Mobile's Go5G plan is the best option at T-Mobile. You get 15GB of hotspot data; Go5G also sets aside more data to use when you're traveling in Mexico and Canada. Finally, you get six months of free Apple TV Plus. For another $15/month, Go5G Plus gives you a full subscription to Apple TV Plus and a Netflix subscription, while boosting travel perks.

The best bulk data plan

5. at&t.

AT&T's main prepaid plans provide 5GB of data for $30/month or unlimited data at $50. (That unlimited price reflects a $15 discount for enrolling in autopay.) We'd steer you toward AT&T's bulk plan, though, as it promises unlimited data for as low as $25/month if you pay for a full year upfront. Only 16GB of the data in that plans is high-speed data — hit that amount in a given month, and your speeds slow down to 1.5Mbps for the rest of the billing cycle — but 16GB is more than enough for most people.

As noted, you'll have to pay the full year up front.  But if you can swing the $300 upfront cost, this AT&T prepaid plan is a great way to lock in a low rate ahead of time.

AT&T | Unlimited 12-month prepaid | $25/month - Great value on AT&T

AT&T | Unlimited 12-month prepaid | $25/month - Great value on AT&T The main carriers rarely offer the best value prepaid plans and these tend to be more common from MVNOs. However, AT&T can be slightly more affordable and flexible than the likes of Sprint or Verizon. While you can pay for one month at a time, the best price is going to come from investing in a 12-month prepaid plan with AT&T by paying $300 upfront. That gives you unlimited data, though speeds will slow down should you use more than 16GB in a month. If you prefer monthly payments, you can get 5GB of data from AT&T for $30 per month.

The best cell phone plan for travel

6. google fi.

With new Pixel phones now available, it's a good time to consider Google Fi . Service is optimized for Pixel phones — not to mention select models from Samsung and Motorola — but anyone can use the service, even iPhone owners.

You have a choice of three plans. The Flexible plans charges $20 for unlimited talk and text plus $10 for every gigabyte of data you use. There are two unlimited plans — one for $50 per month and the other for $65. The $65 Unlimited Plus plan includes travel benefits that let you use your data for no cost when overseas. Other Unlimited Plus perks include a year of YouTube Premium along with 100GB of Google One cloud storage

Google Fi | Unlimited Plus plan | $65/month - Best unlimited plan for travel

Google Fi | Unlimited Plus plan | $65/month - Best unlimited plan for travel Google Fi's Unlimited Plus plan costs $65/month, with discounts available on additional lines. More importantly, you can use your Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan when you travel to more than 200 other countries with no disruption in service or extra charges; that makes Google Fi Unlimited Plus one of the best international phone plans . Unlimited Plus customers now get a year of YouTube Premium, too.

The best family plan overall

7. t-mobile.

Those unlimited plans available for individuals T-Mobile can also double as family plans. As a bonus, T-Mobile discounts additional lines as you add them, lowering your overall cost per line with each person.

Even better, a frequent promotion at T-Mobile has the carrier waiving the cost of a third line of data, so families of four can get that fourth line for free. Factor in discounts for enrolling in autopay, and you can save quite a bit of money.

T-Mobile Go5G | 4-line family plan | $200/month - Best value family plan

T-Mobile Go5G | 4-line family plan | $200/month - Best value family plan Go5G also offers families attractive perks, with 15GB of hotspot data and the ability to use more of your data for free when you travel in Canada and Mexico. The perks are even grander with Go5G Plus, but Go5G is the more affordable option — and when T-Mobile waives the cost of a third line, a four-line plan drops to $155/month, instead of the usual $200. Even if that promotion isn't in place, you can save $20 total by enrolling in autopay.

The most flexible plan for families

Like T-Mobile, Verizon adds escalating discounts as you add more lines. Unlike T-Mobile, you can mix and match Verizon's various unlimited plans, so mom and dad can enjoy the more feature-rich Unlimited Plus option, while assigning cheaper Unlimited Welcome plans to the kids.

The $180 price assumes four lines of Unlimited Plus, as it's Verizon's better option if you want faster 5G. As with individual unlimited plans at Verizon, you can add on perks for $10/month, and cancel them at any time.

Verizon Unlimited Plus| 4-line family plan | $180/month - Flexible family plan

Verizon Unlimited Plus| 4-line family plan | $180/month -  Flexible family plan Unlimited Plus lets you access Ultra Wideband 5G; you also get 30GB of hotspot data, and a three year price-guarantee that your rate will stay the same. For $10/month, you can bundle in add-ons like Disney streaming services, travel passes, and an Apple services bundle. Bring your own device for an additional monthly discount for each phone you have.

The best low-cost option

If you want to spend the least amount on data every month, consider Tello, an MVNO that uses T-Mobile's network to provide its coverage. Tello offers six different data plans, which are all priced competitively when compared to other services.

We're highlighting the 1GB plan, which costs $9 a month. But as you can see in our Tello guide , there are also 2GB ($10), 5GB ($14), 10GB ($19), 15GB ($24) and unlimited data ($25) options. Those prices assume unlimited talk and text — you can further reduce your monthly bill by reducing the number of talk minutes you need.

As of this writing, Tello has a promotion that cuts the price of its 5GB plan to $10 for the first month of service for new customers; after that, the rate returns to $14.

Tello Economy | 1GB | $9/month - Lowest priced cell phone plan

Tello Economy | 1GB | $9/month - Lowest priced cell phone plan Tello has added more data to its pricier plans, but the Economy Plan is still the way to go if you want the cheapest possible service. With Tello, you can get a monthly price of $9. You will find yourself limited at 1GB of data in this plan. While you do get unlimited calls and texts, some will find that data cap quite limited so this really is just for those after the lowest monthly cost. Fortunately, jumping up to Tello's 2GB plan costs just $1 more.

The best alternative cell phone plan

10. cricket wireless.

AT&T-owned Cricket Wireless has long since stopped capping data speeds on its service, so if you haven't considered Cricket in a while, it's worth a second look. It's an especially attractive option if you prefer AT&T's network, but want a cheaper plan than what AT&T might offer.

Cricket gives you four different options, ranging in price from $30 a month for 5GB of data to a $60 unlimited data plan that includes hotspot data and a subscription to the ad-supported version of the Max streaming service. If $60 is too much to spend, the 10GB plan ($40/month before an autopay discount) is worth considering, too.

Cricket Wireless | Unlimited data | $60/month - Best prepaid perks

Cricket Wireless | Unlimited data | $60/month - Best prepaid perks Prepaid plans don't usually come with lots of perks, but Cricket's unlimited plan may be the exception. You get access to the ad-supported version of the Max streaming service along with 150GB of cloud storage and 15GB of monthly hotspot data. The best perk of all may be AT&T's network, as AT&T owns and operates Cricket.

Best cell phone plan for Comcast customers

11. xfinity mobile.

Xfinity internet customers should consider bundling their mobile phone service with Xfinity Mobile. The Comcast-backed carrier charges $40 for a single line of unlimited data, which isn't as cheap as what Mint, Visible or Tello charge. However, additional lines of unlimited data are just $20 each, so a family of four would pay $100/month or $25 per line. That's a very attractive price.

The Xfinity unlimited plan lets you use 30GB of data each month before your speeds slow down and you get unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds. For 15GB of faster hotspot data, plus HD video streaming, you can pay $50/month for Unlimited Plus at Xfinity. (Extra lines cost $30 each.) That plan gives you 50GB of data before your speeds are slowed down.

There's also per-gig pricing (1GB costs $20), and you can switch between different plans as your needs change month to month. Whatever plan you use, your coverage is provided by Verizon, which has extensive reach.

Xfinity Mobile | Unlimited data | $40/month - Phone coverage for Comcast subscribers

Xfinity Mobile | Unlimited data | $40/month - Phone coverage for Comcast subscribers Xfinity Mobile isn't the cheapest unlimited data plan out there, but it does become attractive if you add extra lines. After paying $40 for one line of unlimited data, extra lines are just $20 each. You get coverage via Verizon's wireless network, and perks include hotspot data.

Best cell phone plan price guarantee

12. boost mobile.

Boost Mobile has a number of unlimited data plan options, with the pricier plans like hotspot data, taxes and fees baked into the rate and discounts on future device purchases. Still, we'd steer you toward the carrier's $25/month unlimited data option. Not only is it the cheapest cell phone plan at Boost, but it also comes with cost certainty.

Enroll in autopay with Boost, and that $25 monthly rate stays locked in so long as you keep Boost as your wireless carrier. That means you're always going to know what your monthly cell phone bill will be, give or take fluctuations in taxes.

You're able to use 30GB of data under this plan before your data speeds are subject to slow-downs, and Boost includes 5G coverage on its nationwide network, with AT&T and T-Mobile towers providing additional coverage for subscribers. You won't find many other perks on this particular plan, but the locked-in price may be reward enough for some customers.

Boost Mobile | Unlimited data | $25/month — The same price forever

Boost Mobile | Unlimited data | $25/month — The same price forever If you want to know what you'll be paying for cell phone coverge for the foreseeable future, turn to the cheapest unlimited plan option at Boost. You won't get many perks apart from unlimited data, but you will get a locked-in rate for however long you keep your service at Boost and stay enrolled in autopay.

How we pick the best cell phone plans

Picking the best cell phone plans requires extensive research on exactly what each carrier offers. That means we're checking the plans available at each of the three major carriers, as you would expect. We also extend that search to lesser know MVNOs, who often offer lower-priced plans.

Once we've gathered all the data on available smartphone plans, we single out the lowest cost options. But because a best cell phone plan isn't a one-size-fits-all choice, we look at the best options from the most popular carriers, as well as compelling values from discount carriers, giving you a wide variety of options to choose the best plan for you. (More on making that decision in a moment.)

Because phone carriers are often changing up their plans, we make it a habit to periodically review what's available. As a result, these rankings get updated at least once a month so that our picks reflect any changes to pricing or perks. When possible, we try to call out promotions that can save you additional money on a new cell phone plan.

How to choose the best cell phone plan for you

Price is a big consideration when looking for the best cell phone plans, especially if you’re getting more than one line for other members of your family. Most carriers offer escalating discounts as you add lines, so you’ll want to compare the total cost of your plan based on the number of lines that require service.

Cell phone plans are about more than just the amount on your bill each month, though. You also need to consider who offers the best coverage in your area and whether they support the phone you’ll want to use. Our guide to the best phone carriers can answer many of those questions, but you’ll also want to ask friends, neighbors and co-workers about how a specific carrier’s coverage is at your home and office if you’re looking to switch wireless providers.

Speaking of switching carriers, the major carriers are all willing to pick up some of the cost to get you to switch. These promotions can vary over time, so we'd suggest keeping an eye on any new carrier deals when you're mulling a switch, as you could find extra ways to save money.

Wireless carriers have spent the past several years building out their 5G coverage, and if you’ve got the right 5G phone, you can benefit from faster speeds if a carrier offers 5G service in your area. T-Mobile includes 5G coverage with all its plans, and that coverage extends to carriers like Metro By-T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and others that use T-Mobile's towers for coverage. AT&T now includes 5G with all its plans, including prepaid options. Verizon does, too, though only some plans include access to that carrier's faster 5G Ultra Wideband network. 

What kind of cell phone plan do I need?

eSIM

As you would expect, there is no simple answer to this and the question is more about what is the best plan for you. This will obviously depend on a wide variety of factors.

For those on a budget and looking for some flexibility, a prepaid cell phone plan will be an excellent way to go. These are often the cheapest options and the lack of contracts is going to be a massive bonus, especially if you like to change up carriers frequently.

If you frequently stream Netflix on the go, like to play games on your phone or just generally drain your data at impressive speeds, an unlimited plan is an excellent way to go — especially as 5G becomes more common.

For more on picking a plan, check out our guide on how much data you need in your cell phone plan .

Family cell phone plans are an excellent way to save money on each phone line, since many carriers drop the per-line cost for each additional line. Some carriers, such as Verizon and AT&T, let you mix and match plans, so parents can get an unlimited line with greater perks, while giving kids a cheaper line of data to save money overall.

If you are simply after the lowest price possible, carriers including Mint Mobile and Tello can offer you really low costs if you don't mind settling for smaller data caps. In some cases, you can also get a lower rate by paying for a full year of service ahead of time, as is the case at Mint Mobile.

MVNOs vs other carriers

MVNOs are a slightly strange concept but they do offer an excellent way to get a cell phone plan on a budget. So what are they and how do they differ from the main carriers.

Firstly, it's important to note the main carriers. These are: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, which absorbed Sprint in 2020. You can also include US Cellular in that group, though its coverage remains regional compared to the Big Three carriers. These brands use their own technology and run their own regional cellular networks.

MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), on the other hand, don't own and operate their own technology and instead piggyback off of the services of one of the above brands. This allows them to be far cheaper than the main carriers but does mean they are the first to be restricted during peak usage periods and don't get access to as many additional benefits.

We explain more about this in our MVNO guide , but the main players are:

  • Mint Mobile: runs on T-Mobile
  • Metro by T-Mobile: runs on T-Mobile
  • Cricket Wireless: runs on AT&T
  • Visible: runs on Verizon
  • Xfinity Mobile runs on Verizon
  • Boost Mobile: runs on AT&T

Cell phone plans comparison

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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The best unlimited data plans in the US for 2024

Find the right unlimited plan for you

Magenta, red, and blue SIM card on cyan background

  • The best unlimited data plans
  • Frequently asked questions

If you're researching the best unlimited data plans on the market then our list of recommended carriers could be just what you need to find the right one for you. There are, of course, many excellent options on the market right now but we've narrowed it right down to the five carriers we think you should consider, factoring in coverage, speeds, perks, and price. Subsequently, our list of the best unlimited data plans should cover most bases and give you plenty of options regardless of what you're looking for. 

1. The best unlimited data plan 2. The best for value 3. The cheapest plan 4. The best for streaming 5. The best for families FAQ: 1. How to pick your plan 2. The types of plans 3. Do I really need unlimited? 4. Is unlimited really unlimited?

As you'd expect, there's no one-size-fits-all best unlimited data plan out there as requirements can differ drastically from user to user. That said, we've got options here for single-line users, families, and those on a budget - like really, really on a budget.

Because of these differing requirements, our best unlimited data plans list factors in options from both the big 'postpaid' carriers and the smaller 'prepaid' carriers. In a nutshell, if you're looking for perks, prioritized data, and don't mind spending a little more then you'll want to check out the bigger carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. If you're willing to forgo a few creature comforts, however, up-and-coming prepaid carriers like Mint Mobile and Visible are particularly great value right now.

If you've already got an idea of what type of plan you'd like, feel free to use the jumper links provided to skip right ahead. Otherwise, we'll begin with a quick overview of our choices for the best unlimited data plans at the top of the page.

At the bottom of the page, you'll also find some handy tips on saving cash as well as the basics on what these plans offer and advice on how to decide which is for you. If you'd like to see what other types of plans there are this week, then head on over to our main best cell phone plans for plenty more options.

best unlimited data plans: top picks

  • Verizon Unlimited Plus - the best all-around
  • Visible - the best value unlimited plan
  • Mint Mobile - a great alternative cheap pick
  • T-Mobile Go5G - the best for families
  • AT&T Unlimited Premium - the best for streaming

The Best unlimited data plans this month

best unlimited data plans verizon cheap

1. Verizon Unlimited Plus

The best all-rounder

Pricing: $65/mo (Taxes not included) | Data options: Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, Disney+, Walmart+, Apple One (all optional) | Hotspot: 30GB (at 5G), Unlimited (at 3G) | Network: Verizon

While Verizon isn't known for its cheap plans, the carrier's Unlimited Plus plan offers a flexible option for data-hungry users. For a baseline price of $65 per month for a single line, the Unlimited Plus Plan includes all-you-can-eat data on the quickest 5G network possible, a generous 30GB of hotspot data, and access to enhanced BOYD savings and deals on new devices.

By itself, the Unlimited Plus plan offers a great starting point for a decent and relatively cost-effective unlimited data plan. You can, however, add on any number of additional perks thanks to the carrier's new 'myPlan' system, which is a new way of handling unlimited data plans at Verizon for 2023.

Optional perks include the Disney+ bundle, Walmart+ membership, a 3-day TravelPass, and 2TB of cloud storage - all of which will incur an extra cost of $10 per month each. As of writing, there are about ten separate perks to choose from and Verizon has announced plans to add more. Overall, it's a pretty flexible system and works well since Verizon's plans like the Unlimited Plus plan are relatively reasonably priced at a baseline level.

By comparison, the other carriers tend to 'bake-in' their perks for their unlimited data plans. T-Mobile's equivalent Go5G plan ( at $75/mo ) includes a free Netflix subscription and access to the excellent 'New in Two' bi-yearly upgrade scheme but comes at a higher base-line cost. AT&T's mid-range Unlimited Extra plan ( at $75/mo ) offers a competitive price but only includes 15GB of mobile hotspot allowance.

Read more in our guide to the best Verizon wireless plans .

best unlimited data plans visible cheap

Best value unlimited data plan

Pricing: $25/mo | Data options: Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, free calls to Can & Mex | Hotspot: Unlimited (at 5Mpbs) | Network: Verizon

Visible has been our top choice for best unlimited data plan for those on a budget since the inception of this guide - and we don't see that changing soon. The carrier has just cut the monthly price of its basic (or standard) Visible plan from $30 to $25, which is absolutely wild value when you consider you get all-you-can-eat unlimited data on the larger Verizon 5G network, unlimited mobile hot-spotting, and no hidden data caps.

All-in-all, the standard Visible Wireless plan is in the sweet spot if you're on a budget but as with nearly all prepaid plans, it's worth noting that it's subject to deprioritization if the local area is busy. Depending on your location, you may not be able to make the most of those 5G data speeds - and your mobile hot spot will also cap out at 5Mbps, which is relatively slow by modern standards.

Those in need of priority data can consider the Visible Plus plan, which is a relatively new addition to the carrier's plan lineup. At $40 per month, this one is significantly more expensive but comes complete with 50GB of priority data on the Verizon Wideband 5G  network, which means it essentially resembles a Verizon unlimited data plan minus the streaming perks and various device deals (but is still way cheaper).

Read more about this carrier in our Visible wireless plans guide.

best unlimited data plans Mint Mobile cheap

3. Mint Mobile

Another fantastic budget unlimited data plan

Pricing: $30/mo | Data options: Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, free calls to Can & Mex | Hotspot: 10GB (at 5G) | Network: T-Mobile

Mint Mobile is another great prepaid choice if you're looking for the best unlimited data plan on a budget. At $30 per month, it's a little pricier than Visible's basic plan but it operates on the T-Mobile network, which may provide better coverage for some depending on your local area.

Mint Mobile operates a unique pricing scheme that offers the lowest rates for those customers who buy their data upfront for multiple months, with the lowest average rate being for those who buy a whole year at once. This slightly offsets that prepaid advantage of not having lengthy contracts, but it does mean Mint can offer dirt-cheap plans all around. No credit checks either, as you're buying in an upfront purchase.

With all that said, Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan is subject to some restrictions when compared to Visible Wireless. First up, your 5G data speeds will cap out at 45GB of usage per month. After this, you'll be reduced down to just 128KBps, which is sufficient for light browsing and messaging only. Your mobile hotspot allowance is also capped at 10GB of usage per month, unlike Visible Wireless which features no usage caps (only a 5MBps speed cap). Still, Mint is a great value choice right now and one that will likely get even better as the cheap unlimited data plan market is getting more competitive as of mid-2023.

Read more in our guide to this month's best Mint Mobile plans .

best unlimited data plans T-Mobile cheap

4. T-Mobile Go5G

Best for families

Pricing: $155/mo (4-lines) | Data options: Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, free calls to Can & Mex | Hotspot: 15GB (at 5G), Unlimited (at 3G) | Network: T-Mobile

T-Mobile's always been a great choice for families thanks to its 'get-a-third-line' free deal - a perk that's been offered for a few years now and has been carried over to its new 'Go5G' plans for 2023. If you're looking for a sensibly priced multiple-line plan for your family, then the mid-tier Go5G plan is a good place to start.

While it's a little pricier than the 'Magenta' plan that it's recently replaced but you're still getting 100GB of priority 5G data, a free Netflix Basic subscription (standard definition, 1 screen), and unlimited data hotspotting - albeit at 3G speeds only after you've used your first 5GB of 5G data. Those are great perks, although the main selling point here is definitely that incredibly competitive pricing for the T-Mobile Magenta plan after three or more lines are added.

At just $38 per line at four users ($155), the Go5G plan comes in at around $5 cheaper than the equivalent plans from AT&T and Verizon while offering a good selection of perks

best unlimited data plans AT&T cheap

5. AT&T Unlimited Plus

AT&T's best high-end plan

Pricing: $85/mo | Data options: Unlimited | Talk & Text: Unlimited | Perks: 5G, free calls to Can & Mex | Hotspot: 50GB (at 5G), Unlimited (at 3G) | Network: AT&T

Coming in at $85 per month makes AT&T's Unlimited Plus plan (previously the Unlimited Elite plan) the most expensive on our list. However, with a hefty 100GB of priority 5G data, 50GB of hotspot allowance, and unlimited 4K UHD streaming it's also one of the most feature-laden.

By far the biggest perk with the Unlimited Plus plan is the high-definition streaming, which makes it a good choice for those who watch a lot of content. One slight bummer with this one is that this plan tier, previously called the Elite plan at AT&T, used to come with a free HBO Max subscription, although that's no longer available as of early 2023.

Because of this, you may prefer to opt for the similar T-Mobile Go5G Plus plan with Netflix ( $90/mo ), or the Verizon Unlimited Plus plan with a Disney+ addon ( $90/mo ). Both are also strong choices, although they are a little heavier on the pocket than the equivalent AT&T plan, which offers less perks for a slightly better monthly cost.

Read more in our guide to this month's best AT&T plans .

Best unlimited data plans: FAQ

best unlimited data plans cheap

Best unlimited data plan: deciding what’s right for you 

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

When considering what carrier to go for and which unlimited data plan is best for you, we strongly recommend you first determine what you value the most in the plan - cost, speed, coverage, and perks being the most commonly used criteria.

Cost is definitely the easiest criteria to start with - simply determine your upper budget each month and browse away. Remember, however, to factor in the cost of your handset alongside your plan as that can really depend heavily from carrier to carrier. 

Most of the bigger prepaid carriers, for example, may offer deals on handsets alongside their unlimited data plans, which could really help you bag a flagship device for cheap if that's important to you. That's contrasted by the smaller prepaid carriers, which don't tend to offer discounts on devices, instead opting for cheaper monthly rates and flexible 'bring your own device' options.

Speed and coverage are two criteria that are going to depend heavily on your locale. Coverage especially should be checked over at the major carrier sites ( Verizon , AT&T , T-Mobile ) if you've got your eye on a 5G plan as you might not be covered if you live outside a major city. 

Speed-wise, all the carriers featured on our best unlimited data plans list feature speedy 5G connections, but as a rule of thumb, the cheaper the plan, the more likely it is to be slowed down during peak traffic hours. This is especially true of prepaid carriers like Mint Mobile and Visible, which operate as sub-carriers on the various networks. 

What types of unlimited data plans are there? 

As with most cell phone plans, the best unlimited data plans fall into two loosely defined groups - postpaid plans and prepaid plans. 

Postpaid plans are those generally offered by the bigger carriers and more or less feature lengthy 2-year+ contracts (with credit checks), big or unlimited data allowances, deals on handsets, and bill your account at the end of the month. These are all quite loose criteria, but generally speaking, these are your pricier of the two options but look to offer a more premium service all around.

Prepaid plans , on the other hand, are the more basic option. For a lower monthly price, you'll generally get fewer perks, data allowances, and a service that's liable to caps on speed if the network's busy. If you're more of a light user or on a budget, these are likely your best bet, and they also come with the bonus of generally needing no credit check and simpler pricing schemes.

Do I really need an unlimited data plan? 

If you're looking to save money on your monthly phone bills, The quickest way to cut down your monthly costs is to forgo an unlimited data plan and go for a more restricted or prepaid plan instead. 

Most people can check their monthly data usage by accessing their phone's network settings. Here's a quick guide on how to do that:

  • For iPhone:
  • Open your Settings app
  • Tap Cellular menu
  • Tap individual apps to see monthly data usage
  • For Android:
  • Tap 'Connections'
  • Tap 'Data Usage'

Checking your data usage directly on your device is especially useful because it will tell you how much of your data has been used via WiFi instead of a cellular connection. If you can't find the above settings on your device, then most carriers also have data usage reports that can be easily accessed by logging into your account on their sites.

If you don't have access to such a tool, we'd generally say, as a rule of thumb, if you’re streaming video every day, making regular video calls, or are always on the move and therefore don’t have access to WiFi, then you’ll probably want an unlimited data plan.

Here's a quick overview of common apps average data usage per hour, referencing Whistleout's excellent article .

  • TikTok & Instagram - 800Mb per hour
  • Youtube & Netflix - 300Mb per hour
  • Music streaming - 150Mb per hour
  • Facebook - 80Mb
  • Web browsing - 60Mb

Is unlimited data really unlimited? 

Hidden in the fine print of most carrier plans are caps on data usage, speeds, or other caveats you should be aware of. Unlimited data plans are no exception to this, despite the namesake.

A common usage cap for unlimited data plans, for example, is mobile hotspotting - which carriers love to charge that little bit extra for. You'll also find soft-caps on data usage each month, where the carrier will look to slow down your speeds after you pass a certain threshold - anywhere from 30GB to 100GB being fairly common.

On paper, these data caps can seem like a real bummer, although in reality, not many users are likely to use up to 100GB of data in a month unless they're constantly streaming high-definition content on their device. However, the mobile hotspotting caps can be more of a restriction since they tend to default to 3G speeds after their allowance is up. 

What's the cheapest cell phone plan with unlimited everything? 

Visible is technically the cheapest carrier to offer a truly unlimited plan, with no speed bumps based on data usage or mobile hotspotting allowance. That said, its mobile hotspot speeds are indeed capped at 5Mps, which is half that of Verizon and AT&T after they cap out, and being a prepaid carrier, it's also subject to deprioritization overall.

For more inexpensive options, we recommend checking out our page on this month's best cheap cell phone plans specifically.

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Buying a Sim Card for Russia at Moscow Airport in 2024

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Flying to Moscow Airport Sheremetyevo soon? Avoid on high roaming costs and buy a sim card for Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport or get yourself an e-sim card for Russia. Prepaid sim cards in Russia come with a lot of data and are cheap, but language barriers are real! E-sim cards are easier, but a couple dollar more expensive.

In this guide you can read everything you need to know before buying a sim card for Russia at Moscow Airport, where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per June 2024, my recommendation and even info about international and e-sim cards for Russia.

Staying connected is the first thing I do when I get to a new country. These days I mostly order an e-sim card online because it is so easy, but buying a local prepaid sim card is sometimes a better option.

I love to document all my travel tips for other travelers and since  I am also aiming to travel to every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: Europe ,  Dubai , Saudi Arabia , Pakistan , Nairobi , Johannesburg , London , Paris ,  New York , Toronto , Dominican Republic , Bogota , Panama City , Mexico City , Singapore , Hong Kong , Vietnam , Uzbekistan , Philippines , Turkey  and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

Buying a prepaid sim card for Russia is actually really affordable! Great value for money. When I discovered this it definitely made me smile. Who does not love cheap data?

Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Moscow Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends buying a Megfon prepaid sim card at Moscow Airport for traveling in Russia. Megafon has a great prepaid sim card deal for tourists: 30 GB data + free social media for just $6 USD.

Be prepared that pretty much no one speaks English at Moscow International Airport so buying a prepaid sim card can be a hassle.

Therefore Traveltomtom definitely recommends e-sim cards for traveling to Russia. As soon as the plane lands you are online. However, there are not many e-sim cards for Russia available on the internet. SimOptions is the only e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards for Russia .

you may also like...

19 Things To Know When You Visit Altai Region, Siberia

You can also look into buying an international sim card for traveling in 2024 . Again here, SimOptions is the only provider that still offers physical prepaid sim cards for traveling to Russia.

Need some travel inspiration for Russia? Check out my  trip to Altai Mountains ! Absolutely amazing.

Best e-sim cards for Russia

The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Russia in 2024 is an e-sim card.

You order an e-sim card for your trip to Moscow on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Russia e-sim card installed on your phone.

Upon arrival in Moscow it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

Airalo has recently stopped supplying e-sim cards for Russia until further notice! As of June 2024 Airalo e-sim cards for Russia are still not available.

  • 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
  • 2 GB data for 15 days = $9 USD
  • 3 GB data for 30 days = $11.5 USD
  • 5 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
  • 10 GB data for 30 days = $29 USD
  • 20 GB data for 30 days = $48 USD

Click here to directly order any of the above e-sim cards for Russia online or get more info.

simoptions esim card plans for russia 2024

SimOptions is currently the only e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards for Russia. Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world without any problems.

  • 1 GB data for 7 days = $7.90 USD
  • 3 GB data for 15 days = $14.90 USD
  • 5 GB data for 15 days = $19.90 USD
  • 10 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
  • 20 GB data for 30 days = $64.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an e-sim card for Russia via SimOptions .

Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Russia.

You can also order a physical prepaid sim card for traveling in Russia online and get it shipped to your home address before your trip. Click on the link to get an international data sim card for Russia with 10 GB data for $49.90 USD and get more info and see all the sim card deals.

Arriving at Moscow Airport SVO

First off this airport is spread out with 6 terminals and traveling in and between the terminals takes time. There are trains that connect the terminals so if you are in transit don’t worry the transportation system is pretty well organized. But hey we are in Russia, be prepared to struggle with languages barriers.

You may think at an international airport with this status there would be a ton of people speaking English, but forget about it. Welcome to Russia!

The ladies at the information desk all spoke good English and were very helpful. A tip for when you visit Moscow, download a translate app this will make traveling in Russia much easier.

To use most translate apps that use the dictation function you need a working internet connection. Sheremetyevo Airport has very easy access to good and free WiFi but as soon as you leave the airport you would wish you had a prepaid sim card for Russia with data. So no need to explain you anymore why you should buy a Russia sim card on arrival.

Aeroexpress SVO Airport

In and between Terminal D and E there is the Aeroexpress train station, the most convenient way to get from Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city. Just before you enter the train station there are many mobile phone shops where they sell prepaid Russian sim card for tourists.

Mobile internet operators in Russia

The main mobile internet operators in Russia are: Tele2, Beeline, MegaFon, MTS and Yota. Apart from Yota and MTS you can buy a Russia sim card from any of the operators at Moscow Airport.

Yota is a fairly small operator with a weak 4G network in Russia and is not recommended for tourists. But especially for an MTS prepaid sim card it is a pity they don't sell them at Moscow Airport. MTS has the strongest 4G network in Russia and is the only provider that offers 5G in Russia.

Where to buy a sim card at Moscow Airport

As I said the airport is pretty big and it more or less comes down to which terminal you arrive. Most travelers from Europe will arrive at Terminal B or D so let’s have a look at buying a Russian sim card there first.

If you are about to visit Moscow then I recommend you to go to the city by Aeroexpress, a convenient train that connects Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city. It is located between Terminal B and D. Just before you enter the train station there are many shops lined up where you can buy Russia sim cards for tourists as well.

At Terminal F there are also shops in the arrival hall where you can buy a prepaid Russia sim card.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal B

Arriving at Terminal B at SVO airport makes things easy for you as there is no choice. The only available sim card for Russia is Beeline. It is impossible to miss the Beeline shop as it is straight in front of you when you walk out of arrivals.

Prepaid sim card Beeline

beeline russia sim card

The picture is hard to read when you don’t speak Russian. Neither do I so I had the guy selling the Beeline sim Russia sim card explain me in his best English what everything means.

600 Rubles = $9

  • 15 GB - 4G internet
  • 500 minutes calling in and to Russia
  • Valid for 30 days

Total costs for this package is only around $9, that is only $0,60 per GB data. I told you Russian sim cards are cheap! When arriving at Terminal B buying a Beeline sim card for Russia is worth it.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal D

At Moscow SVO Airport Terminal D there are two options for you. In the arrivals hall on level 1 there is TELE2 and at the departures hall level 3 you can buy a Megafon sim card.

Prices and info below are updated in June 2024. Prices are in Russian Ruble: $1 USD  = 90.5 RUB and 100 RUB = $1.11 USD.

Megafon Russia prepaid sim card

megafon russia

Let me tell you if it is worth going up two levels to the Megafon kiosk to buy your Russia sim here.

I went there twice as a week later I wanted to double check the information what I wrote down and both ladies spoke very little English. Service level for English speaking tourists is zero at Moscow Airport so be prepared. I used a translate app to get the following info.

There are two Megafon sim cards for tourists available:

  • 20 GB + 750 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month =  750 Rubles - $8.5 USD
  • 30 GB + 1,500 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month =  1,000 Rubles - $11 USD

Both packages are really great value for money!

TELE2 Russia prepaid sim card

tele2 sim russia

Depending on which exit you take from the luggage belts you will either walk up to the TELE2 shop or it is on your left in the arrivals hall. At the small shop two young employees were very helpful and explained the available TELE2 sim cards fro tourists in Russia.

TELE2 Russia offers the following sim cards for tourists:

600 Rubles (400 + 200 activation costs) = $7 USD

  • Unlimited calls to TELE2  numbers in Russia
  • Free Facebook, VKontakte, Viber, Whatsapp
  • 1 month valid

900 Rubles (700 + 200 activation costs) = $10 USD

  • 30 GB - 4G internet
  • 800 minutes calling in and to Russia

Looking at these Russian prepaid sim card packages I am impressed by the value for money of TELE2. Since I never really call and text anyway, a TELE2 sim card for Russia was a perfect match.

Beeline Russia prepaid sim card

beeline russia shop

There is a Beeline shop that sells the following package:

500 Rubles = $6

  • Unlimited internet - 4G network
  • No hotspot available
  • 14 days valid
  • 30 Rubles per day extra, top up credit can be bought everywhere

sim card russia moscow airport

There is also a shop called EBPOCETb where they sell Megafon sim cards and Beeline sim cards. The guy in the shop recommended me to buy a Megafon sim card instead of Beeline. Scroll down to see 4G network coverage maps for Russia.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal F

In the end I headed to Terminal E and F to find the perfect Russia sim card for tourists. At Terminal E there is NO shop that sells prepaid sim cards for Russia, but in Terminal F there was a Megafon kiosk again.

Megafon sim card Russia at SVO Terminal F

sim card russia airport moscow

Of course here they sold the same sim cards for tourists as they did at the Terminal D, but to my surprise they also sold a specific tourist package.

Megafon tourist sim card Russia

russia sim for tourists

  • 30 GB data + 1500 minutes + unlimited social media - valid for 15 days =  500 Ruble - $6 USD

WOW! Looking at the above I am sure you are stunned too! Free social media and on top of that 30 GB data just for $6 USD. I asked if there would be any activation costs, but nope you pay just the 500 Rubles.

For tourists traveling to Russia for less than 2 weeks this for sure is the best Russia prepaid sim card you can find at Sheremetyevo Airport. The Megafon shop is open from 09.00 to 21.00 daily and is next to the meeting point at Terminal F.

Best 4G/5G mobile network in Russia in 2024

Let’s quickly have a look at the mobile providers in Russia selling sim cards at Moscow Airport to determine who has the best 4G/5G network in Russia. For more detailed maps of the 4G/5G network coverage  in Russia have a look at the link and you can zoom in to the region in Russia you will be traveling.

Is there 5G in Russia?

No, there is still no proper 5G network in Russia in 2024. Only in the city center of Moscow there is a small 5G network available when you are having an MTS sim card. Unfortunately they don't sell MTS sim cards at Moscow Airport. If you want an MTS 5G sim card you have to go to an MTS store in Moscow city center.

Beeline  4G/5G network coverage map

beeline 4g 5g network coverage map russia 2024

TELE2 4G/5G network coverage map

tele2 4g 5g network coverage map russia 2024

Megafon 4G/5G network coverage map

megafon 4g 5g network coverage map russia 2024

Looking at the mobile internet coverage maps for Russia you can see that as of 2024 the 4G/LTE network coverage is pretty similar for each provider. However, Megafon is slightly more extensive than Beeline and Tele2 and therefore is rated as the best 4G/LTE network in Russia in 2024. 

I expect Russia to start rolling out 5G soon, but unfortunately it is hard to go through the Russian news on the internet as I do NOT speak a word Russian! ;)

Order a prepaid sim card for Russia online

orange holiday world international prepaid sim card for russia

With such cheap prepaid sim cards on arrival at Moscow Airport I would not directly recommend buying an international sim card for Russia. However, it makes you forget about all the hassle buying a sim card on arrival since barely anyone even speaks English.

If your phone is not e-sim compatible then look into the following if you want to order a prepaid sim card for Russia on the internet.

Arrive prepared in Russia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Russia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.

SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Russia:

  • 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Russia via SimOptions .

Also a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can order an e-sim card for Russia online .

My experience buying a Russia Sim Card at Moscow Airport

I decided to buy a TELE2 sim card for traveling in Russia and spent $9 USD on the smallest prepaid sim package. I went on a trip to the Altai Mountains in Siberia and to my surprise I could not only use the network of TELE2, but also the Megafon network. No clue why but it worked smooth.

Another reason why I would recommend you to buy a Megafon or TELE2 prepaid sim card for Russia at Moscow Airport.

A working network connection in Russia is as you can imagine a challenge in the worlds biggest country. But overall if I had a signal the 4G speed was good, especially in cities. On the road in Siberia I mostly just had a 3G signal, which worked fine.

More about my road trip in Altai, Siberia , check out my blog about this undiscovered region in Russia!

I hope this blog about prepaid sim cards in Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport was helpful for you if you have a question please leave me a comment.

Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world ? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of June 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Traveler & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to Russia!

  • altai mountains

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  21. Buying a Sim Card for Russia at Moscow Airport in 2024

    Buying a Sim Card for Russia at Moscow Airport in 2024 Flying to Moscow Airport Sheremetyevo soon? Avoid on high roaming costs and buy a sim card for Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport or get yourself an e-sim card for Russia. Prepaid sim cards in Russia come with a lot of data and are cheap, but language barriers are real! E-sim cards are easier, but a couple dollar more expensive.

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