Determining what to look for in a cell phone service is harder than it should be, thanks to the slew of providers and plans on the market.
The best cell phone plan for you will depend on your needs. Ask yourself (and answer) these questions to nab your top plan, and hopefully lower your cell phone bill.
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Which cellular network works best in your area?
When it comes to how well your phone works, signal quality matters most. That quality can vary depending on where you live.
If you’re unhappy with the quality of your current connection, check coverage maps first. Then ask friends and neighbors about their experiences on other networks before switching.
Is there a cheaper brand in your network?
Say you already buy a plan directly from one of the big three carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon — and like the coverage but not the price. You may be able to save money by switching to a brand with cheap cell phone plans that run on the same network. Take these for example:
- Visible is a subsidiary of Verizon that uses its network.
- Mint Mobile is a T-Mobile subsidiary and runs on its network.
- Cricket Wireless is owned and operated by AT&T.
- Consumer Cellular resells service on the AT&T network.
» Cut your cell phone bill: Use this script and save
Should you choose postpaid or prepaid?
Postpaid plans tend to include perks and faster data, while prepaid plans are typically cheaper.
Postpaid
With a postpaid plan, you pay after using the service, and you’ll likely need a credit check. These plans from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon tend to cost more, but they often include unlimited data, perks like a streaming subscription, and the option to finance a new phone.
These plans also often give users faster, higher-priority data (more on that in the next section).
Prepaid
With prepaid plans, you pay in advance. Even the ones offered directly from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon tend to be more straightforward, in that they’re not bloated with extras you may not need. They usually don’t require a credit check and often cost less than postpaid plans.
One tradeoff with prepaid plans is slower data during busy times. Networks may slow down prepaid speeds when many people are using the network at once, like a crowded sporting event or busy vacation spot.
That said, some prepaid brands offer plans with premium data that they say won’t be slowed during congestion. “Premium” is the operative word if you’re shopping for a plan with data that will remain fast.
J.D. Power’s 2026 study of more than 59,000 wireless customers may give you an indication of which of the major networks may work best for you, based on plan type:
- For the mobile network operators postpaid segment, T-Mobile ranks highest.
- For the mobile network operators prepaid segment, T-Mobile ranks highest.
- For the mobile virtual network operators postpaid segment, Consumer Cellular ranks highest.
- For the mobile virtual network operators prepaid segment, Mint Mobile ranks highest.
Do you need a family cell phone plan?
Adding lines to flagship unlimited plans from AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon will bring down the cost of service per line. Multi-line plans from the big three may be the preference for a parent or guardian who wants to maintain control of all plans under one primary account.
Typical cost for a flagship family plan with unlimited data
Expect to pay around $200 a month plus possible taxes and fees for four lines of a top-tier unlimited plan from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Compare that with an average of roughly $85 to $90 for just one line on a top-tier plan.
Family plans on a budget
Not all budget prepaid carriers offer family plan options, but some do. For example, Cricket has family plans, and offers a basic unlimited data plan with four lines for $100 a month, taxes included. Cricket’s site notes data may be slowed during busy times.
» See our list: best international cell phone plans
What plans are best for older adults?
If you’re an older adult, it’s worth shopping around for a discount. Of the big three carriers, AT&T is compelling based on price. For $35 per month per line, assuming you opt for two lines, you’ll get unlimited talk, text and data.
Another option is T-Mobile’s Experience More plan. It costs $55 per line, per month for unlimited talk, text and data if you choose two lines.
Verizon has a plan for older adults, too, but it is only available to Floridians.
Don’t plan to use much data? Consumer Cellular offers unlimited talk and text with just 1GB of data for $20 a month, plus taxes and fees.
» See our list: best cell phone plans for seniors
Is it time for you to switch to a better plan?
It’s easy to lose track and get stuck paying too much for an essential service like a cell phone plan. But as you review your budget and look for areas to cut costs, a new, cheaper plan may do just the trick.
And if you’re sticking with a flagship postpaid plan just to finance a phone, buying a used cell phone could be cheaper in the long run.
Meet MoneyNerd, your weekly news decoder
So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.
