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The 5 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2023

Teltik

Data as of 12/7/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *AutoPay Discount included: -$5/mo. per line. Plus taxes & fees.

Nicolle Okoren

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Business.org’s 5 best business cell phone plans

At&t: best full-featured plans.

Looking for a broad choice of bells and whistles? As a telecom behemoth, AT&T has plenty of cell phone features and packages to offer a business—around 20 plan variations, small to large. All plans include free US roaming, unlimited talk, and text messages, as well as unlimited texting outside of the country. Basic features like call forwarding, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and conference calling also come standard with all AT&T business cell phone plans, along with bring-your-own-phone support.

AT&T's business cell phone plans

Data as of 12/7/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Business Unlimited plan prices start at $35 a month per line, and there is a new perk where unlimited data is included in the unlimited talk and text plan. This means there is no need to worry about overages or data caps. 

 AT&T business plans can also accommodate up to 10 lines per account, and they come fully loaded with perks—like Stream Saver. This feature optimizes streaming video on your phone to 480p so you can watch webinars on-the-go without dealing with a blurry picture.

Each plan also includes a decent array of iOS and Android smartphone options and even a few good ol’ flip phones. A 15% military veteran discount can be applied to the Business Unlimited plans, as well as AT&T-owned DIRECTV services (because, again, telecom behemoth).

Users are eligible for a discount if they elect for autopay and paperless billing but this discount is only applied until after two pay periods. We don't know why the discount cannot be applied earlier in the billing process but we do find it frustrating. 

T-Mobile: Best flexible plans

Not sure exactly what you’ll need in a mobile plan besides future adaptability? T-Mobile, the third-largest wireless service in the US, offers four Magenta® for Business plans, all packed with unique features that set T-Mobile apart from the rest. The German-owned company has also earned a reputation for stellar customer service and was the first to eliminate annual contracts (an idea that stuck—none of the plans reviewed on this page require contracts). In April 2018, the company announced its intention to merge with Sprint under the T-Mobile banner.

T-Mobile's business cell phone plans

Data as of 12/7/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *While using AutoPay.

All of T-Mobile’s Business cell phone plans offer the same basic features:

Unlimited talk and text

Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data on our network

  • Unlimited mobile hotspot
  • Scam Shield

Unlimited calling and texting to Mexico & Canada

Unlimited video streaming

In addition, all T-Mobile Business plans include DIGITS, which allows you to access up to five phone numbers on a single device. That means you could answer calls to your work number and your personal number on one device—no more packing two phones in your bag every day. DIGITS also lets you share your phone number across multiple devices, so you can answer on your phone, smartwatch, tablet, or computer.

T-Mobile users with a Business plan can also add the PlusUp add-on and get extra features, like Voicemail to Text, HD streaming, 20 GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi, caller ID, and double the data speed when roaming internationally.

Keep in mind, though, that T-Mobile’s Business plans are available only on plans with two to 13 lines. If you need more than 13 lines, you’ll need to sign up for the 13+ Plan ($285 per month for 13 lines, plus $25 per month for each additional line).

T-Mobile plans also allow bring-your-own-device convenience, or you can buy phones up front with a single payment (there are nearly 40 iOS and Android phones to choose from).

Now that T-Mobile and Sprint have been merged for almost six months, some significant changes have taken effect. T-Mobile’s website is now the only place businesses can sign up for Sprint or T-Mobile business phone accounts.

Sprint still has an active business website for previous users but all new plans will be sold by T-Mobile on its website.

best cell phone plan for small business

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Verizon: Best growing business plans

Serving over 150 million customers, Verizon isn’t just big, it’s BIG. Such a mobile mammoth might not seem like the obvious choice for a small business, but for what it lacks in a personalized customer service reputation, Verizon more than makes up for by offering every cell phone feature there is, as well as dominant US, and near-dominant global, coverage. Like McDonald’s and Marvel movies, Verizon is everywhere.

Verizon's business cell phone plans

Data as of 12/7/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *With 4+ lines

While business owners can get business cell phone plans with limited data, we recommend choosing an unlimited plan if you have multiple employees (or do a lot of work via cell phone).

Verizon’s Business Unlimited cell phone plans are scalable from four employees up to and over 40. And with plans starting at just $40 per line, Verizon Business Unlimited plans are an attractive option whether you’re running a tiny company with no expansion plans, a medium-sized business with an eye toward growth, or a large enterprise with heavy cell phone requirements.

Verizon Beyond Unlimited plans also include unlimited mobile hotspot use, though your speeds are limited depending on your plan. Plus, you get unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada—not to mention unlimited calling, texting, and data while in those countries. And naturally, you also get unlimited talk and text as part of your Beyond Unlimited package.

Verizon doesn’t skimp on device choices either. There are nearly 100 iOS and Android phones and tablets available—including the Verizon Jetpack, a mobile hotspot device that can connect 10 devices to its 4G LTE network and an additional five to 3G.

If your company requires truly “unlimited” cell phone service and scalability to grow and is in the position to pay for functionality with frills, Verizon Business Unlimited is the way to go. Bare-bones operations, however, might want to look elsewhere.

Each of our recommendations has its strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes the most difficult part about finding a phone system is determining exactly what you need and don't need. The best place to start is separating your needs between installing a new system, replacing a system or expanding system.

If you are having trouble sorting out exactly what your phone needs are, use this tool to help you understand what the best options are for your unique needs. 

MintMobile: Most affordable plans

We are sure you’ve seen the commercials with Ryan Reynolds talking about this new phone carrier business with a fox logo called Mint Mobile. In fact, a lot of Mint customers were drawn to Mint because of Ryan Reynolds Hollywood looks, but that’s not the only thing Mint has to offer. 

Mint is inexpensive and transparent, compared to other cell phone carriers with hidden fees and seemingly random regulations.

MintMobile's business cell phone plans

Data as of 12/7 /22 . Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

T hese are the prices for new customers and will last up to three months. After the third month, you are eligible to sign up for a 6- or 12-month contract on one of the tiered plans, all less than $35/mo/user, which is astronomically less than other providers. 

MintMobile is no fuss, and you really do feel like you must be tricking the rest of the world with its pricing. The only issue is that MintMobile is fairly new, launched in 2015, coverage is not completely everywhere. There are still a couple of coverage gaps in the West, namely Utah, Nebraska, Idaho and Nevada. If you are east of the Rocky Mountains, you are good to go!

Teltik: Best perks plans

If you’re a strapped startup, New Jersey’s Teltik can get you up and running on the cheap. Teltik is a reseller service operating on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network, meaning it can offer the reliability and reach of a giant provider at smaller-company prices. Teltik also has the advantage of being completely US-based, with 24/7 local customer service that’s not outsourced overseas.

Teltik's business cell phone plans

3 more (non-business) cell phone plans reviewed by business.org.

Teltik appears to have a dozen plans, but they’re mostly just variations of the essential plan that offers all the expected basics. Not coincidentally, the features mirror those of T-Mobile, as they’re on the same network.

The most basic plan starts at $20 a month and includes unlimited calling and texting, mobile hotspot service, and unlimited data—with a 2 GB cap on 4G LTE speeds (meaning your speed gets throttled to 128 Kbps if you use more than 2 GB of data in a month). From there, you can upgrade your plan to include more 4G LTE data and more mobile hotspot data. Upgraded plans cost anywhere from $30 to $40 per month, and they all include one cloud-phone VoIP line—perfect for small businesses looking to save on all their telecommunications needs.

One distinctly entertaining feature (pun intended) of Teltik’s business plans? You get unlimited media streaming from over 40 music services (including Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music) and more than 100 video services (including YouTube, Netflix, and any other channel you can think of). That means you can stream as much TV as you want without it eating into your data. It’s almost as if Teltik doesn’t want you to get any work done.

Another thing you need to know: Teltik doesn’t sell phones. Instead, the company operates on a strict bring-your-own-device basis. Any unlocked phone will work with its network, as will any T-Mobile device, of course. However, you will have to spend $10 plus shipping and handling to buy a new SIM card for each of your devices (unless they’ve already got brand-new, unused T-Mobile SIM cards).

Boost Mobile

The takeaway

Assess your company’s current cell phone usage, and projected future needs, before diving into any plan. What looks like a great deal could turn out to be more than you actually need—or you may have initially underestimated your business’s cell phone requirements. Also, if your company has both cell phone and regular office phone needs, check into bundling. The larger telecom providers offer both types of phone coverage, and bundling services is an easy way to save money in the long run.

Don’t want to carry around separate phones for work and personal calls? With the right VoIP service, you don’t have to. Check out our favorite business VoIP providers to see which ones offer on-the-go business phone capabilities.

Business cell phone plan FAQs

If you have several employees working outside of the office on a regular basis, desk-bound phones obviously aren’t going to work for them. Some may be only calling and texting while others will be checking email, using GPS navigation, and accessing the internet for work, but a cell phone is a must for employees in the field.

If you’re a one-person operation accountable to only yourself, you could get by with a personal cell plan. Keeping track of multiple employees’ hours, data, and providers, however, would be an extra headache you don’t need. For streamlining and collaboration purposes, a business cell phone plan would be the easier route.

Most of the plans we’ve reviewed here offer unlimited data—domestically, at least—so hitting the data ceiling won’t likely be an issue. But if you want to forecast how much data your business uses every month, providers make data plan estimators available on their websites. Or you could use a third-party calculator app.

BYOD stands for bring your own device . Another common term is BYOP for bring your own phone . These can mean that employees are using their personal phones, tablets, or laptops on their own carrier plans for work or that they’ve put those devices on the company’s plan. The upside? Less expensive than buying devices. The downside? Extra security concerns.

In the annoying absence of Wi-Fi, you can use a cell phone signal to connect a wireless device to the internet by switching on the mobile hotspot option and simply treating it like a Wi-Fi router. For multiple device connections, a dedicated hotspot (such as Verizon’s Jetpack) can provide a faster, and more stable, connection.

Business owners weigh in

best cell phone plan for small business

Methodology

To find the best business cell phone options, we considered pricing plans, customer support, and data limits. We also looked at the variety of contracts and whether these plans were flexible with discounts. 

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

best cell phone plan for small business

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Disclaimer: The information featured in this article is based on our best estimates of pricing, package details, contract stipulations, and service available at the time of writing. All information is subject to change. Pricing will vary based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the customer’s location, package chosen, added features and equipment, the purchaser’s credit score, etc. For the most accurate information, please ask your customer service representative. Clarify all fees and contract details before signing a contract or finalizing your purchase.

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The best business phone plans: Reliable 5G for work

matthew-miller

When I started writing for ZDNet 15 years ago , mobile phones were being used by 74% of the US population, but only 14% of those people were using these basic phones to access the internet. The latest data shows that 97% of Americans own a mobile phone, with 85% of those being smartphones that access the internet multiple times a day.

Smartphones and wireless cellular services are now essential for businesses to compete in today's market and broad coverage is an expectation. After T-Mobile's recent acquisition of Sprint, the US market is dominated by Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Each of these carriers offers various plan options for businesses of all sizes.

5G continues to roll out across the US, but reliable LTE service is still essential to getting work done. The pricing for business service is competitive, and as someone who has been in the industry for decades, it is amazing to see the reasonable pricing for such fast service that reaches across the nation.

Verizon phone plans for businesses

Verizon Wireless has the most subscribers in the US and is popular with businesses. Three Business Unlimited plans make it easy to find the perfect option for your business. All three  Business Unlimited plans  from Verizon include unlimited talk, text, and data. Support for 5G, mobile hotspot, and tablet use differentiate the three plans. Pricing is also for five or more lines, targeted for business and not for family usage.

Business Unlimited Start

$30 per line per month.

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While there are no limits on minutes, texts, or data, in times of congestion data may be slower with this Start plan. Nationwide 5G, low-band spectrum 5G, is supported with the Start plan and a compatible smartphone.

Tablet, smartwatch, and hotspot options are available for additional costs on the Business Unlimited Start plan. The price also includes $5 per month savings for paper-free billing and auto pay.

Pros  

  • Nationwide 5G coverage
  • Able to add additional devices (watches, tablets) to the account
  • No support for mmWave, high-band, 5G
  • Data speeds slowed down during times of congestion

Business Unlimited Plus

$40 per line per month.

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For $10 more per line per month, Verizon adds 100GB of premium network access, 5G UWB (mmWave) support, and unlimited mobile hotspot service. In addition, Verizon's Business Mobile Secure is included at no additional cost. This enhanced security bundle includes lookout mobile endpoint secure, mobile device management, Wi-Fi protection, and tech support.

  • Nationwide 5G coverage, including mmWave spectrum
  • Enhanced security bundle included
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot service
  • 100GB limit during high usage time periods

Business Unlimited Pro

$50 per line per month.

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The highest level Verizon Business Unlimited plan provides twice the amount of premium network access, 120GB, along with 50% off on Business Unlimited Pro tablet plans.

This plan may be perfect for businesses using connected tablets out in the field and smartphones that are using data throughout the day away from Wi-Fi service.

  • Nationwide 5G coverage with mmWave support
  • 50% cost savings on tablet plans
  • $50 price per line higher than other tiers

T-Mobile phone plans for businesses

After the purchase of Sprint, T-Mobile is now the second largest (in terms of subscriber count) carrier in the US. While T-Mobile has long been known for its consumer-friendly cellular plans, it also has one of the most extensive  libraries of business offerings  for small companies, large companies, and government agencies. Its new  Business Unlimited plans  are presented below, but other options require  direct discussions  between businesses and T-Mobile.

Business Unlimited Select

$25 to $60 per line per month.

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Business Unlimited Select plans are designed for small business customers who need 1 to 12 lines of service. A one line plan is the most expensive, at $60 per month. Two lines are priced at $45 per line per month, four lines are $30 per line per month, and six or more lines are just $25 per line per month.

These plans include 5G network support, 5GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, as well as unlimited calling/texting/data in Mexico and Canada.

  • Very affordable small business plan
  • Unlimited service in Mexico and Canada
  • Unlimited streaming is limited to SD content
  • Included data in Canada and Mexico is 128kbps speed

Business Unlimited Advanced

$30 to $70 per line per month.

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If the employees of your small business travel by airplane and need Microsoft apps, then you should consider the T-Mobile Business Unlimited Advanced plan. This service plan includes 40GB of high-speed hotspot data, Microsoft 365, one hour of Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi, and 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico.

  • Affordable per line price point
  • Microsoft 365 productivity service included
  • One hour of in-flight Wi-Fi service
  • 40GB of high-speed hotspot
  • 100GB of premium data

Business Unlimited Ultimate

$40 to $85 per line per month.

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For small businesses that want it all at reasonable per line prices, the new Business Unlimited Ultimate plan is for you. In addition to the unlimited talk, text, and data (with 5G included) small businesses also get unlimited premium data, 100GB of mobile hotspot, and Microsoft 365.

Streaming content is provided with unlimited 4K UHD quality, WiFi on your flight is unlimited, and data in 210 countries is twice as fast (256kbps) as the other T-Mobile small business plans.

  • Unlimited premium data
  • Unlimited WiFi on your flight
  • Microsoft 365 services included
  • 5GB of high speed data in Canada and Mexico

AT&T phone plans for businesses

After T-Mobile added Sprint subscribers to its total subscriber base, AT&T dropped to third in total subscriber count. However, AT&T is also well established as an enterprise service provider with  four enterprise options  available to customers. AT&T also serves as the backbone for the  FirstNet network  optimized for first responders.

Unlimited Your Way for Business

Starting at $30 per month.

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The Unlimited Your Way for Business plans allow up to 10 devices per plan group and are designed for small to medium-sized businesses. The more lines you add, up to 10 lines, the less expensive the starting price is for AT&T Business Unlimited Starter, Business Unlimited Performance, and Business Unlimited Elite. For 10 lines, the starting price is $30, $35, and $40 per line per month, respectively. For just a single line, these prices are $65, $75, and $85 per line per month, respectively.

Hotspot data allotments, priority data transmission, and higher definition streaming are features that improve as you move from the Starter tier to the Elite tier of service. Select the number of lines on the Unlimited Your Way website to view pricing for your company.

  • Price per line decreases with additional lines
  • Multiple tiers of service are offered
  • Limited to 10 lines of service
  • Priority data transmission restrictions
  • Hotspot data limits

AT&T Mobility Select - Pooled

Starting at $35 per month.

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Unlimited calls and text messages in the US, unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada, and unlimited texting from the US to more than 120 countries are included in the  AT&T Mobility Select - Pooled  plan service. Data is served up to each employee from a single shared pool for each business account.

Plans start at $35 per month, but potential customers need to contact AT&T to discuss specific details and plan pricing.

  • Affordable plan pricing
  • Unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada
  • Shared pool requires management to allocate

AT&T Mobile Share Plus for Business

Starting at $50 per month.

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The AT&T Mobile Share Plus for Business plan supports from one to 25 smartphone lines with various monthly data caps, ranging from 3GB to 120GB per phone. Pricing per phone starts at $50 per month for 3GB and goes up to $615 for one phone with 120GB of data.

Shareable data, rollover data, unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot service, and international talk, text, and data are provided with these plans.

  • Support for up to 25 lines of service
  • Rollover data support
  • Mobile hotspot service included
  • Data caps allocated by service option

AT&T Business 4GB

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Unlimited talk, text, and 4GB of data per line are provided with the AT&T Business 4GB  plan. Hotspot data and standard mobile security services are also provided with the plan. Pricing for smartphones starts at $50 per month, but further pricing requires consultation with an AT&T representative.

AT&T Business 4GB is available for tablets for $20 per month and for wearables for $10 per month. AT&T advertises this plan as best for small businesses.

  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Controlled pricing per each phone
  • Service options for tablets and wearables
  • 4GB data limit per each line

MVNO options for businesses

While the three major carriers offer focused business plans, there are also a few MVNOs that offer attractive per line plans that may work well for small businesses. MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are companies that use establish wireless carrier infrastructure to provide no or minimal contract options for customers. The MVNOs do not openly advertise which wireless carrier infrastructure they are using, but as soon as you insert a SIM into your phone, you can see which carrier is connected to which MVNO. MVNOs are optimized for consumers looking for phone service with no contracts and prepaid options, but these same elements may help small businesses control costs and adjust to market demands.

US Mobile for business

$9 per line and $2 per gb per month.

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Most MVNOs offer attractive per line prices with each account limited to five or six lines. US Mobile is one MVNO that actually provides shared data plans for companies of any size. Enter the number of lines you need and the amount of shared data to view your total monthly payment. 

A couple of examples include 50 lines with 100GB of data for $674 per month or 30 lines with 50GB of data for $385 per month. We had the opportunity to test out the two available US Mobile SIM cards and found the service to be fast and reliable.

  • Specific service offering for businesses
  • Scalable to your business size and line needs
  • Competitive $9 per line base fee
  • Verizon and T-Mobile serve as network providers
  • Data price per GB may be higher than unlimited plans

Mint Mobile

$30 per month per line.

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Mint Mobile is one of the most popular MVNOs thanks in large part to advertising by one of its owners, Ryan Reynolds. While there are no specific business plans, three/six/twelve month plans for individual phones are available starting as low as $30 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data.

T-Mobile provides the network for Mint Mobile's service so you will need GSM handsets for the service.

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data plan options
  • Flexibility for less expensive data limit plans
  • No specific business service plans
  • Limited to T-Mobile coverage area
  • Three available contract period options

Cricket Wireless

Starting at $25 per line per month.

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Cricket Wireless is an established MVNO, service provided by AT&T, that has retail stores around the country so you can get support and establish service in person if you desire. One to five lines can be setup for each account with measured data or unlimited data. Mobile hotspot data can also be added to each line.

4G LTE and 5G data is provided, along with international support, cloud storage, and more.

  • Established, trusted MVNO
  • Physical retail stores around the country
  • Unlimited and measured data plan options
  • No long term contract required
  • Service coverage area limited to AT&T network
  • Five line limit per account

What steps should a new business take to establish wireless service?

While this buying guide provides current pricing and service options from the three primary US wireless carriers and MVNOs, specific pricing for your business requires a conversation with the carrier to fully define your company needs, available service discounts, and contract lengths.

One of the first things to figure out is where you will need service geographically in the US as all three carriers have slightly different coverage maps. Your geographic operating area may remove one, or more, carriers from your viable candidate list. 

The next step is to determine how many lines of service you will need and then the data needs of those lines. Calling and text messages are unlimited in all cases, but data speed and amount of data will drive your costs.

Most carriers also offer additional incentives and services, such as hotspot, in-flight coverage, Microsoft 365, and more. Make sure to account for the value of these incentives in your decision-making process.

What are the disadvantages of a MVNO?

Most MVNOs are focused on the consumer market so business plan offerings for more than six lines of service are rare. Pricing can be very competitive and with no contracts these MVNOs may be attractive to businesses just getting started that do not want to lock in long-term contracts.

Account management may require more time from businesses given the consumer focus of MVNOs. MVNOs are also subject to the infrastructure provided by the big three US carriers, but there are several established MVNOs with solid reputation and a record of high-quality service and support.

What is the best business phone plan?

We analyzed reliability, coverage, and price to compile a list of the best phone plans for your business which includes: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Does the choice of my smartphone model limit wireless service?

In the past, the US wireless market was split into GSM and CDMA service technologies with two carriers supporting each of these technologies. Modern smartphones support LTE and 5G service without CDMA technology your choice of smartphone is not as limited.

The most popular smartphones in the US, Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, support all wireless technologies in the US wireless market so there are no limits on using these phones with any US carrier. If you purchase these phones directly from Samsung and Apple, then you can choose to purchase unlocked models.

Some phones are sold in a locked state so they can only be used on one specific carrier. This may be changing soon and there are processes to unlock your phone from your carrier if you decide to switch carriers. There used to be incentives for purchasing locked phones, but in today's world purchasing unlocked phones gives you the most flexibility for choosing your service provider.

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The best small business cell phone plans

Jackie Dove

Just as one shoe size can’t fit all, there’s no single cell phone plan that will suit every small company. But there are numerous high-quality plans that are worth considering as they strive to meet the needs of different types of businesses. To settle on the best cell phone plan for your business, you first want to figure out what kind of plan best fits your company.

How to choose a plan

Big four basics.

Business owners generally buy and pay for employee cell phones or plans or both when workers spend at least some part of their time off-site. With employees, you may want to track hours and data. In that case, to streamline operation and collaboration, a specialized business cell phone plan might be optimal. Today, more American businesses are accommodating work-at-home schedules that avoid meetings and travel, but note that quarantines and shelter-in-place orders will not last forever, so it’s a good idea to take the entire spectrum of your business activities into account.

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There are numerous factors to reflect on when choosing a cell phone plan for your small company. Here are some major issues you’ll want to consider.

Business design: Is your proposed plan built for businesses and scaled for business customers? If you’re a solopreneur or an extremely small company with just a handful of employees, you may be able to get away with a personal friends-and-family-type plan, as opposed to a bona fide business plan. But once you have more than a couple of employees, start to think bigger about scalabilities such as multiple lines, unlimited options on talk, text, and data, data-only plans for companies that don’t need talk or text, and discounts for more lines or devices.

Network coverage: Consider sound quality, data speeds, coverage, and overall dependability. Make sure the plan you choose has good coverage in the area where your employees are located or are traveling. If your employees travel internationally, choose from plans that have good rates for the target countries. Also, don’t forget about airline coverage and in-flight texting services.

Security:  Some cell phone business plans offer virtual private networks, encryption, and other features to protect your company’s data. That could be quite valuable, as it relieves you of having to research, choose, and pay for additional services.

Hardware: If you need to supply employees with handsets, consider the kinds of phones offered with the plans you’re considering, or whether employees prefer to use their own smartphones.

Hot spot: Some business environments just don’t have usable Wi-Fi, but you can use a cell phone signal to connect a wireless device to the internet with a mobile hotspot. For multiple device connections, look for a dedicated hotspot with a fast, stable, secure connection, as well as other services like call forwarding, voicemail, call hold, analytics, and call queuing.

Data: Business plans should be generous with data, but unlimited is best — unless you really do not need data to conduct business.

Customer service: Count on problems arising, and when they do, you or your employees will want someone reliable to call before customers and clients get restless.

Price: Price is always a factor, and sometimes the cheapest plans offer just the service and features you’re looking for. But for something as critical as your business communications, do not buy on price alone.

Just in case you’re also looking for the best all-around mobile cellular deals, have a look at our survey of the  best cell phone plans of 2020 and our report on the best prepaid cell phone plans . Meantime, below are some of the business-oriented plans available now.

AT&T offers several variations of its Mobility Rate Plans — Mobile Share Plus, Mobile Select Priority Pooled, and Business Unlimited Elite, plus several in between — tailored to your budget for $50, $55, and $85 per line per month. Designed for small- to medium-sized businesses, the Elite plan offers unlimited data, talk, and text for up to 10 devices. The Pooled plan gives employees a data allowance alongside pooled data within a single account. The Plus plan lets you share data across up to 10 or up to 25 business devices. All plans feature unlimited domestic talk and text and unlimited talk from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada, plus unlimited texts from the U.S. to over 120 countries, along with high definition video streaming. The Elite and Pooled plans also feature 5G . Data speeds may slow down with congestion past certain data points.

Verizon markets the Plan for Business, Business Unlimited, the New Verizon Plan, and the Flexible Business Plan specifically for small companies. The Plan for Business starts at $175 per month for up to 25 lines, with data plans ranging from 25GB to 200GB for various prices and topping out at $1,000 per month. All plans include carryover data, safety mode, calling to and from Mexico and Canada, use of your device in Mexico and Canada, and data boost costing $15 per 1GB. With all business plans, you can turn your device into an internet hotspot and send unlimited messages to more than 200 countries worldwide. Additional smartphones cost $15 per month.

Simple Choice for Business by T-Mobile costs $50 per line per month up to $110 per month for up to five lines. You can add $10 per line per month for 6 to 12 lines and up to 2GB of 4G LTE Data. You can call and text from any Wi-Fi connection, as your unused LTE data (up to 20GB) rolls forward for 12 months. The plan features unlimited calling and texting to and from Mexico and Canada, plus you get up to 5GB of data at 4G LTE speeds. If you’re looking for a more streamlined option, T-Mobile Essentials only costs $30 per month per line for four lines. It offers unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data, unlimited talk, text, 2G data in Mexico and Canada, and unlimited texting and flat-rate calling at 20 cents per minute in over 210 countries. An additional 10GB of high-speed 4G LTE mobile hotspot data will cost you $10 a month. For a more robust plan, the Magenta for Business plan is available for two, four, eight, and 12 lines for $60, $40, and $30 per month per line, respectively. It features 5G service, 3GB of 4G LTE hotspot data, plus unlimited 3G data, in-flight texting and data, unlimited data and texting in over 210 countries, and unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico. The included Digits program eliminates the need for separate work and personal phones, allowing you to access up to five numbers on one device and use one number across several devices.

RingCentral

RingCentral is a VoIP system that functions extremely well in an office setting. It supports unlimited calling and conferencing toll-free numbers and a customizable caller ID. Functionality is its primary priority; It supports useful features, like texting, online meetings, and faxing. When you use RingCentral, incoming calls go through the same call-routing system as your office phones. It helps make your office number into a portable communication system. You can call, text, and fax from your business number on any mobile device. The service could be used by two users to 1000 and offers four levels: Essentials, Standard, Premium, and Ultimate for $20, $25, $35, and $50, each with a free trial.

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless is a highly-rated and widely-used prepaid wireless service that prides itself on its affordability. It typically costs users from $30 to $60 per month. With Cricket Wireless, users can build their own custom phone plans. If you prefer a more basic plan with talk and text and no data, that’s manageable. You can build off that basic plan by adding data (2GB, 5GB, or unlimited), unlimited talk and text, picture messages, a mobile hotspot, and SD quality video streaming. If you often travel or need international coverage, that’s also manageable. You can add coverage for Canada and Mexico and unlimited text to 37 countries, HD Voice, and Wi-Fi calling from a compatible phone. Data-only plans of 20GB and 40GB are available for $35 and $50 per month, respectively, with Mexico and Canada coverage in the mix.

Republic Wireless

Consider Republic Wireless for your business if you don’t exactly need a phone network, but you do use a significant amount of Wi-Fi. This plan functions more like a virtual network than other cellular providers. The vendor relies on T-Mobile and Sprint networks when Wi-Fi is unavailable. The base plan is incredibly affordable, starting at $15 a month or $150 a year for unlimited talk and text. At this level, Republic Wireless charges $5 per gigabyte of data, up to 15GB. Fortunately, Republic won’t let a person’s bill skyrocket if they start to use too much data; Instead, the company disables data before you stretch past your limit. Using their data plan, users can also opt to make their smartphone a hotspot. One feature we enjoy about Republic is their Extend Home service. This feature allows people to connect their cell phones with their home phone to access contacts, receive calls, or make calls from one direct number using either of their phones.

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For the best phone deals relating to the Google Pixel 8 Pro, keep reading. Appreciating what a highly sought-after phone it continues to be, we’ve tracked down all the best Google Pixel 8 Pro deals currently available. Scroll down and you’ll find all the best prices along with everything you could want to know about the Google Pixel 8 Pro in case you still haven’t fully committed to buying one. Today's best Google Pixel 8 Pro deals The best Google Pixel 8 Pro deals are fairly varied. That means you can buy it unlocked at a great discount, but you can also trade in your old phone and acquire the Google Pixel 8 Pro at a super low price when you commit to a cell phone provider. Whatever feels like the best idea for you, take a look below at the highlights.

: Get the Google Pixel 8 Pro for $200 off and pay $799 instead of $999.

If you’ve been keeping a close eye on all the phone deals going on with a plan to buy the Samsung Galaxy S24, you need to keep reading. To save you the effort, we’ve collated everything you need to know about the best Samsung Galaxy S24 deals currently available. Many are only available for a short period of time so you’ll want to commit quickly. If that sounds like your intention, keep reading while we take you through what to do and where to buy. Today's best Galaxy S24 deals Thanks to the Samsung Galaxy S24 being the latest phone from Samsung, there are many deals available on it. Figuring out which one works best for you depends on if you need an unlocked model or if you’re happy with one tied to a network. Also, with trade-in deals a significant part of the discounting process, it’s worth seeing if different retailers offer different trade-in values.

: Get up to $550 instant trade-in credit with exclusive colors available and discounts on other Samsung devices

Smartwatches put important notifications from our phones on our wrists, track our health and fitness, and some can even stream music and make calls. The world's best-known technology brands make them, but a smartwatch is also a fashion statement, and some of the biggest names in watchmaking are on board, giving you a massive amount of choice when it comes time to buy one. Which one is the best?

For most people, we think the Apple Watch Series 9 is the best smartwatch, but only if you own an iPhone. We know there are just as many Android phone fans out there, and since the Apple Watch only works with an iPhone, you'll want the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

Office Technology | Buyer's Guide

6 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2024

Published January 18, 2024

Published Jan 18, 2024

Corey McCraw

REVIEWED BY: Corey McCraw

Sam Dadofalza

WRITTEN BY: Sam Dadofalza

This article is part of a larger series on VoIP .

  • 1 Best Business Cell Phone Plans Compared
  • 2 Verizon: Best for Mobile Hotspot and Premium Data
  • 3 RingCentral: Best for Streamlined Call Distribution
  • 4 AT&T: Best for Mobile Security
  • 5 Nextiva: Best for Toll-free Calling
  • 6 T-Mobile: Best for Global Communications
  • 7 Google Voice: Best for Budget-conscious Freelancers
  • 8 How We Evaluated the Best Business Cell Phone Plans
  • 9 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • 10 Bottom Line

The best business cell phone plans offer unlimited calls, texts, and mobile data, support remote work via mobile hotspot access, and enable communications with overseas contacts. They provide robust mobile security through proprietary apps for spam call detection and safe browsing. The plans have valuable add-on features such as subscriptions to streaming services and business tools. In this article, we outlined our top picks for business cell phone plans:

  • Verizon : Best for mobile hotspot and premium data
  • RingCentral : Best for streamlined call distribution
  • AT&T : Best for mobile security
  • Nextiva : Best for toll-free calling
  • T-Mobile : Best for global communications
  • Google Voice : Best for budget-conscious freelancers

Best Business Cell Phone Plans Compared

Verizon: best for mobile hotspot & premium data.

Verizon logo

What We Liked

  • Unlimited calling and texting in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
  • TravelPass offers 24 hours of unlimited talk and text in overseas locations and 2GB of high-speed international data
  • Huge discounts on tablets when subscribed to the Unlimited Pro plan

Where It Falls Behind

  • Expensive subscription plans, with the entry-level package starting at $70 per line, per month
  • Caller ID and personal block list feature are not available in the base-level plan
  • Mobile security requires a separate activation fee of $5 per device

Verizon Monthly Pricing*

  • Business Unlimited Start 5G: $70 per line for unlimited talk, text, and data, unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data, 5GB of 5G and 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, call filter, and 480p video streaming
  • Business Unlimited Plus 5G: $80 per line for 100GB of premium smartphone data and mobile hotspot data, enhanced security features, up to 4K video streaming, and TravelPass for two days (24 hours of unlimited talk and text, 2GB of high-speed international data, and then unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter)
  • Business Unlimited Pro 5G: $85 per line for unlimited premium smartphone data, 200GB of premium mobile hotspot data, TravelPass for four days, and 50% off on tablet plan

*Pay only $35, $45, or $50 per line for the tiered subscription plans when you get five or more lines. Secure $5 savings per month when you sign up for Auto Pay and paper-free billing.

Verizon is our top provider in this list of the best business cell phone plans, offering a generous allotment for mobile hotspot and premium data. This allows on-the-go professionals to have fast access to the internet wherever they are. The provider features 200GB of premium mobile hotspot data in its most expensive plan. While its direct competitor, AT&T, has the same maximum cellular data, Verizon’s mobile throttling speed is more tolerable.

AT&T slows down the speeds to a maximum of 128Kbps when you reach the data usage threshold. Verizon, on the other hand, reduces the speed to 600Kbps for 4G LTE and 5G and 3Mbps for 5G Ultra Wideband. Meanwhile, its premium data has no cap and won’t slow down based on the data used. On top of the excellent data offerings, Verizon has a range of business cell phones for small businesses, carrying top brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google.

The downside of using Verizon is that some of its call filtering features, like caller ID and personal block list, are not available in the entry-level plan. You must upgrade to the second-tier package, which costs $80 per line, monthly, to access those tools. Other business cell phone plans providers have these call filtering capabilities in their base-level subscription packages. You’ll save more with RingCentral , for instance, as it’s priced at $30 per user, per month.

Verizon Features

A smartphone screen showing Verizon’s spam filter feature, which is set to block high-risk phone calls and send them to voicemail.

Block high-risk calls automatically using Verizon’s spam filter. (Source: Verizon )

  • Call filter: Screen and block incoming spam calls and those from unwanted numbers. Upgrade to Call Filter Plus to access caller ID for robocall control and total spam protection.
  • Business Mobile Secure: Get alerts when a device tries to connect to unsecured Wi-Fi. It protects your phone against phishing and other cybersecurity risks.
  • Bring your own device (BYOD) : Verizon allows users to keep their smartphones and numbers when switching to the provider. Simply check your eligibility, bring your smartphone and number, and activate them with one of Verizon’s unlimited business plans.

RingCentral: Best for Streamlined Call Distribution

The RingCentral Logo.

  • Free local and toll-free numbers in all plans
  • 99.999% uptime guarantee, which translates to less than six minutes of annual downtime
  • Up to 200 video meeting participants
  • Only offers up to 200 business texting credits per user
  • Phone rentals are only available for those tied to a multi-year contract
  • Unlimited storage for files is locked behind the most expensive plan

RingCentral Monthly Pricing*

  • Core: $30 per user for unlimited domestic calling, local or toll-free numbers, 100 toll-free minutes, 25 short messaging service (SMS) credits, and multi-level auto-attendant
  • Advanced: $35 per user for 1,000 toll-free minutes, 100 SMS credits, advanced call queues, automatic and on-demand call recording, and up to eight-digit phone extensions
  • Ultra: $45 per user for 10,000 toll-free minutes, 200 SMS credits, and unlimited storage for files, messaging, and recordings
  • Free trial: 14 days

*Save up to 33% by paying annually. Volume discounts for 50-plus users are available.

RingCentral ranks second on our list of the best small business cell phone plans, most suitable for teams wanting to improve call management. Its wide array of voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) features route phone calls to team members more efficiently. For one, the multi-level auto-attendant automatically directs calls to the right departments based on the caller’s key presses. Its call queue accommodates up to 25 waiting calls.

The VoIP phone system supports various call routing modes: round-robin, sequential, and simultaneous. Aside from organizing the flow of inbound calls, these distribution methods ensure you won’t miss important customer queries.

Before choosing RingCentral, note that it only provides a maximum of 200 SMS credits per user. If you frequently send texts for marketing or customer service, explore other best cell phone plans businesses use, like Verizon and AT&T , which offer unlimited texting.

RingCentral Features

RingCentral interface showing the voicemail tab with a message from "Sara Bennett".

Get an overview of all your voicemail messages on RingCentral. (Source: RingCentral )

  • Visual voicemail: Access and manage your voicemail through RingCentral’s admin portal. Instead of listening to audio files and playing them repeatedly to get the details of the message, read the voicemails. Users have the option to preview, delete, and forward these messages.
  • Team huddle: Let team members hold spontaneous virtual meetings that resemble face-to-face, informal huddles. Easily host audio and video conferences where participants come and go as they please.
  • Video conferencing: Host virtual meetings for up to 200 participants. If you get the large meeting add-on, your sessions will be able to accommodate a maximum of 500 attendees.

AT&T: Best for Mobile Security

AT&T logo

  • Unlimited texting from the U.S. to 200+ countries
  • All subscription plans feature mobile app security
  • Waived activation fees for new customers who buy plans and devices online
  • More expensive subscription plans compared to other providers listed here
  • 5G+ is available in limited parts of select cities only
  • Hotspot data speed slows to a maximum of 128Kbps when your allotted data is consumed

AT&T Monthly Pricing*

  • Standard: $70 per line for unlimited talk, text, and data within and between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, 5G/5G+ access, 5GB of mobile hotspot data, basic ActiveArmor security, and standard-definition video streaming
  • Advanced: $80 per line for 100GB of mobile hotspot data, advanced ActiveArmor security, and high-definition 1080p video streaming
  • Premium: $90 per line for 200GB mobile hotspot data, high-definition 4K video streaming, and unlimited talk, text, and data in Latin America

*Pay only $40, $45, or $50 for the tiered subscription plans when you get six or more lines. Secure a $10 discount when you sign up for AutoPay and paperless billing.

AT&T is the best cell phone plan for businesses prioritizing the privacy of confidential company information. Among the providers mentioned in this list, it offers the most comprehensive mobile security through the AT&T ActiveArmor app. This app offers spam risk call blocking, safe browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and identity monitoring. The last one involves tracking the dark web for your personal information.

On top of these key features, you’ll be able to receive data breach alerts, run reverse number lookups, identify unknown caller details, and get information about your Android smartphone if it gets lost or stolen. While AT&T offers excellent mobile security among the best cell phone plans for small businesses listed, its data offering may be a deal-breaker. It slows down the hotspot data to a maximum of 128Kbps when the user hits their data cap.

In contrast, Verizon’s mobile throttling speed is 600Kbps, a more acceptable speed for professionals who need to stay connected. Consider this option if you need internet access when working remotely. The provider offers some valuable mobile security features as well, such as Wi-Fi protection and robocall blocking.

AT&T Features

An iPhone showing the settings for cellular data options with the data roaming toggled on and the voice and data configured to LTE.

Turn on data roaming when traveling internationally. (Source: AT&T )

  • Video streaming: Watch shows on your smartphone in standard definition, high-definition, or ultra-high definition, depending on your plan. To control data usage, AT&T’s Video Management feature automatically renders streaming video in standard definition.
  • International roaming: Call, text, and use mobile data in Latin America with no usage limits. This lets you communicate with colleagues and customers whenever needed, wherever you may be.
  • Mobile hotspot: Plug your devices into your hotspot and secure your internet connection instantly. With AT&T’s broad coverage nationwide, you’ll connect and work remotely without the hassle.

Nextiva: Best for Toll-free Calling

The Nextiva Logo.

  • High-definition voice is featured in all subscription plans
  • Number porting is free of charge
  • Lets users bring their own device
  • Only allows a 45-minute duration in video calls
  • SMS isn't available in the entry-level plan
  • Users must upgrade to the most expensive package to access call recording and voicemail transcription

Nextiva Monthly Pricing*

  • Essential: $30.95 per user for free local and toll-free numbers, up to 1,500 toll-free minutes, auto-attendant, and call history
  • Professional: $35.95 per user for up to 3,000 toll-free minutes, multi-level auto-attendant, voicemail-to-SMS, and a maximum of 1,000 messages sent and received per user
  • Enterprise: $45.95 per user for up to 12,500 toll-free minutes, call recording, a maximum of 2,000 messages sent and received per user, and voicemail transcription

*Save up to 33% by paying annually. Volume discounts are available for more than four users.

Nextiva is included in this list of the best cell phone plans for small businesses, ideal for companies catering to a national client base because of its generous toll-free minute allowance. It offers a maximum of 12,500 toll-free minutes, allowing customers from different parts of the country to reach out to the business without any charge.

The provider’s call management features, specifically the multi-level auto-attendant, call queueing, call park, and five-digit phone extensions, make accommodating several customer queries easier. The threaded conversations, which put all customer interactions from different channels in one interface, help users be more organized in addressing concerns.

One disadvantage you need to know before subscribing to Nextiva is that its video calls only last for 45 minutes. Consider other best cell phone plans for businesses if you frequently go on long video calls for client and team discussions. RingCentral is a good option, as its video meetings have a duration of 24 hours.

Nextiva Features

Nextiva settings displaying the user's name, status, and the features from top to bottom: "Call Settings," "Preferences," "About," "Help," and "Sign Out".

Set your status on Nextiva to let colleagues know if you’re available for a call. (Source: Nextiva )

  • Call recording: Capture phone calls and store the recordings to secure a reliable reference for business deals and agreements. These files may serve as training materials for new customer service representatives in the future.
  • Call presence: Know who among colleagues is available for calls. The phone system’s presence displays user status: available, on a call, unavailable (do not disturb), or offline.
  • Call pop: See who’s on the other end of the line before answering a call. Refer to the call pop feature to know the customers’ last interaction, account value, and experience score or customer sentiment.

T-Mobile: Best for Global Communications

T-Mobile logo

  • Offers valuable productivity tools, like Microsoft 365 license
  • Add-ons, like extra high-speed hotspot and high-definition streaming, offer flexibility when users need additional data
  • All plans have dedicated customer care services
  • Wi-Fi for traveling isn't available in the entry-level plan
  • Reverse number lookup tool is only available at the most expensive subscription package
  • Netflix subscription is locked behind the Ultimate plan

T-Mobile Monthly Pricing*

  • Select: $60 per line for 50GB of premium data, unlimited mobile hotspot with 5GB of data, unlimited international texting and up to 5GB of data in 11 countries, and unlimited calling, texting, and data in Mexico and Canada with up to 5GB of data
  • Advanced: $70 per line for 100GB of premium data, unlimited mobile hotspot with 50GB of data, four full-flight Wi-Fi sessions a year, and secure Wi-Fi without additional charge
  • Ultimate: $85 per line for unlimited premium data and unlimited mobile hotspot with 100GB of data

*Pay only $25, $30, or $40 per line for the tiered subscription plans when you get six lines.

T-Mobile is our top pick for international communications among the listed small business cell phone plans, given its attractive travel benefits. For one, you’ll have access to in-flight Wi-Fi with streaming on select airlines, namely Alaska, American, Delta, and United. To use the service, you must have your Wi-Fi calling settings enabled. The in-flight solutions cover video streaming, text and picture messaging, visual voicemail, and over-the-top messaging.

On top of that, you have unlimited international texting and data in more than 215 overseas locations. The high-speed data is capped at 5GB per month, and the unlimited data is up to 256Kbps. If you’re traveling to Mexico or Canada, maximize the unlimited talk, text, and data of up to 5GB.

One downside of choosing T-Mobile is that the business cell phone plan has a more expensive subscription when you want to secure unlimited premium data. You must upgrade to its highest-tier package, which costs $85 per line, monthly. Verizon is slightly more affordable at $80 per line.

T-Mobile Features

A smartphone screen showing T-Mobile’s scam shield app with an alert that the scam block is on and that 72 spam calls were blocked in the last 30 days.

Block spam calls automatically using T-Mobile’s Scam Shield app. (Source: T-Mobile )

  • Microsoft 365 access: Higher T-Mobile plans like the Advanced and Ultimate packages come with a single Microsoft Office license. Access popular productivity tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and collaboration features, such as Microsoft Teams and OneDrive (1TB cloud storage).
  • Scam Shield: This feature automatically identifies and prevents spam calls, which may put your security at risk or negatively affect productivity. It features a caller ID that displays callers’ information even on numbers not registered on your contact list. Additionally, it provides a proxy number to keep your real phone number private.
  • T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get exclusive access to free offers and attractive deals from different brands on T-Mobile’s app. The perks include prizes and discounts on food, fuel, hotel stays, gadgets, and app subscriptions.

Google Voice: Best for Budget-conscious Freelancers

Google Voice logo

  • Service level agreement (SLA) is offered in all subscription plans
  • Offers seamless access to other Google apps, like Calendar and Meet
  • Google AI blocks spam calls automatically
  • Doesn’t have call recording in the entry-level plan
  • Users must subscribe to the most expensive package to access advanced reporting
  • Lacks advanced VoIP features other providers offer, like toll-free minutes and call monitoring

Google Voice Monthly Pricing

  • Personal: Free for one user, local phone number, unlimited calls and text messages within the United States (U.S.), and voicemail
  • Starter: $10 per user for up to 10 users, calls to the U.S., Canada, and most European countries, unlimited text messaging within the U.S., voicemail transcription, and integration with Calendar and Meet
  • Standard: $20 per user for unlimited users, multi-level auto-attendant, ring groups, and eDiscovery for calls, voicemails, and text messages
  • Premier: $30 per user for unlimited international locations, advanced reporting, and automatic call recording

Google Voice is our top-recommended small business phone plan for budget-conscious freelancers, as it’s the most affordable solution in this list. For only $10, you’ll have unlimited calls within the U.S., Canada, and select European countries and unlimited texts within the U.S. Solopreneurs who only need a second phone number and unlimited domestic calling will benefit from the Personal plan, which is free of charge.

The VoIP provider is likewise an excellent option for freelancers who are already working with other Google products. It seamlessly integrates with Calendar and Meet, so if you need to switch to a longer huddle with colleagues and clients, the video conferencing feature is easily accessible.

But unlike other small business VoIP services , Google Voice doesn’t have advanced VoIP tools like toll-free minutes and call monitoring. RingCentral is your best option if these features are essential to your business communications. It offers up to 10,000 toll-free minutes and call monitoring tools, like whisper, barge, and takeover.

Google Voice Features

A smartphone screen showing an alert of an incoming Google Voice call labeled as "Suspected spam caller".

Get spam call alerts from Google Voice. (Source: Google Voice )

  • Multi-level auto-attendant: Send callers to different departments by letting them choose from a phone menu. Record your greetings using Google Voice’s text-to-speech tool or uploading a professionally recorded audio.
  • Enhanced spam protection: The phone system automatically labels spam calls as such using advanced artificial intelligence. On top of this, it marks suspicious text messages on Android and iOS devices.
  • Ring groups: Delegate a ring group to a specific Google Voice user. A ring group manager will be able to configure the ring group members, call routing rules, ring duration settings, and working hours.

Manage your VoIP costs better by exploring pay-as-you-go and prepaid VoIP options. Take into account your business and communication priorities as you consider the providers mentioned in our buyer’s guide.

How We Evaluated the Best Business Cell Phone Plans

To assess the providers objectively, we developed a scoring rubric that takes into account companies’ considerations when choosing business cell phone plans. These factors include subscription costs, essential features like unlimited calling, spam call blocking, and international calling, and customer service hours. The popularity of each vendor was likewise a part of our assessment.

Learn how we evaluated the top cell phone plans for business by clicking on the tabs below:

  • General Features
  • Advanced Features
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Expert Score

20% of Overall Score

To determine if the vendors have an accessible pricing point, we considered the entry-level plan’s fees and the number of subscription packages offered. We assigned higher points to those providing annual and volume discounts and free plans.

25% of Overall Score

The general features we looked at were unlimited calling, call forwarding, and call routing. Similarly, we assessed how robust the third-party integrations are.

The niche features include tools improving security and international communications. We gave more points to those with spam blockers, in-flight texting, and international calling support. Those with video meeting features earned more points as well.

10% of Overall Score

Since not all users are tech-savvy, we considered how easy it is to set up accounts and maximize the features offered by the provider. We checked if the vendors’ proprietary apps’ interfaces are beginner-friendly.

The customer support channels we included in our evaluation were live chat, phone, and email. We considered the schedule of customer service, giving more points to those with 24/7 operations.

15% of Overall Score

The vendors’ standout features and ease of use were part of our expert score. We checked third-party review websites to evaluate their level of popularity among professionals. In addition, we evaluated the feature inclusions for every subscription plan to determine if they provide great value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is the best cell phone carrier for coverage.

According to the Federal Communications Commission’s national broadband map, AT&T and Verizon have the broadest 4G LTE coverage, covering 56.95% and 55.9% of the country, respectively. Meanwhile, T-Mobile covers 35.3%. AT&T and Verizon are excellent options if you prioritize coverage.

How fast is Verizon’s 4G LTE?

Verizon 4G LTE can accommodate download speeds between 5 and 12Mbps and upload speeds between 2 and 5Mbps.

How do I choose the best cell phone plan?

In a nutshell, these are the factors you must consider when comparing cell phone plans:

  • Data and voice coverage: Check the carriers’ coverage maps to see if your business areas are included. Ask contacts as well which providers work well in different locations.
  • Device options: If you plan to get a new device, see if your carrier offers your preferred brands and models. Meanwhile, if you plan to stick to your existing phone, ensure your phone plan provider supports BYOD.
  • Plan inclusions: Compare the high-speed data limits for each provider’s unlimited data offerings. If you frequently travel for work, check if there’s mobile hotspot access included in the plan. Those traveling overseas should benefit from a package that features international coverage. If you choose VoIP platforms, check if the plan includes a toll-free minute allowance and robust call routing tools.
  • Subscription rates: Determine how much you will spend on your mobile plan each month. When comparing quotes, consider the taxes and fees on top of the subscription rates. Note that some providers offer discounts for bulk lines and enrollment in AutoPay and paperless billing. VoIP vendors provide discounted prices for those who choose annual billing.

Bottom Line

Your cell phone plan of choice ultimately depends on your calling and texting habits, travel frequency, and monthly budget. The best providers offer affordable packages, unlimited calling, and essential features like call forwarding and call routing. They offer robust support for remote work and mobile security and make availing new devices easier.

In our evaluation, Verizon reigns supreme over the best business cell phone plans, especially for on-the-go employees who need reliable internet connection wherever they are. With its broad coverage nationwide, premium data offerings, and unlimited talk and text features, you’ll be able to stay connected to your customers and colleagues, regardless of your location.

Visit Verizon

About the Author

Sam Dadofalza

Sam Dadofalza

Sam is an office tech writer at Fit Small Business, covering various topics including virtual phone systems, contact center platforms, and unified communications tools. She produced content for the digital marketing campaigns of small businesses from different industries and countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, and the Philippines.

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The Top Small Business Cell Phone Plans for 2023

Find out more about the best small business cell phone plans with customer rating, pricing information and frequently asked questions.

Updated on September 21st, 2023

The SMB Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

4.5 out of 5 overall

  • Widest U.S. coverage.
  • 5G coverage
  • Solid network coverage.
  • No overages.
  • Access to 20M WiFi hotspots.
  • Unlimited talk and text.

Business cell phone plans are offered by phone carriers to help small businesses have affordable access to a reliable phone network. Businesses are often eligible for discounts when they add more numbers or opt for additional monthly features.

Best Small Business Phone Systems for 2023

Get information on the top business phone systems, including pricing, reviews, and answers to common questions.

Feb 6, 2023

Why We Chose Verizon, AT&T, and Xfinity Mobile:

Verizon is one of the largest network providers in the United States . With plans for as little as four employees, Verizon offers phone packages suitable for small and large teams. All of Verizon's phone bundles include great unlimited features, including unlimited calling, texting, and data while in Canada and Mexico.

Verizon is ideal for businesses that plan on supplying their employees with handsets . The network provider offers nearly 100 different iOS and Android phones and tablets for teams that are constantly on the go.

All of AT&T's plans offer great unlimited features , including unlimited data and calling in Canada and Mexico, as well as unlimited international texting, domestic calling, and free domestic roaming. AT&T's Business Unlimited Plan comes in three variations: Starter, Performance, and Elite. With all three plans, users also have access to 5G network.

Xfinity Mobile offers a large variety of plans for businesses to choose from , with prices ranging between $30.00 and $240.00 per line. Thanks to its multi-line pricing system, businesses pay less as more lines are added to their plan. Xfinity Mobile also offers 4G LTE and 5G network access, making it great for employees who are always on the move.

Things to Consider When Evaluating Small Business Cell Phone Plans:

  • Carefully consider the contract as most plans require business owners to sign up for extended contract periods of one to two years.
  • Check coverage and compare it to where your employees live and travel. Some cell companies offer better coverage in rural areas, others offer much less expensive international plans.
  • Keeping up with the latest in phone technology could be important to your business, so see how often the contract entitles you to new phones.

Best Business Cell Phone Plans:

How to choose a business cell phone plan:, 1. look at your business's communication needs..

Every business's communication needs will vary. For example, construction companies will require a smartphone with excellent data access for teams that are on the move and working on different sites, while call center teams will only require wireless services and ordinary phones.

International Phone Plans

See our list of top international phone plans, which includes ranking and frequently asked questions.

Sep 19, 2023

Carrier Strengths:

2. choose a plan designed for businesses..

Look for plans with multiple lines and unlimited talk, text, or data options. In addition, your plan should be tailored to fit your specific business. If you won't require talk options, look into business text and email plans.

3. Make good network coverage a priority.

Your plan should have excellent coverage in your area, especially if your business requires strong talk capabilities. Consider sound quality, speed, and network coverage. More importantly, your network coverage should be reliable in urban and remote areas.

Best Network Coverage:

T-Mobile provides the widest network coverage, making it the best fit for businesses that operate in urban areas. Since acquiring Sprint's network in 2020, T-Mobile's network coverage has grown exponentially, narrowly surpassing Verizon's coverage in the U.S.

4. Look for strong security features.

Instead of paying for a separate network security service, look into network providers that include VPNs and encryption with their cell phone plans. Your business's private information is a top priority and with so many open networks, you'll want to ensure your and customer's information is secure.

Best Security Features:

5. purchase hardware..

You can either ask employees to use their own smartphones or you can supply them with hardware. This option should only be considered if your business has off-site teams. Look into the hardware and handsets on offer and compare the plans that offer data and hardware bundles.

Common Cell Phone Plan Offers:

  • Reduced costs as the number of lines and devices increase.
  • Multiple lines and devices free of charge.
  • International coverage.
  • Data-only plans.
  • Unlimited options for talk, data, and/or text.

More Related Articles:

  • Best call tracking software .
  • Small business VoIP providers .
  • Top business phone systems .
  • Best Business Internet Providers .

Who has the best small business cell phone plans?

  • Xfinity Mobile .
  • RingCentral .
  • Cricket Wireless .
  • Metro PCS .

What is the average cost of small business cell phone plans?

The cheapest business cell phone plans are usually in the $15.00 to $30.00 per month range, while a complete business cell phone package could cost $60.00 or more per line per month.

What carrier has the best small business smartphone plans?

In terms of cost, Republic Wireless has some of the best cheap business phone plans for smartphones. However, Verizon has the best data coverage and features, meaning you can use your smartphone to access emails and business documents almost anywhere.

Who are the best business phone providers?

What is the best business cell phone plan for companies with less than 10 employees.

It really depends on what features your employees need on their phones, but most businesses with 10 employees or less can find an affordable plan that suits them.

How do I know what the best cell phone plan for my small business is?

The best way to find the best small business mobile phone plans is to do a small business cell phone plan comparison. Compare current offers from several providers to find out who can give you the best deal.

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best cell phone plan for small business

  • Business Phone Systems /

The 8 Best Business Cell Phone Plans

Smartphone with apps

  • 2. RingCentral
  • 7. Net2Phone

How Did We Compare the Best Business Cell Phone Plans?

Our rigorous research reveals that 8×8 offers the best business cell phone plan, scoring an almost perfect 4.7/5 in our overall analysis. Equipped with the most comprehensive list of features , 8×8 offers the mobility you need out of a cell phone plan. RingCentral follows close behind with its formidable inbound communication features and scalability .

In this article, we’ll be exploring the top eight business VoIP plans that are accessible via cell phone. We’ll be focusing on domestic and international minutes, SMS capability, and all the features you’ll be looking for in a cell phone plan. Below you will find an  overview for each contender that is sure to help you decide which VoIP to choose for your team.

Alternatively, get expert recommendations specially made for your team with our free quote comparison tool . Just answer a few questions about your business requirements, and we’ll get you connected with the best VoIP providers that match your business’ needs. They will then contact you with tailored, obligation-free quotes.

1. 8×8: Best Overall Business Cell Phone Plan Provider

8x8 logo

8x8 leads the pack with an outstanding overall score of 4.7/5 . Right off the bat, 8x8 offers unlimited domestic minutes from its cheapest (Express) plan, allowing you to connect to anyone within the country. On the next pricing tier (X2), you’ll have unlimited international calls to 14 countries added to your features. This will extend to 48 countries when you upgrade to the X4 plan, giving you smoother communication with your team and clients across the globe.

Scoring the highest in features (4.8/5) , 8x8’s plans include call forwarding and call flip to transfer current calls to another user or another gadget, increasing your mobility while you work. It also offers voicemail-to-text, call queue, and ring groups from its X2 plan and above. Plus, advanced features, like power dialer and predictive dialing are also available on X6 to X8 plans for an additional cost. It’s also worth noting that 8x8 ranks first in  our research for customer support (5/5), security (5/5), and scalability (4.9/5).  

The catch is, 8x8 has a user limit of 10 on its cheapest  plan (Express) . That’s far from Vonage, which offers no user limit across all its pricing tiers. Regardless, 8x8’s user limit will be taken down as you upgrade to the next plan.

Most comprehensive list of features

Up to 500 video conferencing participants per meeting

Extensive customer support channels

Widest range of pricing options

Mediocre customer score

Power dialer, predictive calling, and auto-dialer only available at an additional cost

2. RingCentral: Best for Small to Medium Businesses

RingCentral logo

RingCentral is our runner-up because it achieved the highest scores for external connections (4.2/5), customer support (5/5), and scalability (4.9/5). More specifically, RingCentral plans have near perfect scalability with over 250 software integrations gearing your smartphone  with the essential tools to help manage businesses.  Because of these reasons, our researchers deemed RingCentral the best for small to medium businesses in our research. 

It provides unlimited domestic minutes across all of its plans and it lets you port your existing number when you switch to RingCentral. Notably, it boasts a splendid list of inbound communication features, including a virtual receptionist , customizable greetings , and hold music .. It also has voicemail-to-text, allowing you to convert your voicemails into text messages. RingCentral also has an SMS functionality, and can integrate with Whatsapp, Facebook, Slack, and Hangouts Chat.  

The disadvantage is that many outbound communication features, like auto dialer and custom call lists, require RingCentral Engage on all plans . Apart from this, it has a 20 user limit on its cheapest, the Essential plan. Luckily, RingCentral becomes unlimited when you upgrade to the Standard plan. If you’re planning to expand your business, Vonage has no user limit across all plans and allows you to choose the features you only want to include on your plan.

Up to 97 CRM integrations and 57 analytics platforms

An array of advanced call features on Premium and Ultimate plans

Some features require RingCentral Engage

Bulk of integrations only available on Premium and Ultimate plans

▶ Read more: The Best Small Business Phone Systems

3. Vonage: Best for Scaling Businesses

Vonage logo

Vonage offers a unique proposal, boasting over 50 communication features you can choose to include into your plan. This essentially means you’re building your own plan, only adding and paying for the functionalities you need on your cellphone. This sees it score a high 4.5/5 feature score .

Vonage offers unlimited users and unlimited domestic minutes on every plan. Not to mention, it allows you to port your business number so you can keep your professional and personal calls separated. Another plus is that it offers various call features, such as set caller ID, external video calling, team messaging, and spam prevention . 

That said, the advanced features, like voicemail-to-text and call queue, are only available at an additional cost. These functionalities help you manage incoming calls and are offered free by 8x8 and RingCentral. Another drawback is, Vonage’s call conferencing is limited to three participants. If you plan to use this feature for a large group meeting, you would have to pay an extra fee to increase its capacity to 30 users. Even SMS, a fundamental feature in cell phone plans like Ooma and Net2Phone, requires an additional cost for Vonage users.

Affordable plans

A variety of inbound communication features

Wide customer support channels

Most advanced features cost extra

No 24/7 live support

4. Ooma: Best for Low-Cost 24/7 Support

Ooma logo

Ooma’s noteworthy key factor is its excellent customer service (4.4/5 ) alongside very affordable plans. For as low as $19.95 per user, per month, you’ll get 24/7 customer support , giving you fast, reliable assistance whenever you need it.

What’s more, you’ll get unlimited user and domestic minutes across all plans. Ooma is also packed with inbound communication features, such as customizable greetings, voicemail, voicemail-to-text, and virtual receptionist . Plus, it also allows number porting on every plan, so you can keep your business number separated from your personal one on your smartphone. 

However, unlike 8x8 and RingCentral, Ooma lacks management and collaboration features like team messaging and call transcripts to help you supervise and work with your team while you’re on your smartphone. Plus, it’s missing important security features for your cell phone, like user permission and multi-factor authentication .

24/7 live support

Affordable pricing tiers

Limited integration capabilities

Poor security features

Lack of outbound features

5. Nextiva: Best for Flexible Set Up

Scoring 4.3/5 in our research, Nextiva provides unlimited users, unlimited domestic calls, and number porting across all its plans. But what makes it stand out is its flexible set up. Nextiva offers you versatility to work efficiently whether you’re on mobile or in the office.  First, it has an impressive list of inbound communication features, including voicemail, spam prevention, and ring groups, so you won’t miss any important call. Likewise, you can have more mobility with features like call flip and call forwarding that transfer calls to another gadget or another user.  Lastly, it offers a good set of collaboration features like team messaging and task management to help you efficiently work with your team even while on the go. 

Do note that many essential features are missing in some plans, seeing Nextiva earn a mediocre 3.9/5 features score . You only gain access to SMS and call and video conferencing on its Professional and Enterprise plans. Likewise, you can only get voicemail-to-text and call recordings when you upgrade to the Enterprise plan. That’s quite a contrast from 8x8 and Dialpad, which offer these functionalities for free across all pricing tiers. Plus, it lacks advanced outbound communication features, like a power dialer and predictive dialing, which 8x8 offers to help you contact people easier.

Award-winning 24/7 customer support

Real-time system status alerts

Great customer feedback

Below average security features

Limited outbound communication features

▶ Read more: Softphone Apps for Business – Everything You Need To Know

6. GoTo: Best for Low-Price Longevity

GoTo logo

Check out GoTo Connect if you want a long-term plan that has good value for your money. For $24 per user, per month, you’ll get unlimited users, unlimited domestic minutes, and number porting . The best part, GoTo offers free international calling to more than 50 countries . In addition to this, you’ll get an integral list of inbound communication features, such as voicemail, voicemail-to-text, and a virtual receptionist . Because of these call features, combined with high-security measures, our researchers also gave GoTo a high 4.4/5 scalability score .

With good value for money (4.3/5) and strong scalability (4.4/5 ), our researchers named GoTo the best for low-cost longevity. This means GoTo is adaptable enough to partner with you from starting your business to scaling globally. In other words, it can evolve as your business expands.

The drawback is that GoTo’s SMS/chat feature can only be used within your organization . It also lacks external live chat integrations, so you won’t be able to chat with customers. On the contrary, 8x8 and RingCentral allow you to send SMSes outside of your team and have chat integrations, like Slack.

Offers great value for money

Very easy to scale

Glowing reputation among users

Smaller variety of features

Few ready-made integrations

No 24/7 user support channels

7. Net2Phone: Best for Low-Cost International Calling

Net2Phone prides itself on being the only VoIP that offers free international calling to more than 40 countries across all of its plans. This means you can freely speak and collaborate with your team across countries without being bound by a time limit or fees.

On top of this, Net2Phone lets you set up virtual phone numbers in over 500 countries and 300 cities. So, if you plan to make waves in Europe, the Americas, or Asia, this VoIP will help you establish your presence without breaking the bank. This is why our researchers rated Ne2Phone the best VoIP for low-cost international calling. 

Net2Phone also offers a bountiful set of inbound features, including customizable greetings and hold music, voicemail, and virtual receptionist . As for outbound communications, you’ll get a set caller ID, call and video conferencing, and SMS/chat across all plans.

The disadvantage is that it’s missing call flip, so you can’t switch from your deskphone to your cell phone while on a call. Also, voicemail-to-text is only available on its highest plan (Office Power). Plus, it only has Slack for live messaging integrations, which is only available on its Office Power plan. If you want a more comprehensive features list, check out 8x8 and RingCentral.

Unlimited minutes to 40+ countries across all plans

99.9% uptime guarantee

Limited software integrations

Lacks call flip, barge, or whisper

Call queue is only available on the highest plan

8. Dialpad: Best for Conversational AI

best cell phone plan for small business

Dial impressed us with its generous list of inbound and outbound communication features across all plans, scoring 4.4/5 features score . Take advantage of functionalities that boost your work mobility, like call forwarding and call flip that transfer your calls to another gadget or user. More importantly, you’ll find many essential and advanced features like SMS/Chat, power dialer, and spam prevention across all its plans. 

The most impressive thing about Dialpad is its focus on technology — incorporating high-quality conversational AI to decipher and analyze your calls. This is most useful for features like call transcript and voicemail-to-text that allows you to transcribe and record conversations, even while on your cell phone.

Unfortunately, Dialpad falls short on external connections, earning a low integrability score of 2.4/5 . As opposed to 8x8’s 10 live chat integrations, Dialpad only has Slack. Luckily, it has its own SMS/chat and team messaging, so you can still reach your team in an instant.

24/7 reliable customer service

An impressive list of communication features

Stellar customer reviews

Limited external connections

Low scalability

▶ Read more: The Best Cloud Phone Systems for US Businesses

Our team of software researchers compared the top business cell phone plans in the US, analyzing key categories, including the following:

  • Price – the plan's cost and value for your money
  • Integrability – the software's ability to integrate with other platforms, such as Salesforce, Slack, and GSuite
  • Features – the tools that define inbound and outbound communications, conversations, management, and collaboration functionalities
  • Customer Support – the customer support channels available, such as phoneline, chat, and email
  • Customer Score – average consumer review scores across the most trusted review sites: G2, Capterra, Trustpilot, and TrustRadius
  • Security – the security measures the vendor enforces to protect your data
  • Scalability – an aggregated score that assesses a product's ability to scale with business growth

As a result, we've narrowed it down to the top 8 business cell phone plans in the US, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks.

Once we collect the scores from these key factors, we then calculate the final score of each VoIP plan and rank them based on their overall performance.

While many VoIP systems offer great business cell phone plans, we recommend 8×8 because of its solid overall performance. RingCentral comes in a close second, tying with 8×8 in the final scores (4.7/5) . But the reason why our researchers say 8×8 is the best is because it ranks first across four categories: features, customer support, security, and scalability .

Boasting a robust list of functionalities, 8×8 will give you the high performance and mobility you’re looking for in a cell phone plan. Meanwhile, RingCentral is unrivaled in integrability and excelling in customer support and scalability . While 8×8 provides a generous list of external connections, it’s nowhere near RingCentral’s over 250 software integrations. This brings a lot of convenience, especially when you use a lot of apps on your smartphone.

If you are still undecided about which VoIP to choose for your business, try our free quote comparison tool . All you need to do is take our quick survey, and We will match you up with the best VoIP providers. They will be in touch with obligation-free quotes that are customized to your needs.

▶ Read next: The best office phones for business
  • Separate your professional and personal calls
  • Achieve work mobility and take calls from anywhere
  • Transfer calls to your team when you’re busy
  • Protect your privacy by keeping your personal number private

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  • Electronics
  • Smartphones

The Best Cell Phone Plans

A phone with a scenic lock screen next to a cup of coffee.

If you haven’t looked at what your cell phone bill might be under a new plan or on a new service, you should check now. In recent years prices have come down and data allocations have gone up, especially among the dozens of smaller carriers reselling services from the big three. But as always, most deals come with a catch.

There isn’t one carrier or plan that we can recommend for everyone, but T-Mobile’s Magenta plan is best for unlimited data, and AT&T’s Unlimited Extra plan offers the most comprehensive coverage. We also have picks for people with more specific needs.

The research

Why you should trust us, how we picked, what’s the deal with 5g, best for the most data: t-mobile magenta/go5g, coverage first: at&t, multiple-line plans: consumer cellular or google fi, the cheapest plan: mint mobile, how to determine which network has the best coverage for you, how much data do you need, should you buy postpaid, prepaid, or resold service, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve covered the wireless industry since the late 1990s . I’ve tested smartphones and cell phone plans from all the major carriers—the historic foursome of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, plus Nextel before then—for the Washington Post, USA Today, CNN Money, Discovery News, VentureBeat, and others, and I now cover tech and telecom issues for Fast Company, PCMag, and other sites, including trade publications like Light Reading and FierceTelecom. And in July 2021, I put in more than a thousand miles of drive testing from Baltimore to Atlanta for PCMag’s Fastest Mobile Networks project, following that with almost 1,700 more miles of drive testing in the 2022 edition of that project.

We limited this guide to the most widely used national options—starting with the three biggest nationwide carriers and their prepaid services and subsidiaries, and then adding services that have ranked high in surveys conducted by sites and organizations such as PCMag , the American Customer Satisfaction Index , and J.D. Power .

We excluded contenders available only in parts of the US, including the regional carrier U.S. Cellular and the resold services of cable firms such as Comcast and Spectrum, which require subscriptions to their residential broadband to get their advertised pricing or to sign up at all. Last, we cut prepaid services that required separate purchases of data, texts, or voice minutes to meet any of our monthly usage quotas.

That process left us with the following services to assess:

  • AT&T Wireless , its prepaid program , and its prepaid brand Cricket Wireless
  • T-Mobile , its prepaid option , its Metro by T-Mobile brand, and Mint Mobile , a T-Mobile reseller that T-Mobile is now buying
  • Verizon Wireless , its self-branded prepaid offering, its prepaid brand Visible , TracFone (a reseller that Verizon bought in November 2021 ), and TracFone’s Straight Talk brand
  • Boost Mobile , formerly a Sprint prepaid brand and now Dish Network’s T-Mobile reseller
  • Consumer Cellular , an AT&T reseller
  • Google Fi , a Google service based on resold coverage from T-Mobile

We calculated the cost of three typical bundles of smartphone service for every provider: moderate use at 3 GB of data; a for-most-people scenario requiring unlimited data for the phone but with no more than 3 GB of mobile hotspot use; and a heavy-use case with unlimited on-phone data plus 10 GB of mobile hotspot use. These totals are higher than in previous editions of this guide because typical data usage has gone up substantially: Circana analyst Brad Akyuz told us that the firm’s research showed US median smartphone cellular data usage in the second quarter of 2023 had hit 10.8 GB per month, with average use (skewed by extreme cases) at 17.9 GB.

The wireless industry has found so many ways to interpret “unlimited” that we’ve had to think about what “unlimited” means. Some unlimited plans offer no “priority data,” so your connection can slow down because of network congestion even if you haven’t used much data yourself. Other plans advise that service may get slower above a preset threshold of used data—often without defining those slower speeds. Some of these asterisked unlimited plans represent good values for all but the most intensive users. But we do require at least 25 GB of full-speed data per line in the for-most-people scenario (“full-speed” meaning no restrictions on what parts of a carrier’s 5G network you can use) and 50 GB per line in the heavy-use scenario.

We also require unlimited messages and voice minutes, but almost all services now offer that.

Network reliability and speed

A wireless network’s coverage and performance usually vary considerably by location, and they also change over time. To get the most balanced picture possible of the big three carriers (and the services that resell their networks), we consulted independently conducted surveys of wireless-network coverage and performance from Opensignal , PCMag , and RootMetrics . In our view, consistently good performance in the places where most people live, work, and visit was a higher priority than exceptionally fast download speeds if the coverage to access those speeds was spotty.

Hotspot policy

Our cost estimates assumed that anybody who wanted to use their phone’s mobile-hotspot feature to share their LTE or 5G bandwidth for any sustained period wanted to do so at its full speed. We assumed that most people wouldn’t use up more than 3 GB of data per month with this feature, but we also included an intensive scenario that assumed up to 10 GB a month in mobile-hotspot use.

Discount possibilities

In addition, we crunched those same numbers for shared-use plans for two and four lines, because many Wirecutter readers have asked to see comparisons of family pricing.

If a plan offered a lower rate for enabling autopay or paying for a year in advance, or if it included loyalty discounts that cut your bill over time (as Verizon Prepaid has offered since 2020), we factored in those options. We did not, however, count deals that required trading in a phone or porting over a number.

Cell providers have spent the past few years transitioning from 4G (or LTE, for Long Term Evolution) service toward the 5G standard—and talking endlessly about how great 5G is. The reality is that 5G can be immensely faster, but its performance depends on which frequency band it runs on, whether your carrier has deployed 5G on one of the faster bands, and whether you’re in a spot where your carrier’s 5G network reaches you on one of the faster bands.

Think of a layer cake: The bottom layer is low-band 5G, which resides on the same frequencies as LTE and isn’t much faster but offers about the same coverage. Mid-band 5G, on higher frequencies that yield faster speeds with somewhat reduced coverage, is the middle layer. Millimeter-wave 5G, on frequencies that nobody tried to use for wireless service until 5G’s advent, delivers extremely fast speeds over extremely short ranges, making it the tiny top layer of the cake that almost nobody gets to eat at a wedding.

In fewer words: You may find that the most widely available form of 5G at your carrier doesn’t offer speeds much faster than 4G.

You can read more about the transition to 5G and how it all works in our explainer .

best cell phone plan for small business

T-Mobile Magenta

More data for streaming and downloading.

If more data is more important to you than coverage in non-metropolitan areas, the Magenta plan offers a great price for unlimited data on a strong network. Plus, T-Mobile has the best 5G service and international plans.

Buying Options

If data is your priority—meaning, you want a fast network connection that you can use to download and upload in volume—consider the T-Mobile Magenta plan. T-Mobile’s primary unlimited-data offering represents a better value proposition for most people’s needs than AT&T’s or Verizon’s comparable plan, and the carrier’s rollout of 5G has made an already good network considerably better in a steadily expanding share of the country.

Magenta is the best unlimited-data plan based on price alone. Magenta costs $70 a month for unlimited on-phone data. Translation: T-Mobile says you have to exceed 100 GB of data before it might slow your connection to ease network congestion. That’s double the allotment on AT&T’s comparable plan, which costs $5 more, but less than the unlimited priority-data allocation on Verizon’s closest equivalent, which costs $10 more. At both competitors, those rates don’t include the taxes and fees that T-Mobile folds into its advertised rate. (Two lines of Magenta cost $60 each, and four run $35 each.) You can use only 5 GB of that data for mobile-hotspot sharing, which is less than what the competition offers on slightly more expensive plans, but it’s also more than enough for occasional use.

If you’re 55 or older, T-Mobile has discounts  that make this carrier an even better choice, slashing the cost of Magenta to $50 for one line and $35 each for two, three, or four lines.

T-Mobile has the best 5G coverage. All the data allotment in the world is unhelpful if the connection is too slow to use, but T-Mobile’s network has jumped ahead of the pack, in part because of its 5G frequencies. T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum offering provides impressively fast 5G with better coverage than the almost-as-speedy C-band and much faster but far shorter-range millimeter-wave of AT&T and Verizon. This mid-band 5G, which T-Mobile markets as Ultra Capacity 5G, is much speedier than the low-band 5G that fills out its network and constitutes the most widely available form of 5G among its competitors.

Map of T-Mobile LTE data with portions of the map painted pink.

The difference has become increasingly obvious in third-party tests, as well as in our own evaluations of Wi-Fi hotspots from the big three carriers .

Opensignal’s crowdsourced 5G-specific tests from July 2023 showed a significant advantage for T-Mobile (outlined in the table below), more than double Verizon’s and AT&T’s download averages; in addition, T-Mobile’s 5G was available more than half the time, compared with just over 20% for AT&T and under 10% for Verizon. Ookla’s Speedtest showed comparable leads in Q3 2023 for T-Mobile in median download speeds (163.59 megabits per second versus 75.68 Mbps on Verizon and 72.64 Mbps on AT&T) and 5G-only median download speeds (221.57 Mbps, with Verizon at 153.79 Mbps and AT&T at 101.55 Mbps).

PCMag gave T-Mobile its first-ever fastest mobile network ranking in 2021 . The carrier maintained its position as the best mobile network in 2022 . And RootMetrics’s latest drive-testing-based State of the Mobile Union report , for the first half of 2023, found T-Mobile to have the fastest median download speeds: 213.2 Mbps, almost triple Verizon’s 77.9 Mbps and AT&T’s 77.3 Mbps. But RootMetrics gave top overall honors to AT&T for offering more consistent service outside urban areas.

AT&T and Verizon each launched faster 5G service on C-band frequencies in January 2022 and have since taken this midband coverage nationwide past relatively small launch areas (just eight for AT&T [PDF] and 46 mostly urban markets for Verizon ), T-Mobile’s advantage has persisted.

A map generated by RootMetrics showing cellular coverage by T-Mobile in the New York City area.

Magenta offers the best bonuses for frequent travelers. Magenta includes international roaming, and although it’s limited to speeds around 256 Kbps, I’ve found it to be more than adequate for email and basic browsing. You also get free texting, 25¢-per-minute calling, and the ability to use your phone in Canada or Mexico with no roaming charges for up to 5 GB a month, even on 5G. And it includes an hour of free in-flight Wi-Fi—and full-flight connectivity four times a year—on your phone on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

T-Mobile also offers four higher-end unlimited plans, but Magenta is best for most people. Go5G costs $75 for a single line, $65 each for two lines, or $45 each for four lines, and it triples the hotspot allocation to 15 GB. It also doubles the high-speed roaming cap in Canada and Mexico to 10 GB. Magenta Max ($85 for one line, $70 each for two lines, $43 each for four lines) provides only 5 GB of high-speed international roaming, but that’s in all of the 215-plus countries where T-Mobile offers its free-but-slow roaming; Magenta Max also offers unlimited priority data, 4K UHD streaming video, and a full 40 GB of mobile-hotspot use. The Go5G Plus plan offers 50 GB of mobile hotspot and bundles Netflix and Apple TV+ for $90 on one line, $75 each on two lines, or $55 each on four lines. People who were already set on watching those streaming services might find that Go5G Plus offers some net savings in their combined wireless and entertainment budget, but otherwise it looks like T-Mobile’s least relevant plan besides the new, $100 Go5G Next, which offers a new phone every year for compulsive upgraders.

T-Mobile’s discount for those 55 and older drops the cost of all those plans dramatically: On a single line, Magenta runs just $50, Go5G costs $55, Magenta Max is $65, and Go5G Plus costs $70, with multiple-line scenarios offering comparable savings.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

T-Mobile’s rural coverage lags behind that of AT&T and Verizon. Coverage from those carriers remains more comprehensive than T-Mobile’s—as I saw on rural roads in the Southeast and Northwest while doing drive testing for PCMag—but thanks to the past few years of improvement in T-Mobile’s network, you’d have to get into fairly remote areas to notice that difference. Before choosing a plan, determine whether your likely travel patterns are more apt to make T-Mobile’s rural limitations an ongoing problem.

International roaming is complicated if you haven’t paid off your phone. Although T-Mobile’s international roaming costs much less than AT&T’s and Verizon’s international options, you may have to pay those charges if you buy your phone from T-Mobile on an installment-payment plan, as this carrier keeps such handsets locked until you pay off your balance—or conclude the term on a free-upgrade deal.

T-Mobile has a history of data breaches, with its largest in August 2022. That breach affected some 40 million customers —I was among them. I thought about dropping T-Mobile, but the telecom industry’s general indifference to the concept of data minimization left me with little reason to think I’d fare much better in the long run elsewhere. That history makes T-Mobile’s recent move to limit its autopay discount to payments made from a bank account or debit card look even more distasteful, although its enforcement of this policy seems to be uneven so far.

T-Mobile management does not seem immune to wireless-industry jerk behavior. Since 2013, T-Mobile has led with an “Un-Carrier” brand based on dumping dumb wireless-industry habits. But T-Mobile has scored enough own goals–for example, a plan to move people on some older plans to more expensive options that the carrier has since abandoned –to remind subscribers that they need to watch their monthly statements and other customer notices as much as they would with any other carrier.

best cell phone plan for small business

AT&T Unlimited Data Plan

For more coverage in more places.

AT&T offers slightly more reliable coverage in rural areas and now provides subscribers access to its full (and notably improving) 5G network at a slightly lower cost than Verizon.

We’ve traditionally recommended Verizon for the reach of its network, but the latest round of testing data shows that AT&T ’s network is more likely to keep you online. Meanwhile, a round of rate increases at Verizon—including the elimination of a cheaper limited-data plan that we had recommended before—have erased that carrier’s cost advantage over AT&T. Though AT&T isn’t the best choice for people who frequently travel outside of the US or who want unlimited data , it is a better choice for people prioritizing maximum coverage over speed. And the 50 GB of priority data and 15 GB of mobile-hotspot data on its Unlimited Extra plan, which costs $75 on a single line, $65 for each of two lines, or $40 for each of four lines, should cover most people’s needs, making the additional $5 cost of Verizon’s Unlimited Plus plan an unnecessary indulgence.

AT&T has the largest network, with the most reliable coverage. Drive testing done by RootMetrics found that AT&T had a more reliable network than Verizon in the first half of 2023. Opensignal’s crowdsourced app testing gave AT&T a tiny lead in network availability in July 2023. And PCMag’s Best Mobile Networks 2022 drive testing found that AT&T had the lowest percentage of dropped data connections—with a more pronounced advantage on that metric and in dropped calls compared with Verizon in rural areas.

A map generated by RootMetrics showing cellular coverage by Verizon in the New York City area.

AT&T’s 5G network is improving. AT&T’s 5G network, meanwhile, has advanced considerably from its state two years ago. It has also improved from its January 2022 launch of faster C-band service in only eight markets (PDF) , which as of August covers 175 million people. In a further upgrade, the carrier has lit up a separate band of 3.45 GHz mid-band 5G spectrum, but you probably need a new phone to use those frequencies.

It’s cheaper than Verizon (but not T-Mobile). Among its plans for unlimited on-phone data, AT&T’s $75 Unlimited Extra offers the best value, providing 50 GB of priority data, 15 GB of hotspot use, and SD video for $5 less than Verizon’s Unlimited Plus plan. That cost is $5 more than the price for T-Mobile’s unlimited with-hotspot plan—before the taxes and fees that T-Mobile folds into its rate—and the AT&T plan does not give you service that’s as fast overall as what T-Mobile generally delivers.

If you can deal with a lack of priority data and don’t intend to lean on your phone’s mobile-hotspot feature, AT&T’s Unlimited Starter option now includes 3 GB of hotspot allowance at the same $65-per-month price as before. Finally, AT&T’s Unlimited Premium, $85 for a single line, adds unlimited priority data and 50 GB of mobile hotspot. That plan costs $5 more than Verizon’s Unlimited Plus, but it includes 20 GB more hotspot use and throws in free high-speed roaming in 19 Latin American countries , a bonus that has no parallel in Verizon’s lineup.

AT&T, unlike Verizon, still offers limited-data postpaid plans. Both the Value Plus plan and the 4 GB plan run $50, but only the former includes 5G access—which to us outweighs its lack of priority data. And you can cut these plans’ costs by taking advantage of AT&T’s business and academic discounts or its unique 15% discount for union members –deals its unlimited plans exclude.

AT&T still charges junk fees and misrepresents some 4G speeds as 5G. AT&T continues to levy a $2 “administrative fee” that is such an obvious example of a junk fee that it has drawn a class-action lawsuit . (Verizon is pulling its own version of that stunt .) Equally bogus is AT&T’s insistence on labeling its fastest flavor of 4G LTE as “5G E” on phone screens, a marketing ploy that only confuses customers into thinking they have actual 5G.

It keeps cell-site location data much longer than the other carriers do. Privacy-conscious shoppers should know that AT&T keeps cell-site location data for at most five years, according to an AT&T spokesperson (who called Vice’s reports of FBI claims that AT&T holds this data for seven years old and incorrect and said some cell-site history gets flushed after 13 months). In contrast, Verizon holds it for one year, and T-Mobile does so for two.

International coverage is expensive if you haven’t paid off your phone. International travelers should note that buying your phone on AT&T’s installment plan brings an extra risk: Until you’ve paid off the phone, the device remains locked and stuck with international-roaming charges of $10 a day in most countries—and unavailable to use with a different service if you want to leave AT&T early.

AT&T’s prepaid service isn’t a great deal. If you don’t need much data, it’s decent, but in any unlimited-data context it’s scarcely cheaper than the carrier’s postpaid plans—and across four lines in our typical data-usage scenario, it’s much more expensive. Note that outside of Canada and Mexico , these prepaid plans offer no international roaming data options.

Budget pick

best cell phone plan for small business

Consumer Cellular

Affordable two- and four-line plans.

This reseller of AT&T offers great service and the cheapest two- and four-line service bundles for most people.

best cell phone plan for small business

Affordable four-line plans

Google’s wireless service beats everybody else’s prices for four lines, but intensive-data users and iPhone owners need to consider it carefully.

Family-plan pricing changes frequently due to constantly shifting promotions and terms, so we’ve split our recommendation for multiple-line service between two options. For two lines in our typical-usage scenario—unlimited on-phone data with 3 GB of mobile-hotspot use— Consumer Cellular is an easy call.

Consumer Cellular has excellent customer-satisfaction ratings. This AT&T reseller (which formerly sold T-Mobile, too, but no longer does) consistently lands at or near the top of customer surveys such as PCMag’s annual survey , the American Customer Satisfaction Index , and J.D. Power’s purchase-experience studies . And at $65 for two lines on its unlimited plan, Consumer Cellular also undercuts every provider. However, mobile-hotspot use is blocked by default, so you need to call support or use the customer service chat before you can take advantage of your 50 GB of priority data for tethering.

The service is marketed to older adults with a 5% AARP discount , but the factors that make it good for older adults make it good for most people, as well. Most important, it offers US-based phone support and step-by-step manuals and video tutorials for the non-tech-savvy, maintains an in-store presence in major retailers such as Target, and offers installment-plan phone purchase options with roughly the same terms as the big carriers provide.

Price for two lines with unlimited on-phone data plus 3 GB hotspot each

“Unlimited” still has limits. Like other carriers, Consumer Cellular actually puts some limits on its “unlimited” plan, but it doesn’t define them as well as its competitors do: After you use 50 GB combined between the lines, the service warns that “your access to high speed data will be reduced, and you will experience slower speeds,” but it doesn’t document how slow. Publicist Sarah Burns clarified that this slowdown happens automatically and drops connections to 1.5 Mbps.

Google Fi is the best budget option for a family of four. For four lines, Google Fi offers the cheapest deal in our typical-usage scenario at just $80 for four lines of its Simply Unlimited plan with 35 GB of full-speed data listed as based on T-Mobile’s strong 5G service. And like Consumer Cellular, Fi seems to have satisfied subscribers, as it ranked highest in PCMag’s 2023 Readers’ Choice awards .

Google Fi’s data limits are more strict. Although Fi’s data plan includes a generous mobile-hotspot allocation of 15 GB, the 35 GB limit is harder than at other services—exceeding it prompts the service to throttle your connection all the way back to 256 Kbps.

Google Fi is optimized for Android phones. Once compatible only with Google’s Nexus and then Pixel phones, Google Fi now offers full support for not just Google’s Pixel models but also unlocked versions of most recent Samsung phones . But while its iPhone support has greatly advanced–including the overdue addition of full-speed 5G access–it still requires you to fiddle around in settings to get texts from Android users.

Consumer Cellular isn’t a great pick if you plan to travel internationally. It quotes overseas-roaming rates that start at 10¢ per minute for calls and 10¢ per megabyte for data. But Google Fi’s cheaper plan is also bad for international travelers because it omits the free full-speed global roaming of Fi’s Unlimited Plus.

Price for four lines with unlimited on-phone data plus 3 GB hotspot each

best cell phone plan for small business

Mint Mobile

A cheap, prepaid plan.

Mint Mobile gives you access to T-Mobile’s network for much less money, but you have to pay for three, six, or 12 months in advance.

If the lowest possible bill on a good-enough network is your top priority, we recommend Mint Mobile , a reseller of T-Mobile’s LTE and 5G networks. It beats everybody else’s costs with a simple pricing tactic: It offers cheaper prices for longer terms, with the minimum being three months. When you sign up, you can choose 5 GB, 15 GB, 20 GB, or unlimited data per month and then pay up front for either three, six, or 12 months—the longer the package, the better the price per month.

Mint Mobile charges less for longer prepaid commitments. The unlimited plan is just $30 per month for the first three months, after which you can balance commitment and price, choosing $40 per month on a three-month term, $35 per month on a six-month policy, or $30 per month for a year. The same math works for minimal usage: 5 GB per month costs $25 per month over a three-month term or $15 per month on a full-year deal.

The unlimited plan has restrictions. Mint’s unlimited plan includes usage limits similar to those of other “unlimited” plans: It imposes a priority-data cap of 40 GB, after which it warns that you “will experience lower speeds” (defined only as “3G speeds”), it places a 10 GB cap on mobile-hotspot usage, and it limits streaming video to 480p. You can buy another 5 GB of hotspot data for $15 —or you could save $5 by trading down to the 20 GB plan, which lets you use all of that data for mobile hotspot and places no constraints on streaming-video resolution.

Mint requires some other compromises, too. Mint doesn’t focus on phone sales, so you’ll probably want to bring your own unlocked device, and support is online or over the phone only. In addition, after you hit your data cap, your speed slows to 128 Kbps unless you upgrade your plan or switch to the unlimited plan (on which you can still find your connection throttled, just not as severely, once you exceed the 40 GB priority-data allocation). International roaming costs 20¢ per megabyte in most countries. And you face the risk of seeing your bandwidth deprioritized behind that of T-Mobile subscribers , especially when the network is busy.

Mint Mobile’s customers like it. In 2023 Mint Mobile earned the third-highest ranking in PCMag’s Readers’ Choice survey and had the second-highest score in the American Customer Satisfaction Index survey , in line with earlier positive word of mouth and the experiences of some Wirecutter staffers.

T-Mobile has announced plans to acquire Mint Mobile and its parent company, Ka’ena Corporation, in a deal valued at approximately $1.3 billion and expected to close at the end of 2023. Based on our observations of T-Mobile when it took over MetroPCS (now Metro by T-Mobile) and kept that prepaid service competitive with others, we’re not panicking over this impending acquisition.

Opensignal , PCMag , and RootMetrics all publish independently sourced network-performance metrics that can free you from relying on carrier coverage maps, but those studies each take different approaches and are thus good for different purposes.

RootMetrics uses cars set up with “leading Android-based smartphones for each network” to gather figures on data, talk, and text performance throughout the country. You can also find reports tailored to specific metropolitan areas. PCMag has taken a similar approach but focuses more on network data speed and reliability in metropolitan centers and their suburbs and conducts its tests with the same model of high-end phone—in 2022, the Samsung Galaxy S22+, which may support more high-speed frequencies than your own. Opensignal’s network tests, meanwhile, rely on crowdsourcing: Anyone can download the Opensignal app and run tests. But the majority of people don’t, and as such, Opensignal’s data skews heavily toward urban areas.

PCMag's comparison between AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

In August 2021, the Federal Communications Commission rolled out its own reality check: a map of estimated LTE coverage , based on signal-propagation models applied to its own data of cell sites. Although that map shows only the presence of at least basic LTE service—5 Mbps downloads and just 1 Mbps uploads—in my own spot-checking , I’ve found that it’s been more accurate than the carriers’ own coverage maps at warning of dead zones.

Once you’ve decided on a network, the next step is to figure out how much data you use. We’ve seen both average and median data use roughly triple from the first quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2022, going by figures from Circana. An Opensignal report from 2021 suggests that increases in data consumption are driven by 5G users—in the US, LTE users running that firm’s testing software averaged 9 GB a month, while those on 5G hit 14.9 GB a month.

Both Android and iOS provide estimates of your current data usage, but your carrier’s website can give you the number that counts for billing purposes. You need to make an educated guess as to how far that number could rise in a year and see which plans can cover that with a reasonable margin.

As limited-data plans become less common, you’re increasingly likely to find that an unlimited plan works for you.

But you need to figure out just what sort of unlimited data you’re buying. All three carriers and their sub-brands and resellers have carved out restrictions on features such as priority data, hotspot use, and streaming video while adding premium tiers or paid add-ons that lift some of those limits. It’s a lot like buying a plane ticket: You can’t jump on the cheapest price you see, lest you wind up in Basic Economy.

Among the Basic Economy, entry-level versions of unlimited data plans, AT&T’s $65 Unlimited Starter and Verizon’s $65 Unlimited Welcome provide no priority or premium data, so you’re at risk of “temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy,” as AT&T puts it—even if it’s the start of a billing period and you haven’t burned through any data yourself. Verizon’s entry-level plan also prohibits hotspot use and limits your 5G service to the carrier’s slow, low-band network. T-Mobile’s entry-level Essentials Savings, at $50, is more generous in allotting 50 GB of priority data, but its “unlimited” hotspot use is capped at 600 Kbps, a speed that T-Mobile misleadingly markets as “3G speeds.” All three carriers’ starter plans cap the resolution of streaming video on their respective networks at a DVD-grade 480p.

If your usage only slightly exceeds the cap on a service’s limited-data plan—say you use 3.25 GB in a month and your carrier offers a 3 GB plan—you should confirm whether that plan lets you roll over unused data from months when you don’t hit your maximum. Also, see if that service offers unmetered but 2G-slow service once you exhaust your high-speed data so that your phone will still have basic (read: slower) internet access and you won’t get charged extra for going over your cap. These features may help you choose a less expensive plan.

The big three, and many of the smaller services, offer at least two step-up tiers with more priority data and more full-speed mobile-hotspot use; higher-definition streaming may also be part of these upgrades.

If your usage remains sufficiently low, you should consider plans with a manageable data-usage cap and fewer fine-print rules governing that data. AT&T’s 4 GB plan, which costs $50 after autopay discounts, has no separate limit on hotspot use but still restricts streaming to 480p and omits 5G support. If you’re on a budget and don’t mind complications such as expensive international roaming and a lack of in-person support, Mint’s 5 GB, 15 GB, and 20 GB plans offer even more substantial savings.

As for talk and text amounts, all of the postpaid plans from the major carriers provide unlimited calling and messaging. A shrinking number of prepaid and resold services offer cheaper rates if you’re willing to stay within certain limits. As with data usage, the best way to check your current texting and calling habits is to view your bill.

A screenshot of WhistleOut's cell plan comparison tool.

If your usage doesn’t fall into our specific categories and you sometimes think in spreadsheets , you can do your own calculations using WhistleOut’s carrier-comparison tool . It even lets you filter by network—you can ask it for, say, only prepaid options that resell AT&T service—and location. But like Google searches, it can show sponsored results before organic ones. It also includes far more services than we cover here and shows not just plans with the required amount of data, minutes, and texts, but also those that exceed your needs, producing a cluttered presentation overall. WhistleOut also doesn’t allow you to specify a set amount of hotspot data.

If you want unlimited calls and texts, more attentive customer service, and phone financing through your carrier, stick with a traditional postpaid plan, in which you get a bill for service after you use it. Postpaid costs a bit more and requires you to have decent credit to qualify, but it offers you every phone the carrier sells, usually with no-interest financing, and the service you get should match what you see in the carrier’s ads.

However, switching to prepaid, in which you pay for service before you use it, can be an easy way to save at least $10 to $20 a month. Many prepaid services are provided by smaller companies that simply resell service from one of the big carriers, so they offer coverage similar to that of the major carriers at a lower price. But some make trade-offs to undersell the major carriers while using the same networks; similarly, the major carriers’ own prepaid plans tend to involve restrictions that their postpaid plans lack. We don’t recommend switching to prepaid unless you meet most of these criteria:

  • You don’t mind buying your own phone separately, since prepaid carriers’ phone selections are often poor or nonexistent.
  • You’re okay handling your own tech support. Retail support may not be an option, and phone or online support may be limited.
  • You’re comfortable relying on prepaid SIM cards or eSIMs while traveling abroad .
  • You’re willing to read the fine print. As analyst Jeffrey Moore advised us, data roaming, and sometimes even voice roaming, may not be included in some prepaid plans. These plans may also omit Wi-Fi calling, one common way to get around holes in coverage.

Some carriers throttle prepaid service to a lower speed by default, as AT&T did until October 2021 with some Cricket plans. Others prioritize their own customers over third-party prepaid traffic. A T-Mobile spokesperson said that although the services for postpaid plans and for prepaid plans have the same priority, Metro by T-Mobile and other resellers “may notice slower speeds in times of network congestion.” Aron North, chief marketing officer at Mint’s then-parent firm Ultra Mobile, confirmed in an email in 2019 that “at times where there is network congestion” Mint may be “reprioritized.”

If you are looking to save money on smartphone service by getting resold service from your cable operator but are also considering dropping your cable operator’s broadband, keep in mind that these wireless plans are best understood as a customer-retention tool. These services, based on resold network capacity from one of the big three carriers, represent their own special case. They offer some serious bargains for people with relatively restrained data appetites, but they also require you to use that cable firm’s broadband.

For example, Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile starts at 1 GB for $15 per month and 10 GB for $60 per month. But if you want unlimited data, Comcast’s offering throttles download speeds to 1.5 Mbps after you hit your plan’s cap of 20 GB ($45 a month), 30 GB ($55), or 50 GB ($65), subject to a major (possibly temporary) bit of leniency noted on a support page : “Right now, mid-band (C-Band) and high-band (Ultra Wideband) 5G data use won’t count toward your per-line monthly threshold for data usage.” The last two plans allow hotspot use at normal speeds, up to 5 GB on the 30 GB deal and 15 GB on the 50 GB plan. You also need Comcast’s Xfinity internet to sign up at all .

Spectrum Mobile is a little better, since its $30 unlimited plan includes 5 GB of full-speed hotspot data—but it cuts your speeds even more sharply after 20 GB, limiting downloads to 1 Mbps and uploads to just 512 Kbps. Its Unlimited Plus plan, priced at $40, gives you 30 GB of usable data but still just 5 GB of mobile-hotspot data. As with Xfinity Mobile, you need to subscribe to this cable operator’s broadband to sign up for its mobile service .

Years of massive, expensive 5G buildouts at all three carriers mean future advances in coverage and speed are more likely to be incremental. AT&T and Verizon subscribers, however, stand to see more upgrades mainly because of the late start of those two carriers with C-band frequencies. AT&T and Verizon are also catching up with T-Mobile in deploying “standalone” 5G , a network upgrade in which cell sites can connect directly to compatible phones without needing a 4G connection to set up that 5G link.

The good news for people weary of forced upgrades at all three carriers: We shouldn’t have to worry about dealing with carriers turning on massive new swaths of spectrum, because none are left vacant . Nor should you need to even think about the potential of a “6G” upgrade cycle; while that upcoming standard is a thing, it won’t be a commercial reality until 2030 at the earliest, and in the meantime even carriers want 6G advocates to give the hype a rest .

Most of Verizon’s cheaper plans have become much less attractive because they have access only to the provider’s slower, low-band 5G service. It has now rolled out C-band 5G nationwide, which it is combining with its vastly scarcer millimeter-wave 5G and marketing as Ultra Wideband 5G; together, those services amount to a much stronger network than Verizon’s old mix of low-band 5G brightened by pockets of mmWave. But evidently Verizon now thinks you should pay more for it.

For example, Verizon’s $65 Unlimited Welcome plan limits you to low-band 5G speeds—specifically, though it lets you use C-band and mmWave, it caps your speeds at 25 Mbps on those parts of Verizon’s network. That’s a much bigger problem than its lack of priority data and zero mobile-hotspot use. Verizon also reserves its faster flavors of 5G for its most expensive prepaid option.

Verizon’s $80  Unlimited Plus plan opens up C-band and mmWave 5G, with unlimited priority data, 30 GB of mobile hotspot, and a streaming-video limit of 720p. That is a fairly generous bundle—but it drops such previous bonuses as one free international-roaming TravelPass day per month, and the old plan already had more priority and mobile-hotspot data than many people would need. The carrier’s $90 Unlimited Ultimate, meanwhile, throws in 60 GB of mobile hotspot.

If you’d like to save some money with a prepaid or resold plan , Verizon Prepaid now offers the interesting wrinkle of rates that drop over time . So the starting price (with autopay) of $35 per month for its 15 GB plan drops to $30 after three months and $25 after nine; the $45 monthly rate for 15 GB becomes $40 and then $35 in the same way. As with Verizon’s postpaid plans, you still get unlimited 2G data after you hit your plan’s data cap. But only the Unlimited Plus plan, at $60 per month, includes access to Verizon’s C-band 5G—the sole flavor of 5G from this carrier that’s worth talking about.

The CDMA foundation of Verizon’s network—and Verizon’s decision to launch its 5G service on mmWave frequencies that go unused in many other markets—can limit the compatibility of some unlocked phones. For example, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G, our previous pick for the best budget Android phone , doesn’t work on Verizon. And although C-band makes Verizon’s 5G more relevant, Verizon’s practice so far of limiting C-band access to phones it has approved instead of allowing all those with compatible radios—a restrictive approach that still leaves out the C-band–compatible Pixel 7—only increases that incompatibility problem.

If you travel internationally, Verizon’s services can add up. Its TravelPass costs a reasonable $5 per day in Canada and Mexico for you to use voice, text, and data drawn from your domestic allowance and a less reasonable $10 per day in much of the rest of the world . Since Verizon sells phones that are locked for only 60 days after activation to thwart fraud, you can and should save money by using a local prepaid SIM when traveling internationally .

We would like to see Verizon make its plans easier to understand. We would also like to see Verizon abandon price-gouging moves like last year’s steep increase in an “Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge” that customers understandably regarded as a junk-fee hike.

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless , AT&T’s prepaid brand, outranks its corporate mothership in customer satisfaction surveys, now includes taxes in its advertised rates, and offers much cheaper choices if you don’t need a lot of data and extras such as international-roaming options. They’re even cheaper if you’re comfortable paying for a year in advance, a recent addition to Cricket’s single-line pricing that picks up on a discount Mint already offered. But unlike Mint, Cricket includes mobile-hotspot use only on its most expensive offering (though the allocation there is a fairly generous 15 GB). Cricket’s selection of phones for sale is not too impressive, but in this category you’re better off buying an unlocked budget Android phone separately.

Boost Mobile

The former Sprint subsidiary is now a Dish Network subsidiary —one part of the complicated regulatory approval process that allowed T-Mobile to buy its competitor. Boost launched its Boost Infinite service in beta form in December, with the carrier’s nascent 5G network backed up by resold AT&T and T-Mobile coverage . Boost had planned on reselling T-Mobile until it could launch its own network but is now readying a switch to AT&T , which means customers of Boost (and the other resellers that Dish has bought, such as Ting and Republic Wireless) are in for some potentially drastic changes. To us, that doesn’t justify the relatively modest savings that some of its plans offer.

Metro by T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s prepaid subsidiary can seem like an afterthought, with some plans costing notably more than T-Mobile Prepaid’s rates for similar usage scenarios and others offering only minimal service. With its most generous plan offering only 35 GB of priority data–after which, per a small-print note on its site, “you may notice slower speeds when our network is busy”--Metro also flunks our heavy-usage scenario.

Straight Talk

The Straight Talk prepaid brand of TracFone, which is itself a subsidiary of Verizon, is one of the most widely used prepaid services—thanks in part to its distribution through Walmart stores—and also does well in many customer surveys. But its rates no longer beat those at competing postpaid services. And although it has historically resold service from all three carriers, Verizon’s ownership means that Straight Talk will move to put new customers on Verizon alone.

The biggest prepaid brand in America and the corporate parent of Straight Talk, and now a Verizon property, TracFone has historically required smartphone customers to patch together a service bundle by buying separate buckets of data, voice, and text. Now it offers a few standard 30-day plans. For 3 GB, its $25 rate is fairly competitive, but its pricing doesn’t hold up in intensive-usage scenarios. And TracFone doesn’t help its cause by prohibiting mobile-hotspot use on all plans except a $40 option with just 8 GB of data . As with Straight Talk, its practice of reselling coverage of all three networks will end as it becomes a Verizon-only service.

This Verizon brand offers just two plans, the $25 Visible and the $35 Visible+. The former limits you to Verizon’s low-band 5G (one way you can tell this is a Verizon outpost), while the latter gets you Verizon’s full spectrum and 50 GB of priority data. Both come with a mobile-hotspot limit unlike that of any other carrier: Instead of capping how much data can go to that application, Visible limits your hotspot speed to 5 Mbps and allows only one device at a time. We like the creativity on display here, but we’re not sure how many people need an unlimited-on-phone plan but see almost no need to share that bandwidth with other devices via mobile hotspot.

This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Caitlin McGarry.

Meet your guide

best cell phone plan for small business

Rob Pegoraro

Further reading

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The Best Mobile Scanning Apps

by Ben Keough

The simple design, high-quality results, free cloud storage, and $0 price make Adobe Scan an excellent choice.

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How Mobile Phones Became a Privacy Battleground—and How to Protect Yourself

by Thorin Klosowski

Smartphone privacy has changed over time, and owners have more controls than ever. Here’s where the controls came from, and how to keep your phone private.

best cell phone plan for small business

How to Switch Cell Phone Carriers

by Rob Pegoraro

Moving your number from one wireless service to another is (usually) the easiest step. Bringing your old phone to a new network can be trickier.

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The Best Android and iPhone Gimbal

by Geoffrey Morrison and Signe Brewster

If you want smoother, more professional-looking video from your smartphone, the Insta360 Flow is the best gimbal.

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The 7 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2024

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When it comes to business phone services , cookie-cutter plans just don’t cut it because it’s impossible to have a one-size-fits-all plan.

But there are so many—possibly several dozen—high-quality plans vying for a slice of your communication budget that choosing the right one for your business might seem like a tall order.

To choose the right business cell phone plan for your business, you first need to determine what your needs are; then you’ll need to choose a plan that meets those needs. And that’s where this post comes in.

We’ve done the hard work for you by researching the highest-quality business phone plans and narrowed your choices down from several dozen possible options to the seven absolute best.

In this post, we’ll explore these seven options, suggest possible use cases, dissect pricing, and discuss the pros and cons of each plan.

Best Business Cell Phone Plans

1. ringcentral, best overall business phone plans on a unified communications platform..

RingCentral is the Best Overall Business Phone Plans on a Unified Communications Platform

RingCentral is a full-featured unified communications platform that offers VoIP and small business phone plans. The system functions extremely well in an office setting, boasting such features as unlimited calling and conferencing, customized caller IDs, text messaging, faxing, online meetings, and toll-free numbers .

RingCentral routes incoming calls through the same call-routing system used by your office phones. This turns your office phone into a portable communication system that can be used with any RingCentral-supported device.

In other words, you and your employees can send texts, faxes, as well as make and receive calls with your business number from your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer. All you need is to install the top-rated RingCentral app.

This flexibility is good news for businesses with a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy as it allows your employees to switch seamlessly from their mobile devices to their desktops when making or receiving calls.

RingCentral also allows you to rent business hardware—such as headsets or desk phones—for as little as $3.99/device/month. Whether you have 2 users or 1,000, RingCentral has a plan for you. And there are tons of features for customization and third-party integrations.

RingCentral Pricing Plan

RingCentral’s plans start at $29.99/user/month ($19.99/user/month with annual billing) after the free trial on which you get 50 free minutes of domestic calls per user for five users and two desk phones.

The Essentials plan only supports up to 20 users. But the higher-tier plans allow unlimited users plus the ability to host video conferences with up to 200 participants. All plans come with voicemail-to-text, unlimited calling and texting, and an auto-attendant.

  • Apps for smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers
  • Cheaper than traditional carriers
  • Supports video conferencing for up to 200 attendees
  • Advanced functionality is only available on the premium plans
  • Might be overkill for smaller teams

2. T-Mobile

Best business phone plans for flexibility..

T-Mobile is the Best Business Phone Plans for Flexibility

T-Mobile became the second-largest carrier in the US by subscriber count after it acquired Sprint in 2020.

The acquisition also increased its coverage; T-Mobile now offers wider 5G coverage than other major carriers, although this is limited to major cities. Also, 4G coverage still lags behind AT&T and Verizon and rural areas have spotty 4G coverage at best.

T-Mobile may be widely known for its consumer-friendly plans, but it also boasts an extensive library of business offerings for companies and organizations of all types and sizes.

Its low-cost plans support local and international teams pretty well, and with in-flight WiFi, you and your employees can stay productive while traveling, too. You can access your voicemail, text, or finish business projects while traveling anywhere in the world.

Opting for the T-Mobile Magenta or Unlimited plan gets you a free subscription to Microsoft 365 , allowing your team to collaborate in real-time on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Plus, you get a company intranet, email program, and project collaboration tools.

T-Mobile also provides users with unlimited 2G data and texting in at least 210 countries, keeping your teams connected anywhere they may go.

T-Mobile Pricing Plan

Small businesses that need between 2 to 12 lines may opt for the Business Unlimited Select plan which is priced between $45/line/month (for 2 lines) and $25/line/month (for 6 or more lines). This plan gives you 5G support; unlimited calling, texting, and data in Canada and Mexico; and 5GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data.

For $30 – $60 per liner per month, you can get the Business Unlimited Advanced plan. This plan is ideal for businesses with employees that do a lot of air travel and need access to Microsoft tools and apps.

It includes 40GB of high-speed hotspot data, a free subscription to Microsoft 365, 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico, and one hour of Gogo in-flight WiFi.

Lastly, if you want it all at a reasonable price, then you might want to consider the Business Unlimited Ultimate plan which costs $40 – $70 per line per month. This plan gives you unlimited premium data, 100GB of mobile hotspot, and Microsoft 365 in addition to unlimited text, talk, and data (5G inclusive).

With this plan, you also get 4K UHD streaming, unlimited in-flight WiFi, and data in 210 countries that is twice as fast as the other T-Mobile business plans.

  • In-flight data is free on select airlines
  • Improved 5G coverage after the acquisition of Sprint
  • Allows the use of multiple lines on a single device
  • The limited plans are restrictive
  • Free international texting is limited to 2G
  • Coverage is spotty in rural areas

Best Unlimited Business Cell Phone Plans.

Verizon is the Best Unlimited Business Cell Phone Plans

Of all major carriers, Verizon has the widest coverage , which means that most of your employees will be covered wherever they may be. It offers cell phone, landline, internet, and VoIP plans for businesses on devices purchased from Verizon or compatible devices purchased elsewhere.

With their three Business Unlimited Plans, finding the perfect plan for your business is easy. All plans feature unlimited talk, text, and data. Where the plans differ is in support for 5G, tablet use, and mobile hotspot. The plans also require at least five users since they’re for business and not personal or family use.

To use Verizon VoIP, you only have to download the mobile and desktop app on any compatible device.

Verizon’s plans for small businesses include the Verizon Plan for Business, the Flexible Business Plan, Business Unlimited, and the New Verizon Plan. All plans include safety mode, carryover data, calling to and from Canada and Mexico, use of your device in Canada and Mexico, and data at $15 per GB.

All plans also allow you to turn your device into an internet hotspot and send unlimited messages to recipients in over 200 countries.

And finally, the Verizon Plus and Pro plans come with a security bundle that offers premium protection for your employees, data, and devices. In addition to mobile endpoint security, they also feature WiFi protection, mobile device management, and tech support.

Verizon Pricing Plan

Verizon Business Unlimited plans start at $30 per line per month and they all offer unlimited talk, text, and 4G and 5G data. The Plus and Pro plans feature guaranteed speeds during peak hours for up to 120 GB per month, and an unlimited mobile hotspot with reduced speeds after 60 GB.

  • Offers unlimited calling in Canada and Mexico
  • Solid national coverage
  • Flexible pricing plans
  • Device selection can be overwhelming
  • Might be excessive for small teams
  • The costs of international calling quickly add up

Best Full-featured Business Cell Phone Plans.

AT&T is the Best Full featured Business Cell Phone Plans

Like every other major carrier, AT&T provides cell phones, landlines, and internet services to businesses. But AT&T also offers the largest variety of plans among the major carriers . This flexibility allows you to potentially lower your monthly costs by customizing your setup.

For example, on some plans, you may experience slower speeds during peak hours, while other plans offer guaranteed 5G speeds up to a certain amount of data. With pooled plans, you can share data among your employees, which is a great option for teams with varying needs.

After T-Mobile acquired Sprint, AT&T became the third-largest carrier by subscriber count. But it remains well-established as an enterprise provider, offering four enterprise plans to its customers. It is also the backbone of the FirstNet network, a network optimized for first responders.

There are several variations of AT&T’s Mobility Rate Plans—Mobile Share Plus, Mobile Select Priority Pooled, and Business Unlimited Elite, including several others in between. The plans are all tailored to your budget, being available at different price points.

The Elite plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data for up to 10 devices. The Pooled plan gives each employee a data allowance plus access to pooled data in a single account. The Plus plan lets you share data with 10 – 25 different business devices.

On all plans, you get unlimited talk and text within the country and unlimited talk from the US to Canada and Mexico, plus unlimited texting to over 120 countries and HD video streaming. On the Elite and Pooled plans, you get 5G, although data speeds may slow down during peak hours.

AT&T Unlimited Business Plan

AT&T’s Business Unlimited Elite plan is priced at $65/line/month; the Mobile Select Pooled plan starts at $35/line/month; the Mobile Share Plus plan starts at $50/line/month; and the AT&T Business 4GB starts at $50/line/month.

  • Impressive coverage
  • Data plans rollover
  • The wide variety of plans offers flexibility
  • Hardware selection can be improved
  • Some plans get quite expensive
  • Slower speeds can occur at any time

5. Google Voice

Best free business phone plans for small teams and solopreneurs..

Google Voice is the Best Free Business Phone Plans for Small Teams and Solopreneurs

Google Voice is a virtual phone number service that lets you make and receive calls on your existing phone or desktop. Getting started is as simple as owning a Google account; with that, you get basic calling & texting, a new local business number, and voicemail.

On the paid plans, you get mobile apps, integration with Google Calendar, and voicemail transcription. You can also set up custom greetings, an optional special announcement that cannot be skipped, custom working hours, menu prompts, and rules for call routing. And you can transfer callers to an extension, a submenu, or voicemail.

Pricing starts at only $10/user but for small teams in need of a free solution, Google Voice is an excellent choice. The apps are supported on any mobile device, eliminating the need to buy any new hardware or pay monthly to call or text anyone anywhere in the US.

Google Voice Pricing Plan

The free plan gives you a business phone number and lets you make unlimited calls and send unlimited text messages to any number in the US and Canada.

The paid plans range from $10/user/month to $30/user/month and at the very basic level give you unlimited domestic calls and SMS, mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, and voicemail transcripts.

Other advanced features on higher-tier plans include a multi-level auto attendant, compatibility with desk phones, ring groups, advanced reporting, and the ability to add employees in unlimited international locations.

  • Serviceable free version
  • Unlimited national calling and texting
  • Free local business phone number in most US cities
  • Requires an existing personal device
  • Features are limited

6. Grasshopper

Best business cell phone plans for small teams needing call routing capabilities..

Grasshopper is the Best Business Cell Phone Plans for Small Teams Needing Call Routing Capabilities

Grasshopper is a virtual phone system that provides small businesses with VoIP features like unlimited calling between the US and Canada and virtual receptionists.

Just by installing Grasshopper’s user-friendly mobile apps, you can turn any smartphone into a business phone. The apps are available for Android and iOS and allow you and your employees to read text messages, listen to voicemails, or answer calls.

Instead of charging per user, Grasshopper lets you add extensions to your business number . This means that you can route incoming calls to unlimited devices. It’s an effective way to connect several employees without burning a hole in your pocket.

Features like an automated attendant and simultaneous call handling mean that your callers never get a busy signal. Instead, they are greeted with a custom greeting set by you before being transferred to an extension, including an optional self-service extension.

Additionally, this business VoIP system provides you with a virtual phone number and call answering rules that make call forwarding to other devices easy. Small businesses can stay competitive without spending a fortune on expensive business phone systems or hardware since Grasshopper hosts all the data and hardware.

Setting up the system is as simple as installing an app on your mobile or desktop device ; when customers call your business phone number, the call is routed to your preferred device. You never have to give out a personal phone again.

Even better, all calls to your Grasshopper phone number will be marked as business calls, so you’ll always be able to tell a business call apart from a personal one. Grasshopper is a great RingCentral alternative for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs with tight budgets.

Grasshopper Pricing Plan

Grasshopper pricing starts at $29/month for one phone number and up to three extensions . The most expensive package—priced at $89/month—gives you unlimited extensions and allows you to add dozens of employees and devices.

  • Affordably priced
  • Provides automated voicemail transcripts
  • Intuitive mobile apps
  • Might be a bit expensive for solo workers
  • Bigger teams might require more advanced functionality
  • No support for video calling

Best Value Business Phone Plans.

Teltik is the Best Value Business Phone Plans

An authorized reseller of T-Mobile’s business plans , Teltik’s plans include unlimited calls to and from Canada and unlimited domestic roaming. You also get unlimited music and video streaming from select providers that don't count against your data cap, mobile hotspot, visual voicemail, WiFi calling, and roll-over data on qualifying plans.

On your first order with Teltik, you get free access to a PBX cloud phone system , which will give you a new business phone number that works on mobile, desktop, and office phones.

The PBX also includes other features like a customized virtual receptionist to greet your callers and present them with options, call-routing capabilities, simple voicemail management, and many other features.

Since Teltik is an authorized T-Mobile reseller, great coverage is guaranteed. Plus, you also get an international calling plan and Smart Voicemail.

Teltik Pricing Plan

For as low as $20 a month, you can get one of Teltik’s plans with unlimited talk, text, and data. There are no hidden fees, contracts, data overages, or rate increases.

  • Excellent coverage
  • The Smart Voicemail feature is fantastic
  • No number porting, even from T-Mobile

How to Choose a Business Cell Phone Plan

To choose the right business cell phone plan for your organization, you must consider how the cell phones will be used.

Cell phones may be awesome for mobility but there are some trade-offs. If you own a buying business or manage a sales team, then mobility should be paramount in your buying decision.

But if you run an office with largely stationary employees that spend a lot of time on the phone with clients (such as a law firm or an investment firm), then mobility isn’t a key factor. In fact, cell phones might present some issues with call quality that will cause you to miss out on the nuances of speech and interaction.

So, it is important to approach this decision as carefully as possible.

1. Research Your Company’s Calling Habits

The best way to approach this is to pull some copies of past phone bills to get accurate insight into your company’s calling patterns.

Are most of your calls local or international? Would data and texting be useful to your organization? Asking yourself questions like this will help clarify your thinking around the features you need and those that are merely nice to have.

2. Outfit Your Key Employees

It’s unlikely that all your employees will need corporate cell phones for their day-to-day work. So, it makes sense to identify those key employees that truly need a cell phone to function.

Senior management usually requires cell phones so that they can stay in touch in case of emergencies. And salespeople also need them for the sake of mobility.

3. Assess the Mobility Needs of Each Team Member

You also need to assess the mobility needs of each team member. People that spend a lot of time away from the office obviously need cell phones. But those who hardly ever leave the office to do their work might be better served by a desk phone.

Likewise, it doesn’t make sense for salespeople to have both a desk phone and a cell phone as they’ll get the most use out of a cell phone and not much use out of the desk phone.

Armed with the knowledge of the needs of your team, you’ll be able to choose a plan that accommodates everyone’s talk, text, and data needs, and you may even be able to get a discount on the phones themselves.

4. Find a Service Provider

Compare cell phone providers in your area, contrasting their plans, network coverage, range of services, contracts, prepaid plans, unlimited plans, and so on.

If you often have to communicate across the country, then a national carrier like AT&T or Verizon might be your best bet. But if your communication is mostly local, you can opt for a lower-priced local provider.

You’ll also want to check coverage maps and ensure that the provider covers areas in which you’ll need the service the most.

If the provider offers great coverage in your home region but sparse coverage in other cities where you’ll be spending a fair amount of time with clients, then you might get slammed with extra roaming charges for calls to those areas.

5. Pay Special Attention to Security

If you work with sensitive data, then security should be a major concern to you, especially with the preponderance of data breaches these days. A study of Fortune 1000 companies recently revealed that telecommunications companies are the most vulnerable industry to a data breach.

Ideally, you want a provider that allows you to remotely wipe all data from a lost or misplaced company device.

6. Understand That There Might Be Room for Negotiation

Finally, you should know that there might be some room for negotiation when it comes to small business phone plans. You might be able to get a better deal on your plan and equipment than the pricing table shows if you contact the vendors.

And remember: a cell phone plan is just a contract, not a lifelong commitment. So, towards the end of your contract, it makes sense to shop around again to see if you can find a better deal.

You might even be able to negotiate a better deal with your current provider if you can prove that you can get a better deal elsewhere. There’s no harm in trying.

Small Business Phone Plans FAQ

The EIN (Employer Identification Number), sometimes referred to as a Tax Identification Number (TIN), is widely accepted as an alternative to the SSN (Social Security Number) for many business-related transactions, and this includes the purchase of cell phones.

The cheapest plans will generally run you between $15 – 30/month, while a complete business cell phone package may cost as much as $60/line/month or even more. 

This is a largely subjective matter as different businesses have different needs. That being said, Verizon does offer some of the best phone packages for small businesses, even for teams with as few as four employees. You get unlimited calling, texting, and data in Canada and Mexico as well as in the US.  It’s also a great option if you plan on issuing company devices to your employees as it offers a broad selection of nearly 100 different Android and iOS phones and tablets for itinerant teams. 

Quick Best Business Cell Phone Comparison

Staying connected in and out of the office is vital. VoIP and cellular phone plans don’t limit you to certain device brands or cost you an arm and a leg to implement. They allow your employees to bring personal devices, and you can mix and match plans to suit your peculiar needs while taking advantage of call management features.

The best plans allow you to customize packages according to your employees’ data requirements and location while staying flexible and affordable.

And, though Verizon offers stellar business cell phone plans and services, you might be better served by a VoIP caller like RingCentral. So, here are our recommendations:

  • For small teams , try Grasshopper .
  • The best free solution , albeit with limited features, is Google Voice . But it also offers some really good paid plans, too.
  • If you want all the features you can get, RingCentral is a unified communications platform with all the bells and whistles .
  • And Verizon boasts the best unlimited cell phone plans on the market.

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Martin loves entrepreneurship and has helped dozens of entrepreneurs by validating the business idea, finding scalable customer acquisition channels, and building a data-driven organization. During his time working in investment banking, tech startups, and industry-leading companies he gained extensive knowledge in using different software tools to optimize business processes.

This insights and his love for researching SaaS products enables him to provide in-depth, fact-based software reviews to enable software buyers make better decisions.

Who Has The Best Small Business Cell Phone Plans

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  • Telecommunications

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When it comes to running a small business, having a reliable and cost-effective cell phone plan is crucial. Small business cell phone plans play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless communication, efficient operations, and enhanced productivity. As a business owner, you need a plan that offers the right balance of features, coverage, and affordability. With the myriad of options available, selecting the best small business cell phone plan can be a daunting task. From unlimited data to flexible payment options , finding the perfect plan tailored to your business's needs is essential. In this article, we will explore the key factors to consider when choosing a small business cell phone plan and delve into the top contenders in the market. So, who has the best small business cell phone plans? Let's dive in and find out.

Inside This Article

Coverage and network reliability, plan flexibility and customization, cost and value, customer service and support.

When it comes to choosing a small business cell phone plan, coverage and network reliability are paramount. As a small business owner, you need a plan that ensures your team stays connected whether they are in the office, on the road, or at client meetings. A reliable network means fewer dropped calls, faster data speeds, and consistent connectivity, which are essential for maintaining seamless communication and productivity.

Before selecting a cell phone plan for your small business, it’s crucial to assess the coverage offered by the service providers in your area. While major carriers often boast extensive coverage maps, regional carriers may offer more localized and reliable service in specific areas. Understanding the specific coverage details and network reliability in your business’s operational areas is crucial for making an informed decision that aligns with your connectivity needs.

Furthermore, network reliability goes beyond mere coverage maps. Factors such as network congestion, signal strength indoors and outdoors, and the availability of advanced network technologies like 5G play a significant role in determining the overall reliability of a network. Assessing these aspects can help you choose a small business cell phone plan that provides consistent and dependable connectivity, empowering your team to stay connected and productive, no matter where business takes them.

When it comes to small business cell phone plans , flexibility and customization are essential for meeting the diverse needs of different companies. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work in the business world, where unique requirements and budgets must be accommodated. Small businesses need plans that can be tailored to their specific usage patterns, employee needs, and growth projections.

Flexibility is crucial for small business owners who require the ability to adjust their plans as their needs change. Whether it’s scaling up to accommodate a growing team or downsizing during slower periods, the option to modify the plan without incurring excessive fees is invaluable. A plan that allows for seamless transitions and adjustments can provide peace of mind and financial stability for small business owners.

Customization goes hand in hand with flexibility, allowing businesses to select the features and services that align with their operational requirements. From data allowances and international calling options to device financing and add-on services, the ability to mix and match components enables businesses to create a plan that suits their unique needs. This level of customization ensures that companies are not paying for unnecessary features while having access to the resources they truly require.

Small businesses thrive on adaptability, and their cell phone plans should reflect this characteristic. The ability to customize and tailor plans to specific operational needs and growth trajectories is a crucial factor in determining the best small business cell phone plan.

When it comes to selecting a cell phone plan for your small business, cost and value are crucial factors to consider. You want a plan that offers competitive pricing without sacrificing the features and benefits that are essential for your business’s communication needs. Finding a plan that strikes the right balance between affordability and value can make a significant difference in your bottom line.

Many small business cell phone plans offer tiered pricing structures, allowing you to choose the plan that best aligns with your budget and usage requirements. It’s important to carefully evaluate the cost of each plan, considering not only the monthly fees but also any additional charges, such as overage fees, roaming charges, and taxes. Understanding the total cost of ownership is essential for making an informed decision.

Value goes beyond the price tag. It encompasses the features and benefits included in the plan. Look for plans that offer generous data allowances, unlimited calling and texting, and additional perks such as international roaming, mobile hotspot capabilities, and bundled services. Assessing the value of these features in relation to your business’s needs is crucial for determining the overall worth of the plan.

Furthermore, consider the potential for scalability and growth. A plan that offers flexibility in adding lines, adjusting data allowances, and accommodating new features as your business expands can provide long-term value by adapting to your evolving needs without incurring substantial additional costs.

When it comes to selecting a small business cell phone plan, the level of customer service and support provided by the carrier can be a critical factor. Having reliable customer support can make a significant difference in resolving any issues that may arise with your business’s mobile service. Whether it’s troubleshooting technical problems, addressing billing inquiries, or seeking assistance with plan customization, responsive and knowledgeable customer support is essential.

One of the key aspects to consider is the availability of customer service channels. A reputable carrier should offer various means of communication, such as phone support, live chat, email, and in-person assistance at their retail locations. This ensures that small business owners have multiple options to reach out for help based on their preferences and urgency of the matter at hand.

Moreover, the quality of customer service can be gauged by the promptness and effectiveness of the support provided. A carrier that values its small business customers will strive to offer timely and efficient solutions to issues, demonstrating a commitment to customer satisfaction. This can be reflected in the responsiveness of customer service representatives and their ability to address concerns with clarity and expertise.

Additionally, the availability of comprehensive self-service resources, such as online knowledge bases, FAQs, and tutorials, can empower small business owners and their employees to troubleshoot common problems independently. A carrier that invests in creating and maintaining robust self-help resources showcases a dedication to supporting its customers beyond traditional support channels.

Ultimately, the level of customer service and support offered by a carrier can greatly impact the overall experience of utilizing a small business cell phone plan. By prioritizing responsive, knowledgeable, and accessible customer support, carriers can effectively cater to the diverse needs and challenges faced by small businesses in managing their mobile communication needs.

Choosing the best small business cell phone plan is a crucial decision for any organization. It’s essential to consider factors such as coverage, data allowances, additional perks, and overall cost. By carefully evaluating the offerings from different carriers and understanding the specific needs of your business, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your requirements and budget. Whether it’s T-Mobile’s robust network, Verizon’s reliability, AT&T’s diverse plan options, or the flexibility of Sprint, each provider has unique advantages to offer. Ultimately, the best small business cell phone plan is the one that caters to your company’s communication needs while providing excellent value for money.

1. What should small business owners consider when choosing a cell phone plan? Small business owners should consider factors such as the number of lines needed, data usage, coverage area, international calling options, and the level of customer support provided by the carrier.

2. Can small business cell phone plans be customized to fit specific needs? Yes, many carriers offer customizable plans that allow small business owners to tailor their services to fit their specific needs, such as adding more lines, increasing data allowances, or including international calling features.

3. What are some cost-effective options for small business cell phone plans? Some cost-effective options for small business cell phone plans include shared data plans, family plans, and business-focused plans that offer discounts for multiple lines and include features tailored to business needs.

4. How can small business owners ensure they are getting the best value for their cell phone plan? Small business owners can ensure they are getting the best value for their cell phone plan by comparing plans from different carriers, considering the specific needs of their business, and taking advantage of any discounts or promotions offered by the carriers.

5. What level of customer support should small business owners expect from their cell phone plan provider? Small business owners should expect prompt and reliable customer support from their cell phone plan provider, including assistance with account management, technical support, and billing inquiries to ensure smooth operation of their business communications.

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How to Find the Best Cell Phone Plan for You

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

A slew of options makes picking a cell phone plan harder than it should be. 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 .

Which cellular network is best for you?

When it comes to the useability of your cell phone, signal quality matters most. While there are now many cell phone plan brands, there are still three major nationwide networks in the U.S. You know them: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

J.D. Power measures customer satisfaction of wireless network quality. Its 2024 study, which was informed by responses from more than 26,500 wireless customers, ranks Verizon highest for network quality in all six regions measured (Mid-Atlantic, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and West) [0] J.D. Power . 2024 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study – Volume 1 . Accessed Feb 13, 2024. View all sources . AT&T tied with Verizon in the Mid-Atlantic and North Central regions and T-Mobile tied with Verizon in the Southeast region.

If you already buy a plan directly from one of the big three carriers 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 soon to be 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 and T-Mobile networks.

If you’re unhappy with the quality of your current connection, check coverage maps and ask acquaintances about their experiences in the area on the other networks before you settle on a new plan that uses a different network.

Should you choose postpaid or prepaid?

Prepaid plans are typically cheaper, while postpaid plans add perks and priority data.

Pricey postpaid plans from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon tend to feature unlimited data, come bundled with perks like a streaming service subscription and give you the opportunity to finance a new phone when you sign up. These plans often place users higher in the pecking order when it comes to priority data (more on that in the next section). As the term “postpaid” would suggest, you pay for service after the fact and will likely need a credit check to qualify.

Prepaid plans, even the ones offered directly from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, tend to be more straightforward (read not bloated with extras you may not need), usually don’t require a credit check and often cost less.

The potential for deprioritized data can be the tradeoff with prepaid plans. That is, the possibility that the network owner may reduce data speeds for prepaid plan users during times of congestion (think a crowded sporting event or popular vacation spot during peak season). 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.

Keep in mind: Consumer Reports, which assesses customer satisfaction of cell phone carriers, rated T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T much lower than budget brands like Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile based on responses to its 2022 winter member survey.

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Do you need a family cell phone plan?

Adding lines to flagship unlimited plans from AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon will bring the cost of service per line down. 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 around $80 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 no-frills unlimited data plan with four lines for $100 a month, taxes included. Cricket’s site notes data may be slowed during congestion though.

Another way to grow the family (plan): Mint Mobile has a unique option that allows users to build a family-like plan by connecting multiple active Mint Mobile lines under one primary account manager using the app.

What plans are best for seniors?

If you’re a senior, it’s worth shopping around for a discount. Of the big three carriers, T-Mobile’s Essentials 55 is compelling based on price if you opt for two lines at $55 a month for unlimited talk, text and data. AT&T and Verizon each have a senior plan too, but both options are solely available to Floridians and are more expensive than T-Mobile’s nationwide option for those 55 and over.

A low-cost plan with minimal data may suffice instead. Consumer Cellular offers an unlimited talk and text plan with just 1GB of data for $20 a month, plus taxes and fees.

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 the cost of cell phone service has gone down in recent years. Knowing that might make it worthwhile to pull out the budget spreadsheet (or make one) 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.

On a similar note...

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Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024

When considering a new cell phone plan, it’s important to evaluate carriers based on your needs. Considering your data and app usage, along with what add-ons you’d like, will help you determine which plans offer the best features for your money.

Our Top 5 Rated Cell Phone Plans

best cell phone plan for small business

Tello Economy »

best cell phone plan for small business

Mint Mobile Unlimited »

best cell phone plan for small business

Visible »

Get $10 off Visible+ for 6 months with code 35FOR6. Terms apply.

Mint Mobile 15GB Plan »

Why Trust U.S. News

At U.S. News & World Report, we take an unbiased approach to our ratings. We adhere to strict editorial guidelines, maintain a separate business team, and provide transparency on our methodology.

Plans Evaluated

Reviews Analyzed

Table of Contents

Compare the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024

How to choose the right cell phone plan for you, what is a mobile virtual network operator.

Tello’s Economy plan tops the list in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating. Mint Mobile’s Unlimited, Visible’s Unlimited, and T-Mobile’s Go5G plans are right behind Tello, all tying for second place. Other plans in our rating include Verizon’s 5 GB Shared Plan and Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited plan.

Keep reading to learn more about the top-rated affordable , prepaid , and unlimited plans that made our ratings.

Our Best Rated Cell Phone Plans

Tello Economy

Mint Mobile Unlimited

Visible Unlimited

T-Mobile Go5G

Mint Mobile 15 GB Plan

Verizon 5GB Shared Plan

Verizon Do More Unlimited

Verizon Play More Unlimited

Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text

Verizon Start Unlimited

Google Fi Simply Unlimited

best cell phone plan for small business

Ultra Mobile 3GB plan

Key Takeaways

  • Tello, our No. 1 rated cell phone plan, sells low-cost, contract-free service that runs off of T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE networks.
  • Mint Mobile, rated No. 2 best cell phone plan, offers one of the most affordable unlimited data plans, also including a 5 GB hotspot allowance. 
  • T-Mobile Go5G (formerly Magenta) receives our accolade for Best Nationwide Coverage for 5G and offers one of the most inclusive, unlimited options.

The Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 consist of a mix of low-cost plans from small wireless carriers like Consumer Cellular and Google Fi, known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), along with plans from Verizon and T-Mobile. Our rating includes plans ranging from $9 up to $90 per month, with talk-and-text-only plans up to unlimited data.

5G currently available only on compatible devices and in select locations. Some restrictions may apply. See our review for details.

Determining the best cell phone plan for you can be difficult. There are several providers to choose from, and one provider may have multiple plans. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you purchase a plan:

  • How many lines do you need? A single cell phone line will have different needs than a multiple line plan . With multiple lines, there are often benefits or discounts that cannot be offered under single line plans. 
  • How will you use your device? Will you need your device solely for emergencies? Or will you use it constantly? This will help you know what data limits you need and other services you might enjoy. 
  • How much can you afford a month? This is especially important with postpaid plans, since you will receive a bill every month. You want to make sure you can afford to pay on a monthly basis.
  • Do you have a phone or will you need one? There are many companies that will help you transfer your current phone over. Some cell phone companies will also give discounts if you are willing to trade a phone in or work with the phone you have.
  • What discounts could you qualify for? Some carriers offer discounts to first responders, military members, and senior citizens. Some will also give out discounts when customers set up autopay.
  • How reliable is the service? You will want to look for a company that has reliable service. This is especially important if you are using the wireless plan for a hotspot or business calls. 
  • What type of wireless technology does the service have? Does the provider have a 4G, LTE, or 5G network, and will your cell phone be compatible with it?
  • Does the company have a trial period or money-back guarantee? By enrolling in a trial period or money-back guarantee program, you’ll be able to test data speeds and other features before committing to a contract and potentially losing money.
  • Do you travel internationally? If you do travel overseas frequently, look at what the company offers for international calls, texts, and data before committing.

There are companies like Mint Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile that function as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) on other networks like T-Mobile or Verizon. These customers might experience slower data during high-traffic times due to data prioritization. So, MVNOs might have cheaper plans, but they could result in slower data speeds from time to time.

A mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, is a small wireless provider that runs on a larger provider’s network. For example, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are considered large networks or mobile network operators. They lease their networks to small companies like Mint Mobile , Visible , and Tello , which use their cell towers to send customers’ phone signals.

MVNOs are popular because they offer affordable wireless plans and flexible billing options. Normally, no contract is required to purchase a cell phone plan with these companies, thus saving time and money. MVNOs do not have their own physical buildings and equipment to maintain, and they can pass these savings on to their customers. They may not offer in-person customer service options, but studies have shown that MVNO customers have a higher satisfaction rate than large carrier customers. According to David VanAmburg , managing director at ASCI, network quality isn’t a determining factor when it comes to customer satisfaction between larger carriers and MVNOs.

"Customer satisfaction differences in MNOs and MVNOs then come down to everything else such as flexibility, pricing, and value propositions,” VanAmburg said. “Here, MVNOs are doing better than MNOs. One distinguishing factor is MVNOs’ prepaid options offer more flexibility than MNOs’ contracts."

One potential downside to MVNOs is the deprioritization of high-speed data. That means customers of the large networks can be prioritized over MVNO customers during times of congestion or high traffic. In other words, MVNO customers might see their data speeds temporarily slow down.

Some companies even practice deprioritization between different plan tiers. In some cases, customers who pay for higher-cost plans may receive access to faster data transfer speeds than other customers, as well.

Types of Cell Phone Plans

When it comes to cell phone plans, there are three types: prepaid, pay-as-you-go, and postpaid.

Pay-as-you-go

Best cell phone plans in detail.

No contract

$9 monthly cost for the plan

Free international calls

1 GB of high-speed internet

No discounts for multiple lines

Requires the purchase of add-on data passes once you use up your initial data allotment

Tello Economy’s plan places No. 1 in the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024, Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024 , Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans of 2024 , and Best Seniors Cell Phone Plans of 2024 ratings , making it the Best Overall Plan of 2024. It’s one of the most affordable options at just $9 per month for one line.

Whether you have an iPhone, Android, or other type of cell phone, you can use your previous phone with this plan instead of buying a new one as long as it’s compatible with the T-Mobile network. This is convenient if you don’t necessarily want to buy a new phone, but do want to get cell service. It’s also a good option for anyone who does not want to commit to a specific plan, because you can upgrade or downgrade at any time and there’s no contract. Payments for this plan are due at the end of each month.

Tello’s $9-per-month plan includes T-Mobile’s 4G LTE and 5G networks, unlimited talk and text, free international calls to over 60 countries, and mobile hotspot tethering.

Mint Mobile Unlimited »

Unlimited data

Three, six, or 12-month contract periods

No month-to-month payment option

Must pay the yearly rate upfront to get lowest price

Data speeds slow down after 40 GB of usage

Note that Mint Mobile has increased its data caps since our initial review: The Unlimited plan has increased from 35 GB to 40 GB, which is reflected below.

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan ties for the No. 1 spot in our rating of the Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024 . Mint’s Unlimited plan is highly rated across our categories, also tying at No. 2 in the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 and the Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans of 2024 . Mint Unlimited gives customers 40 GB of high-speed data on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE or 5G network, 10 GB of mobile hotspot data, unlimited talk and text nationwide, and even free calls to Mexico and Canada. At the time of our rating, this plan had given 35 GB of data with 5 GB of mobile hotspot coverage.

Mint’s plans are known for being affordable options, particularly for individuals looking for a single-user plan. After a seven-day free trial, customers can prepay for three months, six months, or a full year of service. The plan starts at $30 per month for three months and increases to $40 per month for the next three months. Paying in six-month increments will decrease that monthly rate to $35 per month. The best long-term deal comes with a yearly prepaid rate of $360, which breaks down to $30 per month.

Like several other plans in this rating, Mint Mobile’s Unlimited Plan is subject to data deprioritization. This means if you go over the 40 GB monthly limit, your speeds will slow down. If you are approaching your data limit and don’t want to see your speeds decrease, Mint Mobile makes it easy to add more high-speed data to your plan during the cycle.

Visible Unlimited »

No cap on high-speed data

Taxes and fees included in pricing

Family and group payment option grandfathered in

No Party Pay available for new plans

May be slow during periods of high internet traffic

Visible, previously known as Visible Unlimited, ties in the top spot for Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024 and Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2024 , and ties in the No. 2 spot in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 ratings. The company, owned by Verizon, uses Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G cellular networks for its plans.

While the company still has its Visible Unlimited plan, it is now offering new customers two monthly unlimited data plans – Visible and Visible+ – at $30 and $45 (taxes and fees included), respectively. Both new plans include unlimited high-speed talk, text, and data; unlimited talk and text to Canada and Mexico; unlimited mobile hotspot use at speeds up to 5 megabits per second; and spam protection. The Visible+ plan also features 5G Ultra Wideband for faster downloads and much broader international calling and texting options. Keep in mind that while Visible doesn’t throttle its data speed, it uses Verizon’s networks, and Verizon customers will receive priority when network usage times are heavy.

Visible’s Party Pay option has been phased out with the new Visible and Visible+ plans.

T-Mobile Go5G »

best cell phone plan for small business

Cost of plan includes taxes and fees

100 GB of high-speed data

Free Netflix basic account with two or more lines

Hotspot data limited to 5 GB

Streaming resolution capped at 480p

For the second time in our ratings, T-Mobile receives Best Nationwide Coverage for 5G. When connecting to 5G in urban areas, it offers some of the fastest speeds available.

Its Go5G plan (formerly Magenta) ties at No. 1 in our Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating and places No. 2 in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating. Go5G costs $80 per month including taxes and fees, offers coverage for up to twelve lines, and includes 100 GB of high-speed data along with 15 GB to use as a mobile hotspot. Go5G includes unlimited talking and texting (nationwide and internationally for 210 countries), a basic Netflix account, and standard-definition video streaming on your cell phone.

There are perks to the plan like T-Mobile Tuesdays, where customers get exclusive offers and optional add-on features like extra hotspot data, high-definition streaming, and device data plans.

Mint Mobile 15 GB »

15 GB of high-speed data each month

Option to purchase more high-speed data during the month

Flexibility to upgrade your current plan before contract expiration

Must pay 12 months upfront for lowest rate

Only offers prepaid contracts

Data speeds slow down after 15 GB

Note that Mint Mobile has increased its data caps since our initial review: The 10 GB plan has increased to 15 GB, which is reflected below.

Mint Mobile’s 15 GB plan places No. 4 in our Most Affordable Cell Phone Plans of 2024 and No. 5 in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 ratings. The plan starts at $20 per month for new customers, after which your price may increase depending on the payment plan you choose. If you lock into a 12-month contract, you’ll get to keep your $20 per month rate, for a prepaid total of $240.

The plan includes 15 GB of high-speed data (after which you’ll still have data but speeds will slow), unlimited talk and text, and mobile hotspot capability. At the time of this rating, this plan had included only 10 GB of data.

Mint Mobile allows you to upgrade to a more expensive plan or downgrade to a cheaper plan in the middle of your contracted period. However, if you’re downgrading your service, consider waiting until the contract ends, as all service is prepaid.

Verizon 5 GB Shared Plan »

best cell phone plan for small business

Unlimited international messages from inside the United States

Allows carryover of unused data

Many optional add-ons to choose from

Can only use mobile hotspot on specific devices

Data may slow down after 5 GB of usage

Note that Verizon plans 5 GB Shared, Do More Unlimited, Play More Unlimited, Start Unlimited are no longer available to add. Find information on Verizon’s two new plans (Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus) on our Verizon Cell Phone Plans Review page.

Verizon’s Shared Data 5 GB plan places third in the Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2024 and fifth in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating. It starts at $55 per month for one line if you sign up for autopay and e-billing; otherwise, it starts at $65 per month per line. The plan includes 5 GB of high-speed data and unlimited data at slower speeds. You also receive unlimited talking and texting.

If you use all of your monthly data, you can add 1 GB of high-speed data for $15 per month using Verizon’s Data Boost option. However, if you don’t use all your data, it rolls over each month. Another option for staying online after you’ve met your data limit is via Safety Mode, which provides internet access at a much slower speed. The 5 GB Shared plan does not allow mobile hotspot tethering.

Verizon provides access to the largest 4G LTE and 5G network in the U.S. Its Ultra-Wideband 5G (its fastest connection) is not available with this plan. Currently, its second-tier 5G is more widely available.

Verizon Do More Unlimited »

5G Ultra-Wideband for fast internet access

4K high-definition streaming

Disney+ free for six months

Discount on device plans

Hotspot limited to 25 GB

50 GB high-speed data cap

Autopay and e-billing required for lowest rate

Note that Verizon plans 5 GB Shared, Do More Unlimited, Play More Unlimited, Start Unlimited are no longer available to add. Find information on Verizon’s two new plans (Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus) on our Verizon Cell Phone Plans Review page .

Verizon’s 5G Do More plan costs $80 a month per line if you set up online billing and autopay. Without those, it’s $90 per month. For families, the price drops to $45 per line each month for four lines with autopay and paper-free billing. The plan gives you 50 GB of high-speed data and unlimited data at slower speeds. Where available, you’ll have access to Verizon’s Ultra-Wideband 5G network, with its regular 5G and 4G LTE networks as needed. The plan includes 25 GB of mobile hotspot data, unlimited talking and texting nationwide and in Mexico and Canada, along with international texting to 200 countries.

If you bundle internet with this plan you can save up to 50%, and Verizon offers perks such as discounted device data plans, cloud storage, along with Disney+ , Apple Music, and other popular streaming services . The Do More plan ties at No. 3 in the Best Family Plans of 2024 and the Best Unlimited Plans of 2024. It ties at No. 6 in the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024.

Verizon Play More Unlimited »

5G Ultra Wideband for peak performance

4K high-definition video streaming

Disney+ Bundle is included in monthly cost

Discounted home internet if you bundle with your cell phone plan

50 GB limit for high-speed data

Verizon’s 5G Play More plan places fourth in the Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024 and eighth in the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 ratings, among others. It’s $80 per month at its discounted price, which comes after you opt into autopay and paper-free billing. Otherwise, the plan costs $90 per month per line. Like the Do More Unlimited plan, the price lowers to $45 per line each month for four lines with autopay and paper-free billing. It includes unlimited talking and texting nationwide and in Canada and Mexico, as well as international texting to 200 countries.

Play More gives you access to 5G Nationwide and 5G Ultra-Wideband, Verizon's fastest connection available. It includes 50 GB of high-speed data and 25 GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, after which your speeds are throttled.

Verizon gives you access to Disney+, ESPN+ , Hulu , and Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, along with six months of Apple Music for free.

Verizon Start Unlimited »

Free international texting

No hotspot use

Data slows during high-traffic on internet

Verizon’s Start Unlimited plan places sixth in our Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans, seventh in our Best Family Cell Phone Plans, and 10th in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024. This option is one of the few plans in our ratings that doesn’t have a cap on high-speed data, which is especially important if you like streaming on your device. The plan also includes unlimited talking and texting, including internationally to more than 200 countries, as well as unlimited data over Verizon’s 5G Nationwide network. However, if the network is congested, your data still may slow down for a period of time.

The plan is $80 per month regularly, but you can get that price down to $70 per month if you opt for autopay and electronic billing. But included in this price is also six months of access to Disney+ and either Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass. You can also join Verizon Up rewards for special offers.

Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text »

best cell phone plan for small business

Simple plans

Several data options

AARP member discounts

Entry-level phones available

Slower service during heavy network usage

Consumer Cellular places fifth in our Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024 , fifth in our Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024 , and places in other ratings as well. It uses AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks to provide wireless coverage. You can get a talk-and-text only plan for $15 per month for one line, which is rare among other companies. You can pair your own phone with Consumer Cellular’s service or buy an entry-level phone from the company. Data plans cost from $20 to $45 per month and range from 1 GB to 15 GB. You can receive a $5 credit if you enroll in e-billing and autopay. You can also get a 5% discount every month if you are a senior citizen with an AARP membership.

See what other cell phone plans are best for seniors in our rating of the Best Seniors Cell Phone Plans of 2024 .

Google Fi Simply Unlimited »

best cell phone plan for small business

35 GB of high-speed data each month

Virtual Private Network included

Parent controls come standard with the plan

Lack of certain features for iPhones

No data while traveling internationally

Google Fi’s Unlimited plan places fifth in the Best Prepaid Plans of 2024 and 11th in the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024. The plan costs $60 a month per line and includes unlimited talking and texting and 22 GB of high-speed data per month. After 22 GB of usage, upload and download data speeds are throttled, but you’ll still have access to the internet. Alternatively, you can add more high-speed data for $10 per GB. The plan also includes free calls to Canada and Mexico.

There is no hotspot capability, but the plan includes a virtual private network (VPN) and spam-blocking software to help keep your data secure. All Google Fi plans include parental controls to help you screen calls and manage your child’s data usage.

What Data Plans Are Available on Cell Phone Plans?

Cell phone plan offerings can range from talking and texting only to unlimited data. Within our ratings, you’ll find a variety of options. When you’re looking for a new cell phone, it’s the perfect time to analyze your data usage. You may be surprised by what you learn, and how you use your phone will determine which type of data plan best fits your needs. Then you can choose how to maximize your money based on the options provided.

Limited talk and text

If you’re a light cell phone user, you can save money by opting for one of the smaller data plans, such as the Tello Economy plan or Consumer Cellular’s Unlimited Talk and Text plan . If you’re in the moderate range, then Mint Mobile Unlimited (40 GB data cap) or Google Fi Simply Unlimited with its 22 GB data limit may be a good fit.

Obviously, truly unlimited plans without a cap, such as Visible Unlimited or Verizon’s 5G Start Unlimited plan , can be of interest because they are flexible and may cost less in the long run, as you would not have to purchase more high-speed data each month.

Hotspot capabilities

You may want to look for a plan with mobile hotspot capabilities to connect your laptop or tablet on the go. But be aware of your mobile hotspot needs. For some plans, hotspot data draws from your monthly allowance, and for some, it’s separate. Find out which one you need and plan accordingly.

Finding the biggest “bang for your buck” and other considerations

The more high-speed data you have access to for the cost of your plan, the further your money will go. Your data plan connects you to the internet when Wi-Fi isn't available. Checking email, browsing the web, streaming videos, and playing online games all use different amounts of data.

If you consider plans with lower data allotments, you may want to find out how much it will cost to add more data during the month. For example, Tello Economy's $9 a month plan comes with the least amount of high-speed data among the plans in our rating at just 1 GB. As a result, this plan isn't the best choice if you enjoy watching lots of shows or videos every month.

However, some plans (like T-Mobile’s Go5g plan ) include unlimited standard-definition streaming that doesn’t take from your high-speed data or simply come with more high-speed data that can accommodate your needs.

  • Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans of 2024

Five plans make our Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating, with Tello’s Economy plan taking the No. 1 spot. Paying for service ahead of time is a great way to stick to a budget. That’s the biggest difference between prepaid and postpaid plans. Postpaid plans can change by the end of the billing cycle and cost more money unexpectedly. Contrarily, prepaid plans can keep your phone use in check by limiting your data access based on what you can afford.

Prepaid plans usually last for a fixed amount of time, don't require a contract, and often don't require a credit check. With most companies, the plan renews according to the schedule you pick, whether that’s monthly or every three, six, or 12 months.

Learn more in our Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans of 2024 guide.

  • Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024

Our rating of the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024 consists of prepaid and postpaid plans that cost less than $40 per month per line. Including autopay and other discounted pricing, the average cost of plans in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating is about $47 per month, whereas plans that make our Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans rating start around $20 per month. Depending on the plan you choose, this can add up to significant savings.

Our most affordable cell phone plans consist of MVNOs and small carriers only. Since MVNOs lease network space from the large carriers and do not own their own facilities, they have less overhead to pay. In turn, they allow their customers to be deprioritized behind the larger carriers’ customers while still providing reasonably fast internet speeds. This is how small carriers pass on savings to their customers.

Learn more in our Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024 guide.

  • Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2024

Most families want a cell phone plan that covers the basics like talking and texting and includes flexibility for members who may use more or less data. Unlimited and shared plans do a good job at this because many offer unlimited data or data that rolls over and can be split between family members without causing extra fees from overages. Plans that made our Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating have free calls between family members on the plan, offer a minimum of two lines, have a single bill, and provide shared data or a specific allotment of data per line.

Wireless companies encourage family plans by reducing the cost per line as you add lines to your plan. This helps make higher-cost plans like those from T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T more affordable while offering some of the add-ons families find attractive.

Learn more in our Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2024 guide.

  • Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors of 2024

Many seniors have set budgets and are in retirement or close to it. Wireless companies like T-Mobile , Mint Mobile , and Consumer Cellular offer discounts, plans, or cell phones designed with seniors in mind. Other plans, like Tello Economy , are prepaid, simplistic, and low-cost.

Our rating of the Best Senior Cell Phone Plans of 2024 contains affordable plans that might work well for seniors. These plans don’t typically have extended contracts, and they offer discounts for people 55 or older or those who are AARP members. If the plan does not offer a discount but costs less than $40 per month, it was included in our rating.

Review our Best Senior Cell Phone Plans of 2024 to learn more.

  • Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024

Mint Mobile Unlimited and Visible Unlimited tie for first place in our rating of the Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2024. Verizon's unlimited plans, Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text, and Google Fi Simply Unlimited also make the cut. If you’re looking for unlimited talk time and text messaging, plans on our list offer plenty of options. However, all unlimited plans aren’t created equal when it comes to high-speed data.

“Unlimited data” means you will always have access to the internet via your cell phone plan, but that’s not the same as unlimited high-speed data. You’ll find some plans have data caps or thresholds after which your high-speed data will slow down considerably, but you will still have access to data; therefore, the plan is labeled “unlimited.”

Consistent high-speed data could be somewhat elusive, and it might be helpful to know that only 4% of users require more than 50 GB of data per month. If you happen to be among those heavy data users or just want a plan with a hefty amount of data, then our list of Best Unlimited Plans of 2024 is a good place to start.

How To Buy a Cell Phone Plan

Determine if you want to purchase in-store or online.

Cell phone plans can be purchased online or in-store. Some companies, like Verizon and T-Mobile, allow you to come into their stores to purchase a new cell phone plan. But others, like Mint Mobile, don’t have brick-and-mortar stores. For these companies, your only options are to go to the company’s website or call their customer service line.

Check your current cell phone’s compatibility.

Cell phone companies might have different compatibility requirements when it comes to your device working with their services.

Make sure you understand payment requirements.

For prepaid plans, be prepared to pay ahead of time. Some new cell phone plans might require a contract for a certain amount of time.

Arrive with your phone unlocked.

If you’re using your own phone, make sure that it is unlocked before starting a new plan. This is one of the most important items to make sure you check before starting a plan transaction.

An unlocked cell phone is one that is not linked to a contract with a specific carrier. This means it can be used with other carriers without any trouble. Your current provider can let you know if your device is locked and, if so, what you’ll have to do to unlock it.

When you purchase a cell phone plan, you get access to that mobile carrier’s network via cell towers or satellites. Depending on the plan, it allows you to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages, and use cellular/mobile data to access the internet when not connected to Wi-Fi.

Your phone itself contains a SIM card or uses an eSIM to store your identifying information – including your address, plan details, and usage amounts – so the carrier can associate your account with your device.

When you make a call, radio waves travel from your device to a cell tower and then are transmitted to the phone of the person you’re calling. The same process simultaneously happens in reverse so you can have a two-way conversation.

The average cost of cell phone plans in the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating is $47 per month. The average cost of a prepaid plan making our list is $27 a month, and the average cost of the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans is $20 per month. Prices for all plans we reviewed range from $10 per month to $80 per month for a single line.

Most carriers allow you to enter your address or ZIP code on their websites to see if service is available in your area. If there is a brick-and-mortar store, you can ask in person, or you can call the company’s customer support line to find out about service locations and availability.

Most plans in our rating have various options, including additional high-speed data, mobile hotspot data, and streaming services. Although unlimited data is included in all the plans, most cell phone service providers offer additional high-speed data, charging by the gigabyte. For example, Google Fi provides additional data for $10 per GB. This is a convenient way to pay only for the data you use; however, it can increase your bottom line each month.

Some plans include the cost of streaming services, such as T-Mobile’s or AT&T’s top unlimited plans. Others, like Verizon, offer discounts on streaming services such as Disney+ , Hulu , or ESPN .

If you frequently travel internationally, you may want to extend your service to your destination. Many wireless companies allow you to do this. For example, Mint Mobile lets you purchase credits to use when you’re abroad. This helps keep you from racking up unexpected international roaming charges by paying as you go.

Some extras can help you stay secure while online or using your cell phone. T-Mobile offers Scam Shield, which helps block scam calls, for example. Google Fi includes a virtual private network (VPN) for devices with an Android 8.1 or higher operating system. A VPN helps hide your personal information from prying eyes on the internet.

Add-Ons of the Best Cell Phone Plans

Like the name suggests, you pay for the plan in advance for a specific amount of time. Terms can have lengths anywhere from a week to a year. Once that time is up, your service will end, and you’ll need to recharge or purchase a new plan to continue calling, texting, or using mobile data. There’s no monthly bill or credit check, and you know what you’re paying – and what you’re getting – upfront.

Watch for duration limits. If you choose a monthly prepaid plan, for example, check if you’ll have to recharge every 28 days, 30 days, or the first of each month. You’d need to recharge more often with a 28-day plan than you would with a 30-day plan, which can cost more over time. Some plans also allow for automatic renewal, which is convenient if you want to stay with your current carrier and plan, but some people prefer to re-up manually so they don’t lose track of their spending.

This is the most common type of plan. It can offer perks and more overall value for users, but it may not be right for everyone. With a postpaid plan, you sign up with a carrier (sometimes by signing a contract), use their network, and pay for service at the end of each billing cycle or contract period. If you choose this type, make sure your finances can handle potential unforeseen overages, which can be tacked on to your bill if you exceed call, text, or data limits each month. You may also be subject to a credit check before enrolling or signing the contract.

Other Cell Phone Plans

  • Boost Mobile
  • Go Talk Wireless
  • Metro by T-Mobile
  • Spectrum Mobile
  • Ultra Mobile
  • Xfinity Mobile

For more information about cell phone plans visit our guides:

  • AT&T vs. Verizon Cell Phone Plans
  • T-Mobile vs. AT&T Cell Phone Plans
  • T-Mobile vs. Verizon Cell Phone Plans
  • Visible vs. Verizon Cell Phone Plans

Other Ratings From 360 Reviews

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Sarah Shelton and Jeff Kinney and Onjeinika Brooks and Kathryn Core

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Wondering what features the top-rated cell phone plans of 2024 include? Find the answers to these questions and more inside our guide.

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Methodology, our 360 methodology for cell phone plans, 1. we researched the companies and products people care most about., 2. we created objective 360 overall ratings based on an analysis of third-party reviews..

  • Professional Ratings and Reviews . Many independent cell phone plan evaluating sources have published their assessments of cell phone plans online. We consider several of these third-party reviews to be reputable and well-researched. However, professional reviewers often make recommendations that contradict one another. Rather than relying on a single source, U.S. News believes consumers benefit most when these opinions and recommendations are considered and analyzed collectively with an objective, consensus-based methodology.
  • Consumer Ratings and Reviews . U.S. News also reviewed published consumer ratings and reviews of cell phone plan providers. Sources with a sufficient number of quality consumer ratings and reviews were included in our scoring model.
  • Calculating the Z-Score: The Z-Score represents a data point's relation to the mean measurement of the data set. The Z-Score is negative when the data point is below the mean and positive when it's above the mean; a Z-Score of 0 means it's equal to the mean. To determine the Z-Score for each third-party rating of a company, we calculated the mean of the ratings across all companies evaluated by that third-party source. We then subtracted the mean from the company’s rating and divided it by the standard deviation to produce the Z-Score.
  • Calculating the T-Score: We used a T-Score calculation to convert the Z-Score to a 0-100 scale by multiplying the Z-Score by 10. To ensure that the mean was equal across all data points, we added our desired scoring mean (between 0 and 10) to the T-Score to create an adjusted T-Score.
  • Calculating the common-scale rating: We divided the adjusted T-Score, which is on a 100-point scale, by 20 to convert the third-party rating to a common 0-5 point system.

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

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Save $30/mo when you bundle a qualifying LTE Business Internet or 5G Business Internet plan with a Business Unlimited smartphone plan.

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Available within the U.S. on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Compatible LTE-enabled router required (Verizon-provided or customer-provided). All plans include a data allowance and if usage exceeds that allowance, overage charges will apply. No domestic or international roaming. In times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic. Taxes, fees, Economic Adjustment Charge and other terms apply.

Unlimited 4G LTE and 5G Nationwide data. Plans include a monthly allowance of high speed hotspot data then unlimited lower speed data for the rest of the month. In times of congestion, your data (including mobile hotspot if available with your plan) may be temporarily slower than other traffic. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. Terms apply.

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How long will it take for my discount to be applied?

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Money.com

6 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans

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Nowadays, it’s practically impossible to avoid a cell phone plan. But that doesn’t mean you’re limited to expensive contracts with major carriers. There are plenty of cheap cell phone plans available to keep you connected without overpaying.

Whether you’re looking for unlimited data, overseas calling or an affordable plan for talk and text, you have options. This guide will walk you through six low-cost plans on the market today. Keep reading for tips on how cheap cell phone plans work and how to find the best company for you.

Why Trust Us?

Our editors and writers evaluate cell phone plans and companies independently to ensure that our content is both precise and guided by editorial integrity. Read the full methodology below to learn more.

  • 9 insurers reviewed
  • 5 factors scored

Our Top Picks for the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans

  • Tello Economy - Best for Maximum Savings
  • Visible Unlimited - Best for Unlimited Data
  • AT&T Next Up - Best for Upgrades
  • Mint Mobile Unlimited - Best for Pay-as-You-Go
  • AT&T Prepaid - Best for Overseas Coverage
  • Google Fi Simply Unlimited - Best for Multiple Lines

The 6 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans Reviews

Most cheap cell phone providers are known as mobile virtual network operators or MVNOs. An MVNO cuts costs by leasing access to a major cell phone provider’s network. The main advantage of this system is that it’s more affordable for the customer, while still providing the same coverage as a major network. However, MVNO customers can be deprioritized in busy areas, and some budget cell phone companies offer fewer perks and upgrades than major providers.

So, is a budget-friendly cell phone plan right for you? That depends on what you’re looking for. The right low-cost service might provide all the covers and features you need while still helping you save. Below are six of the best cheap cell phone plans available today. Read on for an honest review of each, including pros, cons and why we chose it.

Why we chose it : Tello Economy is a cheap cell phone plan that’s reliable and transparent. This is one of the best cell phone plans for people who don’t use a lot of wireless data.

  • Super low-cost plan
  • Allows international calls
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • No contract required
  • Limited data allowance
  • No discounts for multiple lines

Tello is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide network, which provides 5G or 4G LTE coverage throughout 60% of the U.S.

At $9 per month, the prepaid Economy plan is Tello’s cheapest option. With unlimited calls and texts, it’s ideal for someone who uses their phone primarily for talking and texting. Free international calls are also included.

Tello Economy offers 1GB of data per month. There is no fee if you use more than this. For reference, an hour of browsing social media uses about 156MB or 15.6% of 1GB. Watching Netflix, on the other hand, uses about 1GB per hour.

Alongside the Economy plan, Tello also offers a no-data plan for people who only use their phones to text and call. Tello’s other plans are also affordable — you can choose between 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB or unlimited data, and you’re able to customize the number of minutes per month you need.

Tello Mobile offers a 24/7 customer helpline and has overall excellent customer reviews, with a rating of 4.5/5 stars on one third-party review site. However, this isn’t the best plan if you do a lot of browsing, listening or watching. But if you want a simple, cheap plan for calling and texting, Tello Economy is one of the best on the market.

Why we chose it : Visible Unlimited is a low-cost plan with no contract and unlimited data. It’s a good option for a family or individual that wants to save money without having to watch their data usage.

  • Broad coverage through Verizon's network
  • High-speed data with no caps
  • Option to upgrade to Visible+ for more features
  • No hidden taxes or fees
  • Family plans aren't customizable
  • Data can be slow in high-traffic areas

Visible is a prepaid cell phone plan that runs on Verizon’s nationwide network. Covering 99% of the populated continental U.S., Verizon has the most extensive coverage of all major carriers.

Visible customers have access to fast 5G data wherever they go. However, they will be deprioritized on the Verizon network in busy areas.

Monthly pricing for an individual is $25 per month, and $45 per month for Visible+. Visible also offers a $20 rebate when you refer a friend to the plan (your friend will also get $20 off their first bill). There are no caps on high-speed data for every member. Taxes and fees are included in the upfront cost.

Some of Visible’s extra features include an unlimited mobile hotspot, unlimited talk and text to (and in) Mexico and Canada, and spam protection. If you use an Apple Watch or other smartwatch , you can add it to your plan for an additional $5 per month.

Unfortunately, Visible doesn’t have the best reviews for customer service. Online complaints on sites like the BBB report poor communication and difficulty contacting the company.

That said, there are no contracts, and you can cancel your plan at any time. As most customer complaints refer to device upgrades, we recommend connecting your own functioning phone to Visible’s service.

This plan is best for someone who wants unlimited data and multiple lines with no long-term commitment.

Why we chose it : AT&T Next Up is one of the cheapest ways to upgrade to the newest smartphone. With this plan, you can upgrade your phone every year as long as you’ve paid off 50% of your current device.

  • No upgrade or activation fees
  • Get a new device every year
  • Works with all AT&T data plans
  • More expensive than other plans
  • Customers must meet certain credit requirements
  • No pay-as-you-go option

If you’re the kind of person who always wants the latest tech, you might want to consider AT&T Next Up. With this program, you get a 36-month contract to pay off your new phone. Once you’ve made 50% of the payments, you have the option to trade it in for an early upgrade or keep paying it off.

Most new phones are available through Next Up, including the iPhone 14, Galaxy S23+ and Google Pixel 7. There is no fee to upgrade and activate your new device, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely free. You’ll still have to pay taxes on the full retail price of the new phone.

AT&T Next Up isn’t a prepaid plan or MVNO — it isn’t as budget-friendly as some of the other options on this list. But it is a good way to save on your device upgrades. The plan lets you bundle your cell phone service and device payments. For example, if you upgrade to a device with a retail price of $799, you can pay $22.22 per month for the device, plus a $6 monthly Next Up fee on top of your postpaid cell phone plan.

As a major provider, AT&T offers widespread coverage and 24/7 customer service. Some customer complaints on the BBB report a lack of transparency in device upgrade pricing and contract length requirements.

Keep in mind that the AT&T Next Up plan is limited to existing customers or new customers in good credit standing. If you’re working on your credit, a prepaid plan might be best, but if you enjoy regular device upgrades, AT&T Next Up could be a good option for you.

Why we chose it : Mint Mobile Unlimited stands out from the other pay-as-you-go plans for its low cost and flexibility. You can pay in advance for a three, six or 12-month period, as well as choose a data amount that best fits your needs.

  • Choose your pre-paid period
  • Low cost for unlimited data
  • No hidden fees or charges
  • Option to add data as you use it
  • Needs to be paid in advance
  • Data speeds slow down if you overuse
  • No month-to-month option

Mint Mobile is a prepaid coverage provider owned by T-Mobile. While Mint Mobile doesn’t offer a month-to-month prepaid plan, the Unlimited option is our top pay-as-you-go plan. Its low cost and offers up to 40GB of high-speed data per month, plus unlimited texts and calls. If you use more than 40GB in a month, your data will slow down but is still unlimited.

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan is normally $30 per month for 12 months paid in full. However, all plans, including the unlimited plan, have been reduced to $15 per month for a three month contract. After the promotional period, plans return to their regular rate. You can access discounted rates through the Family plan starting with just two lines (the exact discount per line varies depending on each user’s plan). You can connect your own phone to Mint’s service or buy a new one through the provider.

Mint Mobile has 3.5/5 stars out of over 10,000 reviews on one popular third-party online review platform, with customers reporting helpful live chat support and reliable customer service. However, it’s rated 1.18/5 stars from just 371 customers on the BBB. That low score may be due to a history of old or outdated complaints, as Mint is still a growing company, but it’s an important consideration.

Mint cell phone plans are transparent and don’t come with any fees or taxes. This provider is best for a customer who wants cheap data coverage and is willing to pay upfront.

Why we chose it : Unlike other AT&T contracts, you can renew this prepaid plan monthly. It’s a cheap way for travelers to call and text from overseas without a contract.

  • Low monthly fee
  • Multiple payment tier options
  • Expansive coverage in Europe
  • Unlimited texting on all plans
  • Limited coverage outside of Europe
  • No unlimited data
  • Reduced minutes on the cheapest plan

AT&T Prepaid offers add-ons for international travelers or people who have friends and family abroad.

  • International calling – For a $10/month charge, you can add 250 minutes of free international calling to 70 countries and unlimited international texts to your prepaid plan. With an additional $5 per month, you’ll get unlimited international minutes and can extend your coverage to over 230 countries, 85 of which are unlimited.
  • International travel add-on – AT&T’s international travel add-on is another bonus feature you can add to your prepaid plan if you want to call, text and use your data while you’re traveling. For $35, you’ll get unlimited talk and text, plus 5GB of international data for 7 days. Roaming coverage with this add-on is best in Europe, as AT&T has the most partner networks in that region. If you’re traveling outside of Europe, coverage can be spotty, but it’s still an affordable option for texts and emergency calls.

In addition to those add-on options, all of AT&T’s prepaid plans include unlimited talk, text and roaming data to Mexico and Canada, as well as unlimited texts to over 230 countries.

As one of the “Big Three” cell phone providers in the U.S., AT&T has extensive coverage. AT&T Prepaid lets you access that coverage without an expensive contract. You’ll also get a free SIM card when you bring your own phone.

AT&T has 24/7 customer service but mixed reviews from customers. Some reviews on popular third-party online review sites reflect difficulty getting a hold of customer service and a lack of transparency in contracts.

Why we chose it : With Google Fi Simply Unlimited , every line gets unlimited talk, text and data, plus 5GB of hotspot data for a monthly fee. While this isn’t the cheapest prepaid plan for an individual, it’s one of the most affordable group plans on the market.

  • Extensive coverage through T-Mobile and UScellular
  • Unlimited talk, text and data
  • Affordable for groups of four
  • Free roaming in Canada and Mexico
  • Better value for groups than individuals
  • Limited selection of phones designed for the service

Google Fi Simply Unlimited offers a low-cost family bundle. Each new line added to your bundle costs $20, up to six lines (excluding any add-on features). The service includes free roaming in Canada and Mexico. This plan limits discounts to six people, so any additional lines will be charged the standard rate of $50 per person.

Google’s cell network uses T-Mobile and UScellular, which means you’ll get coverage pretty much everywhere. You can bring your own phone to Google Fi — both Android and iPhone devices can access 5G coverage. However, Google’s “designed for Fi” phones can automatically switch between networks for optimal coverage. The current selection of “designed for Fi” phones is limited and doesn’t include iPhones.

This is one of the best family cell phone plans with no contract. It’s fairly easy to manage and comes with 24/7 customer support over the phone or through live chat. Reviews for the Google Fi app on the Apple App Store and Google Play report some data connectivity issues, but fair pricing and transparent customer service.

This plan is ideal for an Android user who wants to bundle multiple lines without the hassle of a contract.

Other Cheap Cell Phone Plans We Considered

Consumer cellular.

With discounts for AARP members, Consumer Cellular is one of the best prepaid cell phone plans for seniors, but only for those who don’t use much data. It doesn’t offer any unlimited plans and can be expensive for an individual line.

  • Simple, straightforward plans
  • Discounts for AARP members
  • Multiple data plan options
  • No smartphone upgrades
  • Can get expensive

Cricket Wireless Unlimited

Cricket Wireless, an MVNO operated by AT&T, is a popular alternative to major carriers. The Unlimited plan offers a decent family package with unlimited data. It has good coverage through AT&T’s network but is pricier than other prepaid options.

  • Good deal for families of four
  • Unlimited hotspot data
  • Taxes included in the price
  • Expensive for a prepaid plan
  • Not the best value for individuals

Boost Mobile 1GB Plan

Boost Mobile offers a low-cost 1GB plan for people who don’t use much data. This 12-month plan has no contract, but you must pay the full year upfront to get the best deal. Unlike Mint Mobile’s 12-month prepaid plan, Boost Mobile’s cheapest plans don’t include unlimited data.

  • No charge for overusing data
  • A low-cost option for individual lines
  • Only 1GB of data per month
  • Has to be paid annually

Cheap Cell Phone Plans Guide

If you’re shopping for affordable cell phone plans, keep your priorities in mind. Do you need multiple lines, unlimited data or overseas usage? Do you want to pay as you go, prepay or lock into a contract?

Even the best, cheap no-contract cell phone plans require some commitment. This guide will cover what you need to consider when searching for the best plan for you.

Types of cell phone plans

The key factor that sets different types of phone plans apart is how you pay for them. You can choose to pay in advance or set up a contract and pay your bill monthly.

In general, prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans are more affordable than contract plans, but that isn’t always the case. Contracts can be helpful for families who want to bundle multiple lines, device upgrades and other services into one monthly bill. Here’s a more detailed look at each plan type.

Pay-as-you-go

A pay-as-you-go plan is exactly what it sounds like. You pay for a certain time period or allotment of data, and when it’s up, you can choose to pay again or switch to another provider.

Pay-as-you-go might be best if you:

  • Want to test out a service before you sign up for a contract
  • Are on a tight budget
  • Only need limited data
  • Need the service for a short time (like when you’re traveling)

Prepaid plans differ slightly from pay-as-you-go because you prepay for a certain time period, not usage.

If you overuse data on your prepaid plan, you might be charged a fee or have to deal with slower data until the next payment period (your provider might limit you to 2G or 3G data). Some plans come with unlimited data for a slightly higher rate. These are no-contract plans, so you can cancel your service at any time.

You might want to sign up for a prepaid plan if you:

  • Want unlimited data without a contract
  • Want to include multiple lines in your plan
  • Already have a phone
  • Have a low credit score or no credit

A postpaid plan, or contract plan, is the typical cell phone plan that comes with a monthly bill. These plans tend to be a little pricier on the surface than prepaid plans, but if you bundle multiple services, you might save money in the long run.

One important thing to consider is that contract cell phone plans can affect your credit, especially if you’re paying off a new device with your provider. If you miss a payment or end your contract early, it will hurt your credit score.

Postpaid plans can be paid automatically and don’t require much maintenance once the contract starts. A postpaid cell phone plan might be worth the cost if you:

  • Want to include multiple lines
  • Regularly upgrade your phone and want the best deals
  • Are interested in discounts on accessories and streaming services
  • Don’t want the hassle of monthly prepayments
  • Are in good credit standing

What to consider when choosing a cell phone plan

Here are a few key factors you’ll want to keep in mind before you sign up for a new plan, including the cost, number of lines and usage features.

The cost of cell phone plans can vary dramatically, from as cheap as $10 per month to well over $200 per month for multiple lines. Keep in mind that low-cost cell phone plans might not come with the best coverage. The cheapest plans have limited minutes and data. Plus, users may be deprioritized on the network they’re using, meaning they’ll get slower service in busy areas.

Prepaid plans are almost always more affordable than contract plans. They also allow you to upgrade at any time. If you pick the cheapest plan and realize you need more text, calls or data, you can always switch to a higher-priced tier in your next pay period.

Number of lines

If you want to bundle multiple lines, keep an eye out for the best cheap family cell phone plans. With these plans, the cost for each line is reduced as you add more people. Most family plans have a cap on discounts, though.

Many prepaid and postpaid plans offer family discounts. The exact discount rate depends on your carrier, but it’s almost always cheaper to bundle your lines than to pay each one individually.

Also, you don’t have to be a family to get in on these deals. You can bundle your cell phone plan with friends, partners or roommates to save money.

Typical data usage

How much data do you use per month? Is unlimited data a necessity, or can you get by with 5GB or less? The best cheap cell phone plans with unlimited data are often prepaid plans. However, it is possible to get a cheap unlimited plan with a contract, especially for multiple lines.

If you’re not sure how much data you typically use, look at the settings on your current phone. You should be able to see how much data you use per month — that will give you an idea of what you can cut down on and how much you really need.

Overseas usage

Do you regularly travel or contact people overseas? If so, look for a plan that offers free or cheap international coverage.

Overseas calls and texts aren’t as expensive today as they used to be. Plenty of prepaid and postpaid cell phone plans include free or cheap international minutes. Data, on the other hand, can get expensive while you’re traveling. If you want to use your data while you’re overseas, talk to your provider about the cheapest offers.

How to switch cell phone plans

If the monthly cost of your phone plan is too high or you aren’t happy with the service, it might be time to switch cell phone plans. With a prepaid plan, switching is fairly easy. Just find another provider you like and switch once your payment period is up. There shouldn’t be any fees for canceling.

Contract plans can be a little more complicated. Canceling your service might come with a small fee, especially if it’s in the middle of an annual or monthly payment period. Read over the details of your contract carefully and contact your provider’s customer service to learn more.

Before you switch from a contract to a prepaid plan, make sure all your devices are completely paid off. You might be charged for the remaining retail price of your phone plus fees if you end a contract early.

Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans FAQ

What is data in cell phone plans, how much are taxes and fees on cell phone plans, what is the best cell phone plan for kids, what is the best cell phone plan for seniors, how we chose the best cheap cell phone plans.

We looked into a few key factors to determine the best affordable cell phone plans. Aside from the cost, we also considered the following features:

  • Broad coverage and network reliability – The best cheap phone plans shouldn’t compromise the quality of your coverage.
  • Variety of plan options – We looked for providers that offer multiple plans, so you can upgrade as your budget (or family) grows.
  • Transparency and hidden fees – We read the fine print and looked into customer reviews to make sure the phone plans on this list are really as affordable as advertised.
  • Helpful customer service – A lot of MVNO providers don’t have stores for in-person customer service, so a responsive live chat service or customer helpline is crucial.
  • Positive customer reviews – The best cheap cell phone providers receive positive reviews on neutral third-party platforms, as well as limited complaints on sites like the BBB.

Summary of the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans

  • Tello Economy – Best for Maximum Savings
  • Visible Unlimited – Best for Unlimited Data
  • AT&T Next Up – Best for Upgrades
  • Mint Mobile Unlimited – Best for Pay-as-You-Go
  • AT&T Prepaid – Best for Overseas Coverage
  • Google Fi Simply Unlimited – Best for Multiple Lines

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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  11. Best business cell phone plans in 2024

    $30/mo See at Mint Mobile Tello 2GB plan Best prepaid business phone plan $10/mo See at Tello Ultra Mobile 3GB plan Best business BYOP plan $16/mo See at Ultra Mobile US Mobile unlimited data plan Best business multi line plan $15/mo See at US Mobile Twigby 2GB plan Cheap business phone plan $5/mo See at Twigby

  12. Small Business Phone Plans & Wireless Solutions

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  13. Business Unlimited Phone Plans

    5G Enjoy your business essentials. Per line per month. Plus taxes, fees and Economic Adjustment Charge. Get started Plan details Plus 5G Boost your productivity. Per line per month. Plus taxes, fees and Economic Adjustment Charge. $45 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount Get started Plan details Pro 5G Get more of what you need.

  14. Business Phone Plans with Unlimited Data

    Unbeatable data and speed for businesses that want the best. $70/line. Pricing for 2 lines with AutoPay ($140/mo). Taxes and fees included. Unlimited premium data. Unlimited hotspot w/ 100 GB high-speed data. Scam Shield Premium. Unlimited full-flight Wi-Fi sessions. Eligible for our best device promotions.

  15. Finding the best cellphone plans for small businesses

    Published: 21 Dec 2022 Connectivity between users is critical for any business and its ability to communicate the latest information about tasks and receive the latest updates from managers, so workers from disparate locations may need mobile devices to stay in constant communication.

  16. 8 Best Small Business Cell Phone Plans for 2024

    1. Nextiva Nextiva is the best VoIP and virtual business phone service in the market. It's a cloud-based business phone system that offers a powerful set of features, and it's super easy to set up. This is what we use for our business here at WPBeginner.

  17. Business Choice 2023: The Best Mobile Phones and Carriers in ...

    The Best Cell Phone Boosters for 2023; ... The Best Small Business CRM Software for 2023; ... its lowest-price plan is currently $35 (Canadian) per month, with 3GB of 4G data and unlimited calls ...

  18. 8 Best Business Cell Phone Plans

    Verdict. While many VoIP systems offer great business cell phone plans, we recommend 8×8 because of its solid overall performance. RingCentral comes in a close second, tying with 8×8 in the final scores (4.7/5). But the reason why our researchers say 8×8 is the best is because it ranks first across four categories: features, customer support ...

  19. The 5 Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024

    Magenta Max ($85 for one line, $70 each for two lines, $43 each for four lines) provides only 5 GB of high-speed international roaming, but that's in all of the 215-plus countries where T-Mobile ...

  20. The 7 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2024

    1. RingCentral Best Overall Business Phone Plans on a Unified Communications Platform. RingCentral is a full-featured unified communications platform that offers VoIP and small business phone plans.

  21. Who Has The Best Small Business Cell Phone Plans

    Whether it's T-Mobile's robust network, Verizon's reliability, AT&T's diverse plan options, or the flexibility of Sprint, each provider has unique advantages to offer. Ultimately, the best small business cell phone plan is the one that caters to your company's communication needs while providing excellent value for money.

  22. How to Find the Best Cell Phone Plan for You

    What are lithium stocks? Here are some of the best cell phone plans of 2023 for heavy to light data users, families, global travelers and more.

  23. Best Cell Phone Plans 2024

    Methodology. Tello's Economy plan tops the list in our Best Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating. Mint Mobile's Unlimited, Visible's Unlimited, and T-Mobile's Go5G plans are right behind Tello ...

  24. Fixed Wireless with Business Unlimited Bundle

    Save $30/mo when you bundle a qualifying LTE Business Internet or 5G Business Internet plan with a Business Unlimited smartphone plan.. $39/mo internet price per line calculated by applying $30/mo credit to $69/mo service price for 5G Business Internet 100 Mbps plan or LTE Business Internet 10 Mbps plan (1st year price for LTE Biz Internet); plus taxes, fees, and Economic Adjustment Charge ...

  25. 6 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans

    The 6 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans Reviews. Most cheap cell phone providers are known as mobile virtual network operators or MVNOs. An MVNO cuts costs by leasing access to a major cell phone ...