If you need a phone plan with just a single line, there are several options to choose from. In this article, I’ll share my top picks for the best phone plans as well as the cheapest cell phone plans for one person.
I’ve researched more than 70 available phone plans to find the absolute best phone plans for one line based on prices, features, discounts, network reliability, availability, each network’s best offerings and more.
Our readers have also shared their favorite phone plans for one line in our Clark.com Community. You can check out the full discussion and share your own opinions here.
Quick List
Here are my top picks for the best cell phone plans for one person:
- Cheapest Phone Plans for One Person
- Tello 1GB: Cheapest Phone Plan for One
- Mint Mobile 5GB: Best Value for One
- US Mobile Light Plan: Cheapest Annual Phone Plan for One
- Unlimited Data Plans for One
- Visible: Best Cheap Unlimited Phone Plan for One
- T-Mobile Essentials Saver: Cheapest Single Line Plan from a Major Carrier
- AT&T Unlimited Premium: Best “Unlimited Everything” Data Plan for One
- The Best Phone Plans for One by Network
This article was updated in July 2024 and I review it every three months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
- Unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data
- Cheapest monthly plan available with high-speed data
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Unlimited mobile hotspot with 5 Mbps speeds
- The cheapest price for unlimited data
- All the perks of T-Mobile Essentials for a lower monthly price
- 50GB of premium data
- Unlimited high-speed data that can’t slow based on usage
- 60GB of high-speed hotspot data per line before reduced speeds
- 5GB of high-speed data for $15/month
- Pay three months in advance to get the best price
- 2GB of high-speed data per month
- $8/month when you prepay for a year in advance
Choosing the Best Phone Plan for One Person
If you’re shopping for the best cell phone plan, it’s important to consider exactly which features you need. If you have regular access to Wi-Fi, you can save on your monthly phone bill by opting for a plan with limited data usage. You can also save by choosing an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that runs on the same tower as a major phone service provider.
I mention these ways to save on a phone plan for one because you won’t be eligible for any multiline discounts. While your price per line may be higher with just one line, you can still save big on your total monthly bill with the right plan.
Cheapest Phone Plans for One Person
If getting the best price is your biggest priority, you can find deals from as low as $9 per month. For that price, you can get Tello Mobile’s 1GB plan, which also includes unlimited text and calls. You can get twice the high-speed data for $1 more monthly with US Mobile’s Light Plan. For $15 per month, you can get 5GB of high-speed data followed by unlimited slower speeds with Mint Mobile.
If you’re willing to commit to a phone plan for a full year, US Mobile offers annual plans that cost more upfront but are ultimately the cheapest rates over 12 months. These plans start at $96 for 12 months of service with US Mobile’s Light Plan, which works out to be $8 per month including taxes and fees. For that price, you can get unlimited talk, text and 2GB of high-speed data per month.
Below, you’ll find additional information about my top picks for the cheapest phone plans for one person:
- Cheapest Phone Plan for One Person: Tello 1GB
- Best Value for One Person: Mint Mobile 5GB
- Cheapest Annual Phone Plan for One Person: US Mobile
Tello 1GB
Cheapest Phone Plan for One Person
|
Price:
$9/month (plus taxes)
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
1GB
Data Cap Overage:
1GB
|
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If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest monthly phone plan for one person, you’ll find it with Tello Mobile. Tello Mobile is a T-Mobile MVNO that provides access to the same network towers. The cheapest plan you’ll find at Tello Mobile includes unlimited texting, talk and 1GB of high-speed data. It costs only $9 monthly. However, after you use your 1GB of data each month, you’ll have to buy more or wait until the next for more.
In addition to Tello’s 1GB plan, Tello Mobile offers 2GB for $10 monthly, 5GB for $14 monthly and an unlimited plan with 35GB of high-speed data for $25 monthly.
If you’re thinking about switching to Tello, be sure to read our full Tello Mobile review. You may also be able to bring your own phone to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
Mint Mobile 5GB
Best Value for One Person
|
Price:
$15/month (plus taxes & fees)
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Data Cap Overage:
5GB
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If you need a bit more data than just 1GB for one line, consider Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan.
In the past, I’ve recommended the 5GB plan from Tello Mobile as the best value for one person because it’s $1 cheaper for 5GB of data. However, Tello Mobile recently introduced a hard data cap. Alternatively, when you hit your high-speed data cap with Mint Mobile, you’ll still have access to unlimited data at slower speeds.
Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan costs $15 monthly, but you’ll have to prepay for at least three months of service in advance. Additionally, for a limited time, new customers can sign up for any Mint Mobile plan at the same price for their first three months. This deal includes Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan with 40GB of high-speed data. That brings your total upfront cost to $45 for the first three months on any plan.
If you’re thinking about switching to Mint Mobile, be sure to read our full Mint Mobile review. You may also be able to bring your own phone to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
US Mobile
Cheapest Annual Phone Plan for One Person
|
Price:
$10 monthly (taxes & fees included); $96 for 12 months ($8/month)
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
2GB
Data Cap Overage:
2GB
|
US Mobile offers an annual phone plan with 2GB of high-speed data per month with unlimited calls and text. The plan costs $96 upfront, but it covers your service for an entire year. That works out to be $8 per month! This plan is completely prepaid, which means you won’t have to worry about any contracts, monthly bills, overage fees or credit checks. Instead, you’ll pay for everything upfront.
Annual unlimited plans from US Mobile start at $210 ($17.50/month). This plan includes unlimited talk, text and 10GB of premium data monthly before reduced speeds. Monthly unlimited plans begin at $25 and include 35GB of premium data. You can check out all of US Mobile’s plans here.
If you’re thinking about switching to US Mobile, be sure to read our full review first.
Unlimited Data Plans for One
If your biggest priority is having unlimited data, you can expect a higher monthly price on single-line phone plans. Still, there are ways to save, including opting for an MVNO with a big allotment of high-speed data before unlimited data at reduced speeds.
Which network offers the best unlimited data plan? Mint Mobile and Tello Mobile both offer great unlimited plans for $30 and $25 per month for one line respectively. Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan includes 40GB of high-speed data while Tello’s includes 35GB. If you need truly unlimited high-speed data, T-Mobile’s Magenta Max plan is available for $85 per month. If you need a more affordable unlimited postpaid plan from a major carrier, AT&T’s new Value Plus plan offers unlimited talk, text and data for $50.99 per month on a single line.
Below, you’ll find more information about my top choices for the best unlimited phone plans for one line:
- Best Cheap Unlimited Phone Plan for One: Visible
- Cheapest Single Line Plan from a Major Carrier: T-Mobile Essentials Saver
- Best “Unlimited Everything” Data Plan for One: AT&T Unlimited Premium
Visible
Best Cheap Unlimited Phone Plan for One
|
Price:
$25/month (taxes & fees included)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Data Cap Overage:
None, but speeds may slow during congestion.
Hotspot Data:
Unlimited (speeds up to 5Mbps)
|
If you’re looking for the best cheap unlimited data plan for one line, it’s hard to beat Visible. The Verizon reseller offers a basic plan for $25 per month per line that includes unlimited talk, text and data. It also includes unlimited mobile hotspot data (max 5Mbps speeds).
You can also bring your own phone to Visible to save money instead of buying a new one. To see if your phone is compatible, visit Visible’s website before switching. You can learn more about Visible in our full review.
T-Mobile Essentials Saver
Cheapest Single Line Plan from a Major Carrier
|
Price:
$50 per month (plus taxes & fees)
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Data Cap Overage:
50GB
|
If you’re looking for an affordable postpaid plan from one of the big three cell phone service providers, T-Mobile’s Essentials Saver is the best deal you’ll find on a single line. It costs $50 per month and includes unlimited talk, text and data including 50GB of premium data on T-Mobile’s network. You’ll also have unlimited calls, texts and access to 5G and 4G LTE high-speed data.
To get this deal, you can bring your own phone to T-Mobile’s network by checking its compatibility online here.
AT&T Unlimited Premium
Best “Unlimited Everything” Data Plan for One
|
Price:
$85.99/month per line (plus taxes & fees)
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Data Cap Overage:
Unlimited with no slowdown
|
If you’re looking for a completely unlimited data plan with high-speed access that never slows, AT&T’s Unlimited Premium is one of the best plans to consider. The plan costs $85.99 monthly for one line. It includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data that never slows.
Additionally, the Unlimited Premium plan includes 60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data. You’ll also get AT&T ActiveArmor advanced security as well as unlimited talk, text and high-speed data in 20 Latin American countries at no extra cost. If you’re switching to this plan, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.
Other Unlimited Data Plans for One Person
You don’t have to pay for the highest-priced plan to have unlimited data. In fact, when I’m looking at MVNOs and prepaid service providers, I always know the unlimited plan is a great deal if it’s around $25. Typically, these unlimited plans include high-speed data caps or throttled speeds when the network is congested. Some plans include higher amounts of premium data for $50-$60, and these plans also typically have additional perks like mobile hotspot. However, if you’re shopping for a truly unlimited phone plan from a major service provider that can always provide the highest-speed downloads, prices are typically $80-$100 monthly for one line.
In addition to our top picks highlighted above, check out these unlimited data plans from some of our favorite service providers:
- US Mobile (Review) offers two unlimited plans starting at $25 per line monthly. For this price, you can get the Unlimited Starter plan, which includes unlimited talk, text and data. You’ll get 35GB of premium data as well as 10GB hotspot data. The same plan can cost as low as $22.50 per month when you prepay for a year.
- Mint Unlimited (Review) is a phone plan that allows you to prepay for the first three months of service and then prepay for annual service to keep the same low price. This plan includes unlimited talk, text and data on T-Mobile’s network for $30 per month. After 40GB of premium data, speeds will reduce. For a limited time, new customers can get this plan for $15 per month for their first three months.
- Tello Mobile (Review) also runs on T-Mobile’s network. Tello’s 1GB plan is one of the cheapest phone plans available. If you need unlimited data, you’ll also find a great plan with Tello Mobile for $25 per month. The plan includes unlimited talk, text and data (35GB high-speed).
- Boost Mobile (Review) offers a few different unlimited plans. For $25 per month, you can get unlimited talk, text and data without mobile hotspot (35GB premium data). For $50 per month, you can get 40GB of premium data with mobile hotspot data. For $60 per month, you can increase the amount of premium data to 50GB.
- AT&T Value Plus is a new affordable postpaid plan available directly from AT&T. For $50 per month on one line, you can get unlimited talk, text and data with this plan. Note that speeds may slow with congestion.
The Best Phone Plans for One by Network
Most of the highlighted plans in this article have included the best and cheapest phone plans from MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that run on T-Mobile’s towers. If you know that you have better service from a different network, or if you’d rather buy a phone plan directly from a major provider, you can expect a higher monthly price. Still, there are several great options when it comes to choosing the best phone plan for one.
Below, you’ll find my top picks for each network including affordable MVNOs and plans available directly from the service provider:
T-Mobile
Best T-Mobile MVNOs
- Tello (Review) offers some of the cheapest phone plans available for one line. Tello Economy includes 1GB of data plus unlimited talk and text for $9 per month. The Mobile Data plan includes unlimited talk, text and 35GB of data for $25 per month.
- Mint Mobile (Review) is another great T-Mobile MVNO with great prices on single-line phone plans. You can get 5GB of data for $15 per month or unlimited data (40GB of high-speed data) for $30.
- US Mobile (Review) lets you choose between T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless’ networks. You’ll find a light plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB of data. Unlimited plans begin at $25 monthly or $210 annually ($17.50 per month).
- Boost Mobile (Review) runs on AT&T and T-Mobile’s towers as well as its own 5G network. Boost Mobile offers prepaid and postpaid plans beginning at $25 per month for one line.
Best T-Mobile Plans for One Person
- T-Mobile Simply Prepaid offers unlimited talk, text and data for $50 per month with a high-speed data cap of 50GB. After you’ve reached the premium data limit, you’ll still have access to unlimited data at reduced speeds. If you don’t need unlimited data, consider T-Mobile’s Simply Prepaid 10GB data plan for $40 per month.
- T-Mobile Essentials Saver includes unlimited talk, text and data for $50 per month with 50GB of high-speed data. This plan also includes unlimited data sharing via hotspot at 3G speeds.
- T-Mobile’s Go5G Plans are great options to consider if you need truly unlimited data. They include unlimited talk, text and data with speeds that can’t slow based on usage. Plus, they include mobile hotspot and subscription perks. For one line, Go5G plans start at $75 monthly with autopay.
AT&T
Best AT&T MVNOs
- H2O Wireless (Review) is an AT&T MVNO that’s completely prepaid, which means you won’t have to worry about credit checks or paying for more than you need. Plans for one line start at $18 per month for unlimited talk, text and data (3GB high-speed). Additional plans include 10GB of high-speed data for $27, 20GB for $36, 40GB for $45 and 60GB for $54. Autopay is required to get these rates.
- Cricket Wireless (Review) is another prepaid MVNO that runs on AT&T’s network. Plans begin at $15 for 1GB of data or $30 for 5GB of data. For $40, you can get 10GB of data. Unlimited plans start at $55 per month with autopay.
- Consumer Cellular (Review) is another great option. It runs on both AT&T’s network, and it won first place in our best cell phone plans for seniors category. Plans start at $20 per month for one line.
- Boost Mobile (Review) runs on AT&T and T-Mobile’s towers as well as its own 5G network. Boost Mobile offers prepaid and postpaid plans beginning at $25 per month for one line.
Best AT&T Plans for One Person
- AT&T Prepaid is one of a few different prepaid plans offered by AT&T. Prepaid plans begin at $30 per month for 5GB of high-speed data. For $40 per month, you can increase that data to 15GB with unlimited talk and text. If you need unlimited data, AT&T Prepaid Unlimited is available for $50 and includes 5G access. Each plan is available for a $5 monthly discount when you activate a new line through Walmart. There’s also an annual unlimited plan with 10GB of mobile hotspot available for $300 ($25 per month).
- AT&T Value Plus is a new affordable postpaid plan available directly from AT&T. For $50 per month on one line, you can get unlimited talk, text and data with this plan. Note that speeds may slow with congestion.
- AT&T Unlimited Starter is a truly unlimited AT&T plan that costs $65.99 per month for one line. It includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data, though AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy.
Verizon
Best Verizon Wireless MVNOs
- Visible (Review) has won several awards on our site for being the cheapest unlimited hotspot plan. Still, the plan is great for using regular unlimited mobile data as well. For $25 per month, you’ll get unlimited talk, text and data on Verizon’s network.
- US Mobile (Review) lets you choose between T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless’ networks. You’ll find a light plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB of data. Unlimited plans begin at $25 monthly or $210 annually ($17.50 per month).
- Xfinity Mobile (Review) is available to Xfinity customers. This Verizon MVNO offers cheap phone plans from $20 per GB. If you have Spectrum instead, consider Spectrum Mobile (Review).
- Total by Verizon (Review) recently acquired Total Wireless. The new prepaid option offers plans beginning at $40 per month for unlimited data that may slow during times of network congestion plus 5GB of mobile hotspot. Unlimited hotspot and higher-priority unlimited data plans begin at $50 for one line and include a six-month subscription to Disney+.
Best Verizon Wireless Plans for One Person
- Verizon Prepaid includes 15GB of 5G data plus unlimited talk and text starting at $45 per month. After loyalty discounts and autopay discounts, the plan can be as low as $35 a month for one line.
- Verizon Prepaid Unlimited includes unlimited talk, text and data starting at $60 per month with a prepaid plan. The plan can be as low as $50 per month with autopay.
- Unlimited Welcome is the most affordable unlimited postpaid plan directly from Verizon. It begins at $65 per month for one line and includes unlimited talk, text and data (autopay required).
Team Clark’s Methodology
Various members of our staff tried out each of these popular cell phone providers to get a feel for their reliability and service. We have individual reviews of those providers available on the website.
I also researched more than 70 phone plans available and analyzed the following characteristics when determining the “best” options for each category:
- Price
- Network reliability
- Network coverage
- Monthly data allotments
- “Bring your own device” availability
- Available deals and discounts (loyalty, autopay, additional lines, etc.)
- Online reviews from real customers
Final Thoughts
While you’re shopping for the best phone plans for one, simply ignore the multi-line pricing and instead pay attention to the features you need. If you’re looking for the lowest price available, check out Tello, Mint Mobile or US Mobile. You can find plans for as little as $9 per month. If you’re willing to commit to a phone service provider for a full year, US Mobile offers plans for even less ($96 for 12 months, which works out to be $8 per month before taxes and fees.)
If your priority is unlimited data, you’ll find great plans for one including Visible ($25 for unlimited data), Tello Mobile ($25 for 35GB of high-speed data), Mint Unlimited ($30 for 40GB of high-speed data), T-Mobile Essentials Saver ($50 for unlimited data and 50GB of premium data) and AT&T Unlimited Premium ($85.99 per month for truly unlimited data that never slows.) Boost Mobile and US Mobile each offer monthly unlimited plans beginning at $25.
For even more options, be sure to read our guide on the best cell phone plans and deals available now. Once you’ve decided on a new phone plan and you’re ready to make the switch, check out this guide that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process.
Did we miss a plan on our list or did you find a better deal? Let us know in our Clark.com Community or check out the latest conversations around cell phones.
Article Updates
- July 17, 2024: Updated Boost Mobile’s plans and pricing to the latest lineup
- July 17, 2024: Replaced Boost Mobile with US Mobile’s Light Plan for the cheapest annual phone plan for one
- July 11, 2024: Added “Other plans to consider” under “unlimited data plans for one”
- July 11, 2024: Replaced Tello 5GB with Mint Mobile for the best value for one (Tello Mobile now has a hard data cap on plans that aren’t unlimited while Mint Mobile still throttles speeds)
- July 11, 2024: Replaced AT&T Value Plus with T-Mobile Essentials Saver for the cheapest single-line plan from a major carrier (Essentials Saver includes 50GB of premium data while AT&T’s Value Plus plan throttles speed at any time)
- July 11, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile Magenta Max with AT&T Unlimited Premium for the best “unlimited everything” data plan (Magenta Max is no longer available to new customers)
- July 11, 2024: Added US Mobile’s Light Plan and Unlimited Starter as other plans to consider
- July 11, 2024: Added Red Pocket’s 1GB & 5GB plans as other plans to consider
- July 11, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile’s Magenta Max plan with T-Mobile’s new Go5G Plans under the best T-Mobile plans for one (Magenta Max is no longer available to new customers)
- July 11, 2024: Added US Mobile under T-Mobile and Verizon’s best MVNOs
- July 11, 2024: Updated Total by Verizon’s plans to the new selection
- March 30, 2024: AT&T Value Plus now costs $50.99 (up from $50)
- March 30, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile Essentials with T-Mobile Essentials Saver
- December 5, 2023: Updated Tello Mobile’s plans
