Best Cell Phone Plans 2021: Cheap, Unlimited and Family Plans Compared

Finding the best cell phone plans in 2021 was not simply a matter of choosing Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile. The U.S. wireless market included everything from premium unlimited plans with large hotspot allowances to low-cost prepaid services that could reduce a phone bill by hundreds of dollars per year.

Carriers such as T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T competed with lower-cost providers including Mint Mobile, Visible, Tello and US Mobile. For consumers, that competition meant more choices—but it also made comparing plans considerably more complicated.

In this guide, Specser looks back at the best cell phone plans available in 2021 and explains which plans made the most sense for unlimited data, families, budget shoppers, 5G users and people who needed only a few gigabytes of mobile data each month.

Important: This is a historical 2021 comparison. Wireless plans, prices, data allowances and promotions have changed since 2021. If you are shopping today, verify current pricing on the carrier’s official website before purchasing service.

Best Cell Phone Plans 2021 at a Glance

Historical prices are approximate and could depend on AutoPay, taxes, number of lines, promotions and other conditions.

How We Chose the Best Cell Phone Plans of 2021

The cheapest wireless plan is not automatically the best plan. A $15 plan with weak coverage where you live may provide worse value than a $40 plan that works reliably everywhere you need it.

When comparing 2021 cell phone plans, the most important factors included:

• Monthly price
• High-speed data allowance
• Unlimited-data restrictions
• 4G LTE and 5G coverage
• Network prioritization
• Mobile hotspot allowance
• Family and multi-line discounts
• International calling and roaming
• Taxes and additional fees
• Contract or prepaid requirements
• Phone compatibility
• Customer support

Consumers shopping for a handset at the same time could also compare devices through Specser’s smartphone buying coverage and browse the site’s phone and technology reviews.

1. Mint Mobile – Best Cheap Cell Phone Plan of 2021

Mint Mobile was one of the most compelling choices for shoppers who wanted to reduce their monthly wireless bill without giving up nationwide cellular service.

The carrier’s entry-level service was available at an effective price of approximately $15 per month under qualifying multi-month pricing. Mint’s 2021 entry-level plan included 4GB of high-speed data, while customers who needed more could move to higher data tiers or an unlimited-branded plan.

One reason Mint could charge less than many traditional postpaid carriers was its prepaid business model. Customers typically purchased several months of service in advance rather than simply paying a traditional month-to-month postpaid bill.

Why Mint Mobile Was a Good Deal

• Very low starting monthly-equivalent price
• Unlimited domestic talk and text
• Multiple high-speed data allowances
• 5G access with compatible devices and coverage
• Mobile hotspot support
• No traditional long-term wireless service contract

Mint was particularly attractive to customers who already spent much of the day connected to Wi-Fi.

If you used only a few gigabytes of cellular data each month, paying $70 or more for a premium unlimited plan could be unnecessary.

The Mint Mobile Catch

The lowest advertised monthly-equivalent rates generally required customers to purchase multiple months of service upfront. That meant the price displayed as “$15 per month” did not necessarily mean customers paid only $15 at checkout every month.

Customers also needed to check T-Mobile coverage in their area because Mint used that network.

Best for: Students, budget shoppers, moderate data users and customers who spend a lot of time on Wi-Fi.

2. Visible – Best Cheap Unlimited Cell Phone Plan of 2021

Consumers looking for inexpensive unlimited service frequently encountered Visible.

Visible used Verizon’s network and became known for a relatively simple unlimited wireless offering. In 2021 its standard service was commonly priced at approximately $40 per month, with the company’s Party Pay system providing opportunities to reduce the effective price further.

Why Visible Was Popular

• Unlimited smartphone data
• Unlimited talk and text
• Access to Verizon’s network
• Mobile hotspot capability
• Simple pricing
• No conventional annual wireless contract

For a single user who consumed substantial cellular data, Visible could offer a much lower bill than a premium Verizon postpaid plan.

What’s the Difference Between Visible and Verizon?

Using the same underlying network did not mean that the two services were identical.

Network-management policies, support options, roaming, handset promotions and prioritization could differ. During periods of network congestion, customers on lower-priority service could experience slower speeds.

That distinction is important whenever you compare a discount carrier with a premium postpaid plan.

Best for: Heavy data users looking for affordable unlimited service on Verizon’s network.

3. T-Mobile Magenta – Best Major-Carrier Value

T-Mobile was especially aggressive about 5G expansion during 2021. For customers who wanted to purchase service directly from a major carrier, T-Mobile Magenta offered an appealing balance between price, data and included benefits.

The plan sat above the lower-cost Essentials option and below T-Mobile’s premium Magenta MAX tier.

T-Mobile Magenta Benefits

The 2021 version of Magenta included unlimited talk, text and smartphone data along with a substantial premium-data allowance.

It also included mobile hotspot capability and other features that made it more attractive than the basic Essentials tier for some customers.

Family pricing was particularly important. Like Verizon and AT&T, T-Mobile offered much better effective pricing per line when several family members shared an account.

You can visit the official T-Mobile website for the company’s current plans and network information.

Best for: Families, everyday unlimited users and customers with strong T-Mobile coverage.

4. T-Mobile Magenta MAX – Best Premium 5G Plan

T-Mobile introduced Magenta MAX in February 2021 as a premium unlimited plan designed for customers who wanted to make heavy use of 4G and 5G data.

One of its headline features was unlimited premium smartphone data rather than a fixed premium-data threshold after which heavy users could become subject to lower priority based solely on usage.

Why Magenta MAX Stood Out

• Unlimited premium smartphone data
• 5G access
• Large high-speed hotspot allowance
• Premium streaming features
• Multi-line pricing
• Additional travel and entertainment benefits

This made Magenta MAX especially attractive to people who used their smartphones as their primary internet-connected device.

It could make sense for users who regularly streamed video, downloaded large files or relied heavily on cellular data for work.

However, light data users had little reason to pay premium prices for capabilities they would rarely use.

Best for: Heavy cellular-data users, 5G enthusiasts and families that could benefit from premium features.

5. Verizon Start Unlimited – Best Basic Verizon Postpaid Plan

Verizon’s 2021 unlimited portfolio provided several tiers, beginning with Start Unlimited.

The plan was aimed at customers who wanted unlimited service directly from Verizon without paying for all of the premium features included in higher tiers.

Who Should Choose Start Unlimited?

Start Unlimited made the most sense for people who:

• Wanted Verizon postpaid service
• Needed unlimited smartphone data
• Didn’t need large premium hotspot allowances
• Could take advantage of family pricing
• Preferred dealing directly with a major carrier

Single-line pricing was considerably higher than inexpensive prepaid alternatives, so value improved when additional family lines were added.

For Verizon’s current offerings, visit the official Verizon plans page.

6. Verizon Play More Unlimited – Best Verizon Plan for Entertainment

Verizon Play More Unlimited targeted consumers who wanted more than basic unlimited service.

The plan bundled wireless features with entertainment-oriented benefits. This changed the value calculation because consumers who already paid separately for included streaming services could potentially offset part of their phone-plan cost.

When Play More Made Sense

Imagine that two plans differ by $10 per month, but the more expensive plan includes entertainment services you would otherwise purchase separately for $15.

Looking only at the wireless-plan price would make the expensive plan appear worse, while calculating the total household cost could produce the opposite conclusion.

Best for: Verizon customers who valued entertainment perks and wanted more features than an entry-level unlimited plan.

7. Verizon Get More Unlimited – Best Premium Verizon Plan

At the upper end of Verizon’s 2021 consumer lineup was Get More Unlimited.

This plan combined larger allowances and additional premium benefits, making it suitable for people who wanted a feature-rich Verizon package rather than the cheapest possible service.

Its higher price also meant shoppers needed to ask an important question:

Will I actually use the premium features?

A person who consumes 3GB of cellular data each month probably does not need the same wireless plan as someone who travels frequently, streams video every day and uses a smartphone hotspot for a laptop.

Best for: Heavy Verizon users who valued premium data, hotspot capabilities and bundled benefits.

8. AT&T Unlimited Starter – Best Basic AT&T Unlimited Plan

AT&T Unlimited Starter represented the entry level of AT&T’s major unlimited lineup during 2021.

It was aimed at customers who needed basic unlimited talk, text and smartphone data but did not need the larger premium allowances available on more expensive tiers.

As with other entry-level unlimited plans, users needed to understand network-management conditions. During busy periods, performance could differ from higher-priority premium services.

Visit AT&T’s official wireless page to compare its current offerings.

Best for: AT&T customers primarily concerned with obtaining basic unlimited service.

9. AT&T Unlimited Extra – Best Balanced AT&T Plan

For many households, the middle plan in a carrier’s lineup provides the best compromise.

AT&T Unlimited Extra occupied that position in 2021.

Customers received additional premium-data and hotspot benefits compared with the entry-level offering without necessarily paying the maximum price required for Unlimited Elite.

This type of plan was particularly sensible for average-to-heavy users who wanted better allowances but were unlikely to take full advantage of every premium feature.

Best for: Customers looking for a balance between AT&T pricing and premium features.

10. AT&T Unlimited Elite – Best Premium AT&T Plan

AT&T Unlimited Elite was the company’s flagship unlimited offering for demanding smartphone users.

It provided larger allowances and premium features aimed at consumers who used substantial amounts of cellular data.

The premium plan also became more attractive to customers who could use included entertainment or hotspot benefits.

As always, the value depended on usage. Paying extra for a large hotspot allowance is useful if you regularly tether a laptop—but nearly worthless if you have never enabled your phone’s hotspot.

Best for: Heavy data users, hotspot users and households seeking AT&T’s premium 2021 wireless experience.

11. Tello – Best Cell Phone Plan for Light Users

One of the biggest mistakes wireless customers make is assuming everyone needs unlimited data.

For a person who spends most of the day connected to home, work or school Wi-Fi, a small data plan can be dramatically cheaper.

Tello was one of the interesting options in this category during 2021.

Specser has a detailed comparison of Tello vs. Boost Mobile and how much data you really need. That comparison explains the different data options, hotspot features and 2021 plan structures offered by both services.

Why Tello Was Interesting

• Low starting prices
• Customizable plan configurations
• Small data allowances for light users
• Hotspot support
• Unlimited-text options
• Ability to select a plan closer to actual usage

A customer using only 1GB or 2GB each month could save a large amount compared with premium unlimited service.

Best for: Light users, Wi-Fi-heavy households and people seeking customizable prepaid service.

12. Boost Mobile – Good for Families and Heavy Data Users

Boost Mobile provided another prepaid alternative and competed particularly well for customers who needed larger data allowances.

Its 2021 unlimited plans could be more expensive than some ultra-budget providers, but multi-line discounts could make Boost attractive to families.

Specser’s Tello vs. Boost Mobile comparison found that the carriers targeted somewhat different types of customers: Tello emphasized customization and low-cost options, while Boost had advantages for heavier and multi-line users.

Best for: Prepaid users who needed more data or wanted multi-line savings.

13. US Mobile – Best for Flexible Plan Selection

US Mobile was another alternative for customers who wanted to avoid paying for unnecessary data.

Instead of forcing every user into a premium unlimited package, the provider offered numerous plan configurations.

That flexibility mattered because cellular-data usage varies enormously from person to person.

Someone using 8GB per month may need substantially more service than a 1GB user but still have no reason to buy the industry’s most expensive unlimited tier.

Best for: Value-oriented customers who wanted to match their plan more closely to their actual usage.

Best Cell Phone Plans for One Person

Single-line shoppers faced a very different market from families.

Major carriers often offered their strongest per-line discounts when customers had three, four or more lines. As a result, a single user could frequently save more by considering an MVNO or prepaid provider.

Good 2021 Options for One Line

• Mint Mobile: Good for budget-conscious light and moderate users.
• Visible: Good for affordable unlimited data.
• Tello: Good for very low data usage.
• US Mobile: Good for flexible data needs.
• T-Mobile Magenta MAX: Good for premium heavy-data usage.

Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2021

Family plans changed the economics of premium wireless service.

Instead of comparing only the advertised one-line price, families needed to calculate the total household bill divided by the number of lines.

A premium plan that looked expensive for a single user could become substantially more competitive on a four-line account.

What Families Should Compare

• Total monthly price
• Price per line
• Premium-data allowance
• Hotspot data per line
• Device promotions
• Streaming benefits
• Taxes and fees
• International usage

Families also should not assume every member needs the most expensive service available. A teenager streaming constantly over cellular and a parent who primarily uses Wi-Fi may have completely different requirements.

Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plans of 2021

If unlimited data was the priority, several 2021 plans stood out for different reasons.

Best Cheap Unlimited Plan: Visible

Visible’s straightforward price and Verizon-network access made it a particularly attractive budget option.

Best Premium Unlimited Plan: T-Mobile Magenta MAX

Magenta MAX was notable for eliminating the traditional fixed premium-data threshold based solely on the amount of smartphone data consumed.

Best Premium Verizon Option: Get More Unlimited

Get More provided a feature-rich experience for consumers willing to pay premium Verizon pricing.

Best AT&T Premium Option: Unlimited Elite

Unlimited Elite targeted heavy data and hotspot users who preferred AT&T’s network.

What Does “Unlimited Data” Really Mean?

The word unlimited could be misleading if consumers assumed every unlimited plan provided identical performance.

Three concepts are particularly important.

1. Throttling

Throttling generally refers to intentionally limiting a connection’s maximum speed under specific plan conditions.

Some services provided a certain amount of high-speed data and then continued providing data at much slower speeds.

2. Deprioritization

Deprioritization is different.

A deprioritized customer could receive excellent speeds when a cellular tower had plenty of capacity but slower speeds when the network was congested and higher-priority users were competing for capacity.

3. Premium Data

Premium or priority data generally referred to usage receiving more favorable network treatment than lower-priority service.

When comparing unlimited plans, always read the network-management conditions rather than comparing only the word “unlimited.”

Best 5G Cell Phone Plans in 2021

2021 was a major year for the transition from LTE to 5G.

More smartphones added 5G modems, while carriers expanded nationwide and higher-speed 5G networks.

However, consumers needed both a compatible phone and suitable network coverage to benefit.

If you’re comparing devices, you can also explore Specser’s phone specifications and mobile coverage before choosing a handset.

Don’t Buy a Plan Just Because It Says 5G

Before choosing a 5G plan, ask:

• Does the carrier provide good coverage at my home?
• Does it provide good coverage at work or school?
• Does my phone support the required 5G bands?
• Is 5G included in my plan?
• Will 5G actually improve the applications I use?

For messaging, email and ordinary browsing, strong LTE service could already provide more than enough performance.

Prepaid vs. Postpaid Plans

Another major choice was whether to use prepaid or postpaid wireless service.

Advantages of Prepaid Plans

• Often lower monthly prices
• No traditional long-term commitment
• Easy to switch carriers
• Excellent options for people who own their phones
• Smaller data plans available

Advantages of Postpaid Plans

• Premium network features
• Major smartphone financing programs
• Large trade-in promotions
• Multi-line family discounts
• Entertainment bundles
• Potentially stronger roaming arrangements
• More physical retail support

Neither category was automatically superior. The best choice depended on what the customer actually needed.

What Is an MVNO?

An MVNO, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator, provides cellular service using network infrastructure supplied by another wireless operator.

This arrangement allows smaller providers to offer wireless service without constructing a nationwide cellular network from scratch.

That is one reason discount providers can sometimes charge significantly less than major postpaid carriers.

Customers should remember, however, that using the same physical network does not automatically mean receiving an identical plan, priority level, roaming arrangement or customer-support experience.

How Much Mobile Data Do You Need?

Knowing your actual cellular-data usage is one of the easiest ways to reduce your phone bill.

1GB to 5GB per Month

A small data plan may be sufficient if you primarily:

• Use Wi-Fi at home
• Use Wi-Fi at work or school
• Send messages
• Check email
• Browse websites
• Use maps occasionally

Tello, Mint Mobile and other prepaid providers were worth considering.

5GB to 15GB per Month

This range could accommodate social media, music streaming, browsing, navigation and moderate cellular use.

For many customers, this represented a better value than unlimited service.

15GB to 35GB per Month

At this point, comparing a high-data prepaid plan with inexpensive unlimited service became important.

The price difference could sometimes be small enough to justify unlimited data.

35GB or More per Month

Heavy users should examine unlimited plans, but they still need to compare premium-data policies and hotspot restrictions.

Mobile Hotspot Data Matters

Mobile hotspot functionality lets your smartphone share its cellular connection with a laptop, tablet or another device.

This was especially important in 2021 as remote work and remote learning increased demand for connectivity outside traditional offices and classrooms.

Do not assume that an unlimited smartphone plan includes unlimited high-speed hotspot usage.

Check These Hotspot Details

• How much high-speed hotspot data is included?
• What speed applies after the allowance is used?
• Does hotspot usage count against another data allowance?
• Is tethering supported on the entry-level plan?
• Does the plan restrict video quality?

Coverage Is More Important Than Price

A cheap plan is not a bargain if your phone regularly loses service.

Before switching carriers, investigate coverage in the locations you visit most often:

• Your home
• Your workplace
• Your school or university
• Your regular commute
• Friends’ and relatives’ homes
• Frequently visited rural areas
• Regular travel destinations

Official coverage maps are a useful starting point, but real-world performance can also be influenced by terrain, buildings, network capacity and tower location.

Check Your Phone Before Switching

If you plan to bring your existing smartphone to another carrier, confirm that it is compatible before purchasing service.

Check:

• Whether the phone is unlocked
• LTE network-band compatibility
• 5G band compatibility
• VoLTE support
• Wi-Fi Calling support
• eSIM support where required
• Carrier activation requirements

Older smartphones in particular may not support all of a newer network’s important frequencies.

Hidden Cell Phone Plan Costs

Advertised monthly pricing does not always equal the amount you will actually pay.

Taxes and Fees

Determine whether taxes and regulatory fees are included or added to the advertised price.

AutoPay Discounts

Some major carriers advertise pricing that assumes enrollment in AutoPay or paperless billing.

Phone Payments

If service costs $60 per month and your financed phone costs another $35, your real monthly wireless expense is $95 before other extras.

Insurance

Device protection can add another recurring charge. Consider the value of the phone, deductible and monthly premium before purchasing insurance.

Activation and Upgrade Fees

Some carriers impose additional charges when opening service or upgrading devices.

Prepaid Upfront Requirements

Providers such as Mint Mobile can advertise a low monthly-equivalent rate while requiring several months of service to be purchased at once.

How to Choose the Best Cell Phone Plan

Step 1: Check Your Current Usage

Review three to six months of previous bills and determine how much cellular data you actually consume.

Step 2: Identify the Best Networks in Your Area

Coverage should eliminate unsuitable carriers before price becomes the deciding factor.

Step 3: Decide Whether You Need Unlimited Data

If you consistently use only 3GB or 4GB, premium unlimited service is probably unnecessary.

Step 4: Calculate Your Hotspot Requirements

People who regularly connect a laptop need to pay much more attention to hotspot allowances.

Step 5: Compare Total Monthly Costs

Add taxes, fees, device payments, insurance and required add-ons.

Step 6: Calculate the Annual Cost

A small monthly difference becomes significant over a year.

• $10 per month = $120 per year
• $20 per month = $240 per year
• $30 per month = $360 per year
• $50 per month = $600 per year

Multiply those differences across several family lines and the potential savings become even larger.

How to Save Money on a Cell Phone Plan

There are several ways to reduce your wireless bill without necessarily sacrificing service quality.

1. Stop paying for unused data. Check your real usage and downgrade if appropriate.
2. Consider an MVNO. Discount carriers can provide much lower prices.
3. Bring your own phone. Keeping a paid-off handset can eliminate expensive monthly financing.
4. Use Wi-Fi when appropriate. This can reduce cellular-data consumption.
5. Compare family pricing. Multi-line discounts can dramatically reduce the effective cost per user.
6. Review insurance costs. Insurance may make less sense as a device gets older and loses value.
7. Look beyond advertised pricing. Taxes, fees and AutoPay requirements matter.
8. Review your plan regularly. Wireless pricing and promotions change frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the best cell phone plan in 2021?

There was no single best plan for every person. Mint Mobile was particularly competitive for budget shoppers, Visible offered compelling low-cost unlimited service, and T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T offered more expensive premium plans with additional benefits.

What was the best cheap cell phone plan in 2021?

Mint Mobile was one of the strongest low-cost choices, with entry-level service available at an effective price around $15 per month under qualifying multi-month terms.

What was the best cheap unlimited plan?

Visible was one of the most notable choices because it offered unlimited service using Verizon’s network at a price considerably below many major-carrier postpaid plans.

What was the best 5G plan in 2021?

T-Mobile Magenta MAX was a standout premium option for heavy 5G users because it launched with unlimited premium smartphone data.

Was prepaid service worth it?

Yes, particularly for customers who owned their phones and cared more about keeping the monthly bill low than receiving premium device promotions, entertainment bundles or extensive in-store support.

How much cell phone data do I need?

Look at your actual historical usage. If you consume only 4GB each month, buying premium unlimited data may provide little practical benefit. Heavy users consuming dozens of gigabytes should compare unlimited plans.

Does unlimited data mean unlimited full-speed data?

Not necessarily. Plans can have network-management rules, prioritization differences, high-speed thresholds or hotspot limitations. Always read the plan terms.

Which cell phone carrier had the best coverage?

There is no single answer for every location. Network quality varies by city, neighborhood, building and travel route. Check local coverage before choosing a plan.

Final Verdict: Which Cell Phone Plan Was Best in 2021?

The best cell phone plan of 2021 depended much more on the customer’s needs than on the carrier’s advertising.

Mint Mobile was one of the strongest options for shoppers seeking a low monthly-equivalent price.

Visible stood out for consumers who wanted inexpensive unlimited data using Verizon’s network.

T-Mobile Magenta MAX was particularly compelling for premium customers and heavy 5G users.

Verizon Play More and Get More made more sense for customers who valued Verizon’s premium postpaid experience and additional benefits.

AT&T Unlimited Extra and Unlimited Elite provided attractive options for users who preferred AT&T coverage and required larger allowances.

Tello and US Mobile demonstrated why light users should not automatically purchase unlimited data.

Before selecting any wireless plan, answer three questions:

1. Which network works best where I live, work and travel?
2. How much cellular data do I actually use?
3. Which premium features am I genuinely willing to pay for?

Answer those questions first and choosing a cell phone plan becomes much easier.

Related Reading on Specser

• Tello vs. Boost Mobile: How Much Data Do You Really Need?
• The Best Cell Phone Plans
• Best Mobile Phones
• Best Smartphones Under $300
• Latest Specser Reviews

Useful External Resources

• T-Mobile Official Website
• Verizon Official Website
• AT&T Official Website
• Mint Mobile Official Website
• FCC Consumer Information