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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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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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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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Jackie Dove

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.

Home > Services > Phone

DRAFT: REWRITE: The 5 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2023

Teltik

Data as of 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *Price available when purchasing 6+ lines. One line with autopay discount starting at $60

Tin Calano

We are committed to sharing unbiased reviews. Some of the links on our site are from our partners who compensate us. Read our editorial guidelines and advertising disclosure .

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 businesses—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 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Business Unlimited plan prices start at $30 a month per line when you sign up for 6+ lines, or $60 a month for one line. Data is unlimited, but speeds may slow down after reaching the GB included in each plan.

AT&T business plans can also accommodate up to 10 lines per account, and they come fully loaded with perks like AT&T ActiveArmor SM mobile security and Video Management. Video Management automatically 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 old flip phones. Users can save money when bundling AT&T-owned DIRECTV services (because, again, telecom behemoth). Military veterans can also qualify for a 25% discount on Business Unlimited plans.

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 three 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 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *Price available with 6+ lines

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 their 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, an app that allows you to access up to five phone numbers on a single device. That means you could answer calls to your work number and 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’s Business plans cover up to 12 lines. If you need more than 12 lines, you’ll need to sign up for the Enterprise Phone Plan (13+ lines). This includes a fixed rate of $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 upfront with a single payment (there are nearly 40 iOS and Android phones to choose from).

I couldn't find solid info verifying this pricing so I'm not sure if it's still accurate

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.

cheap phone plans for 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 2/6/24. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *With 5+ 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 for multiple employees. With plans starting at just $30 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 Business Unlimited Plus and Pro plans also include a TravelPass (2–4 days per month), so you can do business around the world. Each plan also includes unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada.

Verizon doesn’t skimp on device choices either. There are nearly 100 iOS and Android phones and tablets available—including the Verizon Orbic Speed, a mobile hotspot device that can connect 10 devices to an 802.11 ac Wi-Fi network.

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 an existing 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 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's 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

These 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 3, 6, or 12-month contract on one of the tiered plans, all $35/mo/user or under, 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 an online company, and coverage is not completely everywhere yet. There are still some coverage gaps in the West, namely Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona. If you live 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 and 5G 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 5G 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 or 5G 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, look 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, or want to figure out how much premium data you’ll need, 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 . This means 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? It’s 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 Orbic Speed ) can provide a faster, and more stable, connection.

Business owners weigh in

cheap phone plans for 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.

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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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  • Business Unlimited

Business Unlimited plans

Switch and get truly unlimited data, plus double the premium hotspot data with select plans.

  Select the number of lines to see how your Business Unlimited plan monthly price would change.

Plans available with a month-to-month or device payment agreement. Prices include $5 savings per month per line when you sign up for Auto Pay and paper-free billing. 

Enjoy your business essentials.

$70 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$60 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$45 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$40 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$35 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

  • 5G/4G LTE Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your smartphone and mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access is not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • Unlimited talk, text & data Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your smartphone and mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access is not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. In times of congestion, your mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). After 5 GB/line/month, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps for the rest of the month.
  • Mobile hotspot data In times of congestion, your mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). After 5 GB/line/month, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps for the rest of the month.
  • Call Filter Reduce spam calls with call screening, auto-blocking and easy reporting of unwanted numbers. Activation required. Terms apply.
  • 480p video streaming Video streaming at 480p.

Boost your productivity.

$80 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$55 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$50 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

  • 5G Ultra Wideband Our fastest 5G network experience. 5G access requires a 5G-capable device.
  • 100 GB Premium Network Access Get 100 GB of premium smartphone data per line per month. In times of congestion, your 5G and 4G LTE smartphone data may be temporarily slower than other traffic after 100 GB premium network access/line/mo. There is no network management for 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • 100 GB premium mobile hotspot data After 100 GB line/mo premium hotspot data, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • Call Filter or Call Filter Plus Call Filter: Reduce spam calls with call screening, auto-blocking and easy reporting of unwanted numbers. Call Filter Plus: Adds caller ID, spam look up and risk meter, a personal block list and the ability to block by category. Activation required. Terms apply.
  • Business Mobile Secure Help protect and manage your company devices with this bundle of security features curated specifically for small businesses. Lookout for small business: Helps keep your data safe with anti-phishing and Wi-Fi network protections. Mobile Device Management: Lets you manage and apply controls across company smartphones and tablets. Dedicated chat support: Expert help via Chat for onboarding, setup and troubleshooting of your security features. Activation required. $5/device monthly charge offset by $5 credit while on qualifying price plan. Terms apply.
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area. High-definition 1080p video streaming on 5G / 4G LTE when you activate it in your plan settings. Otherwise video streaming at 480p.
  • TravelPass (2 days per month) Get 2 TravelPass days each month. Each TravelPass day gives you 24 hours of unlimited talk and text, 2GB of high speed international data then unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter. TravelPass days do not carry over and expire at the end of each month. TravelPass is available in 210+ countries and destinations. 5G or 4G world device required.

Get more of what you need.

$85 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

$75 without Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount

  • Unlimited Premium Network Access Get unlimited premium smartphone data that isn’t slowed based on how much data you use. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • 200 GB premium mobile hotspot data After 200 GB line per month premium hotspot data, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • TravelPass (4 days per month) 4 TravelPass days are included each month. Each TravelPass day gives you 24 hours of unlimited talk and text, 2GB of high speed international data then unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter. TravelPass days do not carry over and expire at the end of each month. TravelPass is available in 210+ countries and destinations. 5G or 4G world device required.
  • 50% off on Unlimited Pro Tablet plan

Caret

 Choose the Business Unlimited tablet plan that works best for you.

Tablet Start

Save $10/mo when you add a line.

Unlimited data so you can work as flexibly as you need

  • 5G/4G LTE Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your smartphone and mobile hotspot data may be temporarily slower than other traffic (network management). 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access, machine to machine services and mobile hotspot are not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.

Save 50% with Business Unlimited Pro smartphone plan.

Unlimited mobile hotspot data so you can meet on the go

  • 5G/4G LTE 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. Not available for machine to machine services. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.
  • 35 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data; in times of congestion, your tablet data may be temporarily slower than other traffic after 35 GB/line/mo premium network access (network management).
  • 15 GB Premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower speed data After 15 GB/line/mo premium hotspot data, mobile hotspot reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE & 5G Nationwide) and 3 Mbps (5G UW).
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area.

 Choose the Business Unlimited laptop plan that works best for you.

Start Laptop

Unlimted data to help you take on the day

  • 5G/4G LTE Unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data; in times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic. 5G access requires a 5G-capable device. 5G Ultra Wideband access and machine-to machine services are not available. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.

Up to 4K video streaming to help you meet in HD

  • 50 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) laptop and mobile hotspot data. After 50 GB/line/mo premium network access, data reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area. High-definition 1080p video streaming on 5G/4G LTE when you activate it in your plan settings. Otherwise video streaming at 480p.

 Choose the Business Unlimited mobile hotspot plan that works best for you.

Plus Data Device

Enough data for easy hotspot streaming and to meet on the go

  • 60 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, and 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data. After 60 GB/line/mo premium network access, data reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.
  • Up to 4K video streaming Video streaming at 4K when inside a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area. 720p video streaming on 5G/4G LTE.

Pro Data Device

Plenty of data to stay productive during those longer workdays

  • 100 GB Premium Network Access Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband (UW) data. After 100 GB/line/mo premium network access, data reduced to speeds up to 600 Kbps (4G LTE and 5G ) and 3 Mbps (5G UW) for the rest of the month.

Choose the Business Unlimited smartwatch plan that works best for you.

Standalone Smartwatch

Premium data so you don’t miss a beat at work

  • 15 GB of premium 5G/4G LTE data Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data. After 15 GB premium data/line/month, data reduced to speeds up to 200 Kbps for the rest of the month. 5G access requires a 5G capable device. Not available for 5G Ultra Wideband access, mobile hotspot or machine to machine services. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. Additional terms apply.

Numbershare Smartwatch

Your connected smartwatch can use your mobile number

  • 22 GB of premium 5G/4G LTE data Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data. After 22 GB premium data/line/month, data reduced to speeds up to 200 Kbps for the rest of the month. 5G access requires a 5G capable device. Not available for 5G Ultra Wideband access, mobile hotspot or machine to machine services. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds. Customer must also subscribe to select smartphone data plan. Both smartphone & smartwatch plans must be part of same sub-account. Additional terms apply.

New plan + new device

Find the plan that fits your budget and business needs, then check out our devices page for the 
latest smartphones.

New plan + your own device

See if your device is compatible with our network, then get started.

What are the benefits of Verizon Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans?

Verizon Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans provide unlimited data, talk and text on Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks. Plans also include access to Verizon’s business-class features, such as mobile hotspot data, call filtering, video streaming and mobile device management (available with select plans). Customers can choose from a variety of plans with different features to meet their business needs.

Can I add multiple lines to a Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plan?

Yes, Verizon’s Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans allow you to add multiple lines. There are multiple options for businesses, ranging from single-line plans to multiple-line plans. The amount of lines you select is based on your company’s requirements.

Do Verizon Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans offer any international benefits?

Yes, unlimited talk and text is available in Canada and Mexico along with 2 GB of high speed data per day with unlimited data at 3G speeds thereafter. If more than 50% of your total talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is in Canada or Mexico, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited. Additionally, Verizon Business Unlimited Plus 5G and Unlimited Pro 5G plans offer TravelPass that include international talk and text in over 210 countries and destinations.

Can I bring my own device or do I need to purchase a new device with the Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plan?

Verizon’s Business Unlimited 5G smartphone plans offer the flexibility to bring your own device (BYOD) or purchase new devices . If you already have compatible devices, you can simply activate them on a Business Unlimited plan. Alternatively, Verizon offers a wide range of devices for purchase if you prefer new devices for your business.

Are there unlimited data plans for other devices?

Yes, Verizon offers a variety of plans with unlimited data for tablets, laptops, smartwatches and hotspots. This provides the right solution for businesses requiring reliable connectivity while on the go.

Offer and Pricing Details

All Offers:  Offers available to new business customers only, subject to credit review. Not available in all areas/locations. Depending on speed tier purchased, promotional pricing for Internet and voice guaranteed for 12 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 13 with 2 year contract), or 24 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 25 with 2 year contract), or 36 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 37 with 2 year contract) or 60 consecutive months ($10 increase starting month 61 with 2 year contract) (60 month guarantee not available in all areas where Fios is sold) subject to continuation of qualifying products; price guarantee applies to base monthly rate only; excludes optional services and equipment charges; prices subject to increase thereafter. With no annual contract, price increases to then current market rate subject to the applicable guarantee period. Select installation charges may be waived. Additional charges apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. $49 activation fee may apply. Offers may be fulfilled via bill credit(s); other taxes, fees & terms apply.  Early termination fees  for a 2 year contract: 35% of base monthly charges for unexpired term. 2 year term automatically renews at then-current term rates unless canceled within 30 days prior to or 60 days after the term is renewed.  Money Back Guarantee  (MBG) is available with 2 year contract only and requires cancellation within 30 days of installation; excludes subscriptions, per minute usage, labor/material charges in excess of standard installation and month-to-month service plans, including Fios TV service. Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change. Phone equipment purchase required with VoIP, starting at $85. Equipment must be returned within 30 days of cancellation. Equipment restocking fee may apply if order is canceled or service is terminated within 30 days. MBG and/or promotional offers do not apply to service ordered for temporary, short term or special events.  Firm Price Quote  is valid for 5 business days and is an estimate based on current pricing, promotions and taxes that are subject to change. Quote does not include additional charges for nonstandard installations. Verizon Wi-Fi available in select areas with qualifying packages. Software limitations and other terms apply. Visit business.verizon.net/wifi for details.  Offers are available for a limited time only and are subject to change without notice.  Wired speeds advertised. Wired & wireless speeds vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See  www.verizon.com/yourspeed  for more info. Service availability varies.

Fios Internet & Phone Bundle (VSB):  Usage charges apply on basic line. Activation fee of $49 may apply based on speed tier purchased. Wireless Verizon Router is available for$399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change. Backup battery available for Fios voice services & E911. VSB not available with 2048/2048 Mbps Internet (2 Gigabit Connection).

Fios Internet & Business Digital Voice (BDV) Bundle:  Pricing for BDV line(s) with the Fios bundle: For speeds 200/200 Mbps and higher: the first BDV line is available for $20/mo. and $25/mo. for each addl. line. Pricing reflected in the cart. No annual contract required. $49 activation fee may apply. Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental). Wireless router models and prices are subject to change. Business Digital Voice requires phone equipment purchase starting at $85.00.

Basic Internet & Phone Bundle : $49.00 activation fee applies with 2 year contract; $99.00 activation fee applies with no annual contract. Wireless router available for $49.00, subject to change. Basic Internet will be provisioned at our fastest speed available at your location of up to 1Mbps, 3Mbps, 5Mbps, 7Mbps or 10-15Mbps based on VZ line qualifications requirements.

$5/month Auto Pay & Paper-Free Billing discount:  For new and existing Fios Internet or Basic Internet customers on select plans. May not be combined with all offers. $5/mo. discount begins when you sign up for Auto Pay (ACH or debit card only) & paper-free billing (registration on  verizon.com/mybusiness  required). $5 discount will be applied each month as long as auto pay and paper-free billing stay active.

$85 Business Digital Voice Phone Discount:  Offer available on select IP Phones with purchase of a new Fios Internet and Business Digital Voice bundle with a two year agreement. Fulfilled via bill credit. Taxes apply. Limit one discount per phone model. Restocking fee may apply if canceled within 30 days. Available to select customers in select areas only. Offer ends 3.31.24.

Included Router Rental Fee:  Available only to Fios Internet customers on the Gigabit Connection plan (up to 940/880 Mbps) or 2 Gigabit Connection plan (up to 2048/2048 Mbps) where available. Qualifying customers will receive a monthly bill credit for the applicable monthly router rental fee for as long service with qualifying plan is on the account.  Promo credits end when eligibility requirements are no longer met.  If your Fios service is cancelled, you must return the Fios router subject to Verizon’s standard return policy. 

Fios Switching Allowance Offer:  Offer for new business customers in select areas only who sign up for qualifying Fios internet service with a two year agreement (subject to credit review) and who terminated their prior internet service and incurred an early termination fee (ETF). To redeem offer, you must email documentation of the ETF from your prior service provider w/in 30 days after receipt of final bill. Offer fulfilled via a bill credit to your Verizon account in the amount of the billed ETF, up to $1,500. Credit will be issued starting after 30 days of service, and will appear on your Verizon bill within 2-3 billing cycles. You remain solely responsible for paying the ETF to your prior service provider. Offer is non-transferable, has no cash or refund value, and may not be combined with all offers. Other terms apply. Offer ends 3.31.24.

Visa Prepaid Card Offers : Businesses who sign up for qualifying Fios Internet with our mid-tier or high-tier speeds with a two-year agreement will receive a Visa Prepaid Card, with the Visa Prepaid Card amount based on speed tier purchased, as follows: (i) $100 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 500/500 Mbps Internet; or (ii) $500 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 940/880 Mbps Internet (Gigabit Connection) or 2048/2048 Mbps Internet (2 Gigabit Connection). May only be combined with select offers. Only available in select locations, including the Philadelphia metro area, parts of New York state and parts of central Massachusetts. Call or visit the website to confirm availability.  Visa Prepaid Card is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 12 months, funds do not expire and may be available after card expiration date, fees may apply. Terms and conditions apply.  Must register for card online and keep qualifying Verizon service for 60 days from install, with no past-due balance 65 days from install. Card mailed within 90 days of install date. Limit one card per account. Other card terms and conditions apply. Offers end 3.31.24.

Visa Prepaid Card Fast Start Offers : Businesses who sign up for qualifying Fios Internet with our mid-tier or high-tier speeds with a two-year agreement will receive a Visa Prepaid Card, with the Visa Prepaid Card amount based on speed tier purchased, as follows: (i) $400 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 500/500 Mbps Internet; or (ii) $800 Visa Prepaid Card for Fios 1 Gig Internet (940/880 Mbps) or Fios 2 Gig Internet (2048/2048 Mbps). May not be combined with all offers. Not available in all locations, including the Philadelphia metro area, parts of New York state and parts of central Massachusetts. Call or visit the website to confirm availability.  Visa Prepaid Card is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 12 months, funds do not expire and may be available after card expiration date, fees may apply. Terms and conditions apply.  Must register for card online and keep qualifying Verizon service for 60 days from install, with no past-due balance 65 days from install. Card mailed within 90 days of install date. Limit one card per account. Other card terms and conditions apply. Offers end 3.31.24.

Fios Business Internet/Business Unlimited Offer:  Offer available to new and existing business customers in select areas only who sign up for both: (i) a qualifying Fios Business Internet plan & (ii) a qualifying Verizon Wireless Business Unlimited plan (eligible smartphone required, device payment purchase or bring your own device). Existing customers are eligible with Fios Business Internet plan upgrade or Business Unlimited plan upgrade or a new line, as applicable. Customers with Fios Gigabit Connection (speeds up to 940/880 Mbps) or Fios 2 Gigabit Connection (speeds up to 2048M/2048M), where available, and Verizon Wireless Business Unlimited Pro plan (at least 1 line) are eligible for a total credit of $80/mo, all other combinations of service plans are eligible for a total credit of $40/mo. Offer fulfilled as a credit of $20/mo. or $40/mo. each to your Fios and Verizon Wireless bills, for a total credit of $40/mo or $80/mo as applicable. Credit is fulfilled at an account level and only one promotional credit per account. Discounts are applied once both services are activated. All discounts apply as long as Verizon provides & business maintains both services at the qualifying levels. Limited time offer.

$100 One-Time Discount:  Offer available only to business customers who are new to Verizon and who sign up for a qualifying Fios Business Internet plan and a qualifying Verizon Wireless Business Unlimited plan. Existing Verizon customers are not eligible. One time $100 discount offer fulfilled as a bill credit to your Verizon Wireless account and will appear within 1-2 billing cycles. May only be combined with select offers. Limited time offer.

Fios Internet Only:  $49 activation fee applies based on speed tier.  Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change.

Basic Internet Only: $49.00 activation fee applies with 2 year contract; $99.00 activation fee applies with no annual contract. Wireless router available for $49.00, subject to change. Verizon Basic Internet will be provisioned at up to 1Mbps, 3Mbps, 5Mbps, 7Mbps or 10–15Mbps based on VZ line qualifications requirements. Availability subject to final confirmation by Verizon.

Preferred Voice Only:  Offer available to new and existing customers. Requires 2-yr term agreement. Includes unlimited direct-dialed voice calls to anywhere in the US. Selected activation and installation charges are waived. Additional charges may apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. Additional Universal Service Fee, taxes and other charges apply. Call detail is not provided for unlimited calling.

Business Digital Voice (BDV) Only:  Offer available to new customers with 100 voice lines or fewer in select areas only, subject to credit review. BDV requires an existing Internet connection of 5Mbps or higher. $99.99 activation and $200 installation fees apply. Additional charges apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. Phone equipment purchase req’d, starting at $85.00. Call detail is not provided for unlimited calling.

Fios TV:  Wireless Verizon Router is available for $399.99 purchase and $18/mo rental (except in Maryland, where the wireless Fios Router is available for $299.99 purchase and $15/mo rental).  Wireless router models and prices are subject to change.. $99.99 activation and $89.99 installation fees (first three existing TV outlets) apply. Additional charges apply for inside wiring and/or other installation services. $11.99/mo. HD set top box, franchise and regulatory fees, up to $8.89 Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee, $11.49 Broadcast Fee, other taxes and fees apply. Equipment shipping charge may apply. Program availability varies by location. Number of channels is approximation. High Definition (HD) TV with HD STB required for HD programming. Certain TV plans, Pay Per View (PPV) and Subscription or fee-based Video On Demand (VOD) are not permitted for viewing in restaurants, bars or other customer service areas. Channel lineup is subject to change and not all channels will be available at all times. Blackout restrictions apply. Month-to-month service without an annual contract required.

Fios TV Mobile app:  Req. compatible device and Fios® TV. Content restrictions may apply. Fios Internet req’d for in-office use. Full channel access and DVR streaming require Fios Multi-Room DVR enhanced or Premium Service. Max. combined 5 simultaneous live TV streams and/or DVR streams per media server. Streaming of TV shows and movies On Demand included in your plan is available to all business customers. Streaming of rented/purchased TV shows and movies On Demand is only available to Private Viewing business customers. Requires acceptance of Terms of Service and Private Viewing conditions at  verizon.com/mybusiness . Early access to Fios TV Mobile app begins with activation & ends upon installation or in 14 days, whichever comes first. Wireless data charges may apply.

Veterans / Active Military offer:  Offer available to eligible and verified members of the U.S. military and U.S. Veterans in select areas with Business Fios Internet with a two year agreement, subject to credit review. Not available in all areas/locations. Upon military service verification through Veterans Advantage, eligible customers will receive a discount in the amount of $5/month for speeds up to 500M/500M; or $10/month for 940/880 Mbps and 2048/2048 Mbps (where available), for as long as that customer maintains qualifying Business Fios Internet service. Not available for month-to-month plans. Eligible customers must complete the military service verification process within 30 days of the order to get the discount.

Business Internet Secure:  Available to businesses with 19 employees or less. Requires current Fios Business Internet service. Business Internet Secure licenses are sold in packs of 5, 10, and 25 with one license covering one device (laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet). One license pack at a time per customer account. Prices are monthly and exclusive of taxes and fees. Terms and conditions apply. System requirements: Windows 7 and above; Mac OSX 10.9 and above; Android OS 5.0 and above, or Apple iOS 10.0 and above.

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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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Guide to the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans in 2024

Lisa Mulka

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 .

The cheapest cell phone plans are typically prepaid, which means you only commit to the month(s) of service you pay for upfront. There’s usually no credit check to sign up and you have many choices.

What’s more is that these cheaper cell phone plan providers typically run on one or more of the three nationwide networks (those from Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T). 

Cheaper plan, same nationwide coverage, what’s the catch?

Prepaid plans tend to come with fewer perks (e.g., that Disney+ or Netflix subscription you probably don’t need), can have less access to live customer service, and sometimes the fine print suggests network speeds may be slowed in favor of postpaid plan customers. Plus, an overwhelming number of options can make it challenging to choose a cheap plan in 2024. 

We’re here to help you map out the cheap cell phone plan landscape. We evaluated plans offered by popular cell phone service providers, considering brand ownership, nationwide network affiliation and monthly plan prices before taxes and fees.

When choosing a plan, lots of catchy marketing and fine print make it a windy road. But if you explore the options, you’ll likely save money with a prepaid plan.

Note: Most prices in the lists below are before taxes and fees.

Cheap(er) cell phone plans from Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T

If you want to buy cell phone service directly from one of the big three wireless companies — Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T — try one of their prepaid plans to save over a single-line postpaid plan.

Big three prepaid plans

Each offers a set of prepaid plans with unlimited talk and text and varying levels of data. Plans with a set amount of data run the lowest.

AT&T prepaid: Unlimited talk and text, 5GB of data for $30 per month. Notable: If you order online, you avoid a $15 activation fee. Some plans are eligible for automatic payment discounts, which vary by plan and may be higher with limited-time promotion deals.

T-Mobile prepaid: Unlimited talk and text, 10GB of data for $40 per month. Notable: T-Mobile prepaid plans don’t come with autopay discounts, but they do include other benefits like scam-blocking features and deals for discounts on food, gas and entertainment.

Verizon prepaid: Unlimited talk and text, 15GB of data for $35 per month (with an autopay discount). Notable: Verizon prepaid customers get a $5 per month loyalty discount after three months of service on eligible monthly plans. The discount grows to $10 per month after nine months of service.

You may have to hunt around for the “prepaid” section of these cell phone companies’ websites to bypass the flagship plans and get to cheaper stuff.

Cheap cell phone plans from brands owned by the big three

Each of the big three carriers has introduced or acquired competing sub-brands in the prepaid wireless space. Confusion aside, more competition means more opportunities for you, the consumer, to lower your cell phone bill .

Consider these popular options that are owned by the big three national carriers. 

But wait, there’s more 

Total by Verizon and Connect by T-Mobile are two lesser-known wireless spinoffs that may be worth a look. The latter boasts a $10-a-month plan that includes 1,000 minutes of talk time, 1,000 texts and 1GB of data.

Cheap cell phone plans from brands that resell network service

Wireless service brands not acquired or started by Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile typically purchase and resell service on one or more of the big three’s nationwide networks.

Consider these options.

*Mint Mobile won’t be on its own much longer: In 2023, T-Mobile announced plans to acquire the budget carrier. Mint Mobile says the option for a $ 15-a-month plan will remain.

Video preview image

But wait, there’s more

There are too many more to list, actually. A few other cheap cell phone plan options that might be worth a look: Ting and Tello, as well as Ultra Mobile (which also will be acquired by T-Mobile, along with Mint, and makes a similar promise to retain its pricing). As well, you can explore whether you're eligible for the federal Lifeline program, which provides discounted phone service for low-income households .

Things to consider

With so many choices available, how do you decide which plan is right for you?

While the best plan is one that will fit into your budget , consider other factors, too. For instance, how much data do you use each month and how many lines will you need? Are there times when you’d like to use your phone outside the U.S.?

Assessing your data and usage goals, along with your budget, will help you narrow the many choices into a few that will work best for you.

How to switch plans and keep your number

Perhaps the most daunting factor in jumping to a new plan is the fear of losing your original phone number. But the Federal Communications Commission notes that consumers staying in the same geographic area can take their number to a new service provider, and sets rules on charges and speed of service.

Many providers are making this easy now. For example, Mint Mobile offers detailed instructions for how to switch from all the major carriers while keeping your number intact. Likewise, Consumer Cellular also states that it is easy to bring your number with you, though you’ll need to wait to cancel your existing plan until the transfer process is complete.

The bottom line: Read the fine print from your existing provider and the one you’re switching to before taking any action. The odds are good that you’ll be able to carry your phone number over, but you’ll need to follow each provider’s instructions.

On a similar note...

The best cheap cell phone plans 2024

Try one of the best cheap cell phone plans to save big bucks on your cell phone bill

The quick list

  • Best overall
  • Best coverage
  • Best unlimited data
  • Lowest-price plan
  • Best T-Mobile plan
  • Best for seniors
  • Best for travelers

Also worth considering

  • What to look for
  • How we pick

Switch to one of the best cheap cell phone plans if you want to spend less on your wireless service each month. There's a lot of great low-cost monthly plans out there for $40 or less that deliver the exact amount of data you need — whether it's a lot or a little.

1. The quick list 2. Best overall 3. Best value plan 4. Best coverage 5. Best unlimited data 6. Lowest prices 7. Cheapest T-Mobile plan 8. Best for seniors 9. Best for travelers 10. Also worth considering 11. What to look for 12. How we pick

We know, because we're constantly on the lookout for the best cell phone plans . As it turns out, a lot of those top plans charge you very little without asking you to sacrifice much in the way of data. It's just a matter of knowing where to look.

Our best cheap phone plan search takes into account the merits of prepaid vs. postpaid phone service while also examining whether MVNOs are worth the money. (You can look at our methodology for making picks just below our rankings of the best cheap plans.) Whether you're buying a new phone and need a new plan or you're just looking for ways to save money on your cell phone bill , one of the plans below should do the trick.

It's easy enough to find cheap cell phone plans if you use very little data, but even if you want one of the best unlimited data plans , you still have multiple options for keeping your bill to less than than $40 each month. Let our guide to the best cheap cell phone plans help you find big savings.

5GB for $15 at Mint

Mint plans start at $15/month for 5GB of data, though after the first three months, you have to pay for a full year of service to get that attractive rate.

Read more below

16GB for $25 at AT&T

While it's not as cheap as some others, you get 16GB of data for $25 per month, but it does require you to sign up for a year-long contract to get that rate.

Read more below.

15GB for $35 at Verizon

Verizon's cheapest prepaid plan is $35/month, which gets you 15GB of data after an autopay discount. Your plan includes 5G coverage, too.

Unlimited data for $25 at Visible

Visible offers unlimited data for $25 a month — and you don't have to sign up for a year-long plan like at Mint. Even better: Visible relies on Verizon's network, including 5G.

1GB for $9 at Tello

You can't beat $9/month, though you're limited to 1GB of data. (Your speeds are slowed one you hit the limit). Tello also has a $14 5GB plan and a $25 unlimited data option.

3.5GB for $15 at T-Mobile

T-Mobile's $15 monthly plan now gets you 3.5GB of data per month. (There's also a 1GB option for $10). However, once you hit that cap, you're out of data until the next cycle. 

Show next 3 plans...

10GB for $35 at Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular gives you 10GB of data for $35/month, and you can add a second line for just $15 each month. AARP members can save even more with a 5% monthly discount.

1GB for $30 at Google Fi

The price isn't great compared to other options — $20 for a talk and text, plus $10 for each GB of data you use. But Google Fi's service is optimized for Pixel phones, and there are big international travel perks. 

10GB for $40 at Cricket

Cricket rides on AT&T's network, and offers 10GB of data for $40 per month. And, if you sign up for autopay, you can take an extra $5 off per month. Not a bad value. 

The best overall cheap cell phone plan

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best cheap cell phone plan overall

cheap phone plans for business

Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15/month - Best overall cheap cell phone plan Mint Mobile is definitely worth a look if you want one of the best cheap cell phone plans overall. Plans start at $15/month for 5GB of data, though you have to pay for a full year of service to get that rate. As part of your plan with Mint, you get the ability to use your phone as a hotspot, plus 5G coverage where T-Mobile's 5G network reaches. Mint frequently runs pricing promotions to lure new customers that reduce their low rates even further. Pros: Very affordable, decent amount of data Cons: You must pay for a full year to get the best rate

Best value plan

cheap phone plans for business

AT&T | Unlimited 12-month prepaid | $25/month - Great value on AT&T Usually, the main carriers stay clear of offering cheap cell phone plans, but this AT&T prepaid plan offers some overall excellent value. For just $25 each month, you get unlimited data —  a generous 16GB of that is high-speed data. (Go over that amount, and you're slowed to 1.5 Mbps for the rest of the month.) While this plan isn't as cheap as what Mint or Tello charge for similar amounts of data, it is a great price to pay for AT&T. While you can pay for a month at a time — AT&T charges $30 a month for 5GB — investing in a full year can get you the best combination of price and data possible. Pros: Major carrier, good amount of data for price Cons: Best price requires a longer contract, data slowed after 16GB are up

Best cheap plan with extensive coverage

Verizon | 15GB prepaid | $35/month - Best plan for coveragePros:Cons:

Verizon | 15GB prepaid | $35/month - Best plan for coverage Bargain hunters should consider Verizon's prepaid options, which include a 15GB plan with significant discounts right out of the gate. This option costs $45/month — outside the $40 budget we set for ourselves — but enrolling in autopay drops the monthly cost by $10. And since you're getting Verizon's nationwide 5G coverage with this plan that's a pretty good deal on top of a big pool of data. Pros: Great coverage and speeds, big autopay discount Cons: Cheaper 5GB plan is no more

The best cheap unlimited data plan

cheap phone plans for business

Visible | unlimited data | $25/month - The best unlimited data prepaid on a budget Visible's basic unlimited data plan is cheaper than ever at $25/month. A limited-time promotion drops that price to $20 for the next 24 months when you sign up with code 'VISIBLE24' before February 14. (That same code reduces the price of the more expensive Visible Plus unlimited data plan to $35/month for the next two years.) Since Visible is owned by Verizon, Visible uses its parent company's speedy network, giving you 5G access with a compatible phone. Our look at the best Visible deals can clue you in on other ways to save. Pros: Very affordable, 5G unlimited data Cons: $45 Visible plan offers better perks

Lowest absolute price on data

cheap phone plans for business

Tello Economy | 1GB | $9/month - Lowest priced cell phone plan Tello offers the cheapest of the cheap when it comes to a new cell phone plan, especially after adjusting its rates. You only pay $9 a month but you will find yourself with just 1GB of data. (Your speeds are slowed if you hit the 1GB limit.) For that price, Tello includes unlimited calls and texts, free mobile tethering and no contract to tie you in. In other words, this is the perfect plan for anyone on a budget who doesn't need much data. Tello has other low-cost options, all of them for less than $40 a month, including a $14 5GB plan and a $25 unlimited data option. Pros: Cheapest cell phone plan, unlimited calls and texts, six plans available for under $40 Cons: $9 plan is very limited on data

The best cheap cell phone plan at T-Mobile

cheap phone plans for business

T-Mobile Connect | 3.5GB data | $15/month - Low cost cell phone plan from a big name carrier Opting for service from either Mint or Tello means forgoing the major carriers. But you can find cheap plans at some of the Big Three, including T-Mobile and its low-cost T-Mobile Connect options. The $15 monthly plan expanded its data allotment to 3.5GB. (Every year through 2025, T-Mobile boosts your data pool by 500MB.) There's also a 1GB option for $10 if you really want to save. Once you hit your data cap, you're out of data until your next cycle begins instead of simply being limited on speeds. Pro: Low costs, 500MB data boosts annually Con: Out of data once you hit your cap

Best value for seniors

Consumer Cellular | 10GB | $35/month — Lots of data for seniorsPros:Cons:

Consumer Cellular | 10GB | $35/month — Lots of data for seniors Consumer Cellular has consolidated its plans into just three offerings, but the $35 monthly plan packs in a lot of data — 10GB — for less than what you'd pay at some other carriers. You get 5G coverage as part of your plan, and you can add a second line for just $15 each month — that's not a common option for cheap phone plans. AARP members can save even more with a 5% discount on their monthly rate at Consumer Cellular. Should you use more data than your plan allows, Consumer Cellular upgrades you to the next tier of its data plans. Pros: AARP discount, lots of data, can add up to four lines Cons: Not many perks

Best cheap cell phone plan for travelers

cheap phone plans for business

Google Fi | 2GB Flexible plan | $30 a month - Best plan for travel The pricing of Google Fi's flexible plans — $20 for a talk and text, plus $10 for each GB of data you use — isn't as generous as what you find from the other best cheap cell phone plans we've highlighted. But Google Fi will appeal to anyone who gets a Pixel 8 , Pixel 7a or Pixel Fold — those devices are optimized for Google's network. Google Fi does have some advantages, including the ability to use your plan when you travel in more than 200 countries. You also don't pay extra for data you don't use overseas. Pros: Overseas coverage, you're only charged for data you use Cons: $30 only gets you 2GB of data

Cricket | 10GB | $40/month - A better budget option than beforePros: Cons:

Cricket | 10GB | $40/month - A better budget option than before If you've dismissed Cricket as an option in the past, it's time to re-examine this AT&T-owned discount carrier. Cricket stopped imposing a speed cap on plans, so you now enjoy the full benefits of AT&T's network, including 5G coverage. (Your data speeds slow down if you go over your monthly allotment.) With Cricket's $40 plan, you get a generous 10GB pool of data, and you can save another $5 each month by enrolling in autopay, meaning Cricket's plan costs the same as Verizon's (though with less data). Pros: Autopay discount, no more speed caps Cons: Very few perks

What to look for with cheap cell phone plans

When looking for the best cheap cell phone plan, the overall price is going to be your biggest consideration. That's why we imposed a limit of $40 a month to make sure we're evaluating plans that will fit in many budgets.

But price isn’t the only criteria to look at. You'll want to concentrate your search on who provides the best cell phone coverage in your area and whether the discount carrier you're considering uses that carrier's network. With the exception of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon , none of the discount carriers we've mentioned here operate their own network. Rather, as mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, they piggyback on the cellular networks built by one or more of the major carriers. Some carriers, such as Republic Wireless and Google Fi, also offload calls and texts to Wi-Fi when available, as part of their efforts to keep monthly costs low.

You'll want to look at the variety of plans each carrier offers and whether you could move to a different plan if your talk, text and data needs change. We've focused on plans for individuals, but if you're searching for the best family cell phone plan , look into whether a carrier offers discounts on multiple lines. While perks generally aren't included with cheap cell phone plans, look to see if there are some added benefits such as hotspot data.

How we pick the best cheap cell phone plans

We are constantly looking at what phone carriers offer, as part of our research into the best cell phone plans . That includes looking at what's available from the major carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon — as well as from discount carriers. We check prices monthly, comparing what different services have to offer.

For our best cheap cell phone plans guide, we set a limit of $40 per month, only looking at plans that fall under this threshold. Price is paramount in our rankings, though we do make note of how much data each plan provides as well as any perks to keep in mind. That can help distinguish two equally priced plans — or even make a slightly more expensive plan a better value overall.

Because cell phone coverage can differ from area to area, we try to include a wide variety of cell phone plans priced at $40 or less, so that you can find the best rate for the wireless service with the strongest coverage in your area.

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Philip Michaels

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

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Best overall

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  • What to look for

The best cheap cell phone plans in 2024

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The best cheap cell phone plans include dependable coverage, fast service speeds, and as much data as you need at affordable prices. Choosing the right mobile virtual network operator (or MVNO) for you, though, will come down to your budget and priorities.

Among the best cheap cell phone plans, it's hard to beat our top pick, Mint Mobile's promotion for its three-month prepaid plans , as it offers 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or "unlimited" high-speed data (40GB) to new customers starting at just $15/month. If you want to extend your savings further, we recommend Tello Mobile's Build Your Own plan , which can cost as low as $5/month. 

Our top picks for the best cheap phone plans

Best overall: Mint Mobile (Any 3-month plan) - See at Mint Mobile

Best true budget plan: Tello Mobile (Build Your Own plan) - See at Tello

Best unlimited plan: Visible Wireless (Visible+ plan) - See at Visible

Best international plan: Google Fi Wireless (Flexible plan) - See at Amazon

cheap phone plans for business

All of Mint Mobile's three-month plans are now discounted for new customers, so you can get anywhere from 5GB to "unlimited" monthly data (40GB) from our favorite MVNO at reduced prepaid costs, starting at just $15/month.

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Incredibly good value
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Easy plan management
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. User-friendly experience
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Mobile hotspot included
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free calls to Mexico and Canada
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Less coverage in rural areas
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No option for premium data that isn't affected by network congestion
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No discounts for additional lines

Mint Mobile's prepaid plans for three, six, or 12 months offer affordable options for customers to easily manage all lines on their plan in one place and adjust their data allotments at any time. 

Your best point of entry into the Mint Mobile landscape is its current new customer promotion that sets its three-month plans at the following reduced rates: $15/month for 5GB, $20/month for 15GB, $25/month for 20GB, and $30/month for "unlimited" data, which includes 40GB of high-speed data (subject to deprioritization in congested areas), with slower speeds once you've hit that cap.

The overall experience as a customer is what makes Mint Mobile stand out among the competition. Its user-friendly setup and app experience, readily accessible support and FAQs, and easy-to-understand language make it an easy recommendation in addition to the price point.

However, after your promotional three months are up, any of Mint's 12-month plans will provide the most savings, as the monthly price and data remain the same as the three-month plans. All are great deals; in particular, the 5GB ($15/month)  and  15GB ($20/month)  plans are well-priced considering the competition.

Consider your data usage patterns before signing up, but know that you can change your plan at any time with no added cost with Mint's excellent app or website.

Read our full Mint Mobile review . 

Best true budget plan

cheap phone plans for business

Tello's unique Build Your Own plan allows you to customize your data and minutes to your specific needs and offers a low base price of $5/month.

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Data and minutes customization per line
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Exceptional budget value
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free hotspot tethering
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No discounts for multiple lines
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No international roaming options
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not ideal for high data users

The varied plans from Tello Mobile are the cheapest options we can recommend, and they offer the most customization.

With Tello's Build Your Own plan , in particular, you can adjust the minutes and data allotment for each line on your account, making it a great choice to cover the basics for a teen, grandparent, student, or anyone who uses a minimum amount of data or is simply on a budget.

As you build your plan, you choose your monthly data amount (from no data to 500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, or unlimited) and your monthly minutes (none, 100, 300, 500, or unlimited), the combination of which adds up to $5/month at the cheapest and $29/month at the most expensive. 

The Build Your Own plan is particularly nice if you want to specify a data allotment per line — for example, setting data limits for a teen who just got their first phone while allowing them unlimited minutes. 

Read our full Tello Mobile review .

Best unlimited plan

cheap phone plans for business

If you're looking for a large amount of monthly data at a reasonable price, the Visible+ plan from Visible Wireless stands alone in offering up to 50GB of guaranteed high-speed data for just $35/month with a limited-time promotion.

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Dependable coverage on Verizon's network
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 50GB of guaranteed high-speed monthly data
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Unlimited hotspot data

For high-speed data and extensive coverage, Verizon has your back with Visible Wireless . Our top pick for a budget unlimited plan is Visible's upgraded Visible+ plan , available (until February 14) at a promotional rate of $35/month for up to two years — a $10 monthly discount from its typical $45/month rate.

While the Visible+ plan has the highest price point of all the MVNOs we've included in this list, even with its current promotion, it also provides by far the most high-speed monthly data and the closest approximation to "unlimited" data, as it guarantees 50GB of high-speed data before you experience any form of deprioritization.

Most of the nominally "unlimited" plans from MVNOs — including Visible's base unlimited plan ($25/month) — offer data subject to deprioritization at any time behind the higher-paying customers of the MVNO's backing network. If you're in an area with a lot of network congestion, you could encounter deprioritized speeds at any time on such an "unlimited" plan, but you won't see any deprioritization within your monthly allotment of  50GB of high-speed data on the Visible+ plan.

The Visible+ plan also provides extended coverage with 5G "Ultra Wideband" areas, though Verizon's standard coverage (and the Visible base plan's coverage) is already very good. Before signing up, check Visible's coverage map to ensure you're covered.  

Read our full Visible Wireless review .

Best international plan

cheap phone plans for business

The Flexible plan at Google Fi Wireless includes international data for the same price as domestic data, along with free international texting and international calling at an affordable rate.

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. International data roaming
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low-cost international calling and texting
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Additional coverage for "Designed for Fi" devices
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Data prices can rack up quickly
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Less coverage and support for iPhones

Google Fi Wireless has three plans at different pay tiers, each offering access to coverage provided by T-Mobile and basic benefits like VPN usage and select smartwatch compatibility. 

The low-tier Flexible plan allows for pay-what-you-use monthly data at $10/GB plus a base monthly rate of $20 per phone line. That's expensive compared to other MNVOs on this list, and Google Fi doesn't come especially recommended if you don't need international features.  

If you need international features, though, Google Fi's Flexible plan includes international roaming for the same price as domestic data usage at $10/GB, so you won't have to worry about being charged an exorbitant price while using your phone internationally. Even if you use more data while you're away, a feature called Bill Protection, unique to the Flexible plan, caps your monthly cost at $80 for a single line to prevent excessive fees from overages. 

Google Fi also offers free texting from the US to over 200 destinations  and while traveling internationally.

Given that you have a "Designed for Fi" device (like a Google Pixel phone or a range of other Android phones featured in their list of compatible devices), you might be a great match for Google Fi, particularly if you frequently travel overseas.

Read our full Google Fi Wireless review . 

How we test cell phone plans

cheap phone plans for business

In our testing, we spend at least a week with a specific plan from a phone carrier, often longer, and primarily assess the quality of the plan and carrier by the following criteria:

  • Plan offerings and flexibility: We consider the pricing and features included in a carrier's range of plans and assess its flexibility in allowing you to switch out of or between plans. 
  • Coverage area:  For MVNOs, we note the approximate coverage area provided by the network or networks backing a budget carrier and evaluate whether particular locations consistently match their purported coverage type (e.g., 5G or 4G/LTE). 
  • Service reliability and speeds:  In consistent testing locations, we assess the reliability of phone and video calls, note how fast videos and apps load over cellular data, and, with MVNOs, mark any apparent effects of deprioritization on service speeds.  
  • Customer support:  We make a holistic assessment of a carrier's customer support system and online (or in-person) user experience for setup, use, and troubleshooting. 

We also take into account secondary considerations such as ongoing discounts and any other notable perks or outstanding features.

What to look for in a cheap cell phone plan

cheap phone plans for business

If you aren't in the market for the best cell phone plans from major carriers, you have no shortage of options for spending less monthly on a phone plan, as affordable carriers have proliferated in recent years. 

The best cheap cell phone plan for you will primarily reflect your needs for monthly data and minutes, the constraints of your budget, and the coverage of your local area by the network or networks backing a particular plan. 

We set a few baseline criteria in choosing plans for this guide, in that all the plans listed above cost less than $50/month and, as with most MVNO plans, do not require a contract.

Before signing up for a service, take a granular look at the coverage map that an MVNO should make readily accessible on their website — marking the US network range of its backing carrier — and appraise the coverage of your location to ensure dependable service.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024

You don’t need an expensive cell phone plan to enjoy reliable service and plentiful data. In many cases, a cheap cell phone plan will work just as well. While the average cost of plans in our Best Cell Phone Plans rating is about $47 per month, plans that made our Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans rating start around $20 per month, on average.

Our Top 5 Rated Cell Phone Plans

cheap phone plans for business

Tello Economy »

cheap phone plans for business

Mint Mobile Unlimited »

cheap phone plans for 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

  • Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans
  • Compare the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans
  • Rating Details

Cell phone plans from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) make up our list of the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans. MVNOs are small wireless companies that use the cell phone towers of larger carriers. Not only do MVNOs cost less, but they also offer shorter contracts that are easier to understand. In the Best Cheap rating, plans from Tello, Mint Mobile, Visible, and Consumer Cellular came out on top. Keep reading to learn more about features and prices that may work for you.

Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans Rating

Tello Economy

Mint Mobile Unlimited

Visible Unlimited

Mint Mobile 15 GB Plan

Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text

cheap phone plans for business

Ultra Mobile 3GB plan

Compare the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024

The Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024 include a variety of cell phone plans. Some are more traditional plans, meaning they consist of a contract or are postpaid, like Consumer Cellular’s Unlimited Talk & Text. Others are pay-as-you-go plans like Tello’s Economy Plan or prepaid plans like Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan . These plans offer flexible terms and some of the best deals out there. Use the table below to pair plan features with your needs.

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

Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans in Detail

No contract

Free international calls

1 GB of high-speed internet

No discounts for multiple lines

2G network speed once you use up your high-speed data

SEE FULL REVIEW »

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

Visible Unlimited »

No cap on high-speed data

Taxes and fees included in pricing

No annual contract

Limited plan options available

May be slow during periods of high internet traffic

Mint Mobile 15 GB Plan »

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

Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text »

cheap phone plans for business

Simple plans

Several data options

AARP member discounts

Entry-level phones available

Slower service during heavy network usage

What Data Plans Are Available?

Data Thresholds of the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans

How Much Data Do I Need? 

The plans in our Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2024 rating cost between $10 and $30 per month and offer data ranging from 1 GB to unlimited. Cisco reports that only 4% of North American cell phone users exceed 50 GB of data per month, followed by just 18% of customers who use more than 20 GB of data per month.

So, you may not need more than that if you use your cell phone for basic functions like calling, texting, and average internet usage. Most plans will slow down your cell phone’s speed after you reach a certain data cap or threshold.

To save the most money, you can opt for a plan with no data. This may be a good fit for someone who doesn’t mind relying on Wi-Fi networks rather than cellular data. With Wi-Fi, you can still talk, text, and use the internet from your phone. The availability of no-data plans may depend on the type of phone you have or want to use.

How Do MVNOs Work? 

An MVNO is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. These providers “lease out” service from third-party mobile network providers. In other words, these companies provide access to service from cell phone towers from large carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. This allows them to have lower prices, but also means they enforce data limits. The exception is Visible, an MVNO that uses Verizon’s network but does not have a data threshold.

Many MVNOs even offer unlimited data. These providers simply slow down your speeds when you reach your limit, rather than cutting off your data. Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan will slow down your speed after you reach 40 GB of data, and your data will not be 4G LTE or 5G, but you will still be able to use your phone. When you are in an area of high internet traffic and congestion, this will also slow down your speeds. So, whether you have an iPhone , Android , or other cell phone , there are cheap data plans available from a variety of MVNO providers.

To see more options for affordable cell phone plans, visit the Best Prepaid plans of 2024 .

What Add-ons Are Offered?

Add-Ons of the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans

Another way MVNOs offer low-cost plans is by limiting additional features. Plans that made our ratings offer 4G LTE or 5G speeds, hotspot capability, and unlimited texting and talk time as a part of basic service. However, texting and talking in other countries are generally limited to a few select areas and may be charged as pay-as-you-go through some carriers. Extras like free streaming services , high-definition, or 4K video streaming are not the norm for cheap cell phone plans. Of our Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans, none included a streaming service, whereas large carriers may include subscriptions to Netflix or Disney or offer a long list of additional services.

What Should I Look for in a Cheap Cell Phone Plan?

How you intend to use your cell phone will dictate what you need to look for in a low-cost cell phone plan. For example, if your goal is simply to have reliable coverage for phone calls and texting, and you aren’t as concerned about streaming music or videos, then a cheap plan may be right for you. On the other hand, if you’re often on the go and don't regularly use Wi-Fi connections, you may want a plan that contains higher data limits to lower your chances of needing to purchase more high-speed data during a billing cycle.

As with any plan, you should consider reliability and the level of customer service when you purchase an affordable cell phone plan. Most MVNOs do not have brick-and-mortar stores, so you’ll most likely have to call a customer service line or use an online support system if you encounter problems. Clear call connections and a low number of drop calls are key, so make sure you know the reputation of the provider you choose.

Should I Buy a Cheap Cell Phone Plan?

If you’re on a budget or simply don’t need a lot of data, a cheap cell phone plan might work for you. With the inexpensive price tag, some features like international phone use and access to bundling with streaming services , may be limited. With lower-cost plans, data can be capped or unlimited with speeds slowed after a certain limit is reached or the network is crowded. If you don’t intend on using much data, low-cost phone plans could be a good alternative. However, you may want to make sure you have reliable internet service at home to connect to Wi-Fi even if your data slows.

For anyone with a set income or who wants a straightforward phone plan, our top-rated low-cost options may be just the thing for you.

How To Buy a Cheap Cell Phone Plan

Ultimately, the best low-cost cell phone plan for you depends on your personal needs. If you’re looking for a good plan that’s also inexpensive, here are some steps to follow:

  • Decide how you plan to use the cell phone plan. This may determine data needs and optional features.
  • Determine how many lines you need.
  • Decide how much you can spend per month. Remember, a low-cost plan will likely be prepaid so you will have to allocate the funds upfront.
  • Find out if you qualify for any discounts.
  • Determine if you can bring your current cell phone or if you need to purchase a new one.
  • Check your phone’s compatibility with the wireless network you are considering.
  • Consider the cell phone company’s reputation for reliability and customer service.
  • Find out what type of customer service is available to you from the phone company. For example 24/7 operators versus online support.
  • Understand how to cancel service, suspend service, or change your cell phone plan.
  • Once you make your decision, visit the company website, store, or call for information on how to activate your plan.

Which Cheap Cell Phone Plans Are Available in My Area?

Visit the cell phone provider's store or website, or call its customer service number to find out if a specific cell phone plan is available in your area. Most wireless carriers have an interactive coverage map online where you can enter your address to see if coverage is offered in your location. You may also be able to determine the type of network being used in your area, for example, 4G LTE or 5G.

Many cheaper cell phones do throttle data speeds after you hit a specified usage. For example, Tello offers 1 GB of high-speed data, after which data speeds are throttled down to 2G speeds. Keep in mind that data throttling is different from data deprioritization, which is more in line with what Visible Unlimited and Consumer Cellular offer. Data deprioritization means speeds are slowed during periods of heavy network congestion, whereas data throttling occurs for a defined period of time after you reach a predefined usage maximum.

When it comes to the Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans, Tello takes the No. 1 spot in our rating. You can receive unlimited talk and text and 1 GB of data for as little as $10 per month. Tello also rates No. 1 on our Best Cell Phone Plans overall, with Mint Mobile taking the No. 2 spot in both categories.

There are a number of discount options available for seniors. Some cell phone plan providers offer discounts for those 55 and up. Others have discounts included for AARP members. Explore senior cell phone savings in our Best Seniors Cell Phone Plans guide .

If you’re buying your kid their first phone, they may not need a large data allowance or plan with extras, like international call and text or included streaming services. A Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) may be a good option as it keeps costs low while still providing the essential services, like talk, text, and data allotments.

The family plan may vary from group to group, depending on data usage and the number of lines needed. Many family plans offer discounts for adding multiple lines. Visible Unlimited may meet your needs for a cheap family plan since it makes both our ratings for Best Cheap Cell Phone Plan as well as Best Family Cell Phone Plan .

Cheap cell phone plans are a great way to reduce the amount of money you spend each month for talking, texting, and internet use, but you can also curb costs in other ways. Here’s how:

Don’t jump on that available phone upgrade 

Keep your current phone for as long as possible so you’re not locked into another long-term contract, including the cost of the new phone. If your phone is working for you the way you want it to, hold off on getting a newer model.

Opt for a prepaid or no-contract plan

Avoid long-term commitments to a cell phone carrier and save on your monthly bill by either paying as you go or signing up for a no-contract plan. Prepaid carriers and no-contract plans are usually cheaper and are readily available, with some piggybacking on major providers’ networks.

Keep in mind that while these types of plans will save you money in the long term, you may need to purchase a new phone upfront.

Take advantage of Wi-Fi

If Wi-Fi is available, use it so you spare your data and can better avoid fees for going over your data limit. It’s also a good idea to sign up for alerts from your carrier so you know if you’re getting close to your data cap.

Whenever you must use your data, avoid activities that significantly drain usage like downloading music or movies.

Limit background data 

Background data is what email programs and apps use when they continually refresh their information – even when you’re not using them. To combat this, turn off data for apps you don’t often use in your phone’s settings menu and try to only check email when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Pass on insurance

Insurance on phones can get expensive. If you’re comfortable forgoing insurance, think about leaving it off or removing it from your current plan and paying for any issues, such as a cracked screen, out-of-pocket. In addition, turning on the phone finder feature can help with lost phones.

Look for deals

Carriers sometimes offer discounts for members of the military, government employees, and other groups, and some companies offer their employees discounted cell phone plans.

You can also look for carrier promotions that can reduce your plan costs, but check out the fine print. They sometimes require you to be a new customer, buy a new phone, or open a new line.

Go digital with your billing 

Opt for emailed bills or sign up for automatic bill payments. Some cell phone plans offer a discount when you choose either over paper billing. While it’s likely a small discount of $5 to $10 a month, it’s an easy way to save some money.

Our Cell Phone Plan Contributors

Onjeinika brooks.

Onjeinika Brooks is a contributor for U.S. News 360 Reviews. She covers consumer technology including cell phone plans, streaming services, internet service providers, VPNs, and medical alert systems.

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Our 360 Methodology for Evaluating Cell Phone Plans

Why you can trust us: 18 cell phone companies researched  .

At U.S. News & World Report, we rank the Best Hospitals, Best Colleges, and Best Cars to guide readers through some of life’s most complicated decisions. Our 360 Reviews team draws on this same unbiased approach to rate the products that you use every day. To build our ratings, we researched more than 18 companies and analyzed 15 reviews. Our 360 Reviews team does not take samples, gifts, or loans of products or services we review. All sample products provided for review are donated after review. In addition, we maintain a separate business team that has no influence over our methodology or recommendations.

The following describes our 360 approach to researching and analyzing cell phone plans to guide prospective consumers.

1. We researched the companies and products people care most about.

U.S. News analyzed and compared a variety of publicly available data, including internet search data, to determine which Cell Phone Plan companies Americans are most interested in. We found 18 companies that stand out in terms of volume of searches and research among consumers, as well as across the different rating sources.

We compared the available cell phone plans provided by our top cell phone plan companies across several criteria, including monthly cost, data and hotspot limits, network types, and add-ons. Research shows that these are the most important criteria for people shopping for a cell phone plan. We then narrowed the list down to the 10 best cell phone plans using aggregate data points with a focus on professional and consumer reviews.

Because product lines tend to launch or discontinue often, U.S. News made the best effort to review active and available product lines as of the date of publication

2. We created objective 360 Overall Ratings based on an analysis of third-party reviews.

U.S. News’ 360 Reviews team applied an unbiased methodology that includes opinions from professional reviews as well as consumer reviews.

Our scoring methodology is based on a composite analysis of the ratings and reviews published by credible third-party professional and consumer review sources. The ratings are not based on personal opinions or experiences of U.S. News. To calculate the ratings:

(a) We compiled two types of third-party ratings and 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.

Please note that not all professional and consumer rating sources met our criteria for objectivity. Therefore, some sources were excluded from our model. (b) We standardized the inputs to create a common scale.

The third-party review source data were collected in a variety of forms, including ratings, recommendations, and accolades. Before including each third-party data point into our scoring equation, we had to standardize it so that it could be compared accurately with data points from other review sources. We used the scoring methodology described below to convert these systems to a comparable scale.

The 360 scoring process first converted each third-party rating into a common 0 to 5 scale. To balance the distribution of scores within each source’s scale, we used a standard deviation (or Z-Score) calculation to determine how each company’s score compared to the source’s mean score. We then used the Z-Score to create a standardized U.S. News score using the method outlined below:

  • 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.

(c) We calculated the 360 Overall Score based on a weighted-average model. We assigned “source weights” to each source used in the consensus scoring model based on our assessment of how much the source is trusted and recognized by consumers and how much its published review process indicates that it is both comprehensive and editorially independent. The source weights are assigned on a 1-5 scale. Any source with an assigned weight of less than two was excluded from the consensus scoring model.

Finally, we combined the converted third-party data points using a weighted average formula based on source weight. This formula calculated the consensus score for each product, which we call the 360 Overall Rating.

Cell phone family plans should have advantages for the whole family over other individual plans. For this subrating, we include plans that offer free in-family calling, share a single monthly bill, share data or per line allotment, and require a minimum of two lines.

Cell phone plans for seniors should be easy to sign up for and offer incentives or discounts. For this subrating, we looked for plans that did not require any contracts, offered discounts for people above the age of 55 or AARP members. If no discounts were available, we looked for plans with a price threshold of $40 or less.

Cell phone plans can also be prepaid. For this subrating, we looked for plans that had no overcharge fees and gave the individual an option of using their own device when initiating service.

Cheap cell phone plans should be affordable to most people. For this subrating, we looked for cell phone plans with a price threshold of $40 or less.

Unlimited cell phone plans are very popular these days as data is incredibly important. For this subrating, we looked for cell phone plans that came with unlimited data.

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.

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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AT&T says cell service is back after a widespread outage and some disrupted 911 calls

Scott Neuman

cheap phone plans for business

A sign is posted in front of an AT&T retail store in 2021 in San Rafael, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

A sign is posted in front of an AT&T retail store in 2021 in San Rafael, Calif.

AT&T says it has fully restored cellphone service to tens of thousands of customers in cities across the country whose phones lost signal overnight, causing frustration and concern about disruptions to 911 dispatches.

The FBI, in a statement Thursday afternoon, said the agency was "in contact with AT&T regarding today's network outage. Should we learn of any malicious activity we will respond accordingly."

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby also referred to the outage as he addressed reporters on Thursday. Kirby said the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were looking into the outage. He said the Federal Communications Commission was also in touch with AT&T.

"But the bottom line is we don't have all the answers," he said.

Around 3:30 a.m. ET Thursday, outages reported by downdetector.com suddenly spiked from just a handful, peaking at more than 73,000 by around 8:20 a.m. ET.

Why do doctors still use pagers?

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Why do doctors still use pagers, "we sincerely apologize".

By late afternoon Eastern time, AT&T said it had "restored wireless service to all our affected customers."

"We sincerely apologize to them," the company said in an email to NPR. "Keeping our customers connected remains our top priority, and we are taking steps to ensure our customers do not experience this again in the future."

Kirby said the Department of Commerce faced some disruptions as a result of the outage but those were not "crippling."

Earlier, Downdetector said that Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Chicago, Indianapolis, New York, Miami and Charlotte reported the highest number of outages. Houston had more than 2,000 reports by about 8:30 a.m. ET, while New York reported about 1,300.

However, service disruptions caused concern Thursday morning even outside those areas, with the San Francisco Fire Department announcing on X , formerly Twitter, that it was "aware of an issue impacting AT&T wireless customers from making and receiving any phone calls (including to 911)."

How do cheap cell phone plans make money? And other questions

The Indicator from Planet Money

How do cheap cell phone plans make money and other questions.

"We are actively engaged and monitoring this. The San Francisco 911 center is still operational. If you are an AT&T customer and cannot get through to 911, then please try calling from a landline. If that is not an option then please try to get ahold of a friend or family member who is a customer of a different carrier and ask them to call 911 on your behalf. Do not call or text 911 to simply test your phone service," the department said.

A survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics found in 2022 that nearly 71% of adults and 82% of children lived in wireless-only households.

Even if a cellular service provider is down, anyone with a cellphone can still place an emergency call or text, according to 911.gov . "However, calls to 911 on phones without active service do not deliver the caller's location to the 911 call center, and the call center cannot call these phones back to find out the caller's location or the nature of the emergency. If disconnected, the 911 center has no way to call back the caller," the website says.

Jared Juliano, assistant director for Prince William County Department of Public Safety Communications in Virginia, says 911 service there was never really disrupted, but calls coming in from AT&T phones did not have location information or what he describes as an "advanced caller ID."

988: An Alternative To 911 For Mental Health

988: An Alternative To 911 For Mental Health

However, he says 911 dispatchers "always verify a location even when we get locations from these numbers."

Police in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area in North Carolina said customers were "briefly unable to contact 9-1-1. There are no disruptions to our call center's ability to receive 9-1-1 calls. Service should be returning shortly."

Other providers reported business as usual

The outage did not appear to have any real impact on other providers. Verizon said its network was "operating normally."

"Some customers experienced issues this morning when calling or texting with customers served by another carrier," a company statement said.

Likewise, T-Mobile said in a statement that its network "is operating normally."

The outages occurred around the same time as a solar flare, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency said the flare — "an eruption of energy from the Sun that usually lasts from minutes to hours" — reached Earth at 1:32 a.m. ET.

NOAA says such flares can affect high-frequency radio signals, but only on the sunlit side of Earth.

  • Cell phones

Money latest: Big drop in energy bills from April, Ofgem announces - but potential extra charge in the small print

Ofgem, the energy regulator, has announced the new price cap. Read about this and more in the Money blog, your place for consumer and economic news. Listen to the latest Ian King podcast as you scroll.

Friday 23 February 2024 10:24, UK

  • Big drop in energy bills from April as new price cap announced
  • Why Ofgem's good news could be 7.1% worse than you might think  
  • Here's how you can get energy for cheaper than the price cap
  • Explained: What is the price cap - and is it really a cap?
  • Paul Kelso: Final step on long, ruinously expensive road to a new normal for prices
  • Third bank offers cash switching incentive in under a week
  • Savings Guide : Should you lock your money away in a fixed-rate bond?
  • Cheap Eats : Michelin Guide chef picks favourites in South Yorkshire
  • Live reporting by Brad Young

By James Sillars, business reporter

It's always good to end the week on a high note - one that has an amusing element too.

While the FTSE 100 is trading 0.3% higher at 7,706, leading the gainers is a company you may not have heard of but is, nevertheless, a prominent bank.

Standard Chartered shares opened up 7%, moments after its chief executive was quoted as saying that the price was "crap".

Bill Winters was bemoaning its recent share price performance after the London-listed but Asia-focused lender revealed an 18% increase in profits for 2023.

He is due to speak to Ian King live on Sky News at 11.30am this morning.

Not much to report elsewhere, with the Brent crude oil price still stuck at $83 a barrel.

That threatens further hikes at the fuel pumps in the coming weeks.

The high energy debt of households across the country has led Ofgem to allow providers to introduce a temporary charge beyond the price cap.

This morning the regulator announced new limits on the price paid per energy unit from April, lowering the average bill from £1,928 to £1,690 - a £238 saving.

But suppliers may choose to add a one-off charge of £28 a year to recover energy debt accrued by struggling customers, which stands at £3.1bn.

Should a company decide to take advantage of the allowance, the charge will apply to all direct debit or standard credit customers, but not those on prepayment meters.

At the same time, Ofgem will end a similar, £11 yearly fee it previously allowed companies to charge to reduce COVID debts.

This means the real cost to consumers will be £17 more than the energy price cap per year, or £1.41 a month.

So in real terms, the average household will actually be saving £221, not £238, when the new price cap is applied in April - a difference of 7.1% - should providers introduce the charge.

While the price cap reduction is good news, there are "still big issues" to tackle, says the chief executive of Ofgem.

There remains "stubbornly high levels of debt", Jonathan Brearley says, hinting there would be an announcement "soon" to address affordability for struggling customers.

But Ofgem can only "move costs around" in the current system of energy regulation.

"We welcome news that the government is opening the conversation on the future of price regulation, seeking views on how standard energy deals can be made more flexible so customers pay less if using electricity when prices are lower. 

"But longer term we need to think about what more can be done for those who simply cannot afford to pay their energy bills even as prices fall."

He says the new cap, £690 lower than the peak of the energy crisis, provides an opportunity to "reset and reframe" the energy market in case prices rise again.

The cap is controlled by energy regulator Ofgem and aims to prevent households on variable tariffs being ripped off. 

Despite the name, it does not represent a maximum bill. 

Instead, it represents an average bill based on limits applied to how much you pay per unit of gas and electricity, as well as setting a maximum daily standing charge (which all households must pay to stay connected to the grid). 

The amount you pay will depend on actual household usage and where you live as well as your meter and payment type.

The cap changes every three months - in January, April, July and October.

This means the new limit - £1,690 -  will apply from 1 April to 30 June, before it is updated again on 1 July.

The changes are mostly based on the costs faced by suppliers for providing energy. 

This can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including conflicts such as the war in Ukraine or ship attacks in the Red Sea, weather conditions across the world, demand - particularly post-pandemic - or infrastructure issues.

Who is covered by the energy price cap? 

Most households will be covered by the energy price cap. 

You'll know your bills are price-capped if you're on a standard variable tariff.

The reduction in the Ofgem price cap that will apply from April may be the final step on the long, ruinously expensive road to a new normal for consumer energy prices.

The guide price for typical annual dual-tariff use of £1,690 - a fall of 12.3% from the previous cap - is a dramatic reduction from the peak of more than £4,000 that applied just a year ago and prompted multi-billion pound state support for every household in the country.

After bouncing between £1,800 and just shy of £2,000 in the three quarters since last June, this reduction, taken with projections of a further drop to around £1,500 in three months, could represent the floor for post-Ukraine invasion prices.

To be clear, a price that's still considerably higher than the £993 we expected to pay in the winter of 2020-21 represents a dramatic, material and permanent increase in the cost of living, and a return to that level is unlikely as long as Russia is a global pariah at war.

A warm, wet winter helped UK domestic gas demand fall 16% in 2023 compared with the pre-war average, but the weather has flattered UK energy security.

Much of the flow of gas from Russia has been replaced by liquid natural gas from Australia, the US and Qatar, and pipelines from Norway, all ostensibly friendlier nations, but the UK remains exposed to the kindness of strangers to heat homes and fire power stations.

You can read the rest of my analysis here :

Today's energy price cap announcement may have got you thinking about your energy bills. 

The price cap will change to £1,690 at the beginning of April, meaning bills are set to be £20 a month lower. 

But if you want to get even more off the price cap, it's worth considering what's out there on the market... 

E.on's Next Pledge 

This tariff acts like a variable deal, but promises to keep prices £50 below the Ofgem price cap for a year. 

That means prices will shift each time the price cap changes, but they will always be below the cap. 

It's available to both switchers and existing customers who pay by direct debit. 

Early-exit penalties of £25 per fuel apply.  

Go for a cheap fix

If you want to know what you're paying each month, fixes might be for you.

However, predictions suggest the price cap will fall below the current level for the rest of this year - so you'll need a fix significantly below the current cap to make it worthwhile.

Utility Warehouse yesterday launched what it says is the cheapest tariff, 17% below the current price cap (£1,928) at £1,595.

Even when the cap changes on 1 April, the tariff will still be £95 cheaper.

The three-service Fixed Saver 14 is available to new and existing customers who take energy and switch at least two of their existing services - from broadband, mobile or insurance - to Utility Warehouse. 

There's also British Gas's "Cheaper than April" fix , which is 12% cheaper than the current price cap but promises to move to £1 less than the April cap and stick there until June 2025. 

It does look like the price cap will fall further, according to current predictions, so you may lose out here, but if you're looking for price certainty this could be for you. 

Try a tracker tariff - but be aware

Octopus is offering a tracker tariff - which means it will follow the wholesale price of energy daily. 

This is a riskier option as wholesale energy prices could increase, but you could make big savings if prices fall (on average, rates have been 35% cheaper than the price cap lately).

Only existing customers can switch to the tracker tariff, although you could switch to Octopus's standard tariff and then switch to the tracker. 

Some things to note... 

Prices tend to be lower over the warmer months, but increase - and sometimes double - when it gets colder. 

The tracker's Price Cap Protect caps the maximum daily price at 100p/kWh for electricity and 30p/kWh for gas. 

This is a lot higher than the Ofgem price cap, so if you can't afford prices to increase further, you're probably better off sticking with a protected tariff. 

Consider a dedicated EV tariff 

If you have an electric vehicle, you could look at suppliers that have launched two-rate tariffs offering cheaper electricity overnight for charging it. 

Some of the tariffs available include British Gas Electric Driver, EDF GoElectric Overnight, and Ovo Charge Anytime. 

The energy price cap will fall to £1,690 from April, Ofgem has announced.

This means a reduction of £238 (12.3%) from the current cap, £1,928 a year for a typical household.

It is the lowest level in more than two years, after post-COVID demand, a global squeeze on gas supplies and Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent bills soaring.

Royal Bank of Scotland has become the third bank to launch a switching offer in less than a week.

Offering £200 when you switch to a current account, RBS has joined NatWest and Lloyds Bank in reversing the trend towards a baron marketplace for incentives.

The RBS deal can be claimed by those switching from a current account held elsewhere to an RBS account using the Current Account Switch Service.

This means closing your old bank account and moving any funds or direct debits to RBS.

Customers must deposit £1,250 into their new account, where it must remain for 24 hours, and log in to the mobile banking app within 60 days.

RBS will then pay £200 into your account within seven days.

The deal is not available to people who have received a switcher incentive from the NatWest Group (which includes RBS) since 1 January, 2020.

Remember, switching banks can temporarily lower your credit score - so consider it carefully if, for example, you are applying for a mortgage.

Diageo, the FTSE-100 alcoholic beverages giant, is exploring the sale of a trio of non-core brands including Pimm's , the quintessentially English drink.

Read Mark Kleinman's story here ...

Takeaway couriers from Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat are planning to strike every Friday and bank holiday unless they get a pay rise, according to a report . 

About 5,000 couriers in London and others in Liverpool, Newcastle, Brighton and Oxford will not be picking up orders from 5pm until 10pm on those days, The Sun has reported.

They want a fee of at least £5 per order - a rise on the minimum £2.80 paid by Uber Eats and £3.15 by Deliveroo.

Boeing has ousted the executive responsible for rolling out its troubled 737 MAX planes.

The dismissal comes weeks after a panel on a new 737 MAX 9 aircraft blew out in midair, reigniting safety concerns over Boeing's 737 MAX fleet. 

Read more on this here ...

Average pay rises have fallen and they are unlikely to reach levels seen last year, a leading HR site has found. 

Pay rises dropped to 5.1% in the three months to January compared with 6% in the previous quarter, XpertHR data revealed.

XpertHR's senior content manager Sheila Attwood warned there were signs the 6% pay award seen in 2023 will not be matched in 2024. 

"We are already beginning to see that around half of employee groups are receiving settlements worth less than their previous award," she said. 

"The financial pressure from high inflation levels and elevated pay awards budgets in 2023 may mean that organisations will be limiting their budgets in 2024 in response." 

While this might not be welcome news for employees, high wages contribute to inflation - which affects all of us in what we pay for goods.

Wage rises coming down, if these figures are replicated in official data, would make an interest rate cut more likely.

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