The best T-Mobile cell phone plans give you access to unlimited data each month. But the question you need to answer when you have to pick a T-Mobile plan is which of T-Mobile's several unlimited offerings makes the most sense for your needs?
There are four main unlimited plans at T-Mobile, ranging from a no-frills low-cost option to a very expensive plan that includes every perk you can imagine. Expand your search to plans aimed at seniors 55 years and older, and you've got another three plans to choose from. And what if unlimited data is just too much data — what do you do then?
I'm qualified to help you sort out all of those questions, as I keep tabs on the best cell phone plans for Tom's Guide. That means being aware of the different options at every carrier, including T-Mobile. As a result, I can help you drill down to the ways that the carrier's Go5G plan differs from its Go5G Plus and Go5G Next options.
As you might imagine from all the unlimited offerings at T-Mobile, you'll find some of the best unlimited data plans through the Uncarrier. T-Mobile's discounts on multi-line plans also mean that the best family cell phone plan can be found here, too.
At the moment, most people will find the best mix of perks and price from the Go5G plan, though don't overlook T-Mobile's Connect plans if you want to keep your monthly costs down. (Connect plans are the answer if you don't want to pay for unlimited data.) Read on to find out more about those plans as well as some of the other best T-Mobile cell phone plan options available right now.
The quick list
Unlimited data for $75/month
The Go5G plan includes 5G coverage, 15GB of hotspot data and six months of Apple TV Plus. Taxes and fees are included in the $75 rate, too.
5GB of data for $15/month
If your data needs are modest, T-Mobile connect offers you a low monthly rate for a plan that includes 5G coverage. This plan's data allotment has grown every year while the price has stuck at $15.
Unlimited data for $180/month (four lines)
The best unlimited plan at T-Mobile is also the best plan for families, thanks to escalating discounts as you add lines. Family plans get a Netflix subscription, too.
Unlimited data for $60/month (two lines)
Seniors 55 years or older should turn to T-Mobile's Essentials Choice 55 plan for basic coverage including 5G with unlimited data. This is T-Mobile's cheapest option for seniors.
Unlimited data for $90
Globe trotters will appreciate the more expensive Go5G Plus unlimited data plan, which gives you 5G of high-speed data when traveling in 215-plus countries. In-flight Wi-Fi is included, too.
Unlimited data for $100
It's T-Mobile's most expensive plan, but streamers will find value as perks include subscriptions to Apple TV Plus, Netflix and Hulu. You can also upgrade your phone every year.
My name is Philip Michaels, and as the managing editor for mobile devices at Tom's Guide, I oversee our smartphone coverage. That includes looking at phone carriers in the U.S. and the various cell phone plans they provide. I've been doing this for a decade now, so I'm quite familiar with wireless carriers big and small — including T-Mobile and all the lower-profile carriers that use T-Mobile towers for their cell phone coverage.
The best T-Mobile cell phone plan overall
Best value plan at T-Mobile
The best T-Mobile cell phone plan for families
The best T-Mobile cell phone plan for seniors
Best T-Mobile cell phone plan for travelers
The best T-Mobile cell phone plan for streamers
Other T-Mobile plans
We're highlighting the best T-Mobile cell phone plans for particular situations, but these aren't your only option at the Uncarrier. Here's a quick summary of the other plans currently on offer at T-Mobile.
T-Mobile unlimited data plans
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- Essentials Saver ($50/month): If you need only one line of data and can bring your own phone, you can sign up for this cheap unlimited plan, Taxes and fees aren't included with that rate as they are with other T-Mobile Unlimited plans, and perks are limited to hotspot data at 3G speeds, plus the ability to use talk, text, and data when traveling in Canada and Mexico. (Data is slowed to 128 Kbps, though.)
- Essentials for families ($100/month for 4 lines): There's also an Essentials option for families, and as with other multi-line plans at T-Mobile, you get a discount as you add lines. A family of four pays $25 per line — $100 total — though taxes and fees aren't included in that rate. Three lines cost $30 per line, or $90 total for the month.
T-Mobile senior plans
- Go5G Next 55 ($130/month for two lines): The senior version of Go5G Next, this plan lets you upgrade your smartphone every year.
- Go5G Plus 55 ($110/month for two lines): Anyone 55 years or older can get a discounted rate on the Go5G Plus plan, while receiving the same streaming and travel benefits included with unlimited data.
T-Mobile prepaid plans
- 12GB plan: T-Mobile's most expensive prepaid plan costs $35/month.
- 8GB plan: Like the 5GB connect plan, T-Mobile has increased the amount of data while keeping the price the same. This plan costs $25/month.
Low-cost T-Mobile alternatives
Pricing on the best T-Mobile cell phone plans compares very well to comparable service at AT&T and Verizon, particularly when it comes to unlimited data plans. But there's a way to get T-Mobile service for even less — turn to a discount carrier that uses T-Mobile's network to provide low-cost coverage.
Such a service is known as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), and there are plenty that use T-Mobile for coverage. Our favorite happens to be Mint Mobile, which T-Mobile now owns. Mint offers four plans, ranging in price between $15 (5GB) and $30 (unlimited data) per month. You get those low rates by paying for your service in advance — prepaying for a year of data gets you the very best rate at Mint. A frequent promotion at Mint drops the month cost of every plan to $15 for the first three months, if you're looking for additional savings.
Mint's a popular choice because it includes full coverage on T-Mobile, including 5G speeds if you've got a comparable phone. As with any MVNO, you do risk seeing your traffic slowed if the network is congested and T-Mobile prioritizes its own customers.
Other MVNOs using T-Mobile's network include Tello, TextNow, Ultra Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. The latter two services are also owned by T-Mobile.
Is T-Mobile a good carrier?
T-Mobile is not just a good carrier — it's currently the runner-up in our best phone phone carriers rankings. This position comes down to a couple of benefits and factors T-Mobile does very well.
When it comes to terms of plans and offers, T-Mobile is one of the most diverse options. It offers a wide array of prices that span family plans, unlimited data choices, prepaid plans and more.
Our own network testing found that T-Mobile is one of the faster carriers available, and more extensive testing by third parties backs that claim. Opensignal's latest report from January 2025 says that T-Mobile has the fastest download speeds, both overall and for 5G service. The carrier also beats AT&T and Verizon for 5G availability and in Opensignal's 5G experience rankings.
Another testing firm, RootMetrics, puts T-Mobile behind Verizon and AT&T for overall performance during the first half of 2024, which is the most recent testing period. A separate report on 5G performance says that T-Mobile has the widest availability for 5G coverage. (Verizon took overall honors in RootMetrics' report.)
T-Mobile also has weekly giveaways and a host of incentives for its customers. The carrier's blend of affordability, features and coverage make it a top choice if you're looking for a wireless provider who offers something more than just a low monthly bill.
