You want to switch cell phone plans, but you're not sure how much data you'll need. Although unlimited data plans sound appealing, most people don't need one. In this article, I'll help you decide if you need unlimited data and recommend some of the best unlimited plans!
What's Included In An Unlimited Data Plan?
The standard unlimited data plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited messages, and unlimited high-speed data up to a certain data cap. Usually this high-speed data cap is 22–23 GB. Some of the major carriers offer more expensive unlimited plans with higher data caps, exceeding 50 GB of data per month in some cases.
So I Don't Really Have Unlimited Data?
You have unlimited data, but you don't necessarily have unlimited high-speed (4G LTE) data. Once you've reached your monthly data threshold, your wireless carrier may throttle your data speeds down to 2G or 3G.
Why You Probably Don't Need An Unlimited Data Plan
There are a handful of reasons why you probably don't need an unlimited data plan. First, you don't need to sign up for an unlimited data plan to get unlimited minutes and messages. Most cell phone plans include unlimited talk and text, regardless of the cellular data allotment.
Second, unlimited data plans are usually expensive. Very expensive. There are unlimited data plans that cost as much as $100 / month. You really don't have to pay that much to get a great cell phone plan.
Finally, the average person uses less than 6 GB per month. Although that number is expected to rise over the next few years, it won't get anywhere close to the standard 23 GB high-speed data threshold.
To put it simply — the average consumer doesn't need an unlimited data plan. Rather than shelling out the big bucks, you're probably better off signing up for a cell phone plan with a lower monthly data allotment.
I have the 5 GB Verizon Prepaid Plan and I absolutely love it. It only costs $25 / month and includes unlimited minutes, unlimited messages, and mobile hotspot. This plan costs about one third of the price of a top-of-the-line unlimited data plan.
Like unlimited data plans, Verizon's Prepaid Plans have a data cap. The cap on the 5 GB plan is — you guessed it — 5 GB. If you reach that limit before the end of your billing cycle, you'll still be able to use cellular data at throttled speeds.
Who Are Unlimited Data Plans A Good Fit For?
Just because the average consumer doesn't need an unlimited data plan, that doesn't mean they aren't for anyone. In fact, unlimited data plans are a great (and sometimes necessary) option for a lot of people.
If you don't have Wi-Fi at home, an unlimited data plan can serve as an alternative. Wireless carriers like Verizon have made significant investments to provide cellular service to rural areas in the United States. An unlimited data cell phone plan will help you to get connected to the internet. Sometimes, you'll even pay less than you would with a local internet service provider!
People who travel often may also want to consider an unlimited data plan. When you're traveling, you can't be certain whether or not you'll have Wi-Fi. Public transit and hotel Wi-Fi are often unreliable too. An unlimited data plan will give you peace of mind that you'll always be able to connect to the internet, whether you're trying to get some work done or pass the commute time by streaming your favorite TV show.
If you do believe an unlimited plan is the right choice for you, make sure the data on that plan is high-speed. Some carriers offer plans with data speeds slower than 4G LTE — that's not what you want.
Do I Need To Sign A Long-Term Contract To Get Unlimited Data?
Not necessarily! Many wireless carriers offer prepaid unlimited data plans that don't lock you into an inflexible contract.
Our Favorite Unlimited Data Plans
| Plan Name | Price | High-Speed Data Allotment |
|---|---|---|
| Tello Mobile Unlimited Plan | $39 / month | 25 GB |
| Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan | $30 / month | 35 GB |
| Verizon Get More Unlimited | $90 / month | 75 GB |
| T-Mobile Magenta | $70 / month | 50 GB |
| The Visible Wireless Plan | $40 / month | During times of network congestion |
Check out our article about the best unlimited cell phone plans to learn more!
Tello Mobile Unlimited Plan
Tello Mobile's unlimited plan includes all of the perks of an unlimited plan for a low price! It has a high-speed data cap of 25 GB and includes mobile hotspot. The unlimited minutes on this plan include calling to China, Canada, and Mexico.
This plan costs $39 / month and includes access to 4G LTE and 5G networks. Tello Mobile is a T-Mobile mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), so you'll get coverage on one of the best nationwide networks.
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data Plan
This is Mint Mobile's first unlimited plan, and it's a really great deal! This plan includes access to both the 4G LTE and 5G networks. You can also enjoy Wi-Fi calling and international calling to Mexico and Canada.
If you subscribe to this plan, Mint Mobile will send you a 3-in-1 SIM card kit to help you get your phone activated on their network. Mint Mobile sells a lot of great phones too!
Verizon Get More Unlimited
The Verizon Get More Unlimited is the carrier's premium data plan. It's quite expensive, but you're getting what you pay for.
This plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, 75 GB of 4G LTE data, 5G access, 30 GB of mobile hotspot data, an Apple Music subscription, 600 GB of cloud storage, and a bundle of three streaming services.
Military members and essential workers can get additional discounts on this plan!
T-Mobile Magenta
For just $70 per line per month, T-Mobile's Magenta Plan offers unlimited talk, text, and 50 GB of 4G LTE data. This plan also includes free international calling and texting to and from Canada and Mexico. Some bonus perks include a free Netflix subscription, access to the T-Mobile Tuesdays rewards program, and a free hour of in-air Wi-Fi on select flights.
The Visible Wireless Plan
Visible Wireless is unique in that they only have one cell phone plan. That plan includes unlimited minutes, messages, and data on Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G networks. Visible's plan doesn't have a hard data cap, but your speeds may be throttled when their network is congested.
Similarly, there's no data cap on mobile hotspot, but speeds are capped at 5 Mbps. International calling to Canada and Mexico is also included with this plan.
Visible's plan starts at $40 / month, but you can save money quickly when signing up for Party Pay. With four members in your Party, you'll each pay $25 / month for Visible's plan — an incredible deal on unlimited data!
How Can I Save Data Every Month?
There are a handful of easy ways to cut down on your monthly cellular data usage. Below, we'll list six great tips for saving cellular data!
Track Your Data Usage In iPhone Cellular Settings
First, we recommend establishing a baseline for how much data you use every month. If you have an iPhone, you can track your data usage by going to Settings -> Cellular. Here, you'll be able to see how much data you've used over the Current Period, which is time since you last reset these data statistics.
To find out how much data you use a month, tap Reset Statistics on the first day of payment period for your cell phone plan. Check back a month later to see how much data you've used.
Need more info on tracking your data usage? Check out our article on monitoring iPhone data usage to learn more!
If you have an Android, you can view your recent data usage by going to Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> Data Usage. Most wireless carriers also have companion apps that allow you to monitor your entire account, including how much data you've used.
Use Wi-Fi When You Can
These days, most public spaces offer Wi-Fi to their customers. Starbucks, McDonalds, and your local library are just three examples of places that provide Wi-Fi. Make sure to check for free Wi-Fi when you're shopping for groceries or enjoying a nice cup of coffee. You'll conserve a lot of cellular data when you use Wi-Fi instead!
Limit Video Streaming And Music Without Wi-Fi
One great way to save cellular data is to limit video streaming and music when your phone isn't connected to Wi-Fi. These activities eat up all your data and leave you with almost nothing left over!
For example, Netflix can use as much as 3 GB per hour when you stream in HD. Make sure to turn on Wi-Fi before binging your favorite show.
Facebook is another app that can use up a lot of data in a short amount of time. Social media apps like Facebook contain a lot of videos and images, each of which need a handful of MB to load. That data adds up quickly when you're scrolling through your feed.
Turn Off Background App Refresh Where It's Not Necessary
Background App Refresh allows iPhone apps to run in the background even when you aren't using them. Not surprisingly, this feature can eat up a ton of data, even when you aren't using the apps.
We've seen some people recommend turning this feature off altogether, but we don't. If Background App Refresh is turned off entirely, you might not get an alert when you receive a new text message! Instead, we recommend turning off Background App Refresh for apps where you don't need it.
Turning Background App Refresh off is easy, just follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Background App Refresh.
- Turn off the switch next to the apps where you feel Background App Refresh is unnecessary. For example, I don't need Background App Refresh on for the AAA app, so I turned it off.
Turning off Background App Refresh has the added benefit of saving battery life on your iPhone. Check out our other article for eight more battery tips!
To restrict the background activity on your Android, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap on the app you'd like to restrict background data for.
- Tap Mobile Data.
- Tap Restrict Background Data.
- Tap Always.
Close Your Apps
When apps are open and running in the background, they can still send and receive data. Those apps can use a significant amount of data if they crash.
To close an app on your iPhone, open the app switcher. On an iPhone 8 or earlier, you can do this by double-pressing the Home button. On an iPhone X or newer, swipe up from the very bottom of the display to the center of the display.
Swipe your apps up and off the top of the screen to close them.
If you have an Android, close your apps by opening the Recent Applications menu. Find the application you want to close, then swipe it off the right side of the screen. Some Androids also have a Clear All button the lets you close all of your apps at once.
Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist
Wi-Fi Assist uses cellular data when your iPhone's connection to Wi-Fi is weak. This feature can use a lot of data if you're constantly in an area with spotty Wi-Fi. Here's how you check the amount of data Wi-Fi Assist uses:
- Open Settings.
- Select Cellular.
- Scroll down to Wi-Fi Assist to see how much data this feature is using.
- To turn off Wi-Fi Assist, tap the switch to its right.
How Much Data Does Netflix Use?
An hour of standard definition video streaming on Netflix takes up about 1 GB of data. If you're watching in HD, an hour of streaming adds up to closer to 3 GB.
If you tend to binge watch, this data usage can add up pretty quickly regardless of the quality you're watching at. You may want to consider an unlimited plan if you're worried about your monthly data usage getting out of control.
However, there are some ways you can monitor and limit your data usage while using Netflix.
How To Adjust Netflix Video Quality To Save Data
The are four video quality options you can choose between when watching Netflix. The higher the video quality, the more data you'll use:
- Low: Uses 0.3 GB of data per hour
- Medium: Streams SD video at 0.7 GB per hour
- High: Uses 3 GB for HD video and 7 GB for Ultra HD video
- Auto: Adjusts data usage automatically based on your connection level
To select your preferred video quality, go to your Netflix Account page and select a profile under Profile & Parental Controls. Select Change under Playback Settings and choose your desired video quality.
Set Data Usage Limits On Netflix
There are several options for data usage available in your Netflix account. Your choices include Wi-Fi only streaming, data saving mode (lowers video quality to save data), Maximum Data (streams highest possible quality at all times), and an automatic system which regulates among these options depending on your connection.
To select which of these options sounds right for you, click the Menu icon (either three horizontal lines or 3 vertical dots). Then, select App Settings -> Select data usage and pick your preference.
How Much Data Does YouTube Use?
Unlike Netflix, YouTube doesn't have exact measurements of how much data per hour it uses. Experts have calculated that a 480p Standard Definition video takes up about 264 MB per hour. High Definition videos streaming at 720p use closer to a full 1 GB, while 1080p videos use about ~1.65 GB for an hour of streaming.
How To Adjust Video Quality To Save Data
On a desktop, you can adjust video quality selecting the settings icon (little gear in the bottom right of the video display), clicking the Quality option, and selecting your preferred video definition from the list it provides.
The process is similar for mobile devices. Tap the video, tap the Settings icon, which should appear as three dots in the top right of your screen. Tap Quality, then choose your preferred video quality.
How Much Data Does Uber Use?
While Uber recommends users, especially drivers, seek out an unlimited data plan if they plan on using the app regularly, we don't believe that's necessary. Even regularly used, Uber's app should typically not exceed using 3 GB of data per month.
Unlimited Data Plans: Explained!
I hope this article helped you decide whether or not unlimited data is for you. If you're still not sure what type of cell phone plan you need, check out our comparison tool! You can compare every cell phone plan from every wireless carrier. Feel free to leave any other questions you have in the comments section below.
Thank you…I have the hardest time using my phone 😑 it’s too Smart. But I learn a little bit at a time. Or I have been known to throw a phone. lol
I’m a new Android Smartphone user and didn’t get an instruction manual with the phone (thanks for nothing, Spectrum and Samsung)! I found your article very useful and informative, but I know that I have a lot yet to learn. It would be nice if there was a free “How to Use Your New Smartphone for Seniors” class; I sure could use one! Thanks for the article; I appreciate it SO much!!