Choosing the right cell phone plan is a process.
It’s not just about picking the cheapest option or the one with the most features—it’s about finding a plan that works for you and your needs.
When choosing a cell phone plan, consider your priorities. Are you looking for the cheapest option, or do you want the best coverage? Are you willing to pay for a plan with all the bells and whistles? Do you need unlimited data and texting, or does a tiered plan work better for your needs? Do you prioritize coverage above all else, or is cost the deciding factor?
The possibilities are many, so here are the top things to consider when choosing a cellphone plan.
Cost of The Plan
You can focus your search for a cell phone plan on a more manageable set of options once you’ve established your financial limits. Decide on a maximum monthly price. You’ll want to ensure you’re setting realistic expectations—if you want to spend less than $50 per month, you may have to forego some features, such as entertainment benefits or generous hotspot allowances.
Full-Speed Data
Another important factor to consider is data speed. The good news is that all significant carriers provide full-speed data service. Most small carriers also offer full-speed data plans, though some have speed limits on some of their plans.
Data deprioritization thresholds differ by carrier and plan. Higher thresholds are typically found in a carrier’s more expensive unlimited plans. You should also look for plans with low data deprioritization thresholds.
If you use a lot of data on your smartphone every month, consider a cell phone plan with a high data deprioritization threshold, such as 50GB or higher.
Mobile Hotspot
You can use mobile hotspots to access the internet wirelessly wherever you are by connecting your tablet or computer to your phone’s data via WiFi. If you like staying connected while on the go, this is a great perk.
Some plans are “hotspot-capable,” which means you can connect to the internet using your primary cell phone data, limited or unlimited. Others include dedicated hotspot allowances that are separate from your primary data allowance. The latter is the superior choice.
Most major carriers include a dedicated mobile hotspot allowance with their unlimited plans; some even have it with limited data plans.
International Calling
While some carriers provide plans that include international calling for free or at a low monthly cost, others do not. When deciding on the best phone plan for you or your family, look into which countries are included in the various international calling plans to see if the destination you want to visit is included. If not, some carriers offer country-specific international calling add-ons.
Entertainment Features
Many carriers offer fantastic entertainment benefits as part of their plans. Certain major carrier unlimited plans include access to streaming platforms such as HBO, Hulu, and Netflix.
