02.10.26
How to Get Off Your Parents' Phone Plan
by Valeria Dulava
June 15, 2026
What to Consider When Picking a Phone Plan: Your Complete Buying Guide
First, figure out your data needs and check coverage in your area. Then, let your budget help you decide between postpaid and prepaid plans.
Written by Valeria Dulava
Finding a good cell phone plan can oftentimes feel like a Goldilocks story – some are too expensive, some don’t have enough data, others take too much effort to qualify for.
To make it easier, we put together this simple guide that answers four basic questions to find the right phone plan: How much mobile data do I need, what coverage works best for my area, what data speed should I look for, and (probably most important) what is my budget?
That will help you choose the right cell phone plan for your needs.
1. Determine how much data you need
Picking a phone plan will depend on what kind of data plan you’re looking to get: unlimited data, limited data, or even no data at all. A limited data plan or a no-data plan can be cheaper, so it’s important to first understand just how much mobile data you would regularly use.
According to an Ericsson report, the average mobile data usage in North America is 22GB. To find out how much data you need personally, look through the settings in your iPhone or Android phone to find your monthly data usage, and if you’re curious, which apps contributed the most to it.
How to find out how much data I need if I never had a data plan
If your main source of connection right now is Wi-Fi and you’re shopping for your first phone plan, using your most used apps list is a great way to determine the right plan for you. Answer these questions:
- Are your most-used apps streaming-heavy? (Spotify, YouTube, online games, Netflix) You'll be better off looking for the best value for an unlimited data plan.
- Are your most-used apps social-heavy? (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat) Think about how often you use social media on Wi-Fi versus mobile data. For example, browsing your Instagram feed can use up to 1.2GB per hour. If you spend a lot of time away from Wi-Fi, you may need an unlimited data plan. But if you're often on Wi-Fi, a cheaper, limited data plan may work.
- Are your most-used apps messaging heavy? (WhatsApp, Messenger, email) You're a good candidate for a limited-data plan.
And if all you're looking for is to stay connected via calls and texts, then look for a talk & text only plan.
Understand data speeds and priority
Knowing how much data you need is an important step, but it’s not the end of that conversation. Depending on what you need the data for, you also need to consider what kind of speeds would be acceptable. For example, video streaming requires a minimum data speed for adequate performance (you don’t want it to start buffering at a pivotal scene). And if you like to upload a lot on-the-go – stories, snaps, TikToks, etc. – upload speed is naturally going to be a priority.
All carriers must disclose the data speeds on each plan they offer (both download and upload). Look at the Broadband Facts sheet available under each data plan (as mandated by the FCC), which lets you easily compare data speeds between plans.
Consider the phone plan’s network priority, too. Some plans will note that their data may be deprioritized during times of congestion. This means if there are a lot of people on the network at a given time, you may experience slower data speeds. On the other hand, some plans will promise "data that never slows down" or similar language to note you'll get priority.
>> Read more: What is a GB?
2. Select the network with the best coverage in your area
Having a phone that can’t connect to service where you live is pointless, so this is a crucial step in your search for the right phone plan. Coverage also comes into play if you want to avoid data roaming, which happens when you use data while outside your carrier's network. It can be costly, especially when traveling.
>> Read more: Is Verizon the best coverage in your area? See the best Verizon phone plans
The Big 3 Networks
In the U.S., all mobile coverage is provided by the Big 3 networks: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. It’s important to know which one has the strongest coverage in your area. You can use the FCC’s mobile map to explore all three networks’ coverage.
It’s important to note that this does not mean that you can only choose a plan from one of those carriers. While a Statista report shows that these three networks account for 93% of the market share, the remaining 7% is made up of smaller carriers called MVNOs.
MVNOs
Mobile virtual network operators) simply lease network access from one or more of the Big 3, allowing their customers to enjoy the same coverage for a cheaper price.
There are more than 130 MVNOs in the U.S. Some, like US Mobile, allow you to choose between all three networks. So if you want a cheaper phone plan, find out which MVNOs operate on the network of your choice, and shop around for one of their plans.
If you're curious about MVNOs, take a look some comparisons:
3. Weigh postpaid vs. prepaid plans
There are two types of plans: postpaid and prepaid.
A postpaid plan is one where you are billed at the end of a monthly cycle, with the possibility to incur extra charges based on usage or any other features as per the plan’s terms. This is what is commonly offered by the Big 3 carriers on their flagship plans. They require a credit check and contract.
A prepaid plan is one where you pay upfront, so you won’t incur any extra charges (but you also don’t have the flexibility to use more data or add on any features like roaming without paying for them first). It's also a great way to get a phone plan without a credit check or contract, and is what's commonly offered by MVNOs.
>> Read more: Prepaid vs. postpaid phone plans, which is right for you?
Postpaid vs. prepaid plans: pros and cons
4. Set your budget and shop
While the previous steps are all important in finding the right phone plan, none of them matter if you don’t have the budget to accommodate them. J.D. Power found that the average monthly cost for phone service is $141. That adds up to almost $1,700 in a year!
So before you start, make sure to look over your monthly budget and figure out how you can and want to spend on a phone service plan. If your answer is $0, there are free phone service options available as well.
Keep in mind that missing a payment on your phone bill can affect your credit, so you want to keep things affordable.
>> Read more: How much is a phone bill?
Things to consider when comparing phone plans
How many lines do you need? Many postpaid carriers and some prepaid plans will decrease the monthly cost of a phone plan when you activate multiple lines. Depending on how many lines you need, you could narrow your search to family phone plans, perhaps choose a separate phone plan for kids or teens, or look into unlimited data plans for 2 lines.
Features, promotions, and offers: Consider whether there are any promotions or offers that make one plan worth choosing over another. For example, many carriers have offers for new customers as well as phone deals that could make the long-term savings worth it. Reddit and YouTube are great resources for finding these promotions if you're not up for sitting online for an hour searching for them yourself.
If you're a senior looking for senior discounts or promotions, you can look for the best senior phone plans specifically. Similarly, check whether you qualify for offers specific to groups such as military and veterans, first responders, teachers, nurses, or employees of partner companies.
Cost-to-value: With more than 130 carriers in the U.S., you're going to find a lot of plans that fit most or all of your criteria. To narrow it down, take all the things we mentioned — data, network, data speeds, and budget — and compare the different plans on those factors to see which offers the best value for the monthly cost. For example, if you like to stream entertainment a lot while out, you may find more value in a more expensive plan that can support that versus a cheaper plan with slow speeds or limited data.
Are there any free phone plans?
Yes, it is possible to get a free cell phone plan. You can opt to work with government programs or use TextNow for free phone service without any further qualifications or fine print.
Qualifying programs like Lifeline can reduce the recurring monthly charge by $9.25 ($34.25 for those on Tribal lands), which can bring a phone plan close to $0, or actually free, on select plans. The problem with these programs is that there is a lot of paperwork to deal with, and it can be difficult to quality for.
Alternatively, there are phone providers that offer free phone plans directly, like TextNow, Helium Mobile, and TextFree. Want more details? Check our comparisons:
FAQs about cell phone plans
Got questions or comments? Send us a note at [email protected]!
