- Best overall
- US Mobile Unlimited Starter — $25, unlimited, 10GB hotspot (20GB on AT&T), any network, taxes included
- Best Verizon pick
- Visible — $25, unlimited, unlimited hotspot (5 Mbps), Verizon-owned, taxes included
- Best price lock
- Metro by T-Mobile $25 — T-Mobile network, taxes included, 5-year price guarantee (BYOD + port-in required)
- Best for int'l calling
- Tello $25 Unlimited — free calls to 60+ countries, 10GB hotspot, no contract (taxes ~$2–4/mo extra)
- The big shift
- At $25, data anxiety disappears — three plans are unlimited with taxes included
Why $25 is the most important price point in wireless
Below $25, you're buying data by the gigabyte and watching the counter. At $25, the math changes: three different carriers — on three different networks — all offer unlimited plans with taxes included. You stop rationing and start using your phone normally.
The difference between these plans isn't price — they're all $25/mo. It's network, hotspot, and how they handle priority data. Those three things are what this guide is for.
The one caveat for every $25 unlimited plan
These plans sit in the prepaid and MVNO space — which is how carriers keep prices this low. During peak congestion (packed stadiums, downtown at noon, major events), customers may be deprioritized below the parent carrier's postpaid subscribers. Each plan handles this differently: US Mobile Starter includes 70GB of priority data, Metro includes 35GB, and Visible's threshold varies. For most users in most situations, this is never noticeable.
The top picks under $25
★ Top Pick
US Mobile
Unlimited Starter
Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T · no contract · taxes included
$25/mo
📶 Unlimited AT&T · 70GB priority VZ/TMO
📡 20GB hotspot AT&T · 10GB VZ/TMO
5G access
🌐 Free Teleport transfers
US Mobile Unlimited Starter is the top pick at $25 for one reason no other plan offers: you choose which network to run on — Verizon (Warp), T-Mobile (Light Speed), or AT&T (Dark Star) — and you can switch at any time using TelePortal. Your first two switches are free; after that it's $2 per switch. This is the only plan that lets you optimize coverage without changing carriers.
You get unlimited data with 10GB of mobile hotspot (20GB if you choose AT&T), taxes and fees included. US Mobile Starter includes 70GB of priority data before any deprioritization kicks in — more headroom than Visible or Metro at the same price.
Best for
Anyone who wants network flexibility — especially if you're unsure which carrier performs best in your area, or if you move frequently.
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Visible
Visible
Verizon network · no contract · taxes included
$25/mo
📶 Unlimited data
📡 Unlimited hotspot (5 Mbps)
5G · Verizon
Visible is Verizon-owned and runs on Verizon's network — managed entirely through an app. Unlimited data, unlimited hotspot (speed-capped at 5 Mbps), no annual commitment, taxes included. It's one of the cleanest value propositions in wireless: Verizon-level coverage at a fraction of Verizon's price.
Two limitations: hotspot is speed-capped at 5 Mbps (fine for basic laptop browsing, not ideal for video calls or large downloads), and you're locked to Verizon's network. If Verizon doesn't have strong coverage where you live, there's no switching option at this price.
Want faster hotspot? Visible+ at $35/mo doubles the hotspot speed to 10 Mbps — enough for HD video calls on a laptop. The base $25 plan stays at 5 Mbps.
Best for
Users who know Verizon has the best coverage in their area and want the simplest all-in-one plan.
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Metro
$25 Plan — Unlimited
T-Mobile network · no contract · taxes included · 5-yr price lock
$25/mo
📶 35GB priority
T-Mobile 5G
🔒 5-yr price lock
Metro by T-Mobile's $25 plan is T-Mobile's own prepaid brand — unlimited data on T-Mobile's network with taxes included and a 5-year price lock guarantee. Your rate stays at $25/mo for five years regardless of what happens to pricing across the industry.
Eligibility requirements: The $25 rate requires bringing your own unlocked phone (BYOD) and porting your number from another carrier. Buying a phone from Metro or starting with a new number typically results in a higher price. AutoPay is required — it includes the $5/mo discount that brings the rate to $25. No hotspot is included at the $25 tier.
In-store heads up: If you activate at a Metro retail store rather than online, expect a $25 activation fee. Some port-in promotions waive this — check before you walk in.
Best for
Budget planners who want T-Mobile coverage and long-term price certainty — and don't need hotspot.
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Also worth considering: Tello $25 Unlimited
Tello's $25 Unlimited plan includes 50GB of high-speed data with a 10GB hotspot and no annual contract on T-Mobile's network. After 50GB, speeds throttle to 2G — data doesn't stop, but it becomes too slow for video. The tax catch: Tello doesn't include taxes (expect $2–4/mo extra, putting real cost closer to $28/mo). Where Tello stands apart: free calling and texting to 60+ countries from the US — something US Mobile, Visible, and Metro charge extra for. If international calling matters, Tello $25 is worth it despite the tax gap.
Side-by-side comparison
| Plan |
Price |
Network |
Hotspot |
Taxes |
Price Lock |
| US Mobile Starter |
$25/mo |
Vzn / TMO / AT&T |
10GB (20GB AT&T) |
Incl. |
No |
| Visible |
$25/mo |
Verizon |
Unltd (5 Mbps) |
Incl. |
No |
| Metro $25 BYOD + port-in |
$25/mo |
T-Mobile |
None |
Incl. |
5 yrs |
| Tello $25 Unlimited |
$25/mo |
T-Mobile |
10GB |
Extra |
No |
Prices are for one line with AutoPay where applicable. US Mobile, Visible, and Metro taxes are included in the advertised price. Tello taxes and fees are extra — expect $2–4/mo additional. US Mobile Starter hotspot is 10GB on Verizon and T-Mobile networks, 20GB on AT&T. Tello's $25 plan includes 50GB high-speed data; after 50GB speeds throttle to 2G. Metro's $25 plan requires BYOD + port-in + AutoPay; in-store activation typically carries a $25 activation fee. Prices checked April 2026 — verify current pricing with each carrier before signing up.
Comparing the top $25 options? See our US Mobile vs Visible comparison or read the Metro by T-Mobile review.