Best Prepaid Unlimited Plans (2026)

Looking for an unlimited data plan, but want to avoid paying out the nose for it? You’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I’ve compiled what I believe are the best prepaid unlimited data plans you can buy in 2026. These are low-cost, high-value offerings that come backed with excellent coverage and, in some cases, awesome perks.

The best part? All of them allow you to avoid a credit check. 

Why You Should Trust Us

I have over 10 years of experience writing about and reviewing mobile plans and phones. I’ve tried every carrier under the sun—and have some strong opinions about which ones are worth signing up for, and which you should steer clear of.

For this article, I focused on the following factors as it relates to prepaid unlimited data plan service:
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- Overall value
- Plan features
- Cell phone coverage
- Quality of customer service 

The following piece offers an honest look at how well each carrier fares in each of these areas.

Best Premium Prepaid Unlimited Plans

Narrowing down the list of premium-oriented unlimited prepaid plans to just a few is no small task. After all, the market is awash with options for those seeking lots of premium data coupled with great perks.

I've done my best, nonetheless, to highlight the plans that I believe offer exceptional value.

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Best Cheap Prepaid Unlimited Data Plans

If you're looking to save real money on your wireless bill, you’ll want to check out these very cost-efficient prepaid unlimited data plan options.

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Best Prepaid Unlimited Data Family Plan

If you’re seeking maximum cost savings from your unlimited family plan, the prepaid cell phone carrier market is a good place to look. These plans below allow you to save big when you sign up for four lines, without sacrificing data. 

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The Realities of Going Prepaid

Going with a prepaid carrier for your unlimited data plan can save you a bundle of money over the usual postpaid carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile). However, it's not all roses: there are some caveats to signing up for the plans we've discussed.

Here are the reasons for—and against–signing up with a prepaid carrier.

Pro: Lack of a credit check

Since prepaid plans don’t require you to sign up for a credit situation (you pay in advance for your service after all), they don’t require a credit check of any kind. 

Pro: Less expensive plans

Prepaid plans tend to be less expensive than most postpaid plans, jettisoning some of the bells and whistles of these offerings in the name of saving you money.

Con: Fewer perks

For some users, the  lack of perks associated with prepaid plans could also be an impediment to signing up. If you're used to lots of dedicated hotspot data, unrestricted premium cellular data, or streaming subscription perks, switching to a stripped-down prepaid plan with fewer add-ons may be too much of an adjustment. 

Con: Potentially Inferior coverage 

Some sub-carriers (i.e. non-major ones) deprioritize the cell phone coverage on their prepaid plans as a means of keeping their costs down. So, while some of these plans may give you access to some of the best 4G LTE and 5G coverage networks, the high-speed data may be subject to slowing during times of congestion. 

Con: More Limited Phone Selection

Depending on which prepaid carrier you end up going with, you'll probably have fewer new phone options to choose from than you would have from the likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Some prepaid carriers only carry iPhones, others strictly Android devices like Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, and other still only sell their own proprietary devices (e.g. Lively).

However, in every instance, you are always welcome to bring your existing device with you—it's one of the main selling points of prepaid service after all—provided it's compatible with the networking you're joining.

The Bottom Line

Prepaid unlimited data plans have come a long way, and in 2026 they offer more choice and value than ever. Whether you want premium perks, rock-bottom pricing, or a family plan that keeps costs predictable, there’s a prepaid option that can meet your needs without locking you into contracts or credit checks. While prepaid service can come with trade-offs like fewer perks or possible slowdowns during congestion, the savings and flexibility often outweigh the downsides. If you know what features matter most to you and choose accordingly, going prepaid can be one of the smartest ways to get unlimited data without overspending.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “unlimited data” really mean on prepaid plans?

Most prepaid unlimited plans offer unlimited high-speed data up to a certain threshold. After that, speeds may be slowed (throttled) during congestion or after heavy usage, but data access isn’t completely cut off.

Are prepaid unlimited data plans cheaper than postpaid plans?

Yes, prepaid unlimited plans are typically cheaper because they don’t include contracts, device financing, or bundled perks. You pay upfront each month and avoid surprise fees, making them more budget-friendly.

Do prepaid unlimited plans include hotspot data?

Many prepaid unlimited plans include hotspot data, but it’s often capped at a specific amount of high-speed usage. Once that limit is reached, hotspot speeds may be reduced or disabled until the next billing cycle.