Best Phone Plans for One Person (2025)

Whether you’re looking to break away from your family plan and get one of your own, or just looking to sign up for your next one-person plan, there’s no shortage of options. From premium, everything-and-the-kitchen-sink plans to pared-back, affordable offerings, you’ve got a lot to choose from. 

This article is designed to help you navigate this crowded wireless landscape and find the plan that suits your lifestyle the best. We think the picks below offer the best combination of features, coverage reliability, customer service support, and value. Read on to learn all about the best cell phone plans for one person in 2025. 

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Best Overall Phone Plan for One Person

Narrowing down the field of one-person cell phone plans to just a few is tough, but we think the options below will appeal to the widest segment of users. If you’re looking for cheaper options, scroll to the end and check out the best budget one-person plans.

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Best Premium Phone Plan for One Person

If you’re seeking lots of features to go along with your cellular service, you’ll want to take a close look at the premium offerings from the major carriers. Here are a couple of the best ones. 

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Best budget Plans for One Person

If you’re on something of a budget, you’ll want to look to the prepaid market for your next plan. Prepaid carriers tend to offer comparatively stripped-back, wallet-friendly options, requiring upfront payment for service. The upside of this arrangement is that you won’t be subject to a credit check when you first sign up.

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Best ISP Wireless Plans for One Person

If you’re signed up with a major Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your home WiFi service, there’s a better than average chance that the company you’re with also offers low-cost mobile service as well. Indeed, Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity, and Optimum have all gotten into the cell phone service game, and sell high-value, inexpensive plans to their current internet customers.

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What to Look For In a Single-Line Plan

Before rushing off to sign up for a new cell phone plan, you’ll want to consider the following. 

Cell Phone Coverage

There are three major cell phone networks in the country: Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. All three offer national 4G LTE and 5G service, but they are not created equal. 

By the numbers, AT&T offers the most wide-reaching combination of 4G and 5G service. Check out AT&T’s cell phone coverage map below: 

While AT&T is technically the overall coverage leader, T-Mobile actually wields the best nationwide 5G network, covering more corners of the country than any of its competitors. Check out T-Mobile’s 5G coverage map, and scroll to your specific area to see what kind of coverage is offered there:

Verizon, the largest cell phone carrier in the country, is no slouch either. While the company’s cell phone coverage dominance has slipped a little in recent years, it’s still  impressive. Check out Verizon’s cell phone coverage map below: 

Cell Phone Plan Perks

The great thing about cell phone plans these days is that many of them include valuable add-ons. The major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) generally offer the most perks with their cell phone plans. This includes dedicated hotspot data, international roaming privileges, streaming subscriptions, and more. 

Of the three, T-Mobile includes the most perks with their plans—everything from free Netflix with Ads to in-flight WiFi. Verizon, on the other hand, has shifted its perks into its so-called myPlan, an a la carte menu of sorts that allows you to add them on for an extra $10-$15/month per perk. AT&T has done away with streaming extras completely, but does include large hotspot allotments and international data with some of its unlimited plans. 

The prepaid brands tend to offer comparatively fewer perks than major carriers (apart from hotspot data), savings which they are able to pass on to their customers. A few, however, like Metro by T-Mobile, do offer more perks than others. 

Customer Service

Sometimes there’s no substitute for in-person help when you’re having an issue with your plan or phone. That’s where major carriers have the advantage: all three brands have tons of shops throughout the country, so you’re probably not far from in-store customer service. What’s more, these big carriers all offer 7-day/week phone support. 

While certain smaller brands like Metro by T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and Boost Mobile operate brick and mortar stores, most do not. That means you’ll need to rely on  phone and online support when you need it—sometimes with limited hours. 

Phones

Selecting a cell phone plan is only half of the equation—phones are the other half.

All of the carriers mentioned on this list sell a wide variety of new phones that can be purchased outright or via monthly installments. This includes the latest iPhones, Samsung phones, Google Pixel devices, and other Android brands like Motorola. Plus, carriers are constantly running trade-in deals for new customers and existing ones alike, if you’re ready to swap your current smartphone for a newer one. If iPhone On Us, $0 up-front phone cost promotions are important to you, those kind of deals typically go hand-in-hand with premium plans.

Alternatively, you can bring your device (BYOD) to any carrier, whether you’re going with a prepaid plan or a postpaid plan. Activation tends to be quite easy, and all you have to do is pop a new SIM card into your own phone, or it can be done digitally via eSIM. Avoiding costly phone repayment installments is a great way to keep your monthly bills in check. 

How We Picked the Best Cell Phone Plans

We culled our list of the best cell phone plans from a market of hundreds of them. To qualify, the plan had to be offered from an established carrier with a good reputation, and backed by both solid cell phone and well-rounded customer support. What’s more, the plan in question had to represent exceptional value for the price to be considered. 

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, the best cell phone plan for one person comes down to your unique needs—whether that’s premium features like unlimited hotspot data and streaming perks, or a simple, affordable plan that keeps you connected without breaking the bank. With so many strong options from major carriers, prepaid providers, and even internet service companies, you’ve got more flexibility than ever before. By weighing factors like coverage, perks, customer service, and cost, you can zero in on the plan that delivers the right balance for your lifestyle. No matter which route you choose, the good news is that 2025 is a great time to be a single-line customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a phone plan for a single person?

Single-person phone plans can range in price from around $30/month for a plan from a prepaid cell phone carrier like Mint Mobile, to $70/month or more for one with a major carrier like Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T.

Who is the #1 cell phone provider?

The largest cell phone carrier in America is Verizon, with more subscribers than any of its competitors. What's more, Verizon wields some of the most wide-reaching 4G and 5G cell phone networks in the country, and is a great option if you're looking for reliable coverage in your next cell phone plan.

How much should one person's cell phone bill be?

A typical cell phone bill for one person in the U.S. ranges from $50 to $100 per month, depending on factors like data usage, the carrier, and whether you're on a prepaid or postpaid plan. Premium plans with unlimited data and extras can push the cost higher, while budget carriers and minimal data plans can reduce it to around $30.