Single line cell phone plans aren’t just for college grads and single people. A lot of my professional friends have separate cell phones for work and family. After all, we have two ears. So why not two phones? (Just kidding.) In this article, we’ll compare the single cell phone plans being offered by AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon.
I’ve decided to put this article together to help people decide on the best single line cell phone plan for them, because as everyone knows, shopping for cell phone plans can be confusing. If you’re thinking about signing up for more than one line (which can save a lot of money), check out my side-by-side comparison of family plans.
A Side-By-Side Comparison Of The Single Cell Phone Plans Offered By AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon
| Carrier | Details | Talk & Text | Data | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | AT&T's single line plans work just like their family plans: You pay an access fee for talk and text that varies according to how much data you buy. To me, AT&T's website gives the impression that unlimited talk and text are included with the data plan you choose. They aren't—I checked with a customer service representative, and the access fee is still there. | $25 / line for unlimited talk and text if you buy the 5GB or lower data plan. $15 / line for unlimited talk and text if you buy the 15GB or higher data plan plus free talk and text to Canada and Mexico. | 300 MB for $20 2 GB for $30 5 GB for $50 15 GB for $100 20 GB for $140 25 GB for $175 30 GB for $225 40 GB for $300 50 GB for $375 Overage charges $20 for each additional 300MB on the 300MB data plan $15 for each additional GB on all other data plans | View Plan on AT&T's website AT&T is currently offering up to a $650 credit per line if you switch. |
 | All Sprint plans include unlimited talk and text. You'll pay an access charge that varies according to whether you sign a two-year contract, lease a phone on their installment plan, or purchase the unlimited data plan. | "Limited" data plans $20 / line if you choose Sprint Installments or Lease for phone payments $45 / line if you choose a 24-month contract (and Sprint subsidizes the phone cost up front) Unlimited data plan $75 for unlimited talk, text, and data | "Limited" data plans 1 GB for $20 3 GB for $30 6 GB for $45 12 GB for $60 24 GB for $80 40 GB for $100 Unlimited data plan Unlimited data included with talk and text. Data slows to 2G speeds after 23GB usage / month, and there is a 3 GB limit on mobile hotspot. (Data slows to 2G speeds after hotspot data is used up.) Overage charges Sprint has no data overage charges—data slows to 2G speeds when you go over the limit. | View Plan on Sprint's website Sprint is currently offering a 50% discount off your current rate and $725 back in contract termination fees if you switch. |
 | All Verizon single line plans include unlimited talk and text—you just choose the amount of data you want. | $20 / line for unlimited talk and text | 1 GB for $30 3 GB for $45 6 GB for $60 12 GB for $80 18 GB for $100 Overage charges $15 for each additional GB | View Plan on UpPhone Verizon is currently offering to waive all activation fees, but only if you purchase online. |
 | T-Mobile’s stock plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data. You'll pay a flat rate and get unlimited everything (for the most part). For example, T-Mobile's unlimited streaming doesn't stream at full resolution — HD is a paid upgrade. If you use more than 26 GB of data in a month, T-Mobile deprioritizes your usage and speeds may slow down significantly. | $70 for unlimited talk, text, and data | Unlimited data included. After 26 GB of usage, your usage is "prioritized below other customers" and you may experience slower speeds. Overage Charges T-Mobile has no overage charges. Binge On T-Mobile allows you to stream unlimited video and music from YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and a slew of other sources without using any of your high speed data allowance. However, Binge On video is streamed at lower quality (480p), not 720p or 1080p HD quality like the other carriers. HD video streaming is available as a paid upgrade. | View Plan on T-Mobile's website T-Mobile is currently offering the new T-Mobile ONE plan. |
In this section, we’ll look at some real-world examples of how much someone named Suzie might pay for a single line plan with light, moderate, and heavy duty usage.
Single Cell Phone Plans For Light Data Usage
First, let’s pretend that Suzie only uses a light amount of data, which works out to about 1 GB per month.
| Carrier | Talk & Text | Data | Total (excluding taxes and fees) | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25 for unlimited talk and text | 2 GB for $30 | $55 | View Plan on AT&T's website |
| $20 for unlimited talk and text | 1 GB for $20 | $40 | View Plan on Sprint's website |
| $20 for unlimited talk and text | 1 GB for $30 | $50 | View Plan on Verizon's website |
| $50 for unlimited talk and text | 2 GB included | $50 | View Plan on T-Mobile’s website |
Single Cell Phone Plans For Moderate Data Usage
Next, let’s pretend that Suzie needs a one-line plan with a moderate amount of data, or around 4 GB per month.
| Carrier | Talk & Text | Data | Total (excluding taxes and fees) | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25 for unlimited talk and text | 5 GB for $50 | $75 | View Plan on AT&T's website |
| $20 for unlimited talk and text | 6 GB for $45 | $65 | View Plan on Sprint's website |
| $20 for unlimited talk and text | 6 GB for $60 | $80 | View Plan on Verizon's website |
| $50 for unlimited talk and text | 6 GB for $15 | $65 | View Plan on T-Mobile’s website |
Single Cell Phone Plans For Heavy Data Usage
Finally, let’s pretend that Suzie is a real data hog and burns through around 8 GB of data per month.
| Carrier | Talk & Text | Data | Total (excluding taxes and fees) | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15 for unlimited talk and text | 15 GB for $100 | $115 | View Plan on AT&T's website |
| $20 for unlimited talk and text | 12 GB for $60 | $80 | View Plan on Sprint's website |
| $20 for unlimited talk and text | 12 GB for $80 | $100 | View Plan on Verizon's website |
| $50 for unlimited talk and text | 10 GB for $30 | $80 | View Plan on T-Mobile’s website |
Is Sprint’s Unlimited Data Plan Really Worth It?
Unlimited data sounds good, but is it really worth the price? For single line plans, most of the time the answer is no. Sprint’s unlimited data plan costs $70 plus a $20 line charge when you lease a phone, so you’re paying a total of $90 / month for unlimited data. A plan with 12 GB of data per month ($60) plus the $20 line charge adds up to only $80 / month. Here’s my rule of thumb:
If you use 12 GB of data or less per month, buy the 12GB (or lesser) data plan. Sprint’s unlimited data plan is only worth it if you use more than 12 GB of data per month.
Final Thoughts On Single Cell Phone Plans
I hope this was helpful comparison for you, especially if you’re considering signing up for a single cell phone plan. Why do single line plans cost so much more per line than family plans? I don’t know, but at 33-years-old, I’m not ashamed to say that I’m still on my parents’ family plan, and it saves me over $50 a month. Check out my article about the best family plans if you’re thinking that if your parents want to have the privilege of calling you, maybe they should pay your cell phone bill. (I do not recommend this approach.)
Best of luck, and remember to Payette Forward,
David P.
I just need 1 single line, just 2 gb data
Staight talk is still the best rate for single phones 25GB unlimited talk, text and data. $50. a month.
WHOA thank you for taking the time to put all of this together! It’s really helpful.
Hi, I just wanted to say thk u so very much for ur very informated yet short and brief explination/explanitory plan workage …….EXCILENT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!
the only other thing i wud want to no is does metro P.C.S cover Rule,Haskell,Rochester,Stamford,and Throckmorton Texas
Thk-You
Marcelle Blissett Rule,Texas
Metro PCS prepaid plan. Decent coverage. Plans start at $30 with auto pay option. You get unlimited data and text, you just pay more for speeds to stay faster at larger data points. You can add lines for $25. I’m happy with it. There are some add on like making your phone a hotpot or caller ID from unknown numbers that I don’t add. I think it uses T Mobile.
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