Finding a cheap unlimited data plan as a single person used to be impossible. Most carriers save their best rates for families with 3 or 4 lines, leaving individuals paying $70, $80, or even $90 a month for a single line of service.
Fortunately, the prepaid market has exploded with competition in 2025. Carriers like Visible, Mint Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Boost Mobile are fighting for your business with unlimited plans starting as low as $25/month—or even less. But with different networks, data caps, and hidden fees, it can be hard to know which one is truly the best deal.
In this guide, we break down the four best value contenders for single-line unlimited data users to help you choose the right one.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Visible (Base) | Mint Mobile (Unlimited) | Metro by T-Mobile (BYOD) | Boost Mobile (Unlimited) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $25 (Flat) | $30* (Paid Annually) | $25 (with AutoPay) | $25 (with AutoPay) |
| Network | Verizon | T-Mobile | T-Mobile | Dish / AT&T / T-Mobile |
| Data Cap | Truly Unlimited | 35GB (then slowed) | Unlimited (Deprioritized >35GB) | 30GB (then slowed) |
| Hotspot | Unlimited (5 Mbps) | 10GB Cap | None | Uses Data Bucket |
| Taxes & Fees | Included | Extra (~$3-5/mo) | Included | Extra (~$1-4/mo) |
*Mint Mobile requires an upfront payment. $15/mo intro offer for first 3 months, then $360/yr ($30/mo) to keep the best rate.
1. Visible: The Best Overall Value
Visible is owned by Verizon and runs on their massive nationwide network. Their base plan is arguably the best deal in wireless right now.
- Price: $25/month.
- Data: Truly unlimited. No hard caps.
- Hotspot: Unlimited mobile hotspot (capped at 5 Mbps).
Pros:
- Taxes and fees are included in the $25 price. What you see is exactly what you pay.
- Truly unlimited data. Unlike the others on this list, Visible doesn't slow you down to 2G speeds after you use a certain amount of data. You might be "deprioritized" (slowed down) if the network is busy, but you never run out of high-speed data.
- Unlimited Hotspot. This is a huge perk for digital nomads or anyone who needs to connect a laptop on the go.
Cons:
- Deprioritization: In crowded areas (concerts, stadiums), your speeds might drop temporarily.
- Customer Service: Strictly online (chat/app only). No phone support or stores.
Verdict: If you use a lot of data and want a simple, flat bill, Visible is the winner.
2. Metro by T-Mobile: Best for T-Mobile Fans
Metro has aggressively dropped its price to match Visible, offering a $25/month plan for customers who bring their own device (BYOD) and port in a number.
- Price: $25/month (requires AutoPay).
- Data: Unlimited 5G.
- Hotspot: Not included on the $25 BYOD plan.
Pros:
- Taxes and fees included. Just like Visible, $25 means $25.
- T-Mobile Network: T-Mobile often wins awards for 5G speed and coverage in urban areas.
- Stores: Unlike Visible or Mint, you can walk into a Metro store for help (though they may charge fees for in-store assistance).
Cons:
- BYOD Only: This price is usually reserved for new customers bringing a phone. If you need to buy a phone, you'll likely be pushed to a $40+ plan.
- Deprioritization: Data may slow down after 35GB if the network is congested.
- No Hotspot: A major omission compared to Visible.
Verdict: Metro is excellent if you live in a city with strong T-Mobile 5G coverage and don't need a hotspot.
3. Boost Mobile: The Flexible "Forever" Price
Boost Mobile has revamped its branding and network, offering a "$25 Forever" plan.
- Price: $25/month (with AutoPay).
- Data: 30GB of "Premium" data.
- Hotspot: Uses your 30GB allowance.
Pros:
- Price Lock: They promise the $25 price won't go up as long as you keep the line.
- Device Deals: Boost often has good deals on phones even for the $25 plan.
Cons:
- Taxes Extra: Unlike Visible and Metro, taxes are not included. Your bill will likely be around $26-$29 depending on your state.
- Harder Throttle: After you use 30GB, speeds are throttled to 512kbps. This is usable for music and maps, but video will buffer.
- Lower Cap: 30GB is less than Mint (35GB) or Visible (Unlimited).
Verdict: Boost is a solid runner-up, but the extra taxes and lower data cap make it slightly less competitive than Visible or Metro.
4. Mint Mobile: Best for Light Users (Who Can Pay Upfront)
Mint Mobile (owned by T-Mobile) is famous for its "bulk buying" model. You get a cheap rate, but you have to pay for 3, 6, or 12 months at a time.
- Price: $15/mo for the first 3 months. Then $30/mo (paid as $360 once a year).
- Data: 35GB of high-speed data.
- Hotspot: 10GB cap (pulls from your 35GB total).
Pros:
- Intro Offer: $45 for 3 months is the cheapest way to test out a service.
- Speed: fast T-Mobile 5G speeds.
Cons:
- Upfront Cost: Renewing for a year requires dropping $360 at once. If you can't do that, the monthly equivalent price goes up to $40.
- "Fake" Unlimited: After 35GB, data slows down significantly.
- Taxes Extra: Fees can add a significant amount to the upfront total.
Verdict: Mint is great if you have the cash to pay for a year upfront and use less than 35GB a month. If you are a heavy user, Visible is cheaper and better.
Conclusion
For most single people in 2025, the battle for the best value comes down to Visible vs. Metro by T-Mobile.
- Choose Visible if you want truly unlimited data, unlimited hotspot, and the Verizon network coverage. It is the only plan that offers a truly flat $25 with no hard data caps.
- Choose Metro if you prefer T-Mobile's faster 5G speeds in your area and don't need a hotspot.
- Choose Mint Mobile only if you are okay with paying annually and don't use more than 35GB of data.
No matter which you choose, paying $25-$30 for unlimited data is a massive win compared to the big carrier prices of the past.
