There are main qualities about a cellular carrier:
- Cost
- Specifications
- Coverage
- Compatibility
In this post, I will be going through some of the main carriers in the USA that you may be looking into.
Verizon
Cost
- Postpaid plans: Start at $65/month for one line (unlimited talk, text, and data).
- Prepaid plans: Start at $35/month (5GB), $50/month for unlimited data.
- MVNO alternative: Visible ($25/month for unlimited, uses Verizon’s network). Total Wireless ($25/month if you bring own device, unlimited priority data , free international calling, 5 year price guarantee and on and owned by the Verizon network)
Specifications
- Hotspot: Allowed (usually unlimited), but high speed data is usually limited depending on the plan.
- Data deprioritization: During high traffic, prepaid plans may slow down.
- International roaming: Available, but expensive.
Coverage
Best overall coverage, especially in rural areas and basements.
Strong indoor reception, better than T-Mobile and AT&T in weak areas.
Weaker than AT&T in some parts of the South and Midwest.
Compatibility
Strict activation rules – only Verizon-approved devices work.
Many (non-approved, usually Chinese) dumb phones get rejected while trying to activate it (eg. Qin).
Some Verizon-locked flip phones (like Sonim XP3, Kyocera DuraXV) work well.
– Workarounds exist (activating the SIM in another phone first) but are a pain and do not always work.
T-Mobile
Cost
- Postpaid plans: $60/month for one line, $90/month for Magenta Max (unlimited premium data).
- Prepaid plans: $15/month (Limited Data), $40/month (unlimited but deprioritized).
Specifications
- Hotspot: Included, but high speed data is usually limited depending on the plan.
- Data deprioritization: Prepaid plans get slower speeds in congested areas.
- International roaming: Free in Canada & Mexico, limited elsewhere.
Coverage
Best in cities and suburban areas.
Works well indoors, but weaker in rural areas than Verizon.
Some areas in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and the Midwest have weak T-Mobile coverage.
Compatibility
Most lenient carrier for dumb phones – works with Qin, CAT, and other dumb/flip phones.
Accepts most unlocked GSM phones, even international imports.
Weak reception in some areas – check coverage before switching.
AT&T
Cost
- Postpaid plans: Start at $65/month for unlimited.
- Prepaid plans: $30/month (5GB), $50/month (unlimited but deprioritized).
- MVNO alternative: Cricket Wireless ($30-55/month).
Specifications
- Hotspot: Allowed on most plans, but high speed data is usually limited depending on the plan.
- Data deprioritization: AT&T prepaid speeds slow down during peak hours.
- International roaming: Good in Mexico & Canada, limited elsewhere.
Coverage
Strong coverage in the Southeast and Midwest.
Better rural coverage than T-Mobile, but weaker than Verizon.
Weak in basements compared to Verizon.
Compatibility
Strict IMEI checks – many dumb phones are blocked even if the bands are compatible.
Some AT&T-locked flip phones work well.
Tello (T-Mobile MVNO)
Cost
- Cheapest option – $8/month (1GB), $25/month for unlimited.
Specifications
- Hotspot: Allowed, but capped at 5GB on the unlimited plan.
- Data deprioritization: Always deprioritized on T-Mobile’s network.
- International roaming: None.
Coverage
Same as T-Mobile, meaning great in cities, weak in rural areas.
Uses T-Mobile’s towers but may be deprioritized during congestion.
Not the best for rural users.
Compatibility
**Same as T-Mobile – works with Qin, CAT, and other dumb/flip phones.
Accepts most unlocked GSM phones, even international imports.
Weak reception in some areas – check coverage before switching.
US Mobile (Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T MVNO)
Cost
- Regular Plan: $8/month [Must pay for the year up front, monthly is $10] (2GB data) + $3 for unlimited international calling.
- Data Pooled Plan: $10/month (2GB data + unlimited international calling), each additional line is $8/month.
- Unlimited Plan: $35/month (unlimited data, deprioritized).
Specifications
- Hotspot: 10GB limit on unlimited plan. Unlimited Premium allows 50GB/100GB depending on the towers you use.
- Data deprioritization: Verizon not depriortized for 5G devices. T-Mobile may slow down speeds. AT&T not depriortized on unlimited premium, all other plans have an option for priority data.
Coverage
Choice between Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T.
Verizon side has great rural coverage, T-Mobile side is best in cities.
Compatibility
Best on the T-Mobile side – works with Qin, CAT, and other dumb/flip phones. Accepts most unlocked GSM phones, even international imports.
AT&T side works with some phones, but IMEI checks may cause issues.
Verizon side has same activation issues as Verizon postpaid.
Tracfone
Cost
- $20/month for 2 GB, pay-as-you-go options available.
Specifications
- Hotspot: Available but slow and low data amounts.
- Data deprioritization: Always deprioritized.
- International roaming: Not included.
Coverage
X Uses Verizon Towers only.
Compatibility
There are a couple of Tracfone-locked dumb flip phones that work well (assuming you don’t need a lot).
Works well with Tracfone-locked flip phones.
Final Thoughts
Best for Coverage & Reliability: Verizon (but hard to activate some phones).
Best for Phone Compatibility: T-Mobile / Tello or US Mobile/T-Mobile
Best for Budget Users: Tello or US Mobile.
Contribution from @The_phone_man:
Good Prepaid Comparison Tool: prepaidcompare.net
I hope this helps and feel free to edit this post if you see anything that should be changed.