T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. AT&T: The Best Unlimited Plans for 2026, Decoded

Is your 'unlimited' phone plan truly unlimited? Behind the marketing buzzword often lies the catch of data throttling, where your speeds are intentionally slowed down. While all three major U.S. carriers—T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T—have ditched throttling on their highest-paid tiers, significant differences remain between plans and companies. PRISM breaks down each carrier's offerings to help you find the best fit for your budget and usage.

T-Mobile: The Champion of Speed and Perks

According to analysis from OpenSignal and Ookla, T-Mobile boasts the best 5G coverage and fastest download speeds among the big three. The carrier offers three main tiers. Its Essentials plan is a no-frills option recommended for large families, forgoing perks for a lower price. It provides up to 50 GB of premium data before potential throttling and limits hotspot speeds to 3G.

The most balanced option for most users is Experience More. It delivers truly unlimited premium 5G data, in-flight Wi-Fi, 4K video streaming, 60 GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, and bundled perks like Netflix and Apple TV+. For digital nomads and trekkers, the top-tier Experience Beyond plan adds an unlimited high-speed hotspot and access to emergency satellite data via Starlink.

Verizon: The Choice for Gamers and Streamers

Verizon's strength lies in its modular approach, allowing users to get true unlimited 5G data for less than T-Mobile if they don't want bundled entertainment perks. OpenSignal's analysis shows Verizon has an edge in the 5G video and gaming experience. The Plus and Ultimate plans offer reliable, unthrottled service.

AT&T: The Rural Reliability Expert

While T-Mobile leads in 5G speed in populated areas, AT&T excels in providing broader 4G LTE coverage in more sparsely populated regions, like parts of the American West. It also offers solid discounts for military and first responders. The top-tier Unlimited Premium plan provides unthrottled data and 4K streaming for less than T-Mobile's best plan, but it lacks the extensive international and in-flight perks. Its entry-level Starter plan, however, is considered less competitive.