We’ve done the research, and if you want an unlimited, high-speed data plan that covers you wherever you go, AT&T Wireless is your best bet. Compared to major wireless carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, this plan offers higher 4G data speeds, generous premium data allowances, and expansive coverage to its customers.
With free shipping, free activation, and free returns, it’s also now easier than ever to buy a new smartphone online when you sign up for one of the AT&T Wireless unlimited plans listed below. You’ll also find the best TV & Internet Bundle deals and ways to save the most with AT&T.
AT&T’s Best Wireless Unlimited Plans in 2020
What is the AT&T Wireless Plan?
The AT&T Unlimited Plan offers customers unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data nationwide for their compatible devices. There are 3 Unlimited Plans available: Starter, Extra, and Elite.
Are There Any AT&T Deals Right Now?
AT&T Wireless Deals
Until June 30, 2020, you can transfer an existing phone number from another carrier and get your activation fee waived, plus get a free $250 AT&T Visa Reward Card.
Good-to-Know Info: There are 3 things you’ll need to do to qualify for the $250 AT&T Visa Reward Card.
1. Add a line using your phone number from another carrier to a new or existing AT&T account. This transfer (or “port-in”) of your existing phone number means that you keep the same digits you have now.
2. Bring your own device (BYOD). You need to use a compatible, unlocked smartphone (or purchase an AT&T phone) that works on the following network frequencies: 3G UMTS (850, 1900MHz bands) and 4G LTE (AWS, 700, 850, 1900MHz) band networks.
3. Set up your new AT&T account online and activate postpaid wireless service (voice and data). Stores do not offer this promotion; this is an exclusive online deal.
AT&T Internet and TV Deals
The following AT&T promotions are online-only, and expire on June 30, 2020:
- Order AT&T TV + Internet and get $300 in AT&T Visa Reward Cards, plus get free activation and 1 year of free HBO (that auto-renews unless you call to change or cancel). This offer requires a 24-month TV package agreement (min. $39.99/month for 12 months before discounts) and Internet plans 25Mbps or higher (min. $39.99/month + $10/month equipment fee + taxes).
- Order AT&T Internet and get a $100 AT&T Visa Reward Card. This offer is for new residential AT&T Internet customers purchasing high-speed plans 25Mbps and higher (min. $49.99/month + taxes + $10/month equipment fee).
To see if AT&T TV and Internet is available in your area, click here.
Tip: You must redeem your reward cards within 75 days of receiving redemption instructions (which you’ll receive after at least 45 days of active service). AT&T Visa Reward Cards ship out within 3–4 weeks of redemption.
How Many AT&T Unlimited Plans Are There?
3. You can choose from Unlimited Starter, Extra, and Elite plans.
How Much Does an AT&T Unlimited Plan Cost?
As of May 15, 2020, the cheapest plan is Starter, at $65 per month for 1 line, or $140 per month for 4 lines. The Extra plan is $75 per month for 1 line, and Elite is $85 per month for 1 line.
All prices include paperless bill discounts and autopay, where you agree to have your bill automatically taken out of your bank account each month. Taxes and fees are extra.
For pricing plan information, check out this chart:
AT&T Unlimited Plans
| Starter | Extra | Elite | |
| 1 Line | $65 | $76 | $85 |
| 2 Lines | $120 | $130 | $150 |
| 3 Lines | $135 | $150 | $180 |
| 4 Lines | $140 | $160 | $200 |
What’s the Difference between AT&T’s Unlimited Wireless Plans?
The biggest differences are price, video quality, premium data, and mobile hotspot capabilities.
The biggest similarities are that all plans have:
- unlimited texting from the U.S. to 120+ countries,
- unlimited calls from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada,
- slower data speeds that occur when the network is busy, and
- roaming data that may be 2G speed.
Only the Elite plan offers a free streaming service, the highest video-streaming quality, and exclusive member discounts.
What is the AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan?
The Starter plan is AT&T’s cheapest unlimited plan, priced at $65/month for one line. Compared to the other plans, it is the most basic wireless service available.
Key differences compared to the other wireless plans:
- Starts at $65/month for 1 line
- Unlimited talk, text, and data with no Premium Data
- No mobile hotspot data
- No 5G access
- SD (standard definition, 480p) video streaming
- Does not come with any free streaming services
Recommended for: People looking for a no-frills, high-coverage, data plan.
What is the AT&T Unlimited Extra Plan?
The Unlimited Extra plan is AT&T’s mid-range unlimited plan, starting at $75/month. Unlike the least-expensive Starter, this plan comes with enhanced data (premium and hotspot) as well as 5G access for just $10/month more per line.
Key features of this plan:
- Starts at $75/month for 1 line
- 15GB hotspot data per line
- 5G access
- SD video streaming (480p)
- Unlimited talk, text, data + 50GB of Premium Data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
- No free streaming services included
Recommended for: Those who don’t mind paying a little extra for premium and hotspot data.
What is the AT&T Unlimited Elite Plan?
The Unlimited Elite plan, AT&T’s top-tier plan, starts at $85/month and expands upon the features of Starter and Extra. It is also the only AT&T wireless service to offer high-definition video quality and a free streaming service for just $10 more per month than Extra.
Key features of this plan:
- Starts at $85/month for 1 line
- 30GB hotspot data per line
- 5G access
- HD (high-definition,1080p) video streaming
- Unlimited talk, text, data + 100GB of Premium Data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
- HBO included (with HBO Max launching May 27)
Recommended for: The customer who wants it all (especially movie lovers, heavy streamers, and avid gamers) who’ll get HD-quality video, 30GB of on-the-go entertainment, and HBO.
How Does AT&T Unlimited Compare to Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint’s Unlimited Plans?
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint all offer varying levels of service and monthly costs with their no-contract unlimited data plans. We’ve compared the advantages of each.
AT&T vs. Verizon
AT&T Pros
- AT&T’s highest-tier plan offers 100GB of premium data—that’s 25GB more than Verizon’s comparable unlimited plan!
- AT&T has faster 4G LTE and 3G networks, taking the crown in 2020 for having the fastest median download speeds across 125 markets.
- AT&T has faster response times and fewer network delays than Verizon.
- AT&T’s monthly costs are cheaper than Verizon; pay $20 less for 4 lines (with autopay).
Verizon Pros
- Verizon’s unlimited plans (even the most basic one) offer free Disney+ and Apple Music perks; AT&T’s Starter and Extra plans offer no perks.
- AT&T is second to Verizon in territory coverage.
- With 1 line of Unlimited, you can add a Just Kids line for just $35/month.
- All plans come with monthly Verizon Up Rewards; there are no monthly AT&T perks.
AT&T vs. T-Mobile
AT&T Pros
- AT&T has better overall nationwide coverage in cities, suburbs, and rural areas.
- More hotspot data: AT&T’s Unlimited Extra plan offers 15GB of full-speed hotspot data, compared to T-Mobile Magenta’s 3GB of hotspot data.
- AT&T’s 3G network covers over 3 times the coverage of T-Mobile’s service, so if you live in a city with limited 4G service, T-Mobile plans can be problematic.
T-Mobile Pros
- T-Mobile offers mobile hotspot data with its most basic plan; AT&T does not.
- AT&T Wireless gets high marks for its sprawling coverage, but not in the air: 2 out of 3 T-Mobile plans offer unlimited texting and 1 hour of data on Gogo-enabled flights.
- You get free stuff every week with T-Mobile Tuesday app promotions.
AT&T vs. Sprint
AT&T Pros
- AT&T provides far better coverage than Sprint, especially in the most rural areas.
- AT&T’s data speeds significantly outpace Sprint’s download times.
- AT&T is the only carrier to offer the premium cable channel HBO as a perk; Sprint provides access to movies through a free Hulu subscription, but it’s not ad-free.
Sprint Pros
- Sprint’s cheapest plan is nearly half the cost of AT&T’s most affordable, and Sprint has 4 plans (versus AT&T’s 3) that provide the lowest monthly bill possible for families.
- Sprint offers global roaming for text and data in over 200 countries, while AT&T’s unlimited texting from the U.S. spans 120+ countries.
- Hulu comes with 3 out of 4 Sprint Unlimited plans; only AT&T’s highest-tier plan offers free HBO.
Summary
Based on these comparisons, AT&T Wireless is best for people who seek expansive coverage and high speeds for an unlimited data plan. Substantial mobile hotspot allowances for higher-tier plans and wide availability also make AT&T Wireless an outstanding choice for frequent travelers. No matter where you venture, your unlimited plan will likely provide excellent service.
Does AT&T Have Good Wireless Service?
Yes, AT&T Wireless might be slightly pricier than plans from major U.S. mobile carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, but certainly makes up for it with excellent coverage, fewer interruptions, and high speeds that keep you connected to family and friends.
How to Save on AT&T Wireless
1. Add a Line
- The more lines you have, the more you save.
- 1 line on AT&T’s Unlimited Starter plan is $65 per month (after autopay and paperless bill discounts, and before taxes and fees). But 4 lines on that same plan cost just $35 per line.
- Tip: 2 lines on the same plan cost $60 per line; it’s $45 per line for 3 lines.
2. Qualify for AT&T Discount Programs
AT&T Discount Programs provide exclusive savings on wireless services, devices, and more to qualifying employees, students, government agencies, and organizations. They include:
- The AT&T Signature Program saves qualifying members and workplaces up to $10/month per phone line on the Unlimited Elite plan.
- The AT&T Military & First Responder Program offers discounts for active military, veterans, and first responders (and their families), such as 25% off all wireless plans.
Learn more to see if you qualify for an AT&T Signature Program discount.
3. AT&T Coupons and Promo Codes
Giving Assistant members have access to the best AT&T coupon codes and deals. Install our browser extension to tap into one of the easiest ways to save and earn cash back at AT&T that you can share with the nonprofit of your choice.
4. Earn Up to $75 Cash Back at AT&T
If you place a postpaid order for AT&T Wireless services through Giving Assistant, you’ll earn $75 cash back. You can earn $50 cash back on data products, or $10 cash back on upgrades.
Plus, when you shop AT&T Wireless through Giving Assistant, you can keep or share your cash back with any nonprofit!
Tip: New signups for AT&T Internet + TV earn up to $75 cash back.
Shop to Give: How to Support a Nonprofit with Your AT&T Purchase
As you shop the best AT&T unlimited data plans, smartphones, and AT&T Internet + TV, make sure your Giving Assistant account is set up (and that you’ve selected a nonprofit to support).
Next, download our Giving Assistant Button. You’ll get automatic alerts on the best coupons and deals and can seamlessly donate anywhere from 1% to 100% of your savings to your choice of thousands of nonprofits — right from your web browser. Learn more about how your online purchases can seamlessly benefit the causes you support.