Mobile carriers in the US 2026: a ranking built on verified facts
A ranking of mobile carriers in the United States, built only on facts from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and from carriers' official sites. Cost is measured on a reference plan: the cheapest standard consumer plan with at least 10 GB and 100 minutes, in US dollars before taxes and fees, normalised to 30 days. The price index shows it against the cheapest basket found in the US (100) and is valid only inside the country. We also record 4G and 5G, officially stated population coverage, eSIM, roaming, the app, 24/7 support and published terms. Speed tests and reviews are not used. The Score is not for sale; sponsored placements, if there are ever any, will be a separate labelled block.
| # | Company | Who it serves | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visible | 76 | Not verified | No | Yes | 99% | 100 | 5G eSIM |
| 2 | Verizon | 71 | Not verified | Yes | Yes | 99% | 180 | Own network 5G eSIM |
| 3 | Boost Mobile | 63 | Not verified | No | Yes | Not verified | 100 | 5G eSIM |
| 4 | AT&T | 61 | Not verified | Yes | Yes | Not verified | 140 | Own network 5G eSIM |
| 5 | Cricket | 61 | Not verified | No | Yes | Not verified | 140 | 5G eSIM |
-
- Listed by the regulator
- Not verified
- Own radio network
- No
- Commercial 5G
- Yes
- Stated population coverage
- 99%
- Price index (100 = cheapest in the country)
- 100
Pros
- Reference tariff among the cheapest in the country
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- High officially stated population coverage
- Offers eSIM to new customers
Cons
- Uses another operator's network
Details Visit site ↗ 83% backed by facts
-
- Listed by the regulator
- Not verified
- Own radio network
- Yes
- Commercial 5G
- Yes
- Stated population coverage
- 99%
- Price index (100 = cheapest in the country)
- 180
Pros
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- High officially stated population coverage
- Runs its own radio network
- Offers eSIM to new customers
Details Visit site ↗ 83% backed by facts
-
- Listed by the regulator
- Not verified
- Own radio network
- No
- Commercial 5G
- Yes
- Stated population coverage
- Not verified
- Price index (100 = cheapest in the country)
- 100
Pros
- Reference tariff among the cheapest in the country
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Offers eSIM to new customers
- Full tariff terms are public
Cons
- Uses another operator's network
- Human support is not 24/7
Details Visit site ↗ 77% backed by facts
-
- Listed by the regulator
- Not verified
- Own radio network
- Yes
- Commercial 5G
- Yes
- Stated population coverage
- Not verified
- Price index (100 = cheapest in the country)
- 140
Pros
- Reference tariff among the cheapest in the country
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Runs its own radio network
- Offers eSIM to new customers
Details Visit site ↗ 67% backed by facts
-
- Listed by the regulator
- Not verified
- Own radio network
- No
- Commercial 5G
- Yes
- Stated population coverage
- Not verified
- Price index (100 = cheapest in the country)
- 140
Pros
- Reference tariff among the cheapest in the country
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Offers eSIM to new customers
- Full tariff terms are public
Cons
- Uses another operator's network
- Human support is not 24/7
Details Visit site ↗ 80% backed by facts
How we calculate the Score
40%
Network
Whether the operator is listed by the telecom regulator as an authorised or registered provider, whether it runs its own radio network or uses another operator's (MVNO), whether consumers have commercial 4G and 5G (pilots do not count), and the share of the population covered, as stated by the operator or the regulator. Territory shares and the word "nationwide" are not counted. Stated coverage is not a measurement of quality or speed.
30%
Cost
The monthly price of a reference basket: the cheapest standard published consumer tariff, postpaid or prepaid, with at least 10 GB of domestic data and at least 100 domestic minutes, open to any new customer. Regular price without temporary promotions, bundles with home internet, handsets, age-limited tariffs or multi-line discounts, normalised to 30 days. The index shows the price against the cheapest basket found in the same country: 100 is the cheapest, 150 is 50% dearer, 300 or more scores zero. The original price in local currency is shown on the company page. The index is comparable only within one country.
20%
Service
Whether eSIM is offered to new customers, whether international roaming is available on consumer plans, whether the operator has its own self-care app, and whether human support by phone or chat is stated as 24/7.
10%
Transparency
Whether the full price list or tariff terms are public without logging in, and whether the operator publishes how to file a complaint.
How to choose a mobile operator
Check coverage at your address
The share of the population covered says little about one street or village. Use the operator's coverage map for the places where you live, work and travel.
Look at the regular price
Compare the price after any promotional period, including the contract term, activation fee and what happens once the data allowance runs out.
Read the roaming terms
Roaming being available does not mean it is cheap or included. Check the price in the countries you actually visit.
Check the exit terms
See the minimum contract term, the notice period and how to keep your number. Your phone also has to support the operator's bands and eSIM.
Frequently asked questions
What does first place mean?
The operator has the highest Score under our open methodology among operators in that country. It is not advice: check coverage at your address and read the tariff terms yourself.
Can I compare prices between countries?
No. The price index compares operators only inside one country, because currencies, taxes and incomes differ. An index of 120 in one country and 120 in another say nothing about each other.
Why are there no speed tests?
We publish only facts that can be read at an official source. Speed depends on place, time and device, and we do not have measurements of our own. A regulator's published measurements could be used if they are comparable.
What is an MVNO?
A virtual operator sells its own tariffs on another operator's radio network. It may be cheaper, while its coverage is that of the host network. The company page says whose network it uses where this is published.
Why do some cards show no data?
When a fact cannot be read at an official source, we leave it empty rather than guess. An operator with too few confirmed facts is shown outside the ranking until the data is filled in.