Cell Phone Plan Calculator
Compare cell phone plans by true monthly cost: carrier plan prices, taxes and fees by state, per-line family costs, a usage-based data solver, and buy-outright vs carrier device math — all in one free tool. Ranked by true monthly cost, this is the best cell phone plan calculator for comparing what you will actually pay each month.
Compare cell phone plans
Sample 2026 plan database
Sample prices, user-editable in principle: verify with the carrier. Multiline discounts applied automatically for T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Google Fi sample data.
How much data do you need?
Buy phone outright vs carrier plan
Phone plan taxes and fees by state
Methodology
Monthly total = per-line price x lines + (base x state tax rate + $2.50 regulatory recovery per line), or 0 extra for taxes-included plans (Visible base, US Mobile Starter). Yearly = monthly x 12. Multiline tiers use the best step at or below your line count. Usage estimate = sum of hours x GB/hr per activity. Currency conversion uses sample illustrative rates.
This tool compares plan prices, not network quality. Our data usage calculator estimates your monthly GB in detail (its Plan Check tab compares usage vs a data cap — it does not compare carrier prices), and our download time calculator estimates how long files take on your connection.
Frequently asked questions
How much data do I need per month?
Use the Usage Solver tab: for example, 2 hours of HD video streaming every day uses about 3.0 GB per hour x 2 hours x 30 days = 180.0 GB per month, so you would need an unlimited plan. Light users (1 hour of music plus browsing a day) often fit under 10 GB. For a full breakdown of streaming, video calls, music and gaming, see our data usage calculator.
Mint Mobile vs T-Mobile: which costs less for 2 lines?
With 30 GB per line in California (sample 2026 prices), the cheapest matches are US Mobile Unlimited Starter at $50.00/mo and Visible Visible (base) at $50.00/mo, then Mint Mobile Unlimited at $70.40/mo including sample fees. T-Mobile Essentials Saver is pricier for 2 lines but drops sharply with 4 lines. Prices change, so verify with the carrier before switching.
How much does a family phone plan cost per line?
Multiline discounts cut the per-line price. Sample 2026: T-Mobile Essentials Saver costs $50.00/mo for 1 line, but with 4 lines the plan price is $100.00/mo ($25.00/line) plus sample taxes and fees of $19.00, for a total of $119.00/mo — an effective $29.75 per line. Use the Compare tab with your state for exact math.
How much are taxes and fees on a cell phone plan?
Plans without taxes included add state tax plus a sample regulatory recovery fee of $2.50/line. Example: a $40.00/line plan (e.g. T-Mobile Essentials Saver with 2 lines) in California (9% sample rate) becomes $40.00 + $6.10 in sample taxes and fees = $46.10/mo. Visible's $25 plan includes taxes and fees, which is why its advertised price equals the checkout price. The Tax & Fees tab estimates this for 12 states with sample rates.
Is it cheaper to buy a phone outright or get a carrier plan?
Do the 24-month math. A $999.00 phone bought outright costs $999.00 total. The same phone at $41.63/mo for 24 months costs $999.12 — $0.12 more. Outright is usually cheaper, but carrier deals sometimes bundle bill credits that flip the math. The Device tab compares your exact numbers.
What is the cheapest unlimited data plan?
Sample 2026 prices: if you want a cheap unlimited data plan, Visible base at $25/mo and US Mobile Unlimited Starter at $25/mo both include taxes and fees, making them the cheapest true unlimited options with no annual prepay. Mint Mobile Unlimited is $30/mo effective (12-month prepay) plus taxes and fees. Heavier users needing premium data priority pay more, e.g. Verizon Unlimited Ultimate at $95/mo plus taxes and fees.
How many lines can I add to a phone plan?
Most family plans cover up to 4-6 lines, and the per-line price falls as lines are added. Sample: T-Mobile Essentials Saver goes from $50.00 for 1 line to $40.00/line for 2, $33.33/line for 3, and $25.00/line for 4. Beyond the plan's multiline steps, the calculator uses the best available per-line rate.
Why is my cell phone bill higher than the advertised price?
Advertised prices usually exclude taxes and carrier fees. Example: Mint Mobile Unlimited advertises $30.00/mo, but in California you pay roughly $30.00 + $5.20 in sample taxes and regulatory fees = $35.20/mo. Plans labeled taxes-included (Visible base, US Mobile Starter) bill exactly the advertised price.
Can family members have different plans on one account?
With most carriers, all lines share the same plan tier, so the per-line math above assumes identical plans. MVNOs like Mint, Visible and Tello bill each line separately, so you can mix and match — e.g. one unlimited line plus one 6 GB line — and the Compare tab treats each line independently when you calculate them one by one.
Are these prices current?
Prices are sample 2026 figures collected from public carrier pricing pages and reviews; carriers change promotions and plan names frequently. Always verify the current price with the carrier before signing up. This calculator is an educational comparison tool, not financial advice.
Disclaimer: sample 2026 prices change; verify with the carrier. Educational estimates only — not financial advice.