If you compare the specifics of T-Mobile’s Essentials and Essentials Saver plans, you might think the company forgot to update one or the other — they’re Essential-ly the same. With both, you get 50GB of fast Premium 5G data (depending on the network capabilities in your area), which drops to 3G speeds of still-unlimited data after that allotment is used up. You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot with unlimited data, but only at 3G speeds and restricted to paltry 2G speeds when you’re in Canada or Mexico. In those two countries, calls, text and data are unlimited, while calls made from around 215 other countries are charged at 25 cents a minute.

The Essentials plan also doesn’t include perks such as streaming video from Netflix, nor the five-year price guarantee found on the Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. T-Satellite service is also not included, though it can be added for $10 a month.

Where Essentials comes out ahead of Essentials Saver is the number of lines you can have on your account. Essentials Saver is limited to just three, but Essentials can accommodate six lines. In fact, a trio of people will save money going with Essentials due to a free third-line deal, paying $90 a month (plus taxes and fees) for a $10 savings over Essentials Saver. If your household needs four lines, an Essentials 4-Line Offer plan takes advantage of the third-line deal for $100 a month.

However, if you need just one or two lines, Essentials Saver is still the better deal. A single line on Saver is still the better offer at $50 a month compared with $60 for the same features on Essentials, and two lines on Saver costs $80 a month compared with $90 for Essentials.

Why we like it

You get a solid level of basic phone service, with unlimited calls, texts and data, 50GB of premium higher-speed data and better pricing than the Essentials Saver plan for three or more lines (up to six).

Who it’s best for

Essentials is great for a cost-conscious family of three or more that wants unlimited everything, even at some slower speeds.

Who shouldn’t get it

This plan isn’t for people who want features such as larger amounts of premium data, regular hotspot access or included perks, or folks who need to set up a family or group with three or more lines.

Customer service options

• Online: T-Mobile
• Phone: 1-855-315-6244
• Store: Store locator
• App: T-Life app

Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome sounds like the happiest greeter in your favorite store or restaurant. And if you’re looking for a bare-bones plan with just the basics, it has some compelling aspects. At the top of that list is how modular Verizon’s plans are. Each person on an account can pick a different plan that suits them (unlike T-Mobile and AT&T, which require everyone to share the same plan at this relative entry level). And whereas other providers reserve perks such as streaming services for the higher-tier plans, you can add them piecemeal to customize what you need — typically for $10 a month for each, depending on the service.

That applies to mobile hotspot data: By itself, the plan offers no way to wirelessly share your cellular connection from your phone, but for an additional $10, you can add 100GB of data.

International options include unlimited talk and text in Canada and Mexico and 2GB of high-speed data before ratcheting down to unlimited data at 3G speeds.

However, the Unlimited Welcome plan isn’t as welcome with 5G data speeds. It can only tap into regular low-band 5G. Even if you had a capable device and were within range of a midband or millimeter wave 5G signal, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of Verizon’s fastest 5G Ultra Wideband (“5G UW” or “5G UWB”) speeds.

Why we like it

There’s no set amount of high-speed data before a line is throttled, so you don’t need to keep an eye on your data usage — but at the same time, this plan only supports 5G, not 5G Ultra Wideband. We also like that each person on a Verizon account can have their own plan with different perks. In a family, for example, an adult could add hotspot data (for an extra $10), but it can be left off for a child who doesn’t need it, even if both of them are on Unlimited Welcome.

Who it’s best for

Families who want to keep costs low but still have options for some perks.

Who shouldn’t get it

Anyone who wants to connect at higher 5G speeds and take advantage of the capabilities they paid for when buying a phone.

Customer service options

• Online: Verizon
• Phone: 800-922-0204
• Store: Store locator
• App: My Verizon

T-Mobile’s Experience More plan sits in the middle of its unlimited plans, but is actually quite a jump above the more value-focused Essentials and Essentials Saver plans. It includes unlimited high-speed data over its 5G network, so you don’t need to worry about whether performance will lag after you’ve used up an initial amount (although T-Mobile does reserve the right to slow data when networks are congested). It also includes 60GB of high-speed hotspot data (then unlimited at 3G speeds once that’s used up).

Note: T-Mobile recently introduced a new plan, Better Value, that closely competes with Experience More. In fact, for the same cost you can get more perks. However, we’re not including it as the pick here because it carries some restrictions: It’s available for a limited time (though T-Mobile hasn’t specified just how long), and you either must be a new T-Mobile customer or an existing subscriber with at least five years on another plan. Read more about the plan here.

The Experience More plan also carries T-Mobile’s five-year price guarantee. The T-Satellite feature for texting via satellite when you’re away from a cellular network is not included in the plan, but it can be added at a cost of $10 per month.

Internationally, Experience More includes unlimited talk and text while traveling in Canada and Mexico, plus 15GB of high-speed data (then unlimited at 256Kbps). In more than 215 other countries outside the US, you get unlimited texting and 5GB of high-speed data (then unlimited at 256Kbps), plus calling charged at 25 cents per minute.

The Experience More plan also includes a few attractive perks above the 5G and data speed allotments. Included in the price is Netflix Standard (with ads) at 4K resolution where available. (Unfortunately, T-Mobile removed Apple TV — formerly called Apple TV Plus — which included the MLS Season Pass. It can now be added for $3.)

A one-year AAA membership can also help when you’re traveling. T-Mobile’s Magenta Status adds even more perks, such as 15% discounts on Hilton hotel stays, 25% off tickets to “more than 8,000 shows at over 120 venues nationwide,” and T-Mobile Tuesdays, a series of deals that can include perks like cheap movie tickets and discounts at national restaurants.

Why we like it

Although it’s more expensive, Experience More packs a lot of perks into one plan. Unlimited high-speed data means you don’t need to monitor your app and streaming usage.

Who it’s best for

Individuals and families who want to get the most for their monthly cost.

Who shouldn’t get it

People looking to pay less per month who don’t need hotspot data or a multitude of perks.

Customer service options

• Online: T-Mobile
• Phone: 1-855-315-6244
• Store: Store locator
• App: T-Life app