Picking the best suited cell phone provider is as important as choosing the right handset. While there are tons of carriers out there, before you make up your mind, it is essential to have a fair idea of what different carriers have to offer so that you can make a well-informed decision. The quality of service, fee, coverage, features of the plans and the kind of phones are some of the things that you need to consider while looking for a cell phone provider.

Generally, you opt for a company that has the best coverage, the most flexible plans, and an array of phones at a great price. While it is not easy to draw the line between price and performance, we will help you discover the best cell phone providers for USA in 2017, find out the pros and cons about each in addition to learning what they have to offer and at what price.

While cost matters, of course you want a carrier that offers excellent coverage and performance, friendly customer support and some bonuses to satisfy your appetite. We have rated the top 10 providers based on a variety of factors to help you make the right decision.

10. CREDO Mobile

The Good: Big-carrier features such as subsidized phones and family share plans

The Bad: Extremely limited device options

CREDO Mobile is placed on number 10 on our list of top 10 cell phone providers in the US. The company offers contract-based cell phone plans and subsidized phones in addition to installment plans.

CREDO’s prices are among the most expensive ones in the industry. It lacks an unlimited data plan. It offers only some devices from Apple and Samsung. Besides Samsung’s Galaxy line or an iPhone, it just has the option of a Samsung Gusto 3 flip phone.

You may purchase the devices either subsidized or on an installment plan. However, the best cell phone providers make a point of featuring a wide variety of devices. The real selling point of CREDO is its belief in social change and activism.

You will have to spend $50 per month if you opt for a single line plan with unlimited talk and text with 1GB data and that does not include the cost of the device.

While CREDO has the same coverage as Sprint and offers similar features in its plans, it will cost you much more on a monthly basis.

Our Verdict: CREDO Mobile’s plans are on the high end and you can find better options having lower cost and same features. However, you may opt for this carrier if you wish to support progressive nonprofit groups.

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9. Virgin Mobile

The Good: Allows you to enjoy free music streaming

The Bad: No family plan and low speed

Selling its services online or via Walmart, Virgin Mobile is known for its slow speeds, low data allocations and tight feature lists. However, there have been few plan changes recently which has helped Virgin raise its value proposition.

All of Virgin’s cell phone plans include unlimited talk and text, but unlimited music streaming is one great addition that makes this cell phone provider stand out from the rest.

It has joined hands with some streaming services that enables you to stream from their apps without exhausting your monthly data.

Virgin offers 3 data tiers. You can opt to spend $35 a month for 5GB of data while for 10GB you will have to invest $45 a month. It has a $60 per month unlimited data plan as well that does not comprise HD streaming video or a mobile hotspot.

The carrier does not offer family plans anymore, which is not a good news as bundling mostly helps you save money.

Our Verdict: Virgin Mobile’s is affordable but its coverage and features are below the standard.

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8. U.S. Cellular

The Good:  The carrier offers you to get phones upfront, in installments or even on contract

The Bad: Pricing is comparable with other carriers like Verizon or AT&T while 4G LTE coverage is limited

One of the oldest cell phone carriers in the US, U.S Cellular operates the fifth-largest independently owned network in the country. Unfortunately, the network just covers 23 states. To cover the country, it depends on roaming agreements from other carriers.

90% of U.S. Cellular’s customers access to 4G LTE coverage across the nation through its partnerships with other carriers. It can be a great option if you reside within the company’s coverage area.

U.S Cellular has decent plans, great call quality as well as reliable customer service. It offers a wide variety of smartphones including top-tier flagships such as the iPhone 7, the Galaxy S8 and the LG V20.

In addition, you also have the option to get affordable good-quality handsets. You can enjoy unlimited talk and text and 6GB of data for $50 per month or a four-line family plan with 2GB of data per person for $120.

Our Verdict: U.S. Cellular can be a suitable carrier if you don’t have to travel much.

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7. Cricket Wireless

The Good: Cricket Wireless operates on AT&T’s excellent network

The Bad: Cricket users have their LTE speeds capped at 8 Mbps

Coming in at number 7 of our top 10 list of US cell phone providers, Cricket Wireless runs on AT&T’s network and has the benefit of coast-to-coast coverage. Its base plan includes unlimited talk, texts and 1GB of high-speed data for $30 a month.

However, we suggest that most users should go for the $40 3GB plan instead. No matter which plan you go for, the carrier regulates your speeds once you reach your data limit rather than charge you overage fees. It also offers an unlimited 4G LTE data plan for $60 per month, or $55 with autopay.

So it means it is around $5 cheaper compared to Sprint and $15 cheaper than T-Mobile. But remember that All Cricket 4G LTE connections have data speed caps. In addition, there’s no mobile hot spot.

Lastly, the carrier doesn’t have designated family share plans. However it offers a $10 discount to every additional line of service you put on your account.

Our Verdict: Cricket Wireless is one of the best non-carrier cellular providers out there. It is worth considering for it’s for affordable plans.

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6. Boost Mobile

The Good: One of the most affordable carriers on our list

The Bad: Limited device selection, just iOS and Android

Boost Mobile is extremely affordable and offers some of the cheapest full-featured cell phone plans around. You can avail discounts by signing up for automatic payment plans.

The firm even offers an unlimited 4G LTE data plan which is more affordable compared to what Cricket Wireless, its direct rival offers. Boost Mobile operates on Sprint’s network, which is the weakest of the major US carriers.

Boost Mobile has a limited variety of devices. It is also very restrictive about what phones you can and can’t bring to the service. For budget buyers Boost can be a great option. Its main plan for smartphones costs $35 with unlimited talk, text, 411 directory assistance and all the added features you’d expect from your provider in addition to 3GB of high-speed data.

The catch? Just few streaming apps. If you don’t need unlimited data, you can get a family plan for $120 for 4 that includes 2GB of data per person and unlimited talk and text.

Our Verdict: The carrier’s prices are pretty affordable. If you have a Sprint device already and want a cheap service, Boost can be your best bet.

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5. MetroPCS

The Good: A good option for prepaid customers looking for affordable prices

The Bad: Limited device selection

Next on our list is a carrier that may not be the best cell phone company out there, but it is a capable company carrier with pretty good stuff.

Offering the quality of a big carrier combined with the affordability of a prepaid provider, MetroPCS boasts a decent coverage and great customer service reputation. As it operates on T-Mobile’s network you get the fastest 4G LTE speeds possible.

As for MetroPCS plans, for $30, you can get unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data and for $40 you can enjoy the same plan, but with 3GB of data while if you are willing to spend $50, you can benefit from unlimited high-speed data.

In addition, you can listen to as unlimited much, watch as much streaming video and download as many apps as you wish.

Those who are interested in family plans can get them from this carrier that take $5 or $10 off the price of monthly service for each phone considering your data requirement.

Our Verdict: MetroPCS offers a great unlimited plan, impressive prices and some of the fastest 4G LTE speeds in the US.

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4. Sprint

The Good: Offering great service plans and incentives at decent monthly rate, Sprint make a great option with regard to value for money

The Bad: Operates the weakest of all major US networks

One of the most recognized cell phone companies in the US, Sprint is number 4 on our list. The network operates a big and affordable network and offers exciting features such as unlimited data, family share plans as well as international calling. It has a great device selection which makes it stand apart from other carriers around.

However, Sprint does have its downside: it has a molasses-slow 4G LTE network that may struggle to stream HD video. While Sprint’s network covers more of the country compared to T-Mobile, it is infamous for spotty coverage. The best thing about this carrier are its affordable cell phone plans.

Sprint has an all-inclusive single-line plan for $60. You can enjoy unlimited talk, text and data for $20 less than AT&T. To get a group plan for 4 family members you will have to spend like $160 monthly.

Being a major carrier, Sprint offers a plethora of flagship phones such as the best Android devices including the Samsung Galaxy S8 or S7 Edge and the LG V20. Apple’s latest iPhones are also available.

Our Verdict: Sprint can be a good choice if you are just into affordable cell service and don’t mind slow LTE speeds.

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3. AT&T

The Good: AT&T boasts the largest variety of flagship-quality phones of any major cell phone service provider

The Bad: Pricy family plans like Verizon’s, but with a lower coverage quality

While AT&T’s speeds don’t average as high, they is still a great cell phone provider. It makes a better option in terms of price as well. But in case you wish to make use of the cheapest carrier, or the fastest, or the most extensive, you can avail better options.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a perfect combination of speed and coverage and performance and price then it can be worth it. AT&T added unlimited plans to its offerings in 2017 though they are not as good as what its competitors have to offer. Yet, it does many things pretty well which places it on 3^rd place.

The largest telecommunications company in the world by revenue, it can be a suitable option for those looking for a reliable mobile carrier. AT&T was ranked at #4 on the 2017 rankings of most valuable brands in the world by Brand Finance. So the carrier will surely look after your needs and ensure you get what you are looking for.

Our Verdict: Offering solid performance and price, AT&T can be a reliable carrier.

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2. T-Mobile

The Good:  Affordable prices make T-Mobile a smart choice for those who want to save money

The Bad: Poor rural coverage

T-Mobile stands at number 2 on our list of top 10 US carriers. It surely is one of a kind but there is a catch: its network is weaker compared to AT&T as well as Verizon. In particular, it does not have decent rural coverage which does not make it a viable option for many people.

But if you reside in city, it is surely one of the best options. T-Mobile offers the best unlimited plan and the most attractive set of customer perks such as a wonderful program for international travelers. Its LTE speeds offer the highest peaks in the country and its prices are easy on the pocket.

The customer service is also more than satisfactory. In 2017, T-Mobile was ranked #1 in Customer Service Satisfaction by Nielsen. Interestingly, from as early as 2004, T-Mobile has captured multiple J. D. Power annual awards in retail sales satisfaction, wireless customer care as well overall customer satisfaction.

Our Verdict: With superb prices and fastest networks out there, T-Mobile can be the best carrier for you as long as your area is covered.

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1. Verizon Wireless

The Good: Verizon is all areas: speed, performance and reliability

The Bad: You’ll have to pay more monthly compared to other providers

Simply the best cell phone service in the US, Verizon Wireless tops our list and it deserves the highest rank for good. Offering the most reliable coast-to-coast coverage as well as the highest consistent speeds, this US carrier allows you to have any phone of your choice.

So you have plenty of options at your disposal and you don’t have to limit yourself while picking the smartphone of your choice. Verizon offers an unlimited plan with welcome features such as rollover data on tiered plans and a choice to avoid coverage fees.

With HD video streaming and mobile hotspot included for no extra charge, Verizon can satisfy your communication needs like you always wanted. If you don’t need unlimited just go for a size that works for you choosing from a range of options offered by this great US carrier.

Customer service? Excellent! Speed? Perfect! Those who are looking for nothing but the best can simply opt for Verizon without thinking twice. They will be able to enjoy a great package in addition to having lots of device options.

Our Verdict: Verizon Wireless delivers what other carriers just claim to offer.