What the 2026 tests found
| Test | Verizon | T-Mobile | AT&T |
|---|---|---|---|
| RootMetrics overall score, first half of 2026 | 98.4 (first) | 97.3 | 98.3 |
| RootMetrics median download speed | — | 392 Mbps (fastest) | — |
| Opensignal, July 2026 | Won coverage | Won 12 of 16 awards, including reliability and download speed | Won time on network |
| Ookla, first half of 2026 | — | Named best mobile network | — |
The three scores on RootMetrics are a tenth of a point apart at the top, so nationally the networks are close. RootMetrics drives test routes; Opensignal measures in the background on people's own phones; Ookla counts speed tests people run. They disagree because they measure different things.
Cheaper brands on the same networks
| Network | Cheaper brands that use it |
|---|---|
| Verizon | Visible |
| T-Mobile | Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile |
| AT&T | Cricket Wireless |
A cheaper brand usually gets the same coverage as its parent network for less, but can be given lower priority when the network is busy, and offers less help in a store.
What matters more than the national results
- Coverage where you live and work. The FCC's National Broadband Map shows each carrier's mobile coverage by address.
- Phone deals. A "free" phone usually comes with a contract or bill credits spread over years, and the phone may be locked to the carrier until it is paid off. Compare the total over the same months.
- Calling Bangladesh. In the US, calling apps such as WhatsApp work over mobile data, so many people need no international minutes at all, only enough data.
- Taxes and fees. Advertised prices often leave out taxes and fees that are added to the bill, which vary by state.
Questions people ask
Which carrier has the best coverage in the US?
In Opensignal's July 2026 report Verizon kept the coverage award, and it also came first overall on RootMetrics. What matters is coverage at your own address, which the FCC's map shows.
Which US carrier is fastest?
T-Mobile, on most 2026 tests: it had the fastest median download on RootMetrics (392 Mbps), most of Opensignal's speed awards, and Ookla's best network title.
Is Cricket the same as AT&T?
Cricket Wireless is owned by AT&T and uses its network. Visible uses Verizon's, and Metro and Mint use T-Mobile's.