Whether you're a Microsoft diehard who packs a Windows phone, or an iPhone- or Android-toting Windows fan, here's how to find the best unlimited data plan for you.

With Verizon bringing back an unlimited data plan, the big four networks in the United States (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon) all carry an unlimited data plan now. That's important for power users as well as anyone who uses their mobile broadband internet as their sole way to stay in touch or for entertainment. The cost of data overages means that unlimited data is a must for many of us.

But just because everyone offers unlimited data doesn't mean that all plans are equal. Pricing is important as are "extras" like tethering and the hidden data cap that pushes you back to slower 3G speeds when you reach it. And of course, zero-rating means we have to pay attention to what unlimited means when it comes to the quality of streaming media as well as the source.

We took a look at what each carrier has to offer so we can decide who delivers the very best unlimited data package. Let's start with a look at the details for each carrier.

AT&T

Unlimited Plus

Unlimited talk, text, and data

10 GB mobile hotspot (tethering)

Unlimited talk and text to Canada and Mexico

Advanced messaging between compatible phones on the AT&T network

Unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico with free Roam North America Feature (if more than 50% of use is outside the U.S. the plan can be terminated)

Unlimited music and video streaming with optional Stream Saver for less data use

$25 monthly credit for DirecTV services

One line of service on an AT&T Unlimited Plus plan is $90

Two lines of service for $145

Up to eight additional lines (includes any phone, LTE tablets, LTE hotspots and connected cars) for $20 per line

per line Add a wearable for $10 per month

Unlimited Choice

Unlimited talk, text, and data

Data speeds capped at 3Mbps

Standard definition video streaming

One line of service on an AT&T Unlimited Choice plan is $60

Two lines of service for $115

Up to eight additional lines (includes any phone, LTE tablets, LTE hotspots and connected cars) for $20 per line

per line Add a wearable for $10 per month

Everything you need to know about AT&T's unlimited plans

Check out our review of the AT&T Lumia 950 Windows phone

Sprint Unlimited Freedom plan

Unlimited talk, text, and data (with certain restrictions)

Unlimited data for streaming video up to 1080p

Unlimited data for gaming up to 8Mbps

Unlimited data for streaming music up to 1.5Mbps

10GB high-speed mobile hotspot with VPN and P2P support

Add a tablet with unlimited data for $25 per month

One line of service is $50

Two lines of service is $90

Three lines of service is $90

Four lines of service is $90

Everything you neeed to know about Sprint's Unlimited Freedom Plan

T-Mobile

Unlimited talk, text, and data with 200MB of roaming data

Unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico

One hour of free Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi and unlimited texting on enabled flights

Unlimited data and texting in over 140 locations at 2x speed (264kbps) (limited time offer)

Unlimited music and HD video streaming (limited time offer, applies only in the U.S.)

10GB high-speed mobile hotspot use (limited time offer)

One line of service on a T-Mobile ONE plan is $70

Two lines of service for $100

Three lines of service for $140

Four lines is $160 and each additional line adds $20 to the total

A promotion starting March 1, 2017, allows post-paid customers with two or more lines to add another line free. This offer applies to T-Mobile ONE, Simple Choice and Simple Choice No Credit plans

Everything you need to know about T-Mobile's unlimited plans

Check out our review of T-Mobile's Alcatel Idol 4s

Verizon

Verizon used to have a single unlimited plan, but it has since expanded that to two, offering various levels of value depending on customer need.

Go Unlimited

Go Unlimited is the cheaper of the unlimited plans, aimed at users that don't necessarily need the fastest performance at all times or high-quality video streaming.

One line: $75/month

Two lines: $65 per line/month

Three lines: $50 per line/month

Four or more lines lines: $40 per line/month

Paper-free billing and $5/mo AutoPay discounts apply.

The Go Unlimited plan offers unlimited LTE data, but you're subject to reduced speeds (throttling) when the network is congested. Verizon may choose to throttle at any time of the billing cycle, which is unlike most other unlimited plans that only do so after a certain amount of data is used.

On Go Unlimited, all video streaming is capped at 480p on phones and 720p on tablets. And while the Go Unlimited plans offer unlimited mobile hotspot (tethering), the speed is capped at 600kbps, which is likely too slow for most people to do anything other than browse the web — slowly.

Beyond Unlimited

Beyond Unlimited is basically Verizon's original unlimited plan with some slight tweaks.

One line: $85/month

Two lines: $80 per line/month

Three lines: $60 per line/month

Four or more lines: $50 per line/month

Paper-free billing and $5/mo AutoPay discounts apply.

The Beyond Unlimited plan offers unlimited LTE data, but you're subject to reduced speeds (throttling) at times of network congestion if you exceed 22GB in a billing cycle (customers that sign up on a two-year contract get 25GB per month before throttling).

Video streaming is capped at 720p on phones and 1080p on tablets. Mobile hotspot use is unlimited, with 15GB of LTE data in each billing cycle. Laptops or other devices used through the hotspot have a 1080p hard cap for streaming video.

Everything you need to know about Verizon's unlimited plan

The best unlimited data plan