I am looking for a prepaid phone plan that includes hotspot data and does not throttle video streaming.

Finding a prepaid plan that includes hotspot data and avoids video streaming throttling (often capped at 480p SD or 720p HD by default) requires looking closely at MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) or specialized tier plans, as most mainstream carriers heavily throttle streaming over mobile data.

Top prepaid options that fit or closely approach these requirements:

• US Mobile (Unlimited Premium Plan): Available on your choice of major networks (T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T), US Mobile's top-tier plan provides robust high-speed hotspot allotments (up to 100GB of full-speed hotspot data depending on the specific network configuration). Crucially, they do not enforce a hard video streaming throttle on native data, allowing full-resolution HD and 4K streaming if your device is pulling unmanaged data. You can check out the options directly on US Mobile.
• Visible+ (by Verizon): Visible (Verizon's prepaid subsidiary) offers truly unlimited data and unlimited mobile hotspot. While the base plan throttles video streaming to 480p, the Visible+ plan lifts video streaming caps up to 1080p HD when connected to 5G Ultra Wideband. The hotspot is unlimited, though tethering speeds are capped at 10 Mbps, which is fast enough for standard video streaming without a harsh reduction. Details are available at Visible.
• AT&T Prepaid (Max / Unlimited Plans): AT&T’s higher-tier prepaid unlimited offerings include generous high-speed mobile hotspot buckets (such as 35GB or more) and historically permit higher-definition video playback (up to 4K streams) if you disable their "Stream Saver" feature inside your AT&T account portal. You can evaluate current offerings via AT&T Prepaid.

To help narrow this down, could you tell me:

• Which network coverage (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) works best in your area?
• Roughly how many gigabytes of hotspot data you need per month?

If by “does not throttle video streaming” you mean no forced SD/480p/720p cap on video, the field narrows quite a bit.

Best matches

• visible.com — $45/month

• Unlimited phone data

• Unlimited hotspot at up to 15 Mbps

• Up to 4K UHD video

• Verizon network

• Taxes and fees included

• This is my best overall match if you want lots of hotspot use and high-resolution streaming.

• visible.com — $35/month

• Unlimited phone data

• Unlimited hotspot at up to 10 Mbps

• Video up to 1080p HD

• Verizon network

• Taxes and fees included

• Excellent value if 1080p is enough for you.

Plans I'd avoid for your requirement

• T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited includes unlimited hotspot, but its terms say video streams in SD, so it doesn't meet your requirement.
• Cricket Supreme Unlimited has a generous 50 GB hotspot allowance, but Cricket says video typically streams at standard definition unless you change its video-management setting.
• Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Plus has 25 GB of premium hotspot, but Verizon specifies video-resolution limits on LTE/5G in its plan terms, so I wouldn't choose it if unrestricted video is the priority.

My pick: Visible+ Pro if you regularly use hotspot for a laptop/tablet and want the least restrictive video streaming. Visible+ is the sweet spot if 1080p is sufficient.

If you tell me your monthly budget (e.g. under $30, $40, $50) and whether you prefer Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile coverage, I can narrow this to the 2–3 best options.

Finding a prepaid plan that provides robust hotspot data and doesn't throttle video streaming (delivering HD/4K quality instead of capping you at 480p standard definition) narrows the field quite a bit, as most budget carriers throttle video traffic by default.

Top prepaid options matching these requirements include:

• Visible+ (by Verizon)
  • Price: $35 to $45/month (taxes and fees included).
  • Hotspot Data: Unlimited mobile hotspot data included, throttled/capped at a usable 15 Mbps on Visible+ Pro / 10 Mbps on Visible+.
  • Video Streaming: Does not throttle on-device video streaming, allowing up to HD/4K UHD quality.
  • Network: Verizon's 5G & 4G LTE network (with priority data on 5G Ultra Wideband).
• US Mobile (on Verizon Warp or T-Mobile Lightspeed networks)
  • Price: Around $25 to $44/month depending on the specific unlimited tier and if paid monthly vs. annually.
  • Hotspot Data: Generous high-speed buckets (up to 50 GB of dedicated hotspot data on top-tier unlimited plans).
  • Video Streaming: Allows higher-resolution streaming (like 720p/1080p rather than hard-throttled 480p SD) when toggled or on specific network configurations.
• Metro by T-Mobile (Unlimited Plans)
  • Price: Starts around $50–$60/month for single-line unlimited.
  • Hotspot Data: Varies by tier, but higher plans include dedicated high-speed mobile hotspot allowances.
  • Video Streaming: Includes high-definition video streaming capabilities on their top-tier unlimited lines without a strict network-side SD throttle.

If you can tell me which major network (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) has the best coverage in your area and your approximate monthly budget , I can narrow this down to the single best option for you.

If by “does not throttle video streaming” you mean you want HD/4K video rather than a carrier forcing streams down to 480p, the choices narrow considerably.

Best options right now

Visible+ Pro is the closest match to exactly what you're asking for. Visible says it includes unlimited hotspot data, hotspot speeds up to 15 Mbps, and video up to 4K UHD.

Visible+ is probably the sweet spot if 1080p is enough. It's $35/month with taxes and fees included, unlimited hotspot at up to 10 Mbps, and video up to 1080p.

Metro Unlimited Premium costs $60/month with AutoPay and includes 25 GB of hotspot plus HD video.

US Mobile Unlimited Premium is another interesting option if you want a large but finite hotspot allowance (50 GB). Its current plan comparison lists it at $44/month.

One important distinction

No carrier can guarantee that video will never slow down because of poor signal or network congestion. What you want to avoid is a deliberate video-resolution throttle, such as a plan that says “video streams at up to 480p.” For example, Total Wireless' standard Unlimited plan explicitly limits video to 480p, so I would rule that one out for your requirements.

My recommendation: Visible+ at $35/month unless you specifically want 4K video or need the fastest possible hotspot, in which case go with Visible+ Pro at $45/month.

If you tell me how much hotspot data you expect to use per month (e.g. 20 GB, 50 GB, 100+ GB) and whether Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile has the best coverage where you live, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 plans.

If by “does not throttle video streaming” you mean you want the carrier to avoid forcing video to 480p/720p, the choices narrow considerably.

My top picks

*Prices can change; taxes/fees vary by carrier.

Visible+ Pro is the closest match to what you're asking for. Visible's current disclosures say the plan has unlimited mobile hotspot, hotspot speeds up to 15 Mbps, and video delivered at up to 1080p HD.

US Mobile Unlimited Premium is also interesting: it's $44/month and includes unlimited hotspot, and US Mobile lets you choose among Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks. www.usmobile.com I'd put this ahead of Visible if network flexibility is important, but I'd verify the exact video-management behavior before switching.

I would avoid Google Fi's unlimited plans for your particular requirement. Even though they include hotspot, Google says it attempts to optimize video to up to 480p on Unlimited Essentials, Standard, and Premium.

Likewise, Cricket's plans aren't a good fit: its Smart Unlimited plan includes 15GB of hotspot but normally manages streaming to about 1.5–2 Mbps, roughly SD quality.

If you tell me your approximate monthly budget (e.g. under $30, $40, $50) and whether you need 5G on Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, I can narrow this to the 2–3 best plans for you.

Finding a prepaid plan that unbinds video streaming throttles while providing robust hotspot data can be tricky, as many budget carriers default to 480p standard definition streaming or cap hotspot speeds. However, top prepaid and MVNO options provide uncapped high-speed data tiers without hard video throttles:

• US Mobile (Unlimited Premium) : Offers truly unlimited high-speed data on your choice of major networks (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile towers), complete with unthrottled 4K video streaming on device and massive high-speed mobile hotspot allocations.
• Visible+ Pro : Operated directly on Verizon’s network , this tier includes unlimited data with priority access , upgraded 4K video streaming capabilities on 5G Ultra Wideband, and a heavy allotment of high-speed mobile hotspot data.
• Metro by T-Mobile (Uncapped Plans) : Select high-tier unlimited prepaid options from Metro omit standard-definition mobile video caps, delivering HD/Full HD streams alongside generous monthly hotspot allowances.

If you can share which major network coverage (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) works best in your area and your approximate monthly budget , I can narrow down the exact plan and pricing for you.

If you're in the U.S., the strongest match I found is Visible+ Pro.

Visible's current plan lineup specifically lists Visible+ Pro at $45/month, with unlimited premium data and unlimited hotspot, and allows video up to 4K UHD.

My recommendation

Go with Visible+ Pro if your priority is both hotspot and unrestricted/high-resolution video. It's considerably cheaper than comparable prepaid offerings, and the hotspot is unlimited rather than a 25–35 GB bucket.

One important distinction: "does not throttle video" can mean either no forced SD/720p cap or literally no network management whatsoever. Visible+ Pro meets the first criterion—it permits up to 4K—but congestion can still affect real-world speeds.

If you tell me your monthly budget and preferred network (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile), I can narrow this down to the 2–3 best plans for you.

Finding a prepaid plan that provides dedicated hotspot data and avoids explicit video throttling (the practice where carriers cap video streams at 480p/720p or ≈ 1.5 - 2.5 Mbps) narrows the field significantly, as most MVNOs and major prepaid carriers throttle streaming video by default.

Top prepaid options that fit or closely match these criteria include:

• US Mobile (Unlimited Premium Plan):
  • The Details: Available on major networks (including Verizon/Warp, AT&T/Dark Star, and T-Mobile/Light Speed).
  • Hotspot: Includes a generous high-speed allotment (50 GB) of mobile hotspot data on the Unlimited Premium tier.
  • Video Throttling: US Mobile is well-known in the prepaid market for not hard-throttling video streaming, and users can toggle/manage data settings (like their "Data Waster" feature) in the app dashboard to pull full, unthrottled speeds for video. You can check out the options directly on the US Mobile Plans Page.
• Visible+ (by Verizon):
  • The Details: Visible is a prepaid-style subsidiary running entirely on Verizon's network.
  • Hotspot: Offers truly unlimited mobile hotspot data, though tethering speeds are capped (up to 10 Mbps on Visible+). While it is a speed cap rather than a high-speed bucket that cuts off, 10 Mbps is usually enough to stream 1080p video on a connected device without interruption.
  • Video Throttling: On-device video streaming on Verizon's network via Visible is generally unthrottled/uncapped directly by a media-reducer policy, unlike T-Mobile-based prepaid options. You can review the details on the Visible Plans Page.
• AT&T Prepaid (Unlimited Max Plus / Higher Tier Plans):
  • The Details: Direct prepaid plans via AT&T often bypass the aggressive media streaming caps plagging cheaper third-party resellers, provided you are on their top-tier unlimited offerings.
  • Hotspot: Includes specific high-speed hotspot allotments (varying by exact current promotion, usually 25GB–50GB).
  • Video Throttling: High-tier AT&T plans do not actively throttle standard mobile video streaming quality in the way budget MVNOs do. You can check current configurations on the AT&T Prepaid Page.

To help narrow this down, could you tell me:

• Which underlying network (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) has the best coverage in your area?
• How much monthly hotspot data you realistically expect to use?

If not throttling video streaming is a hard requirement, your choices are surprisingly limited. Most prepaid carriers intentionally cap video quality (typically SD/480p or HD/720p) regardless of how much hotspot data they include.

Here are the best fits:

Best overall: Visible (if you can tolerate some limits)

Visible (Verizon network) includes hotspot on its prepaid plans, but video streaming is generally managed (typically around 480p or 720p depending on the plan and network conditions). It's a great hotspot value, but it does not meet your "no video throttling" requirement.

Verizon Prepaid

• Includes hotspot on higher-tier plans (5–25 GB of high-speed hotspot depending on the plan).
• Video is managed:
  • Usually 720p on LTE/5G.
  • 4K is available only in certain Ultra Wideband situations—not as a general rule.

T-Mobile Prepaid

• Unlimited plans include hotspot.
• Video streams in SD on the unlimited prepaid plans.

Smaller prepaid carriers (Mint, Ultra, Boost, etc.)

Many MVNOs either inherit the parent carrier's video optimization or impose their own limits. They often provide hotspot data, but true unrestricted video streaming is uncommon.

If "no video throttling" is non-negotiable

You're more likely to find that feature on premium postpaid plans than on prepaid plans. Among prepaid offerings in the U.S., unrestricted video streaming has become rare because carriers use video optimization to reduce network load.

To narrow it down further, tell me:

• your monthly budget (e.g. under $30, $50, or $70),
• how much hotspot data you need (10 GB, 50 GB, unlimited, etc.),
• and whether you're okay with an MVNO or prefer a major carrier.

Finding a prepaid plan that both includes solid hotspot data and avoids throttling video streaming (which many carriers cap at 480p or 720p via stream management) requires looking at specific MVNOs or high-end prepaid tiers.

Most major carriers and prepaid brands intentionally throttle video resolution on cellular data. However, a few workarounds and specific plans fit your criteria:

• US Mobile (Dark Star / AT&T or Warp / Verizon networks): US Mobile’s top-tier plans are widely recommended in the no-contract community because they do not hard-cap video streaming resolutions on many of their high-speed configurations, and they include robust high-speed allotments for mobile hotspots (such as 20GB to 50GB+ depending on the specific package chosen).
• Visible (Visible+ Pro / Visible+): Owned by Verizon, Visible offers unlimited data and unlimited mobile hotspot. While their base plan throttles video and hotspot speeds, their higher tiers (like Visible+ Pro) unlock faster hotspot speeds (up to 15 Mbps) and high-resolution video streaming (up to 4K on 5G Ultra Wideband) without a hard video throttle on those airwaves.
• AT&T Prepaid (Highest Tier): AT&T’s top-tier prepaid plans occasionally allow you to manually turn off "Stream Saver" (video throttling) through your account management portal, letting you stream unthrottled HD/4K, though standard monthly hotspot allocations on these are fixed (e.g., 10GB–25GB) rather than unlimited.
• The VPN Workaround: If you find a prepaid plan with great hotspot data (like Visible or US Mobile ) that does technically throttle video packets by recognizing Netflix/YouTube traffic, running your connection through a VPN encrypts the data stream. Because the carrier can no longer inspect the traffic payload, it usually bypasses the video throttle entirely.

To help narrow down the ideal choice, let me know:

• Which cellular network coverage (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon) works best in your area?
• Roughly how much hotspot data do you use each month?