The best AT&T pay as you go plans: Starting at $5/month

Cheap pay as you go plans on AT&T's 5G & 4G LTE networks: Switch & save $600/yr
Find cheap plans in your area
By
Rob Webber
Rob Webber

Rob Webber

Founder

About Rob

Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

Rob's Expertise

5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services

- Last updated on May 21st, 2023

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

Looking for the cheapest pay as you go phone plan on the AT&T network?

Did you know that you can now get AT&T coverage without the AT&T price tag? How is this possible?

In recent years, Mobile Virtual Network Operators (or MVNOs), have been shaking up the telecoms world. They've become the best way to save money on your cell phone bill. Powered by the major networks, you get the same great national coverage from your favorite provider, like AT&T, at a much cheaper monthly cost.

You could save $600 per year per line by switching to an AT&T MVNO.

Ready to take a closer look? The experts at MoneySavingPro have analyzed the best pay as you go plans out there.

AT&T prepaid plan
AT&T network
1GB 4G/5G data
$8 /mo*

View Plan

* $100 for 1 year service
AT&T individual plan
AT&T network
2GB 4G/5G data
$10 /mo
AT&T 5G plan
AT&T network
5GB 4G/5G data
$15 /mo*

View Plan

* Only $180 for 12 Mths Service
AT&T family plan
AT&T network
Unltd 4G/5G data
$12.50 /mo* $25/mo

View Plan

* 50% Off First Month
AT&T unlimited plan
AT&T network
Unltd 4G/5G data
$25 /mo*

View Plan

* $25/mo Forever - No Price Increases

The cheapest pay as you go plans with AT&T wireless coverage

Find cheap plans in your area
AT&T Pay As You Go Plans
Boost Mobile SIM card vertical

Boost Mobile: Best cheap pay as you go plan on AT&T

AT&T wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

1GB 4G/5G Data

$8/mo*

* $100 for 1 year service

4.5
Pros
  • Nationwide coverage on AT&T & T-Mobile

  • 5G & 4G LTE data speeds

  • Buy online and no credit checks

  • Bring your own phone

  • Cheapest unlimited data plan

Cons
  • No data only plans

Boost Mobile 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $8 per month. Boost Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Boost Mobile review

Boost Mobile plans
  • Boost Mobile 5GB plan: $5/mo

  • Boost Mobile 1GB plan: $8/mo

  • Boost Mobile 2GB plan: $10/mo

  • Boost Mobile unlimited data plan: $12.50/mo

  • Boost Mobile 15GB plan: $20/mo

See Boost Mobile phone plans

Boost Mobile SIM card vertical

Boost Mobile: Best pay as you plan for one on AT&T

AT&T wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

2GB 4G/5G Data

$10/mo
Red Pocket SIM card vertical

Red Pocket: Best 5G AT&T prepaid plan on AT&T

AT&T wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

5GB 4G/5G Data

$15/mo*

* Only $180 for 12 Mths Service

3.5
Pros
  • Nationwide coverage

  • No contracts

  • Latest selection of phones

Cons
  • Account dashboard needs work

  • No 0% financing options on latest phones

  • Customer service

Red Pocket 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $15 per month. Red Pocket plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Red Pocket review

Red Pocket plans
  • Red Pocket 500MB plan: $5/mo

  • Red Pocket 5GB plan: $15/mo

  • Red Pocket 10GB plan: $20/mo

  • Red Pocket 25GB plan: $30/mo

See Red Pocket phone plans

Boost Mobile SIM card vertical

Boost Mobile: Best prepaid family plan on AT&T

AT&T wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited 4G/5G Data

$12.50/mo*

* 50% Off First Month

Boost Infinite SIM card vertical

Boost Infinite: Best unlimited pay as you go plan on AT&T

AT&T wireless network coverage

Unlimited mins

Unlimited texts

Unlimited 4G/5G Data

$25/mo*

* $25/mo Forever - No Price Increases

Boost Infinite Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $25 per month. Boost Infinite plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Boost Infinite review

Boost Infinite plans
  • Boost Infinite unlimited data plan: $25/mo

See Boost Infinite phone plans

What are the benefits of AT&T MVNOs?

We love Mobile Virtual Network Operators or MVNOs. If you're on the lookout for a cheap pay as you go plan, they're the best route to go down.

Do you want to stay on the same network, keep your phone and number, and get greater flexibility?

Here are the features and benefits of the AT&T MVNOs to help you decide.

  • Huge savings: Starting from around $10 a month, AT&T prepaid phone plans could save you up to $600 a year without compromising quality.

  • National wireless coverage: AT&T MVNO carriers operate on the same AT&T network, so you'll receive their nationwide coverage at half price.

  • No contracts: Low-cost carriers like Boost Mobile don't have any long-term commitments. You'll find a variety of AT&T no contract phone plans available to purchase.

  • Keep your phone and number: If you don't want the extra cost of upgrading, you can bring your phone and port your number over with AT&T BYOP plans.

  • Easy activation: Just insert your new AT&T prepaid SIM card from your new carrier into your existing phone.

  • eSIM: If your phone is eSIM compatible, you can switch instantly or add a second line. Check out the best AT&T prepaid eSIM carriers.

  • Customize your plan: Pay only for what you need with MVNOs. You can choose from AT&T individual plans or multiple lines, or if you just want something basic, a variety of AT&T talk & text plans available.

  • 4G LTE network coverage: Get access to AT&T's 4G LTE nationwide coverage as their MVNOs operate on the same network.

  • 5G high-speed data: If you want to join the fast 5G network (where it's available) at no extra cost, you'll find some great deals with AT&T 5G plans. Choose from a range of options to go with your 5G compatible phone.

  • Multiline discounts: With already low-cost monthly plans, if you're looking for two or more lines, you could save up to $600 per year per line by opting for AT&T family plans thanks to their multi-line discounts.

  • Special discounts: A range of special offers available for military and veterans with AT&T military plans. And if you're a student, you can shop all the deals with AT&T student phone plans.

  • Unlimited plans: If you're a heavy data user, the good news is you can get AT&T unlimited data plans to fit your data needs for half price. Finding the best AT&T cell phone plan has never been easier.

  • Kids plans: AT&T kids phone plans to provide affordable options that won't break the bank when it's time to get your kid's first cell phone plan.

  • Senior plans: From low-cost, basic plans to plenty of data, AT&T senior phone plans have some great options to help cut the cost of your phone bill.

Compare AT&T unlimited plans

Plan Data Monthly Price Annual Cost
AT&T Unlimited Extra Unlimited $75 $900
AT&T Unlimited Elite Unlimited $85 $1,020

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $612 per year

Carrier

Network Coverage

4G/5G Data

Price

Annual Cost

AT&T

AT&T 4G & 5G

Unltd*

$75/mo

$900/yr

Boost Mobile

AT&T 4G & 5G

Unlimited

$25/mo

$288/yr

*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB

Savings

$50/mo

$612/yr


How to pick the best pay as you go plan

  • 5G & 4G data speeds: Since AT&T MVNOs are all powered by the AT&T network, you'll pay less without sacrificing speed.

  • Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calling in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.

  • International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico and discounted rates on others.

  • Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the best value AT&T cell phone plans, with multi-line discounts.

  • Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you're out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.

  • Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.

  • HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't. Read the fine print to find the option you want.

AT&T network coverage comparison

NETWORK

OVERALL

RELIABILITY

SPEED

DATA

CALL

Verizon Coverage

95

96

94

96

94

AT&T Coverage

94

94

95

96

92

T-Mobile Coverage

86

88

82

89

82

Source: RootMetrics RootScore 2022 report

When it comes to 5G network coverage, T-Mobile scores the highest, according to the J.D. Power 2023 wireless network study.

Find cheap prepaid plans in your area

Switch & Save $600 per year
Find cheap plans in your area

You still have options if AT&T isn't giving you the best coverage. Check out the best Verizon pay as you go plans and T-Mobile pay as you go plans.

AT&T customer service comparison

CARRIER

TRUSTPILOT USER RATING

Red Pocket Mobile TrustPilot score

4.5

T-Mobile TrustPilot score

1.5

Verizon TrustPilot score

1.3

AT&T TrustPilot score

1.2


Compare the cheapest pay as you go phone plans

Carrier

Network

Data

Price

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile

AT&T

1GB

$8/mo

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile

AT&T

2GB

$10/mo

Red Pocket SIM card - Horizontal Red Pocket

AT&T

5GB

$15/mo

Boost Mobile SIM card - Horizontal Boost Mobile

AT&T

Unltd

$25/mo

Boost Infinite SIM card - Horizontal Boost Infinite

AT&T

Unltd

$25/mo


How we picked the best AT&T pay as you go plans

MoneySavingPro reviewed the best value pay-as-you-go phone plans available on AT&T's network and ranked them based on various factors.

The most important factor we considered was the price of each plan in comparison to other similar plans available in the market. We also evaluated data limits, network coverage, perks, customer feedback, and overall service quality.

We regularly monitor the market to keep track of new products and plan changes offered by carriers. This list is updated at least once a month, or more frequently as necessary.


AT&T pay as you go plans FAQs

Does AT&T have pay as you go plans?

Yes, AT&T pay-as-you-go plans are available. AT&T MVNOs like Red Pocket Mobile and Boost Mobile offer cheaper prices while still offering the same nationwide coverage.

What is the best AT&T pay as you go plan?

The pay-as-you-go phone plan with AT&T wireless coverage is available from Boost Mobile at $25 per month for unlimited data.


Recap: What is the best AT&T pay as you go plan?

With a cheap pay as you go plan, you only pay for the features you need. Switching to an AT&T MVNO could save you a lot of money.

Best of all, you don't have to sacrifice the service or the features you love. Whether you need an unlimited data plan or just basic phone function, there are plans to match your needs.

MoneySavingPro has done the hard work for you, crunching numbers and analyzing the plans to find the best pay-as-you-go plan.