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AT&T family plans don't have to come with an expensive price tag. MVNOs provide a cheaper way to get access to the AT&T network.
MVNOs are alternative carriers that are powered by the same AT&T coverage but with discounted cell phone plans. Carriers such as Boost Mobile and Red Pocket Mobile offer a discount for each additional line added.
You could save yourself up to $600 per year per line with these alternative carriers, and we've picked some of the best for you to compare below.
Best overall prepaid family plan
Tello unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Build your own plan with Tello family plans and keep things simple with no hidden fees or no contracts.
Although Tello doesn't provide any discounts for purchasing multiple lines, you can still save hundreds of dollars on your monthly plan thanks to the affordable nature of their single line plans. Check out our review about best prepaid family phone plans.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calling to 60+ countries
- Free mobile hotspot included
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- No multi-line discounts
- It's worth checking each family member's usage, as you get to choose how much data, minutes, and texts each person needs, as a set data plan could cut your monthly rate and help restrict excessive phone usage.
- You'll also get additional features like free international calls to 60+ countries on all plans, including Canada and Mexico, and a range of data allowances suitable for light to heavy users.
- Mobile hotspot is available with a limit of 5GB.
- Tello doesn't provide any discounts for purchasing multiple lines. However, you can still save money with their affordable individual plan prices.
- Being online-based means that if everyone's phone supports eSIM, your family plans will be live in just a few clicks, or you can have the SIM cards mailed to you.
Compare prepaid AT&T family plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Starter | $65 |
$120 $60/line |
$135 $45/line |
$140 $35/line |
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | $75 |
$130 $65/line |
$150 $50/line |
$160 $40/line |
| AT&T Unlimited Premium | $85 |
$150 $75/line |
$180 $60/line |
$200 $50/line |
The best AT&T MVNO family plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boost Mobile 1GB - 12 Mths | $8 |
$16 $8/line |
$24 $8/line |
$32 $8/line |
| Boost Mobile 5GB | $15 |
$30 $15/line |
$45 $15/line |
$60 $15/line |
| Boost Mobile Unlimited | $25 |
$50 $25/line |
$75 $25/line |
$100 $25/line |
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 | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Boost Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $288/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $612/yr | ||
How to choose the best prepaid family plan on AT&T
Does AT&T offer coverage where you live?
Operating on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE wireless network, AT&T MVNOs offer the same coverage. According to an Opensignal network experience report 2023, AT&T comes out as the best for availability. If you're new to the AT&T network, you can use our coverage map to find the best cell phone service in your area.
How much data do you need?
Do you really need an AT&T unlimited data plan? They want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. If you primarily use Wi-Fi at home or work, your cellular data usage is likely to be lower, so you have the option to select a data plan that suits your requirements with cheap AT&T MVNO plans, meaning you can pay less if you use less.
Is mobile hotspot data included?
Most AT&T low-cost carriers permit the usage of hotspot data, although there's a restriction on the amount of data that can be used through tethering. The specific limit is determined by the carrier and plan that you select. You can also get AT&T data only plans for iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots, ideal to use for video streaming and browsing the internet.
What's the monthly cost?
While AT&T unlimited plans cost around $65-85 per month, the best way to get an AT&T unlimited data plan is from one of their low-cost carriers. Offering budget-friendly plans ranging from around $15-45 per month without compromising wireless coverage and data speeds. Be cautious of undisclosed fees and taxes, including activation fees, as certain prepaid carriers incorporate these into the total cost while AT&T doesn't.
How many lines do you need?
With AT&T, you only get the advertised low price if you buy four lines. But with AT&T's low-cost carriers, the price you see is the price you pay, even for a single line. Many low-cost carriers now offer further family plan discounts for multi-line plans.
Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device?
AT&T loves keeping you locked into a constant phone upgrade cycle. But you can bring your own phone to AT&T with their Mobile Virtual Network Operators. This means you take back control and only change your phone when it suits you. Just make sure your phone's unlocked from your old carrier. If you do want to purchase a new smartphone, many MVNOs offer a great way with 0% financing over 1-2 years with offers including the latest iPhone and Samsung models.
Are there any deals or promotions?
Promotions on AT&T's wireless service can seem good at a glance. But once you read the small print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and being stuck in 3-year phone contracts. MVNOs offer a unique service model to build your own plan to fit your needs. Often with unlimited minutes and texts, with many offering short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is more transparent.
What perks are included?
Some AT&T plans have premium data along with complimentary TV subscriptions for SD and 4K UHD TV streaming. But these often convert into paid subscriptions that are automatically billed after a few months. Some affordable carriers do provide plan choices with free subscription services like HBO Max. However, it's generally advisable to keep these subscriptions separate to avoid paying for unnecessary things.
What international features are available?
Several low-cost carriers on AT&T's network offer unlimited international talk to 60 or more countries, with some also offering unlimited international texting. If this is important to you, make sure to choose a provider that includes this. If you travel regularly, checking the carrier's data roaming availability is vital to avoid unexpected costs or inconvenience while you're abroad.
Do they offer parental controls?
Many MVNO carriers offer parental control features that enable parents to monitor their children's phone usage and data consumption. With parental controls, you can set data limits, restrict access to certain apps or websites, and even track your child's location. Some AT&T MVNOs offer these features as part of their standard plans, or you'll find this feature on your cell phone.
Check out our comparison of the cheapest AT&T cell phone plans before you decide.
Find the cheapest prepaid family plans in your area
If AT&T isn't giving you the best coverage, you still have options; check out our reviews of the best prepaid Verizon family plans and prepaid T-Mobile family plans.
Compare the cheapest AT&T prepaid family phone plans
Prepaid AT&T family plans FAQs
AT&T MVNOs like Boost Mobile and Red Pocket Mobile offer cheap plans starting at $5 per line while still providing AT&T 5G and 4G LTE wireless coverage.
AT&T MVNOs, such as Boost Mobile, offer cheap unlimited data plans starting at $25 per line on the AT&T 4G LTE and 5G networks.
Recap: What is the best prepaid AT&T family plan?
AT&T MVNOs provide a great selection of prepaid family phone plans on the same AT&T network.
Most low-cost carriers offer multi-line discounts, so the more lines you add, the more discounts you get. Some allow you to customize the individual plans to fit each family member's needs.
You can bring your own phone or buy a new one, with some carriers offering 0% finance for two years.
AT&T family plan guides
- Best Value AT&T Plans for Families
- Best Value Prepaid AT&T Family Plans
- Best Value AT&T Plans for 2 Lines
- Best Value AT&T Plans for 3 Lines
- Best Value AT&T Plans for 4 Lines
- Best Family Cell Phone Plans
- The Cheapest Prepaid Family Phone Plans
- The Cheapest Phone Plans for 2 Lines
- The Cheapest Phone Plans for 3 Lines
- The Cheapest Phone Plans for 4 Lines
- The Cheapest Phone Plans for 5 Lines
How we choose the best carriers and plans
To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.
Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.
