Only need a cell phone package for you and a spouse, significant other, loved one, or friend?
Instead of paying up to $80 on your monthly bill per person (or more) with a major carrier, save significant money by choosing one of the best mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) two-line packages on the market.
If you've never considered a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) option before for your two-person mobile needs, you owe it to your wallet to learn why certain MVNOs are the top way to reduce your cell phone bills. At the same time, you need to understand how an MVNO works.
MVNOs use the same coverage through a major carrier (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon) by leasing both tower storage and space from the carrier.
This allows MVNOs to resell customizable plans without the worry of added overhead. Remember, they're just leasing the space they need to give you an alternative to paying the high cost of the "big four" carriers.
Excited by what you hear? The biggest benefit of all may be what doesn't happen: You aren't forced into long-term contracts for your two-line phone plan. No more signing off for the next 24 months. Instead, you can use your phone knowing that you can make changes month-to-month.
The Best 2 Line Phone Plans of February 2020
- Best Sprint Plan: Tello 4GB - $19/mo
- Best T-Mobile Plan: Mint Mobile 8GB - $20/mo
- Best AT&T Plan: PureTalk 5GB - $22.50/mo
- Best Verizon Plan: Reach Mobile 5GB - $30/mo
- Best Overall Plan: Mint Mobile 8GB - $20/mo
2 Line Phone Plan Comparison Chart
| Carrier | Nationwide Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello | Sprint 4G LTE | 4GB | $19 |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G LTE | 8GB | $20 |
| PureTalk USA | AT&T 4G LTE | 5GB | $30 |
| Reach Mobile | Verizon 4G LTE | 5GB | $45 |
Best Sprint 2 Line Plan: Tello
Pros
- Flexible plans up to 10 GB of high-speed data
- Free texting with all plans
- Change your plan any time
- Unlimited 2G data
Cons
- Only CDMA or global phones compatible
- No unlimited data plan
Best Value 2 Line Plan: Tello 4GB
| Network | Sprint |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | CDMA |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico, Canada & China |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 3 days |
Best Cheap 2 Line Plan: Tello 1GB
| Network | Sprint |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | CDMA |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico, Canada & China |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 3 days |
Sprint National 4G LTE Coverage Without Sprint Prices
Sprint vs Tello Price Comparison
Keep your Sprint phone, number & coverage: Save $492 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprint | Sprint 4G LTE | Unltd* | $60/mo | $720/yr |
| Tello | Sprint 4G LTE | 4GB | $19/mo | $228/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $41/mo | $492/yr | |
Best T-Mobile 2 Line Plan: Mint Mobile
Pros
- Simple, affordable plans
- Free text and talk with all plans
- Unlimited 2G data
- Free SIM card kit
Cons
- Only GSM or global phones compatible
- Only sold in lots of 3, 6, or 12 months
- No unlimited data plan
Best Value 2 Line Plan: Mint Mobile 8GB
| Network | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - 3 mths prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico & Canada |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 7 days |
Best Cheap 2-Line Plan: Mint Mobile 3GB
| Network | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - 3 mths prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico & Canada |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 7 days |
T-Mobile National 4G LTE Coverage Without T-Mobile Prices
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Price Comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G LTE | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G LTE | 8GB | $20/mo | $240/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | |
Best AT&T 2 Line Plan: PureTalk USA
Pros
- Good plan selection
- Unlimited talk and text with all plans
- Unlimited 2G data
- Clean, user-friendly website
Cons
- No unlimited data plan
- International calling requires add-on calling card
Best Value 2 Line Plan: PureTalk USA 5GB
| Network | AT&T |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | n/a |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | n/a |
| Money Back Guarantee | n/a |
Best Cheap 2 Line Plan: PureTalk USA 1GB
| Network | AT&T |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | n/a |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | n/a |
| Money Back Guarantee | n/a |
AT&T National 4G LTE Coverage Without AT&T Prices
AT&T vs PureTalk USA Price Comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $562 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G LTE | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| PureTalk USA | AT&T 4G LTE | 5GB | $30/mo | $338/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $45/mo | $562/yr | |
Best Verizon 2 Line Plan: Reach Mobile
Pros
- Good pricing for lower data users
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data plan available
- User-friendly website and app
Cons
- No international service
- Does not sell devices
- Expensive for heavy data users
Best Value 2 Line Plan: Reach Mobile 5GB
| Network | AT&T, Verizon |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM & CDMA |
| Mobile Hotspot | n/a |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | n/a |
| Money Back Guarantee | n/a |
Best Cheap 2 Line Plan: Reach Mobile 3GB
| Network | AT&T, Verizon |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM & CDMA |
| Mobile Hotspot | n/a |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | n/a |
| Money Back Guarantee | n/a |
Verizon National 4G LTE Coverage Without Verizon Prices
Verizon vs Reach Mobile Price Comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $465 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G LTE | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| Reach Mobile | Verizon 4G LTE | 5GB | $45/mo | $495/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $35/mo | $465/yr | |
Best Overall 2 Line Plan: Mint Mobile
Best Value 2 Line Plan: Mint Mobile 8GB
| Network | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data Speed | 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes |
| Contract | No - 3 mths prepaid |
|---|---|
| Credit Check | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico & Canada |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 7 days |
Key Factors to Keep in Mind When Choosing an MVNO
Like all services, you'll want to pick the best MVNO for your needs. Before you decide upon a monthly service plan, consider these factors:
- Look at coverage maps to see which ones serve your area
- Consider each of your texting and talking habits. Do you need unlimited data? Check out our data usage calculator to see how much data you both use
- Decide if you're going to bring your own phone or purchase a new one.
We've searched through the two-line cell phone plans that offer the most perks and give you the freedom to communicate through voice, text, and the Internet without high costs.
Best Unlimited Data Plan: US Mobile
Worried that you're not going to love switching to an MVNO despite its unlimited choice or network coverage? US Mobile gives its newest customers breathing room by providing an early "out" within the first two weeks of service.
If you aren't satisfied, you'll get a refund for most of your costs.
- Offers seriously personalized plans, especially if you aren't interested in unlimited data usage, talk, and/or text
- Gives you the choice of setting up a mobile hotspot as part of your monthly cost
- Allows you to bring your own phone
- Features a raft of text, talk, and data options
Best Low Data Plan: Red Pocket Mobile
Locking in a good two-line cell phone deal that has exactly what each of you need is a no-brainer with Red Pocket Mobile because of their many plans.
This makes it an instant favorite for a parent-child plan, giving the parent the opportunity to limit the child's talk, text, and data while still getting the security that comes from having a cell phone handy.
- Uses all major carrier networks for coverage.
- Provides many options for using minutes and data.
- Has zero overage fees, saving you money if you use more than you expected.
- Offers a 30-day trial.
- Provides international calling to more than 70 countries including Canada and Mexico.
- Offers plans that start as low as $10 per month per line, affordable for occasional users or kids.
Best Talk & Text Only Plan: Tello
Are you someone who thinks that you each might have unique needs depending on usage expectations? Tello's build-your-own plan deals will allow you to customize two plans that you can pay for together.
- Allows you to set up a plan without a contract- you can cancel any time without a penalty.
- Only pay for what you need
- Gives you a range of minutes choices from none at all to unlimited
- Gives you the choice of reconfiguring your plan whenever you need to make adjustments
- Allows you to call Mexico, China, and Canada for free- you'll also get free tethering
Best Senior Cell Phone Plan: Twigby
People who aren't looking for all the bells and whistles that come with most plans will appreciate Twigby's no-nonsense plans for either a basic or smartphone.
The company's pay-as-you-go model gives you tremendous freedom to only spend when you use your phone, a boon for individuals who aren't tethered to their phones 24/7 or only want it for emergencies.
- Gives you the choice of having a no-data plan
- Offers an introductory special that provides 50 percent off for the first two months that you use the plan
- Offers plans that cost less than $10 per month for first six months
- Allows you to have any kind of phone, from basic to smartphone
- Offers overage protection to prevent sudden bill surges
Save More When You Buy a Refurbished Phone
Do you need a new smartphone? As a frugal customer, why not consider getting a refurbished model instead of spending too much on a new phone that will lose its value the moment you remove it from the box.
Refurbished phones come in all types and from all brands. As long as you buy them from a verifiable source, you can be sure they're high quality.
Why buy refurbished?
- You can get off the "next big thing" rollercoaster. Most new phones actually have only a few upgrades. You won't be missing anything with last year's Samsung Galaxy S9 model, but you'll be saving money.
- If you break or crack your screen, third-party companies are ready to help you for a fraction of the cost of buying a new smartphone.
- New phones simply cost too much. You could easily spend $800 or more for a phone that you only use to text and occasionally surf the Internet.
Check out the best sites to buy a used phone. Make your selection even easier by using our cell phone comparison tool to get the best bang for your buck!
Recap
Unless you're certain that your two-line plan is giving you the best possible price, amount of data you honestly need, or individualized choices, take a trip to each of these cell phone carriers' sites.
It doesn't hurt to investigate the world of MVNOs and discover why others are switching to user-friendlier cell phone service plan providers.
To save the most possible money follow these steps:
