Phone Plans for Kids
Are you getting ready to get your child a phone? It's an exciting yet stressful time.
On top of picking out the right device, you've also got to figure out what kind of monthly plan you should get for your young techie.
Here's the deal: the best cell phone plans for kids vary depending on your needs and wants.
There are so many carriers and phone service options - it gets downright confusing. Don't worry, I'm going to give you the information you need to make the right choice for your child and family.
Whatever your child's age, there's something for everyone in our top picks of cell phone service for kids.
Cheapest Sprint Kids Plans
- Flexible plans up to 10 GB of high-speed data
- Free texting with all plans
- Change your plan any time
- Unlimited 2G data
This Tello plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of 4G LTE data for $10 per month.
Tello is powered by the nationwide Sprint 4G LTE Network. Tello offers kids plans with no contract, fees or credit check. Choose a customized plan based on your usage and upgrade or downgrade anytime.
Tello allows you to turn your phone into a hotspot with free tethering. You can bring your own phone to Tello and keep your phone number. Tello is compatible with most CDMA unlocked phones. Check Phone Compatibility
Tello includes international calling, VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling. Tello plans automatically renew every 30 days with monthly billing and can be canceled at any time. Tello offers 24/7 customer service.
Sprint vs Tello Price Comparison
Keep your Sprint phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprint | Sprint 4G LTE | Unltd* | $60/mo | $720/yr |
| Tello | Sprint 4G LTE | 1GB | $10/mo | $120/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | |
Cheapest T-Mobile Kids Plans
Mint Mobile - 3GB Data
* $45 for 3 Mths Service
- Simple, affordable plans
- Free text and talk with all plans
- Unlimited 2G data
- Free SIM card kit
This Mint Mobile plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 3GB of 4G LTE data for $15* per month.
Mint Mobile is powered by the nationwide T-Mobile 4G LTE Network. Mint Mobile offers kids plans with no contract, fees or credit check. Choose a customized plan based on your usage and upgrade or downgrade anytime.
Mint Mobile allows you to turn your phone into a hotspot with free tethering. You can bring your own phone to Mint Mobile and keep your phone number. Mint Mobile is compatible with most GSM unlocked phones. Check Phone Compatibility
Mint Mobile includes international calling, VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling. Mint Mobile plans automatically renew every 30 days with monthly billing and can be canceled at any time. Mint Mobile offers 24/7 customer service.
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Price Comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 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 | 3GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $660/yr | |
Cheapest AT&T Kids Plans
PureTalk USA - 2GB Data
* 25% Off for 3 Months
- Good plan selection
- Unlimited talk and text with all plans
- Unlimited 2G data
- Clean, user-friendly website
This PureTalk USA plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 2GB of 4G LTE data for $15* per month.
PureTalk USA is powered by the nationwide AT&T 4G LTE Network. PureTalk USA offers kids plans with no contract, fees or credit check. Choose a customized plan based on your usage and upgrade or downgrade anytime.
PureTalk USA allows you to turn your phone into a hotspot with free tethering. You can bring your own phone to PureTalk USA and keep your phone number. PureTalk USA is compatible with most GSM unlocked phones. Check Phone Compatibility
PureTalk USA includes international calling, VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling. PureTalk USA plans automatically renew every 30 days with monthly billing and can be canceled at any time. PureTalk USA offers 24/7 customer service.
AT&T vs PureTalk USA Price Comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $675 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 | 2GB | $20/mo | $225/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $675/yr | |
Cheapest Verizon Kids Plans
Reach Mobile - 3GB Data
* $15 Off for 3 Months
- Good pricing for lower data users
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data plan available
- User-friendly website and app
This Reach Mobile plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 3GB of 4G LTE data for $20* per month.
Reach Mobile is powered by the nationwide Verizon 4G LTE Network. Reach Mobile offers kids plans with no contract, fees or credit check. Choose a customized plan based on your usage and upgrade or downgrade anytime.
Reach Mobile allows you to turn your phone into a hotspot with free tethering. You can bring your own phone to Reach Mobile and keep your phone number. Reach Mobile is compatible with most unlocked phones. Check Phone Compatibility
Reach Mobile includes international calling, VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling. Reach Mobile plans automatically renew every 30 days with monthly billing and can be canceled at any time. Reach Mobile offers 24/7 customer service.
Verizon vs Reach Mobile Price Comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $585 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 | 3GB | $35/mo | $375/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $45/mo | $585/yr | |
Kids Phone Plan Considerations
The cell phone milestone is arriving earlier and earlier as time and technology advance. According to consumer behavior analytics from Influence Central, the average age a child first gets a mobile phone is now 10 years old.
There are some great benefits of kids this young having their own phone number. They can let you know when they're home safely, or if they need a ride. You can even find them using programs like Family Locator from Verizon Wireless and others.
One of the major cons of kids having mobile phones is that they may not be very responsible yet. With all the dangers lurking on the internet and the advanced features included on smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy and iPhone, you want to make sure they have the right plan.
Best Talk & Text Only Plan: Tello
- Flexible plans up to 10 GB of high-speed data
- Free texting with all plans
- Change your plan any time
- Unlimited 2G data
This Tello plan includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 0GB of 4G LTE data for $8 per month.
Tello is powered by the nationwide Sprint 4G LTE Network. Tello offers kids plans with no contract, fees or credit check. Choose a customized plan based on your usage and upgrade or downgrade anytime.
Tello allows you to turn your phone into a hotspot with free tethering. You can bring your own phone to Tello and keep your phone number. Tello is compatible with most CDMA unlocked phones. Check Phone Compatibility
Tello includes international calling, VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling. Tello plans automatically renew every 30 days with monthly billing and can be canceled at any time. Tello offers 24/7 customer service.
Tello is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). This carrier runs on the Sprint 4G LTE network, so if you have a compatible phone, your child may be able to use it. They offer affordable, versatile plans with no contract.
It's tough to find anything bad to say about Tello plans. Prices range from $5 to $49, and you can change up any element at any time. You can bring your own phone or buy one from Tello.
Single or Family Plan?
I know what you're thinking: isn't it best to add my child's phone to my existing monthly plan? The answer: maybe.
If your child is younger, the cheapest cell phone plan may be a separate, pay-as-you-go option with a basic phone. Carriers like Tello, Mint Mobile and US Mobile all offer great value single line phone plans.
For older teens, you could be better off using the family plan discount with your current provider, especially if you already have an unlimited plan. For example, if you're on the T-Mobile network, you'll find one of the most affordable family plans available.
Recap
There are plenty of choices when it comes to finding the best cell phone plan for your child. As far as choosing the right phone, remember that kids don't need the fanciest, most expensive device. There are several Android phones that are cheap yet functional.
The most important thing is choosing a plan you can afford that allows your child the safety and features they need.
Once you've chosen a cell phone plan, you have the option of bringing your own phone (BYOP) or purchasing a new one. Sometimes, however, a smartphone may not be the best idea for your child's first cell phone (especially if they're prone to dropping things!).
Take a look at our buyer's guide to phones for kids to find basic, flip, and smartphones suitable for young children and teenagers.
Also, don't forget to brush up on cell phone safety for kids!
