Best kids phone plans in 2020
It's time. They've been begging you for a phone so you need to find the best cell phone plan for kids.
You want them to be happy, but you're not wanting to sacrifice their college fund (and let's be honest your hard earned money) on an expensive phone and plan.
We've got you covered. We've broken down a variety of plans that save you money, keep your kids safe, and make you look like the coolest tech friendly parent out there.
Check out this selection of low-cost carriers to help you find the perfect cell phone plan.
Cheap cell phone plans for kids comparison
| Carrier | Mins/Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ting | Unltd/Unltd | 0GB | $10 |
| Tello | Unltd/Unltd | 1GB | $10 |
| Mint Mobile | Unltd/Unltd | 3GB | $15** $45 for 3 Months Service |
| Pure Talk | Unltd/Unltd | 4GB | $18.75** 25% Off for 3 Months |
| Twigby | Unltd/Unltd | 5GB | $18.75** 25% Off for 6 Months |
Low cost carrier benefits
We love Mobile Virtual Network Operators (or MVNOs for short). MVNOs are low-cost carriers that piggyback off the main four networks. Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. But with flexible and cheaper plans.
Same network you love but a cheaper price, what's the catch? As low-cost alternative carriers are based online, they're saving money by not having thousands of stores and sales people. They also don't have expensive ad campaigns or stadium sponsorships to pay for.
They want to give you a great cell phone plan and save you money at the same time.
Here's how much of a no-brainer it is:
- National network coverage
- Fast 4G LTE data speeds (some carriers even include 5g data)
- Much lower prices
- No contract or termination fees
- Keep your phone and number
- Customize your plan based on your data usage
- Top rated 24/7 customer support
- Some carriers even offer a risk free trial period
Best AT&T kids phone plan
AT&T vs Pure Talk Plan 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 |
| Pure Talk | 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 | |
See more AT&T kids plans
Best Verizon kids phone plan
Verizon vs US Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $780 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G LTE | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| US Mobile | Verizon 4G LTE | 2.5GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $65/mo | $780/yr | |
See more Verizon kids plans
Best T-Mobile kids phone plan
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Plan 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 | |
See more T-Mobile kids plans
Best Sprint kids phone plan
Sprint vs Tello Plan 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 | |
See more Sprint kids plans
Kids cell phone plan considerations
The demand for technology has meant kids want phones at an earlier age. This can have pros and cons.
On one hand many of the latest phones have some form of locator which means you can check your child is safe. And they can text or phone, so you can keep in contact with them easily when they're away from home.
The downside is the amount of time kids spend in front of a screen. And the distractions that come along with that.
The best cell phone plans for kids provide parental controls so you can keep watch on their usage. A great way to save money and limit your child's time spent on their phone is by choosing a set data plan. A set data plan provides them with enough data to connect with friends, but not enough that they spend all day on YouTube and TikTok.
Best talk & text only plan
If you're not fussed about data and just want your kid to be able to contact you when they're out and about then Tello is worth checking out. With no contract, their plans are flexible and affordable.
Running off the Sprint network, their basic plan starts at a set price. Then you tailor the plan to your needs. If you want more you can add it. Tello make plans to save you money.
Can I add my kid to my cell phone plan?
Another option is a family plan. So you can add your child to your existing plan. Many cell phone carriers offer discounts for multiple lines, you can include all family members.
To get the most from a family plan make sure you check everyone's usage for the best deal. With unlimited talk and text plans you can relax knowing that there won't be any expensive surprises at the end of the month. Want to include data? You can use our free tool to estimate everyone's average data usage.
We love Reach Mobile for multiple lines. They offer super flexible choices for family plans.
Commonly asked questions
1. What's the best cell phone plan for a child?
The great thing about MVNOs is the flexibility to tailor a plan to your kids needs. This means you can create the best plan at a price you're happy with. If you're still trying to decide you can compare kids' cell phone plans from all carriers.
2. What is the right age for a child to have a cell phone?
There are many low-cost carriers that provide parental control on cell phones. Some have dashboards where you can monitor the usage of the phone. To make sure your child is safe. There are set data plans so you can make sure they're not spending too much time on the internet.
3. Does AT&T have a kids plan?
AT&T do provide kids plans, you can compare their MVNO deals here.
4. Can I have two phones on the same plan?
Instead of a single line option for your child there are many options for family plans. Most cheap carriers will offer a discount for multiple line plans.
5. How to stop your teen from using phone excessively
Check the carrier has parental controls, some include a login area for you to be able to check phone usage. Set data plan options are also great to make sure your teenager is not playing Fortnight or TikToking all night.
Bring your own phone to save even more
It doesn't have to be stressful when getting a new plan or switching carriers. Here are some ways that make your move to a new cell phone plan super easy;
- Bring your own phone: You don't need to purchase a brand new phone. If you've got an old phone hanging around, as long as it's compatible you can bring your own phone to save even more money.
- New phone: If you're kids desperate for something new as their first cell phone you can still nail a great deal. Check the carrier's phone selection and pay over 2 years with 0% finance.
- No contracts: With the flexibility to up and leave if you're not happy it's a win-win.
Recap
Getting your kid's first phone doesn't have to be expensive. There are some great options that suit any budget. Whether you choose to add them to a family plan or get their own single-line plan.
The best MVNOs for kids have parental features to allow you to keep control of their phone use. So you have peace of mind that they're safe.
With online carriers you don't need to purchase a new phone, you can bring your own. If you do bring your own device the carrier will be able to check your phone is compatible before signing up. Prefer to get a new phone? Check out the carrier's available handsets with two years 0% finance.
