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.
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Finding the best family plan doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive.
Instead of paying $70-80 per month per line with a major carrier, you can save your dollars by opting for a multiple line plan with an MVNO.
These low-cost carriers are a great way to save money on your monthly bill and because they're powered by the three major networks you don't have to sacrifice coverage.
If you've not heard of MVNOs before, you're not alone but we've broken it down further for you below. Including some of the best low-cost carriers for family plans that can save you up to $600 a year per line.
This Tello 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $10 per line per month. Tello plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Tello review
This US Mobile 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $10 per line per month. US Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read US Mobile review
This Boost Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $5 per line per month. Boost Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read Boost Mobile review
This Mint Mobile 15GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 15GB data for only $15 per line per month. Mint Mobile plans offers wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Mint Mobile review
This Boost Infinite Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $25 per line per month. Boost Infinite plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. Read Boost Infinite review
Pros
Low price
Unlimited everything
International calling & roaming add ons
No overage charges
Mobile hotspot access
Cons
Only one plan
Additional features an extra cost
High-speed data capped at 30 GB
4.5 out of 5 overall
What are the benefits of low cost carriers?
Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big three carriers.
Much lower prices: Save up to $600 per year on your cell phone plan. Why are MVNOs so much cheaper? They don't have the huge overhead, and advertising costs the big guys do.
No contracts: Don't get trapped into a two-year agreement. Switch carriers when you decide.
Same cell phone service: Just because you're paying less doesn't mean you have to scrimp on features. Plans with unlimited everything are easy to find from these prepaid carriers. Usually, a low-cost carrier plan comes with unlimited talk and text as standard, high-speed data, and even mobile hotspot data features.
Keep your phone and number: You can bring your own phone and keep your phone number. No need to sign up for pricey device payments.
Customize your plan: You decide how much data you need. Choose to pay as you go, opt for unlimited or no data, minimal minutes, or unlimited talk text and data. Unlimited data plans come at a much better price with an alternative carrier. Pick the plan options that fit your budget - not the one your carrier thinks you need.
Great customer support: Smaller mobile providers are known for their attention to their customers. Stop feeling like an anonymous number getting lost in the crowd!
4G LTE data speeds: You'll pay less without sacrificing speed since MVNOs operate on the big three cellular networks. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so that you can expect high-speed data.
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 cheapest family 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: Like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming, while others don't.
Unlimited plans: Looking for unlimited talk text and data? Alternative carriers have got you covered. Data-hungry users looking for unlimited data can save serious money by switching to one of the best unlimited data plans. Not sure how much data you need? Check out our data usage calculator.
Basic plans: If you (or a loved one) only use a cell phone to make a few calls, send a couple of messages, and rarely go online, then you can opt for a simply prepaid plan. You get basic cell phone functions, an allowance for minutes of talk, and usually around 2GB of data at a great price. Once you run out of your data allotment, speeds slow, but it's usually very easy to add on more.
Bring your own phone plans:BYOP plans are the norm with smaller carriers. Compare cell phone prices and get a great deal to go with your cheap cell phone plan!
Talk and text plans: Don't need data? No problem with talk and text plans. Bonus, you'll save a ton of money if you're not paying for data!
How we picked the best cell phone plans for 5 lines
MoneySavingPro reviewed the best value cell phone plans for 5 lines 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.
5 line plans FAQs
What is the best cell phone plan for 5 lines?
MVNOs, like Mint Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile, provide the best value deals for 5 lines making it easy for a family to pay under one bill with multi-line discounts.
What is the cheapest 5 line phone plan?
Low-cost carriers such as Tello, US Mobile, and Boost Mobile offer cheap phone plans starting at just $10 per line.
Recap: What are the best 5 line phone plans?
MVNOs are becoming popular for saving money on your cell phone bill. Their individual plans offer massive savings, and with discounts for each additional line on a multi-line plan, they're a great option.
You don't have to part with your hard-earned dollars buying a new handset, as MVNOs encourage you to bring your phone.
Operating on the same network as the major US networks, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, means you'll have access to the same nationwide coverage but at half the price.
