Best cell phone plans on AT&T in 2024

Same coverage: Cut your bill by $600 per year

AT&T
$75
/mo
Unlimited data
$900/yr
vs
Red Pocket on AT&T
Red Pocket logo on phone
$10
/mo
1GB data
$120/yr
See Deal
Red Pocket on AT&T
Red Pocket logo on phone
$20
/mo
10GB data
$240/yr
See Deal
Red Pocket on AT&T
Red Pocket logo on phone
$30
/mo
Unlimited data
$360/yr
See Deal
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You're in the right place if you love AT&T's network coverage but want the cheapest cell phone plan.

Cheap phone plans have come a long way from their original pay-by-the-minute days.

You'll find all the same kinds of options available - unlimited data plans, mobile hotspot use, international calls, and more.

Even better, we're going to show you how you can save up to $600 per year compared to buying directly from AT&T.

Best phone plans on AT&T

Top 3 most affordable plans with AT&T coverage to consider.

Cheap AT&T plan

Red Pocket 1GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
1GB
data
$10/mo
4.1Read our Red Pocket review
$780 in annual savings

Best family plan on AT&T

Red Pocket 10GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
10GB
data
$10/mo*
$20/mo
See at Red Pocket

*50% off 1st Mth

4.1Read our Red Pocket review
$670 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on AT&T

Red Pocket unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$30/mo
See at Red Pocket

*50% off 1st Mth

4.1Read our Red Pocket review
$555 in annual savings

AT&T vs T-Mobile phone plans

Top 3 most affordable plans with T-Mobile coverage to consider.

Cheap T-Mobile plan

Tello 2GB plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$10/mo
5Read our Tello review
$780 in annual savings

Best family plan on T-Mobile

Mint Mobile 15GB plan

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
15GB
data
$15/mo*
$20/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2Read our Mint Mobile review
$675 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on T-Mobile

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

AT&T vs Verizon phone plans

Top 3 most affordable plans with Verizon coverage to consider.

Cheap Verizon plan

Twigby Mobile 2GB plan

Image of cell phone with Twigby Mobile
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$5/mo*
$15/mo
See at Twigby Mobile

*$5/mo for 1st 3 Mths

4.4Read our Twigby Mobile review
$750 in annual savings

Best family plan on Verizon

Red Pocket 10GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
10GB
data
$10/mo*
$20/mo
See at Red Pocket

*50% off 1st Mth

4.1Read our Red Pocket review
$670 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on Verizon

Visible unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Visible
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
3.4Read our Visible review
$600 in annual savings

Best overall phone plan

Red Pocket unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$30/mo
See at Red Pocket

*50% off 1st Mth

4.1Read our Red Pocket review
$555 in annual savings

Compare AT&T unlimited phone plans

PlanDataMonthly PriceAnnual Cost
AT&T Unlimited StarterUnlimited$65$780
AT&T Unlimited ExtraUnlimited$75$900
AT&T Unlimited PremiumUnlimited$85$1,020

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year

CarrierNetwork Coverage4G/5G DataPriceAnnual Cost
AT&TAT&T 4G & 5GUnlimited$75/mo$900/yr
Boost MobileAT&T 4G & 5GUnlimited$25/mo$300/yr
Savings$50/mo$600/yr

How to choose the best phone 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 best cell phone service in your area

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If AT&T isn't giving you the best coverage, check out the best Verizon cell phone plans and the best T-Mobile cell phone plans.

Compare the cheapest AT&T phone plans

CarrierDataMonthly PriceAnnual PriceSavings
Red Pocket1GB$10/mo$120/yr$780/yrSee at Red Pocket
Red Pocket10GB$10/mo*$20/mo$230/yr$670/yrSee at Red Pocket
*50% off 1st Mth
Red PocketUnlimited$15/mo*$30/mo$345/yr$555/yrSee at Red Pocket
*50% off 1st Mth

AT&T cell phone plans FAQs


Recap: What is the best AT&T cell phone plan?

The wireless market is changing in favor of consumers. If you want to save money on your cell phone bill, it's up to you to take the leap.

Choose an AT&T MVNO. Get on a plan that fits your needs instead of your carrier's bottom line. Bring your own phone or buy a refurbished phone and free yourself from expensive phone payments.

Not sure the AT&T network is the right choice for you? Compare the best cell phone plans from numerous low-cost carriers in one place.

AT&T phone plan guides

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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