The best AT&T no contract phone plans in 2023

AT&T no contract plans reviewed & rated in December

Do you like the AT&T cell phone service but do not like their high-priced unlimited data plans? You're in the right place.

The good news is that there are now numerous AT&T MVNOs that provide AT&T's national wireless coverage at a fraction of the cost. They offer the best no contract phone plans, and you only pay for what you use.

Never heard of them? MVNOs are low-cost carriers that are powered by big networks. In this case, AT&T. So you'll get great coverage at a lower price and the freedom to leave if you spot a better deal elsewhere.

In fact, you could save up to $600 per year per line by switching to one of these carriers.

Compare AT&T unlimited plans

Plan	Data	Monthly Price	Annual Cost
AT&T Unlimited Starter	Unlimited	$65	$780
AT&T Unlimited Extra	Unlimited	$75	$900
AT&T Unlimited Premium	Unlimited	$85	$1,020

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $612 per year

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How to choose the best no contract 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.

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Find the best cell phone service in your area

You still have options if AT&T isn't giving you the best coverage. Check out the best Verizon no contract phone plans and T-Mobile no contract phone plans.

Compare the cheapest AT&T no contract phone plans

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AT&T no contract plans FAQs

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Recap: What is the best AT&T no contract phone plan?

No contract cell phone plans from alternative carriers give you more freedom. You get more financial freedom; in some cases, you can cut 50% of your monthly cell phone bill. Plus, you have the freedom to leave.

If you spot a better deal at a later date, you have the freedom to switch again at the end of the month with a no-contract plan.

And if you want to cut out pricey device payments, alternative carriers have got you covered. They make it super easy to bring your own phone with you.

AT&T prepaid plan guides

• Cheap AT&T Cell Phone Plans
• The Best AT&T Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
• Best AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Plans
• The Best AT&T Prepaid Family Plans
• The Best AT&T No Contract Phone Plans
• The Best AT&T Talk & Text Plans
• Best AT&T Flip Phone Plans
• Best Cheap AT&T MVNO Plans
• The 5 Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
• The 5 Best Prepaid Unlimited Data Plans
• The 5 Best Prepaid Family Phone Plans

MoneySavingPro methodology

At MoneySavingPro, we're all about finding and sharing affordable cell phone plans that offer the best value for money. We put a lot of care into looking at all the options out there, focusing on what's best for you, the consumer. Our goal is to help you save money by showing you cheaper alternatives to the expensive plans from the big wireless companies.

With over 10 years of experience in the industry, we intentionally don't recommend plans from the big wireless networks in our reviews. This is because of how they handle their pricing and fees and their lack of transparency.

AT&T MVNOs operate on the same AT&T network, and we research each AT&T low-cost carrier with the features and benefits it offers. This includes coverage, easy activation, eSIM compatibility, multiline discounts, and special discounts for specific demographics such as military, students, seniors, and more.

We also examine additional perks like pay-as-you-go options, unlimited plans, kids plans, senior plans, and smartwatch plans, evaluating them for their individual benefits and overall value.

We did consider these other AT&T alternatives, Cricket Wireless, Straight Talk, and Consumer Cellular, but we discounted them because we still don't consider these to be good value for money.

We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content every 3 months. To make sure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.