The 5 best family phone plans for 2023

Family cell phone plans reviewed & rated in December

Family phone plans are a great way to save money, with most carriers offering multi-line discounts for each additional line added.

You'll find the best value family phone plans with MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). They're powered by the three major US networks, but with single-line plans starting from around $10 per month, their family plans could save you up to $600 per year per line.

Check out the selection of plans below, including benefits and features, to help you choose the right plan for you and your family.

How to choose the best family plan

What network coverage do you prefer?

Low-cost carriers operate on the same 5G & 4G LTE networks as the big 3. In terms of 5G coverage, T-Mobile ranked the highest in this J.D. Power 2023 wireless network study. If you have a preference for a specific network for your family, select an MVNO that operates on that network. To discover the best cell phone service in your area, you can make use of our coverage checker.

How much data do you need?

Does your family really need unlimited data? The big 3 wireless networks may try to convince you otherwise, but the truth is that most people only use around 10GB of cellular data per month. Additionally, if you and members of your family primarily use Wi-Fi at home, work, or school, your cellular data usage will likely be even lower. With cheap prepaid family plans, a great option can be either a shared data plan or one with an individual allowance that suits everyone's needs, so you pay less if you use less data.

Is hotspot data included?

The majority of carriers permit the use of hotspot data, but there are restrictions on the amount of data that can be used for tethering. The specific limit is determined by the carrier and the plan that you choose. In addition, some carriers provide plans specifically designed for data usage on mobile hotspot devices, iPads, and tablets.

How much will my bill be?

Although the cost of unlimited plans from the big 3 is typically between $75-90 per month, cheap plans from the best MVNOs range from $5-35 per month. So you can save up to $600 per year, per line. These affordable options still provide reliable wireless coverage and fast data speeds. It's important to be cautious of additional charges and taxes, as some carriers include them in their pricing while others, like AT&T and Verizon, don't.

How many lines do you need?

When it comes to big wireless, the advertised price is only applicable if you purchase four lines. However, with MVNOs, the price you see is the actual price you pay, even if you only have one line. Additionally, many low-cost carriers now provide additional discounts for multi line phone plans.

Do I need to buy a new device or can I bring my own phone?

Although the big 3 prefer to keep their customers trapped in a continuous cycle of phone upgrades, MVNOs promote the option of bringing your own phone. This empowers you to maintain control and only switch phones when it's convenient for you. This can help you save money if you're adding your child to your plan instead of forking out for an extra phone. In the event that you do decide to buy a new cell phone, numerous MVNOs provide the option of 0% financing for 1-2 years.

Are there any promotions?

At first glance, big wireless promotions may look like great value. However, upon closer examination of the small print, they often result in purchasing unnecessary items and committing to lengthy 3-year phone contracts. In contrast, many MVNOs provide introductory discounts for new customers with shorter terms and more transparent prices.

What perks are available?

Many of the plans from the major networks come with "free" TV subscriptions, which can be appealing to families. These often convert into paid subscriptions that are automatically added to your bill after a few months if you forget to cancel them. Some low-cost carriers like US Mobile offer complimentary subscription services, but we think it's best to keep these subscriptions separate so you have more control.

What international features are available?

For frequent travelers, it's advisable to check if your carrier provides international services. International calling and roaming are separate features, and many MVNOs offer free international calls; however, the availability of countries may differ depending on the carrier. Roaming is normally available as an optional feature, with the cost varying based on the country you are visiting.

Do they have parental controls?

Many MVNOs provide parental control options that allow parents to oversee their children's phone usage and data consumption. Through these controls, you have the ability to establish data allowances, limit access to specific apps or websites, and even monitor your child's whereabouts. Some MVNOs include these features as part of their plans, or you set up controls in your cell phone's settings.

Check out our family phone plan comparison to help find the best deal.

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Recap: What is the best family phone carrier?

With MVNOs already low prices, getting a cheap family phone plan with multi-line discounts from these low-cost carriers is a no-brainer.

Saving you up to $600 per year per line, and with no contracts, you can amend your plan if you or any other family member's cell phone needs to change or cancel without the worry of an early termination fee.

With many of the carriers offering customizable options to suit individual needs, there's something for everyone.

Family plan guides

• The 5 Best Family Phone Plans
• The 5 Best Prepaid Family Phone Plans
• The 5 Best Phone Plans for 2 Lines
• The 5 Best Phone Plans for 3 Lines
• The 5 Best Phone Plans for 4 Lines
• The 5 Best Phone Plans for 5 Lines
• The 5 Best Multi Line Phone Plans
• The 5 Best Shared Data Plans
• 10 Cheap Prepaid Family Phone Plans
• The Best Verizon Family Phone Plans
• The Best AT&T Family Phone Plans

MoneySavingPro methodology

MoneySavingPro is dedicated to analyzing and comparing hundreds of cell phone plans from over 30 carriers to help you find the best value plan based on your individual needs without sacrificing service coverage.

Contrary to what the big 3 wireless companies would like you to believe - one size certainly does not fit all. Our goal is to help you save money by providing affordable alternatives to the expensive unlimited plans from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

With over 15 years of experience working within the telecommunications industry, we believe that big wireless plans offer limited choice with pricing and fees that lack transparency, often resulting in ever-increasing phone bills and long phone contracts for many of their customers. This is why you won't find recommendations for any of the big 3 wireless companies on MoneySavingPro - even though this actually costs us money.

The carriers we do recommend have been researched and evaluated based on price, coverage, data limits, customer service, and additional features. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive view that balances cost and value, helping you find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

We did consider these other alternatives: Cricket Wireless, Total by Verizon, Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, Straight Talk, Tracfone, Metro by T-Mobile, Visible, Google Fi, 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 monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.