The 5 best cell phone plans for kids for 2023

We compared cheap kids phone plans on the AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile networks. Here are our top picks to save you money and keep your wireless coverage.

1. Best phone plan for kids with free trial: US Mobile 30GB

US Mobile logo
  • Verizon & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 30GB data
  • $350 in annual savings

FREE*

$50/mo
See at US Mobile

*30 Day FREE Trial

4.5 Read our US Mobile review

2. Best prepaid plan for kids: Tello 1GB

Tello logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 1GB data
  • $792 in annual savings

$9/mo

5 Read our Tello review

3. Best kids phone plan for one: Mint Mobile 5GB

Mint Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
  • $765 in annual savings

$7.50/mo*

$15/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*50% Off: $45 for 6 Mths

4.5 Read our Mint Mobile review

4. Best family plan for kids: Mint Mobile 15GB

Mint Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 15GB data
  • $720 in annual savings

$10/mo*

$20/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*50% Off: $60 for 6 Mths

4.5 Read our Mint Mobile review

5. Best unlimited data plan for kids: Boost Mobile Unlimited

Boost Mobile logo
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
  • $612.50 in annual savings

$12.50/mo*

$25/mo
See at Boost Mobile

*50% Off 1st Mth

4.5 Read our Boost Mobile review

6. Cheap phone plan for kids: Ultra Mobile 3GB

Ultra Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 3GB data
  • $699 in annual savings

$10/mo*

$19/mo
See at Ultra Mobile

*$30 for 3 Mths Service

3.5 Read our Ultra Mobile review

7. Cheap T-Mobile plan for kids: Mint Mobile Unlimited

Mint Mobile logo
  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
  • $630 in annual savings

$15/mo*

$30/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*50% Off: $90 for 6 Mths

4.5 Read our Mint Mobile review

8. Cheap AT&T plan for kids: Boost Infinite Unlimited

Boost Infinite logo
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited data
  • $600 in annual savings

$25/mo*

See at Boost Infinite

* $25/mo Forever

4.5 Read our Boost Infinite review

9. Cheap Verizon plan for kids: Twigby 5GB

Twigby logo
  • Verizon 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
  • $690 in annual savings

$10/mo*

$20/mo
See at Twigby

* Only $10/mo for First 3 Months

4.5 Read our Twigby review

10. Cheap eSIM plan for kids: Boost Mobile 5GB

Boost Mobile logo
  • AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 5GB data
  • $750 in annual savings

$5/mo*

$15/mo
See at Boost Mobile

*$15 for 3 Mths Service

4.5 Read our Boost Mobile review

Cell phone plans for kids reviewed & rated in December

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 don't want 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.

The 5 Best Cell Phone Plans for Kids

How to choose the best phone plan for your child

What network coverage do you prefer?

Network access is a key consideration wherever you live, but especially in rural areas. Luckily, low-cost carriers operate on the same 5G & 4G LTE networks as major carriers. T-Mobile scores the highest for 5G coverage, according to an Opensignal 5G Experience Report (2023). If there is a particular network you prefer, choose an MVNO that operates on that network. Use our coverage checker to find the best cell phone service in your area.

How much data do you need?

Do you really need an unlimited data plan? The big wireless companies want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. However, if you spend most of your time at home or work on Wi-Fi, it's likely your cellular data usage will be much lower. You can choose a data plan tailored to your needs with cheap cell phone providers, meaning you can pay less if you use less. But if you do choose an unlimited data plan, be aware that high-speed data is normally capped.

Is hotspot data included?

Most carriers allow hotspot data usage but limit the amount of data that can be used via tethering. The limit depends on the carrier and plan you choose. Some carriers also offer data only plans so you can access the internet on mobile devices like iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots when Wi-Fi's not available.

What's the monthly price?

While big wireless unlimited plans cost around $75-90 per month, the best MVNOs offer budget-friendly plans, ranging from $5-35 per month without sacrificing wireless coverage and data speeds. Watch out for hidden fees & taxes; some carriers include these in the price, and others, such as Verizon and AT&T, don't.

How many lines do you need?

With big wireless, you only get the advertised price if you buy four lines. With MVNOs, the price you see is the price you pay, even for one line. Many low-cost carriers now offer further discounts for multi-line plans.

Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device?

While the big three love keeping their customers locked into a constant phone upgrade cycle, MVNOs encourage you to bring your own phone. This means you take back control and only change your phone when it suits you. If you do want to purchase a new phone, many MVNOs offer an affordable and easy way with 0% financing over 1-2 years.

Are there any deals or promotions?

Big wireless promotions can seem good at a glance. But once you read the small print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and committing to 3-year phone contracts. Many MVNOs offer short-term introductory promotional pricing for new customers, and their pricing is much more transparent.

What perks or add ons can I expect?

Most big wireless plans include "free" TV subscriptions. Initially, these seem like a great deal. However, these usually turn into a paid subscription that is automatically added to your bill a few months down the line. A few low-cost carriers, such as US Mobile, do offer plan options with free subscription services, but we generally recommend keeping these subscriptions separate so you don't end up paying for things you don't need.

Is international calling included?

Most MVNOs offer free international calls to many countries. If this is important to you, make sure to choose a carrier that includes this.

Are there parental controls?

Some Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) provide parental controls that allow parents to monitor their children's cell phone usage and data consumption. By using these features, you have the ability to establish limits on data usage, limit access to specific apps or websites, and even keep track of your child's whereabouts. These capabilities are accessible either through subscription plans or can be adjusted in the settings of your mobile device.

Check out our cell phone plan comparison to ensure you find the best deal.


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Compare the cheapest phone plans for kids

Carrier Network Data Price
Tello 2GB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $10/mo
Boost Mobile 5GB plan AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 5GB $5/mo $15/mo
Mint Mobile 15GB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 15GB $10/mo $20/mo
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $15/mo $30/mo
US Mobile 30GB plan Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 30GB $0/mo $50/mo

Phone plans for kids FAQs


Recap: What is the best carrier for kids?

Getting your kid's first phone doesn't have to be expensive. Some great options suit any budget, whether you add them to a family plan or get their own single-line plan.

The best MVNOs for kids have parental features that allow you to control 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.

To ensure you get the best phone deal, compare cell phone plans for kids from multiple low-cost carriers side by side.

Phone plan guides

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.

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