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AT&T vs Tello: Which carrier is right for you?

I compared AT&T & Tello Mobile plans, coverage & features.

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AT&T dominates the wireless market, but does a higher price mean better service? With plans starting from $65+ per month, AT&T users expect premium quality. But is it actually worth it?

Tello offers customizable plans on T-Mobile's network for as little as $5 per month, and even its unlimited plan costs just $25.

So, is AT&T really giving you more, or just charging more for the same thing?

Tello vs AT&T plans: Paying extra or paying smart?

Winner: Tello

AT&T's unlimited plans start at $65 per month before taxes and fees, while Tello's unlimited plan (with 35GB of high-speed data) costs just $25 per month. Even if you don't need unlimited data, AT&T doesn't give you many budget-friendly options. Meanwhile, Tello's fully customizable plans allow you to pay for what you need, whether that's talk, text, or data.

AT&T's pricing relies on autopay discounts and multi-line bundles to appear more affordable, but most people end up paying over $80 per month after fees. On the other hand, Tello's pricing is straightforward, with no hidden costs or forced bundling.

If you're looking for a no-nonsense way to save money on your phone bill, Tello makes it easy.

Tello plans

Image of cell phone with Tello

Tello unlimited data plan

  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk, text and data
  • Instant online activation
See at Tello
CarrierNetworkDataPrice
Tello unlimited talk & text planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage0GB$8/mo
Tello 1GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage1GB$9/mo
Tello 2GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage2GB$10/mo
Tello 5GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage5GB$14/mo
Tello 10GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage10GB$19/mo
Tello 15GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage15GB$24/mo
Tello unlimited data planT-Mobile 5G/4G CoverageUnltd$25/mo

See all Tello plans

AT&T 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 Tello 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
TelloAT&T 4G & 5GUnlimited$25/mo$300/yr
Savings$50/mo$600/yr

Tello vs AT&T coverage

Winner: Tello

Tello operates on T-Mobile's network, which competes directly with AT&T. If you're in a city or suburban area, you likely won't notice any difference between the two carriers.

AT&T does have strong overall coverage, particularly in rural areas, but T-Mobile actually leads in 5G availability, according to OpenSignal's 2025 report.

Tello coverage

Tello is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.

Tello coverage map

View Tello coverage map

AT&T coverage

AT&T coverage map

View AT&T coverage map


Data speeds: Does AT&T really deliver faster service?

Winner: Tello

Data speeds can be a major factor when choosing a carrier, but AT&T's advantage here is smaller than you might think.

Tello provides up to 35GB of high-speed data on its unlimited plan, which is more than enough for most users. AT&T's cheapest unlimited plan deprioritizes speeds after just 30GB, and you'd have to pay $85 per month to get 100GB of premium high-speed data.

If you're someone who only uses around 30-40GB per month, Tello offers just as much speed for significantly less money. Even in a speed test comparison, T-Mobile's network (which Tello uses) ranks among the fastest 5G providers, according to Speedtest's Global Index 2025.

For everyday use-browsing, streaming, social media, and even HD video calls-Tello's data speeds will be more than enough. Unless you need 100GB+ of high-speed data, AT&T's pricing doesn't justify the extra cost.


Hidden fees & fine print: What AT&T doesn't tell you

Winner: Tello

One of AT&T's biggest downsides is its confusing pricing and extra fees. The base plan prices don't include taxes, surcharges, and extra fees, which can push your bill well over $80+ per month.

Tello's pricing is completely transparent, what you see is what you pay. There are no forced autopay discounts, no hidden activation fees, and no multi-line pricing tricks to get the best rate.

Another key difference? AT&T pushes 'free' phone deals, which can lock you into a 36-month phone contract. Tello lets you bring your own phone and switch whenever you want.

If you prefer no surprises and full control over your bill, Tello is the clear winner.

Tello vs AT&T plan features

Carrier FeaturesTelloAT&T
NetworksT-MobileAT&T
Data Speed5G & 4G LTE5G & 4G LTE
3G NetworkGSMGSM
Mobile HotspotYesYes
Bring Your PhoneYesYes
Keep Your NumberYesYes
ContractPrepaidPostpaid
Credit CheckNoYes
Customer Service24/7Mon-Sat 7am to 9pm Sat-Sun 8am to 9pm
Money Back GuaranteeNoNo
5GYesYes
Taxes includedVaries by LocationVaries by Location
VoLTEYesYes
WiFi CallingYes
Visual VoicemailNo
Multi-line DiscountsNo
Multi-month DiscountsNo
International CallsYes - Includes 60+ countriesYes - As add-on
International RoamingNo

Final verdict: Are premium priced plans worth it?

  • Best for saving money: Tello
  • Best for customizable plans: Tello
  • Best for high-data users: AT&T (but only on its most expensive plans)

Unless you regularly use 100GB+ of data, I don't believe AT&T's drastically higher pricing provides enough extra value over Tello.

Sign up for Tello


Tello vs AT&T FAQs

Tello is an MVNO with T-Mobile 5G & 4G wireless coverage, they offer cell phone plans starting at $8/mo. While AT&T's phone plans start at $65/mo.

Tello is powered by the T-Mobile network, they offer much cheaper cell phone service than AT&T. However, because T-Mobile is an MVNO, data speeds may be slowed during peak times.

Most recent AT&T phones should work with Tello as long as the device is unlocked. Before signing up, you can check your device's compatibility on the AT&T website.

No. Tello operates on the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.


Why you can trust me

Switching carriers can feel overwhelming, and big wireless companies count on that confusion to keep you overpaying.

At MoneySavingPro, we test and compare carriers to show you exactly where you can save.

I've personally tested Tello, AT&T, and dozens of other carriers to compare speeds, coverage, and pricing. If there's a way to get the same service for less, you'll hear about it here first.

Tello comparison guides

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