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
Tello unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello unlimited talk & text plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $8/mo |
| Tello 1GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $9/mo |
| Tello 2GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $10/mo |
| Tello 5GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $14/mo |
| Tello 10GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $19/mo |
| Tello unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $15/mo |
| Tello 15GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $24/mo |
AT&T 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 Tello comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $630 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Tello | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $270/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $630/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.
AT&T coverage
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 Features | Tello | AT&T |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | T-Mobile | AT&T |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes | Yes |
| Contract | Prepaid | Postpaid |
| Credit Check | No | Yes |
| Customer Service | 24/7 | Mon-Sat 7am to 9pm Sat-Sun 8am to 9pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | No | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | Yes | |
| Visual Voicemail | No | |
| Multi-line Discounts | No | |
| Multi-month Discounts | No | |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes 60+ countries | Yes - As add-on |
| International Roaming | No |
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.
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.
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