Cheap family phone plans for 2025: Keep your whole family connected for less

Family phone plans shouldn't leave you feeling like you've signed up for a second mortgage, but that's exactly what happens when you stick with the big 3. They advertise "family savings," but by the time you add in taxes, fees, and features you didn't ask for, you're paying way more than you need to.

The truth is, you can get the same family coverage on the same networks without the overpriced bundles. Low-cost carriers offer prepaid family plans that cut your bill in half, with no contracts, no credit checks, and no sneaky fees.

This guide breaks down the cheapest family phone plans for 2025, showing you the lowest-cost options for T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks, so you can keep everyone connected without breaking your budget.

Leveraging my decade+ experience in the wireless industry, I've sifted through over 30 alternative carriers and 100+ plans to bring you the most affordable options for your family.

Tello offers the cheapest family phone plans for low data users

Tello 2GB plan for $10/mo

• T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
• Unlimited talk and text with 2GB data
• Instant online activation

5

Read our Tello review

See at Tello

Tello makes wireless affordable and flexible, so you're never locked into contracts or overpaying for services you don't need.

All plans include free international calls to 60+ countries, including Canada and Mexico. You also get flexible data options, whether you need just a little or unlimited access.

Unlike traditional carriers, Tello lets you customize your own plan, so you're only paying for the talk, text, and data you actually use. All Tello plans support mobile hotspot, with unlimited plans limited to 5GB, though family plan discounts aren't available. Each line is billed separately, but with Tello's pricing, multi-line savings aren't a necessity.

Switching is quick and seamless-eSIM activation lets you get started in minutes, or you can order a SIM card if needed.

I compared Tello to Boost Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and Metro by T-Mobile. Boost Mobile offers low prices but is known for hidden fees and inconsistent customer support. Ultra Mobile is a strong pick for international calls but is pricier for the same data. Metro by T-Mobile charges more and often requires an in-store visit.

If you want low-cost, flexible service with no commitments, Tello is a standout choice.

• Plans tailored to you – Choose exactly what you need.
• No contracts, no hidden fees – Transparent pricing with no surprises.
• Fast, simple setup – Activate instantly with eSIM or get a SIM card shipped to you.

Visible offers the cheapest family unlimited data plan

Visible unlimited plan for $25/mo

• Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
• Unlimited talk, text and data
• Instant online activation

3.4

Read our Visible review

See at Visible

Tired of complicated phone plans? Visible makes unlimited data simple and affordable with just two straightforward options, both with no contracts, no hidden fees, and no surprises.

For $25/month, you get unlimited talk, text, and data, plus mobile hotspot access at speeds of 5–10 Mbps. Upgrade to Visible+, and you'll get 50GB of premium data and access to Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network for even faster speeds.

Switching is easy. With eSIM activation, you can start using your plan in minutes, no waiting for a SIM card. The Visible+ plan also comes with free international calling to 30+ countries and texting to over 200 destinations, making it ideal for those who stay connected globally.

Although Visible doesn't offer multi-line discounts, its low-cost pricing makes it a great deal for single-line users. Just keep in mind that customer service is online-only.

I compared Visible to Tracfone, Xfinity Mobile, and Spectrum Mobile. Tracfone is cheap but limits data speeds, making it less ideal for heavy users. Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile have good rates, but require their respective internet services to sign up.

For unlimited data without contracts or hidden fees, Visible is a top choice.

• Simple, unlimited plans – No contracts, no unexpected costs-just clear, predictable pricing.
• Built-in perks – Mobile hotspot access included, plus free international calling & texting on Visible+.
• Instant activation – Switch in minutes with eSIM, or request a physical SIM card.

Total Wireless offers the cheapest family cell phone plans with Verizon coverage

Total Wireless unlimited plan for $50/mo

• Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
• Unlimited talk, text and data
• Instant online activation

4

Read our Total Wireless review

See at Total Wireless

Total Wireless provides affordable, contract-free plans that let you access Verizon's network without the premium cost.

Each plan includes unlimited talk and text, high-speed data options, and mobile hotspot usage up to 15GB on select plans.

For those who need international calling, Total Wireless offers free calls to 85+ countries and roaming in Canada and Mexico, making it ideal for frequent travelers.

With no long-term contracts or hidden fees, you can easily switch or adjust your plan online whenever needed.

I reviewed Tracfone, Xfinity Mobile, and Spectrum Mobile and found limitations. Tracfone is cheaper but limits data speeds. Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile offer good rates, but require home internet service.

For flexible, affordable coverage with premium network access, Total Wireless is a top pick.

• Same Verizon coverage, lower price – No need to overpay for great service.
• Hotspot and international calling included – Up to 15GB of hotspot data on some plans, plus free roaming & calls to 85+ countries.
• Contract-free convenience – Adjust or switch your plan anytime with easy online management.

Tello offers the cheapest family phone plan with T-Mobile coverage

Tello unlimited plan for $25/mo

• T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
• Unlimited talk, text and data
• Instant online activation

5

Read our Tello review

See at Tello

Tello offers a budget-friendly alternative to expensive wireless carriers, giving you the flexibility to pay only for what you need.

All plans include free international calls to 60+ countries, including Canada and Mexico, plus a variety of data options that work for both light users and those who need more high-speed access.

Tello's build-your-own plan approach means you decide how much talk, text, and data you get-so you're never stuck overpaying for services you don't use. All plans includes mobile hotspot access, with a 5GB limit on unlimited plans, but there are no multi-line discounts. However, with pricing this low, even individual plans remain highly affordable.

Switching is quick and effortless. With eSIM activation you can start using your new plan immediately, or you can order a physical SIM if needed.

I compared Boost Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and Metro by T-Mobile. Boost Mobile offers low-cost plans but sneaks in hidden fees. Ultra Mobile is great for international calling but is pricier. Metro by T-Mobile has higher costs and requires an in-store visit for activation.

For a truly flexible, affordable, and commitment-free wireless plan, Tello is an unbeatable choice.

• No wasted money on unnecessary features – Create a plan that fits your needs, with adjustable talk, text, and data options.
• No contracts, no surprises – Tello's transparent pricing means no hidden fees or long-term commitments.
• Fast and easy activation – eSIM-compatible devices can start service in minutes, or you can receive a SIM card in the mail for traditional setup.

Red Pocket offers the cheapest family phone plans with AT&T coverage

Red Pocket unlimited plan for $30/mo

• AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network
• Unlimited talk, text and data
• Instant online activation

4

Read our Red Pocket review

See at Red Pocket

Red Pocket Mobile delivers affordable unlimited plans on the AT&T network, offering multi-line savings and international perks at no extra charge.

Families can save big with a $20 discount per extra line, reducing overall costs significantly. While there's a setup fee, the total savings make it a budget-friendly alternative.

With unlimited talk and text, up to 30GB of high-speed data, and hotspot access included, Red Pocket ensures transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

For international users, free calling to 80+ countries and roaming in Mexico and Canada make Red Pocket an excellent choice for travelers. eSIM users can also try the service with a 7-day money-back guarantee.

I compared other AT&T-based budget carriers, including Cricket Wireless, which costs more despite being AT&T's prepaid brand, H2O Wireless, which includes international calling but lacks overall value, and Good2Go Mobile, which has affordable pricing but limited plan options.

For families looking for an affordable, flexible, and feature-rich unlimited plan, Red Pocket Mobile is a top recommendation.

• Big savings for families – $20 off per extra line, making it one of the cheapest multi-line plans.
• International perks included – Free calls to 80+ countries and free roaming in Mexico & Canada.
• No hidden fees & easy sign-up – Transparent pricing and a 7-day eSIM money-back guarantee.

Why family plans are cheaper with low-cost carriers

Big wireless wants you to believe only the big 3 can handle family plans - but that's just not true. Low-cost carriers lease access to the same networks, so you're not sacrificing coverage when you switch.

What you are cutting out are all the extras that drive your bill up:

• Overpriced phone financing deals
• Unnecessary subscriptions (who needs a "free" streaming service bundled into their phone plan?)
• Hidden fees for things like activations and "administration"

Low-cost carriers keep things simple - just low prices for the same coverage you're already using.

Why these family plans are so much cheaper

Most families are overpaying by hundreds a year just to keep everyone connected - and big wireless works hard to make sure you don't know there's a cheaper way.

Here's what's driving up your family's bill:

• Expensive retail stores: Every time you visit a store, you're paying for it - even if you only manage your account online.
• "Free" phones for every line: That "free" family phone deal locks your whole household into years of inflated monthly prices.
• More data than your family actually needs: Big wireless loves to upsell unlimited, even if some family members barely use data.
• Bundled extras: Streaming, cloud storage, and perks sound great - until you realize you're footing the bill for them.
• Massive advertising campaigns: Big wireless spends billions convincing you they're the only family-friendly option - and you're paying for those ads every month.

Prepaid family plans from low-cost carriers cut out the waste, giving your family the same coverage for less, with no contracts or hidden fees.

Compare the cheapest family cell phone plans

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

Other T-Mobile MVNO's I considered

• Mint Mobile: Offers an easy way to control your multiple lines, but Tello has more flexible plans
• Ultra Mobile: Solid international calling, but family pricing isn't as competitive

Other Verizon MVNO's I considered

• Total Wireless: Prices are much less competitive for families
• US Mobile: Flexible, but adding premium data and perks for multiple lines pushes costs up quickly
• Xfinity Mobile & Spectrum Mobile: Decent rates, but only if you also have their home internet service

Other AT&T MVNO's I considered

• Cricket Wireless: Offers family discounts, but total cost per line is still higher than Red Pocket
• H2O Wireless: Good for international calling, but domestic family pricing falls short
• Good2Go Mobile: Family options exist, but the plans themselves are limited compared to Red Pocket

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Final thoughts

Family phone plans don't have to come with overpriced bundles and sneaky fees. Switching to a cheap prepaid family plan lets you keep everyone connected without draining your budget. And gives you the flexibility to change or cancel whenever you want.

Why you can trust me

I've spent over 15 years helping families cut their phone bills in the UK and US, and for the last 8 years, I've been running MoneySavingPro - helping thousands of families switch to low-cost carriers without losing the coverage they rely on.

I've tested dozens of low-cost carriers and compared pricing side-by-side - so I know which carriers actually make switching simple and which ones just advertise "cheap" but load you up with hidden fees.

If there's a way to keep your family connected for less, you'll hear about it here first.

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