The cheapest family phone plans

Starting at $10/line

Written by

Rob Webber

+2 others

Edited by

Amanda Webber

Reviewed by

Brian Webber

Updated October 11, 2024

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

Tired of navigating the complex and costly maze of family cell phone plans offered by the big carriers?

It's clear they've missed the mark with budget-conscious families. Celebrating their profits and still hiking their prices while we're struggling with the increase in our household expenses.

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.

There is a wide variety of low-cost carriers that use the same 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks you're familiar with but at a fraction of the cost.

Whether your family uses a little or a lot of data and whichever is your preferred network, I've identified the cheapest family phone plans across all major networks to meet your specific needs.

The decision is yours, but rest assured, the path to saving on your family's cell phone bill has never been clearer.

Cheapest family plans on T-Mobile

These are the top 3 plans from low-cost carriers with T-Mobile coverage to consider.

Cheap T-Mobile plan

Tello 2GB plan

• T-Mobile coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

2GB

data

$10/line

See at Tello

5

Read our Tello review

$780 in annual savings

Pros & cons

Plan details

Best family plan on T-Mobile

Mint Mobile 15GB plan

• T-Mobile coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

15GB

data

$15/line*

$20/mo

See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2

Read our Mint Mobile review

$675 in annual savings

Pros & cons

Plan details

Best unlimited plan on T-Mobile

Tello unlimited data plan

• T-Mobile coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

Unlimited

data

$25/line

See at Tello

5

Read our Tello review

$600 in annual savings

Pros & cons

How T-Mobile compares

Cheapest family plans on Verizon

These are the top 3 plans from low-cost carriers with Verizon coverage to consider.

Cheap Verizon plan

Twigby Mobile 2GB plan

• Verizon coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

2GB

data

$5/line*

$15/mo

View Plans

4.4

Read our Twigby Mobile review

$750 in annual savings

Pros & cons

Plan details

Best family plan on Verizon

Red Pocket 10GB plan

• Verizon coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

10GB

data

$10/line*

$20/mo

See at Red Pocket

*50% off 1st Mth

4.1

Read our Red Pocket review

$670 in annual savings

Pros & cons

Plan details

Best unlimited plan on Verizon

Visible unlimited data plan

• Verizon coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

Unlimited

data

$20/line*

$25/mo

See at Visible

*$5 Off for 25 Mths

3.4

Read our Visible review

$660 in annual savings

Pros & cons

How Verizon compares

Cheapest family plans on AT&T

These are the top 3 plans from low-cost carriers with AT&T coverage to consider.

Cheap AT&T plan

Red Pocket 1GB plan

• AT&T coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

1GB

data

$10/line

See at Red Pocket

4.1

Read our Red Pocket review

$780 in annual savings

Pros & cons

Best family plan on AT&T

Red Pocket 10GB plan

• AT&T coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

10GB

data

$10/line*

$20/mo

See at Red Pocket

*50% off 1st Mth

4.1

Read our Red Pocket review

$670 in annual savings

Pros & cons

Best unlimited plan on AT&T

Red Pocket unlimited data plan

• AT&T coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

Unlimited

data

$15/line*

$30/mo

See at Red Pocket

*50% off 1st Mth

4.1

Read our Red Pocket review

$555 in annual savings

Pros & cons

How AT&T compares

Best overall value family plan

Tello unlimited data plan

• T-Mobile coverage
• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

Unlimited

data

$25/line

See at Tello

5

Read our Tello review

$600 in annual savings

Pros & cons

Big wireless: Big prices, big profits, little value

The average phone bill is $155 per month, and while 38 million Americans live in poverty, the government cut funding to the Affordable Connectivity Program, which was assisting 22 million low-income families with subsidized internet and cell phone service.

At the same time, the big three spent January celebrating record profits and multi-billion dollar shareholder dividend payouts while simultaneously announcing yet more price hikes.

So, big wireless continues to raise prices, and the government drops assistance to those in need. However, you do have options, so the power is in your hands.

Take back control of your phone bill

A big wireless unlimited plan will cost you $1,600 extra over the next 3 years compared to getting the same service from an MVNO.

A big wireless unlimited data plan will cost you $2,700 over the next 3 years for just 1 line. In comparison, unlimited plans from a low-cost carrier over the same period would cost only $900.

So, buying directly from Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T is now 3 times more expensive for the same coverage. This does not include fees and taxes or future price hikes.

Why is it so much more expensive to buy the same service directly?

With big wireless, you are paying for multi-billion dollar ad campaigns, stadium sponsorships, and thousands of stores with commission-based salespeople - all these expenses get passed onto you to maximize profits and dividend payouts.

With this next generation of MVNOs, you switch online and just pay for phone service.

Cut your phone bill, not your coverage

These low-cost carriers offer a great alternative with transparent pricing, a range of data plans to customize to your needs, and more highly rated customer service.

You can keep your phone, number, coverage, and most importantly, your money!

Even better, it's quick and easy; you can complete the entire switching process online in minutes with an eSIM-compatible phone.

So, now is the time to re-evaluate your options, take back control of your phone bill, and free yourself from price hikes forever!

Compare the cheapest family cell phone plans

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

How to choose a cheap family phone plan

• What network coverage do you prefer? Choosing the right network for your family is crucial, especially if you live in less urban areas where coverage can vary. Fortunately, affordable family plans are available on the same 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks as the major carriers. You can find out more about the network performances with this Opensignal 5G Experience Report (2023).
• How much data do you need? Contrary to what the big three might suggest, not every family needs an unlimited data plan. It's worth checking your family's data usage; it's possible it's far below the thresholds set by unlimited plans, considering theaverage monthly cellular data use is around 10GB. Opting for set data plans can lead to significant savings.
• Is hotspot data included? Many plans include hotspot access for families who need to share internet access via a hotspot, but the data available for tethering varies by plan and carrier. Some affordable carriers also provide data-only plans, perfect for keeping tablets and other mobile devices connected on the go.
• What's the monthly price? The cost of family plans can vary widely. While traditional carriers may charge between $75-90 per month for unlimited plans, the best MVNOs offer family-friendly plans starting from as low as $5-35 per month. These plans often come without the hidden fees and taxes associated with big wireless.
• How many lines do you need? Unlike the big three, where the best prices are often only available when purchasing multiple lines, MVNOs offer transparent pricing even for single-line plans. This flexibility allows families to save more and mix and match their plans to suit each family member's needs.
• Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device? MVNOs allow families to bring their own devices. This approach not only saves money but also puts you in control of when to upgrade. If you're looking to buy a new phone, many MVNOs offer affordable options with 0% financing.
• Are there any deals or promotions? While promotions from major carriers can be tempting, they often come with strings attached, such as unnecessary upgrades or lengthy contracts. In contrast, many MVNOs offer straightforward, short-term promotions for new customers, making it easier to understand and take advantage of savings.
• What perks or add ons can I expect? Big wireless often bundle "free" subscriptions with their plans, which might seem appealing but can lead to unexpected costs down the line. Some MVNOs do offer free subscription services with certain plans, but it's generally advisable to keep these subscriptions separate to avoid being stuck paying for unwanted services.
• Is international calling included? If you have relatives abroad, free international calling can be a great perk. Many MVNOs include international calls to a wide range of countries, making it easier to stay connected without extra costs.
• Are there parental controls? Some MVNOs offer parental control features, enabling limits on data usage, app access, and even location tracking. These features can be part of a plan or adjusted in your device settings, offering peace of mind for parents.

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

Find the best cell phone service in your area

Cheap family plans FAQs

Recap: What is the cheapest cell phone service for families?

The leading wireless providers continue to hike their prices, a strategy aimed more at boosting their bottom lines in a crowded market than adjusting for inflation. This approach leaves families grappling with ever-rising costs, feeling the pinch on their budgets.

While we might have little control over escalating prices for essentials like fuel and groceries, there's good news when it comes to cell phone service.

Your family can access the same quality of service you expect but at a much lower cost. By choosing wisely, you could save up to $600 per year, per line.

Before you settle on a new provider, it's worth exploring our cell phone plan comparison, which is designed to help you find an affordable plan that meets your family's needs, ensuring you don't just save money but also get the service you deserve.

Cheap phone plan guides

• The Cheapest Prepaid Phone Plans
• The Cheapest Unlimited Data Plans
• The Cheapest Family Phone Plans
• The Cheapest Prepaid Family Phone Plans
• The Cheapest Phone Plans for One Person
• The best MVNO plans
• The Cheapest Phone Plans for Seniors
• The Cheapest No Contract Cell Phone Plans
• The Cheapest Pay As You Go Phone Plans
• The Cheapest 5G Phone Plans
• The Cheapest Talk & Text Plans
• The Cheapest eSIM Plans

How we choose the best carriers and plans

To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.

Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:

1. Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
2. Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
3. Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
4. Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
5. Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.

Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.

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.