AT&T’s unlimited data plans range from $65-$85 per month for a single line. However, you can access AT&T’s network for a fraction of the cost with an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). Using an MVNO is a great way to get a cheap phone plan.
Over the past few years, Team Clark has tried out a handful of low-cost cell phone carriers that use AT&T’s network.
In this article, I’ll take a close look at the best and cheapest AT&T MVNOs.
This article was updated in May 2023 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
- Pay $100 for 12 months of service ($8.33/month).
- 1GB of 4G/5G data monthly before reduced speeds
- Get four lines for $25 each ($100/month total).
- Unlimited talk, text and high-speed data that slows during congestion
- Get 2 lines for $50/month or 4 lines for $100/month.
- Each line gets 6GB of LTE data before reduced speeds.
Save on Your Cell Phone Bill With an AT&T MVNO
AT&T is a well-known cell phone provider that offers reliable coverage across the United States. Unfortunately, unlimited data plans start at $65 for a single line from AT&T.
If you know that AT&T has good service in your area but you don’t want to pay full price for an AT&T phone plan, consider an MVNO that runs on the same towers. AT&T MVNOs provide access to the same service for a fraction of the cost. In fact, you can find plans as low as $8.33 per month when you pay a year in advance with Boost Mobile.
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Below, you’ll find more information on these MVNOs including links to their coverage maps and our picks for the best phone plan from each.
Boost Mobile
Cheapest Annual Plan
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Price:
$100 ($8.33/month)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
Included; data counts towards mobile data allowance
Data Cap Overage:
1GB
|
Boost Mobile offers several cheap monthly plans that run on T-Mobile’s network. However, Boost Mobile’s new annual plan works with AT&T. The plan costs $100 for 12 months, which works out to be $8.33 per month before taxes and fees. For this price, you’ll get 12 months of unlimited calls, text and 2G-speed data. The plan also includes 1GB of 5G/4G data per month that can be shared via mobile hotspot. After 1GB of high-speed data each month, mobile data and hotspot speeds will reduce.
Boost Mobile also offers monthly plans starting as low as $15 per month. For that price, you’ll get unlimited talk, text and 5GB of high-speed data. I recommend trying Boost Mobile out for a month before prepaying for a year of service in advance just to make sure that the service will work well for you.
If you’re thinking about switching to this plan, be sure to check out Boost Mobile’s coverage map. You may also be able to bring your own phone to save even more. To learn more about Boost Mobile before switching (especially before paying for a year of service in advance), read our full review here.
Cricket Wireless
Best Family Phone Plan
|
Price:
$55/month (taxes included; $50 rate available w/ autopay)
Multiline Discounts:
$40 for 2, $30 for 3, $25 for 4
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
No
Data Cap Overage:
Speeds may be slowed during congestion.
|
If you’re looking for a family phone plan with multiple lines on AT&T’s network, Cricket Wireless is an MVNO to consider. The Cricket Wireless Unlimited plan is available for $55 per month for one line, but that price drops to $40 per line for two lines, $30 per line for three lines or $25 per line for four or more lines. That means that a family of four can get Cricket Wireless for $100 a month total! The plan includes unlimited high-speed data, but speeds may slow during congestion. It also includes unlimited text and calls, SD video streaming, Mexico and Canada usage and unlimited texts from the U.S. to 37 countries. The plan does not include mobile hotspot, but you can add 10GB for $10 per month.
Be sure to check out Cricket Wireless’ coverage map before you make the decision to switch. Also, test your phone online to see if you can bring it with you to your new plan. To learn more about Cricket Wireless, read our full review here.
H2O Wireless
Cheapest Phone Plan for Two
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Price:
$25 per line per month (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
Two and four lines available at this price.
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
None
Data Cap Overage:
6GB per line
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H2O Wireless is another MVNO that runs on AT&T’s towers. They offer several prepaid monthly plans for one line starting at $18 per month for 2GB of high-speed data. But if you’re shopping for two lines, H2O Wireless’ multi-line plans are worth checking out. For $50 monthly ($25 per line), each line will get 6GB of LTE data, unlimited talk, text and 2G data, unlimited international talk to 70 countries and unlimited international texting. This data plan actually won H2O Wireless the award of cheapest phone plan for two lines on Clark.com.
If you’re thinking about switching to H2O Wireless, enter your ZIP code on the coverage map to make sure you’ll have service at home. You may also be able to bring your own phone when you switch to save even more.
Consumer Cellular
Best Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
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Price:
$35/month (plus taxes & fees)
Multiline Discounts:
$50/month for 2, $65/month for 3
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
10GB
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
If you go over 10GB, you’ll be upgraded automatically to the next plan.
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Consumer Cellular is an MVNO that runs on both AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks. AARP members can also get a 5% discount with Consumer Cellular phone plans. Although its prices aren’t the lowest, the carrier makes our list for its high consumer satisfaction scores and Consumer Reports ratings. Consumer Cellular has also won the award for best overall plan for seniors on Clark.com.
For one line, Consumer Cellular offers 10GB of data for $35 per month. The same plan is available for two lines at $50 per month or three lines for $65 per month. Unlimited plans begin at $50 per month for a single line. Alternatively, if you don’t need much data, you can also get 1GB for $20 per month with Consumer Cellular.
If you’re thinking about switching to Consumer Cellular, make sure you’ll have service first by checking the coverage map online. You can also enter your unlocked phone’s IMEI number to see if it’s compatible with a Consumer Cellular SIM card. For more information about Consumer Cellular before you switch, read our full review here.
Red Pocket
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Price:
$20 (taxes included)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
Free; pulls from monthly data
Data Cap Overage:
5GB
|
Red Pocket Mobile lets you keep your existing phone and choose from any of the major networks including AT&T. Its monthly plans start at $10 for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data. For $20, you can get 5GB of high-speed data. Additionally, you can usually find deals and promotions offering discounts or free months of service. In the past, I’ve seen Red Pocket offer any plan for $10 for the first month.
Be sure to view Red Pocket’s coverage map to make sure you’ll have service in your area. If you’re thinking about switching to Red Pocket, check your phone’s compatibility online to make sure it will work. Also, be sure to check out our full review before making the decision to switch.
Straight Talk
|
Price:
$35/month (taxes & fees included)
Multiline Discounts:
No
Talk and Text:
Unlimited
Data:
Unlimited
Hotspot Data:
10GB
Data Cap Overage:
10GB
|
Straight Talk is owned by TracFone and partners with all of the major networks, not just AT&T. The prepaid carrier sells phones at Walmart and through its website. But if you want to bring your own device to Straight Talk, you can check its compatibility online before switching.
Straight Talk offers unlimited plans beginning at $35 per month for one line. With this plan, you’ll get 10GB of high-speed data before reduced speeds. You can also get 90 days of unlimited service with 25GB of high-speed data for $130, or 180 days for $225. Still, I recommend trying out a one-month plan before committing to a full year of service to make sure Straight Talk Wireless will work for you.
To see if you’ll have coverage in your area with Straight Talk, check out its coverage map online. Also, be sure to read our full review before making the decision to switch.
Final Thoughts
The AT&T network offers reliable coverage across the nation. And with a variety of MVNOs to choose from, you don’t have to pay $65 a month (or more) to access AT&T’s towers. Below are Team Clark’s top picks for the best AT&T MVNO carriers.
If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest alternative, I recommend checking out Boost Mobile’s 12-month plan. You’ll find the lowest total price available for a year of service at $100 ($8.33 per month) for 1GB of high-speed data monthly plus unlimited minutes for talk, text and 2G data. However, I do recommend trying out Boost Mobile for just a month first to make sure the service will work for you before you commit to a full year.
For slightly more high-speed data, check out Red Pocket at $20 per month for 5GB. If you’re shopping for a family plan, you can get two lines with H2O Wireless for $50 per month total or four lines for $100 with H2O or Cricket Wireless. Just know that Cricket Wireless comes with significantly more data.
If you aren’t sure about switching to an AT&T MVNO, you can still save on AT&T’s service with a prepaid plan directly from the carrier. AT&T offers a 12-month prepaid plan for $300 ($25 per month) that includes 16GB of high-speed data. Monthly plans start at $30 per line for 5GB of high-speed data. You can even get an unlimited data plan starting at $50 per month.
For more options, be sure to read our guide on the best cell phone plans and deals available now. Once you’ve decided on a new phone plan and you’re ready to make the switch, check out this guide that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process.
Article Updates
- May 31, 2023: Added information about Boost Mobile’s monthly plans to consider before prepaying for a year
- May 31, 2023: Updated Consumer Cellular’s plan selection and pricing
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