The Best Cell Phone Plans for 2 Lines

Written by |
Advertisement

If you need a phone plan for two lines, there are several options to choose from. 

In this article, I’ll share my top picks for the best cell phone plans for two lines as well as the cheapest phone plans for two people. I’ve researched more than 70 phone plans to find the absolute best prices and features available for phone plans with two lines. 

This article was updated in February 2024 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.

Cheapest Phone Plan Overall
Tello Economy
Network
T-Mobile
Price
$9/month (plus taxes)
Highlights
  • Unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data
  • Cheapest pre-built plan available
  • The price above is for a single-line plan (no discounts available for multiple lines).
Best Value for a Cheap Phone Plan
Mint 5GB
Network
T-Mobile
Price
$15/month (plus taxes & fees)
Highlights
  • 5GB of high-speed data for $15/month
  • Pay three months in advance to get the best price.
  • The price above is for a single-line plan (no discounts available for multiple lines).
Cheapest Phone Plan for Two Lines
H2O Wireless Multi-Line
Network
AT&T
Price
$25 per line per month (plus taxes & fees)
Highlights
  • Get 2 lines for $50/month or 4 lines for $100/month.
  • Each line gets 10GB of LTE data before reduced speeds.
Cheapest Unlimited Data Plan
Visible
Network
Verizon
Price
$25/month (taxes & fees included)
Highlights
  • Unlimited talk, text and data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot with 5 Mbps speeds
  • The cheapest price for unlimited data
Best Unlimited Hotspot Plan for Two Lines
T-Mobile Essentials Saver
Network
T-Mobile
Price
$40/month (plus taxes & fees)
Highlights
  • $80 total for two lines with autopay
  • 50GB of premium data followed by unlimited 5G/4G LTE data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G speeds
Best Truly Unlimited Data Plan for Two Lines
T-Mobile Magenta Max
Network
T-Mobile
Price
$70/month (taxes & fees included; autopay required to get best rate.)
Highlights
  • Best price for high-speed data that never slows
  • 40GB of hotspot data

Choosing the Best Phone Plan for Two

If you’re shopping for two phone lines, there are a few different ways to get the best deal. First, there are cheap single-line phone plans: these phone plans are designed for one line, but you can add more lines at the same per-line price. Second, you can find a cheap phone plan made for two lines. These plans give you a little more data and always appear on the same bill with a multiline discount. Finally, you can opt for a phone plan from a major carrier with truly unlimited high-speed data, but these have higher monthly prices. 

When you’re considering a new phone plan for two, be sure to take into account the price, the coverage in your area and the features that each of you needs. To save money, consider opting for a phone plan that isn’t unlimited. You can also choose a prepaid plan or a plan that’s offered by a low-cost MVNO (mobile virtual network operator.) These plans offer cheap service powered by one of the three major networks’ towers.

Here are my top picks for the best phone plans for two available now:


Cheapest Phone Plans for Two – Single-Line Accounts

While many family phone plans offer multiline discounts that make the total monthly bill significantly lower, two lines aren’t always enough to make a big difference. For this reason, I recommend considering one of these single-line accounts for both people to get the best price. For example, Tello Mobile offers plans with data beginning as low as $9 per month for one line. If two people each get this deal, the total monthly cost will be just $18!

Below, you’ll find my top picks for the cheapest overall phone plans that actually beat the multiline discounts for two lines:


Tello Economy

Cheapest Cell Phone Plan Overall

If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest phone plan available, you’ll find it with Tello Mobile. Tello Economy includes unlimited texting, calls and 1GB of high-speed data for $9 monthly per line, which makes it the cheapest pre-built plan available.

Advertisement

In addition to Tello Economy, Tello Mobile offers prebuilt plans including 2GB for $14 per line monthly and 5GB for $19 per line monthly. Tello’s family plans allow you to add up to four new lines, and you can customize the amount of data and minutes on each. All of the lines in the family plan are on one account with no extra cost per line.

If you decide to switch to Tello, you may also be able to bring your own phone to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online, and be sure to read our full review before switching.


Mint 5GB

Best Value for a Cheap Phone Plan

Mint is another option to consider when looking for the cheapest cell phone plan. For $15 monthly per line, you’ll get unlimited talk and text as well as 5GB of high-speed data. Data speed reduces after 5GB per line, but data is unlimited with this plan. With this new-customer offer, you will have to pay three months in advance to lock in this price, which means you’ll owe $90 for two lines at the time of purchase. 

Additional plans from Mint Mobile include 15GB for $20 per line monthly, 20GB for $25 per line monthly and 40GB for $30 per line monthly. To get two lines with Mint Family, each person will have to sign up individually for service and then connect. Once two or more existing Mint users have connected to create a Mint family, the primary user can manage the accounts online.

If you decide to switch to Mint, you may be able to bring your own phone and save additional money. Check your phone’s compatibility here. Also, be sure to read our full review before switching.


Boost 5GB

Cheapest Prepaid Phone Plan

Boost Mobile offers 5GB of high-speed data in addition to unlimited talk and text for $15 per line monthly. This plan is available only to new customers who bring their own devices. You can check your phone’s compatibility online before switching. 

This plan is completely prepaid, which means you won’t have to worry about annual contracts, monthly bills, overage fees or credit checks. Instead, you’ll pay for everything upfront. Additional monthly plans available from Boost Mobile include unlimited data for $25 per month per line, unlimited data with hotspot for $40 per month per line or an Unlimited Plus plan for $60 per month per line. You can mix and match any line to create your own family plan with Boost Mobile.

If you’re willing to commit to the service for a full year, you can get a lower rate. Boost Mobile also offers annual “carrier crusher” plans that run on AT&T’s network. These plans begin at $100 per line for 12 months ($8.33 per month before taxes and fees). With this plan, you’ll get unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data. Buying two individual annual plans could be a great way to save money for two people if you’re both willing to commit to Boost for 12 months.

Advertisement

If you are thinking about switching to Boost Mobile, be sure to read our full review first.


Visible

Cheapest Unlimited Data Plan

Visible is a prepaid carrier that runs on Verizon’s towers, and it ranks as the best unlimited hotspot phone plan category in several articles on our site. It’s also a great cheap unlimited data plan for two. While each line is billed separately, you can open multiple accounts for $25 per line per month. For this price, you’ll get unlimited text, talk and data with no data cap. Still, speeds may be reduced during congestion. The plan also includes unlimited mobile hotspot with max speeds of 5 Mbps on one device.

You may also be able to bring your own phone to Visible when you switch to save even more. Check your phone’s compatibility online before switching. Also, read our full review to learn more about Visible.


Cheap Phone Plans for Two Lines

While the phone plans listed above are the cheapest overall options, the plans in this section include multiline discounts for two that are actually worth it. For example, H2O Wireless offers a deal for two lines for $50 per month for 10GB of high-speed data before reduced speeds.

If you’re looking for a cheap unlimited data plan for two lines, Visible is the best. It costs $25 per line per month and includes unlimited data with Verizon’s network. But it isn’t your only option. Consumer Cellular offers a two-line plan with 10GB of data for $25 per line. Spectrum Mobile offers unlimited talk, text and 30GB of high-speed data for $15 per line per month to Spectrum Internet customers. T-Mobile Essentials offers unlimited talk, text and data (50GB high-speed data cap) for $45 per line per month.

Here, you’ll find more information on a few of my top picks for cheap unlimited data plans for two lines:


H2O Wireless

Cheapest Phone Plan for Two Lines

H2O Wireless offers several different cheap phone plans beginning as low as $18 per month for single-line plans with 3GB of high-speed data. The company’s multiline phone plans include two different options: two lines for $50 per month or four lines for $100 per month. With this plan, every line gets 10GB of data before reduced speeds, unlimited international talk to 70 countries, unlimited international texting and a $5 in international talk credit. Plus, you’ll have access to AT&T’s network with this MVNO. 

You can bring your own phone to H2O wireless to save even more as long as it’s unlocked and works with AT&T’s network. Read our full review to learn more about H2O Wireless before you decide to make the switch.

Advertisement

Consumer Cellular

Best Unlimited Two-Line Plan for Seniors

Consumer Cellular, which utilizes AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, offers a 5% discount to AARP members. Although its prices aren’t the lowest, the carrier makes our list for its high customer satisfaction scores and Consumer Reports ratings. For two lines, Consumer Cellular offers plans starting at $17.50 per month per line for 1GB of data plus unlimited talk and text. Additional two-line plans include $20 per line for 5GB of data, $25 per line for 10GB of data or $32.50 per line for unlimited data (50GB of high-speed data).

If you do switch to Consumer Cellular, you may be able to bring your own phone to save even more money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online. Also, be sure to read our full review before you decide to make the switch.


Spectrum Unlimited

Best Plan for Two Lines for Spectrum Customers

If you have Spectrum Internet, Spectrum Mobile (a Verizon MVNO) could be the perfect cell phone service for you. Spectrum Mobile offers by-the-gig plans for mobile data as well as two unlimited plans.

The basic Spectrum Unlimited plan costs $29.99 for one line per month including taxes and fees. However, when you get two lines, you’ll get the second line free for 12 months. That brings the total cost $15 per line per month for the first year. Spectrum Unlimited includes unlimited talk, text and data (speeds slow after 30GB). It also includes mobile hotspot tethering with reduced speeds after 5GB. 

There’s an Unlimited Plus option as well for $39.99 for one line. For two lines, Unlimited Plus costs $50 per month for the first 12 months ($25 per month per line) and it includes 50GB of premium data before deprioritization.

If you’re thinking about switching to Spectrum Mobile, you may be able to bring your own phone to save money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online. Before you make the switch, be sure to check out our full article on things to know before you sign up for Spectrum Mobile

If you’re an Xfinity customer, you can get the same deal (two lines for $30 per line per month for the first 12 months). Check out the details on Xfinity’s website and check out our full review of Xfinity Mobile before deciding to make the switch.


T-Mobile Essentials Savers

Best Unlimited Hotspot Plan for Two Lines

Advertisement

T-Mobile Essentials Savers is a great plan to consider if you’re looking for two lines and unlimited mobile hotspot data usage. With this plan, you’ll get unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds plus unlimited calls, text and data. Premium high-speed data is capped at 50GB. For two lines, this plan costs $40 per line ($80 per month total) plus taxes and fees. 

Additional two-line plans from T-Mobile include Magenta ($60 per line monthly for 100GB of high-speed data plus 5GB of high-speed mobile hotspot) and Magenta Max ($70 per line monthly for unlimited high-speed data plus 40GB of high-speed mobile hotspot.) If you’re thinking about switching to T-Mobile, be sure to check your phone’s compatibility online to see if you can bring it with you to save even more.


Truly Unlimited High-Speed Data Plans for Two Lines

If you’re looking for truly unlimited high-speed data on a major carrier’s network, it’s fair to consider the higher monthly prices directly from the big companies. T-Mobile Magenta Max and AT&T Unlimited Premium offer high-speed data that can never be slowed down for $70 per line monthly and $75.99 per line monthly, respectively. Verizon Wireless offers the Unlimited Ultimate plan for $80 per line monthly with unlimited premium data.

Here’s more information on my top picks for truly unlimited data plans for two lines from major carriers:


T-Mobile Magenta Max

Best T-Mobile Plan for Two Lines

If you’re looking for a completely unlimited data plan with high-speed access that never slows, T-Mobile Magenta Max is worth looking into. For $70 per line monthly for two lines, it includes unlimited talk, text and 5G data. It also includes 40GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data and a basic Netflix subscription. Other two-line plans from T-Mobile begin as low as $40 per line per month for the Essentials Savings plan which includes unlimited talk, text and data with reduced speeds after 50GB. 

You may also be able to bring your own phone instead of having to buy a new one. Before you switch to T-Mobile, be sure to check your phone’s eligibility online.


Verizon Unlimited Ultimate

Best Verizon Plan for Two Lines

Verizon offers three different unlimited plans: Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate.

Unlimited Ultimate costs $80 per line for two lines of service and includes unlimited talk, text and data on Verizon Wireless’ premium 5G Ultra Wideband network. It also includes 60GB of premium high-speed mobile hotspot per month (speeds reduce to 3Mbps on 5G Ultra Wideband or to 600Kbps on 4G LTE/ 5G Nationwide once you’ve reached your monthly mobile hotspot allotment). 

Advertisement

If you’re thinking about switching to Verizon, you may be able to bring your own phone for more savings. Simply check your phone’s compatibility online before switching.


AT&T Unlimited Premium

Best AT&T Plan for Two Lines

AT&T offers a few different unlimited data plans, but the only one that’s truly unlimited with no data cap/slowed speeds is the Unlimited Premium plan. For $75 per line per month for two lines, AT&T offers unlimited talk, text and high-speed data that never slows based on usage. This plan also includes 50GB of mobile hotspot per line and a six-month Stadia Pro subscription. For a cheaper AT&T unlimited data plan, consider Unlimited Extra for $65 per month per line for two lines and 50GB of high-speed data before slowed speeds.

Before you switch to an AT&T plan, check your phone’s compatibility to see if you can bring it with you to save even more money.


Team Clark’s Methodology

For the purposes of this review, Team Clark determined that the top three things customers care about when it comes to cell phone carriers are price, network reliability/coverage and overall satisfaction.

Various members of our staff tried out each of these popular cell phone providers to get a feel for their reliability and service. We have individual reviews of those providers available on the website.

I researched more than 70 phone plans at the time of writing and analyzed the following characteristics when determining the “best” options for each category:

  • Price
  • Network reliability
  • Network coverage
  • Monthly data allotments
  • “Bring your own device” availability
  • Available deals and discounts (loyalty, autopay, additional lines, etc.)
  • Online reviews from real customers

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, if you’re shopping for a phone plan for two, it’s most important to consider the features that both people need out of a phone plan. If it’s a cheap price with limited data, consider an affordable single-line account for each person from Visible, Tello, Mint or Boost Mobile. If you need an affordable two-line plan on one bill, check out H2O Wireless.

Visible is also the best choice for a cheap unlimited data plan for two. Other cheap plans for two to consider include Consumer Cellular, Spectrum Unlimited and T-Mobile Essentials Savers. But if you’re looking for a truly unlimited plan from a major carrier, try T-Mobile’s Magenta Max, Verizon’s Unlimited Plus or AT&T’s Unlimited Premium.

For even 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 our guide that will take you step-by-step through the process.

Advertisement

Did we miss a plan on our list or did you find a better deal? Let us know in our Clark.com Community or check out the latest conversations around cell phones.

Article Updates
  • February 27, 2024: Updated Tello Mobile’s plans (lower prices and more high-speed data)
  • February 27, 2024: Spectrum Mobile’s unlimited plans now include a free or discounted second line for the first 12 months, and the high-speed data allotments have increased 
  • February 27, 2024: Replaced Verizon’s Unlimited Plus with Unlimited Ultimate as the Best Unlimited Verizon Plan for Two Lines
  • February 27, 2024: AT&T’s Unlimited Premium now includes 60GB of hotspot data (previously 50GB)
  • February 27, 2024: All AT&T plans have increased by $0.99 per month
  • August 7, 2023: Replaced T-Mobile Essentials with T-Mobile Essentials Savers ($10 cheaper for two lines)
  • August 7, 2023: Boost Mobile’s $15 plan now includes 5GB of data (previously 2GB)
  • August 7, 2023: Added information on Mint Mobile’s limited-time $15 plans
  • August 7, 2023: Updated H2O Wireless’ plans (more high-speed data)
  • August 7, 2023: Updated Consumer Cellular’s plans (more high-speed data)
  • August 7, 2023: Updated Verizon’s plans to the new myPlan options highlighted Unlimited Plus as the new best Verizon plan for two lines with truly unlimited high-speed data
Advertisement