Best AT&T MVNOs: Cheap Cell Phone Providers That Use AT&T’s Network

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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 January 2024 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.

Cheapest Annual Phone Plan
Boost Mobile Annual Plan
Network
T-Mobile and AT&T
Price
$100 ($8.33/month)
Highlights
  • Pay $100 for 12 months of service ($8.33/month).
  • 1GB of 4G/5G data monthly before reduced speeds
Best Family Phone Plan
Cricket Wireless
Network
AT&T
Price
$55/month (taxes included; $50 rate available w/ autopay)
Highlights
  • Get four lines for $25 each ($100/month total).
  • Unlimited talk, text and high-speed data that slows during congestion
Cheapest Phone Plan for Two
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

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.

Table of Contents: 

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

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.

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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.


Boost Infinite

Boost Infinite is a postpaid cell phone service that DISH Wireless launched in 2022. It’s owned by the same company as Boost Mobile (Review), and it has partnerships with both AT&T and T-Mobile as well as access to their own Boost Wireless Network.

Boost Infinite originally launched with only one plan: unlimited talk, text and data for $25. The same plan is still available with guaranteed locked-in pricing for life as long as you keep the line active. Additionally, the company has added three more unlimited plans to its lineup: Unlimited+, Unlimited Access for iPhone, and Unlimited Access for Galaxy.

Boost Infinite’s most affordable plan, Infinite Unlimited, includes unlimited talk, text and data with 5G access on compatible devices. With this plan, you’ll be assigned to either T-Mobile or AT&T’s network depending on your device and location. After 30GB of high-speed data per month, you’ll notice slower speeds until your next billing cycle begins. You can add hotspot capabilities for an additional $10 monthly.

To see if Boost Infinite offers service in your area, check out its coverage map online. If you’re thinking about switching to Boost Infinite, read our full review first for five things to know before you sign up.


Cricket Wireless

Best Family Phone Plan

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 decide 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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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 3GB 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 10GB of LTE data, unlimited talk, text and 2G data, unlimited international talk to 70 countries and unlimited international texting. This data plan won H2O Wireless the award of the 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 

Consumer Cellular is an MVNO that runs on AT&T’s network. 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.

Consumer Cellular offers four different plans including 5GB of data for $25 per month for one line. For twice the data, you can get 10GB for $35 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 on one line with Consumer Cellular. Multiline discounts are also available for each plan.

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

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.


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.

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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
  • January 29, 2024: Consumer Cellular no longer partners with T-Mobile; customers will exclusively be on AT&T’s network
  • January 29, 2024: Added Boost Infinite
  • July 3, 2023: H2O Wireless’ multi-line plan now includes 10GB of LTE data per line before slower speeds; $18 monthly single-line plan now includes 3GB of high-speed data (previously 2GB)
  • July 3, 2023: Removed Straight Talk Wireless (new customers will be on Verizon Wireless’ network)
  • 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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