Nowadays, a family cell phone plan can include anyone from your kids to your parents to your best friend.
Finding the cheapest family cell phone plan is important regardless of who you include in your plan. Family plans with major cell phone carriers can cost $60, $70, or more per month, per line, depending on your chosen features.
At those prices, a family of five could pay $300 monthly or more for cell phone service. Before you go that route, consider the following options to save money on family cell phone plans.
| Best For | Learn More | |
|---|---|---|
 | Customer service | Learn More |
 | Consistent high speeds | Learn More |
 | Discounted pricing on premium networks | Learn More |
 | Low rates | Learn more |
 | Plan options | Learn more |
 | Lots of data | Learn More |
 | Shareable data plans | Learn More |
 | Big-name carrier features at discounted prices | Learn More |
Mint Mobile
Best For: Customer service
- Network: T-Mobile
- Speed: 5G/4G LTE
- Contracts Apply: No
Mint Mobile is similar to many other discount cell phone services in that you can mix and match plans for each family member depending on each person’s needs. Plans are affordable, with unlimited data available for $30 per month. However, you must pay for 12 months upfront to get the lowest pricing.
You get free mobile hotspots and free calling to Mexico and Canada, and Mint Mobile is known for its responsive customer support.
With Mint Mobile, you have several customer service options, from 24/7 chat to their extensive help and FAQ center. In addition, you can speak to a customer service rep (yes, a live human) seven days a week.
Learn more by reading our full Mint Mobile review.
Pros
- Targeted focus on good service
- Mix-and-match plans
- Frequent discount specials for new customers
Cons
- Must prepay for 12 months to get the best price
Verizon
Best For: Consistent high speeds
- Network: Verizon
- Speed: 5G/5G Ultra Wideband
- Contracts Apply: Yes
Verizon can be a smart choice for your family cell phone plan if your family’s usage habits require consistent high speeds throughout the billing cycle.
Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband is great for the consummate online gamer or streamer. The company also allows you to take advantage of additional plan benefits.
For example, you may qualify for additional discounts on other data plans such as Apple Watch, and Verizon cellular plans often include streaming bundles. Additionally, you can access talk, text, and data while traveling in Canada and Mexico, and you get unlimited texting to over 200 countries worldwide.
If price isn’t your main deciding factor, Verizon is definitely worth checking out.
Pros
- Consistent high speeds
- A wide array of additional benefits
- Discounts on other services
Cons
- Costlier than other carriers
✨ Related: How to Lower Your Verizon Bill
Visible
Best For: Discounted pricing on premium networks
- Network: Verizon
- Speed: 5G/5G Ultra Wideband/4G LTE
- Contracts Apply: No
Visible is Verizon’s discount cellular service and is a great choice for your family if you want the best of both worlds.
You’ll have two plans to choose from — a $25 or $45 monthly plan — the latter being the best choice if you desire consistent high-speed data. All new customers receive a 14-day free trial, and you can bring your own unlocked and compatible phone and number.
Visible's customer service options include a 24/7 chat line, or you can message Visible on Twitter, Facebook, or within the Visible app.
You’ll prepay monthly for service. Note that although Visible is owned by Verizon and uses the Verizon network, you could experience slower speeds during high-usage times with Visible.
Learn more in our full review of Visible.
Pros
- Verizon coverage at a discounted price
- Free calling to Canada and Mexico
- Attractive referral program
Cons
- No designated family plan
Limited Offer: 2 Years for only $20 per month
Visible is offering a huge sale where you can get 2-years of Visible for just $20 a month.
This is a discount of $5 per month on Visible and $10 per month on Visible+ with promo code CHAMP.
Tello
Best For: Low rates
- Network: T-Mobile
- Speed: 4G LTE/5G
- Contracts Apply: No
Tello is a discount carrier boasting some of the best prices in the business. You can create a mix-and-match plan to fit nearly every user at amazingly low prices. For example, for $9/month, you can access 2GB of data, free text, and 500 calling minutes. If you need unlimited data, $25 monthly will get you that, along with free texting and unlimited calling.
Tello doesn’t require advance payment for its service, and there are no contracts. Your plan includes a free mobile hotspot.
Note that you will likely experience slower speed during peak usage times. Therefore, you might not want to choose Tello if lightning speeds are necessary for you and your family.
Pros
- A variety of budget-friendly plans
- Free calling to over 60 countries
- Mix-and-match plans
Cons
- Separate billing for each line
- Expect slower speeds during peak usage times
✨ Related: How to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill
Twigby
Best For: Families with varying usage habits
- Network: Verizon
- Speed: 5G/4G LTE
- Contracts Apply: No
Twigby is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offering mix-and-match plans for family members, which is a nice feature if you have several users with varying coverage needs.
Plans are attractively priced, and all include unlimited talk and text. They range from $15/month for 2GB of data to $35/month for unlimited data. You can also change your plan at any time.
If you run out of data, you’ll automatically be switched to 2G data for the remainder of your billing cycle.
You can also purchase extra data to get you through the end of your billing cycle. All Twigby plans include a mobile hotspot; however, hotspot usage is deducted from your available data.
Users also benefit from unlimited talk and text to over 80 countries, conference calling, and call forwarding. And, like most operators, you can bring your own inlocked and compatible phone.
Learn more in our full Twigby review.
Pros
- No activation fees
- A wide array of budget-friendly plans
- No data overage charges
Cons
- Chat-only customer service
Boost Mobile
Best For: Lots of data
- Network: T-Mobile, AT&T
- Speed: 5G/4G
- Contracts Apply: No
Boost Mobile's affordable family cell phone plans include unlimited data, talk, and text plans ranging from $15 to $60 per month.
You can set up individual lines for all family members. However, Boost Mobile offers a multi-line discount for those on the $60/month plan.
If you join with the $60/month plan, you can add up to 4 additional lines with a $20 per month discount on each line. That means each additional line would only be $40 per month.
Boost’s multi-line plan could be a good choice for your family if all users are high data/high hotspot users. If not, you may be better off purchasing individual lines for each family member.
Boost Mobile also offers a generous referral program, up to $25 per completed referral.
Pros
- Affordable plans with attractive features
- Discounts for new customers
- Attractive referral program
Cons
- Multi-line discount only available on highest tier plan
- Need prepaid plans and autopay for the best deal
✨ Related: Our Phone Plan Strategy for Four Kids
US Mobile
Best For: Shareable data plans
- Network: T-Mobile, Verizon
- Speed: 5G/4G LTE/premium
- Contracts Apply? No
US Mobile is a discount carrier founded in 2015 and offers multi-line plans with shareable data that you can customize to fit your family’s needs.
Choose from 2GB up to hundreds of GB to share with the other people on your family plan. All plans include unlimited talk and text, international calling and text and you can level up on data at any time.
US Mobile even offers a Lite plan tfor just $6/month. when you pay annually. Check the US Mobile website for special new-customer deals that include a 30-day free trial and free prepaid gift cards.
You’ll get 24/7 support availability with US Mobile and find attractive online ratings as well. As far as discount carriers go, US Mobile has a lot to offer.
Pros
- Deeper discounts for annual prepaid
- Get as much shareable data as you need
- Multi-line packages offer optional discounts on entertainment, music, and more
Cons
- Shareable data may not be ideal for some families
- Premium data is limited
✨ Related: Best Cheap No Contract Cell Phone Plans
Metro by T-Mobile
Best For: Big-name carrier features at discounted prices
- Network: T-Mobile
- Speed: 5G
- Contracts Apply? No
Metro by T-Mobile is T-Mobile’s prepaid discount wireless subsidiary. It offers four lines for as little as $100 per month, including unlimited talk, text, and data.
Other benefits apply, including ScamShield, entertainment subscriptions, and T-Mobile Tuesdays discounts. Check out Metro by T-Mobile phone deals as the carrier offers some attractive deals on new phones.
The carrier also offers the option to add a data-online line to a secondary mobile device such as an iPad.
The prices quoted on the Metro by T-Mobile website include taxes and fees. Upgrade to higher-tier Unlimited plans to get added features and discounts. While you’re shopping, look for Metro by T-Mobile’s great deals on home internet as well.
Pros
- Big-name carrier features at discount prices
- Attractive bundle packages including entertainment and more
- Some plans come with free phones
Cons
- In-store purchases required for some deals
- Slower speeds possible after 35 GB of data
How to Choose the Best Family Cell Phone Plan
Choosing the best family cell phone plan for your family depends largely on what features are most important to you and others on your plan.
Before making a final decision, talk with your family and discuss the importance of features such as:
- Available minutes and data allocation
- Coverage and speeds
- Budget and monthly pricing
- Phone availability, price, and financing terms
- Usage habits of each plan member
Once you’ve decided which features are most important to those paying the bills and utilizing the service, rate them in order of importance, and choose your plan using that list.
If price is the main factor you’re considering, you may want to check out our article on the cheapest family cell phone plans.
Be sure to read the fine print in the terms and conditions for the plans you’re considering. You’ll want details about cancellation, switching plans, and more.
With so many options available, you can find a family plan that works well for you and your family.
✨ Related: Our Phone Plan Strategy for Four Kids
FAQs
You will usually save money running multiple lines on a family cell phone plan. The idea is that the more lines you add, the cheaper the monthly fee. Of course, your overall bill will be higher if you run multiple lines for family members.
The best cell phone plan for your family will be the one that best fits your needs. For example, if your priority is getting the best price, Tello might be your best bet. If cost is less of a concern but you want the fastest speeds, major carriers such as Verizon or AT&T might be the way to go.
In most cases, the per-line rate will be cheaper if you have more than one phone on a plan, whether you add two or more people.
Summary
Whether you want flexible plans with no contracts and the ability to add or cancel lines, fast and reliable speeds, or low prices, the best family cell phone plans have something to offer every family. Before signing up, check with your family members to determine the most important features.
