Best AT&T cell phone plans 2024

The best AT&T plans offer something for just about everyone's usage requirements. As one of the three big wireless carriers in the United States, AT&T has a wide range of plans that let you enjoy its rapidly expanding 5G network infrastructure. Although most of these offerings are quite expensive, you also have a few relatively affordable options to choose from. That said, AT&T's unlimited plans offer perks such as super-fast premium data, hotspot use, unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, as well as unlimited texting to hundreds of countries around the world.to 

If you don't want unlimited plans and their bundled goodies, you can go for one of AT&T's prepaid offerings instead. Although they're a bit limited in terms of features like premium data and hotspot use, these plans still give you access to the carrier's 5G network, while also helping you save some money. Some of these plans also have features like data rollover, which ensures your unused data doesn't go waste. As an alternative, you can take a look at the plan(s) offered by Cricket Wireless, which is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) utilizing AT&T's network infrastructure.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket 

At a glance

Best overall

The AT&T Unlimited Premium plan truly gives you the best of the best when it comes to phone plans. You get unlimited premium data with access to AT&T's fast-growing 5G network. This means that no matter how much data you use up, you will always get the full speeds on the network. You also have unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and 20 other countries in Central and South America, along with unlimited texting from the U.S. to over 200 countries.

The Unlimited Premium plan also includes 4K streaming, making it comparable to T-Mobile's top plans. With this plan, you get other bonus features such as advanced mobile security ('AT&T ActiveArmor'), and 60GB of mobile hotspot data for every line. Unfortunately, once you use up your allotted hotspot data, your speeds are reduced to 128Kbps. Nonetheless, 60GB should be plenty for most people.

One drawback of AT&T's Unlimited Premium plan is that it doesn't include taxes and fees, and it certainly doesn't come cheap. One line on this plan will cost you $85.99 per month, but signing for three lines will drop the monthly bill down to $60.99 (for a total of $182.97), or $50.99 per month (for a total of $203.96) if you sign up for four lines. Remember that these prices require AutoPay and paperless billing. 

In the end, this is still a great plan for users who need a lot of high-speed data, want to make the most out of their device(s) on AT&T's expanding 5G network, appreciate 4K video streaming, and like to have plenty of hotspot data for on-the-go use. That said, if you're looking for something cheaper, AT&T has quite a few other options.

Best budget

Among the carrier's most affordable offerings, the AT&T Prepaid 5GB plan costs only $30 per month and is perfect for light users wanting to save some cash. You still get access to AT&T's fast-growing 5G network, as well as unlimited talk, text, and 5GB (hence the name) of high-speed data. This plan also includes unlimited texting from the U.S. to more than 230 countries, and basic mobile security ('AT&T ActiveArmor') that works well for blocking fraud calls, among other things. Hotspot use is bundled too and uses the data you get with the plan. You also get video streaming (in 480p quality) support, and the unused data is rolled over into the next month's allotment.

With AT&T's Prepaid 5GB plan, talking and texting while in Mexico and Canada are a pay-per-use affair (charged at $0.25 per minute for calls, $0.25 per text, and $1.30 per picture/video message), so that's something you should keep in mind if you have family or friends in the North/South to get in touch with. Also, once you use up your 5GB allotment, data speeds are reduced to 128Kbps.

The Prepaid 5GB plan is also available with multi-line discounts so if you're bringing over your entire family, you can save even more.

Best for 5G

AT&T's Unlimited Extra plan is hands down one of the best 5G plans available out there. You (obviously) get access to 5G, and unlimited talk, text, and data, in addition to advanced mobile security ('AT&T ActiveArmor'), and international benefits such as unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada. Texting from the U.S. to more than 200 countries is also included in the mix. Premium data is restricted to 75GB, which means you might experience reduced speeds if the network is congested. This plan also gives you access to 30GB of high-speed hotspot data per month, and once you go beyond that, speeds are reduced to 128Kbps. Again, this should be more than adequate for the needs of most users.

One thing to note about AT&T's Unlimited Extra plan is that while it does offer video streaming, it's restricted to SD (480p) quality. So, unless you like to binge-watch a lot of your favorite TV shows and movies while on the move, you won't be bothered by it too much.

This plan is perfect for users who want to take advantage of AT&T's 5G network and need a vast amount of data, but don't want to spend extra cash on the extra perks (e.g., 4K streaming, unlimited high-speed data) of the more expensive plan. For one line on this plan, you'll pay $75.99 per month, whereas signing up for three and four lines will drop the per line monthly cost to $50.99 (for a total of $152.97) and $40.99 (for a total of $163.96), respectively. AT&T's Unlimited Extra plan is a solid option that won't leave you wishing you more, even though it's less attractive than the Unlimited Premium plan. Taxes and fees aren't included in this case either, and all these prices require AutoPay and paperless billing.

Affordable multi-line option

AT&T's Unlimited Starter plan is an excellent choice for users who want access to the 5G network along with unlimited talk, text, and data, but won't necessarily mind the reduced speeds if the network is busy. For a single line, this plan will cost you $65.99 per month, thus making it the cheapest among the carrier's unlimited offerings. That said, things get even better when you sign up for three lines, which reduces the per line monthly cost to $45.99 (for a total of $137.97). Similarly, signing up for four lines reduces the per line monthly cost to $35.99 (for a total of $143.96). Though this plan is a great option when you sign up for a few lines, AT&T also offers you the flexibility to pick a different plan for each family member with the 'Unlimited Your Way' option.

AT&T's Unlimited Starter plan includes mostly the same international benefits that you get with the carrier's other two unlimited offerings, such as video streaming (in SD quality) and unlimited talk, text, and data in and between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, the mobile security ('AT&T ActiveArmor') is a bit basic compared to what you get with the more expensive plans. You also get 5GB of high-speed hotspot data, which is just about enough for occasional use. Even with that, AT&T's Unlimited Starter plan is a well-rounded offering that'll be adequate for your (and your family's) basic needs. Of course, you need AutoPay and paperless billing in this case as well.

No contracts or hidden fees

Cricket Wireless is a prepaid MVNO carrier owned by AT&T and has one of the best prepaid phone plans on offer. The Cricket Unlimited (with 15GB mobile hotspot) plan gives you access to AT&T's nationwide 5G network, complete with unlimited talk, text, and picture messaging in the United States. As the name suggests, you also get 15GB of dedicated mobile hotspot data, along with unlimited texts from the U.S. to 37 countries, usage in Mexico and Canada, and video streaming in SD quality.

But wait, there's more! As the most high-end offering from Cricket Wireless, this plan also comes with a bunch of extra goodies including ad-supported version of HBO's Max streaming service, and 150GB of cloud storage.

The Cricket Unlimited plan will cost you $55 per month (with AutoPay discount) for a single line, but that price drops to $37 per month if you get three lines. Similarly, the monthly cost drops to just $32 per line if you sign up for five lines.

Savings in bulk

If you're willing to pay up front for a whole year of service, AT&T's Prepaid Unlimited (with 10GB hotspot data) plan can save you a whole lot of cash. Offering access to AT&T 5G with unlimited talk, text, and data at $300, this plan will cost you just $25 per month. You get unlimited texts from the U.S. to more than 230 countries, as well as calls to Canada and Mexico. It also includes basic mobile security ('AT&T ActiveArmor') to safeguard you against fraud calls. As you might've guessed, 10GB of mobile hotspot data is also included in the mix.

AT&T's Prepaid Unlimited plan does offer unlimited data, but it's capped at 16GB per month. This means that once you use up that high-speed allotment, data speeds are reduced to 1.5Mbps. That may not sound too much, but it's more than sufficient for everything from basic web browsing to listening to your favorite tunes through some of the best music streaming services out there.  You can also stream videos in SD (or 480p) resolution on this plan.

The biggest drawback with the Prepaid Unlimited plan is that you have to pay the full amount (plus all the applicable fees and taxes) in advance. It's also worth mentioning that this plan requires a new, single line of service, and it's not eligible for any multi-line or AutoPay discounts.

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How to choose

These are some of the best AT&T plans you can get

AT&T's network is undoubtedly among the largest you can get in the United States, and even though the carrier's 5G expansion still needs some work, it has improved by leaps and bounds over the past years and continues to get better. Interestingly, AT&T's LTE coverage is still one of the finest in the business. It's also worth noting that this network has solid support for almost all of the best Android phones out there. Whether you get a device (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) unlocked, or buy it via the carrier, it'll work with little to no issues.  

Although a bit expensive, AT&T's unlimited plans come packed with a laundry list of features such as premium 5G data, loads of mobile hotspot data, unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, and value-added perks like mobile security suite for fraud prevention. Our top vote goes to the Unlimited Premium plan, which gives you access to unlimited premium data with no reductions in speed, 60GB hotspot data, 4K video streaming, and more. You can also check out the Unlimited Extra plan, as it offers everything — from high-speed 5G access to advanced mobile security — that the more expensive plan does, but at a lower price. Video streaming is restricted to 480p resolution, and you also get 30GB hotspot data.

If you don't care one bit about unlimited plans, we suggest taking a gander at AT&T's Prepaid 5GB plan. It's extremely affordable and gives you access to the carrier's 5G network, while also bundling in features like unlimited texting to over 230 countries and data rollover, which adds unused data to the next month's allotment. Another great option is the Cricket Unlimited plan that comes from Cricket Wireless, one of the best MVNO carriers in the United States. Not only does it give you access to the nationwide AT&T 5G network but includes goodies like 150GB cloud storage and ad-supported (HBO) Max too, along with 15GB hotspot data, and Canada and Mexico usage.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket