This is a bit more complicated. Verizon used to be our pick with its Play More plan that bundled in the Disney bundle (ad-free Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu with ads) and services like Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade into the plan's sticker price.
Now the carrier has updated its wireless plans to remove perks like the Disney bundle or Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass from being automatically included with its service. Even with its new plans it's still our pick for best perks, but this will require a bit more explanation.
Instead of automatically putting services in, it now offers a variety of perks at $10 per month per perk, allowing you to pick and choose what you want. It also now allows its lower-cost plan, known as Unlimited Welcome, to participate.
Unlimited Welcome runs $65 a month for one line or $120 a month for four lines. You get unlimited talk, text and data, but you don't get access to Verizon's fastest 5G networks (what it calls "5G Ultra Wideband") or hotspot data. For that, you will need to step up to its pricier Unlimited Plus plan ($80 for one line, $180 for four lines).
Both the Welcome and Plus plans include the ability to add perks at that $10 per month rate. This includes the Disney Bundle (normally $15 a month), Apple One individual (normally around $17 a month), Apple Music Family (which can be shared with five people and normally runs $17 a month) and Walmart Plus (normally $13 a month but also includes Paramount Plus Essential).
There are also other perks including an additional 100GB of hotspot data (normally $45 a month), 2TB of Verizon's cloud storage (normally $15 a month), three days of international data (what the carrier calls TravelPass, normally $10 a day).
All perks can be turned on or off at will, and you could forgo them entirely. You can even go with multiple perks on a single line.
Whether this makes sense for your situation may require some time with a spreadsheet going through what services work for you and what you're willing to pay for them. The savings could add up if you're paying for some of these services directly, but it also could be more expensive than your existing plan.
It's also worth mentioning that Verizon allows you to "mix and match" lines, so if not everyone needs the faster 5G connectivity, they could be on Unlimited Welcome, while the one who does can go on Unlimited Plus.
AT&T allows something similar with its unlimited plans, but at the moment it no longer offers any streaming perks. To get T-Mobile's perks, everyone has to be on the same plan.
But if you wanted a cheaper way to save on one or two services like the Disney bundle, you could have four lines for $120 a month, add the Disney perk for $10 and be paying $130 a month for the whole package.
Oh, and you can also combine these plans with Verizon's other discounts for teachers, nurses, military and first responders to save a bit more.
FAQs
Tello ranks No. 1 in the Best Family Cell Phone Plans and has a variety of options for multiple lines. You'll be able to build a custom plan, which could be helpful for households with different data needs. You can also adjust the plans at any time, making it easy to adapt as your family's situation changes.
How much is the average phone bill for a family of 4? ›
Families of four can expect to pay between $120 to $220 a month for four lines from the major wireless carriers — in fact, four lines for $120 per month seems to be the sweet spot for plans these days.
Is it cheaper to be on your own phone plan or a family plan? ›
Individual Plans Are Inexpensive
Family plans tend to run higher due to the fact that they consist of two or more lines. The perk with family plans is that most carriers offer a deal where the more lines that you add on your plan, the more money that you can save in the long run.
What carrier gives you a free phone when you switch? ›
Some of the most notable include Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Metro By T-Mobile.
Is T-Mobile better than Verizon? ›
Its plans are generally pricier but come with premium features and services. If you prioritize wider coverage and value-added plans, T-Mobile is likely your best bet. However, if you're looking for blazing-fast speeds and are willing to pay a premium for additional services, Verizon could be more up your alley.
How much is a Verizon unlimited family plan? ›
Unlimited Ultimate: $55/line for 4 lines, less $15/line discount. Unlimited Plus: $360 promo credit per phone applied over 36 mos when you add 4 new smartphone lines with your own 4G/5G smartphone. Unlimited Plus: $45/line for 4 lines, less $10/line discount.
Does AT&T offer family plans? ›
Does AT&T have family mobile plans? Yes, with Unlimited Your Way, you can pick a plan for each line on your account. Get the best phone plans for two or more lines.
Can you negotiate cell phone plans? ›
Here's how you can lower your cell phone bill, even if you are on an installment plan for your cell phone. Research rates and offers. As with your ISP, coming to the negotiation with knowledge of your provider's lowest rates, as well as the competition's rates, will give you standing to ask for a lower price.
How much should a good phone plan cost? ›
Typical cost for a flagship family plan with unlimited data
Expect to pay around $200 a month plus possible taxes and fees for four lines of a top-tier unlimited plan from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Compare that with an average of around $80 for just one line on a top-tier plan.
Which carrier pays you to switch? ›
Switch to T-Mobile, and we'll help pay off your phone—up to $800. Keep & Switch: Limited-time offer; subject to change. Qualifying device, credit, service, and port-in (Verizon, AT&T, Spectrum, Claro, Xfinity, Liberty, or US Cellular) required.
Backup your cell phone before switching carriers to avoid losing contacts, photos, and messages. A backup allows you to restore your data to the new device easily and protects you in case of an error during the switch.
How to get an iPhone 14 for free? ›
You can get the basic iPhone 14 or the 14 Plus for free with any 5G unlimited plan, but you'll need to have a new line and Select Unlimited Plan to qualify. Verizon is also offering some other bonuses with the purchase, including up to $280 off an iPad when bundled with a new iPhone 14 or 14 Plus.
What carrier has the best cell coverage? ›
Verizon has the best 4G LTE coverage that spans across 70% of the United States. That's 2% more than AT&T and 8% more than T-Mobile. It covers 327 million people in over 2.68 million square miles. Depending on your location, you may even get Verizon 5G cell service.
What's better, AT&T or T-Mobile? ›
When it comes to download speeds, T-Mobile beats out AT&T on both 4G LTE and 5G networks. If you've got a 4G phone and you're using T-Mobile, you'll be hitting much faster average speeds than with AT&T. Even more impressively, T-Mobile also delivers 5G speeds that are over twice as fast on average compared to AT&T.
What carrier is family mobile compatible with? ›
Walmart Family Mobile is on the Verizon network. The network is fully operational. Teams are working 24/7 to ensure it continues to perform for all our customers, even during anticipated heavier traffic.
Is it cheaper to get your own phone plan or join someone else's? ›
The initial price of a family plan can be shocking because the overall cost will be higher than an individual plan. However, when you look at the cost per line, it is cheaper. And as you add more lines, the cost per line usually decreases, ultimately saving money for everyone on the plan.
