Hi there! Finding the perfect cell phone plan for your needs can feel overwhelming, especially when you need a plan that covers two lines or more. With so many options to pick from, how do you know you‘re getting the right plan at the best price?
Not to worry, I‘ve done the legwork for you! Based on extensive research of carrier offerings, plan features, and customer experiences, I‘ve identified the top cell phone plans for families, couples, roommates – anyone who needs a plan for two lines or more.
In this guide, I‘ll share the specific details on the five best cell phone plans for 2 lines or more, so you can choose the right plan confidently. Let‘s dive in!
Quick Look: The Top 5 Cell Phone Plans for 2 Lines or More
Before we get into the nitty gritty, here‘s a high-level overview of my top picks:
| Plan | Key Features | Starting Price for 2 Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Visible | Unlimited data, uses Verizon‘s network | $90/month total |
| Mint Mobile | 4GB of data, uses T-Mobile‘s network | $60/month total |
| AT&T Unlimited Your Way | Unlimited data, customizable per line | $100/month total |
| US Mobile | Customizable prepaid plans | $18/month total |
| Google Fi Unlimited Plus | Unlimited domestic data, international coverage | $65/month total |
Now let‘s explore each of these top plans in more detail.
1. Visible – Best Overall Unlimited Plan
The best cell phone plan overall for two lines or more is Visible, which offers an unlimited everything plan for just $45 per month per line.
Here‘s an overview of what makes Visible such a stellar choice:
- Unlimited data, calling and texts – No worrying about surprise overage fees
- Verizon‘s fast and reliable network – Visible uses Verizon‘s robust LTE network, which scored #1 for network quality and speed in RootMetrics‘ latest testing
- $90/month total for two lines – At just $45 per line per month, the value is outstanding
- Mobile hotspot included – Use your data allowance on other devices at no extra charge
- No contracts – Leave anytime without early termination fees
- Easy signup and account management – Sign up and manage your account online with no hassle
According to June 2022 customer satisfaction data from Consumer Cellular, 93% of Visible customers are happy with the value they get from the service.
The only potential downside is that data speeds may be slowed in times of high network congestion. However, Visible still offers a great experience overall.
For affordable unlimited data on a top-tier network, Visible is my pick for best value cell plan for two lines or more.
2. Mint Mobile – Best Budget Cell Plan
If you‘re looking to save, Mint Mobile has excellent budget cell plans that work great for two lines or more.
Mint Mobile delivers premium features at bargain pricing:
- Use on T-Mobile‘s nationwide 5G & 4G LTE network – Take advantage of T-Mobile‘s fast and reliable wireless network
- 4GB of high-speed data per month – A solid data allotment for most light-to-moderate users
- Unlimited talk & text – Never worry about overages on your minutes or texts
- $30/month per line – At this price point for 4GB, it‘s tough to beat
- Mobile hotspot included – Turn your phone into a WiFi hotspot at no extra charge
- Free calls to Mexico & Canada – Save on international calls to neighboring countries
- No contracts or overage fees – Avoid early termination fees and surprise overages
According to a ValuePenguin study, Mint Mobile‘s plans scored #1 in value among the major prepaid carriers. And 91% of Mint Mobile customers report being satisfied with the service and coverage, per Consumer Cellular‘s 2022 survey.
The only catch is that data is capped at 4GB monthly, so heavier data users may need to opt for a higher allotment. But overall, Mint Mobile gives you the most bang for your buck.
3. AT&T Unlimited Your Way – Most Flexible Family Plan
AT&T Unlimited Your Way is my top pick for families that need maximum flexibility and customization across different lines.
With AT&T Unlimited Your Way, you can:
- Mix and match unlimited and tiered data for each line based on usage needs
- Get unlimited talk & text on each line
- Stream HD video and use data-intensive apps
- Use phone as a mobile hotspot to connect other devices
- Leverage AT&T‘s nationwide 5G and 4G LTE coverage for reliable service
- Make free calls to Mexico & Canada – save on international calls
Sample pricing breakdown:
- Unlimited data line: $75/month
- 8GB data line: $50/month
- Two lines with unlimited: $150/month total
While not the cheapest service, the unparalleled flexibility makes this a great pick for families who need customization. AT&T also consistently ranks well for network quality – its network tied Verizon for #1 in the latest RootMetrics testing.
4. US Mobile – Best Prepaid Pick
For prepaid cell phone plans, I recommend US Mobile for outstanding value and customization across multiple lines.
Key advantages of US Mobile‘s custom prepaid plans:
- Build the perfect plan by choosing data amounts from 1GB to unlimited and customizing talk & text
- Access Verizon‘s or T-Mobile‘s reliable networks and coverage
- Keep costs low with prepaid billing instead of a lengthy contract
- Change plans at any time as your needs evolve
- Prices start at $9/month per line for talk, text and 1GB data
Let‘s look at a sample two line scenario:
- Line 1: Unlimited talk & text with 10GB data = $25/month
- Line 2: Unlimited talk & text with 3GB data = $16/month
- Total for two lines = $41/month
While going prepaid means you‘ll need to pay full price for phones upfront, the savings on your monthly bill can make it worthwhile. You also get incredible flexibility to tailor plans to each line‘s usage.
5. Google Fi Unlimited Plus – Best for Travelers
For anyone who travels overseas frequently, Google Fi‘s Unlimited Plus plan is a top pick thanks to its unbeatable global coverage.
Why Google Fi Unlimited Plus is great for world travelers:
- Flat $65 monthly fee for 2+ lines – affordable compared to competitors
- Unlimited data, calls & texts in the US – never stress about overages stateside
- Unlimited texts worldwide – stay in touch while traveling abroad
- Data & calling in over 200 countries at no extra cost – stay connected while traveling
- Seamless network switching – move effortlessly between partner networks
According to February 2022 research by WhistleOut, Google Fi ranks as the #1 cell phone carrier for international travel and global connectivity.
The biggest downside is that Fi uses a smaller network of regional partners in the U.S., so domestic coverage may be spottier than Verizon, AT&T, etc in some areas. But for travel-loving families, the worldwide perks outweigh this con.
When researching family cell phone plans for two lines or more, there are a few key factors I recommend keeping top of mind:
Data allowance – Choose a plan with enough monthly high-speed data to cover all lines‘ usage, so you don‘t end up with overage fees or slower speeds. Unlimited data is ideal if within your budget.
Talk and text allowances – Look for plans with unlimited nationwide talk & text, especially with multiple lines. Unlimited is becoming the norm with most carriers.
Per line vs shared data buckets – Some plans give each line its own data to use, while others have one pool of data for all lines. Assess which approach best fits your family‘s needs.
Network coverage and reliability – Make sure to choose a carrier that offers strong and reliable network coverage in the areas you and your family use your phones the most. Verify coverage maps before selecting a provider.
Flexibility – If you think you may need to frequently change lines or data amounts, look for providers that allow easy plan adjustments and line additions/removals as needed.
Discounts for multiple lines – Most carriers offer percentage discounts for signing up for a family or group plan versus single lines, so you can save money. Take advantage of these discounts!
Top-notch customer service – Having knowledgeable and responsive customer support can be crucial. Check reviews to ensure your carrier excels at customer care.
Here‘s my 6-step method to guide you through choosing the ideal cell phone plan for your family‘s needs and budget:
Step 1: Estimate Each Line‘s Data Usage
First, think about how each family member uses their phone and apps. Does your spouse stream lots of video? Your kids use social media? This helps estimate a reasonable data allotment for each line. Don‘t forget to account for any tablets or devices also on the plan.
Step 2: Determine Talk Time Needs
While most plans now include unlimited talk minutes, if for some reason you need to limit talk time, take a look at each line‘s usage to determine the number of minutes required monthly. This ensures you choose a plan aligning with your family‘s needs.
Step 3: Consider Must-Have Features
Make a list of any key features or capabilities that are must-haves for you, such as mobile hotspot data, HD streaming, international calling, unlimited video streaming, and so on. Knowing your "non-negotiables" ahead of time will help narrow down the ideal plans.
Step 4: Research Carrier Options
Use the information above to shop plans from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and other major carriers. Compare their plan pricing and offerings at different data amounts to find options that match your usage and features.
Step 5: Read Credible Reviews
Don‘t forget to consult impartial customer reviews on sites like Consumer Reports and TrustPilot. Hearing unfiltered experiences from a carrier‘s current customers can provide insights you won‘t find on their marketing materials.
Step 6: Decide Prepaid vs Postpaid
Prepaid plans let you pay upfront and don‘t run credit checks, but may have fewer perks. Postpaid bills you monthly, may have activation fees, but offers more features. Choose what suits your family‘s needs.
Step 7: Select the Best Plan!
Once you‘ve weighed all the options, sign up for the cell phone plan that ticks all your boxes and provides the most value for your family. Then get ready to enjoy reasonable prices and seamless connectivity!
Here are some important questions to get answers to before committing to a new wireless plan for your family or group:
What‘s the monthly price per line? – Compare base prices across different carriers and plans, being sure to factor in fees and taxes.
Are there multi-line or family discounts? – Most carriers offer percentage discounts for adding more lines. A family plan can lead to significant savings over single plans.
Does each line get its own data, or is there shared data? – Think about which approach best fits your family – individual buckets or a pooled data allowance to pull from.
What networks does the provider use for coverage? – Double check that the carrier has strong regional coverage and powerful nationwide networks.
How reliable is the network and coverage? – Verify the carrier‘s coverage by consulting independent testing and reviews for metrics like speed and reliability.
Is the data allowance shared or per line? – For shared data, ensure there‘s enough for all users. For individual data, each person can pick the right allotment.
Does the plan include hotspot/tethering data? – This functionality lets you use your phone‘s data allowance on other connected devices like tablets and laptops.
Are there overage charges or data throttling? – Learn what happens if you exceed the plan‘s data amount – extra charges or slower speeds?
Is there a long-term contract required? – Contracts may offer device discounts but limit flexibility. No contracts offer more freedom to switch carriers.
How‘s the provider‘s customer service reputation? – Look for carriers with responsive customer support and knowledgeable reps able to address issues.
There are some great advantages to family and multi-line cell phone plans over individual plans, including:
Save money – Most carriers offer significant discounts for signing up for a family or shared plan versus having separate single-line plans. Multi-line plans can lead to serious savings, especially for 3 or more lines.
Simplify billing – Rather than receiving multiple separate bills each month, you‘ll get one easy consolidated bill for the whole family‘s plan. Much simpler to track!
Share data allowance – On plans with pooled data, you have full flexibility to divvy up data usage across lines as needed each billing cycle. Helpful if usage fluctuates month-to-month per person.
Centralized account management – Your online account dashboard makes it easy to monitor all lines in one place and make any account adjustments needed.
Leverage carrier family plan deals – Take advantage of provider discounts like "bring your own device" offers and occasional free 3rd or 4th line promotions.
Split costs evenly – Family members or roommates on the plan can conveniently split the monthly bill to save individually. Cost-sharing made simple!
Monitor usage with ease – Keep close tabs on cumulative talk, text and data usage for the entire account via your online dashboard or mobile app.
Add or change lines conveniently – Plans with no contracts allow you to easily add new lines or change existing lines as family members come and go.
I hope this guide has helped shed light on the top cell phone plan options for your family or group needs! The great news is that carriers offer lots of money-saving and convenient plans for two lines or more.
My top overall recommendation is Visible, thanks to the unlimited data on Verizon‘s high-performing network at an affordable $90 monthly price for two lines. But be sure to consider all the options and what capabilities are most important for your family.
Feel free to reach out if any other questions come up while deciding on a multi-line plan! I‘m happy to provide any other insights that will help you make the right choice. Time to start saving money and connecting better with the ones you love.
){kind=link}