Key Points
- Our top pick for the #1 best overall cell phone plan for 3 lines is Mint Mobile’s Unlimited Premium Wireless Plan.
- Family plans provide significant savings over the course of a year, and it consolidates expenses that otherwise might have been difficult to control.
- You can personalize your family plan based on your projected use (talk time, texts, and data usage) so you aren’t purchasing any unnecessary features.
- Sometimes, there are extra benefits included with family plans, like earlier upgrades to your devices.
- Most major cell providers offer some form of family plan that you can adjust based on the number of people who need coverage.
With varying schedules, needs, and responsibilities, ensuring that everyone in your family is available for instant communication is vital. Today, a cell phone is no longer a luxury, it truly is a necessity.
Still, cell phones can be expensive; the phone bill alone can set you back around $100 a month for just one person. Adding more family to the mix can bump up your costs quite a bit. Thankfully, there are lots of family plans out there that can help you cut costs without sacrificing quality service.
We’ve curated this list of the best family plans for 3 lines that meet criteria like affordability, reliability, and a few other important elements.
| Company | Plan | Price | Coverage Aera | 5G Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile | The Modern Family Plan | $15/line | Nationwide | Yes |
| Boost Mobile | Customizable Plans | $5/line | Nationwide | Yes |
| Tello | Customizable Plans | $10/line | Nationwide | Yes |
| US Mobile | Customizable Plans | $12/line | Nationwide | Yes |
Please Note: We do our best to find accurate prices for phone plans, but things change, and these prices will fluctuate over time. Before making a move, consider visiting the provider’s official website for the most accurate information regarding the price and availability of these phone plans.
History Computer’s Top Picks for the Best Cell Phone Plans for 3 Lines
$90.00Buy Now on Amazon- 3 months of unlimited talk, text, and data on the 5G network
- 10GB of mobile hotspot
- Wi-Fi calling and texting
- Free international calls to Mexico and Canada
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11/27/2023 07:41 am GMT
Buy Now on Amazon- 3 months of unlimited talk and text
- High-speed data
- Compatible with most unlocked devices
- 15GB of data
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
$14.00Buy Now on Amazon- 5GB of data
- Includes a universal SIM card
- International calls to 60+ countries
- Service provider: T-Mobile
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11/27/2023 04:27 pm GMT
$19.99Buy Now on Amazon- Includes mobile hotspot
- Uncapped data, talk, and text
- No contract
- 2 nationwide LTE networks to choose from
- Uses Verizon's network
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 04:33 pm GMT
#1 Best Overall Cell Phone Plan for 3 Lines (or More): Mint Mobile’s Modern Family Plan
- 3 months of unlimited talk, text, and data on the 5G network
- 10GB of mobile hotspot
- Wi-Fi calling and texting
- Free international calls to Mexico and Canada
Mint Mobile’s Modern Family Plan is our top overall pick for 3 lines (or more). Mint Mobile offers low-cost prepaid plans through T-Mobiles 4G or 5G service. T-Mobile’s recent purchase of the brand Mint Mobile expanded availability and improved coverage for its users.
Despite the merger, Mint Mobile is dedicated to its mission of providing low-cost cell service nationwide. They were able to keep their baseline pricing, which is what draws most users to their services.
The provider’s family plan eliminates major up-front costs that usually come with contracted multiline plans. Now, with the upgraded version of their old family plan, you can pay quarterly instead of in yearly bulk, saving hundreds of dollars annually on 3 lines or more.
Mint Mobile achieves two huge goals: cost-effectiveness and high-quality service.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s an affordable multi-month service for multiple lines. | There’s no monthly plan option. |
| DIY setup is user-friendly even for beginners. | Can’t reach customer service at a store. |
| There’s no extra charge for 5G. | |
| The app is navigable. |
Best Cell Phone Plan for the Best 5G Coverage: Boost Mobile
- 3 months of unlimited talk and text
- High-speed data
- Compatible with most unlocked devices
- 15GB of data
Boost Mobile’s 3-Line Plan is the best for 5G coverage. Boost Mobile has made massive strides over the years. Operating through AT&T and T-Mobile 5G networks, Boost Mobile’s 3-line family plan will set you back $90/month for all of your lines.
This plan offers unlimited talk and text at unbeatable 5G speeds. Their coverage is reliable, offering service nationwide. Plus, you can change or end your family plan at any time.
A contract-free family plan is a good option for families with rotating schedules. The commitment-less aspect allows you to enjoy your high-quality 5G service on your terms, freely exploring other options as your priorities change.
Boost Mobile’s 5G is impressively fast, despite being on the more budget-friendly side of things. It can certainly handle everyone on your family plan using their devices at the same time, so there’s no need to tell anyone to log off.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 3 Lines for $90/month = $30/Line | There are fewer phone options. |
| No annual contracts | Wavering customer service experiences. |
| High-quality, fast 5G service | Subjected to slower loading times when there is higher network traffic (i.e. you’re in a large crowd). |
Best Budget Phone Plan for 3 Lines (or More): Tello
- 5GB of data
- Includes a universal SIM card
- International calls to 60+ countries
- Service provider: T-Mobile
Our pick for the best budget-friendly family phone plan for 3 or more lines is Tello. This provider doesn’t use contracts or hidden fees, ensuring that what you see is what you get. They are partnered with T-Mobile so you can take advantage of their 5G network capabilities.
You can bring any phone that you want to Tello, so long as it’s unlocked and SIM-compatible! Most popular smartphone models will transfer. Just make sure that your phone is completely unlocked.
Tello’s price points are really hard to beat, especially if you need to have multiple lines on one plan. You’d see significant savings even if you needed four or more lines on the same plan, though!
Unlike Mint Mobile, Tello allows you to pay month-to-month. Even with Mint’s new quarterly payment plans, buying in bulk can still be tricky for your budget. Therefore, Tello is the best true budget-friendly option for a 3 (or more) line plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There’s responsive customer service. | There are no physical stores. |
| There’s international coverage. | There are limits on “unlimited” plans (read the fine print). |
| Mobile hotspot data is available. | Slow network speeds during congestion. |
| Transferrable phones with a SIM card. | Not a lot of options to buy through Tello. |
Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plan for 3 Lines (or More): US Mobile
- Includes mobile hotspot
- Uncapped data, talk, and text
- No contract
- 2 nationwide LTE networks to choose from
- Uses Verizon's network
Our pick for the best prepaid cell phone plan for 3 or more lines is US Mobile. This no-strings-attached provider is honest about what their services offer, ensuring that there is no confusion for anyone included in your plan.
They utilize Verizon and T-Mobile’s cellphone towers to provide excellent 4G and 5G service to their customers. Though they may be an affordable prepaid option, they do not cut corners in terms of quality.
You can get 3 lines for just $25/line/month. You can also upgrade your service based on features like 5G, unlimited talk, text, data, and more. Texts send without delays, and audio tends to be crystal clear for calls and streaming.
Most smartphones work with US Mobile. Like the other providers on the list, you can ask if your unlocked smartphone can be transferred to the carrier with a new SIM card. Ultimately, this prepaid option is flexible, reliable, and unbeatably affordable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 24/7 customer support line via phone and live chat. | There are no physical stores. |
| Affordable 5G data. | There are additional taxes and fees. |
| You can choose between Verizon and T-Mobile powered service. | They don’t have many options of phones to buy through US Mobile. |
| You can bring almost any phone to the carrier at no additional charge. |
How to Pick the Best Cell Phone Plans for 3 Lines (or More): Step by Step
©Kostenko Maxim/Shutterstock.com
You might not know where to begin when you’re choosing the best family plan for 3 or more lines. That’s totally okay — we’ll walk you through it step by step.
Even if you’re a total beginner with this sort of thing, it shouldn’t take too long for you to find the right plan for you and your family.
Let’s break it down into a short 5-step process.
Step 1: Your Needs
Every family is different, and every family has a different set of communication needs. You know what’s best for your family, but to find the right phone provider, you have to have a more analytical approach.
Look at past phone bills for everyone on your plan; you get a lot of insight based on the average amount of talking, texting, and data everyone is using. Thoroughly analyzing these elements provides a non-biased perspective before you make a big decision.
Think about if you want to buy a new phone, or use one you already have. Many plans require you to bring your own phone. So, make sure you have a device lined up already.
Step 2: Browse Carriers
Once you’ve thoroughly analyzed your needs, you can begin windowshopping for carriers. Our list has a wide variety of options, but there are tons out there that are worth exploring. First, ensure that the carrier you’re looking at is a reliable, reputable business.
There are many affordable options for multiline plans these days, and it’s best to be careful! Plus, many of these carriers have differences based on your location. Prioritize checking each carrier for specific availability in your zip code.
Step 3: Browse Plans
Now that you have a carrier, it’s time to look at plans. Compare prices, features, and network availability across each plan to see which is best for you.
Some plans might offer special discounts for groups, so be sure to look for those options because they can be easy to miss! Otherwise, double-check data allowance and shared data–these elements can become tricky later on.
Step 4: Browse Contract Options
Many people prefer the freedom that comes with contractless, prepaid phone plans for their families. However, some people do prefer contracted options because they come with different features and sometimes even perks.
A contracted phone line will allow you to upgrade phones every year on a “lease” where a fee is added to your phone bill to cover the device every month. A prepaid line would require you to pay for the phone in full when you sign on with the carrier.
Step 5: Reviews
©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com
Reviews are one of the best marketing tools for brands because nothing is stronger than word-of-mouth recommendations. Real customers don’t lie about their experience; if something is good, they’ll say so, and if it’s bad, they’ll really say so!
Ask your friends and family about their experiences with your prospective carriers if they have any. You can also read reviews on sites like Yelp or Reddit.
There are tons of Reddit threads available for most carriers, and the reviews are the most honest you’ll get online, probably.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Cell Phone Plans for 3 Lines (or More)
It can feel like an uphill battle if you are buying a phone plan for three or more people with minimal knowledge of the topic. Thankfully, the learning curve is not as steep as it may seem.
Instead, there are a few simple factors to consider before you buy the best cell phone plan for 3 or more lines:
- Pricing & Flexibility: Each plan will have varied pricing and flexibility. Some plans are incredibly flexible, allowing you to essentially come and go as you please. Others, however, incur more costs, like those that ask you to buy in bulk instead of quarterly or monthly. Look carefully at the fine print of every plan before you commit to it.
- Coverage: Most carriers will insinuate that their coverage is “Nationwide” without going into much detail about what that means. Sure, their phones work “Nationwide” — in theory. However, some carriers work better in certain areas depending on who owns the cell towers. Plus, some carriers do not provide service in certain zip codes.
- International Use: How much do you travel? If travel, especially international travel, is important to you, you should look for a plan that offers international coverage. There are plenty of prepaid and contracted options that offer great international coverage for those who love a bit of adventure.
- Data: Unlimited data plans are not always as unlimited as they claim to be, especially for shared family plan situations. Look closely at what you’re buying before you make a big decision because there could be a quiet cap on data (for example, 25GB/month) or you could be sharing data with your family. Any one user has the potential to take up all the monthly data if you don’t read the details carefully.
Using the Best Cell Phone Plans for 3 Lines (or More): What It’s Like
Paying three separate bills is a hassle. The cell phone bill is a monthly nuisance. So, consolidating it in any way is a financial relief, especially if you opt for prepaid plans or other cost-effective options.
Nobody has an excuse for not staying in touch or being available for contact, because you know exactly how much talking, texting, and data they have available per month. Plus, you can monitor your kids’ screen time by keeping caps on the shared data that’s available.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ViDI Studio/Shutterstock.com.
