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If you're interested in cutting those bills right down, our guide to this month's AT&T prepaid plans is sure to be handy. AT&T, like most of the other big carriers tends to focus on its big 'postpaid' unlimited plans, although that hasn't stopped it from offering up some pretty great prepaid options all around. Unlike those from the other carriers, there's quite a variation on offer too which shows AT&T is more willing to offer decent prepaid alternatives than most. In general, AT&T prepaid plans are cheaper, simpler, and also don't need a lengthy contract. We're deep-diving into the current lineup just down below.
AT&T prepaid plans: jump links
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4. Should I pay for single or multi-month?
5. What other carriers are there?
If you're visiting this page, you probably already have a general idea about AT&T's current prepaid plans, however, what you might not know is there are actually a few different plan types to take advantage of. Both the traditional pay-monthly plans and multi-month bundles are actually available via AT&T, and we'll be comparing both of these services directly with a full price breakdown just below.
And, If you're you're simply researching affordable plans in general, we've also included our views on how AT&T's prepaid plans shape up against the in general as well as the best prepaid plans from other carriers. At the bottom of the page, you'll find details in particular about other compelling options like Verizon prepaid plans, Visible, and Mint Mobile to name a few.
Before we get into the current AT&T prepaid plan offerings and pricing, we'll just quickly summarize what AT&T as a service brings to the table. Here we've included the main pros and cons of going prepaid, as well as things a couple of things we think you should know before you dive right in.
Recent updates
Added all of AT&T's latest prepaid plans (several amendments for 2024).
AT&T prepaid plans at a glance
Why go AT&T Prepaid?
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Affordable single lines
AT&T prepaid plans offer a simple, cheap way to get your hands on a set amount of data each month without the need for a lengthy contract. Compared to the standard post-paid unlimited data plans at AT&T, these prepaid plans are generally really affordable for single-line users especially.
More upfront, bigger savings
Unlike those offered by most bigger carriers, AT&T prepaid plans give you the option to pay monthly or for a whole year in one upfront payment. The latter might sound like a bad option, but it comes with an overall lower monthly price on average that can save you a ton of cash in the long run.
No credit check
Compared to AT&T's postpaid plans, there's no associated credit check for when you sign up with an AT&T prepaid plan. So, if credit is a concern for you, or you're simply working on building up your score in the meanwhile, these plans are readily available to you.
Why avoid AT&T Prepaid?
Limited features
AT&T prepaid plans, while cheap, are essentially the 'basic' option from the carrier. Subsequently, they do away with some of the juicy perks that most customers enjoy on the post-paid unlimited plans. These include things like high-definition video quality, prioritized data speeds, a bigger mobile hotspot allowance, and even free subscriptions to streaming services like HBO Max.
No enticing phone deals
While cheaper in regards to plan expenses, AT&T prepaid plans don't tend to offer access to the juiciest at any one time. The carrier really likes to reserve these for its prepaid customers, so if you've got your heart set on bagging one of the , you'll likely not get a discount unless you sign up for a more expensive plan. If you happen to have a device to trade-in in particular this can be a strong option, as rebates on postpaid plans can be upwards of $700.
Extra expenses
While some service providers have opted for a simpler and more transparent pricing system, AT&T still offers plans that have taxes and fees piled on top of the price you see at first. So, expect to pay a bit more each month than whatever the 'price tag' indicates.
Current AT&T prepaid plans
AT&T prepaid unlimited plans
AT&T's most recent prepaid plans are all unlimited data options. They're essentially stripped-down versions of the carrier's more well-known postpaid plans and include varying amounts of priority data and multiple price points. While more restrictive than the carrier's 'true' unlimited data plans, these can still be a good option for those who require a decent amount of data per month but don't want to sign up to a lengthy 36-month contract.
AT&T Unlimited prepaid 12-month plan | $300 upfront ($25/mo)
AT&T's recently switched up its prepaid plan lineup to include this superb annual plan - which offers unlimited data, talk, and text, for just $25 per month. As you've probably already guessed, the catch with this one is that you need to pay $300 upfront for a whole year, which is quite a bit. Also, according to the T&C your 5G data speeds will be capped down to 1.5Mpbs after 12GB of usage, which is much more restrictive than the usual post-paid offering and the 10GB mobile hotspot allowance isn't huge either. Still, this is the best value AT&T prepaid plan right now and a great option if you don't mind paying upfront for a year.
Yearly cost: $300 | Monthly cost: $25
AT&T Unlimited prepaid monthly plan | $40 per month
Just want a decently priced unlimited plan and not too bothered about the speeds? The standard pay-monthly AT&T prepaid unlimited plan could be a good option for you. This is a 4G plan so its data speeds are capped out at 3Mpbs for the first 30GB and up to 1.5Mpbs thereafter, but all your data is completely unlimited here so you'll never run out. Other bonuses to this plan include unlimited roaming to Mexico and Canada. Since no mobile hotspot is allowed here and the pay-yearly plan is much cheaper overall, we'd recommend the above option if you're willing to shell out $300 upfront.
Yearly cost: $480 | Monthly cost: $40 (1 mo)
AT&T Unlimited + 5GB hotspot prepaid monthly plan | $50 per month
In addition to the basic pay-monthly prepaid unlimited plan outlined above, AT&T also offers a more premium 5G version with 5GB mobile hotspot. At $50 per month, this one is creeping into post-paid price territory but you don't need to pay upfront for a full year with this one. You'll also get unlimited data on the AT&T 5G network as well as free roaming to Mexico and Canada. Overall, this one is a pretty good deal versus the basic $40/mo unlimited plan but it is subject to deprioritized speeds if the local area is particularly busy.
Yearly cost: $600 | Monthly cost: $50 (1 mo)
AT&T set-data prepaid plans
Another option for AT&T prepaid plans is the more traditional set-data-allowance plans, which offer relatively low monthly costs but will tie you down with limited data each month. Generally speaking, these can be a pretty good option if you're just looking for the basics but there are cheaper third-party carriers out there that offer similar cheap cell phone plans, so we'd recommend shopping about if you're really on a budget.
AT&T 5GB prepaid plan | $30 per month
The cheapest traditional prepaid plan at AT&T, this 5GB plan could be a good option if you're looking for the basics and don't want to pay for a full year upfront for the annual unlimited plan. While the 5GB data allowance is a little on the low side, all these set-data plans include data rollover, mobile hotspot, and 5G access where applicable. Overall, it's not a bad deal but 5GB won't go far if you're streaming tons of content on your device.
Yearly cost: $360 | Monthly cost: $30
AT&T 8GB prepaid plan | $33 per month
For just $3 per month more than the basic 5GB plan you can get this 8GB plan, which could be a better option if you're someone who regularly streams on the go. Aside from the expanded data, this is essentially the same plan with its 5G data, mobile hotspot, and rollover data, although you will also get HD streaming on this plan (the 5GB plan is capped out at standard definition).
Yearly cost: $396 | Monthly cost: $33
AT&T 15GB prepaid plan | $33 per month
The last plan in AT&T's prepaid lineup is the standard 15GB option, which is again a pay-monthly plan with a set data allowance, 5G data, mobile hotspot, HD streaming, and data rollover. At $40, this one is definitely on the pricey side for a prepaid plan but it could be a good option for a few months if you want to check out the service before committing.
Yearly cost: $480 | Monthly cost: $40
AT&T Prepaid plans: FAQ
Is it better to pay monthly or for multiple months upfront?
Multi-month is the best value overall but it obviously comes with the caveat of having to pay a significant fee upfront - up to $300 for the yearly unlimited data plan. They are also relatively stripped out when it comes to additional features like mobile hotspot allowance.
If you can afford to pay for your plan upfront, however, then it makes perfect sense to go for the yearly unlimited plan as it comes out as much cheaper on a monthly average.
How do AT&T's prepaid plans compare against the competition?
AT&T certainly has the name recognition, but that doesn't mean it's the best player on the market for prepaid and affordable mobile plans.
Mint Mobile plans are a very, very competitive alternative to the likes of AT&T prepaid. While running on the T-Mobile network specifically, Mint Mobile operates a similar 'buy-in-bulk' pricing scheme to the best value AT&T prepaid plans. At $25 per month, the Mint unlimited data plan averages out at the same price as the annual AT&T unlimited plan but includes 40GB of priority data instead of 16GB. Mint's set-data-allowance plans also generally run cheaper than AT&T's so it's also a great option if you're simply looking for the bare minimum.
If you don't want to pay upfront for a multi-month plan but do plan on sticking with one carrier for a while, you may like Verizon's prepaid options. Verizon prepaid plans offer a reduced rate, a special loyalty discount, after your first three months and again after nine months. However, they are otherwise more expensive than AT&T's comparable offers.
For high data needs we'd highly recommend Verizon's subsidiary carrier Visible Wireless. This excellent prepaid carrier offers completely unlimited 5G data and hotspot for as little as $25 per month - which is close to unbeatable from a value perspective right now. Since you don't have to pay for multiple months upfront, Visible is a great choice for those on a budget, just note that it's subject to deprioritization on its basic tier plan.
Another good option for unlimited data prepaid plans is Metro by T-Mobile. This T-Mobile subsidiary offers an unlimited data plan for as little as $40 per month with access to T-Mobile Tuesday perks. Crucially, it also offers discounts for multi-line plans, which can be useful if you're looking for a decent family-friendly option.
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Mark Knapp
Over the last several years, Mark has been tasked as a writer, an editor, and a manager, interacting with published content from all angles. He is intimately familiar with the editorial process from the inception of an article idea, through the iterative process, past publishing, and down the road into performance analysis.
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