Best Family Data Plan - AT&T v. Verizon v. Sprint v. T-Mobile
Family Plan Face-Off: What’s the Best Deal?
If you’ve got a house full of smartphone users, a family or “shared” plan can save you a lot of money by bundling your accounts together at a reduced cost per line. Most often these plans involve a single, shared bucket of data.
For example, the cost of four separate AT&T accounts with 2GB of data each adds up to about $220, while a four-member family plan costs $160 for 10GB of shared data. However, MetroPCS charges for $100 for four lines with 1GB of data reserved for each one.
Total Monthly Cost(4 lines)
$160 (Next)$260 (contract)
$100/month
$100/month
$100 (for 20GB)
$100 (10GB)
$140 (Edge)$240 (contract)
$86.92/month
Each Line Access Fee
$15 on Next$40 (contract)
$15 (waived thru 2015)
$60 ( 3GB)$40 (2 3GB)$20 (3rd & 4th lines)
$15 (Edge)$40 (contract)
Data Amount
1GB per line
1GB per line
Talk and Text
750 mins, 1500 texts
*Does not include taxes, fees and device payments
Each of the big four carriers offers some type of family plan as do prepaid leaders such as Virgin Mobile , MetroPCS, and Cricket. To help you find the best value, we’ve compared each provider’s cost for a four-member family plan with roughly 2.5GB (the average amount smartphone users consume) of data per phone.
Overall Value
At first glance, Sprint’s Family Share Pack offers the best value. Not only is it the cheapest of the lot at $100 a month, but also you get 20GB of data (if you sign up before January 2015). That’s double the 10GB offered by the other Big Four carriers. But T-Mobile’s lines ($100 for 10GB 4-line pack for a limited time or $180 for unlimited data for four) come with free international data roaming packed in, as well as free music streaming and no data overages. And Sprint, for all the value it provides, has some of the worst 4G LTE performance in major cities across the nation.
Both AT&T and Verizon’s family plans with 10GB will cost you more than $200 ($260 / $240), unless you sign up for each company’s early-upgrade plan (AT&T Next or Verizon Edge), which will lower that rate to $160 and $140 respectively. Be aware though, that both AT&T and Verizon’s early upgrade plans
over two years than traditional two-year plans do.
Prepaid providers such as Virgin Mobile have enticing sub-$100 prices for a four-line plan, but these often come with tiny data allotments and a limit on the amount of texts and calls you can make. But that could be perfect for cash-strapped people who just want a line for texting and Facebook check-ins.
T-Mobile and AT&T recently launched programs that let you rollover your unused data at the end of each month, so your leftover megabytes don’t go to waste. The Uncarrier lets you keep your unused bandwidth for up to a year, though, while AT&T only allows you to roll them over to the next month.
Plan Size and Flexibility
All of the Big Four carriers now let you add up to 10 members to your package, but only Sprint gives you double the data offered by competitors at the same price range. For a limited time starting Dec. 10, T-Mobile gives your group of four unlimited data for $180. And while prepaid carriers may entice with their low prices, these smaller players offer far less LTE data to share, and you can only add up to 4 or 5 lines to your plan.
Flexibility is also important to consider, as your family members might eventually want to break away and pay their own phone bill. Both T-Mobile and Sprint don’t tie you down to an annual commitment, so members can leave anytime they want.
Prepaid carriers also offer plans with much less commitment than their post-paid counterparts. But these smaller players offer a much more limited range of available smartphones, so those looking to get a good deal on a leading handset should make sure they like the device selection being offered.
If there are young kids in your group that need a basic setup with just calls and texts, Virgin Mobile’s family plan comes with a useful tool that lets you specifically allocate the amount of minutes and messages your members get. The carrier’s app even comes with a custom control feature that lets you set curfews and restrictions on app and phone use. Verizon also offers a similar feature via its My Verizon and FamilyBase portals.
Total Monthly Cost(4 lines, 10GB)
$160 (Next)$260 (contract)
$100 (for 20GB)
$100 (10GB)
$140 (Edge)$240 (contract)
Each Line Access Fee
$15 on Next$40 (contract)
$15 (waived thru 2015)
$60 ( 3GB)$40 (2 3GB)$20 (3rd & 4th lines)
$15 (Edge)$40 (contract)
Data Cost (~10GB)
Included in line cost
Included in line cost
Unlimited Talk & Text
If you’re looking to take away or add members to a family plan, you’ll need some more details. Here’s how the plans break down.
AT&T’s 10GB Mobile Share plan costs $100 a month, and each device’s access fee
to that data varies depending on how you get it. If you buy your handset through AT&T’s early-upgrade program Next, bring an existing smartphone or buy a new device at full retail value, that access fee is $15 a month. If you get your phone on a two-year contract, that fee jumps to $40, which could add $100 to your monthly bill.
If you don’t want to subscribe to Next, you might want to look at what T-Mobile and Sprint have to offer for families to avoid the hefty access fees.
With more than 400 markets covered by its 4G LTE network though, AT&T is one of the better options for those who need reliable data coverage in the nation. Coming in third in our 4G tests in ,
and and second in , AT&T’s LTE speeds aren’t the best, but you’ll find it good enough for most uses.
AT&T also lets you
your unused data at the end of each month to the next month, so your leftover bandwidth won’t go to waste.
Lines: Up to 10Price: $40 per month for each device on 2-year contract, $15 for each non-subsidized handsetData: $100 for 10GB Unlimited Talk and Text: Yes
If you sign up by Jan. 15 2015, Sprint will give you 20GB of data to share among up to 10 members for $100 a month. This Family Share Pack deal only applies to those switching to Sprint from another carrier though — existing customers will have to pay the waived $15 per device to get on the plan.
After that, you can still get 20GB on the Family Share Pack, but you’ll have to pay the $15 data access fee per line. If you choose to get your phone through Sprint Easy Pay (the company’s installment plan) or bring your own, then there are no contracts or early termination fees. This means you could leave the carrier whenever you want.
While Sprint’s prices are the lowest of the lot, its 4G network’s performance scrapes the bottom of the barrel. Coming in last in our 4G tests in ,
and , Sprint’s crawling data speeds will infuriate you. The carrier is in the process of rolling out its enhanced LTE network Spark, which proved zippy when available, such as in our
test. Make sure you’re covered by Spark before buying a Sprint plan.
Lines: Up to 10Price: $100 total for one to ten linesData: 20GB (included in line cost)Unlimited Talk and Text: Yes
T-Mobile is a good fit for the commitment-wary family, as the Simple Choice plan is a month-to-month agreement with no early-termination fees. And if your young ones spend more time on Facebook than your data plan allows, T-Mobile will simply slow your data speed down to 2G or 3G, rather than charging you overage fees (a la AT&T and Verizon). The Simple Choice plan also comes with free international data and unlimited streaming music at no extra cost.
From Dec. 10, 2014 to an undisclosed end date, T-Mobile is offering an unlimited Simple Choice plan starting at two lines for $100 a month. Each additional line (up to 10) costs $40. That means a family of four can get unlimited data at $180 a month. For a limited time starting Dec. 10 (no end date announced), you can also get 10GB of data to share between four lines for $100 a month.
T-Mobile also offers customers a , which lets you store your unused megabytes every month for later use. You can keep your leftover bandwidth for up to a year — more than the month-to-month period AT&T offers. Every T-Mobile line gets 10GB of free 4G LTE data to start with, making it an enticing option for data sharks.
The Uncarrier’s speedy network will serve you well, where available. It came in tops in , second in
and , and third in during our tests of 4G performance in major American cities.
Lines: Up to 10Price: $50/$60/$70/$80 for line one (depending on data plan), $30 for line two , $10 for each additional lineData: $50 for 1GB, $60 for 3GB, $70 for 5GB, $80 for unlimited (prices apply to primary phone line)Unlimited Talk and Text: Yes
Verizon Wireless
Thanks to a recent promotion (Verizon has not disclosed an end-date), Verizon Wireless’ 10GB Share Everything plan will run you $80 per month. To add lines to this plan, you’ll have to pay an access fee, which varies depending on how you buy your device. If you got your handset via a two-year contract and an upfront payment, your access fee per line is $40, taking your total with four devices to $240.
If you get your phones with Verizon’s early-upgrade plan Edge, though, each line’s cost drops to $15, so your monthly total becomes just $140. That’s cheaper than AT&T’s $160 for the same setup.
Verizon’s plan is ideal for parents, as you can set monthly data allowances and texting curfews for your children. You can also use the My Verizon hub to make changes to your data plan without affecting your contract terms.
Those heavily dependent on mobile data will appreciate Verizon for its speedy 4G LTE performance. The carrier took first place in our performance tests in ,
and , losing to T-Mobile (first place) and AT&T (second) in .
Lines: Up to 10Price: $40 per month per line (contract); $15 on EdgeData: Starts at $20 per month for 500MB, $40 for 1GB, then goes up $10 for every 1GB of dataUnlimited Talk and Text: Yes
Prepaid Carriers: Plans Compared (4 lines*)
Total Monthly Cost(4 lines)
$86.92 (Custom)$115
(Data Done Right)
$100/month
$100/month
Cost Per Line
$16.10 (Custom)$28.75 (Data Done Right)
Amount of Data
4096MB to share (Custom)12 GB (Data Done Right)
1GB LTE# per line
1GB LTE# per line
Talk & Text
750 mins, 1500 texts (Custom)Unlimited (Data Done Right)
*Does not include taxes, fees and device payments
#Unlimited throttled data after 1GB LTE limit
Prepaid carriers tend not to offer as generous LTE data limits as the major providers do, and have less extensive device selections, but they’re often cheaper, and don’t require a commitment. You can also add or take away from your plan more frequently.
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile offers two ways to get shared data — through its Data Done Right and Custom plans, both Walmart exclusives. The
plans give you 4GB to share between two lines for $65 per month, 8GB for three lines at $90 a month and 12GB for four lines at $115. You can get more high-speed (3G/4G) data at $10 a month for 1GB ($15 for 2GB).
Bear in mind, though, that the $20 activation fee per line adds a one-time $80 to your package.
lets you add up to five lines to your group at $6.98 per device. Then, you add as many texts, minutes and data as you’d like, which will change the overall monthly price. A four-line Custom plan with 750 minutes, 1,500 texts and approximately 1GB each member adds up to $86.92. This means you can get a decent package at a cheaper price than on the major carriers.
The beauty of Virgin Mobile’s offerings is the you can get over the amount of
each line in your group gets. With an app for iOS and Android, the primary user can not only dictate the specific bandwidth that each member gets, but also set curfews and restrictions on apps and device usage.
Each multi-line plan on Data Done Right also comes with a Mobile Hotspot feature for easier tethering.
Three phones are compatible with Custom right now — the ZTE Emblem, LG Pulse and LG Unify. The latter is the only one of the three that’s LTE-capable. Data Done Right is available with just four 4G LTE phones at launch — the HTC Desire 510 ($100), LG Tribute ($80), LG Volt ($150) and Samsung Galaxy Core Prime ($130). Virgin says more devices are expected to be added by the end of February.
Network: SprintLines: Custom: Up to 5 / Data Done Right: Up to 4Price: Custom: $6.98 per month per line / Data Done Right: starting from $30 per month per lineData: Custom: starts at $1.40 per month for 20MB, $8 for 250MB, $13.50 for 500MB and up / Unlimited Talk and Text: Custom: No / Data Done Right: Yes
At $100 for 4 lines, MetroPCS’s limited time offer is a steal. Each device gets 1GB of data at LTE speeds (on compatible devices), unlimited 2G/3G bandwidth after that cap, unlimited talk, text and caller ID. The package is available in MetroPCS stores and authorized dealers.
That 1GB of LTE data isn’t much compared to Sprint’s 20GB cap at the same price, but light users won’t really need much more than that for Facebook check-ins and mobile Web browsing. The 4-line plan also includes visual voicemail, premium directory assistance and three-way calling.
MetroPCS offers the Samsung Galaxy S5, Alcatel Onetouch Evolve, LG Optimus L70 and ZTE Aspect as part of its lineup. It rides on T-Mobile’s network, which provides solid data speeds where available.
Network: T-MobileLines: Up to 4Price: $25 per month per lineData: 1GB LTE, unlimited 2G/3G afterUnlimited Talk and Text: Yes
Cricket Wireless
Riding on AT&T’s network, Cricket offers a $100 monthly deal, but you can get up to 5 lines at that price. But Cricket’s Group Save promotion is actually a series of discounts on its $40 Basic smartphone plan, with every new line getting an additional $10 discount on its monthly price. So the second line costs $30 a month, the third costs $20 and the fourth $10. Add that all up and you get four lines for $100 and the fifth one thrown in for nothing. The maximum monthly discount is $100.
On Cricket’s Basic plan, you get 1GB of LTE data access, with speeds reduced after you hit that limit. You also get unlimited talk and text.
If you need more high-speed data, Cricket also offers Smart and Pro plans that offer 3GB and 10GB of LTE access respectively, and the Group Save promotion applies to these lines too. The Pro and Smart packages also come with unlimited international texting, and those who need more data can add an extra 1GB for $10 a month.
The company offers such smartphones as the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Moto G and a wide array of other handsets.
Network: AT&TLines: Up to 5Price: $40 for first Basic line, $30 for second, $20 for third, $10 for fourth and $0 for fifthData: 1GB LTE, unlimited 2G/3G Smart plan has 3GB for $50, Pro has 10GB for $60Unlimited Talk and Text: Yes
Bottom Line
If you can get good Sprint connectivity in your area, the carrier’s new Family Share Pack offers the best value among the big four, with double the amount of data for less money. Data-hungry consumers should consider T-Mobile’s limited-time Simple Choice unlimited data plans, that add up to $180 a month for four. That plan
has no annual commitment and comes with free international roaming and an appealing Data Stash for rolled-over megabytes.
The smaller carriers offer a variety of inexpensive plans for consumers who don’t need as much data or want a prepaid plan. Virgin Mobile’s Custom plan lets you set tight parental controls and is the least-expensive plan, but rides on Sprint’s network while MetroPCS and Cricket ride on T-Mobile and AT&T respectively while offering similarly inexpensive plans and access to some popular phones, including the Galaxy S5.
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Cherlynn Low
Cherlynn joined the Laptopmag team in June 2013 and has since been writing about all things tech and digital with a focus on mobile and Internet software development. She also edits and reports occasionally on video. She graduated with a M.S. in Journalism (Broadcast) from Columbia University in May 2013 and has been designing personal websites since 2001.
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Indicates required fieldAnaheim Hotels Guide | A guide to the best hotels in Anaheim!
California is very famous for its sunny nature. Anaheim, Orange County in Southern California is the perfect example of the typical climate of the region. It is just perfect with the pleasant warm sun in summer (time to head to the beach) and the enjoyable cold in winter.
You won’t need to pack much into your ! It gets around 13 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow, but locals never complain! Insread, people here are ecstatic and celebratory round the year without the plastic posh of other famous beaches like Miami.
The genuinely
weather in South California perhaps serves as a good incentive to the warm cordiality and kid-friendliness of the place. The feelings here are real, and always tuned up to the sunny side. You can find welcoming restaurants, wonderful free music, and a good amount of sportsmanship in the locals.
Anaheim representing South California
Average climate data show the city to enjoy the fabulous sun almost 300 days a year. It definitely serves as a good reason for tourists from the cold fringes and interiors visiting the location for a literally warm refreshment. The cordiality and pure fun in the place is also very heartwarming! It gets the hottest in July, with almost 82 degrees. Even in January, it is not that cold with an average temperature of 45 degrees.
There is also something called the comfort index in weather estimation. It assigns a value within 100, with increasing numbers describing better comfort than the low values. Anaheim ranks at 54, more comfortable than the average 44. The weather in Southen California makes it one of the
to travel.
Some baggage tips
Essentially, all these mean that you do not have to stuff much winter clothes in
even during the usually cold months. This eases the travel weight significantly, as any vacationer can enjoy Anaheim with a light bag to tow. However, you need to choose a good bag though. California is very fashion conscious, and people can be judgmental on how you carry yourself. A cheap bag does not serve much to elevate your scrutinized status.
You need to find some really good-looking fancy vacation bags to get in tune with the Anaheim vibes. Find a resourceful site that can help you well in finding the . Look up the luggage sets
as they have the fanciest stuff. Besides, the sets are the best buys for the family vacation trips Anaheim is so famous.
A brief yearly weather breakdown
January to March: The weather is moderately cool with a light drizzle occasionally. In fact, this season can be the best time to visit Anaheim simply because the kids stay largely busy at schools. As a reasult, Disneyland has less crowds (hence short queues), and hotels offer good discounts. It is also a good time to catch the
with their icy excitement.
April and May: The crowds begin to catch up slowly and so do the hotel rates.
May to September: This is the peak season in Anaheim as it rounds up all major national holidays. Parents also find the perfect time to present their kids with a fabulous theme park trip.
October to December: The crowds begin to thin down again, presenting great travel chances for the vacationer expecting short queues at the.
Anaheim in Southern California is a fascinatingly exciting travel destination for family vacationers and sports enthusiasts. It is also a great place for the quick budget traveler looking for an ideal weekend getaway in the sunny city. Many couples from across America choose the city as a beautiful honeymoon destination for its wonderful beaches. Families with children find Anaheim the best place to take kids to the theme parks.
Besides the Disneyland complex, the Adventure City is also a favorite park with cool and safe attractions for the kids. Searching for what to do in Anaheim, you must plan a trip according to your preferences. The city has something for everyone, from the young’uns to the grownups! Check out the below list for a good idea on the things to do in Anaheim.
The Anaheim experience consists of:
Theme park excitement: If you just want to take your kids to the best vacation they deserve, just explore the different theme parks at Anaheim. There is definitely something special in this part of Orange County that makes it a big magical fairground of theme parks. You can just move around from one park to another, and some parks can actually take multiple days to explore.
Besides the two parks mentioned above, the Knott’s Berry Farm theme park is also a fabulous destination. Other parks include the Grizzly River Run, the Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center, the Splash Mountain, and the World of Colors among others. Find a
of the parks and plan your trip accordingly. The Disneyland here is the original park made by the global entertainment service. Look up this fun video at the Splash Mountain. /watch?v=3posAjJWEi4.
Here is how the Mountain looks:
Beautiful beaches: There are several fabulous beaches in and around Anaheim, ranging from the serene to the crowded. The Huntington Beach is a popular one, but usually teenagers do not prefer to travel there with parents. Besides, it can be very busy with lots of people. The Seal Beach is the perfect place to take the kids. It is a nice, clean beach in downtown Anaheim. The Doheny Beach may take a little driving time to Dana Point, but is a very beautiful seafront. You can even find dolphins visiting you at Doheny. There are quite a few
worth exploring.
Great sports fun: The Californian city has the Angel Stadium hosting major playoff baseball events. Just check the schedules, book your ticket, and plan a trip to the city. It is also a great place for different kinds of championship sports such as hockey. The city has its own professional teams holding world and divisional titles. It is also a great place for a wide range of water sports. Activities available
include surfing, kayaking, rollerblading, sportfishing, and stand up paddling. Of course, the bowling alleys and the go-kart racing locations are also popular things to do in Anaheim.
Great shopping and dining experience: Anaheim has some of the best shopping centers to shop until you drop and rise again to continue. The city also has several great
and many of them are perfect for the budget travelers. Yoou can find nice eateries almost anywhere, but the ones at GardenWalk are among the most popular ones. Just head over to the nearest restaurant for great foods when all that shopping leaves you exhausted.
Anaheim in Southern California is a vibrant vacation destination between Los Angeles and San Diego. The orange county is a sunny place with loads of attractions as theme parks, beaches, day trips, and great sports activities. Anaheim is also one of the best shopping destinations that you can find. Even if you are on a low budget friendly trip, the city has aplenty free (and almost-free) attractions to keep you busy. You can also find some greatly affordable, but mouthwatering dining experiences here.
Anaheim is a great place for the
and the family travelers alike (obviously, familes do not lack romance as well). You need to find a good place to stay. Planning a perfect itinerary is the ideal solution. Decide your accommodation according to your budget and preferences in the city. Find below a list of handy tips to choose from the top 3 hotels in Anaheim according to your personal preferences.
Choosing a hotel in Anaheim
Look at hotel reviews: This is the ideal option for the family vacationer. You can find several amazing travel
on the net. Check out the actual experiences from people who stayed at the hotels. You can also decide depending on the rankings at the site.
Decide on your level of luxury: This perspective presents a wide range of choices. Luxury may not be conventional always. The luxury sense of a business executive may include a hotel room with 24 hours Wi Fi internet. On the other hand, family vacationers find suites with attached kitchens as the best ideas for luxurious accommodation. There are several luxurious lodging options in Orange County. Again, follow the usual process and head over to a good hotel review
for the place. You can check in the availability and book your room right from the site.
Hotels for budget travelers: Definitively, the choice of top 3 hotels in Anaheim are different for the family vacationer and the budget traveler. There are lodgings where you can spend the night at under $50. Again, a good hotel ranking
can come to your great assistance. These websites are truly amazing for the advanced search features.
You can check in hotel amenities or filter the search according to the map. For cheap food, head over to the Orange County Farmers market to get the freshest organic produces of sunny California. Restaurants often run specials, and exciting coupon offers. Kids free eat menu are also available.
Decide depending on your itinerary: Set up a perfect itinerary for Anaheim according to your travel plan. If you are out there for fun with friends, find hotels near the happening nightclubs. Check out hotels near the beach when you are a cozy couple looking for a romantic get-together.
Families with kids must check out the hotel deals near . The Adventure City is another amazing theme park for the kids. Sports buffs need to book a hotel near the Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Check out this fun visitor video to the Adventure City.
/watch?v=5lKpiw0rol8
There are many great accommodations available at the place, and you can surely find the right one from the top 3 hotels in Anaheim, filtered to your requirements.}