The Best 2-Line Phone Plans for Seniors
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While phone plans are often expensive, many providers offer discounts for multiple lines. For couples, families, and even groups of friends, these plans are a great way to save on your monthly cell phone bill.
In this guide to the best two-line phone plans for seniors, we’ll walk through five carriers that offer affordable talk, text, and data plans for two or more lines. Some of the providers on this list have special senior discounts for two-line plans, while others offer general savings with the purchase of multiple lines.
FYI: Only need one line? Read our rundown of the best senior phone plans to find wireless options from $10 per month.
Our Favorite 2-Line Phone Plans for Seniors
- Consumer Cellular : Best for AARP Discounts
- AT&T : Best Monthly Plans
- Tello : Most Affordable Plans
- T-Mobile : Unlimited Data for $30 per Month
- Verizon : Discounts for Florida Residents
How We Chose the Best 2-Line Phone Plans
To choose the best two-line phone plans for seniors, we rated each provider on the following criteria:
- Discounts: Some carriers offer discounts for buying multiple phone lines, but others add sales for AARP members, Florida residents, or those willing to pay for several months of service in advance.
- Network reliability: Some of the smaller carriers can offer bottom-tier prices but can’t back them up with data speeds or network reliability. This is why we tested each carrier for both coverage and data speeds.
- Contracts: Long-term contracts can sometimes save you on your plan, but they can also trap users in plans they don’t need. For this list, we prioritized services with no long-term contracts to sign.
2-Line Phone Plans for Seniors Compared
Consumer Cellular
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AT&T
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Tello
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T-Mobile
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Verizon
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Rating out of 5 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3 |
Starting Price for 2 Lines | $35 |
$90 |
$10 |
$60 |
$110 |
Read More | Consumer Cellular Review | AT&T Review | Tello Review | T-Mobile Review | Verizon Review |
Our Top Picks
1. Consumer Cellular - Best for AARP Discounts
844-580-0512
What We Like Most:
- 5 percent discount for AARP members
- 5G coverage on all plans
- No long-term contracts or hidden fees
- U.S.-based customer support
Cost: Starting at $35 for two lines with 1GB of data
Overview
If you’re an AARP member, you’ll appreciate the fact that Consumer Cellular’s plans start at $35 a month for 1 GB of data and unlimited talk/text. Plus, there’s a plan that offers AARP members unlimited talk, text, and data for only $55 per month.
Their Plans
If you have a partner, friend, or loved one, we recommend going straight to Consumer Cellular’s special plan for AARP members. It includes two lines with unlimited talk, text, and data for $55 a month. That’s under $30 per line, making Consumer Cellular one of the most affordable options for unlimited data.
There are potential added perks with every Consumer Cellular plan, too. Whether you choose the $20 per month plan with 1GB of data or the $50 per month plan with unlimited data, additional lines will only cost $15, making this carrier a great option for two lines or more.
Consumer Cellular Plans Compared
Monthly Cost | Talk and Text | Data |
---|---|---|
$15 | Unlimited Talk (no texts) | None |
$20 | Unlimited | 1GB |
$35 | Unlimited | 10GB |
$50 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Drawbacks
Consumer Cellular’s plans only apply to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, so it’s not a good option if you want international calling and texting. For that, we’d recommend T-Mobile, which we discuss in detail below.
Additionally, Consumer Cellular doesn’t offer any cybersecurity features with its plans like antivirus software or a VPN.
Our Verdict
If you want a clear-cut plan without any bells and whistles, like international calling or cybersecurity, you’ll save with Consumer Cellular as an AARP member. To learn more, read our Consumer Cellular review.
Pros
- $55 per month for two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data
- Two lines start at $35 per month
- Month-to-month contracts
- 5 percent discount for AARP members
Cons
- No international calling
- No mobile security
2. AT&T - Best Monthly Plans
844-418-3523
What We Like Most:
- Discounts for AARP Members
- Ability To Bring Your Own Device
- Unlimited, Prepaid, and International Plans
- Wide Range of Data Plans
Cost: Starting at $45 per month per line for unlimited talk, text, and data
Overview
Not willing to be locked into a long-term contract? AT&T’s monthly plans offer unlimited talk and text, 5G access, and nationwide coverage. Since we’re wary of lengthy commitments, this offer was endlessly appealing.
Their Plans
Like Verizon, AT&T offers a discounted plan for seniors ages 55 and older living in Florida: $80 a month for two lines or $40 per line per month. This plan includes unlimited talk and text, plus unlimited data. We want to note the data is 4G LTE, not 5G. You may notice a bit of slowness with this plan when compared to competitors; we certainly did.
For everyone else, plans start at $90 a month for two lines or $45 per month per line.
AT&T Plan Comparison
Plan Name | 4GB | Value Plus | Unlimited Starter | Unlimited Extra EL | Unlimited Premium PL |
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Monthly cost for 1 line | $50 | $50.99 | $65.99 | $75.99 | $85.99 |
Total monthly cost for 2 lines | $90 | $101.98 | $121.98 | $131.98 | $151.98 |
Unlimited talk and text | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Monthly Data | 4 GB | Unlimited but data speeds may be throttled when the network is busy | Unlimited but data speeds may be throttled when the network is busy | Unlimited but data speeds may be throttled after 75 GB of data use | Unlimited |
Extras | Unlimited texting to 200 countries | Unlimited talk, text, and data in the US, Mexico, and Canada | 5 GB of mobile hotspot data | 30 GB of mobile hotspot data |
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You can save $10 per month per line with an AARP membership for up to $100 in credits.
Drawbacks
If you don’t live in Florida and are under 55, you will have to pay at least $90 a month for two lines, which is $30 more than T-Mobile. It’s also nine times as expensive as Tello and about three times as expensive as Consumer Cellular, so AT&T is not a good budget option.
Our Verdict
If you want fast, nationwide coverage, AT&T could be a good option for you, particularly if you live in Florida and are 55 or older.
To learn more about our experience with this provider, read our guide to AT&T senior plans.
Pros
- $80 a month offer for people 55 and older living in Florida
- Up to 60 GB of hot spot data per line per month
- Dark web monitoring included
- Up to 4K UHD streaming
Cons
- Expensive for people outside of Florida/under age 55
- No streaming subscriptions included
3. Tello - Most Affordable Plans
What We Like Most:
- Two lines starting at $10 per month
- Free calling to more than 60 countries
- Bring your own device or plan
- Mobile hot spots included
Cost: Starting at $8 per month for unlimited talk and text
Overview
Is budget the most important thing to you in a phone plan? Meet Tello, which offers plans from $8 per month for unlimited talk and text. Of all the providers on this list, Tello allows for the greatest level of customization when it comes to your wireless plan.
Their Plans
Whether you want a phone plan with unlimited talk and minimal data, or you want unlimited everything, Tello allows you to create the perfect plan. In most cases, their plans wound up being among the most affordable on this list.
Since the provider allows for such a high degree of customization, it’s difficult to provide a comprehensive chart noting each option. Below, you’ll find a selection of plan options from Tello.
Tello Plan Comparison
Monthly Cost per Line | Monthly Minutes | Monthly Texts | Monthly Data |
---|---|---|---|
$8 | 500 | Unlimited | 1GB |
$12 | 300 | Unlimited | 5GB |
$19 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB |
$25 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Drawbacks
When we tested our Tello phones in Philadelphia, we found we had slower speeds than we did during our tests with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile phones. That is likely because Tello is an MVNO, and it uses the T-Mobile network. Naturally, T-Mobile is going to prioritize its own customers over Tello’s, which meant slower speeds for us.
While Tello’s costs are incredibly low, there is no discount for adding multiple lines. Essentially, the only benefit of their family plans is that you can pay for multiple lines on the same bill.
Our Verdict
Despite its shortcomings, Tello is a good option. It particularly suits those who don’t need unlimited data or don’t use their phones much at all. If you’re okay with having to limit your phone time, you’ll benefit from Tello’s absurdly low prices. To learn more about this provider, read our guide to Tello for seniors.
Pros
- Two lines starting at $10 a month total
- Unlimited talk, text, and data for $25 a month total
- Ability to use minutes internationally in over 60 countries
- 4G LTE/5G networks
Cons
- Slower speeds
- No streaming subscriptions included
4. T-Mobile - Unlimited Data for $30 per Month
What We Like Most:
- 55+ plans tailored to seniors
- No long-term contracts
- 5G coverage
- Free Netflix and Apple TV+ subscriptions on some plans
Cost: Starting at $30 per line for unlimited talk, text, and data
Overview
Unlike Consumer Cellular, T-Mobile offers a ton of extras in addition to unlimited talk, text, and data, from an AAA membership to Netflix and Apple TV+ subscriptions. Since we love streaming, this was worth its more inflated prices.
Their Plans
If you’re age 55 or older, you can save money with T-Mobile’s 55 and up plans, which start at $30 per month per line or a total of $60 for two lines.
T-Mobile Senior Plans Comparison
Plan | Essentials Choice 55 | Go 5G Plus 55 | Go5G Next 55 |
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Monthly cost for two lines | $60 | $100 | $120 |
Unlimited talk, text, and data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
5G access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The two higher-tier plans have advanced features like:
- Up to 4K UHD streaming instead of standard-definition (SD)
- More 4G LTE mobile hot spot data
- High-speed data and texting internationally, including Mexico and Canada
- One-year membership to AAA
- Apple TV+ and Netflix Standard with ad subscriptions
- In-flight Wi-Fi
All of T-Mobile’s plans come with scam and robocall blockers, which meant we had way fewer random calls. Additional lines cost $15 each; the same price as Consumer Cellular.
Drawbacks
With prices starting at $60 a month for two lines, T-Mobile is not the cheapest provider on this list. If budget is top of mind, we’d recommend Tello, which has unbelievably low prices starting at $8 a month. Of course, there are drawbacks, which we’ll explain in more detail below.
Our Verdict
From streaming to spam call blocking to streaming subscriptions, the plans from T-Mobile offer seniors much more than just 5G, talk, text, and data. If you want these extra features, you’re better off with a network like T-Mobile versus a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) like Tello.
Pros
- 5G access
- No long-term contracts
- Mobile hot spot
- Subscriptions to Netflix and Apple TV+
Cons
- Not the most affordable prices
- Senior plans start at age 55, not 50
5. Verizon - Discounts for Florida Residents
What We Like Most:
- Unlimited talk, text, and data
- Reliable network coverage
- 5G Ultra Wideband available for over 200 million people
- Coverage in Canada and Mexico
Cost: Starting at $42 per month per line for unlimited talk, text, and data
Overview
Verizon offers two lines starting at $55 per month per line for a total of $110 per month. Along with 5G access, which includes Verizon’s fastest option, 5G Ultra Wideband, we had options for Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Netflix, Max, and Walmart+ memberships. There are also discounts on home internet and devices. There’s no doubt in our minds Verizon has the best “extras” of any cell phone provider we’ve tried.
Their Plans
With automatic payment and paperless billing turned on, we saved $10 per line per month with Verizon. Note that the below prices reflect this discount.
Verizon Plan Comparison
Plan | Unlimited Welcome | Unlimited Plus | Unlimited Ultimate |
---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost for 1 line | $65 | $80 | $90 |
Total monthly cost for 2 lines | $110 | $140 | $160 |
Unlimited talk, text, and data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile hotspot | None | 30 GB of data | 60 GB of data |
Extras | Unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada | Unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada | Unlimited talk, text, and data in 210 countries |
If you’re a Florida resident who is 55 or older, you can get an even better deal: $84 a month for two lines, $42 per line per month. That’s the cheapest option and includes an auto-pay discount. So, if you want unlimited talk, text, and data and you live in Florida, this is the best option from Verizon.
Drawbacks
For everyone who doesn’t live in Florida or is under the age of 55, $110 per month may be more than you’re willing or able to spend on two lines. That being said, if you take into account the cost of these streaming services, the prices make more sense.
Our Verdict
Particularly if you’re a senior in Florida, Verizon offers quality coverage with plenty of perks, from streaming services to mobile hot spots and discounts. To learn more about these plans, read our guide to Verizon senior plans.
Pros
- $84 a month for two lines for people 55 and older living in Florida
- Some plans include streaming subscriptions to Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ Netflix, and Max (with ads)
- Bundle with home internet for as low as $25 per month
- International talk, text, and data
Cons
- Best discounts only available in Florida
- No mobile security features
How Do 2-Line Phone Plans Work?
Two-line phone plans, also known as multiline plans, allow users to have two separate phone numbers on the same device or account. These plans are typically designed for individuals or businesses who need separate phone numbers for personal and professional use, or for families who want to share a plan but maintain separate numbers. The benefits of two-line phone plans are convenience and (in many cases) lower costs.
In terms of convenience, a two-line phone plan allows you to manage multiple lines under one bill. In terms of costs, many providers offer discounts for purchasing more than one line. For example, with Consumer Cellular, whose plans range from $20-$50 per month, additional lines only cost $15. Alternatively, providers like T-Mobile require you to purchase multiple lines to obtain lower monthly prices. Their senior plans are advertised as costing $30 per month per line, but this price only applies when you purchase two lines.
How to Choose the Right 2-Line Phone Plan
What are some factors you should take into consideration when you’re choosing a two-line phone plan? We’ve got answers.
- Price: First, determine your total monthly cell phone budget. We’ve seen a price range of $10 to $160 a month for two lines, but often, the more expensive plans will give you a lot of extras, which we detail below.
- Data: Determine how much data you’ll use in a month, if at all. If you only want to use your phone for talking and texting, you may not need to pay for data at all, which supports internet usage.
- Contract lengths: Most cell phone companies offer monthly contracting, not requiring you to sign a long-term contract. That being said, you may be able to lock in a rate by committing to a year or more.
- Discounts: If you’re a member of AARP, a military veteran, or a first responder, you may be eligible for a discount with some companies. Make sure to factor this discount in when you’re determining prices.
- Network: Some networks have better coverage in certain areas. Find out which networks offer the most coverage in your hometown, be it AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile.
- Extras: The more expensive plans may include extras like mobile hot spots, international calling and texting, streaming subscriptions, and scam call blockers. Be sure to take the entire package into account, not just the bottom line.
Bottom Line
Whichever plan you choose, make sure to watch out for any hidden fees, as well as any data overages. Often, the cheapest plans come with their own costs. But if you opt for a plan with no long-term contracts like the ones on this list, you can easily switch to another service if it isn't working for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does Consumer Cellular offer discounts for multiple lines?
Yes, Consumer Cellular offers discounts for multiple lines. No matter which plan you choose, additional Consumer Cellular lines will only be $15 each.
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Which cell phone plan is the cheapest for two lines?
The cell phone plan that is the cheapest for two lines is Tello, with plans starting at $10 per month. However, this plan only includes 1 GB of data and no minutes or texting. Unlimited talk, text, and data starts at $25 per month with a family plan.
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Is Verizon’s senior plan available outside of Florida?
No, unfortunately, Verizon’s senior plan, 55+ Unlimited, is only available in Florida.
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Does AT&T have a discounted plan for seniors?
Yes, AT&T has a discounted plan for seniors that lets them save $10 per month per line with an AARP membership for up to $100 in credits. Florida residents have an additional offer: $60 a month for one line or $80 a month for two lines, bringing the cost down to $40 per month per line.