Best AT&T Prepaid Plans (2025)

As one of America's Big Three carriers (the others being Verizon and T-Mobile), AT&T is primarily known for its postpaid plans. However, as with its competitors, AT&T actually offers a selection of prepaid plans as well.

The advantage of going prepaid with a big carrier like AT&T is that not only does it allow you to avoid an upfront credit check, but it gives you access to major network coverage—in this case, the best combined 4G and 5G service in the country. Plus, you get the reassurance of 24/7 customer service, and brick and mortar store locations if you need in-person help.

In this article, we've chosen what we believe are the best AT&T prepaid plans you can buy, regardless of your budget. Read on to learn about the best AT&T prepaid plans in 2025.

{{plan_buttons}}

AT&T Prepaid: Pros & Cons

Before we begin, here are a few important reasons to consider—or decide against—choosing a prepaid plan over a postpaid one.

Pro: No credit check

Want cell phone service, but don't want to do a credit check? Prepaid plans are the answer. Since prepaid plans require you to pay for your service upfront, and you aren't signing on to a credit situation, carriers have no reason to subject you to a credit check.

Pro: Less expensive plans

Prepaid plans tend to be less expensive than most postpaid major carrier plans, forgoing some of the bells and whistles of these offerings in the name of saving you money. If you're someone who doesn't need a bunch of streaming, hotspot, or travel perks to go along with your cell phone plan, going with a relatively stripped-down prepaid plan tends to be an affordable option.

Con: Lack of perks

The aforementioned lack of perks associated with prepaid plans could also be seen as a bit of a shortcoming, depending on your perspective. If you're used to tons of dedicated hotspot data, unrestricted premium cellular data, or packaged streaming perks, switching to a stripped-down prepaid plan may be too much of an adjustment.

Con: Potentially Inferior coverage

Some prepaid plans offer fully deprioritized cell service as a means of keeping their costs down. So, while you may be getting access to one of the best networks, your data may be subject to slowing during times of congestion. This something to look out for when it comes to unlimited data plans of the prepaid variety.

Best Overall AT&T Prepaid Plan

Seeking a postpaid-like plan at a prepaid price? Check out this offering from AT&T.

{{att-unlimited-max-35}}

Runner-Up: Best Overall AT&T Prepaid Plan

{{att-unlimited-max-25gb}}

Best Budget AT&T Prepaid Plan

If you're looking for an even cheaper prepaid option from AT&T, we think this one is worthy of consideration.

{{att-unlimited-basic}}

Why Sign Up with AT&T

Signing up with AT&T means you get all of the benefits of a major carrier, including reliable customer service (with actual brick and mortar stores), a wide selection of phones, and excellent nationwide coverage. 

AT&T Coverage

AT&T delivers some of the best coverage in all of the country, blanketing nearly the entirety of it with 4G and 5G service. 

AT&T’s 4G LTE is the most wide-reaching in the country, outdoing the likes of Verizon and T-Mobile. The company’s 5G network, meanwhile, covers just a tiny bit less of the country than T-Mobile’s (the industry leader). 

Check out AT&T’s network in the map below, and use the buttons on top to switch between 4G and 5G coverage: 

AT&T Customer Service 

As frustrating as some of the phone hold times can be, you can generally get in touch with AT&T representatives nearly any time of the day—which is something many prepaid carriers don’t offer. 

What’s more, AT&T stores are all over the place, so you probably aren’t far from one if you prefer in-person assistance. 

AT&T Phones

One of the biggest upsides of going with a major carrier is the wide selection of phones. AT&T stocks flagship and mid-range models from the likes of Samsung, Apple, Google, and Motorola—and frequently runs promotions that allow you to get them at discount prices.  

This makes AT&T a great option if you not only need plans but devices for your entire family. Some of AT&T’s recent promotions have included deals on the iPhone 16, the Samsung Galaxy S25, and the Google Pixel 9. 

The Bottom Line

Signing up for a prepaid plan from a company like AT&T ensures you get most of the benefits of major carrier service at a cheaper price. AT&T offers a nice selection of prepaid plan options, and our favorites actually closely resemble postpaid offerings in terms of their perks. That means premium cellular data, dedicated high-speed hotspot data, and international calling and texting privileges. All in all, going with AT&T for your next prepaid plan is a wise move indeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I lower my AT&T prepaid bill?

You can reduce your AT&T prepaid bill by enrolling in AutoPay for a $5/month discount, selecting a plan with data that matches your actual usage, and taking advantage of multi-line discounts if you have multiple lines.

Does AT&T prepaid have 5G?

Yes, all of AT&T’s prepaid plans include access to the carrier’s 5G network, provided you have a compatible device and are in a 5G coverage area.

Is AT&T prepaid slower than postpaid?

AT&T prepaid customers may experience lower data prioritization during network congestion compared to postpaid customers, potentially leading to slower speeds at busy times. However, outside of congestion, speeds are typically comparable.

‍