AT&T Vs Page Plus Which Is Better For Second Phone - Complete Guide
If you're shopping for a second phone line, you've probably wondered whether AT&T or Page Plus is worth your money — or whether there's something even better out there. The AT&T vs Page Plus comparison is a popular one, but the real answer might surprise you: neither is the best option when you
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Our Pick | Tello or Visible |
| Best For | Affordable second phone line |
| Price | From $8/month |
| Network | T-Mobile / Verizon |
| Our Score | 9.5/11 / 10/11 |
If you're shopping for a second phone line, you've probably wondered whether AT&T or Page Plus is worth your money — or whether there's something even better out there. The AT&T vs Page Plus comparison is a popular one, but the real answer might surprise you: neither is the best option when you factor in price, coverage, and overall value.
Bottom Line: AT&T and Page Plus both have significant drawbacks for a second phone line. AT&T is expensive for a secondary line, and Page Plus — a Verizon MVNO — has outdated plans and poor value. For most people, Tello ($8–$25/mo on T-Mobile) or Visible ($25/mo on Verizon) are dramatically better choices for a second phone.
AT&T vs Page Plus: What You're Actually Comparing
Before diving into the comparison, it's worth understanding what each service actually is. AT&T is a major postpaid carrier — one of the "Big Three" — that also operates a prepaid arm under the AT&T Prepaid brand. Page Plus Cellular is a much smaller MVNO that runs on Verizon's network and has been around since 1993, making it one of the oldest MVNOs in the United States.
Both options are technically available for a second phone, but they serve very different customer profiles. AT&T targets mainstream consumers who want brand recognition and retail store access, while Page Plus has historically catered to budget-conscious users who want Verizon's network without Verizon's price. The problem is that the MVNO landscape has evolved dramatically, and Page Plus hasn't kept pace.
What Is Page Plus Cellular?
Page Plus is a Verizon MVNO owned by TracFone (which itself is now owned by Verizon). Its plans are straightforward but limited — basic talk, text, and data bundles that don't offer the flexibility or competitive pricing you'd expect in today's market. Hotspot is either absent or severely restricted depending on the plan, and customer service reviews are mixed at best.
What Does AT&T Prepaid Offer?
AT&T Prepaid gives you access to AT&T's network with no annual contract. Plans start around $25/month for a basic plan, but full-featured unlimited plans run $50–$65/month. For a second phone, that's a lot of money — especially when you consider that AT&T Prepaid customers are deprioritized behind postpaid AT&T customers during network congestion.
Comparing AT&T Prepaid vs Page Plus Side by Side
| Feature | AT&T Prepaid | Page Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Network | AT&T | Verizon |
| Starting Price | ~$25/mo | ~$12/mo |
| Unlimited Plan | ~$50–$65/mo | ~$55/mo |
| Mobile Hotspot | Included (limited) | Limited/extra |
| Data Deprioritization | Yes | Yes |
| Data Breach History | Yes | Yes (TracFone) |
| Our Score | Not ranked | Not ranked |
Why a Second Phone Line Deserves the Same Security Standards
Many people treat a second phone as a "throwaway" device — a burner for side businesses, a kid's phone, or a travel backup. But even secondary lines contain contacts, messages, and potentially sensitive app data. That's why we always recommend carriers with strong security track records for any line, not just your primary one.
For our full carrier rankings, we evaluate 11 criteria including two-factor authentication support, SIM PIN protection, and data breach history. Both AT&T and TracFone (Page Plus's parent company) have had security incidents. In contrast, our top-rated carriers — Visible, Tello, and US Mobile — have had zero confirmed data breaches.
Why Trust Our Analysis? We evaluate carriers on 11 data-driven criteria including security features (2FA, SIM PIN protection), data breach history, and real user experience. Our rankings are based on verifiable facts, not paid placements.
The Best Alternatives to AT&T and Page Plus for a Second Phone
If you're looking for the best second phone line, the real competition isn't AT&T vs Page Plus — it's among the MVNOs that consistently outperform both on value, security, and network quality.
Tello: Best Budget Second Line (9.5/11)
Tello is our top pick for a second phone line on a budget. Running on T-Mobile's network, Tello lets you build a completely custom plan starting at just $8/month for 100 minutes and 1GB of data. If you want a full unlimited plan, it's $25/month — with unlimited hotspot included at no extra charge.
What makes Tello exceptional for a second line is the flexibility. You can choose exactly how much talk, text, and data you need without paying for things you won't use. The month-to-month billing means no contracts, and Tello has had zero data breaches since its founding. We score Tello at 9.5/11 — one of the highest ratings in our entire database.
For a second phone that mostly handles calls and occasional browsing, Tello's $8–$15/month plans are hard to beat. You'd be hard-pressed to find anything close from AT&T or Page Plus at those price points.
Visible: Best Premium Second Line (10/11)
If you want the best possible network experience for your second phone without the price of a major carrier, Visible is our number-one ranked MVNO at 10/11. Visible runs on Verizon's full network and charges a flat $25/month — with taxes and fees included. No surprises on your bill, ever.
Visible offers unlimited data, talk, and text, plus unlimited mobile hotspot (though hotspot speeds are capped at 5Mbps). That's enough for video calls, light streaming, and working remotely. For a second business phone or a travel backup device, Visible is an exceptional deal. Like Tello, Visible has had zero data breaches.
The $25 flat rate compares very favorably to AT&T Prepaid's comparable plans, which run $50+ per month for unlimited and still come with deprioritization and data caps on hotspot.
US Mobile: Best for Flexibility (9.5/11)
US Mobile earns a 9.5/11 score thanks to one unique feature: you can choose between all three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T — under one provider. This is especially useful for a second phone if your primary carrier uses one network and you want diversity for better coverage.
US Mobile's build-a-plan system lets you start as low as $5/month for a talk-and-text-only plan, making it one of the cheapest second-line options available. Premium unlimited plans run $25–$45/month depending on the network tier. Like Tello and Visible, US Mobile has had no data breaches.
You can explore all of these options through our prepaid plan comparison tool to find the best match for your usage.
When Might AT&T or Page Plus Make Sense?
In the spirit of fairness, there are some edge cases where AT&T or Page Plus might still make sense for a second phone.
AT&T Prepaid might be worth considering if you're already a heavy AT&T user, already own AT&T-compatible devices, and want to keep everything under one billing ecosystem. However, even in that scenario, Cricket Wireless (an AT&T MVNO) offers better value than AT&T Prepaid directly.
Page Plus might appeal to someone who wants Verizon's rural coverage footprint at a lower price, but even then, Visible and US Mobile both offer Verizon's network at superior price points with better customer service and security records.
Honestly, for a second phone specifically, there's rarely a compelling reason to choose either AT&T Prepaid or Page Plus over Tello, Visible, or US Mobile.
What to Look for in a Second Phone Plan
Choosing a plan for a second phone is a slightly different calculation than your primary line. Here's what we recommend prioritizing:
Low monthly cost matters most. A second phone is rarely your primary communication device, so you don't need to pay for unlimited everything. Tello's customizable plans shine here — pay only for what you'll actually use.
Network reliability still matters. A second phone that drops calls or loses signal defeats the purpose. Stick with MVNOs on major networks — Verizon (Visible, US Mobile), T-Mobile (Tello, US Mobile), or AT&T (US Mobile) for reliable coverage.
No long-term commitment gives you flexibility. All of our top-rated MVNOs are month-to-month with no contracts. AT&T Prepaid is also contract-free, but Page Plus has had some plan structures that complicate switching.
Security and privacy shouldn't be an afterthought. Check our guide to the most secure prepaid carriers for a full breakdown of which providers have the strongest data protection track records.
How Much Can You Save by Switching?
Let's put real numbers on this. If you're considering AT&T Prepaid at $50/month for an unlimited plan as your second line, here's what you'd spend annually versus our top alternatives:
| Carrier | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Savings vs AT&T Prepaid |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Prepaid (Unlimited) | $50 | $600 | — |
| Page Plus (Basic Unlimited) | $55 | $660 | -$60 (worse) |
| Visible (Unlimited) | $25 | $300 | $300 saved |
| Tello (Custom Plan) | $8–$25 | $96–$300 | $300–$504 saved |
| US Mobile (Custom) | $5–$25 | $60–$300 | $300–$540 saved |
That's money you could put toward a new device, accessories, or simply keep in your pocket. For a line you use as a secondary phone, overpaying is especially unnecessary.
Best Phone to Pair With This Plan
If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with your new second-line carrier, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:
- Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
- Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching between plans
- 7 years of software updates
- Excellent camera and battery life
- Around $499 unlocked
The Pixel 9a's dual SIM capability is especially handy for a second line scenario — you can run your primary carrier on the physical SIM and your second line on eSIM (or vice versa), all on a single device.
The Bottom Line
The AT&T vs Page Plus debate for a second phone is one where both options fall short of what's actually available in today's prepaid market. AT&T Prepaid is overpriced for a secondary line, and Page Plus is an outdated product with security concerns tied to its TracFone parent company.
Our recommendation is clear: Tello at 9.5/11 is the best budget second-line option, starting at just $8/month with fully customizable plans and unlimited hotspot on higher tiers. Visible at 10/11 is the best premium second-line option if you want Verizon's network and truly unlimited service for a flat $25/month. US Mobile at 9.5/11 is the best choice if you want network flexibility or already have a carrier preference.
Don't pay more than you need to for a second phone. The best MVNOs offer better networks, better pricing, and better security than AT&T Prepaid or Page Plus — and you can switch any time with no penalty. Use our prepaid plan comparison tool to find the right fit for your specific usage needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Page Plus Cellular still a good option in 2025?
Page Plus has struggled to keep up with competitors in terms of plan value and features. While it runs on Verizon's reliable network, better alternatives like Visible and US Mobile offer Verizon coverage at the same or lower prices with stronger customer service and security track records. Most users will find Page Plus underwhelming compared to what's currently available.
Q: Can I use AT&T Prepaid as a second phone line affordably?
Technically yes, but it's not the most cost-effective choice. AT&T Prepaid plans start around $25/month for limited data and scale up to $50–$65 for unlimited. For a second phone, that's expensive compared to Tello ($8–$25/month) or Visible ($25/month flat for unlimited on Verizon's network).
Q: What's the cheapest way to get a reliable second phone line?
Tello is consistently our top pick for the cheapest reliable second line. Plans start at $8/month for 100 minutes and 1GB of data on T-Mobile's network. You can customize talk, text, and data to match your actual usage, making it ideal for a low-usage secondary device.
Q: Does Page Plus use Verizon's network?
Yes, Page Plus is a Verizon MVNO, meaning it uses Verizon's towers. However, like all MVNOs, Page Plus customers are deprioritized behind Verizon's postpaid customers during network congestion. If Verizon's network is your priority, Visible offers the same network at $25/month with a significantly better product and track record.
Q: Should I get a separate phone for my second line or use eSIM?
If your current phone supports eSIM (most iPhones since iPhone XS and many Android phones since 2019), you can run a second line without a second physical device. Visible, Tello, and US Mobile all support eSIM activation. This is the most cost-effective approach — you avoid buying a second device while still separating personal and business (or primary and secondary) usage.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our rankings and recommendations are based on independent research and are not influenced by affiliate relationships.
Related Articles
Cheapest Phone Plan For Light User With eSIM - Complete Guide
If you're a light phone user hunting for the cheapest phone plan with eSIM support, you're in the right place. The good news is that affordable prepaid carriers have caught up with modern smartphone technology — you no longer have to pay a premium just to activate a plan digitally.
Best MVNO / Prepaid Phone Plans Under $50 For Multiple Lines - Complete Guide
Finding a great family phone plan doesn't have to mean paying $200+ a month to the big carriers. The best prepaid phone plans under $50 for multiple lines can save a family of four anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 per year — without sacrificing reliable coverage. In this guide, we rank the top MVNOs
Should I Upgrade From Boost Mobile To Cricket Wireless If Backup Phone - Complete Guide
If you're asking whether you should upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless for a backup phone, the short answer is: it depends on your priorities — but there are actually better options worth considering first. Both carriers sit on the AT&T network and score similarly in our rankings, so the
Ready to switch carriers?
Find the perfect plan for your needs in minutes.
Recommended
Verizon network at half the price. Taxes included, no surprises.
- ✓ Verizon's best coverage
- ✓ Taxes & fees included
- ✓ No data breaches
Build your own plan. Unlimited hotspot included. Taxes included.
- ✓ Plans from $8/mo
- ✓ Unlimited hotspot
- ✓ No contracts ever
Best unlocked phone for MVNOs. Works with Visible, Tello, and all carriers.
- ✓ Unlocked for any carrier
- ✓ 7 years of updates
- ✓ eSIM + physical SIM