AT&T Prepaid is AT&T's own prepaid brand. Plans can be obtained directly from the carrier, in AT&T stores, or at select retailers such as Walmart. They offer monthly or multi-month smartphone plans, pay-as-you-go daily options, and data-only hotspot & tablet plans.
Plan Information
AT&T has several different prepaid plan options:
- Data-only plans for tablets, mobile hotspots, and routers - available from AT&T stores and at Wal-Mart.
- Smartphone plans - available online, in store, and at Wal-Mart.
- Affordable Connectivity Program plans including data only and phone-based plans.
- Connected Vehicle Plans
We have occasionally seen reports of retail stores not being able to activate prepaid plans. Contacting AT&T over the phone seems to be the easiest way to activate a plan. If you want to go through a store, we recommend first calling to confirm a store will activate a prepaid plan.
We also keep Gear Center entries for AT&T Prepaid's RV Data Connect Plans and their now retired DataConnect Prepaid Unlimited Tablet Plan.
Data-Only Plans
Data-Only Plans
Top Pick Notes: Previously AT&T offered a 100GB for $55/mo plan, that went up in price to $90/month in June 2022. Cricket Wireless also offers a similar plan for hotspot devices on AT&T's network that also increased in price in September 2022. There are some slight variations on the Cricket plan that may make it a worthwhile consideration. Members, see our comparison chart below (as well as some ongoing warnings about this plan).
Currently Available Plans:
These plans are only available for purchase in AT&T stores or by phone, or in Walmart stores. The 100GB plan which can only be purchased directly from AT&T. You can see information about them on AT&T's website but you can not sign up for them online.
- Data Plans for Tablets, Mobile Hotspots & Routers:
- Biggest: 100GB - $90/month **TOP PICK**
- Best Value: 50GB - $55/month
- Essential Data: 15GB - $35/month
- Built in Savings Plan: $300 for 12 months - 20GB/month ($25/month)
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Data only
- Device Types Permitted: Tablets, Hotspots, Routers
- Unlimited: No
- 5G Access: Yes
- eSIM: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes
- Throttling: None - Plans experience full network speeds until the data cap (if any) is reached, then data is cut-off.
- Network Management: None
- Video Streaming Resolution: Most plans come with Video Management (SD) which can be turned off to experience full HD video.
- Device Purchase Required: No, but you can purchase a device
- Plan Period: 30 days, except for the Built-in Savings Plan, which is 12-months.
- International Roaming: No
- Domestic Roaming: AT&T Prepaid seems to include some, but not full domestic roaming. It likely has similar limits to postpaid accounts.
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None. Data Add-ons are available.
- Lines permitted per account: Not specified
- Extras:
Smartphone Plans
Prepaid Smartphone Plans
AT&T offers prepaid plans direct from their stores and websites, and they also offer plans through Wal-Mart.
Currently Available Plans:
- Unlimited - $50/month
- Wal-Mart Unlimited - $50/month
- Wal-Mart Unlimited Max - $55/month
- Wal-Mart Unlimited Max Plus - $65/month
- Multi-month and smaller data plans also available, both direct through AT&T and at Wal-Mart.
Above prices all reflect auto-pay discounts.
Note: Wal-Mart plans are technically considered Walmart-only plans, but we have seen some reports that they can be acquired directly on AT&T's activation portal website if you have an AT&T SIM or an eSIM-compatible phone.
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Phone
- Device Types Permitted: Phones
- Unlimited: Yes, on Unlimited & Unlimited Max
- 5G: Yes, with a compatible device and in an area where 5G is available.
- eSIM: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use:
- Unlimited: 5GB, then 128 kbps
- Unlimited Max - 25GB, then 128 Kbps
- Unlimited Max Plus - 35GB, then 128 Kbps
- Throttling: None
- Network Management:
- Unlimited: Always
- Unlimited Max: 50GB
- Unlimited Max Plus: None
- Video Streaming Resolution:
- Unlimited (AT&T direct plans): 480p
- Wal-Mart plans: Up to 1080p if Video Management is turned off
- Device Purchase Required: No, but can purchase a device
- Plan Period: 30 days, multi-month plans
- International Roaming:
- 25GB/month high speed in Canada & Mexico.
- AT&T may cancel your plan for using more than 50% of this service outside the U.S.
- International add-ons are available.
- Domestic Roaming: AT&T Prepaid seems to include some, but not full domestic roaming. It likely has similar limits to postpaid accounts.
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: Not specified
- Extras:
Affordable Connectivity Program
The ACP is a federal government program that decreases the bill for eligible prepaid wireless services for qualifying households.
You may qualify for ACP if you meet one of the following:
- Your household income is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
- You participate in a qualifying federal assistance program.
AT&T Prepaid hosts a webpage dedicated to eligible plans and plan pricing with links to help you further assess your own eligibility for these plans. Qualifying individuals can get up to 100GB of data for $25/month.
AT&T Affordable Connectivity Program Plans Page
More info on this program: FCC Ends Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Rolls Out New Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Connected Car Plans
Connected Car Plans
Several car manufacturers partner with AT&T to provide Connected Car Plans.
Currently Available Plans
- Unlimited - $25/month
- Unlimited 6 Months - @120/6 months
- Unlimited 12 Months - $200/year
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Connected Car
- Device Types Permitted: Connected car device, Vehicle
- Unlimited: Yes
- 5G: No
- eSIM: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: All
- Throttling: 128kbps after data caps are met.
- Network Management: Always on capped plans; after 22GB on unlimited plans
- Video Streaming Resolution: No throttles
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: Monthly, 6 Months, or 12 Months
- International Roaming: Data can be used in Canada only at no additional charge.
- Domestic Roaming: Not Specified
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: Not Specified
- Extras:
DataConnect RV Plans
RV Plans:
AT&T has partnered with RV industry companies to offer special data plans for RV owners with manufacturer installed/provided connectivity equipment. These plans were ONLY available with specific equipment purchased and installed on RVs, and are restricted to use only in that equipment. Recently AT&T retired their Connected Car Department and now you can purchase these plans with any tablet, phone or hotspot that AT&T offers in their AT&T Prepaid Data Plans.
See our dedicated GC entry on DataConnect RV Plans for more information.
- Available Plans
- 15GB/month for $35/month
- 20GB/month for $25/month (when you prepay $300 for 12 months of service)
- 50GB/month for $55/month
- 100GB/month for $90/month
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Data only
- Device Types Permitted: Plan dependent: Tablet, Hotspot or other connected device AT&T offers in Prepaid
- Unlimited: No
- 5G Access: Only available on 5G devices
- eSIM: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: All
- Throttling: None - Plans experience full network speeds until the data cap (if any) is reached, then data is cut-off.
- Network Management: None.
- Video Streaming Resolution: Most plans come with Video Management (SD) which can be turned off to experience full HD video.
- Device Purchase Required: No, but can purchase a device
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming: No
- Domestic Roaming: AT&T Prepaid seems to include some, but not full domestic roaming. It likely has similar limits to postpaid accounts.
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges: None. Data Add-ons are available. 5GB for $10/month
- Lines permitted per account: N/A
- Extras:
Related News, Videos, & Status:
Video Stories
News Stories
This Review Contains Additional Member Exclusive Content!
We are Honored to be Member Funded! No ads, no sponsors, no selling (but may contain affiliate links)
Our members fund our in-depth independent reviews.
This entry may contain additional member exclusive content such as testing notes, field testing data, user interface tours, comparisons to alternatives, analysis, tips, videos and discounts.
Members also get interactive guidance, alerts, classroom and more.
Purchasing Options
Purchasing Links & Disclaimer
We don't sell stuff, we are primarily member funded. Some links below may be affiliate links (see our disclaimer), which also helps fund MIRC.
The vendors displayed below provide larger discounts to our MIAs that we have negotiated instead of displaying affiliate links while they are logged in.
MIA Discounts - Learn & Save!
Our Mobile Internet Aficionados (MIA) get special discounts from the below vendors. Members please check for discount codes before ordering. With savings up to 11% off, you could save more than your membership cost!
AT&T Prepaid Hotspot & Tablet Plans
- While listed on their website, you must visit an AT&T or a Walmart store or call to activate. We do have some reports of this plan being activated over the phone through AT&T Prepaid if you have a new AT&T prepaid SIM card in hand.
Shopping for Cellular Data Plans
Finding the right plans for your needs is no easy task - quite simply mobile travelers using cellular data as their primary way online is not how most carriers have designed their plans. Many of us want plans that provide copious amounts of data.
Here's our video going over ways to get LOTS of data for use in your travels:
But a data plan alone will not keep you online. You also need the right gear, signal enhancing strategy and planning your travels around the options you carry with you. Head on over to our collection of guides:
-
Top Data Plan Picks
Our constantly updated list of the BEST data plans.
-
Which Carrier is Best?
Is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Dish best for your travels?
-
Selecting Data Plans
Our deep dive into understanding data plans and shopping for them.
-
Data Plan Pricing Grid
Our always updated spreadsheet comparing all data plans suitable for mobile internet.
-
Getting LOTS of the Data
Learn how to get lots of cellular data in your mobile internet arsenal.