Do Kids Phones Need Their Own Plan?
The monthly plan is the most overlooked cost of a kids phone. Whether you need a separate plan depends entirely on the type of phone.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 kids phones on safety, parental controls, device price and the monthly-plan true cost - with picks for every age.
Safe phones: yes, their own plan
Safe phones like Gabb, Bark, Pinwheel and Troomi require their own monthly plan from that provider - typically $15–$49/month. That plan is what makes the phone “safe” (it routes calls, texts and filtering through the provider), and it’s the real cost over time. Budget for it, not just the device.
Basic and mainstream phones: use your carrier
A basic flip phone or a normal smartphone (iPhone, Pixel, Galaxy) just needs a standard carrier plan. The cheapest option is usually to add a line to your existing family plan - often far less than a standalone safe-phone plan.
The true-cost comparison
Over two years, a $25/month safe-phone plan is $600 on top of the device - often more than the phone itself. A cheap added line on your family plan might be $10–$15/month. That doesn’t make safe phones bad value (you’re paying for the safety), but it should shape your choice.
How to keep costs down
- Add a line to your existing family plan where possible.
- For safe phones, check annual plans, which are often cheaper than monthly.
- Buy the device outright rather than financing to avoid interest.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 kids phones on safety, parental controls, device price and the monthly-plan true cost - with picks for every age.