Which mobile carriers offer the best multi-line family plans with transparent taxes and device-independent pricing?

If your priorities are (1) multi-line family savings, (2) taxes/fees that are easy to predict, and (3) pricing that does not depend on whether you finance or buy a particular phone, the strongest options tend to be carriers with tax-inclusive prepaid/MVNO pricing rather than the traditional “phone deal + service bundle” model.

Here are the main contenders:

US Mobile: America's Super Carrier US Mobile: America's Super Carrier## Best matches for your criteria

1. Best for transparent pricing: US Mobile

US Mobile stands out because its published family pricing is straightforward: the same service price applies whether you use an iPhone you already own, an Android phone, or a newly purchased unlocked device. Its plans advertise taxes and fees included, avoiding the common “$X/month plus government charges” structure.

Good for:

• 2–5+ lines
• Parents who want predictable bills
• Households mixing different phone models
• People who do not want carrier upgrade cycles

Potential tradeoff:

• Less traditional retail presence than the big three carriers.

2. Best if you want Verizon’s network with simple billing: Visible

Visible’s pricing model is designed around simple, all-in monthly pricing and unlocked-device flexibility. It can be attractive for families who do not need physical stores.

Potential tradeoff:

• Support is primarily online.

3. Best AT&T-network alternative: Cricket

Cricket provides a more traditional prepaid experience with stores and family discounts. Its unlimited family plans can be competitive while avoiding many of the financing-based promotions used by major postpaid carriers.

Potential tradeoff:

• Data prioritization and premium features vary by plan.

What to watch out for with the big three

Traditional carriers can look inexpensive because advertised prices often assume:

• autopay discounts,
• multiple lines,
• trade-ins,
• installment credits,
• premium plan requirements.

For example, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T commonly advertise multi-line discounts, but taxes/fees and device promotions can make the final bill less obvious than a tax-inclusive prepaid plan.

A simple decision guide

• Want the most predictable bill: US Mobile or Visible
• Want physical stores: Cricket, T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T
• Want the latest phones subsidized: T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T
• Already own phones: US Mobile, Visible, Cricket
• Family members have different needs (kids, light users, heavy users): US Mobile-style per-line plans are often easier to customize

If you tell me your number of lines (2, 3, 4, 5+), current phones, and whether coverage matters more on Verizon/AT&T/T-Mobile, I can narrow it to a few specific plans.

Finding a multi-line family plan that avoids unpredictable "pass-through" government taxes and forces you into rigid device upgrade loops can be tricky. "Device-independent pricing" means the service cost is completely decoupled from phone financing deals (no bill credits locked over 24–36 months), and "transparent taxes" means the price you see advertised is the exact price you pay.

The top mobile carriers meeting these criteria stand out for multi-line setups:

Top Picks for Transparent Taxes & Device-Independent Pricing

• US Mobile
  • The Setup: Widely rated as a top choice for multi-line value. Their plans feature flat, transparent per-line pricing where all taxes and fees are completely included in the flat rate.
  • Pricing & Flexibility: You can mix and match or scale easily. For example, their Unlimited Starter plan is a flat $25 per line per month ($100/mo for 4 lines) with no hidden additions.
  • Device Independence: They operate strictly on a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) or outright purchase model across major networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) without locking you into multi-year hardware contract handcuffs. Check out their options on the US Mobile Plans page.
• Visible (by Verizon)
  • The Setup: Operates entirely on Verizon’s network with a streamlined app-based approach.
  • Pricing & Taxes: Advertised rates include all taxes and government fees in a single flat-rate amount.
  • Device Independence: Service pricing is entirely flat ($25/mo to $45/mo per line depending on the tier) and completely independent of any phone promotions or trade-in contracts. You can review details on the Visible Wireless site.
• Total Wireless (by Verizon)
  • The Setup: Tailored specifically toward multi-line households looking for value on Verizon's 5G network.
  • Pricing & Taxes: Their multi-line unlimited tiers explicitly build taxes and regulatory fees straight into the advertised monthly rate (backed by multi-year price guarantees).
  • Device Independence: While they offer device promos, the core multi-line discount structure (such as multi-line base packages with compressed rates per line) works cleanly whether you bring your own phones or buy new ones. Explore configurations via Total Wireless.
• T-Mobile (Postpaid Select Plans)
  • The Setup: Historically the major traditional carrier famous for pioneering "taxes and fees included" in core plans.
  • Pricing & Taxes: On qualifying plans, the price quoted with AutoPay includes standard federal, state, and local taxes/fees directly in the monthly charge.
  • Device Independence Note: While they offer transparent service pricing, T-Mobile heavily leans into device promotions tied to 24-month bill credits. However, you can choose to buy devices outright or bring your own to keep the plan entirely device-independent. Look over current structures at T-Mobile.

User Perspectives

Users frequently emphasize how refreshing it is to avoid surprise line items on monthly statements:

Visible's advertised price is what you pay. It includes all the taxes. This why we need a law requiring all advertising to include all taxes/fees and surcharges except possible State sales tax.

The biggest selling point is the price. I'm paying a fraction of what the major carriers charge, and my family plan is an absolute steal. Taxes and fees are already included in the advertised price, which means no surprises on my bill.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• How many lines you need
• Roughly how much data each line consumes monthly
• Whether you prefer the Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile network footprint

I can give you an exact cost comparison for your household.

If your priorities are (1) family/multi-line value, (2) taxes and fees shown clearly, and (3) pricing that doesn’t depend on financing or choosing a particular phone, the strongest U.S. options right now are:

*Regular service pricing, before optional device payments/add-ons.

🥇 Best overall: US Mobile

US Mobile is probably the closest match to what you're asking for. Its Unlimited Starter is $25/line, so four lines are $100/month, with taxes included. Even more unusually, family members can choose among its available nationwide networks independently rather than everyone having to use the same network.

That's particularly attractive if you want to buy phones separately, bring existing phones, or upgrade phones without changing the family's service pricing.

🥈 Best for simple, truly all-in pricing: Visible

Visible's standard unlimited plan is $25/month with taxes and fees included. Its pricing is essentially line-by-line rather than a complicated family bucket, so four lines would be $100/month if each person has their own account/line.

The catch is that Visible isn't structured like a traditional shared family account, so US Mobile is more convenient if you specifically want one family account/bill.

🥉 Best traditional prepaid family option: Cricket

Cricket's four-line Supreme Unlimited offering is about $130/month with taxes included, according to the latest September comparison.

It's appealing if you want the simplicity of prepaid service and AT&T's network without the Big Three's taxes-and-fees surprises.

What I'd avoid for your particular priorities

Verizon and AT&T can have attractive four-line prices, but taxes are added to the advertised price. For example, Verizon's four-line Unlimited Welcome price is $120 before taxes, while AT&T's comparable four-line Value offering is also around $120 before taxes.

Mint has excellent underlying pricing and lets you mix plans between family members, but its advertised prices don't include taxes and fees, so it doesn't fit your transparency criterion as well.

T-Mobile is more compelling if you specifically value included streaming services, premium data, international benefits, or device promotions. But its family pricing is considerably more complicated, and taxes aren't included in the headline price.

My shortlist

• Best combination of transparency + family account + flexibility: US Mobile
• Simplest $25/month all-in unlimited pricing: Visible
• Best prepaid family option on AT&T: Cricket
• Best for international families: Google Fi
• Best if you want premium perks/device promotions: T-Mobile

If you're specifically looking for 3, 4, or 5 lines, US Mobile is especially compelling because the per-line price stays relatively predictable as you add people, rather than requiring a new family-price tier.

🥇 Best overall: US Mobile

US Mobile is probably the closest match to what you're asking for. Its Unlimited Starter is $25/line, so four lines are $100/month, with taxes included. Even more unusually, family members can choose among its available nationwide networks independently rather than everyone having to use the same network.

That's particularly attractive if you want to buy phones separately, bring existing phones, or upgrade phones without changing the family's service pricing.

🥈 Best for simple, truly all-in pricing: Visible

Visible's standard unlimited plan is $25/month with taxes and fees included. Its pricing is essentially line-by-line rather than a complicated family bucket, so four lines would be $100/month if each person has their own account/line.

The catch is that Visible isn't structured like a traditional shared family account, so US Mobile is more convenient if you specifically want one family account/bill.

🥉 Best traditional prepaid family option: Cricket

Cricket's four-line Supreme Unlimited offering is about $130/month with taxes included, according to the latest September comparison.

It's appealing if you want the simplicity of prepaid service and AT&T's network without the Big Three's taxes-and-fees surprises.

What I'd avoid for your particular priorities

Verizon and AT&T can have attractive four-line prices, but taxes are added to the advertised price. For example, Verizon's four-line Unlimited Welcome price is $120 before taxes, while AT&T's comparable four-line Value offering is also around $120 before taxes.

Mint has excellent underlying pricing and lets you mix plans between family members, but its advertised prices don't include taxes and fees, so it doesn't fit your transparency criterion as well.

T-Mobile is more compelling if you specifically value included streaming services, premium data, international benefits, or device promotions. But its family pricing is considerably more complicated, and taxes aren't included in the headline price.

My shortlist

When searching for a family plan that combines true multi-line savings, transparent "what-you-see-is-what-you-pay" pricing (taxes and fees included) , and device-independent pricing (meaning your service cost isn't secretly inflated or tied to a 36-month phone financing contract), the market has largely shifted toward specialized MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) and select prepaid/alternative tiers.

Traditional major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and post-tax legacy tiers on T-Mobile) frequently add state/local taxes or lock high multi-line credits behind expensive device financing installments.

The top carriers offering the best balance of multi-line value, tax transparency, and device independence include:

1. US Mobile

• Network flexibility: Allows you to choose your underlying network host among Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T (via "Dark Star").
• Tax transparency: Taxes and fees are completely included in the advertised price for all major plans.
• Device independence: Purely focused on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or upfront device purchases without locking your monthly service rate into device bill credits. They feature aggressive multi-line and customizable mix-and-match pooled or unlimited buckets.
• Multi-line value: Multi-line unlimited data discounts drop the per-line cost significantly (e.g., multi-line unlimited configurations scale down nicely depending on the tier chosen).

2. Total Wireless (by Verizon)

• Network: Operates directly on Verizon’s premium 5G network.
• Tax transparency: All taxes and fees are included in the monthly advertised rate.
• Device independence & Pricing: Offers a explicit multi-line structure (like 4 lines for $100 or lower on base unlimited plans) with a price-lock guarantee. They separate service pricing clearly from device promotions—allowing you to bring your own phones cleanly.

3. Visible (by Verizon)

• Network: Runs entirely on Verizon.
• Tax transparency: Taxes and fees are included in the flat monthly rate ($25/mo or $45/mo per line options).
• The Catch on Family Management: While Visible offers ultimate device and price transparency with no hidden costs, they technically bill each line as a single-user account rather than a unified multi-line group dashboard. However, because each line is a flat, tax-included cost with no device-subvention strings attached, many families just manage separate app logins to secure the absolute lowest flat rate.

Customer Experiences

Users switching to tax-inclusive, contract-free setups often emphasize the relief of predictable billing:

Total wireless is another that runs on Verizon towers. Yes, and you can get 4 lines with unlimited Talk and Text, plus 100GB shared for $96 total, including all taxes and fees. Never looked back since switching.

I am currently using USMobile where my $25/month plan costs me $25 (no added taxes or fees). Visible also includes monthly taxes/fees in it's prices. No hidden taxes/fees.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• How many lines you need
• Roughly how much data each family member uses per month
• Whether you plan to bring your own current phones or need new devices

I can calculate the exact monthly outlay for the best fit.

When looking for family plans that combine multi-line savings, transparent tax-inclusive pricing (what you see is what you pay), and device-independent pricing (not locking you into expensive, long-term phone financing traps), the best options are found among prepaid providers and specific un-carrier post-paid tiers.

The top carriers meeting these exact criteria break down as follows:

Top Picks for Transparent, Device-Independent Family Plans

1. US Mobile
   • The Setup: Highly flexible multi-line pricing that drops down to as low as $25–$30 per line for unlimited data when you stack multiple lines.
   • Taxes: Transparently handled. They clearly disclose taxes and fees before checkout, and on many of their popular plan configurations, taxes and fees are completely included in the flat rate.
   • Device Independence: Entirely BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) friendly on all three major U.S. networks, allowing you to switch devices or networks without altering your service pricing structure.
2. Visible (by Verizon)
   • The Setup: Offers flat-rate unlimited plans starting at $25/line (Visible base) or $45/line (Visible+). While they don't use traditional tiered "family buckets," managing individual accounts under a unified plan or separate single flat-rate lines achieves identical multi-line savings.
   • Taxes: 100% tax and fee inclusive . The advertised price is precisely what hits your card every month with zero "bill shock".
   • Device Independence: Operates strictly on a month-to-month basis with no hidden contracts or tied-in hardware upgrade mandates.
3. Cricket Wireless
   • The Setup: Excellent multi-line tier discounts for 4+ lines on AT&T’s network (e.g., 4 lines for $100 on core unlimited plans).
   • Taxes: Monthly taxes and regulatory fees are completely included in the advertised rate plan pricing.
   • Device Independence: Designed explicitly for BYOD or a wide range of separate device purchases without service price inflations, though device compatibility whitelists should be double-checked if bringing unlocked international phones.
4. Metro by T-Mobile
   • The Setup: Multi-line unlimited 5G options where per-line costs drop significantly as you add more members to the household group.
   • Taxes: All retail monthly service plan prices include applicable taxes and regulatory fees.
   • Device Independence: Purely prepaid with zero annual service contracts or creeping device-installment plan requirements attached to your monthly rate.

Community Perspectives

If you'd like to narrow this down, please let me know:

• How many lines you need for your family
• Your preferred network coverage in your area (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile)
• Whether you plan to bring your current phones or purchase new ones

I can provide an exact monthly cost breakdown for your specific setup.

If your priorities are multi-line value, transparent taxes/fees, and pricing that doesn’t depend on financing or buying a particular phone, I’d narrow the field to these:

1. US Mobile — best overall

US Mobile is particularly compelling if you want the bill to be easy to understand. Its Unlimited Starter is $100/month for four lines ($25/line), with taxes included, and its pricing is essentially flat per line rather than relying on a complicated “first line + discounted additional lines” structure. It also lets different family members use different underlying networks.

2. Visible — simplest bill

Visible is excellent if you want one straightforward price per line without tying the wireless price to a phone purchase. Its current plans have taxes and fees included, with the basic unlimited plan around $25/month. The catch is that Visible doesn't work like a traditional family account—you generally manage/pay for lines individually rather than getting a conventional pooled family bill.

3. T-Mobile — best traditional carrier

For a family that wants physical stores, premium network service and streaming perks, T-Mobile is worth paying more for. Its Essentials family pricing has recently fallen substantially; four lines are around $140/month before applicable taxes/fees, while higher tiers bundle services such as Netflix and Apple TV+.

The downside for your particular criteria: taxes and fees aren't as cleanly baked into the advertised price as they are with US Mobile or Visible.

4. Google Fi Wireless — best for international families

Fi is attractive if family members travel internationally. Its higher-tier unlimited plans include international data in 200+ countries, making the extra monthly cost potentially worthwhile for frequent travelers.

Taxes/fees aren't as transparent as an all-in price, however, so it falls behind US Mobile and Visible on your specific criterion.

5. Mint Mobile — best for bargain hunters

Mint has exceptionally low advertised rates—currently starting around $15/month for certain plans—but its model is less family-centric and often involves prepaying for longer periods to obtain the lowest effective monthly price. Taxes and fees are also separate.

My ranking for your criteria

1. US Mobile — best combination of transparent, device-independent pricing + genuine family economics.
2. Visible — simplest all-in pricing, especially if everyone is comfortable with separate lines.
3. T-Mobile — best traditional family carrier if perks and retail support matter more than tax transparency.
4. Google Fi — excellent for international families.
5. Mint Mobile — great low-cost option, but less elegant for a conventional family setup.

One important distinction: “device-independent” means the service price doesn't change based on whether you bring an iPhone, Android, or buy the phone elsewhere. All of the carriers above can work that way; you don't need to finance a carrier-subsidized phone to get the advertised service price. Device promotions are a separate calculation.

If you tell me how many lines (e.g. 3, 4, 5) and roughly how much data each person needs, I can compare the actual monthly totals—including taxes/fees and hotspot/international features side-by-side.

2. Visible — simplest bill

Visible is excellent if you want one straightforward price per line without tying the wireless price to a phone purchase. Its current plans have taxes and fees included, with the basic unlimited plan around $25/month. The catch is that Visible doesn't work like a traditional family account—you generally manage/pay for lines individually rather than getting a conventional pooled family bill.

3. T-Mobile — best traditional carrier

For a family that wants physical stores, premium network service and streaming perks, T-Mobile is worth paying more for. Its Essentials family pricing has recently fallen substantially; four lines are around $140/month before applicable taxes/fees, while higher tiers bundle services such as Netflix and Apple TV+.

The downside for your particular criteria: taxes and fees aren't as cleanly baked into the advertised price as they are with US Mobile or Visible.

4. Google Fi Wireless — best for international families

Fi is attractive if family members travel internationally. Its higher-tier unlimited plans include international data in 200+ countries, making the extra monthly cost potentially worthwhile for frequent travelers.

Taxes/fees aren't as transparent as an all-in price, however, so it falls behind US Mobile and Visible on your specific criterion.

5. Mint Mobile — best for bargain hunters

Mint has exceptionally low advertised rates—currently starting around $15/month for certain plans—but its model is less family-centric and often involves prepaying for longer periods to obtain the lowest effective monthly price. Taxes and fees are also separate.

If your priorities are multi-line value + taxes/fees transparency + pricing that does not depend on financing a particular phone, the best fits are usually prepaid or “no-contract” carriers rather than the big three’s device-promotion-heavy plans. Here are the strongest options:

Top picks

1. Best overall for transparent family pricing: Visible

Visible is one of the cleanest choices if you want to avoid “free phone” promotions that actually involve bill credits, upgrade cycles, or premium plan requirements. Its advertised plans include taxes and fees, and the pricing is the same whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a phone you already own.

Best for:

• Families who buy phones separately
• People who hate surprise fees
• Households where each person chooses their own device

Trade-off: It generally does not have the same retail-store experience or premium perks as Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T.

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2. Best for flexible families: US Mobile

US Mobile is attractive for families with mixed needs: one person may need lots of data, another may barely use any. It also emphasizes configurable plans rather than tying value to phone promotions.

Best for:

• Families with different usage patterns
• BYOD households
• People comfortable managing service online

Trade-off: You may need to compare plan details more carefully than with Visible.

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3. Best for international families: Google Fi Wireless

Google Fi has clear group pricing tiers and supports families that travel. For example, its Unlimited plans scale by number of members, with four-line pricing shown directly rather than requiring device purchases. Google Fi Taxes and government fees are added separately and depend on location, so the final bill is not as “all-in” as Visible.

Best for:

• International travel
• Android-heavy households
• Families wanting easy account management

Trade-off: Not always the cheapest for large domestic-only families.

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4. Best traditional-carrier choice: T-Mobile

T-Mobile often has strong four-line pricing and promotions, but many savings opportunities are connected to trade-ins, specific plans, or device offers.

Best for:

• Families who want stores and carrier support
• People who upgrade phones regularly
• Areas where T-Mobile coverage is strongest

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My ranking for your specific criteria

1. Visible — best combination of simple pricing, included taxes, and device freedom
2. US Mobile — best customization and BYOD flexibility
3. Google Fi Wireless — best for travel and tech-oriented families
4. T-Mobile — best major-carrier compromise
5. AT&T / Verizon — best if coverage or retail support matters more than billing simplicity

A useful rule: if you want a bill you can predict without reading fine print, prioritize taxes-included prepaid plans and buy phones unlocked separately rather than chasing “free phone” carrier offers.

If you tell me the number of lines (2, 3, 4, 5+), typical data usage, and whether you need iPhone financing or international roaming, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 plans.

When looking for a multi-line family plan that combines true price transparency (taxes and fees included in the flat rate) with device-independent pricing (meaning you aren't locked into monthly phone financing gimmicks or forced device upgrade cycles to get the best rate), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and select value-focused carriers are your best bet.

The top carriers meeting these criteria stand out for different family setups:

Top Family Carriers with Transparent & Device-Independent Pricing

1. US Mobile (Best Overall for Flexibility & Network Choice)
   • Why it fits: They feature completely flat, transparent pricing where all taxes and fees are included in the advertised monthly price. Their multi-line unlimited plans allow you to mix and match lines across the major US networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T).
   • Device stance: 100% device-independent—bring your own device (BYOD) or use whatever unlocked phone you already own without affecting your per-line discount.
   • Cost structure: Four lines of Unlimited Starter cost a flat $100/month total ($25/line), tax included.
2. Total Wireless (Best Value on Verizon’s Network)
   • Why it fits: Total Wireless has shifted its entire lineup toward tax-inclusive, straightforward pricing paired with a 5-year price guarantee. They focus heavily on multi-line savings, such as offering multi-line deals where the fourth line is heavily discounted or free.
   • Device stance: Tailored explicitly for bring-your-own-device households, though they frequently offer switch-over device promos if you need them.
   • Cost structure: Four lines on their base unlimited tiers start around $100 to $115/month total, with zero hidden regulatory fees or surprise taxes.
3. Cricket Wireless (Best for AT&T Network Coverage)
   • Why it fits: Cricket (owned by AT&T) includes all monthly state and federal taxes and regulatory fees directly in its service plan sticker prices.
   • Device stance: Completely device-independent; you pay strictly for the service tier. They support BYOD with simple SIM activation.
   • Cost structure: Multi-line unlimited group savings scale down nicely, making four lines on reliable AT&T infrastructure straightforward and predictable.
4. T-Mobile (Best Mainline Carrier Option)
   • Why it fits: Unlike AT&T and Verizon major postpaid lines which tack on unpredictable local taxes and government surcharges on top of the bill, T-Mobile includes taxes and fees in the base price for the vast majority of their primary plans.
   • Device stance: While they heavily market device promotions (trade-ins via 24-month credits), you can easily sign up for plans like Essentials on a device-independent basis with your own hardware.
   • Cost structure: Four lines on basic tiers start at $100/month (with autopay), though keep in mind that unlike US Mobile or Total Wireless, local municipal taxes can occasionally creep back in depending on specific legacy or promotional plan variants.

Community Feedback

Users sharing their real-world switches to transparent carriers frequently highlight the relief of ditching hidden line-item fees:

To help narrow down the ideal option, tell me:

• How many lines do you need?
• What is your estimated monthly data usage per line?
• Which underlying network (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon) has the best coverage in your area?

If your priorities are multi-line savings + taxes/fees that are easy to understand + pricing that doesn’t depend on which phone you buy, I’d focus on prepaid/MVNO-style carriers rather than the Big Three.

Best options right now

US Mobile's current Unlimited Starter is particularly compelling: $25/line, $100 for four lines, taxes included, no autopay requirement, and each line can use one of three nationwide networks. Its Premium plan is $44/line ($176 for four).

US Mobile is therefore my #1 pick if "what I see advertised is what I actually pay" is the priority. Its flat per-line structure also works unusually well if family members have different phones—you aren't paying more for someone because they're using an iPhone Pro rather than an inexpensive Android.

Why I'd put the others behind it

• Cricket Wireless — Excellent if you want a straightforward prepaid family account. Its current Supreme Unlimited example is $130 for four lines with taxes included and 50 GB of hotspot per line.
• Visible — Very transparent: its pricing includes taxes and fees, and the service isn't tied to financing a particular phone. The catch is that Visible is structured more around individual lines than a conventional shared family account.
• T-Mobile — Probably the best choice if you want a traditional carrier with stores and premium perks. But advertised prices can depend on autopay, and taxes/fees are added at billing. Current four-line examples range from $140 for Essentials to $220 for Experience More.
• Verizon — Similar story: four lines currently run $120/$180/$240 for Welcome/Plus/Ultimate before taxes and fees. It's a good network choice, but less transparent on the final bill.
• AT&T — Four lines currently start around $120 for Value 2.0, but taxes are added and there is also a per-line activation fee.

My ranking for your specific criteria

1. US Mobile — best combination of transparent final price, flexible family lines, and phone independence.
2. Cricket — excellent if you want AT&T coverage and a traditional family-account experience.
3. Visible — excellent price transparency, especially if each person can manage their own line.
4. T-Mobile — best major-carrier compromise if you want stores, perks, and device promotions.
5. Verizon / AT&T — worth choosing primarily when their network coverage is materially better where your family lives/works.

One important distinction: device-independent pricing doesn't mean you can't finance phones. It means the service price doesn't change because you choose an expensive phone. You can buy unlocked phones separately and keep the wireless bill independent—which is generally the cleanest way to compare the real cost of a family plan.

If you tell me how many lines (e.g. 3, 4, 5), approximate data use, and whether you need hotspot/international service, I can calculate the true monthly after-tax cost of the top 4–5 choices for your family.

When looking for multi-line family plans that combine transparent, tax-inclusive pricing with device-independent freedom (meaning you aren't locked into monthly phone credits or hardware bundles to get a good deal), your best options shift away from legacy postpaid giants and heavily toward MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) and prepaid brands.

The top mobile carriers and plans that check all these boxes are organized below:

1. US Mobile (Top Pick for Flexibility & Transparency)

US Mobile is widely recognized as a premier choice for families because it decouples service pricing completely from hardware financing while offering true multi-line savings and transparent billing.

• Tax Transparency: Taxes and fees are completely included in the flat monthly price for virtually all of their plans.
• Device Independence: They operate strictly on a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) or outright purchase model. You aren’t trapped by 24-to-36-month bill credits.
• Family/Multi-Line Pricing: Their Unlimited Starter plan sits at a flat per-line cost (e.g., 4 lines for $100/mo total, or $25/line), and a major perk of US Mobile is the ability to mix and match networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T towers) under a single family account dashboard.

2. Total Wireless (Best Value on Verizon’s Network)

Rebranded heavily with a value-focused approach, Total Wireless provides multi-line unlimited 5G data powered by Verizon’s expansive infrastructure with zero billing surprises.

• Tax Transparency: What you see is what you pay—all taxes and regulatory fees are included in the advertised rate.
• Device Independence: Their plans are structured explicitly around prepaid, no-contract savings with a heavy emphasis on bringing your own phone (though they sell devices outright too).
• Family/Multi-Line Pricing: They offer aggressive multi-line discounts, such as 4 lines on their base/unlimited tiers starting around $100 to $115/mo total, frequently backed by multi-year price guarantees.

3. Cricket Wireless (Best Simple Prepaid Option on AT&T’s Network)

Owned by AT&T, Cricket Wireless offers reliable coverage with a completely straightforward, no-hidden-fee pricing structure for families.

• Tax Transparency: All monthly taxes and government surcharges are included in the flat retail price of the service plan.
• Device Independence: Fully compatible with unlocked BYOD devices, meaning you can drop in a SIM card without altering your device upgrade cycle or signing equipment contracts.
• Family/Multi-Line Pricing: Multi-line discounts scale cleanly when you bundle 2 to 4 lines on their multi-line unlimited tiers.

4. Metro by T-Mobile (Best for Unlimited T-Mobile Network Perks)

If you prefer T-Mobile’s network coverage without signing up for flagship postpaid contracts that tack on variable fees, Metro by T-Mobile is a strong contender.

• Tax Transparency: Taxes and regulatory fees are baked directly into the monthly plan cost , unlike its parent carrier's standard postpaid lines.
• Device Independence: While they love pushing device promos, their multi-line plans work seamlessly if you bring your own unlocked phone.
• Family/Multi-Line Pricing: They frequently run multi-line promotional pricing for 2 to 4 lines of unlimited data.

Why Major Carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile Postpaid) Fall Short Here:

• Taxes: While T-Mobile includes taxes on many legacy/older plans, their newer primary unlimited tiers often exclude taxes and fees for new sign-ups, or split them unpredictably based on line additions. Verizon and AT&T almost universally add state/local taxes and administrative surcharges on top of the advertised base rate.
• Device Independence: Major postpaid family plans heavily tie their best multi-line "deals" or streaming perks to 36-month device financing agreements. If you try to bring your own device, you rarely get a discount on the service cost, meaning you're subsidizing hardware promotions you aren't using.

If you want to narrow this down further, let me know:

• Which network (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) has the best coverage in your area?
• How many lines you need to set up?