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Best cell phone plans for seniors in 2024

The key to finding the best value senior phone plan is all about leveraging the competitive rates offered by low-cost carriers. You'll get the same coverage for a fraction of the cost without hidden fees and price hikes. Here are the most affordable providers to consider.

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Frustrated with the high costs and complex phone bills from the big three? You're not alone.

As these companies announce multi-billion dollar profits to their shareholders and further price hikes to their customers, they're missing out on a key demographic: cost-conscious seniors seeking straightforward, affordable plans.

Leveraging my decade-long experience in the wireless industry, I've reviewed 30 carriers and over 100 phone plans to find the gems.

To save you time, I have excluded carriers that:

  • Only offer unlimited data plans
  • Only advertise multi-line prices
  • Have confusing phone bills with unexpected fees
  • Lure customers with "free" phones
  • Constantly try to upsell additional lines
  • Bundle plans with unnecessary subscriptions
  • Need loads of small print to explain their offers
  • Want you to go to a store
  • Need a commission-based salesperson
  • Reward customer loyalty with increased prices

The good news is that affordable carriers on those same reliable networks do exist, offering a breath of fresh air from the usual suspects.

I've compared the best value plans across each of the 3 networks, as the best plans depend on your network preference and cell phone usage. So, whether you're a light browser or need a bit more data, there's a plan here for you, stripped of unnecessary costs and complexity.

Below are the best value phone plans for seniors. I've done the legwork so you can easily choose a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget, ensuring you stay connected without the financial strain.

Best plans for seniors on T-Mobile

These are the top 3 plans from low-cost carriers with T-Mobile coverage to consider.

Cheap T-Mobile plan

Tello 2GB plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$10/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$780 in annual savings

Best family plan on T-Mobile

Mint Mobile 15GB plan

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
15GB
data
$15/mo*
$20/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2 Read our Mint Mobile review
$675 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on T-Mobile

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

How T-Mobile compares

The table below demonstrates that choosing the Tello unlimited data plan would save you $600 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile directly.

T-Mobile T-Mobile coverage at a fraction of the cost
See at Tello See at Mint Mobile
*$45 for 3 Months
See at Tello
T-Mobile 4G & 5GT-Mobile 4G & 5GT-Mobile 4G & 5G
Unlimited data
*not unlimited
Unlimited dataUnlimited dataUnlimited data
$75/mo$10/mo$15/mo*$20/mo$25/mo
$900/yr$120/yr$225/yr$300/yr
1.4 on Trustpilot
4.6 on Trustpilot
2.9 on Trustpilot
4.6 on Trustpilot
Annual savings$780/yr$675/yr$600/yr

Best plans for seniors on Verizon

These are the top 3 plans from low-cost carriers with Verizon coverage to consider.

Cheap Verizon plan

Twigby 2GB plan

Image of cell phone with Twigby
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$5/mo*
$15/mo
See at Twigby

*$5/mo for 1st 3 Mths

4.4 Read our Twigby review
$750 in annual savings

Best family plan on Verizon

Red Pocket 20GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
20GB
data
$20/mo*
$25/mo
See at Red Pocket

*$240 for 12 Mths

4.1 Read our Red Pocket review
$660 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on Verizon

US Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with US Mobile
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$29/mo
See at US Mobile

*30 Day FREE Trial

5 Read our US Mobile review
$594 in annual savings

How Verizon compares

The table below demonstrates that choosing the US Mobile unlimited data plan would save you $594 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from Verizon directly.

Verizon Verizon coverage at a fraction of the cost
See at Twigby
*$5/mo for 1st 3 Mths
See at Red Pocket
*$240 for 12 Mths
See at US Mobile
*30 Day FREE Trial
Verizon 4G & 5GAT&T & Verizon 4G & 5GVerizon & T-Mobile 4G & 5G
Unlimited data
*not unlimited
Unlimited dataUnlimited dataUnlimited data
$75/mo$5/mo*$15/mo$20/mo*$25/mo$15/mo*$29/mo
$900/yr$150/yr$240/yr$306/yr
1.2 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
4.7 on Trustpilot
Annual savings$750/yr$660/yr$594/yr

Best plans for seniors on AT&T

These are the top 3 plans from low-cost carriers with AT&T coverage to consider.

Cheap AT&T plan

Red Pocket 1GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
1GB
data
$10/mo
4.1 Read our Red Pocket review
$780 in annual savings

Best family plan on AT&T

Red Pocket 20GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
20GB
data
$20/mo*
$25/mo
See at Red Pocket

*$240 for 12 Mths

4.1 Read our Red Pocket review
$660 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on AT&T

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Boost Mobile
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
See at Boost Mobile

*50% Off 1st Mth

4 Read our Boost Mobile review
$612.50 in annual savings

How AT&T compares

The table below demonstrates that choosing the Boost Mobile unlimited data plan would save you $612.50 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from AT&T directly.

AT&T AT&T coverage at a fraction of the cost
See at Red Pocket See at Red Pocket
*$240 for 12 Mths
See at Boost Mobile
*50% Off 1st Mth
AT&T & Verizon 4G & 5GAT&T & Verizon 4G & 5GAT&T & T-Mobile 4G & 5G
Unlimited data
*not unlimited
Unlimited dataUnlimited dataUnlimited data
$75/mo$10/mo$20/mo*$25/mo$12.50/mo*$25/mo
$900/yr$120/yr$240/yr$287.50/yr
1.3 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
1.3 on Trustpilot
Annual savings$780/yr$660/yr$612.50/yr

Best overall value plan for Seniors

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

Big wireless: Big prices, big profits, little value

The average phone bill is $155 per month, and while 38 million Americans live in poverty, the government cut funding to the Affordable Connectivity Program, which was assisting 22 million low-income families with subsidized internet and cell phone service.

At the same time, the big three spent January celebrating record profits and multi-billion dollar shareholder dividend payouts while simultaneously announcing yet more price hikes.

So, big wireless continues to raise prices, and the government drops assistance to those in need. However, you do have options, so the power is in your hands.

Take back control of your phone bill

A big wireless unlimited plan will cost you $1,600 extra over the next 3 years compared to getting the same service from an MVNO.

A big wireless unlimited data plan will cost you $2,700 over the next 3 years for just 1 line. In comparison, unlimited plans from a low-cost carrier over the same period would cost only $900.

So, buying directly from Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T is now 3 times more expensive for the same coverage. This does not include fees and taxes or future price hikes.

Why is it so much more expensive to buy the same service directly?

With big wireless, you are paying for multi-billion dollar ad campaigns, stadium sponsorships, and thousands of stores with commission-based salespeople - all these expenses get passed onto you to maximize profits and dividend payouts.

With this next generation of MVNOs, you switch online and just pay for phone service.

Cut your phone bill, not your coverage

These low-cost carriers offer a great alternative with transparent pricing, a range of data plans to customize to your needs, and more highly rated customer service.

You can keep your phone, number, coverage, and most importantly, your money!

Even better, it's quick and easy; you can complete the entire switching process online in minutes with an eSIM-compatible phone.

So, now is the time to re-evaluate your options, take back control of your phone bill, and free yourself from price hikes forever!


Compare the cheapest senior cell phone plans

Carrier Data Monthly Price Annual Price Savings
Tello 2GB $10/mo $120/yr $780/yr See at Tello
Mint Mobile 15GB $15/mo*$20/mo $225/yr $675/yr See at Mint Mobile
*$45 for 3 Months
Tello Unlimited $25/mo $300/yr $600/yr See at Tello

Check out our senior cell phone comparison to help find the best deal.


How to choose the best value carrier for seniors

  • What network coverage do you prefer? As a senior, especially if you live in a rural area, network reliability is crucial. Thankfully, affordable carriers use the same robust 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks as the big three. According to an Opensignal 5G Experience Report (2023), T-Mobile leads in 5G coverage, but you can choose an MVNO on your preferred network for peace of mind.
  • How much data do you need? Contrary to the push for unlimited data plans, many seniors like yourself may find your actual usage is much lower, thanks to Wi-Fi at home or in community spaces. Low-cost carriers offer plans that match your real needs, as the average monthly cellular data use is around 10GB.
  • Is hotspot data included? Hotspot functionality is a standard feature, though tethering data limits vary by plan and carrier. If you're a senior who enjoys tablets or needs internet on the go without Wi-Fi, you'll find data-only plans, ensuring you're always connected.
  • What's the monthly price? While mainstream unlimited plans hover around $75-90 monthly, savvy seniors like yourself can find MVNO plans from $5-35 without compromising on coverage or speed.
  • How many lines do you need? Unlike the major networks that only offer the best prices for four-line bundles, MVNOs provide straightforward, single-line pricing. However, some also offer discounts for multiple lines, perfect for adding a spouse or family member and maximizing savings.
  • Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device? We understand, as a senior, that saving money where you can is crucial, and MVNOs allow you to bring your own phone, freeing you from the endless, unnecessary upgrade cycle. Although, if you're in the market for a new device, there are affordable options with 0% financing.
  • Are there any deals or promotions? While the big three deals may seem enticing, they often entail unnecessary purchases. MVNOs, on the other hand, offer clear, straightforward promotions, making it easier to understand what you're really getting.
  • What perks or add ons can I expect? Big wireless might lure you with "free" subscriptions, which often morph into paid additions to your bill. As a senior it's wise to consider whether these perks align with your actual needs to avoid unwanted costs.
  • Is international calling included? Staying connected with family abroad is important. Many MVNOs include free international calling to various countries, which is a significant consideration if you have family, friends, children, or grandchildren abroad.

Check out our cell phone plan comparison to ensure you find the best deal.


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Senior phone plans FAQs


Recap: What is the best senior cell phone plan?

The big three seem unwavering in their strategy to hike prices, a move that appears less about market demands and more about boosting their bottom line at the expense of their dedicated customers, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes.

With the cost of living on the rise, essentials like groceries and utilities are becoming increasingly expensive. Yet, there's a silver lining when it comes to your cell phone bill.

By choosing the right carrier, you can still enjoy the same quality service you're accustomed to as a senior but at a significantly lower cost. You could potentially save up to $600 annually for each line.

As a senior evaluating your next cell phone plan, it's crucial to make an informed decision. I recommend using our cell phone plan comparison. It's designed to help you navigate through the options and secure the best deal that aligns with your specific needs and budget.

Phone plan guides

How we choose the best carriers and plans

To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.

Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:

  1. Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
  2. Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
  3. Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
  4. Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
  5. Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.

Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.

We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.

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