Tello vs Consumer Cellular
Which carrier is right for you?

We compared Tello & Consumer Cellular plans, coverage & customer ratings: Which cell phone service is best?

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Looking to switch carrier but not sure if Tello or Consumer Cellular is better?

Within this guide, you'll be able to compare Tello and Consumer Cellular coverage, features, plans and prices side-by-side, so you can decide for yourself which carrier offers the best deal.

Tello vs Consumer Cellular plans

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$25/mo
See at Tello

*$10 off for 3 Mths

5Read our Tello review
$630 in annual savings

Tello phone plans keep things simple with their wireless service. None of those hidden fees or long-term contracts that'll leave you feeling trapped.

With free international calls to 60+ countries on all plans, including Canada and Mexico, and a range of data allowances suitable for light to heavy users.

Pros

  • T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
  • Free international calling to 60+ countries
  • Free mobile hotspot included
  • Excellent score on Trustpilot
  • eSIM compatible

Cons

  • No international roaming
  • No multi-line discounts
  • Not only are their plans affordable for all budgets, but you can build your own plan. Depending on your usage, you get to choose how much data, minutes, and texts you need, so you're not paying for stuff you don't use.
  • It's always worth checking your data usage as a set data plan could save money and help restrict excessive phone usage.
  • Mobile hotspot is available with a limit of 5 GB of data.
  • Tello doesn't offer any discounts if you purchase multiple lines, so if you're looking to get a plan for another family member, each line is billed as a single line at full price. However, you can still save money due to the low cost of their individual plans.
  • Being online-based means that activation of an eSIM plan can take just a few clicks, or you can have a SIM card mailed to you.

Consumer Cellular unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Consumer Cellular
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$50/mo
3.5Read our Consumer Cellular review
$300 in annual savings

Pros

  • Simple, solid plan options
  • AARP discount
  • Competitive pricing for light to medium users
  • Device payment plan
  • US-based customer service

Cons

  • Small plan selection
  • Expensive unlimited data plan

Tello vs Consumer Cellular comparison

Consumer Cellular
$50/mo
Unlimiteddata
T-Mobile5G & 4G networks
$600/yrTotal cost
$19/mo
10GBdata
T-Mobile5G & 4G networks
$228/yrTotal cost
vs
$24/mo
15GBdata
T-Mobile5G & 4G networks
$288/yrTotal cost
$15/mo*$25/mo
Unlimiteddata
T-Mobile5G & 4G networks
See at Tello*$10 off for 3 Mths
$270/yrTotal cost

Tello plans start at $15* and Consumer Cellular plans start as low as $50. With no contract, you can get some of the cheapest cell phone plans when shopping for a deal with MVNO's like Tello and Consumer Cellular.

CarrierNetworkDataPrice
Tello unlimited talk & text planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage0GB$8/mo
Tello 1GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage1GB$9/mo
Tello 2GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage2GB$10/mo
Tello 5GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage5GB$14/mo
Tello 10GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage10GB$19/mo
Tello unlimited data planT-Mobile 5G/4G CoverageUnltd$15/mo$25/mo
Tello 15GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage15GB$24/mo
CarrierNetworkDataPrice
Consumer Cellular 1GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage1GB$20/mo
Consumer Cellular 5GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage5GB$25/mo
Consumer Cellular 10GB planT-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage10GB$35/mo
Consumer Cellular unlimited data planT-Mobile 5G/4G CoverageUnltd$50/mo

Tello vs Consumer Cellular coverage

Tello is powered by T-Mobile and Consumer Cellular is powered by T-Mobile. Coverage can vary depending on your location. You can check their availability in your area by using our coverage checker.

Tello coverage

Tello is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.

View Tello coverage map

T-Mobile coverage map

Consumer Cellular coverage

Consumer Cellular is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.

View Consumer Cellular coverage map

T-Mobile coverage map

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Tello vs Consumer Cellular plan features

Carrier FeaturesTelloConsumer Cellular
NetworksT-MobileT-Mobile
Data Speed5G & 4G LTE5G & 4G LTE
3G NetworkGSMGSM
Mobile HotspotYesYes
Bring Your PhoneYesYes
Keep Your NumberYesYes
ContractPrepaidPrepaid
Credit CheckNoNo
Customer Service24/7Mon-Fri 5am to 6pm / Sat-Sun 6am to 5pm
Money Back GuaranteeNoNo
5GYesYes
Taxes includedVaries by LocationVaries by Location
VoLTEYesYes
WiFi CallingYesYes
Visual VoicemailNoNo
Multi-line DiscountsNoYes
Multi-month DiscountsNoNo
International CallsYes - Includes 60+ countriesYes - As add-on
International RoamingNoYes

Tello vs Consumer Cellular customer service

Tello customer service

Contact Tello customer care

Consumer Cellular customer service

Contact Consumer Cellular customer care


Tello vs Consumer Cellular FAQs

The main difference between Tello and Consumer Cellular are plan prices and features. Both offer cheap cell phone plans powered by the major networks.

Tello is powered by T-Mobile and Consumer Cellular runs on T-Mobile.

Most newer handsets are compatible if they're unlocked, but if you're not sure you can check phone compatibility with our IMEI checker.

If your Tello phone is unlocked it should work with Consumer Cellular. Most of the latest handsets are compatible but you can check your phone's compatibility with the carrier before purchasing.


Tello comparison guides

Consumer Cellular comparison guides

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