Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors of 2021

The best senior phone plans in April

Table of Contents

• Cheap senior cell phone plans benefits
• Senior cell phone plans features
• Carrier coverage comparison
• Carrier customer service comparison
• Senior cell phone plan types

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Cheap senior cell phone plans benefits

• Big network coverage without the hefty price tag - MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) are powered by the same network as the big four telecom providers. You can slash your bill but still enjoy the same coverage. How are they so cheap? Being online only, they don't have the cost of physical stores and sales staff. They also don't use your money for expensive advertising.

• Customized plans - Only pay for what you need. Do you need unlimited everything? If not, tailoring a plan to fit your usage will save you hundreds of dollars a year on your cell phone bill.

• No contracts or credit checks - All low-cost carriers offer prepaid plans. No credit checks or long term tie ins. The great thing is if you're not happy you can leave at any time. No questions asked and no early termination fees.

• Keep your phone and your number - Most alternative carriers encourage you to bring your own phone. You can check if your phone is compatible on the carrier's website. They make it simple and hassle free to switch over.

T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Plan Comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $540 per year

Senior cell phone plans features

• 4G LTE data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big four cellular networks you'll pay less without sacrificing speed. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so you can expect high-speed data.

• Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calls in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.

• International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico, and discounted rates on others.

• Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with multiline discounts.

• Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you're out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.

• Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.

• HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't. Read the fine print to find the option you want.

Carrier coverage comparison

Which prepaid carrier is best for you? That depends on which network has the best coverage in your area.

Whether you go with a GSM carrier (T-Mobile and AT&T) or a CDMA carrier (Verizon) you'll enjoy national coverage, just like with the major carriers.

Network performance ratings

Source: Rootmetrics

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Cheapest cell phone carriers by network

• Best cheap AT&T senior plans: Red Pocket, Pure Talk, and Good2Go Mobile.

• Best cheap Verizon senior plans : US Mobile, Reach Mobile, and Ting.

• Best cheap T-Mobile senior plans: Mint Mobile, Tello, and Boost Mobile.

Carrier customer service comparison

Concerned that low-cost carriers won't have good customer service? Don't be, on average MVNOs score much higher customer ratings than the big networks as you'll see in the comparison chart below:

Senior cell phone plan types

• Unlimited plans: Looking for unlimited talk text and data? Alternative carriers have got you covered. Data hungry users looking for unlimited plus plans can save serious money by switching to one of the cheapest unlimited data plans. Not sure how much data you need? Check out our data usage calculator.

• Basic plans: If you (or a loved one) only use a cell phone to make a few calls, send a couple of messages and rarely go online then you can opt for a simply prepaid plan. You get basic cell phone functions, an allowance for minutes of talk, and usually around 2GB of data at a great price. Once you run out of your data allotment, speeds slow, but it's usually very easy to add on more.

• Family plans: Need four lines or more? Many MVNOs offer group plans. Compare the cheapest family phone plans so you can pick and choose what each family member needs.

• Bring your own phone plans: BYOP plans are the norm with smaller carriers. Compare cell phone prices and get a great deal to go with your cheap cell phone plan!

• Single line plans: Stop paying a premium rate just because you only need one line. Find the best phone plans for individuals.

• Talk and text only plans: Don't need data? No problem - compare cheap talk and text plans. Bonus, you'll save a ton of money if you're not paying for data!

• Tablet plans: Find the cheapest data plan for your tablet or iPad.

Senior cell phone plans comparison

Switching to a cheaper carrier

It's never been easier to switch. Let's break it down.

1. Customize your plan. Whether you're looking for a truly unlimited plan, or in the market for something more basic, choose a plan to suit your cell phone needs.

2. Prepare to make the switch. Make sure your old bills are paid up and your phone is unlocked. If you're getting a new device, transferring data from one to another is simple. Even if you're going from an iPhone to Android, and vice versa.

3. Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your number has ported over. Once you're sure your new plan is up and running, cancel your old account. If you've got a new device with your Tello plan, it should be ready to use when it arrives. If you're bringing your own phone then you'll need to follow the instructions with the new SIM card kit that Tello will send to you in the post.

Cheap cell phone companies list

Cheap cell phones for seniors

So what if you do want to upgrade your phone? It's all good - with a prepaid carrier you can save a ton of money by choosing one of a couple of great money-saving options:

• Buy a new phone from the carrier: More and more MVNOs are offering a selection of affordable phones. Some even give you the choice of making device payments instead of paying all at once. We've gathered the best cell phone deals for you to compare all in one place.

• Buy a refurbished cell phone: If you'd rather own your phone outright, compare refurbished phone deals to save over 50% on top models in great condition.

Best cell phone deals for seniors

Making emergency calls

If you or a relative live alone and you're looking for a plan that provides peace of mind in case of an emergency. GreatCall is one of the best.

GreatCall

Targeted specifically towards seniors, GreatCall offers not only affordable cell phone plans but also the added peace of mind with emergency services access. Unfortunately you can't bring your own phone to GreatCall, but they have two phones available directly. If you've not heard of the Jitterbug phones you can find out more below;

• Jitterbug Lively Flip: An easy to use flip phone with large buttons and easy to read display. In case of an emergency there is an urgent response button. And the best part? It's connected to Amazon Alexa.

• Jitterbug Smart: This smartphone is easy to setup and has a large 5.5" display. Perfect for video chatting with friends and family. There's also a 5Star urgent response button in case of an emergency.

GreatCall offers optional health and safety packages. Along with urgent response, you can choose from features like 24/7 access to medical professionals. They also provide a US based customer support team.

Low income phone plans

With a low-cost carrier, you'll find a plan no matter your budget. And the best thing is there's no surprises on your bill at the end of the month. If you're looking for further discounts or you're on a low income there are plenty of options.

Many cell phone companies offer discounts to AARP members. If you're not a member find out more about AARP here.

You may be eligable for the federal government Lifeline program. Participation in the following programs may qualify you:

• Medicaid

• Food stamps/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

• Federal Public Housing Assistance

• Income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs

Senior cell phone plan FAQs

Recap

An uncomplicated, budget friendly plan for seniors is totally possible. A plan with an online carrier can be tailored to your needs, so check out our savings calculator to see where you could be saving money. You'll be able to cut your bill in half, with no unwanted surprises.

Whether you're looking to be able to Facetime your grandkids, have access to the internet or just have something basic in case of emergency. There's a perfect plan available. Find out the best coverage for your area and choose a low-cost plan on a network you can trust.

You don't need to purchase a new phone when signing up with an online carrier. Most providers encourage you to bring your own. If you do bring your own device the carrier will be able to check your phone is compatible before signing up. Prefer to get a new phone? Check out the carrier's available handsets with two years 0% finance.

MoneySavingPro methodology

We're here to bring transparency to telecoms, putting power back in your hands. This guides everything we do.

• We've got high standards. We use our industry expertise to find carriers that reach these standards. We all deserve the best value for money, choice and customer experience.

• We care about accuracy. MoneySavingPro is run by cell phone geeks and money saving obsessives. Our content team researches everything thoroughly so that information you read here will give you the whole picture. Everything we do is backed up by the data.

• We keep things simple. It's our job to break down what you need to know, so you can make informed choices.

Carrier	Best for...	Mins	Texts	Data	Price
Tello	Prepaid	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$10/mo
Mint Mobile	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$30/mo
Reach Mobile	Family	Unlimited	Unlimited	3GB	$30/mo
Boost Mobile	5G	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB	$10/mo
Ting	Talk & Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	0GB	$10/mo
Pure Talk	Individuals	Unlimited	Unlimited	4GB	$25/mo
Gen Mobile	International	300	Unlimited	1GB	$9/mo
US Mobile	Data only	0	0	2GB	$10/mo