Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors in 2021

The best senior cell phone plans in September

Table of Contents

• Senior cell phone plan benefits

• Best cheap T-Mobile senior plan

• Best cheap Verizon senior plan

• Best cheap AT&T senior plan

• Compare cheap cell phone plans for seniors

Check Carrier CoverageSee Deals

Senior cell phone plan benefits

We love Mobile Virtual Network Operators or MVNOs. If you're on the lookout for cheap cell phone plans, they're the best route to go down.

Want to stay on the same network, keep your phone and number, plus get greater flexibility?

Yep. You've got it. Forget the major carriers. Plans include everything you need but come at a much better price with an MVNO.

• Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big four carriers.

• Much lower prices: Save up to $600 per year on your cell phone plan. Why are MVNOs so much cheaper? They don't have the huge overhead and advertising costs the big guys do.

• No contracts: Don't get trapped into a two-year agreement. Switch carriers when you decide to with a no contract phone plan.

• Same cell phone service: Just because you're paying less, that doesn't mean you have to scrimp on features. Plans with unlimited everything are easy to find from these prepaid carriers. Usually, a low cost carrier plan comes with unlimited talk and text as standard, high speed data, and even mobile hotspot data features.

• Keep your phone and number: You can bring your own phone and keep your phone number. No need to sign up for pricey device payments.

• Customize your plan: You decide how much data you need. Choose to pay as you go, opt for unlimited or no data, minimal minutes, or unlimited talk text and data. Unlimited data plans come at a much better price with an alternative carrier. Pick the plan options that fit your budget - not the one your carrier thinks you need.

• Great customer support: Smaller mobile providers are known for their attention to their customers. Stop feeling like an anonymous number getting lost in the crowd! Check out our carrier user reviews before switching.

Best cheap T-Mobile senior plan

Mint Mobile 4GB data plan* $45 for 3 Months Service

Unlimitedmins

Unlimitedtexts

4 GB

4G data

$15*

per month

See Deal

Powered by: T-Mobile

T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile Plan Comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year

Compare: best T-Mobile senior plans

Best cheap Verizon senior plan

US Mobile 5GB data planFree Starter Kit with code: MSPUSM

Unlimitedmins

Unlimitedtexts

5 GB

4G data

$15

per month

See Deal

Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile

Verizon vs US Mobile Plan Comparison

Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $780 per year

Compare: best Verizon senior plans

Best cheap AT&T senior plan

Good2Go Mobile 3GB data plan* 50% Off for 3 Months

Unlimitedmins

Unlimitedtexts

3 GB

4G data

$10*

per month

$20/mo

See Deal

Powered by: AT&T & T-Mobile

AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile Plan Comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $690 per year

Compare: best AT&T senior plans

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 multi-line 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.

Compare cheap cell phone plans for seniors

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

Find Cheap Cell Phone Plans in Your AreaSee Deals

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.

How to switch 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.

Bring your own phone & save even more

You need simple in your life. The great thing about MVNOs is that switching carriers is easy.

You need an unlocked phone (meaning your carrier has released it for use on another network). Once you've checked with your new provider about phone compatibility the rest is a breeze.

Most low-cost carriers simply provide you with a prepaid SIM card. You pop it into your mobile phone and follow the provider's instructions. Just make sure you don't cancel your current phone plan until you've ported your phone number over to the new carrier.

Cheap cell phone companies list

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

Best 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 cheap cell phone deals for seniors

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	Best prepaid plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	$10/mo
Mint Mobile	Best unlimited plan	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	$30/mo
US Mobile	Best data plan	0	0	2GB	$10/mo