By Rob Webber - Last updated on
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Senior cell phone plans don't have to mean basic, but we understand the importance of saving.
If you've not heard of MVNOs - Mobile Virtual Network Operators, you're not alone. They're becoming more popular as they operate on the same networks you already know, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile but at half the price.
There's no need to pay $70-$80 a month for your cell phone plan. With an alternative carrier like Red Pocket Mobile or Ting you can save up to $600 a year without any sacrifices and we've broken it down for you below.
5 ways to save with a cheap senior plan
Tello: Cheapest senior cell phone plan
Mint Mobile: Cheapest senior phone plan for 5G
US Mobile: Cheapest family phone plan for seniors
Mint Mobile: Cheapest unlimited plan for seniors
US Mobile: Cheapest senior phone plan for one
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1GB
- Price
- $10/mo
Tello 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $10 per month. Tello plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Tello Unlimited Talk & Text |
0GB |
$8 |
|
Tello 1GB |
1GB |
$10 |
|
Tello 2GB |
2GB |
$14 |
|
Tello 5GB |
5GB |
$19 |
|
Tello 10GB |
10GB |
$24 |
|
Tello Unlimited Data |
Unlimited |
$29 |
Pros
No contract. No bulk buying.
24/7 friendly customer support
4G LTE/5G nationwide coverage
Free Hotspot & Wi-Fi Calling
Free international calls to 60+ countries
Cons
No roaming
Coverage in rural areas
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 4GB
- Price
- $15/mo** Only $45 for 3 Months
Mint Mobile 4GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 4GB data for only $15 per month. Mint Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Mint Mobile 4GB |
4GB |
$15* * Only $45 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile 10GB |
10GB |
$20* * Only $60 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile 15GB |
15GB |
$25* * Only $75 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data |
Unlimited |
$30* * Only $90 for 3 Months |
Pros
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
Cons
No family plans
Minimum 3 months
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 15GB
- Price
- $20/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial
US Mobile 15GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 15GB data for only $20 per month. US Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks.
| Plan | Data | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US Mobile 500MB |
500MB |
$5 |
||
|
US Mobile Unlimited Talk & Text |
0GB |
$8 |
||
|
US Mobile 2GB |
2GB |
$12 |
||
|
US Mobile 5GB |
5GB |
$15 |
||
|
US Mobile 15GB |
15GB |
$20 |
||
|
US Mobile 25GB |
25GB |
$25 |
||
|
US Mobile Unlimited Data Basic |
Unlimited |
$35 |
||
|
US Mobile Unlimited Data Premium |
Unlimited |
$45 |
||
* FREE 10-Day Trial |
||||
Pros
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
Cons
No international calling
Phone selection
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** Only $90 for 3 Months
Mint Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $30 per month. Mint Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Mint Mobile 4GB |
4GB |
$15* * Only $45 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile 10GB |
10GB |
$20* * Only $60 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile 15GB |
15GB |
$25* * Only $75 for 3 Months |
|
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data |
Unlimited |
$30* * Only $90 for 3 Months |
Pros
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
Cons
No family plans
Minimum 3 months
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $15/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial
US Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $15 per month. US Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the Verizon & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks.
| Plan | Data | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
US Mobile 500MB |
500MB |
$5 |
||
|
US Mobile Unlimited Talk & Text |
0GB |
$8 |
||
|
US Mobile 2GB |
2GB |
$12 |
||
|
US Mobile 5GB |
5GB |
$15 |
||
|
US Mobile 15GB |
15GB |
$20 |
||
|
US Mobile 25GB |
25GB |
$25 |
||
|
US Mobile Unlimited Data Basic |
Unlimited |
$35 |
||
|
US Mobile Unlimited Data Premium |
Unlimited |
$45 |
||
* FREE 10-Day Trial |
||||
Pros
Flexible, no contract plans
24/7 customer service
5G coverage available
Cons
No international calling
Phone selection
Cheap senior 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 three 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.
Cheap senior cell phone plans
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB plan | 1GB | T-Mobile | $10/mo |
| Twigby 4GB plan | 4GB | Verizon | $10/mo** $10 Credit with Promo Code: MSP |
| Boost Mobile 5GB plan | 5GB | AT&T & T-Mobile | $5/mo** 66% Off for 3 Months |
| US Mobile 15GB plan | 15GB | Verizon & T-Mobile | $20/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Mint Mobile Unlimited plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $30/mo** Only $90 for 3 Months |
Senior phone plans features
- 4G LTE & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big three 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.
Cheapest T-Mobile senior plan
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
4GB
4G/5G data
$15 /mo*
Powered by: T-Mobile
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | 4GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $660/yr | |
Compare: T-Mobile senior plans
Cheapest Verizon senior plan
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
5GB
4G/5G data
$15 /mo
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Verizon vs US Mobile comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $780 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| US Mobile | Verizon 4G & 5G | 5GB | $15/mo | $180/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $65/mo | $780/yr | |
Compare: Verizon senior plans
Cheapest AT&T senior plan
Unlimited mins
Unlimited texts
5GB
4G/5G data
$5 /mo*
$15/mo
Powered by: AT&T & T-Mobile
AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $750 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Boost Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | 5GB | $15/mo | $150/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $60/mo | $750/yr | |
Compare: AT&T senior plans
Carrier network coverage
| NETWORK | OVERALL | RELIABILITY | SPEED | DATA | CALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Coverage | 95 | 96 | 94 | 96 | 94 |
| AT&T Coverage | 94 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 92 |
| T-Mobile Coverage | 86 | 88 | 82 | 89 | 82 |
Source: Rootmetrics
Carrier customer service
| CARRIER | TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
|---|---|
| Reach Mobile | 4.9 |
| Tello | 4.6 |
| US Mobile | 4.6 |
| T-Mobile | 1.5 |
| Verizon | 1.3 |
| AT&T | 1.2 |
Switch to a cheap senior phone plan
It's never been easier to switch. Let's break it down.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 phones for seniors
| Device | 32GB | 128GB | 64GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Moto G7 REVVLRY | $9/mo | - | - |
| Samsung Galaxy A03s | $9/mo | - | - |
| Motorola Moto E | $11/mo | - | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S10e | - | $11/mo | - |
| Motorola Moto G Stylus | - | $11/mo | - |
| Motorola Moto One Ace | - | - | $11/mo |
| Nokia G50 | - | $11/mo | - |
| OnePlus Nord N10 | - | $11/mo | - |
| Motorola Moto G Power | $12/mo | - | - |
| Motorola Moto G Pure | $12/mo | - | - |
Cheap senior phone plans FAQs
What is the cheapest cell phone service for seniors?
MVNOs like Mint Mobile, Tello, and Boost Mobile offer plans starting at $10 per month or you can find plans with more features starting at around $15.
Who has the best cheap senior phone plans?
Low-cost carriers, such as Mint Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile offer the best cheap cell phone plans. The carriers are all powered by one of the big 3 wireless networks, so they provide the same nationwide coverage but with plans ranging from just $10-30 per month.
Recap
MVNOs make it easy to save money on your cell phone plan.
Compare a variety of affordable plans suitable for all needs while still having access to the same nationwide coverage you're used to.
Some of the carriers offer the latest handset with a 0% finance plan over two years, or to save more money you can bring your own phone, and switching carriers is quick and easy.
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... | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tello |
Cheapest phone plan | 1GB | $10/mo |
 Mint Mobile |
Cheap 5G plan | 4GB | $15/mo |
 US Mobile |
Cheap family plan | 15GB | $20/mo |
|
Mint Mobile |
Cheap unlimited plan | Unltd | $30/mo |
|
US Mobile |
Cheap individual plan | 5GB | $15/mo |
Rob has 15+ years experience in the US and UK running price comparison sites for cell phone plans, smartphone deals, TV, and internet. He loves thinking outside of the box to build tools that empower consumers to make more informed decisions.