The best cheap senior phone plans in July
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 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.
Compare cheap senior phone plans
Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 1GB | $7.50** 25% Off for 6 Months | |
AT&T | Unltd | Unltd | 2GB | $15** 25% Off for 3 Months | |
T-Mobile & Verizon | Unltd | Unltd | Unltd | $25** $20 Off for 3 Months | |
T-Mobile | Unltd | Unltd | 10GB | $20** $60 for 3 Months Service | |
AT&T | Unltd | Unltd | 6GB | $22.50** 25% Off for 3 Months |
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.
Cheapest T-Mobile plan for seniors
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
1 GB
4G data
$7.50*
per month
$10/mo
Powered by: T-Mobile
T-Mobile vs Tello Plan Comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $615 per year
Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile 4G LTE | Unltd* | $60/mo | $720/yr | |
| T-Mobile 4G LTE | 1GB | $10/mo | $105/yr | |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $50/mo | $615/yr | |
See more: best cheap T-Mobile senior plans
Cheapest AT&T plan for seniors
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
2 GB
4G data
$15*
per month
$20/mo
Powered by: AT&T
AT&T vs Pure Talk Plan Comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $675 per year
Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T 4G LTE | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr | |
| AT&T 4G LTE | 2GB | $20/mo | $225/yr | |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $55/mo | $675/yr | |
See more: best cheap AT&T senior plans
Cheapest Verizon plan for seniors
Unlimitedmins
Unlimitedtexts
5 GB
4G data
$15
per month
Powered by: Verizon & T-Mobile
Verizon vs US Mobile Plan Comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $780 per year
Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G LTE Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon 4G LTE | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr | |
| Verizon 4G LTE | 5GB | $15/mo | $180/yr | |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $65/mo | $780/yr | |
See more: best cheap Verizon senior plans
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
NETWORK | OVERALL | RELIABILITY | SPEED | DATA | CALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
95 | 96 | 94 | 96 | 94 | |
94 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 92 | |
86 | 88 | 82 | 89 | 82 |
Source: Rootmetrics
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:
CARRIER | TRUSTPILOT USER RATING |
|---|---|
4.9 | |
4.6 | |
4.6 | |
1.5 | |
1.3 | |
1.2 |
How to switch to a cheaper carrier
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 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
Model | Condition | Memory | Compatibility | Price | New | 64GB | AT&T | $349 | New | 64GB | AT&T | $649 | New | 64GB | AT&T | $749 | New | 64GB | AT&T | $579 | New | 64GB | AT&T | $479 | New | 128GB | AT&T | $749 | New | 128GB | AT&T | $849 | New | 64GB | AT&T | $149 | New | 64GB | Verizon | $499 |
|---|
Cheap senior phone plans FAQs
What is the least expensive cell phone plan for seniors?
If you're looking for a basic plan for calls and texts or emergencies, MVNOs like Tello offer plans starting at $10 or you can find plans with more features starting at around $15.
Who has the best cell phone deals for seniors?
The best depends on your personal cell phone needs and the features you're looking for. MVNOs offer the best value, by running on the main US networks they provide the same nationwide coverage but with monthly costs starting as low as $10.
What is the Verizon 55 plus plan?
It's a plan for customers who are 55 and over, but is exclusive to Florida residents. You can find a great deal on a cell phone plan with Verizon MVNOs. Carriers like Red Pocket Mobile offer the same nationwide coverage but at half the cost.
Is T-Mobile 55+ a good deal?
It's available to all customers over 55 and in all states, however T-Mobile MVNOs offer the best value plans. Offering the same coverage but with plans starting from $10 a 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. As long as your phone is compatible, switching over is quick and easy.
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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 | Cheapest prepaid plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10/mo |
 Mint Mobile | Cheapest unlimited plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $30/mo |
 Boost Mobile | Cheapest 5G plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $25/mo |
 Ting | Cheapest talk & text plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 0GB | $10/mo |
 Pure Talk | Cheapest individual plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $25/mo |
 Red Pocket | Cheapest plan for two | Unlimited | Unlimited | 0.5GB | $10/mo |
 US Mobile | Cheapest data plan | 0 | 0 | 2GB | $10/mo |
