The 5 Best Phone Plans for Seniors: Tested and Reviewed
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Between hidden fees, price increases, and overage charges, it can be difficult to figure out which wireless provider offers the best deal for seniors. That’s why our team purchased service with twenty different cellular carriers, and we put each of them to the test.
We found that Lively offers the best basic plans, starting at $19.99 per month for unlimited talk and text. If, however, you’re looking to purchase multiple lines––something not offered by Lively––then Consumer Cellular is the next best option, and they also offer 5G coverage.
FYI: Looking for simple phones that cost under $100? Read our guide to the best phones for seniors.
The Top Senior Cell Phone Plans in 2024
- Lively : Plans for $19.99
- Consumer Cellular : Deep Discounts on Multiple Lines
- AT&T : Fastest Data Speeds
- Mint Mobile : Best Prepaid Option
- T-Mobile : Best Senior Discount
Senior Cell Phone Plans Compared
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Lively
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Consumer Cellular
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AT&T
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Mint Mobile
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T-Mobile
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| Rating out of 5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Starting Price for One Line | $19.99 per month |
$20 per month |
$50 per month |
$15 per month |
$40 per month |
| Standout features |
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| Read More | Lively Review | Consumer Cellular Review | AT&T Review | Mint Mobile Review | T-Mobile Review |
The Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors in 2024
Lively - Plans for $19.99
What We Like Most:
- Unlimited talk and text from $19.99 per month
- Order Lyfts over the phone
- Optional safety features
- Simplified Jitterbug phones
Overview
Known for its popular line of Jitterbug phones, Lively is a cellular carrier that aims to simplify the wireless experience. It also offers a suite of safety features that includes urgent-response buttons and dedicated nurse hotlines that go beyond typical cell phone functions. Best of all, the provider’s plans start as low as $19.99 per month for unlimited talk and text.
Performance
Lively uses Verizon’s network, which, in our experience, was highly reliable. All our test calls connected clearly, including our tests of the Jitterbug Urgent Response feature, which connected us to monitoring agents in a matter of seconds. Just about everything with our Jitterbug phones worked smoothly on Lively’s network. The one caveat, however, is data. Lively’s network includes only 4G data, and we noticed slight lags when browsing the internet on our Jitterbug Smart4. (Side note: The Jitterbug Flip2 doesn’t use data.)
What Lively lacks in speed, however, it makes up for in health features. Take the urgent-response button, for example. When we pressed it, we were quickly connected to urgent response operators. If we were actually experiencing an emergency, the operators could have sent first responders to our location, much like how a medical alert system works.
>> Read more: The Best Medical Alert Systems
Customer Service
Overall, we were impressed with Lively’s customer service. When we activated our Jitterbug over the phone, we were promptly met with a human agent. We were also impressed by the service we received with both Lively Rides and Nurse-on-Call.
With Lively Rides, we could schedule Lyft rides without having to use the Lyft app. That would be especially helpful for users who have trouble using smartphone apps. We booked a ride from home to downtown, and the charge for the ride was added to our monthly bill from Lively. Lively Rides comes standard with all Lively plans.
With Nurse-on-Call, we had a dedicated hotline staffed by nurses. They were able to answer basic health-care questions and, in the case of our managing editor, refill his monthly prescription. The feature is particularly useful, but it’s available only with Lively’s Premium plan, which costs $49.99 per month.
Pricing
With all their extra features, Lively’s plans work a bit different than the other carriers on this list. For starters, you’ll need to choose from one of three plans: Basic, Preferred, and Premium. All three plans include unlimited talk and text.
The Basic plan, at $19.99 per month, also includes access to Lively Rides. The Preferred plan, for $39.99 per month, adds the Urgent Response feature and Lively Link, an app that allows loved ones to geographically track a user’s phone. The Premium plan, for $49.99 per month, includes unlimited use of the dedicated Nurse-on-Call hotline.
If you purchase either the Jitterbug Smart3 or Smart4, you’ll also have to purchase a data plan. They start at $5 per month for 1 GB of data and go all the way to $30 per month for unlimited data. Remember, though, that the Jitterbug Flip2 requires no separate data plan.
To learn more about Lively’s plans and features, read our full rundown of Jitterbug phones and plans.
Drawbacks
Lively offers only three phones to choose from: the Jitterbug Smart3, the Jitterbug Smart4, and the Jitterbug Flip2. The phones have some helpful features we haven’t seen elsewhere, but they’re the only phones you can use on Lively’s network. If you’re looking to bring your own phone to a network, we recommend Consumer Cellular or AT&T.
Bottom Line
With unlimited talk and text plans from $19.99 per month and some highly affordable phones, Lively is a great deal. If you’re looking to combine medical alert features with a cell phone, there’s no better network.
To learn more about this provider, read our full review of Jitterbug phones.
Pros
- Urgent response capabilities
- Simplified phones made for seniors
- Unlimited talk and text from $19.99 per month
- Nurse hotlines on some plans
- Dedicated operator for Lyft rides
Cons
- No mobile hotspot capabilities
- Only three devices to choose from
Consumer Cellular - Deep Discounts on Multiple Lines
What We Like Most:
- Monthly prices start at $15
- 5 percent discount for AARP members
- No long-term contracts
- Stellar customer service
Overview
Consumer Cellular is among the few carriers that market specifically to older adults. Although the company’s service may lack the advanced features of major carriers, its talk, text, and data plans impressed us with their reliability and affordability. Consumer Cellular plans start at $20 per month for unlimited talk and text, and additional lines cost only $15, making the provider a great option for couples and families.
Performance
Consumer Cellular, like many providers on this list, piggybacks off AT&T’s network. In theory, that means we should have experienced deprioritized data service in times of peak usage. Even when using the network at a crowded sports field, however, we found consistently fast data speeds, which allowed us to stream YouTube videos at a consistent rate with no lag.
We also found that each of our test calls came through with exceptional clarity. Whether we were in the city or hiking through the woods of eastern Rhode Island, we always had access to at least a 4G LTE signal, if not 5G.
To learn more about our experience with this provider, read our full Consumer Cellular review.
Customer Service
In our experience, Consumer Cellular’s customer service was top-notch. Upon receiving our phone in the mail, we contacted the customer-service line, and we were immediately connected to a human. She informed us that all we needed to do to activate our phone was take a photo of the QR code included in our instruction manual.
That was something else we appreciated about Consumer Cellular: Our Iris Flip phone already had a SIM card installed. To activate the phone, we simply had to open the phone’s QR reader app and capture the QR code. Within seconds, the phone was up and running.
>> Read more: Iris Flip Phone Review
Pricing
Consumer Cellular’s plans technically start at $15 per month for a talk-only plan. The plan is not listed on the company’s website, but you can purchase it by calling the sales line. We recommend the next tier, though, which costs $20 per month and includes 1 GB of data and unlimited talk and text.
If you want a plan with unlimited talk, text, and data, it will cost you $50 per month. The price is a bit steeper than other options on this list, but it’s important to remember the discounts that come with multiple lines. No matter which plan you choose, additional lines are only $15 more per month. One line of unlimited data is $50, but two lines will be $65 and three will be $80. The three-line scenario boils down to roughly $27 per month per line — a highly affordable option.
Consumer Cellular also requires no long-term contracts. When we finished testing the company’s devices, we simply called customer service, informed them that we wished to cancel, and stopped paying for service. There were no extra fees.
To learn more about the provider’s various plans, read our full guide to Consumer Cellular phones and plans.
Drawbacks
Consumer Cellular’s plans include unlimited talk and text within the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, but you’ll have to pay extra for international calls no matter which plan you’re on. Rates vary slightly by the country you wish to call. Calls to South Africa, for example, cost $0.15 per minute, while calls to Brazil cost $0.03 per minute.
If you have friends or family abroad, we recommend checking the rates for relevant countries on Consumer Cellular’s website before pulling the trigger on one of its plans.
Bottom Line
Unlimited data can get a bit pricey with Consumer Cellular, but it’s easily the best value for light data usage and unlimited talk and text. Extra lines cost only $15 each, so we definitely recommend this provider for couples and families.
Pros
- Powered by AT&T’s network
- 5 percent discounts for AARP members
- No long-term contracts
- Unlimited talk and text for $20 per month
- Deep discounts for extra lines
Cons
- Potentially high costs for international calls
- No mobile security or safety features
AT&T - Fastest Data Speeds
What We Like Most:
- $10 monthly discount for AARP members
- Unlimited talk, text, and data for $50 per month
- Incredibly fast data speeds
- Option to bring your own phone
Overview
AT&T is one of the most reliable cell phone service providers in the country, offering nationwide service for $50 per month. It’s certainly not the cheapest carrier on this list — that would be Mint Mobile — but it offers discounts for AARP members, as well as a special unlimited data plan for subscribers who are 55 or older.
Performance
Unlike Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile — which piggyback off other networks — AT&T owns and operates its own network. That means our data speeds were never deprioritized at any point during our testing. Compare that to Mint Mobile, which, during peak usage times, slowed our data speeds.
With that in mind, we were able to take full advantage of 4K streaming on the provider’s 5G network. Compared to the other networks on this list, AT&T had the best performance when streaming video, with minimal lags or buffers.
We also appreciated AT&T’s ActiveArmor app, which comes standard with the company’s plans. It’s difficult to evaluate a mobile security app, but we didn’t receive a single robo-call or telemarketer while testing our AT&T phone.
Customer Service
One advantage of buying a cell phone directly from a carrier is that carriers have stores you can visit. Rather than using phone, live chat, or online support, we went into an actual store and spoke to an actual human when we were having issues with our phone freezing. A representative helped us within a few minutes. The best part? No annoying hold music!
Pricing
In recent years, AT&T has ditched customizable amounts of talk, text, and data. All the carrier’s plans now include unlimited talk, text, and data. AT&T’s plans range from $50 to $85 per month, but if you want unlimited data that isn’t throttled, it’ll cost at least $65 per month. The plans include mobile security features such as spam call blocking; virtual private networks (VPNs), which protect you on public Wi-Fi networks; and identity monitoring to prevent identity theft. They also include mobile hotspots, for the most part.
If you are a Florida resident, you can pay even less: one line for $60 or two lines for $80. Both plans include unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S. and Mexico; spam call blocking; 5G access; and unlimited texting to over 200 countries from the U.S. To qualify, you must be 55 or older and enroll with autopay and paperless billing. All plans are monthly.
Drawbacks
AT&T certainly isn’t the cheapest option on the market. Its plans start at $50 a month, which is a lot more than Mint Mobile, which starts at $15 per month; FreedomPop, which starts at $10 a month; or even Verizon, which starts at $35 per month. In recent years, AT&T has also stopped offering a wide selection of flip phones.
If you’re looking for a more affordable provider with simplified phones, we recommend checking out Lively.
>> Read more: The Best Flip Phones
Bottom Line
AT&T may be unnecessarily pricey for users who mostly talk and text, but if you plan to use your phone for data-related tasks — such as social media, streaming, or gaming — there’s no better option than AT&T.
To learn more about this provider, read our full guide to AT&T senior plans.
Pros
- $10 per month savings for AARP members
- Ultra-fast 5G data speeds on most plans
- Long-distance and international plans available
- Physical locations for customer support
- Mobile security included with all plans
Cons
- More affordable plans come with slower data speeds
- No safety features
Mint Mobile - Best Prepaid Option
What We Like Most:
- Plans from $15 per month
- Special discounted plan for seniors
- Free calling to Mexico and Canada
- Unlimited talk and text on all plans
Overview
If you’re looking for an affordable cellular plan with talk, text, and data, Mint Mobile may be the ideal option. With Mint’s 55+ plan for seniors, you’ll get 5 GB of data and unlimited talk and text for $15 per month. It’s easily the cheapest price we’ve seen.
Performance
As an MVNO, Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, offering coverage throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Our calls went through well even when one of our testers was hiking in rural New York State. Our websites and apps connected quickly, but we noticed some slower speeds during peak times — a hallmark of any MVNO.
One thing to note, however, is that Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan is a bit of a misnomer since our data speeds were throttled after using 40 GB of data. Although 40 GB will be enough for most users, we thought it was worth noting.
Customer Service
Mint Mobile does not have any stores we could go to for help, but the company has a robust online help center, live chat, and a phone option. You can also change plans and activate your phones online with this carrier. Even without a physical store, the number of ways Mint Mobile gave us to access customer support made us feel, well, supported.
Pricing
Mint plans are advertised at $15 to $30 per month, but the low prices require you to pay for several months of service in advance. A prepaid carrier, Mint requires you pay for three, six, or 12 months of service in one lump sum.
Let’s take the senior plan as an example. Mint’s 55+ plan is advertised at $15 per month, but you’ll have to pay $45 up front for the first three months, which works out to $15 per month. Something else to consider is that the low price is an introductory offer. After the first three months, you’ll need to pay for a full year to keep the $15-per-month price ($180 total). If you wish to continue paying for three months at a time, your monthly price will increase to $25.
Even if you choose to pay in three-month bursts instead of annual ones, Mint’s plans are still significantly more affordable than those from other carriers.
Drawbacks
Mint Mobile certainly wins in terms of affordability, but it’s a pretty bare-bones cell phone plan. We didn’t get the mobile security of a company like AT&T, the health and safety features of a company like Lively, or any streaming extras like T-Mobile. Given the data throttling on all plans, Mint Mobile is not ideal for people who frequently stream video on their phones.
Bottom Line
To learn more about our experience with Mint Mobile, read our guide to Mint Mobile senior plans.
Pros
- $30 per month unlimited data available
- Discount for people 55 and older
- Free calling to Mexico and Canada
- Plans start at $15 a month
Cons
- Lowest prices require larger up-front payments
- No mobile security or safety features
T-Mobile - Best Senior Discount
What We Like Most:
- Service in Mexico and Canada
- Special discounted plans for seniors
- Unlimited talk, text, and data from $27.50 per line
- Spam-blocking features
Overview
Among the three major carriers — Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile — T-Mobile is by far the most affordable option for older adults. The provider offers plans with unlimited talk, text, and data starting at $27.50 per month, allowing you to make the most of your smartphone without overage charges. The plans also require no long-term contracts.
FYI: Only the primary subscriber to a T-Mobile 55+ plan needs to be 55 or older. Additional lines can be used by people of any age.
Performance
Just because I’m traveling doesn’t mean I’m OK with inferior data. With T-Mobile, we had high-speed data and texting even internationally with the Go5G Plus 55 and Go5G Next 55 plans, along with 50 GB of 4G LTE data. That came in handy when we were in a coffee shop in Italy and needed to text a neighbor. With these two plans, we also got 4K UHD streaming quality, allowing us to stream videos in high resolution.
Customer Service
When it comes to customer service, T-Mobile has it all: brick-and-mortar stores, a phone line, an app, an online help center, and live chat. Because we prefer in-person contact, we used the company’s store locator to find locations near Portland. Within seconds, 36 options appeared that we could sort by distance. Before we even set foot in the actual store, T-Mobile showed us its deals and available devices, decreasing the time we needed to spend in the store. If you prefer human connection, go to one of T-Mobile’s stores for your customer service.
Pricing
T-Mobile’s 55+ plans start at $40 per month for one line or $55 per month for two lines ($27.50 each). That makes it the only major carrier to offer plans with unlimited 5G data for $40 or less. The basic plan also includes scam-blocking protection, mobile hotspot usage, and texting while abroad.
If you choose a higher-tier plan, you’ll also get free AAA membership, in-flight Wi-Fi, and even a Netflix subscription.
>>Read more: The Best Streaming Services for Seniors
Drawbacks
T-Mobile has low prices for two lines of unlimited data, but you’re out of luck if you want to pay less than $20 a month. If budget is your main area of concern, check out Mint Mobile, which starts at only $15 for one line (T-Mobile starts at $40).
Bottom Line
T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ plans are ideal for heavy users of data, calls, and texts. No other wireless provider offers unlimited 5G data at such an affordable price. Both Verizon and AT&T offer discounted unlimited plans for seniors, but the plans are currently available only to Florida residents. T-Mobile’s senior plans, however, are available nationwide.
To learn more about the provider, read our full guide to T-Mobile senior plans.
Pros
- Up to 4K HD streaming
- Netflix and Apple TV+ memberships with some plans
- Spam-blocking features
- Most plans include high-speed data and texting while abroad
Cons
- Multiple lines required for lower prices
- No discount if you are under the age of 55
Honorable Mentions
While the five carriers above have the best deals for seniors, some other companies have compelling offerings for the right person.
- Verizon: This popular carrier performed well in all of our tests; however, Verizon’s senior plan is only available to Florida residents, meaning most people will have to pay $60 per month for an unlimited plan, a bit too much for our liking.
- Cricket: This prepaid provider is notorious for providing deep discounts on new phones (They’re currently selling the iPhone 11 for $99.); however, their plans don’t go any lower than $30 per month. In most cases, Mint Mobile will be the better option. To learn more, read our rundown of Cricket plans for seniors.
- Affinity: While Affinity Cellular has low pricing comparable to Consumer Cellular, this carrier had spotty customer service and no high-speed data access.
- Snapfon: Snapfon also has low prices, starting at $20 per month for unlimited talk and unlimited text; however, data quickly gets costly. For most people, Consumer Cellular or Lively will be the more affordable option.
Our Methodology
To evaluate the best phone plans for seniors, we tested and ranked each provider on the following criteria.
- Pricing and contracts: You can expect to pay about $20 to $60 per month for cell phone service. Most providers on this list offer month-to-month contracts, but some, such as Mint Mobile, require you to prepay for several months at a time.
- Reliable coverage: You may not recognize all the names on this list — Boost Infinite, for example, was formerly Republic Wireless — but these carriers all use the same networks: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. That said, we tested each carrier for both coverage and data speeds.
- Straightforward plans: Extra fees and charges abound in the world of cell phone plans, so we gave extra points to providers with minimal hidden fees.
- Customer service: No one likes wading through rounds of robo-call responders when they need to troubleshoot cellular issues, so we contacted each provider’s customer service to ensure they could give us the right help when we needed it.
- Safety features: Some companies, such as Lively, offer add-on features like roadside assistance and 24/7 urgent response call centers. Providers that offer those types of services were ranked more favorably.
Do You Need a Plan with 5G?
You’ve heard us use the term “5G” ad nauseam, but is it really necessary? And what’s wrong with regular old 4G? The short answer is that 5G is much faster than 4G, allowing for quicker data speeds. This means that whether you’re streaming music, watching videos, or browsing the web over a cellular signal, 5G will allow for smoother performance than 4G.
5G, in theory, will also provide better call quality; however, in our experience, we have found this difference to be mostly negligible. If you primarily use your phone for talking and texting, 5G won’t make a noticeable difference in your cellular experience.
How to Simplify an iPhone for Seniors
Typically, phones designed “for seniors” are highly simplified devices with limited features. The popular Jitterbug Flip, for example, does away with apps, touchscreens, and other standard features of an iPhone. While these limitations may work for some, we’ve worked with many older adults who want the video calling, web browsing, and social media capabilities of Apple devices.
If an iPhone’s interface is proving difficult for your loved one, then we’d recommend trying out Assistive Access mode. Colloquially called “Senior Mode,” Assistive Access enlarges the iPhone’s touchscreen icons, optimizes the layouts of several key apps, and makes an iPhone all-around easier to use.
To learn more about the features of Assistive Access and how to set it up on a phone, read our full guide to iPhone Senior Mode.
Types of Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
Before you choose a provider, you may want to familiarize yourself with the types of cell phone plans available for seniors: talk and text, unlimited, or prepaid.
Talk-and-Text Cell Phone Plans
A talk-and-text cell phone plan provides a limited number of minutes and texts per month. They have mostly fallen out of favor, which means you probably won’t have to worry about exceeding a talk or text limit. With most providers, talking and texting over Wi-Fi is unlimited.
If you don’t use your phone very much, choosing a talk-and-text plan could save you money. One provider that still offers the plans is Straight Talk. With its Basic Phone plan, you can get 1,500 minutes of talk time and unlimited texts for $30 per month. Consumer Cellular also offers a basic plan with 300 monthly minutes for $15, but you’ll have to call the company to subscribe to the plan.
Unlimited Cell Phone Plans
Unlimited cell phone plans have no limits on talk, text, or data, so you can use as much data as you want without getting charged overages. Many people choose unlimited plans so they don’t have to worry about how much data they’re using, but you can save money by choosing a prepaid plan.
Every major provider on this list except FreedomPop offers unlimited plans, and they usually come with the most perks, such as streaming services, shopping subscriptions, and mobile hotspots.
Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
With a prepaid plan, you’ll have a limited amount of data — typically 5 GB, 10 GB, or 20 GB per month — but talk and text over Wi-Fi are usually still unlimited. Prepaid plans cost less than unlimited plans, but you may be charged fees or forced to upgrade if you go over your data limit.
How to Choose a Senior Phone Plan
So which plan to choose? Remember to take into account the following factors:
- Budget: You can pay anywhere from $10 to $100 a month for your cell phone, and most unlimited data plans cost roughly $50 per month. Determine your maximum budget so you may be able to eliminate some providers automatically.
- How many lines you need: Take into account the number of lines you’ll need when you calculate cost. The more lines you need, the more it will cost — although you may be able to get a per-line discount with some providers, such as AT&T and Verizon.
- How much data you’ll need: We generally recommend unlimited data plans if you use your phone for email, streaming, or gaming. Streaming one hour and 20 minutes of video requires approximately 1GB of data.
- Availability: Check your provider’s coverage map to see how well it works in your area. Most providers offer maps on which you can type in your address and see the coverage.
Bottom Line
Especially if you’ve never had one before, choosing a cell phone plan can be overwhelming. Hopefully we’ve provided some clarity, so you can benefit from our vast experience with these companies. If there’s a question we didn’t get to, keep reading for some frequently asked questions below.
Senior Cell Phone Plans Frequently Asked Questions
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Who has the best cell phone plans for seniors?
Consumer Cellular has the best cell phone plans for seniors. The most affordable option, which includes 1 GB of data per month, costs only $20, and additional lines cost only $15 each.
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Which cell phone carriers have senior discounts?
AT&T, Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer discounts or special plans for seniors.
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Does AT&T have a phone plan for seniors?
Yes, AT&T has a phone plan for seniors, but only if you are 55 or older and live in Florida. The offer is for either one line for $60 or two lines for $80 per month. The lines both include unlimited talk, text, and data throughout the U.S. and Mexico, spam blocking, 5G, and unlimited texting to over 200 countries from the U.S.
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What is the most reliable cell phone company?
The most reliable cell phone company is T-Mobile, since it has more 5G coverage in the U.S. than AT&T and Verizon. T-Mobile covers 94.4 percent of the U.S. with 5G coverage, compared to AT&T’s 93.6 percent and Verizon’s 63.9 percent, according to a 2023 report from the consultancy firm Accenture. T-Mobile’s network is also the most stable, with 93.5 percent stability compared to 92.1 percent and 61.1 percent for AT&T and Verizon, respectively.
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Which is better for seniors: Verizon or T-Mobile?
T-Mobile is better for seniors than Verizon. At T-Mobile, people 55 and older can get one line of unlimited data for $40 per month or two lines for $55 total. Verizon, on the other hand, offers unlimited data for $50 with autopay. The company claims it has a discount for seniors in Florida, but it’s actually more expensive than both Verizon’s regular pricing and T-Mobile’s pricing.
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What is the cheapest phone plan for seniors?
The cheapest phone plan for seniors is Mint Mobile. Adults ages 55 and older can get 5 GB of 5G data, plus unlimited talk and text, for $15 per month if they sign up for a three-month package. They’ll also get three free months. Even unlimited data costs only $30 if you sign up for three or 12 months, or $35 if you sign up for six months. It’s the lowest price for unlimited data on the market.
