Best wireless phone plans

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Even with a movie playing on TV in the living room, you find yourself drifting off to check your phone. According to EMARKETER, traditional TV is nearing the end of its run as the leading U.S. media activity, while streaming and mobile habits continue to pull more of your attention.

It’s no wonder finding the best cellphone plan is so important. With so much of your time spent on your phone, it’s crucial to pick the best plan for your needs.

Even better, several major carriers and senior-focused providers offer special rates or plans for older adults.

 

 

 

Top features to look for in a cellphone plan

It’s easy enough to shop around for a good cellphone plan, but with so many competitors out there, it is harder to narrow it down. Below are some top categories to consider when you are comparing cellphone plans.

 

1) Unlimited data plans

Back in the day, you could pay for cell service by the number of minutes you used per month. With so much time being spent on phones, however, it’s important to pay attention to the amount of data you get from your phone carrier. If you don’t use data as much, it might be better to look for a smaller data package. Or if you’re unsure of how much data you use or want to use as much as you want whenever you want, it is best to get an unlimited data plan, as you often end up paying a premium if you go over the allotted data package.

 

2) Coverage

Gone are the days when you could pay based on coverage level: local, regional, national, or international. Luckily, coverage for your phone service is generally national and you can get service where the carrier has towers. There are a core number of legacy carriers who do have more coverage, which means if you travel often, it might be worth it to go with a carrier with better coverage. If you plan on traveling outside of the country often, getting a carrier with decent international plans might be best.

 

3) Hotspot

As you may recall from our article, How to set up a personal hotspot so you can stay connected from anywhere, a mobile hotspot is a point that wirelessly gives you service.  Hotspots use both WiFi and cellular service, and allow you to set them up to provide a connection to another one of your devices, like a phone, tablet, or laptop.   As an example, if you want to surf the web on your laptop, you can set up a hotspot on your mobile phone and get access to the internet from your phone’s hotspot.

Different carriers have varied approaches to offering hotspots to their customers. Hotspots can be not only more convenient and safer but also faster, depending on whether your carrier offers 5G. Some carriers offer hotspots at a premium price, whereas others include them in their most basic packages. Some carriers also count your hotspot usage toward your monthly data usage.

 

4) Good rates for seniors

Now, seniors have even better perks as cellphone carriers offer special plans and pricing for seniors. Usually created for people 55+, these cellphone plans can be cheaper yet just as inclusive as those available to the broader public.

 

5) Type of contracts: Prepaid vs. Monthly, Short-term or no contracts

Gone are the days when signing up for cellphone service meant being trapped in an endless contract! Now most carriers do not even force their clients into any contracts. Those who could not commit to longer-term timeframes such as annual or monthly payment plans usually gravitate toward prepaid plans. The give and take of prepaid plans was that those ‘budget’ carriers usually came with worse coverage and limited options. Prepaid carriers, however, are giving these premium carriers a run for their money with their offerings and often using the same towers as the premium carriers to offer comparable coverage.

 

6) Extras

To remain even more competitive, many carriers are including additional features such as free subscriptions to streaming services. If having Netflix or another streaming perk is important to you, paying attention to bonuses can help you decide which carrier to choose.

 

Top Cellphone Carrier Picks

Verizon

Verizon is a long-standing, legacy carrier that has one of the most comprehensive networks in the nation.

Pros:

• One of the largest wireless carriers in the nation
• Offers 4G & 5G services nationwide
• Entertainment and travel perks are now often offered as add-ons or bundles, depending on the plan
• Mobile hotspots are offered and vary by plan

Cons:

• Traditional unlimited plans can be expensive, although Verizon now advertises a Simplicity plan at $30/month after AutoPay and Switcher Discount, plus taxes and fees.

 

Verizon Plan for Military & Veterans Discount Program

• Military and veterans can save on eligible Verizon mobile plans after registering for the discount
• Current Unlimited plan discounts are $10/month with 1 line, $25/month with 2-3 lines or $20/month with 4 or more lines

 

Exclusive discounts for teachers and their families

Teachers give the world to their students, so Verizon is giving back to them. Eligible teachers can save on mobile plans, including 10% off the Simplicity plan or account-level discounts on select Unlimited plans after registering.

 

55+ Senior Phone plans (only Florida)

Verizon also has a plan specific to seniors as well. If you’re 55+ and have a Florida billing address, you may qualify for the Florida 55+ Mobile Discount on Unlimited Welcome. Verizon currently lists the discounted price at $45/month for 1 line or $80/month for 2 lines, plus taxes and fees.

Pros:

• Need to be 55 or over, whereas some plans require you to be in your 60s to qualify for a senior discount
• Plan includes unlimited talk, text and data
• Plan includes 5G and 4G LTE
• Optional perks, including entertainment, travel and hotspot options, can be added for as little as $10/month per perk
• Large selection of smartphones
• Only the account owner needs to be 55 or older

Cons:

• Only for individuals who have a billing address in Florida
• The current Florida 55+ discount applies to up to 2 phone lines
• Some features that used to be listed with older 55+ plans may now require optional perks or a different plan
• Not a nationwide Verizon senior discount

Save $20/month with 1 line or $30/month with 2 lines on Unlimited Welcome if you qualify for Verizon’s Florida 55+ Mobile Discount.

 

See more Verizon’s promotions here

Jump down to table to compare all plans

 

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Boost Mobile unlimited plan

Boost Infinite has been folded into Boost Mobile. The carrier now offers unlimited talk, text and data starting at $25/month. The company says customers can keep that $25/month rate as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan, although speeds may slow after 30GB.

Boost Mobile’s biggest appeal is price. The plan is inexpensive, does not require a long-term contract and may work well for someone who wants unlimited talk, text and data without paying premium carrier pricing.

 

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Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular provides flexible phone plans with no contracts or cancellation fees, allowing customers to use their own phones and benefit from additional AARP discounts and affordable rates without hidden fees. They also offer the unique GrandPad tablet designed for older adults, featuring extensive connectivity options and safety tools for caregivers. Consumer Cellular’s plans start at $20/month for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data. AARP members can receive a 5% discount on monthly service.

 

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Lively (Formerly, Great Call)

Unlike other carriers that are generally geared toward all walks of life, Lively is specifically designed for seniors.

Pros:

• Plans start at $19.99/month and include unlimited talk, unlimited text and access to Lively’s U.S.-based caring team
• No long-term contracts
• Allows you to choose basic or smartphone
• US-based customer service
• Senior-focused services available:
  • Urgent Response: When you push this button in an emergency, it will connect you to an Urgent Response agent, who confirms your location, helps you evaluate your situation, and provides assistance.
  • Nurse On-Call: Lets you speak to a nurse when included with your plan or add-on
  • Lively Link: Updates your loved ones about your health and safety

Additional health and safety services may be available as add-ons, depending on the plan

Cons:

• You have to buy their phones, including many popular Jitterbug models
• Data plans and health services can add to the monthly cost
• Your speed will be throttled if you exceed 20GB on the unlimited data plan during a billing cycle
• Some senior-focused services are add-ons, so the lowest advertised monthly price may not include every safety feature

 

Jump down to table to compare all plans

 

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Tracfone

Tracfone is a contract-free, prepaid wireless cell phone carrier. The carrier keeps things straightforward by offering pay-as-you-go and monthly prepaid options.

Please note: Tracfone is now part of Verizon Value, a Verizon company, and many customers can use Verizon’s network depending on device, SIM and activation status.

Pros:

• Nationwide coverage included
• Basic International calling included
• No contracts
• Pay for what you need as you go (if you know you only need a limited set of minutes or data, you can pay only for what you need vs. get locked into a plan for every month.)
• Add-on services so you can customize based on your needs
• A 10% military discount is available on eligible $20/month or higher plans

Cons:

• Hotspot access is limited by plan.
• Tracfone currently says hotspot is available only with an active $40 Unlimited Talk and Text plan, with up to 8GB allocated for hotspot or data usage.
• Doesn’t appear to have a senior-specific service plan

 

Jump down to table to compare all plans

 

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T-Mobile

One of the major cellphone carriers in America, T-Mobile has extensive nationwide coverage. With acquisitions of MetroPCS and Sprint under its belt, T-Mobile has certainly expanded its reach and coverage to become one of the largest carriers in America. T-Mobile has also updated its plan lineup, with current options including Essentials, Essentials Saver, Experience More, Experience Beyond and 55+ savings plans.

 

Pros:

• Large, expansive national network coverage
• Offers unlimited talk and text for all plans
• Offers hotspot use and access that is tiered at different price points
• One of the few carriers who offer separate hotspot plans for non-mobile devices, which can be paid annually or monthly
• All plans include unlimited data
• Many plans include international texting or data perks, depending on the plan
• Higher-priced plans may include streaming perks such as Netflix Standard with ads, Hulu or discounted Apple TV, depending on the plan
• No annual contracts

Cons:

• Can be more expensive, with the standard Essentials plan listed at $65/month for 1 line and higher-tier Experience plans costing more
• Hotspot allowances vary widely by plan
• Essentials-style plans are more limited, while higher-tier Experience plans include larger high-speed hotspot allowances
• Lower-priced plan paying customers may have their data speeds throttled or slowed during peak traffic times

 

T-Mobile Senior Plan

T-Mobile’s current entry-level senior plan is called Essentials Choice 55.

Pros:

• Unlimited talk, text and data, with T-Mobile advertising two lines at $30/month per line with eligible discounts
• The plan disclosure lists $50/month for 1 line and $70/month for 2 lines before AutoPay or other discounts
• Available to those 55 and older
• No annual contracts
• Includes 50GB of premium data

Cons:

• Hotspot, streaming and international perks vary by plan
• Higher-tier 55+ options cost more but include more premium features
• Taxes, fees and device connection charges may apply

 

Jump down to table to compare all plans

 

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Straight Talk

Straight Talk is a great option if you want to have comprehensive nationwide coverage without the price tag from the major carriers. It offers affordable prepaid plans.

Please note: Straight Talk is part of Verizon Value, a Verizon company, and its current plans are backed by Verizon’s 5G and 4G LTE network.

Pros:

• You can sign up for service online or in-store at Walmart
• Backed by Verizon’s network
• No contracts
• Offers mobile hotspot tiers with different wireless plans
• Offers separate hotspot plans starting as low as $15/month

Cons:

• Limited cellphone plan options
• Data speeds depend on plan tier. For instance, the Bronze 10GB plan gives you the first 10GB of data at high speeds, then 2G speeds after that. Other plans offer larger hotspot allowances and premium features.
• No senior-specific plan

 

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US Mobile

US Mobile positions itself as a “Super Carrier,” giving customers access to all major U.S. wireless networks on a single plan. Instead of choosing one carrier and hoping it works everywhere, US Mobile focuses on flexibility and coverage without long-term contracts. While US Mobile still supports light-use and custom options, its current focus is on discounted unlimited plans, including annual subscriptions that significantly lower the monthly cost. These plans are designed for people who want predictable pricing without surprise fees.

US Mobile reports high customer satisfaction scores in Consumer Reports surveys, which are based on subscriber feedback. Current unlimited plan deals: Annual Unlimited Starter is listed at $199 for the first year. Annual Unlimited Premium is listed at $299 for the first year. Taxes and fees are included. Pricing and promotions can change after publication.

Pros:

• Access to all major U.S. wireless networks, with network transfer or multi-network add-on details depending on plan
• Discounted annual unlimited plans are available
• No long-term contracts
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Supports physical SIM and eSIM on compatible phones
• Hotspot access is included on unlimited plans

Cons:

• Unlimited plans may experience reduced speeds after a high-data threshold
• No senior-specific plan
• Annual pricing requires an upfront payment
• Promotional annual rates may apply only for the first year

US Mobile can be a strong option for seniors, frequent travelers, or anyone who wants nationwide flexibility without committing to a traditional carrier contract.

 

 

Related Links: 

• How to backup and restore your mobile device the right way
• Top mobile hotspots to stay connected anywhere
• 5 mobile privacy terms you need to know to protect yourself

 

Kurt’s key takeaways

Choosing the right cellphone plan comes down to how you use your phone and where you need reliable coverage. Seniors and budget-conscious users now have more options than ever, from flexible prepaid plans to discounted unlimited service with no long contracts. Because carriers change prices, perks and plan names often, compare the current plan page before you switch so you get the coverage, data and extras you actually need without overpaying each month.

Are you on your phone more than any other tech in and out of the home? What options and features are the most important in a cellphone plan? Have you switched over to a senior-specific plan, and if so, why? Let us know in the comments below. 

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