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November 9, 2021
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View PackagesAccording to Pew Research, 97 percent of people 50 and older own a cell phone. Among this group, a large majority own a smartphone; however, service for these devices can be expensive, costing upwards of $70 per month.
The best cell phone for seniors is meaningless without an equally useful cell phone plan, so we found 11 providers that offer affordable cellular service for older adults.
When picking out the best senior cell phone plans, we evaluated each provider on the following criteria:
Cost: Starting at $27.50 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
T-Mobile is uncommonly transparent with its pricing. With plans starting at $27.50 per month, you’ll get unlimited talk, text, and data, allowing you to make the most of one of their smartphones with no long-term contracts.
In terms of phones, T-Mobile offers a wide range of devices with their network, ranging from easy-to-use flip phones to the most recent devices from Apple and Samsung. Devices can either be purchased upfront or paid off over time with affordable financing. Alternatively, T-Mobile offers free SIM cards that can be used with your existing phone.
The 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.
To learn more about these plans, read our T-Mobile 55+ review.
Pro Tip: With a T-Mobile plan, you’ll want to maximize the features of your plan with a smartphone. To learn more about these devices, check out our guides to the best iPhones for seniors and best smartphones for seniors.
Cost: Starting at $15 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
If you’re looking for affordable unlimited talk, text, and data, then Mint Mobile will likely be your best option. Not only do their plans start as low as $15 per month, but they also don’t require any activation fees or long-term contracts.
In terms of phones, Mint Mobile can work with any unlocked phone, meaning you can either bring your own device to Mint or purchase one directly from them. Regardless, by purchasing a Mint plan, you’ll receive a Mint Mobile SIM card, giving you access to their service.
Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network. The upside of this is that you’ll receive the nation’s largest 5G network at affordable prices. The downside of this, however, is that during peak usage hours, your service might be slowed to prioritize T-Mobile subscribers.
Still, in our experience, we had little issues with fluctuating download speeds, making Mint Mobile an ideal option for those looking to save on cellular service.
To learn more about Mint Mobile, read our full Mint Mobile review.
FYI: If you wish to bring your own phone to Mint Mobile, you’ll need to have an unlocked phone. To learn more about this type of device, read our guide to unlocked phones for seniors.
Cost: $309 for MiniVision2 Phone and Memory Phone; additional plan not included
The MiniVision2 features large buttons and a classic cell phone design, making it simple to operate, and its braille features make it completely accessible to blind people. Alternatively, the RAZ memory phone is a take on a smartphone. Great for users with dementia, this phone presents photos of each contact, making it easier to place calls. This phone also has a dedicated 911 button for emergencies.
Both phones from RAZ cost a one-time $309, and to use these phones, you must also purchase a plan from a compatible network such as T-Mobile, AT&T, or Mint Mobile. Currently, the purchase of a RAZ phone gives you three months of free service with Mint.
Cost: Starting at $14.99 per month for talk only; $19.99 per month for unlimited talk and text
Due to its combination of affordable pricing, simplified devices, and medical alert features, Lively is one of our favorite senior cell phone providers. Additionally, their plans require no long-term contracts.
In terms of devices, Lively offers two different phones: the Jitterbug Flip and the Jitterbug Smart. The Flip is a simple flip phone for seniors, and the Smart is an intuitively designed smartphone that is surprisingly easy to use.
In terms of plans, Lively offers basic talk and text plans that start at $14.99 and unlimited talk and text plans for as low as $19.99. Unlike other providers on this list, they offer customized plans, allowing you to add minutes, messages, and data to your monthly allowance.
Lively also offers health and safety packages that give your phone the features of a medical alert device. To learn more about these features, check out our Lively phones review.
Additionally, you can check out our hands-on Lively Flip review and Lively Smart review.
Did You Know:If you’re looking for a standalone medical alert device, be sure to check out our rundown of this year’s best medical alert systems.
Cost: Starting at $25 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
Cricket Wireless offers affordable pay-as-you-go cell phone plans that require no long-term contracts. What’s more, all of their cell phone plans offer unlimited talk, text, and data.
While Cricket doesn’t offer a specific plan or discount for seniors, we think their basic 2 GB plan is a great option for light cellular users. For $30 per month, this plan gives you unlimited talk, text, and data, in addition to Cricket Call Defense, a feature that blocks fraud and telemarketers. The only downside of this plan would be its data throttling. After using 2GB of data, you’re data speeds will be slower; however, unless you plan to regularly stream videos and music, 2GB of data is more than enough for occasional emails and browsing.
To learn more about Cricket, check out our full Cricket Wireless review.
Cost: Starting at $14.99 for unlimited talk and text (data costs $5 per GB)
Republic Wireless isn’t specifically for seniors, but we think it offers great value that seniors can appreciate. Using a combination of 4G LTE cellular service and wireless internet to offer a reliable and fast connection, Republic Wireless is a great option for those looking to avoid long-term contracts.
In terms of phones, Republic Wireless allows you to either bring your own phone to their service or purchase one through them. While this means you’ll have a wide variety of device options — from Android phones for seniors to simple phones for seniors — they, unfortunately, don’t offer compatibility with iPhones.
Additionally, while Republic Wireless offers plans from $15 per month, these plans do not include data, which costs an additional $5 per month per GB. Those who wish to stream videos and engage in other data-intensive tasks should consider Mint or T-Mobile.
To learn more about this provider, read our full Republic Wireless review.
Cost: Free for Wi-Fi calling, 10 text messages, and 25 MB of data; $15 per month for 250 minutes, unlimited messages, and 1 GB of data
FreedomPop offers seniors a legitimate free mobile phone option. How? Their phone service is based on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the same technology used to make calls with Skype. Because FreedomPop piggybacks on the networks of other providers, it’s reliable as well as very budget-friendly, and all you’ll have to pay is a one-time $10 fee for a SIM card.
With that said, if you’re looking to use data heavily, then FreedomPop can quickly become a bit more expensive. Their unlimited talk, text, and data plan costs $55 per month, and it doesn’t include 5G. Still, for someone who only occasionally uses their cell phone, FreedomPop might be an option worth considering.
Cost: Starting at $29.99 per month for 200 anytime minutes and 500 night and weekend minutes; $40 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
Though you’ve likely never heard of it, AT&T quietly offers a senior-specific cell phone plan called the AT&T Senior Nation plan. Geared toward people 65 and older, the plan includes 200 anytime minutes, unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes (with other AT&T Mobility customers), and 500 night-and-weekend minutes with no roaming or long-distance fees. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer any data and is available for basic phones only.
If you are looking for the best AT&T cell phone plan with data, the Unlimited & More plan gets you unlimited talk, text, and data for $40 per month. AARP members also receive 10 percent off qualified plans and 15 percent off wireless accessories.
For heavier cellular users, AT&T also offers their Unlimited 55+ plan. This plan offers two lines with unlimited talk, text, and data for $40 per month per line. Unfortunately, this plan is currently available to Florida residents only. Still, when it comes to reliable network coverage, high-tech devices, and quality customer service, AT&T is a great option.
To learn more about this provider’s plans for seniors, read our guide to AT&T phones for seniors.
Cost: Starting at $40 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
Verizon offers a variety of unlimited, shared-data, single-device, and international cell phone plans. It’s safe to say that Verizon also has the largest selection of smartphones out of any of the carriers we cover. From smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, wearable tech, and more, Verizon has everything under one roof.
For those over the age of 55, I’d recommend Verizon’s senior plan, which offers unlimited talk, text, and data for $40 per month per line, when you purchase two lines of service. This price becomes $60 per month when you purchase only one line, so this option is best for families or couples.
Verizon Wireless makes our list simply because they offer so much variety in the way of plan options, cell phones, and accessories all in one place. Their plans are more expensive than some of the others we have covered, so if budget is a concern, they may not be the right option for you. Still, for heavy users of data or mobile hotspots, Verizon has one of the best options out there.
To learn more about Verizon, read our guide to Verizon phones and plans for seniors.
Cost: Starting at $15 per month for talk only; $30 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
Consumer Cellular primarily caters to the 55+ market and provides flexible cell phone service plans. Customers can change their plan whenever they want, with no added fees or long-term contracts.
In terms of phones, Consumer Cellular has a wide range of flip phones and smartphones available, or you can simply use your existing unlocked phone by ordering a Consumer Cellular SIM card. And we’re happy to report that through Consumer Cellular, you can purchase the latest models from Apple, Samsung, and Motorola.
To choose a plan from Consumer Cellular, you can select your desired monthly amounts of minutes, messages, and data. Luckily, Consumer Cellular does not charge overage fees. Instead, if you exceed your monthly allowance, Consumer Cellular will automatically upgrade you to the next-highest plan.
To learn more about this provider, read our Consumer Cellular review.
Cost: Starting at $10 per month for 100 minutes of talk
If you’re looking for a simple cell phone with an affordable cell phone plan, then Snapfon might be just what you’re looking for. Their plans start as low a $10 per month for 100 minutes of talk, and they also offer some of our favorite easy-to-use phones like the Snapfon ez4G and ezFlip.
One of our favorite features of Snapfon is its sosPlus professional monitoring. For $19.99 per month, this service gives you immediate access to professional monitoring agents who can give you proper help in the event of an emergency.
To learn more about this provider, check out our comparison of Snapfon vs Jitterbug. And to learn more about medical alert features, check out our rundown of this year’s best medical alert systems.
| Provider | Starting Price per Line | Standout features |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ | $27.50 per month |
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| Lively | $14.99 per month |
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| Raz Mobility | $15 per month |
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| Mint Mobile | $15 per month |
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| Cricket Wireless | $25 per month |
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With hundreds of different devices available and dozens of effective providers, choosing the right cell phone plan for seniors can be a tricky process. To help you break it down, here are the types of plans available.
These plans, offered by providers such as Lively, Consumer Cellular, and Snapfon, allow you to build your own plan with a monthly allowance of minutes, messages, and––in some cases––data. These are a great option for people who already have an existing home phone, allowing you to opt for an affordable monthly plan to use when you need it. With these plans, some providers will offer periods (usually weekends and nights) where calls are free.
For heavier cell phone users, particularly smartphone users, an unlimited plan is ideal. These plans put no limits on the monthly usage of talk, text, or data. Some of our favorite unlimited plans come from T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Cricket Wireless.
With that said, the name Unlimited is often a bit misleading, as most of these plans do place limits on data. However, you won’t be charged with overage fees; rather, your data speeds will be slowed or throttled.
Ideal for those who only need a cell phone in an emergency, prepaid cell phone plans require no contracts or monthly payments. Instead, you purchase a set amount of minutes, messages, and data. After purchase, you use this allowance and purchase more only when you need it.
In addition to choosing a reliable and affordable network, you’ll also want to think about which phone you pair it with. To help you in the search process, we’ve compiled a series of guides with all the hands-on knowledge you need to make a decision:
For seniors with smartphones, T-Mobile has the fastest and most affordable unlimited data plans. Otherwise, Lively and Mint Mobile offer solid, affordable options for less heavy data usage.
T-Mobile and AT&T offer special discounted plans for those ages 55 and older. Additionally, AARP offers discounts with Lively, Consumer Cellular, Cricket, and TracFone.
AT&T offers discounted plans for people ages 55 and over; however, these plans are available to residents of Florida only.
In terms of coverage, Verizon offers the widest range; however, in terms of customer service, we have found that T-Mobile offers the best and most prompt service.
For people 55 and over, T-Mobile is a better option, as you can find unlimited data plans for as low as $27.50 per month, and these plans include 5G coverage.
The Jitterbug Flip2 and Alcatel GO FLIP 4 are both highly affordable and easy to use phones, and they’re available on Lively and T-Mobile, respectively.
