FYI: Not sure if you need unlimited data? Then check out our rundown of the best senior phone plans to find cellular service from $10 per month.
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View PackagesThese days, people use their phones more than ever for streaming music, browsing the web, and watching videos. When you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network, these types of tasks require large amounts of cellular data.
While some phone plans provide a monthly allowance of data, others come with no limits, allowing you to stream to your heart’s content. Even better, some wireless providers have special unlimited phone plans for seniors.
The following five phone plans offer the best combination of service and affordability.
FYI: Not sure if you need unlimited data? Then check out our rundown of the best senior phone plans to find cellular service from $10 per month.
Traditionally, cell phone plans came with monthly allowances of talk, text, and data. Nowadays, however, most plans from major providers come with unlimited talk and text, and the primary differentiator will be the monthly allotment of data, most often represented in gigabytes (GB). For reference, 1GB is roughly equivalent to one hour of streaming video, ten hours of streaming video, or 20 hours of browsing the internet.
For the purposes of this list, an “unlimited” phone plan is one that has unlimited talk, text, and data.
Cost: Starting at $27.50 per month
If you’re 55 or older, then T-Mobile has the best unlimited phone plans for seniors. Starting at $27.50 per line, these plans offer unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as mobile hotspot usage and service in Mexico and Canada. Best of all, these plans require no long-term contracts.
Currently, T-Mobile offers three different unlimited plans for seniors: Essentials 55, Go5G 55, and Go5G Plus 55. The latter two plans come with in-flight Wi-Fi service, AAA memberships, Netflix subscriptions, and Apple TV+ subscriptions.
The only downside of these plans would be that you’ll need to purchase multiple lines in order to get the lowest prices. For example, the Essentials 55 plan costs $27.50 per line when you purchase two lines, bringing your total to $55 per month. For one line of Essentials 55, you’ll have to pay $45 per month.
Luckily, only the primary account holder must be 55 or older to qualify for the discount, making T-Mobile a great option for parents and children.
To learn more about these plans, read our full review of T-Mobile 55+ plans.
Cost: Starting at $15 per month for unlimited talk and text
Mint Mobile plans start as low as $15 per month, making them among the most affordable unlimited talk and text plans out there. They have the bonus of offering 5G data access on all plans, which is a must for those who want to stream movies or browse the internet.
The Mint 55+ plan caters to seniors, with 5GB of monthly data, unlimited talk and text, and access to the MinTech advisors. These tech pros help you activate your plan and work through issues along the way like your own personal customer services reps.
Note that Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, so your data will have a lower priority than that of T-Mobile’s users. Additionally, to get Mint’s ultra-low $15 plan, you have to sign a 12-month contract that includes paying for the whole year upfront ($180 total). They offer a 30-day free trial, however, so you can see if you like it before committing.
To learn more about our experience with Mint Mobile, read our guide to Mint Mobile plans for seniors.
Cost: Starting at $25 per month for unlimited talk and text
Consumer Cellular is a private, U.S.-based company, so its customer service is different from other networks’. You’ll never have to wait in queues for international service reps because Consumer Cellular’s 24/7 service line is run completely domestically.
On top of this, its unlimited phone plans are highly affordable, particularly for those who wish to purchase multiple lines. For one line of unlimited talk, text, and data, you’ll pay $50 per month; however, additional lines cost only $15 apiece. For two lines of unlimited data, you’ll pay $65; for three lines, you’ll pay $80 total; and so on.
Consumer Cellular also offers special discounts for AARP members. Currently, members can get 5 percent off their monthly bill. They’ll also qualify for a special unlimited plan with two lines of unlimited data for $55 per month.
To learn more about these plans, read our full Consumer Cellular review.
Cost: Starting at $25 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
Visible piggybacks off of Verizon’s extensive network to give its users unlimited 5G data, which, at its $25 per month price point, is an amazing deal for those looking to stream, play, and download as much as they want.
Visible is also great for international travelers since its services extend to over 30 countries without additional fees. Though not all devices are covered by its 5G network, you can bring your own phone to the plan if you want to keep your current device.
Some may consider its limited plan offerings (there are only two: Visible and Visible+) to be a downside, while others may appreciate the simplicity. With straightforward services, possibly the cheapest 5G access out there, and no long-term contracts, Visible may be a great option for you.
To learn more, read our Visible Wireless review.
Cost: Plans starting at $25.99 per month for unlimited talk and text
AT&T offers deep discounts for Florida residents and an additional 10% discount for AARP members, regardless of their state of residence. Though its plans start higher than some at $25.99 per month for unlimited talk and text ($30 for unlimited data), it offers discounts for multiple lines and never throttles its users’ data like some of the smaller networks.
Another benefit of AT&T’s service is its wide selection of compatible devices, including Apple products. If you want the Unlimited 55+ plans, however, you must be a Florida resident. Otherwise, you can still use its generic plans, though these are not as competitive.
We also discovered upfront costs when setting up AT&T’s service, such as hidden activation fees. While not everyone will want to front the cost of its plans, it offers no-contract services at deep discounts that are worth checking out, provided you live in Florida.
To learn more about AT&T’s plans, read our guide to AT&T senior plans.
When comparing each cellular provider, we prioritized these factors:
| Provider | Starting price per line | Eligibility | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | $27.50 | 55+ | Senior discount |
| Mint Mobile | $15 | 55+ | Lowest premium |
| Consumer Cellular | $25 | None | Domestic customer support |
| Visible | $25 | None | Unlimited 5G data |
| AT&T | $25.99 | 55+ | Florida resident discount |
Having so many choices for a phone plan can be daunting. To choose the best one for your needs, ask yourself whether unlimited data use is important, and either select one that offers it at a good value or prioritize the talk and text plans. Next, look at the extra features and review your eligibility for discounts to see what the true monthly premium will be for each of the plans you’re considering.
Thankfully, many plans have no long-term contracts and may even feature trial periods. With a little research and experimentation, you should be able to find an unlimited phone plan that ticks all the right boxes.
T-Mobile offers the most robust senior discounts, but Mint Mobile has the lowest pricing overall. Other plans from AT&T may offer Florida residents or AARP members discounts as well, so the best plan for seniors depends on their individual situation.
If you plan on using your phone to stream movies, play games, download files, or FaceTime with friends, you may want to consider prioritizing 5G data, which has lower latency and broader bandwidth than other data plans. If not, you can save money by getting a plan that doesn’t offer it.
Mint Mobile, AT&T, and Consumer Cellular offer plans that save users money by limiting the amount of data they purchase while keeping talk and text unlimited.
