Consumer Cellular vs. AT&T

Consumer Cellular vs. AT&T: Plans and Costs

Overall, Consumer Cellular’s plans are more affordable than AT&T’s, regardless of age. For a plan with unlimited talk, you’ll pay $15 per month. For a plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 1 GB of data, you’ll pay $20 per month. 

With greater data allowances, however, come sharply higher prices. A plan with 10 GB of data will cost $35 per month. One with unlimited data will cost $50 per month. That said, no matter which plan you choose, additional lines only cost $15 each. While $50 per month may seem steep for unlimited data, two lines would only cost $65, or $32.50 each. 

AT&T’s plans are a bit more costly. All of their plans come with unlimited talk, text, and data. Their most affordable plan, Unlimited Starter, costs $65.99 per month for one line. Adding additional lines comes with discounts. On the Unlimited Starter plan, two lines will cost $121.98 ($60.99 each), and four lines will cost $143.96 ($35.99 each). 

Senior Plans

Both Consumer Cellular and AT&T offer plans for seniors. However, the two plans differ slightly in terms of eligibility and features. 

Consumer Cellular offers one senior plan, and it includes two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $55 per month ($27.50 per line). To be eligible for this plan, you must purchase two lines and be an AARP member. Technically speaking, people of any age can be members of AARP.

AT&T offers one senior plan, Unlimited 55+, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This plan costs $60 for one line or $80 for two lines. The primary downside of this plan is it’s currently only available to Florida residents, while Consumer Cellular’s plan is available nationwide. 

To learn more about AT&T’s 55+ plans, read our guide to AT&T's senior plans. 

Consumer Cellular vs. AT&T: Phones and Devices

Both Consumer Cellular and AT&T allow you to bring your own phone and use it on their network, potentially even keeping your phone number. To check if your phone is compatible, you’ll want to visit the provider’s website and enter your phone’s unique IMEI number. 

In terms of the phones themselves, both providers offer a similar range of smartphones from Apple, Samsung, and Google. While there are some slight variations in price, most of the phones will cost the same, whether you purchase them from AT&T or Consumer Cellular. The iPhone SE, one of our favorite iPhones for seniors, costs $429 from both providers. Each also offers a limited range of flip phones that cost under $100. 

Overall, Consumer Cellular and AT&T offer the same phones for the same prices, so this will most likely not be a factor when deciding between the providers. 

Consumer Cellular vs. AT&T: Coverage

Consumer Cellular is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), meaning the company leases its network from other providers. Mint Mobile and Cricket Wireless are two other popular MVNOs. 

Consumer Cellular uses both T-Mobile and AT&T’s networks. There is a downside to that. During times of peak usage, AT&T and T-Mobile may prioritize their own subscribers, resulting in decreased data speeds for Consumer Cellular users. 

AT&T, however, owns its own network and provides 5G coverage nationwide. In terms of calls and texts, this won’t make much of a difference. But, in terms of data, users of AT&T will notice consistently faster speeds than they would have on Consumer Cellular.

Our Favorite

If you’re 55 or older, then both AT&T and Consumer Cellular are reliable options with reasonable prices. AT&T definitely wins when it comes to data speeds, while Consumer Cellular comes out on top in terms of affordably priced plans. 

If you want to use your smartphone to stream videos and browse the internet, AT&T is likely the better option for you. If you only need a phone for talk, text, and some occasional data usage, Consumer Cellular will do the job. 

To compare these providers with our other favorites, read our guide to the best phone plans for seniors.