Tracfone vs. Lively: Which Low-Cost Provider Is Better?
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December 18, 2025
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Tracfone vs. Lively: Takeaways
- Both Tracfone and Lively offer affordable cellular service. Tracfone’s plans are slightly cheaper, with unlimited talk and text plans available for $15 per month, while Lively offers a much more straightforward approach.
- Tracfone and Lively are MVNOs, meaning they lease cellular networks from other providers.
- Tracfone allows you to bring your own phone to its network, while Lively requires you to purchase one of its recommended phones.
Tip: Many MVNOs like Tracfone and Lively allow you to keep your current phone number when you switch, making the transition much easier.
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| Editor's Ratings | ||
| Cost for unlimited talk and text | $15 per month | $19.99 per month |
| Cost for unlimited talk, text, and data | $50 per month ($45 with Auto-Refill) for one month of service | Add $30 a month to your Basic data, Preferred data, or Premium data plan |
| Overage charges | None (service cut off after exceeding minutes, text, or data) | $0.10 per MB of data used |
| Annual contract | Not required | Not required |
| Medical alert features | Not available | Available with a Preferred or Premium plan |
| Family plans | Not available | Not available |
| Bring your own phone | Yes | No |
| Contact | ||
| Phone Number |
Call for best price:
855-403-6340 |
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| Website |
In terms of senior phone plans, Tracfone and Lively offer two of the most affordable options out there. Tracfone’s basic smartphone plans start at just $15 per month (with unlimited talk and text). Lively’s basic smartphone plan starts at $19.99 per month (with the option to add on additional data if needed).
That said, Tracfone does not offer safety features or compatibility with Jitterbug phones — all of which are offered by Lively.
Tracfone vs. Lively: Plans and Costs
Overall, Tracfone’s plans are slightly more affordable than Lively’s, at least for basic talk and text; however, the provider does not offer any built-in safety features. For a basic smartphone plan with 1 GB of carryover data and unlimited talk and text, you’ll pay $15 per month. If you want a more premium plan with unlimited talk and text with 20 GB of carryover data, the price is $40 per month.
Tracfone’s prices range depending on GB amount, international calling features, and whether this is a 30-day, 90-day, 180-day, or 365-day refill.
Tracfone’s most premium plan, the Tracfone Freedom, starts at $50 a month for unlimited data, unlimited talk and text, international talk, text, and roaming in Canada and Mexico, and more. This is currently the only Tracfone plan that offers unlimited data.
>>Read more: The Best Unlimited Phone Plans for Seniors
Lively’s plans will cost a bit more than Tracfone’s. For unlimited talk and text, you’ll pay $19.99 per month. Data, however, can quickly make your monthly bill rise. Adding 5 GB of data to your plan will cost $5 extra per month, 10 GB will cost $15 per month, and “unlimited” data will cost $30 per month.
That said, “unlimited data” is a bit of a misnomer. With Lively’s unlimited data plan, your speeds will be throttled to 128 kbps after exceeding 20 GB of data used in a given billing cycle. The primary benefit of Lively’s unlimited data plan is that it will prevent you from receiving hefty overage charges. If you exceed your monthly data allowance with Lively, you’ll be charged $0.10 per MB of data used in excess of your monthly allowance.
Contracts
Neither Lively nor Tracfone requires a long-term contract. This means that you can cancel your service at any time and stop making monthly payments with either provider.
That said, Tracfone is a prepaid wireless provider, meaning that you’ll have to pay for your service in advance. The upside of this is that you can get steep discounts when you pay for multiple months of service in advance.
For example, its $20-per-month plan costs $192 when you purchase 12 months in advance. That’s technically $16 per month of service. Lively offers no discounts like this.
Tracfone vs. Lively: Safety Features
In addition to your cellular service, Lively offers a variety of optional safety features on its phones. Lively’s safety features include 24/7 urgent response calling. Much like a medical alert system, this feature allows a user to press an urgent response button on their Jitterbug phone and be connected to professional monitoring agents who can assist in an emergency. Its higher-tier plans also include a dedicated nurse hotline. These plans will cost an extra $20 to $30 per month on top of your cellular service.
Lively’s Premium data plan includes the Nurse On-Call and Care Advocate features for any medical or well-being questions or concerns. The Premium data plan includes unlimited talk and text and 1 GB of data.
>>Read more: The Best Medical Alert Systems
To learn more about these features, read our full Jitterbug phone reviews.
Tracfone, however, does not offer any type of safety, health, or emergency response features.
Tracfone vs. Lively: Phones and Devices
A key difference between Tracfone and Lively will be the devices compatible with their plans. Tracfone allows you to bring your own phone to its network, meaning you can use just about any 4G or 5G-compatible device on one of its plans. Additionally, Tracfone also sells some affordable phones of its own. While its in-stock phones regularly change, it currently offers great deals on iPhones and various Samsung Galaxy devices.
Credit: Tracfone
>>Read more: The Best iPhones for Seniors
Lively does not allow you to bring your own phone to its network. Instead, you’ll have to purchase a Jitterbug Flip2, the Jitterbug Smart4, a certified used iPhone with a Lively SIM, or a BLU smartphone. We’ve tested both of the Jitterbug phones and loved their simplified designs, these limitations may be a deal-breaker for some.
Tracfone vs. Lively: Coverage
Both Tracfone and Lively are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), meaning they lease their networks from other providers. Mint Mobile and Cricket Wireless are two other popular MVNOs.
Both Tracfone and Lively use Verizon’s network. Since Verizon acquired Tracfone, the integration is even more seamless. The downside of this is that during times of peak usage, Verizon may prioritize its own subscribers, resulting in decreased data speeds for Tracfone and Lively users.
Fortunately, data speeds are improving for everyone. Lively’s Jitterbug Smart4 is 5G compatible, as are many of the phones compatible with Tracfone’s service.
Our Favorite
If you’re age 55 or older, then both Lively and Tracfone are reliable options with reasonable prices. Lively definitely wins when it comes to safety features and simple devices, while Tracfone wins out in terms of affordably priced plans.
If you want to use your phone as a safety device, then Lively is likely the better option. If you need a phone only for talk, text, and some occasional data usage, then Tracfone will do the job.
To compare these providers with our other favorites, read our guide to the best phone plans for seniors.
