Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

Adam Harley

Apr 28, 2020

With each passing year, people from a multitude of demographics are becoming ever more tech-savvy, and that includes seniors. In fact, about 53% of seniors owned a smartphone in 2019—more than double the amount from 2013.

That said, seniors have quite a few options at their disposal when talking about cell phone plans and providers. And like any other demographic, there can be a wide range of needs to satisfy, depending on the individual(s). Some seniors may want to do it all with unlimited data while others may want plans that include health and safety services.

Which Carriers Offer Senior Cell Phone Plans?

A number of carriers, both major and small, offer plans that are well suited, and in some cases, specifically designed for seniors.

Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, Consumer Cellular, and GreatCall all offer senior-exclusive plans that start as low as $25 per month, and there are also a handful of MVNOs, that while they don’t offer senior-specific plans, offer affordable options for budget-minded seniors.

Unlimited Phone Plans for Seniors

Sometimes, the smartest option is the one with the least amount of restrictions, i.e., unlimited data, talk, and text. This is certainly the case for seniors who engage in activities that use a lot of data, such as streaming videos and music, video chatting (e.g. FaceTime), and social media browsing.

Here are our picks for the best unlimited phone plans for seniors.

T-Mobile Essentials | Unlimited 55+ YRS ONLY

First up, T-Mobile’s Essentials Unlimited 55+ plan, which is offered exclusively to those 55 years and older.

At $40/month, this plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data for a great price. Not only that, but there are a number of enviable perks included as well:

Unlimited talk, text, and data (2G speeds) in both Mexico and Canada
Unlimited texting with flat-rate calling ($0.25 per minute) in over 210 countries and destinations worldwide
Unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data

T-Mobile Magenta | Unlimited 55+ YRS ONLY

The T-Mobile Magenta Unlimited plan, much like the aforementioned T-Mobile Essentials Unlimited 55+ plan, also offers a special monthly rate for those 55 and over, with a few more additions, including:

Unlimited data and text in over 210 countries
Free in-flight texting with 1 hour of GoGo Air included monthly
3GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, with unlimited hotspot at 3G speeds

GreatCall | Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data Plan for Jitterbug Smart

GreatCall is one of only two carriers that offer plans solely dedicated to the senior demographic.

The carrier’s Jitterbug Smart2’s Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data plan, which costs $60/month, offers a multitude of benefits over the typical discounted senior rate, such as integrated health/safety features and senior-friendly devices. Plus, GreatCall operates on Verizon’s robust network, which means customers will have excellent coverage no matter where they go.

GreatCall’s Health and Safety Coverage Tiers

Basic

5Star Service – 24/7 access to medical alert agents

Preferred

5Star Service – 24/7 access to medical alert agents
Urgent Care – 24/7 access to nurses and doctors
GreatCall Link – app designed to keep authorized contacts updated on your status

Ultimate

5Star Service – 24/7 access to medical alert agents
Urgent Care – 24/7 access to nurses and doctors
GreatCall Link – App designed to keep authorized contacts updated on your status
Personal Operator – Dial “0” for help with various tasks – such as directions (GreatCall has also partnered with LYFT to offer easy access to these transportation services, with the assistance of a personal operator)

In addition to these benefits, the Jitterbug Smart2 itself is incredibly easy to use, featuring a generously large screen and quick access to key phone and safety features.

Sprint | Unlimited 55+ (In-Store Only)

Sprint comes in next with their own version of an Unlimited 55+ plan. This plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data for $50/month for the first line, and only an additional $20/month for the second (when enrolled in autopay).

A few more features to be mindful of:

Basic data-roaming (up to 2G speeds) and texting in over 200 different locations worldwide
Unlimited 3G mobile hotspot

Verizon | Unlimited Plan for 55+

On the slightly higher end of the cost spectrum ($60/month), Verizon offers unlimited talk, text, and data for those 55 and over as well.

A downside of this senior plan is that it’s currently only offered in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, and Dallas.

Some extra features from Verizon’s unlimited plan include:

Unlimited calling to/from Mexico and Canada
Unlimited mobile hotspot, up to 600Kbps
A free year of Disney+

Cheap Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

For those who are looking to keep their costs on the lower-end, there are plenty of budget-friendly plans that still include great features and are perfect for seniors.

Tello | Economy Plan

For only $10/month, it’s hard to beat Tello’s Economy Plan in the value department. Even at such a ridiculously low price-point, this affordable prepaid plan includes:

1GB of 4G LTE data
Unlimited calling (including U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, and Romania)
Unlimited text messaging

There are no activation or overage fees, so seniors can rest easy knowing their bill will remain low each and every month.

Note: Tello operates on Sprint’s network which offers the least amount of coverage compared to the other networks, so it’s important to check before committing to this plan.

T-Mobile | Connect Unlimited Talk & Text + 2GB Data

For only $15/month, T-Mobile’s Connect Unlimited plan includes unlimited talk and text, plus 2GB of 4G LTE data (every year, this plan increases by .5GB, with an upper limit of 4.5GB/month). This is one of the cheapest plans currently offered by a major carrier.

Mint Mobile | 3 Month Plan (Medium)

Mint Mobile, an MVNO that runs on T-Mobile’s powerful network, offers a pretty impressive prepaid option—the 3 Month Plan (Medium).

At only $20/month ($60 prepaid for 3 months) this plan includes:

8GB of high speed data per month
Unlimited messaging and national minutes (including Canada and Mexico)
Mobile hotspot capabilities

Consumer Cellular | Unlimited Talk & Text + 3GB Data Plan

Specifically targeted towards seniors, Consumer Cellular’s Unlimited Talk and Text + 3GB Data Plan offers straight-forward pricing, excellent customer service, and AARP discounts for eligible members—all for only $30/month.

Sprint | Unlimited Kickstart Plan

When talking about low-cost unlimited plans, it doesn’t get much more cost-efficient than Sprint’s Unlimited Kickstart Plan, which is available for new customers switching to Sprint.

At $35/month (with autopay), this plan includes:

Unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data
Free global roaming data (up to 2G speeds) in over 185 different countries

Keep in mind that this is an online exclusive plan (Sprint is currently offering free next-day shipping with activations).

Basic Phone Plans for Seniors (Talk and Text Only)

Despite the uptick in seniors using smartphones over the last decade, there are some who still prefer basic, no-frills phone plans that don’t include data.

GreatCall | Unlimited Talk and Text Plan for Jitterbug Flip

For those looking to benefit from added health/safety services, but have no need for mobile data, GreatCall’s Unlimited Talk and Text Plan for the Jitterbug Flip is certainly worth looking at.

The plan is a bit on the pricier side ($40/month), given there is no data, but the added peace of mind seniors will gain through GreatCall’s care services makes it well worth the cost.

GreatCall’s same tiered health and safety packages apply for the Jitterbug Flip.

T-Mobile | $20 Unlimited Talk and Text Only

For $20/month, T-Mobile’s Unlimited Talk and Text Only plan offers great value, with a great network.

This plan also includes:

Unlimited nationwide minutes in the U.S. and when traveling to Canada and Mexico
Unlimited text to more than 210 different countries
WiFi calling and texting

Twigby | Unlimited Talk and Text

Twigby’s Unlimited Talk and Text Plan, which costs just $13/month, includes the following perks:

Unlimited domestic talk and text
Unlimited calls to Canada, China, and Mexico
Unlimited global texting

Like Tello, Twigby operates on Sprint’s network, which covers just 30% of the country—it is best to check out Sprint’s coverage map before committing to this plan.

Good2Go Mobile | Unlimited Talk and Text

One of the most budget-friendly talk/text-only plans comes in the form of Good2Go Mobile’s Unlimited Talk and Text option.

Operating on AT&T’s network, senior customers will be able to make unlimited calls and send unlimited texts nationwide, all for the very low cost of $10/month (when enrolled in autopay). In addition, for an additional $5/month, customers can add unlimited international calls and texts to 60 different countries.

What is the Easiest Smartphone for Seniors to Use?

There’s no point in finding the perfect senior plan without also finding an easy-to-use cell phone. Check out the most intuitive senior devices on the market.

Jitterbug Smart2 (Exclusively from GreatCall)

We mentioned earlier that GreatCall is one of the only carriers catering specifically to seniors citizens, and their devices back up the claim.

A few features that make the Jitterbug Smart2 so easy to use include:

Well-lit, large 5.5-inch display
Simplified menu, with quick access to key features and functionality
Built-in health and safety apps

Jitterbug Flip (Exclusively from GreatCall)

Another GreatCall exclusive device, the Jitterbug Flip, caters towards those who are looking for basic talk and text plans.

The Jitterbug Flip also offers easy-to-use features, such as:

Simplistic and compact flip-phone design
Large buttons and a bright HD screen
A dedicated button for GreatCall health and safety features

Samsung Galaxy A20

The Samsung Galaxy A20, like most Galaxy phones, has an “easy mode,” which simplifies the home screen layout and icons. This can be enabled and disabled fairly easy, and gives users plenty of versatility, should they ever need increased functionality.

A few notable features:

6.4″ Infinity-V display
Excellent battery life—one of the best in class
Adjustable font settings

Compare Senior Cell Phone Plans: Which is Best For You?

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to picking the best senior-friendly cell phone plan. It all depends on the individual(s). Those who prioritize unlimited data and carefree usage may be best suited choosing one of the T-Mobile or Sprint’s Unlimited 55+ plans. Conversely, seniors more concerned about health-related benefits should consider one of GreatCall’s health and safety packages, along with one of their senior-friendly devices. Moreover, if the top priority is affordability, both T-Mobile and Tello offer excellent low-cost plans that still give incredible value on talk, text, and data.

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