Our pick for the best cell phone plan for seniors is Fido's Talk & Text plan. For just
$25/month, you get unlimited Canada-wide minutes and unlimited international texting on Rogers’ large network. It’s the perfect basic plan for keeping in touch with loved ones and sharing photos with family.
Figuring out the specifics, though, can be difficult. Should you get a postpaid or prepaid plan? Unlimited data plan or just talk and text?
Whether you're a senior who wants to keep it simple with talk and text, or a tech-savvy grandparent posting on social media and video chatting with the family, there's a phone plan out there for you.
Read on to find the best cell phone plans, deals, and discounts for seniors.
How we picked the best plans for seniors
-
Price & value
We ensured you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on the essentials to keep you connected. -
Coverage & network reliability
We evaluated each carrier’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage to predict your service quality (no dropped calls allowed!). -
Plan extras and perks
If you get free Netflix or a hefty hotspot, we factored those in relative to the cost of the plan.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Best senior cell phone plans
| Carrier | Features | Best for | Shop this plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Unlimited talk and text | Talk and text | Learn more |
|
Coverage throughout North America | Travel | Learn more |
|
480GB of shareable 5G data | Family sharing | Learn more |
|
Year-long plan | Emergencies | Learn more |
|
Unlimited texting | Price | Learn more |
Best Value Plan
for Seniors
Fido | Talk & Text Plan | $20/month
- Pros: Cheap, unlimited calls and unlimited text on a reliable network
- Cons: No data
If you’re just looking to call and text, Fido’s Talk & Text Plan is for you. It offers unlimited Canada-wide calling and unlimited international texting for just $20/month. Fido is owned by Rogers, meaning this plan provides you access to one of the largest and most reliable networks in Canada.
Want to pick up a new phone that’s just as simple as your plan? The flip phone is back: the TCL Flip can be added on to this plan for $4.13/month for 24 months or for $111 upfront. Looking for even more savings? If you trade in your old device you can earn a minimum of $100 credit towards a new device.
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Best travel plan
for seniors
Telus | Unlimited 100 5G+ Can-US | $80/month
- Pros: No roaming charges with Canada and the U.S., large amount of data
- Cons: Expensive, savings require 24-month contract
If you’re a frequent traveler, then you should find an unlimited plan that meets your needs. If you’re a snowbird, then you should find an unlimited plan that doesn’t charge you roaming fees in the U.S. while you’re traveling. Telus’s Unlimited 100 5G+ checks all of the boxes for the annual traveler, with unlimited talk and text throughout Canada and the U.S. plus andUnlimited data, ensuring you won’t have to worry about finding Wi-Fi when you’re on the road.
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Best Family Sharing
Plan for Seniors
Bell | Unlimited Share Family Plan | $280/month across 4 lines
- Pros: Affordable costs on a large network, 5G access
-
Cons: Speeds slow after 480GB
If you’re caring for an elderly parent and considering bringing them on to your family plan, you’ve got the right idea: family plans save serious money and ensure you stay connected with your loved ones. Bell’s Unlimited Share Family Plan is the best family plan out there, with a whopping 480GB of data shareable across all lines on the plan. Want to add another line? You’ll only pay an additional $35/month.
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Best Emergency Plan
for Seniors
7-Eleven SpeakOut | $25 Account Top-Up
- Pros: Year-long plan, cover on Rogers network, perfect for emergency use
- Cons: Hidden 911 fee of $1.25/month, no data access included
You don’t need a new phone or a high budget to ensure you always have a communication lifeline available. In addition to selling you chips and gum, corner store 7-Eleven offers prepaid cell phone packages that last a full 365 days before your minutes expire. By comparison, almost all other prepaid plans expire after only 30 days. Our top pick, the $25 Voucher, is perfect for seniors who need a reliable form of connection for infrequent or emergency use.
As long as a credit balance remains on your account, you’ll enjoy free voicemail, caller ID, and free incoming texts. Calls start at a low rate of $0.30/minute, and outgoing texts are just $0.15 per message. It’s easy to set up your plan and get started, too—if you already have an old phone lying around, simply pick up a SIM card at the same time as the $25 voucher and insert it into your current device. Don’t have a phone handy? 7-Eleven Speakout offers a few different network-compatible phones to purchase, or you can find a prepaid phone that’s compatible with the Rogers network to get started.
There is a catch, though: While there’s no contract or access fee, 7-Eleven SpeakOut does assess a monthly 911 Emergency Regulatory Recovery fee of $1.25, meaning your usable balance actually starts at $23.75 and drops by $1.25 every 30 days thereafter. That means in order to maintain your voucher’s full worth, you’ll need to make sure to top up by $1.25 each month, or your balance will. You should also be aware that these vouchers don’t include any data allowance. If you need internet access, you may want to look at alternative prepaid options.
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Cheapest Phone Plan
for Seniors
Virgin Plus | Prepaid $15 Monthly Plan
- Pros: Unlimited texting, no contract
- Cons: Limited minutes, minimal data
If you only need basic connectivity to stay in touch with loved ones, you might as well find the cheapest plan on the market. There are a number of prepaid plans available for $15, but we appreciate this option from Virgin Plus because it offers unlimited messaging along with bonus data for enrolling in auto-pay.
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Cell phone plan discounts
and deals for seniors
A number of Canadian carriers offer discounts and deals for seniors, though finding them can be difficult. Here are the best currently available:- Telus offers subsidized plans and discounted devices through Mobile Klinik for low-income seniors as a part of their Mobility for Good initiative. Seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement are eligible for a free refurbished smartphone, unlimited nationwide talk and text, and 3GB of data for $25/month.
- For seniors looking to learn more about their devices and how to stay safe online, Telus also offers digital literacy workshops and resources through Telus Wise.
Pros and cons of seniors plans
There’s a lot to love about senior-specific phone plans, as well as a few limitations to consider. Before buying a new wireless plan or entering into a multi-year contract, make sure you evaluate your priorities and mobile habits to be certain your plan will work well for you.
Pros & cons
- Affordability: Most phone plans for seniors are specifically designed to be the most cost-efficient option among a given carrier’s suite of plans, taking into account the high probability that customers are retired and budgeting a fixed income as much as possible.
- Flexibility: Senior-friendly phone plans often let you use your data and minutes across the border, making them excellent options for enjoying some well-earned travel during retirement.
- Free long-distance calling: Carriers know that it’s important to stay in touch with family who may be spread out across the country. Most senior cell phone plans include free Canada-wide calling, so you don’t have to budget your minutes as well as your wallet.
- Limited data: To get the best price on your senior phone plan, you’re usually going to be sacrificing on data. Even unlimited plans will slow speeds when a certain amount of data has been used, meaning you'll be browsing the web at a reduced speed. If you’re a heavy phone user—someone who likes chatting on the phone and browsing the web while you’re out of the house—you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a data allowance that’s higher than most plans geared at seniors.
- Lack of features: If you’re looking for a phone plan that also throws in a free entertainment subscription or similar perks, look elsewhere. Senior phone plans are often so affordable because they lack the bells and whistles of other plans.
- Limited phone options: Limited plans means limited phones. To get the most of a newer smartphone, you’ll want a plan with plenty of data, and preferably one that offers perks like 5G access or a subscription to additional services to pair with your phone. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest smartphone, you should look for a more typical plan.
Use prepaid packages
The simplest and most reliable way to ensure you never spend more than you want is to sign up for a prepaid plan. Prepaid plans are more robust than you might think, with plans that offer unlimited talk and text as well as generous monthly data.
Want to learn more? Check out our guide to prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans.Use an old phone
You can buy a new phone or bring an old one from another mobile carrier. If you want to use an old phone with a new mobile carrier, read our comprehensive guide on how to unlock your phone and use it anywhere.
Avoid data overage fees
If you're on a postpaid (monthly or contract) plan, you pay your bill at the end of the month. This invoice can sometimes have nasty surprises when you go over your data limit. It's true that Canada has some of the most expensive data prices in the world, but you also have certain rights as a consumer.
Your mobile carrier must notify you (usually by text message) that you're about to reach your data usage limit for the month. They are also prevented from charging you more than $100 in a month for overages, but that's still a big number to pay if you haven't budgeted for it.
- Solution #1: Some carriers feature unlimited data. Once you hit your monthly data cap, you can still surf the web to your heart's content but your uploads and downloads will be slowed down. WhistleOut has a guide that helps you understand how unlimited data works in Canada, and what carriers have unlimited data plans.
- Solution #2: Koodo Mobile offers Shock-Free® Data which puts a pause on your data downloads. You can still make calls and text, but until the end of your billing month you can't use chat apps, browse, or watch videos. On the bright side, you also won't get charged for data overages. Find a Wi-Fi network or contact Koodo customer support to approve data overage fees or buy a booster pack.
More information about your rights as a mobile consumer can be found in the CRTC's Wireless Code of Conduct. While Canadians are notified before large data overage fees, the Wireless Code doesn't protect consumers from long-distance or roaming charges. Make sure to find a plan that suits your calling needs so you don't get a bill with over $1,000 of long-distance fees.
Picking the best senior phone plans
How do our editors choose which phone plans are the best for seniors like you? Here’s how we put our list together.
- Price: We know you’re not looking to waste your hard-earned savings on your monthly phone bill…and neither are we! We first look at the maximum overall savings you can expect from a given plan compared to the overall market. The best phone plans for seniors take into account the fact that you might be retired and on a lesser income.
- Features: Next, we look at what you’ll get out of your plan. We want to be sure you’ll be able to easily stay connected—especially in an emergency—without extra costs like long-distance fees or exorbitant per-minute rates. We evaluate the amount of included talk, text, and data for the price you’re being charged. When carriers offer promotional pricing on these plans, we take special notice.
- Flexibility and coverage: Lastly, we look at how easy it is to use your mobile plan, especially if you travel often, as well as how reliably you’ll be able to make calls or use your data depending on your network. We also look at any renewal requirements, expiration policies, and other parameters that might affect how easy it is to use your plan.
Frequently asked questions
Which cell phone carriers have senior discounts?
Telus offers subsidized plans and discounted devices through Mobile Klinik for low-income seniors through Mobility for Good. Not to mention, Telus Customer Service was ranked as the best customer service from a mobility company in Canada.
Other carriers—like Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus, Lucky Mobile, Chatr Wireless, and Public Mobile—might not offer explicit senior discounts, though they do have low-cost, no-frills, prepaid plans that are often perfect for seniors looking for the basics.
Can seniors get free cell phones in Canada?
Yes, seniors can get free cell phones in Canada. Seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) are eligible for a free refurbished smartphone, unlimited nationwide talk and text, and 3GB of data for $25/month through Telus’s Mobility for Good initiative.
What is the cheapest cell phone plan for seniors?
The cheapest cell phone plan for seniors is Fido’s $20 Basic Plan. It includes unlimited nationwide texting, 100 minutes, and 250MB of data at 3G speed on Rogers’s extensive national network.
What cell phone plan for seniors has the best coverage?
Telus’s Unlimited 100 5G+ Can-US is a cell phone plan for seniors with the best coverage. You get 100GB of data at 5G speed on Telus’s large, reliable network and will still be covered if you decide to head south in the winter.
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