Best cell phone plans for seniors in 2024

T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 | Unlimited data | $45/month - Best value unlimited senior plan
After previously touting the cost of two lines of data for seniors 55 years and older, T-Mobile now offers single-line rates, with the Essentials Choice 55 option delivering unlimited data for $45/month. The dual-line package is also a good deal, as the second line is heavily discounted — you'll pay just $60/month total for two lines.

Essentials Choice 55 comes with unlimited data, calls, and texts with no speed restrictions, 3G mobile hotspot data and scam protection; you also get access to T-Mobile's 5G access at no extra cost. Bear in mind that taxes and fees aren't included in this plan's rate as they are with other 55-years-and-up plans at T-Mobile.

You can upgrade to T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan, where you get one line of data for $75/month and two lines for $110. The plan also includes Apple TV Plus, 50GB mobile hotspot data, and more. A Go5G Next option packs in more perks for $85 (single line) and $130 (two lines).

Pros: Affordable price for Essentials Choice, no annual contract, 5G at no extra cost
Cons: Limited to 2G in Mexico/Canada, only SD streaming

Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15/month - Low price with tech support
Mint Mobile offers a Mint 55+ plan that looks a lot like its entry-level plan in which you get 5GB of data for $15/month in your first three months of service. But seniors get access to MINTech Advisors for technical support with activation, cancelling your previous service, bringing your current number over to Mint and any other ongoing questions. As with Mint's other plans, the 55+ offering requires you to pay for a full year in advance after your first three months, if you want to keep the low $15/monthly rate. While that's a big upfront charge, the monthly savings and tech support make Mint's plan more than worth it.

If you don't need the added tech support of Mint's senior offering, I'd steer you toward the company's regular unlimited data plan, which is heavily discounted right now. Normally $30/month after a three-month introductory period when you commit to a full year, Mint's Unlimited plan costs $15/month for the next year when you pay for that full year all at once — a $180 payment.

Pros: Very affordable, tech support included for seniors
Cons: Requires big upfront payment for lowest monthly rate

Visible | Visible Unlimited plan | $25/month - A cheap option for unlimited data
There's no age requirement at Visible Wireless, and seniors may find it hard to resist the carrier's $25 monthly cost for unlimited data. That $25 includes taxes and fees, without requiring the upfront payment for one of Mint's plans. The $45/month Visible Plus plan offers more perks like hotspot data and international calling, plus access to Verizon's faster 5G service.

It's a good time to switch to Visible, as the carrier has a promotion that cuts your bill down for the next 25 months. Just use code 'SWITCH25' at sign up, and the standard plan drops to $20/month for the next year, while Visible Plus drops to a low $30/month.

Pros: Low monthly cost, uses Verizon's network
Cons: Visible Plus plan has better perks, no discounts on multiple lines

Boost Mobile | Unlimited data | $25/month — Guaranteed price lock
If you haven't looked at Boost Mobile in a while, check out the carrier's current plans. The most appealing option for seniors offers unlimited data for $25 a month — a low cost that compares well with what Mint and Visible charge. But Boost keeps that rate locked in at $25 forever, so long as you remain enrolled in autopay. (A current promotion cuts the rate in half for the first month of service.) You can use 30GB per month before your data speed is subject to throttling and you can try out Boost's service for 30 days to see if it serves your needs.

Pro: Rate is locked in place forever, extended network has wide reach
Cons: Limited perks compared to other Boost plans

Ultra Mobile | 3GB | $19/month - Most flexible plan
While Ultra Mobile is best know for its cheap pay-as-you-go options for data, you get the best deal from the carrier when you pay for a year's service in advance. Normally that lowers the monthly cost of a 3GB plan from $19 to $14, but right now, Ultra is showing a $10 rate to people who pay for their data up to a year in advance. That's a savings of $108 over paying month-to-month.

Ultra also has 5GB, 10GB, 15GB and unlimited data plans with discounted rates when you pay in advance, so you've got the flexibility to chose the right amount of data to cover your phone use.

Pros: Super cheap, locks in rate
Cons: Best offer requires big upfront payment

AT&T | Unlimited 55 Plus | $60/month or two lines for $80/month - AT&T's feature-packed unlimited plan
The best AT&T plans include an exclusive deal for seniors, but you've got to be over 55 and living in Florida. If you fit this criteria, you can get two unlimited data, calls, and text lines for just $80 a month or one for $60. You'll be able to use your plan in the US, Mexico, and Canada, and 5G service is included at no extra cost. You can also text to more than 120 countries for free, and you'll get spam and fraud call blocking. Floridians with AARP memberships might qualify to additional savings.

If you don't live in Florida, try the Value Plus Plan for $50/month; sadly, Value Plus discounts don't kick in until you pay for 3 lines of data.

Pros: Unlimited 5G data, discount for Florida residents over 55
Cons: Expensive, not available in other states

Verizon | 55 Plus Unlimited plan | $62/month or $84 for two lines - The best Verizon plan for seniors
Like AT&T's plan above, this Verizon promotion is exclusively available to those over 55 and living in Florida; you also need to sign up for automatic payments. Yes, that's a niche group but if you fit into it, you can get a truly fantastic offer — one unlimited line for $62 a month or $84 for two lines. This includes unlimited 4G data, calls and texts, unlimited mobile hot-spotting, use when traveling in Mexico and Canada, and more.

If you don't fit into the residency criteria for Verizon's senior-specific plan, the carrier offers a 15GB prepaid plan that costs $35/month for one line and includes 5G coverage.

Pros: Major discount, unlimited 4G data, unlimited hotspot
Cons: Expensive, requires autopay, residency requirement

Consumer Cellular | 10GB | $35/month - A plan with AARP discounts
Consumer Cellular offers low prices for everyone regardless of age, but it's especially adept at catering to seniors with flexible data plans where you can chose exactly how much data you want. The best option in Consumer Cellular's reshuffled lineup is a 10GB plan that costs $35/month for just one line and $50/month if you add a second person to the plan. AARP members get a 5% discount on top of the low rate.

Pros: Monthly discount for AARP members, includes 5G coverage and discounts on multiple lines
Cons: Fewer plan options than before

Google Fi | Unlimited Plus Plan | $110/month | Best plan for globe-trotting seniors
At $110 a month for two lines with unlimited data, Google Fi's Unlimited Plus is one of the more expensive offerings among the best cell phone plans for seniors. And while Google offers discounts on additional lines, a two-person household would still pay $110 each month (or $55 for each line).

But if you've retired to explore the four corners of the earth, that high price could be worth it, as Google Fi lets you use your plan when you travel to more than 200 countries. (You can make calls from the US to more than 50 countries for free, as well.) With Google Fi optimized for Google's own Pixel phones, this is an unlimited data plan that might appeal to a very specific set of seniors.

Pros: Talk, text and data available when traveling, optimized for Google phones
Cons: One of the more expensive options