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Unlimited high-speed data, video streaming and mobile hotspot are now standard for most cell phone plans. But sometimes simple features without all the extras can be a good fit.
Take heart: There are cell phone plans designed to meet any need while offering service that fits your budget.
We've highlighted several options from national carriers. The prices listed are for a single line, and before taxes and fees unless otherwise noted. Also, many carriers require you to enroll in paperless billing and autopay to get the best price.
If you're on Medicaid, food stamps/SNAP, Supplemental Security Income or other government programs, you may qualify for subsidized plans from some of these companies through the federal Lifeline program.
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Best senior-specific plans
With age comes perks. The top three carriers each offer a senior-specific plan geared to consumers age 55 and older.
AT&T
Plan name: AT&T Unlimited 55+.
Price: $55 per month.
At a glance: Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Things to know: You must be 55 or older and call to verify your age.
» MORE: Cut your cell phone bill with this script
T-Mobile
Plan name: T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55+.
Price: $45 per month (with autopay discount).
At a glance: Unlimited talk, text and 5G and 4G LTE data.
Things to know: A bargain of an unlimited plan that doesn’t skimp on extras. Includes unlimited mobile hotspot data, but at 3G speeds, which is slightly slower than the 4G speed you typically get on a smartphone. International features include unlimited texting in more than 215 countries, plus talk, text and 2G data (read: slow) in Mexico and Canada.
Verizon
Plan name: Verizon 55+ Plus (for Florida residents only).
Price: $45 per month.
At a glance: Unlimited talk and text, plus 5G and 4G LTE data.
Things to know: This plan is available only to Florida residents 55 and older. For those who live elsewhere, a viable alternative is Verizon's Unlimited Welcome plan. It includes unlimited talk, text and data for $55 a month.
Best value plans
Value plans strike a balance between price and features, regardless of age.
Mint Mobile
Plan name: 5GB.
Price: $15 per month (billed for three full months upfront).
At a glance: A talk-and-text plan with 5GB of data.
Things to know: If you like the service, you can upgrade to data plans ranging from 15GB to unlimited.
Visible by Verizon
Plan name: Visible.
Price: $25 per month (taxes and fees included).
At a glance: An affordable baseline unlimited data plan.
Things to know: Mobile hotspot is included. Customer service is mostly by web chat with Visible, which could make resolving issues tedious.
Cricket Wireless
Plan name: Sensible 10GB Plan.
Price: $30 per month.
At a glance: A talk-and-text plan with 10GB of data.
Things to know: You’ll have to step up to Cricket’s priciest unlimited plans to get mobile hotspot included. Cricket also offers multi-line discounts on unlimited plans, which is an attractive feature for people shopping for a family cell phone plan.
» MORE: Best cheap cell phone plans for anyone
Best AARP discounts
AARP, a nonprofit organization catering to people 50 and older, offers discounts on plans from Consumer Cellular.
Consumer Cellular
Plan name: Consumer Cellular.
Price: $20 per month.
At a glance: A talk-and text plan with a little data (1GB), and a few lower-tech device options for those who don’t want a smartphone.
Things to know: AARP members get 5% off any monthly service on any plan. Consumer Cellular also offers two lines for $55 per month with unlimited talk, text and data. Plans are compatible with techier iPhone and Android devices, too. If you go over your data limit for the month, you're automatically bumped up to the next tier — along its higher price. You won't automatically be bumped back down at the end of the billing cycle, so you’ll need to remember to reset your plan.
Best pay-as-you-go plans
These choices from Ultra Mobile and Tracfone are good for people who don't really want a cell phone but want the ability to reach family or medical help in an emergency. For more robust features, like unlimited data and HD streaming, Boost Mobile offers pay-as-you-go plans to meet high usage needs.
Ultra Mobile
Plan name: PayGo.
Price: $3 per month.
Plan at a glance: Includes 100 minutes, 100 texts and 100MB of 5G/4G LTE data; additional usage costs 3 cents per minute or MB of data and 1 cent per message. Data, voice and text add-ons are also available ranging from one to seven days and $2 to $10.
Things to know: This plan is as basic and cheap as it gets. The PayGo plan is offered through Ultra Mobile, but it runs on T-Mobile’s network and is available at select T-Mobile stores. There are some downsides that come with “basic and cheap”: You need to get and activate an Ultra Mobile SIM card, and also have to top up your account every 60 days to keep your account and phone number active.
Boost Mobile
Plan name: Boost Mobile Unlimited.
Price: $25 per month.
At a glance: Unlimited talk, text and data.
Things to know: An unlimited plan with none of the commitments. High-speed data is capped at 30GB per month. You’ll have to upgrade to Unlimited+ at $50 per month to access hotspot capabilities.
» MORE: Best cell phone plans
Best flexible plan
Flexible plans are a great alternative to traditional pay-as-you-go service. You pay a set monthly fee each month, but usage is billed in tiers. If you use a lot of data one month but none the next, your bill will reflect that.
Ting
Plan name: Flex.
Price: $10 per month.
At a glance: Unlimited talk and text only; data is available at an extra cost.
Things to know: The $10 per month price assumes you don’t use data at all. For data, you’ll pay an extra $5 per GB. Ting contracts with T-Mobile and Verizon, so you’d use one of those networks.
Best emergency cell phone plan
Lively (previously GreatCall) plans are specifically for seniors. The Jitterbug, Lively’s signature phone, features big buttons, a loud speaker and a bright screen with large display text. Optional health services include the ability to speak with a live nurse or doctor; the help of a personal operator to make phone calls or add appointments to your calendar; and, at the push of a button, an agent to assist in an emergency.
Lively
Plan name: Basic (flip phone only).
Price: $14.99 per month.
Plan at a glance: 300 minutes and 300 texts. Unlimited talk and text is an extra $5 per month.
Things to know: Smartphones require a data plan. A data plan for the Jitterbug starts at $19.99 per month. You can buy a Lively phone or plan on the carrier's website or through authorized retailers. Service runs on Verizon's network.
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