Best Senior Unlimited Cell Phone Plans

Testing out Consumer Cellular's Verve Snap

Overview

All of Consumer Cellular’s plans are designed for older adults, including the unlimited plan. At $50 per month, the unlimited plan is affordable, with no surprises or long-term contracts. If you sign up for multiple lines, you’ll see major savings: $65 per month for two lines or $80 per month for three lines. You can stop your service and switch to another provider at any time without paying penalty fees. We love this flexibility!

Consumer Cellular’s phone plans really shine for AARP members. At checkout, we saved five percent on our monthly bill just for being members. This may not sound like much, but it could save you up to $30 per year, per line. If you’re not an AARP member, you can sign up at checkout, so you can still qualify for the discount. As members, we also qualified for an extended 45-day no-risk guarantee when signing up. If you decide Consumer Cellular’s service isn’t right for you, you have a little time to cancel your plan and get your money back. For those who aren’t members, this period drops to 30 days, which is still a solid chunk of time.

» Dive Deeper: 2024 Consumer Cellular review

Consumer Cellular is a great no-frills mobile provider for older adults. The company’s website and award-winning customer service make it easy to sign up for a plan. One thing we realized at checkout: If you want to bring your own phone with you, you’ll need to call to sign up. If you want to buy a new phone from Consumer Cellular, you can sign up online or over the phone.

Aside from its status as an approved AARP provider, Consumer Cellular does little to provide specific features or perks for seniors, like Lively’s medical alert features or Visible’s international service. If you’re looking to stay connected, this won’t be a deal breaker. It is something to keep in mind.

Plans and Pricing

We found picking a Consumer Cellular plan is simpler than it is with carriers like AT&T or T-Mobile. There’s only one unlimited plan, and it costs $50 per month for one line. If you find you don’t need so much data, you can switch to one of three limited plans: 10 GB for $30 per month, 5 GB for $25 per month, or 1 GB for $20 monthly. These affordable plans have unlimited talk and text. But if you’re accustomed to unlimited data, they might feel like substantial downgrades. We think the jump from 10 GB to unlimited data for $20 extra per month is worth it.

We loved the simplicity of choosing a plan with Consumer Cellular. We didn’t have to sign any long-term contracts and knew what we were getting from the start. It was also really easy to take advantage of the five percent discount for AARP members since we could sign up at checkout!

Senior-Friendly Features

We think the simplicity of Consumer Cellular’s plans is a huge plus for seniors. We didn’t have to spend hours researching different options and reading fine print to find the best deal. You pick the plan and phone you want (if needed).

We love that Consumer Cellular offers its own senior-friendly phones (the IRIS Flip and IRIS Connect) and a tablet for seniors. Whether you’re looking for a simple flip phone, smartphone, or tablet, you’ve got options. We’ve tested all three products and found they were incredibly simple to use. They offer the best features for seniors, such as internet access, large screens, simple navigation, powerful speakers, and more. We’re also big fans of the voice assistant on both IRIS devices. During testing, we could send texts, pull up various apps, and make calls with just our voice. This is a great option for seniors with arthritis or mobility issues.

Using Google Assistant on the IRIS Connect

We love the senior-friendly phones and AARP discounts, but beyond this, Consumer Cellular doesn’t offer a lot of features for older adults. It’s a simple, no-frills carrier that makes it easy to get an affordable unlimited phone plan.

Soft Data Caps

While we noticed Consumer Cellular doesn’t advertise its soft data caps when you sign up for a plan, the information is readily available online. Once you exceed 50 GB of data usage in a given month, your speeds will slow down. If you use a lot of data for streaming, GPS navigation, or even regular web browsing, you could see your speeds throttled each month.

That said, 50 GB is pretty high. Most seniors will not come close to this amount of data usage unless you have several lines on your plan. To put it to the test, we used our iPhone 15 to stream Netflix in HD for hours on end (we left the phone plugged in and playing). After doing this for about four hours daily, we hit the 50 GB limit in about a week.

» Shopping Tip: The best iPhones for seniors

After that, we noticed a significant speed slowdown. It took longer to load web pages and open apps. We also encountered worse image quality and far more buffering when streaming content. But again, 50 GB is pretty high for a soft data cap. If you can connect your phone to Wi-Fi when at home, it’s highly unlikely you’ll come close to the soft data cap each month.

The Jitterbug Smart4 home screen

Overview

Lively designs its phones and plans specifically for seniors. This makes it a great option for older adults who don’t want anything too complex. The company also offers health and safety features, making it stand out from competitors. Keep in mind Lively’s phone plans only work with Lively devices. The company offers two phones only: the Jitterbug Smart4 ($149.99) and the Jitterbug Flip2 ($99.99). If you’re looking for a more robust smartphone or a wider variety of options, you might prefer AT&T, T-Mobile, or Consumer Cellular.

» Compare Your Options: Jitterbug vs. Consumer Cellular

Lively’s unlimited talk and text plan costs $19.99 monthly. If you want to upgrade to a plan with health and safety features, you’ll pay $39.99 to $49.99 monthly. You can also add data ranging from 1GB to unlimited to your plan for up to $30 monthly.

Lively stands out when it comes to its health and safety features. The Preferred phone plan ($39.99 per month) offers 24/7 access to urgent response agents and Lively Link, an app that keeps loved ones updated on your health and safety. The Premium package ($49.99 per month) offers the same features, plus on-call nurses and a care advocate to help create a personalized health plan for you. We haven’t seen these safety features from other providers, making them unique. We’re big fans of Lively Link and urgent response access (more details on those later).

» Further Reading: Jitterbug phone review

If safety and simplicity are your primary concerns, Lively may be a great option. With add-on health and safety features and phones designed for seniors, there are plenty of reasons to consider Lively. Adding all the health and safety features will increase the cost of your bill substantially. Still, we think the safety features and easy-to-use phones are worth the cost for seniors.

Plans and Pricing

While unlimited talk, text, and data with Lively is about $5 cheaper than a comparable phone plan with T-Mobile, Lively is far from the cheapest option. This is especially true if you want to add health and safety features. Lively essentially breaks down its plans into three distinct parts. You can get unlimited talk and text for $19.99 per month. If you want unlimited data, it will cost an additional $30 per month, bringing your monthly premium to $49.99 (not including taxes and fees).

While these prices are pretty competitive on their own, they don’t allow you to enjoy some of the biggest benefits of a Lively phone. Accessibility to health and safety features, like 24/7 Urgent Response, requires upgrades to the Preferred plan ($39.99 per month) or the Premium plan ($49.99 per month). So, if you want unlimited talk, text, and data, plus the health and safety features, you could pay as much as $79.99 per month.

Remember, Lively’s devices double as medical alert systems. That means you’re getting two devices for the price of one. Stand-alone medical alert systems can cost anywhere from $20 to $50. So, if medical alert features are important to you, Lively offers a solid bang for your buck.

Senior-Friendly Features

If you’re willing to pay more for your unlimited plan, Lively offers some of the best features specifically for older adults. Rather than paying for a medical alert system, you can spend an extra $20 to $30 per month so your cell phone doubles as an emergency response device.

» Related Reading: Best medical alert systems in 2024

The Jitterbug Smart4 and Flip2 both have a big, red Urgent Response button that connects you with a Lively emergency response agent. During testing, we pressed the button and were connected with an agent in 15 seconds. The agent could then send first responders or whatever help was needed. Whether you experience a fall or another health emergency, Lively agents are one press of the button away.

Lively's Urgent Response button is clearly displayed on the home and lock screen

We also love Lively Link, a mobile app that keeps caregivers and loved ones in the loop. In the app, we can view the device’s location, its status, and an emergency call log. When we pressed the Urgent Response button on one of the phones, we received an alert on the Lively Link app.

Testing out the Lively Link app's location tracking feature

While Lively isn’t a good fit for seniors who want a more advanced phone or simply want to bring their old phone with them, the Smart4 and the Flip2 are senior-friendly phones. If you want a basic smartphone, the Smart4 has most things you would expect, including internet browsing, GPS navigation, and email. It also has an easy-to-manage, list-style menu. Alternatively, if you prefer the familiarity of a flip phone, the Jitterbug Flip2 has large buttons and a simple interface. As a bonus, it also comes with Amazon Alexa, which is great for seniors who want to compose texts or call loved ones using their voice.

Soft Data Caps

The Flip2 lacks internet access, so it doesn’t require a data plan. However, if you get the Jitterbug Smart4, you must sign up for a data plan. To test out the plan’s limits, we opted for the unlimited data plan and used the phone for some data-heavy activities.

While AT&T is pretty open about its speed throttling, you must read the fine print with Lively. We learned Lively slows down speeds to 128 Kbps once you exceed 20 GB of data usage during the month. To us, 20 GB is a pretty low number for an “unlimited” plan, especially if you use your phone away from Wi-Fi daily. For comparison, some unlimited AT&T plans don’t throttle speeds until you’ve used 75 GB. If you like to use your phone on the go frequently, you might be better off with a plan from a provider with a higher soft data cap.

We used the phone extensively for browsing the internet, GPS navigation, and watching videos, and we hit the 20 GB limit after about 20 days (averaging 1 GB of usage per day). Though this is still more than most seniors will use, the speeds we experienced after exceeding Lively’s soft data cap were quite slow. With our speeds throttled, it would take much longer to pull up web pages or get GPS directions.

Testing out Mint Mobile's service on an iPhone

Overview

» Check Out: Mint Mobile senior phone plan review 2024

Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan is one of the cheapest options on the market. It costs $30 monthly (with a soft data cap of 35 GB). That’s $20 cheaper than Lively’s unlimited plan and $15 less than T-Mobile’s cheapest 55 and up plan.

Looking for an even cheaper option for older adults? Mint 55+ costs $15 per month. It’s important to note Mint 55+ only offers unlimited talk and text. It has a 5 GB monthly data limit. And, if you go over this limit, you’ll see your speeds throttled. But at $15 per month, it’s hard to complain about data limits, especially if you don’t use your phone for data-heavy activities like streaming HD movies or making video calls.

Not only is the Mint 55+ plan extremely affordable, but we found it also comes with great perks. Your plan gives you free calls to Mexico and Canada, a free mobile hot spot, and 5G access at no extra cost. Plus, Mint Mobile has a large nationwide network and a team of MINTech Advisors who can help answer any questions.

» Helpful Guide: Best 5G phones for seniors

If saving on the cost of mobile service is your primary concern, Mint Mobile is a great option, with less expensive unlimited plans than AT&T, Lively, or T-Mobile. The primary downside is if you use a lot of data, you may hit your soft data cap and experience slower speeds. However, if you’re not a heavy data user, this won’t be a problem.

Plans and Pricing

Unlike AT&T, Mint’s 55+ plans are available nationwide, making Mint Mobile one of the best all-around carriers for seniors. Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan costs $30. Or, for $15 per month, you can get unlimited talk and text, plus 5 GB of 4G or 5G data. If you already have a phone and don’t want to switch numbers, Mint Mobile is a great option, as the carrier lets you bring your own phone and keep your old number. You don’t have that option with some senior-friendly carriers like Lively.

However, the devil is in the details. While you can get an unlimited plan for $30 per month, you must pay for three months of service in advance to lock in that price. In other words, you’ll pay $90 upfront for the first three months. After those three months, you can pay for an additional three months at $40 per month ($120 upfront), six months at $35 per month ($210 upfront), or 12 months at $30 per month ($360 upfront). Mint Mobile has great entry-level deals, but to keep the best prices, you’ll need to opt for an annual plan.

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Even though Mint Mobile doesn’t require contracts, you essentially have to agree to anywhere between three and 12 months of service to get the best prices. These prices are still good if you don’t mind prepaying.

Senior-Friendly Options

We really like that Mint Mobile caters to seniors who want a simple, affordable phone plan. They even have a 55+ plan for those who don’t need unlimited data. You don’t have to buy a new phone or switch numbers to use Mint Mobile. You can pick the plan you want and pay upfront. If your phone uses an eSIM, you can have your service up and running in minutes. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait to get your physical SIM card in the mail and follow the instructions to install it.

It’s obvious Mint Mobile tries to appeal to seniors with its no-frills plans and affordable pricing, but the lack of physical stores may be a drawback. Sure, a customer service agent was always a phone call away. However, if you’re not particularly tech-savvy or need answers before signing up, you might want to talk to someone in person. This isn’t an option with Mint Mobile, unfortunately. Everything is done online or over the phone, and there are no physical stores to take your phone to if you run into issues.

Soft Data Caps

The Mint 55+ plan offers 5 GB of data per month. The good news is Mint Mobile doesn’t punish you with overage fees or even cut off your data entirely if you go over. Instead, it throttles speeds to 128 Kbps (the same as Lively), which is too slow to handle more than checking a few emails. Even if you have the Unlimited plan, you’ll get the same throttled speeds if you surpass 35 GB of data usage in a month.

Luckily, Mint makes it really easy to track your data usage. This way, you can better understand your usage habits to decide which plan is best for you. We could see how much data we had left in the mobile app, and we could easily add more data if needed.

Tracking data usage in the Mint Mobile app

Using Apple's iPhone 15 on AT&T's service

Overview

If you live in Florida, you may be eligible for AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan. One line starts at $60 per month, while two lines cost $80 per month ($40 per line). If you don’t live in Florida, you can still get a standard unlimited AT&T plan. Keep in mind these plans aren’t specifically tailored to older adults.

» Related Reading: Best cell phone plans for seniors

With AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan, we had free texting to 200-plus countries, along with unlimited service in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This is a great perk if you love to travel often. We took advantage of it on a trip to Mexico and had no issues staying connected. Plus, this plan comes with free access to the AT&T ActiveArmor app, which helped us block spam callers and provided enhanced device security. We’re big fans of this feature, as seniors are often the targets of financial scams.

» Avoid Scams: Common scams targeting seniors in 2024 

We were disappointed to see AT&T’s 55+ plan is only available to Floridians, and you can only add two lines per plan. For comparison, T-Mobile’s 55+ plans are available nationwide, and some plans can have up to four lines. AT&T could step up their game here. Still, if you don’t live in Florida, AT&T has plenty of solid, unlimited options.

The best part about AT&T’s standard unlimited plans is that you can share the benefits with the whole family. You can add discounted lines for your spouse, children, and even grandchildren, regardless of age. The more lines you add, the more you save. You can pay as little as $30.99 per line per month with five lines on the Unlimited Starter® SL plan. Plus, AARP members can save $10 per month and get activation fees waived with AT&T’s Premium® PL Plan.3. Talk about a deal!

Plans and Pricing

We think $60 for one line, or $80 for two lines, is a great deal. But this offer only applies to seniors in Florida who have access to the Unlimited 55+ plan. For everyone else, the AT&T Unlimited Starter® SL plan costs $65.99 per month for one line. This plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data, the ActiveArmor app, 5 GB of hot spot data, and Standard Definition (SD) streaming. This plan is only around $6 more than the Unlimited 55+ plan. And, unlike the 55+ plan, you can add up to five lines for bigger savings.

If you want more bang for your buck, you can upgrade to the AT&T Unlimited Extra® EL plan. It offers the same features as the SL plan, plus advanced ActiveArmor features, access to faster speeds, and 30 GB of hot spot data. This is great for families or seniors who spend a lot of time streaming and using data on the go.

Lastly, the AT&T Unlimited Premium® PL plan starts at $85.99 per month and includes everything from the EL plan. It also includes truly unlimited high-speed data access (more on that later), 60 GB of hot spot data, unlimited talk, text, and data in 20 Latin American countries, and 4K Ultra HD streaming.

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All of these plans come with a $35 activation fee. We were glad to see seniors can save up to $10 per month on a Premium® PL plan for being AARP members. You can save on an unlimited plan if you sign up for multiple lines. Each additional line shaves between $5 and $15 off the cost per line. It makes AT&T one of the best unlimited providers for families.

The biggest downside to these plans is they require contracts ranging from 12 to 24 months. After this initial period has ended, you can switch to a month-to-month plan. One member of our tech team has been an AT&T customer for years. They noted that whenever they finance a new phone, the minimum contract is 36 months. This is a very long time to be hooked to one carrier, but might be worth it if you can't pay the full phone cost upfront.

However, if you want to pay month-to-month with no strings attached, AT&T offers prepaid unlimited plans. These plans are cheaper because they offer fewer perks. If you’re willing to prepay 12 months in advance (which defeats the biggest perk of a prepaid plan), you can get a starter unlimited plan for $25 per month. However, this means you’ll have to pay $300 upfront. While we like that AT&T offers some plans with no contracts, we don’t like that you must closely read the fine print to avoid signing up for 12 months in advance, even with a prepaid plan.

» Learn About: Best prepaid phone plans for seniors

Senior-Friendly Features

The best senior-friendly features come with the 55+ Unlimited plan. This plan gives you the ActiveArmor app with automatic spam call blocking. Avoiding spam calls entirely is great for seniors who want to protect their identity and reduce the risk of falling prey to a phone scam. Our team could also access additional savings as AARP members with this plan. We received up to $50 off activation and upgrade fees, 15 percent off eligible accessories, and 5G access at no extra charge.

Our tech expert and her grandma testing out an iPhone on AT&T's service

Even if you’re not eligible for the 55+ Unlimited plan based on your location, you can still enjoy ActiveArmor and spam call blocking with most prepaid plans. Many AT&T plans are also solid options for seniors who like to travel. Every postpaid unlimited plan comes with free texting to more than 200 countries, plus unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. While we think Visible offers a better deal for travelers, AT&T offers plenty of travel-friendly perks!

» Learn About: Senior travel and vacations

Soft Data Caps

While testing AT&T’s plans, we were disappointed with the soft data caps. The Unlimited Premium® PL and 55+ Unlimited plans are AT&T’s only truly unlimited plans — meaning no speed throttling. Every other plan throttles speed at one point or another.

While we appreciated AT&T being upfront about this, we didn’t like its impact on our experience.

For example, when we tested the AT&T Unlimited Extra® SL plan, the speeds were throttled pretty quickly. Similar to other providers like Visible, AT&T reserves the right to slow data speeds when the network is “busy.” We noticed a difference between the speeds with this plan and the plans with access to faster speeds.

When we upgraded to the SL plan, we got 75 GB of high-speed data before things were slowed down. Luckily, we didn’t use much data throughout the month, so we didn’t experience throttling. That said, if you plan on streaming a lot of content or using your phone as a mobile hot spot regularly, you may want to upgrade to the PL plan. Or, if you’re eligible, the 55+ Unlimited plan.

Testing out T-Mobile on an iPhone

Overview

T-Mobile’s phone plans for seniors — Essentials Choice 55, Go5G Plus 55, and Go5G Next 55 — all offer unlimited data and excellent value for couples. While features vary per plan, they’re packed with extra perks, like international texting, advanced spam-blocking protection, and mobile hot spot data (to name a few).

More benefits are available if you opt for one of the upper-tier plans (Go5G Plus 55 and Go5G Next 55). The Essentials Choice 55 plan provides the best value at $30 per line if you sign up for two lines. T-Mobile offers discounts for two lines on all plans, making it one of the best choices for couples. And, since the Essentials Choice 55 plan includes unlimited data, 5G access, and no contract, it’s great for fast, reliable, and affordable service.

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Essentials Choice 55 offers great value for two lines; however, if you’re signing up for one line, you won’t see as many savings. A single line starts at $45 per month, plus taxes and fees. Additionally, only higher-tier plans allow for more than two lines. T-Mobile is a great option for couples who want to bundle their phone plans, but it’s not the most affordable option for individuals (Mint Mobile wins that honor).

Plans and Pricing

Prices start at $45 per month for the Essentials Choice 55 plan. While this is still more affordable than comparable plans from AT&T, it’s not as cheap as Mint Mobile or Visible unlimited plans. If you sign up for two lines, you’ll pay $60 per month. It’s a solid deal, with unlimited talk, text, and 5G data.

» Our Review: T-Mobile 55+ cell phone plans review

In our experience, Essentials Choice 55 is more than enough to meet the needs of most older adults. If you want to use your phone as a hot spot, you can get much faster speeds with a higher-tier plan. Go5G Plus 55 is $70 monthly for one line or $100 for two lines. And if you really want to splurge, you can opt for the Go5G Next 55 plan, which is $80 per month for one line or $120 per month for two lines.

The extra features for the Go5G Plus 55 and Go5G Next 55 plans might be worth it, especially if you love travel like we do. These plans include unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi, Netflix Standard with Ads, Apple TV+, free phone upgrades, and more. Talk about perks!

Senior-Friendly Features

We realize the prices for the two Go5G plans are pretty steep, but all of the plans offer substantial perks seniors might find appealing. All three plans feature T-Mobile’s Premium Scam Shield, a great way to block potential spam calls before they reach you. Additionally, the plan includes SD streaming, a 3G hot spot (which we found to be pretty slow), free international texting, and 2G data in Mexico and Canada.

» Related Resource: T-Mobile unlimited 55+ senior plans

If you pay more for one of the Go5G plans, you get 4K HD streaming, 50 GB of 4G LTE hot spot data, high-speed texting and international data, and a one-year AAA membership. The benefits don’t stop there. You can save with the Go5G plans, as T-Mobile rolls the taxes and fees into the monthly premium, so you know exactly how much you’ll pay each month. We don’t like hidden (or less obvious) fees, so we appreciate this pricing transparency.

If you like to watch TV and movies, the Go5G plans also give you an Apple TV+ and Netflix membership at no extra charge. These features help justify the higher prices for seniors who use their phones often to travel or stream content.

Soft Data Caps

Like AT&T, T-Mobile is upfront about its soft data caps. Regardless of the unlimited plan, your speeds slow down if you exceed 50 GB of data usage in a month (not including hot spot data caps). This is pretty high, and you’d have to try pretty hard to hit the cap. We certainly did! We had to avoid using our home Wi-Fi entirely and exclusively use mobile data for streaming TV shows, making video calls, and browsing the internet. It still took us about three weeks to hit the cap, even with all we did. You might hit the cap faster if you have two or more lines.

» Upgrade Your WiFi: Best internet service for seniors in 2024

The throttled speeds weren’t terrible, but we noticed a substantial difference. It took around 15 seconds to load basic webpages with the speed throttled, compared to about two seconds before we hit the soft data cap. So, even if you use a lot of data, you should still be able to use your phone.

One plan we haven’t covered is T-Mobile Magenta MAX. While it’s not designed for seniors, it is one of the few unlimited data plans out without any soft data caps (the only other options on this list come from AT&T). This means you can use as much data as you want without experiencing reduced speeds. However, the Magenta MAX plan starts at $170 monthly for three lines and requires you to sign up for a minimum of three lines. As a result, it may not be the best fit for most seniors. Still, if truly unlimited data is important to you, and you want a family plan, it’s worth looking into!

Overview

Unlike T-Mobile, Visible doesn’t offer any plans specifically tailored to seniors. However, like Consumer Cellular, it does offer affordable plans with great senior-friendly features, particularly for those who like to travel.

Currently, Visible offers two unlimited plans: Visible ($25 per month) and Visible+ ($45 per month). The former offers basic features similar to most phone plans, while the latter offers extra perks like free calling to 30-plus countries and texting to 200-plus countries. Both are competitively priced 5G plans. With the Visible+ plan, you can also enjoy free talk, text, and data, along with no roaming charges across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

So, what other perks do these plans offer? If you find yourself on the road and requiring help, Visible offers 24/7 assistance from a trained customer service agent. Since you can use your device as a free hot spot, you can connect your other devices to stream shows, receive video calls, or check in with loved ones from virtually anywhere in North America. If you’re unsure about Visible’s coverage, you can rest easy knowing it uses Verizon’s reliable 5G network.

» Related Reading: Verizon phone plans for seniors

Visible offers a lot of great perks for seniors who travel around the country or simply want an easy way to get in contact with loved ones living abroad. Plus, with plans as low as $25 per month and no hidden fees, Visible is a great choice for seniors on a fixed budget. If you want to save even more when switching providers, you can bring your own phone at no extra charge. Visible is ideal for seniors who travel or have family abroad, but its phone benefits are limited to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Plans and Pricing

Visible keeps things simple. You can choose between Visible ($25 per month) and Visible+ ($45 per month). While some seniors may prefer T-Mobile’s many plan options or Lively’s customizable packages, the simplicity of picking a plan from Visible was a breath of fresh air for us. Both plans include unlimited talk, text, data, and mobile hot spot data. Visible+ includes 5G Ultra Wideband, unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada, and calling to 30-plus countries and texting to 200-plus countries from the U.S.

All of these prices include taxes and fees, so you know what you’re paying from the start. Plus, with no contracts, you can cancel whenever you like. We love no hidden fees and easy cancellation!

Senior-Friendly Features

Visible is a great choice for those who want a simple, affordable plan or older adults who have family overseas. It is particularly good for the latter group, as the Visible+ plan allows texting to hundreds of countries around the world. There are only two plans to choose from, but we see this as a plus. Like Mint Mobile, Visible lets you bring your own device. You can request to keep your old number (though the process of keeping your number is much easier with Mint Mobile). With either plan, Visible offers automatic spam call blocking, which is a huge plus for keeping older adults protected from robocalls or identity theft schemes.

» Staying Safe: Best identity theft protection for seniors in 2024

The downside is that, while Visible is great for seniors who travel around North America, it’s not that great if you want to go anywhere else. Visible doesn’t offer any coverage if you travel outside of Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. We found this disappointing, especially considering that standard Verizon plans can get unlimited talk, text, and data for $10 per day in over 200 countries. So, if you like to travel in the continental U.S. or have friends and family abroad, Visible is probably a good fit.

Soft Data Caps

Like AT&T, Visible uses tricky language when referring to its soft data caps. With the basic Visible plan, your speeds may be partially throttled from the start. You still get 4G and 5G access, but when Verizon’s networks are busy, your plan won’t give you priority over Verizon customers, which can slow things down a lot.

Alternatively, Visible+ gives you 50 GB of “premium” data, which means you can access 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G, or 4G, even during peak hours. If (and when) you surpass the soft data cap, speeds will be slowed down during peak hours, just as they are by default with the basic Visible plan.

This preferential treatment for higher-cost plans may not be ideal, but we think it’s better than the extreme speed throttling we experienced with Lively and Mint Mobile. Even when we went over 50 GB on the Visible+ plan (which took a lot of data usage), we only noticed slow service when the networks were busy. This tended to be around lunchtime and the early evening. Regardless, most seniors will have difficulty using more than 50 GB of data in a month. So, if you pay more for the Visible+ plan, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to deal with reduced speeds.