Jitterbug vs. Consumer Cellular

Cost Comparison: Phone Plans and Prices

Lively

Lively offers three phone plans, all with unlimited talk and text, along with health and safety features. The more expensive the package, the more features you’ll have access to. Those who choose the Jitterbug Smart5 also need to add a data package, which has its own monthly fee.

*Price includes a $5 monthly Paperless Billing discount but excludes taxes and fees.

Consumer Cellular

Like Lively, Consumer Cellular lets you pay only for the data you want. We think this is great, especially for older adults new to smartphones.

*Price includes a $5 discount for opting in to AutoPay and paperless billing.

**Single-line unlimited data plan offer is only for customers age 50+. Age validation required.

Which Offers the Better Value?

There isn’t a clear winner here. It all depends on the type of plan you want and how many lines you’re purchasing. For example, with Lively, you can enjoy unlimited talk, text, and data for $49.99 per month. Consumer Cellular does not have a single-line unlimited plan for all ages. You’ll need to be 50+ years old for an unlimited single-line plan, which is a drawback compared to Lively’s plans without age limits. On the other hand, if you’re interested in unlimited talk and text plus 5 GB of data, Consumer Cellular’s plan costs $25, while Lively’s comparable plan costs $29.99 per month.

Where Consumer Cellular really shines is its multiline discounts. Additional lines only cost an extra $15 per month, regardless of the plan you choose. Lively doesn’t offer multiline discounts.

Still unsure? Let’s break it down this way. If you want a senior-designated cell phone with health and wellness features, Lively is the best bet. But if you are looking for a cost-effective basic phone plan with multiple family lines, then Consumer Cellular will be a great match.

Lively vs. Consumer Cellular Phones

Lively

While Lively does not let you bring your own phone like Consumer Cellular, it keeps it simple with just two phone offerings. For those who want a smartphone, there’s the $149.99 Jitterbug Smart4. Features include voice typing, video chatting to stay in touch with the grandkids, and an easy-to-navigate menu. There’s also the Jitterbug Flip2, a flip phone for $99.99.

Testing out the IRIS Easy Flip from Consumer Cellular

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Lively runs seasonal discounts on their phones, so be on the lookout when you shop! I’ve seen discounts up to 50 percent throughout the year.

Like the Jitterbug Smart4, the Jitterbug Flip2 has hearing aid compatibility, a powerful speaker, easy-to-navigate menus, and voice control with Amazon Alexa. We used Alexa to send texts, open various apps, and set reminders.

Lively’s products are user-friendly. We found the Jitterbug Smart4’s list-based menu was easier to use than other smartphones on the market, like the iPhone, since you can just scroll up and down to use it. Plus, there’s one central menu to find everything you need.

Check out our video below to learn more about Lively’s senior-friendly Jitterbug phones.

Consumer Cellular

Already have a phone? Consumer Cellular has you covered. This company lets you bring your own phone or choose from several Android and Apple devices. But remember to call the carrier to sign up if you want to BYOP. When I tried to add a phone plan online, it wouldn’t let me proceed to checkout without adding a brand new device, unlike T-Mobile and AT&T. Consumer Cellular also lets you finance the phone through monthly payments that get added to your monthly cell phone bill.

We’ve tested devices from Consumer Cellular, such as the IRIS Easy Flip, a simple flip phone. The IRIS Easy Flip had a long-lasting battery life, excellent call quality, and an easy-to-navigate design. In most locations, we had solid 4G service, though the carrier does offer 5G coverage in some areas. We also found Consumer Cellular’s customer service representatives to be helpful and kind.

Testing out Consumer Cellular's IRIS Easy Flip

Consumer Cellular also offers a tablet designed to keep aging adults in touch with their loved ones. We could make video calls, take photos, play games, read articles, browse the web securely, and more. We made a Zoom call on the GrandPad tablet, and it had excellent call quality.

Unboxing Consumer Cellular's GrandPad

Check out our 2024 review of Consumer Cellular to learn more about this company’s phone offerings.

Nationwide Coverage

Lively

Lively is powered by Verizon’s 4G LTE network, one of the largest and most reliable networks in the country.2 If you’re unsure about coverage in your area, ask a neighbor or friend about their cell provider or use Lively’s coverage map.

Accessing the internet on the Smart4 is easy, but we found that web pages loaded slower than on other smartphones we've tested. Seniors who want the latest features, a 5G connection, and a smoother navigation experience may want to look at other smartphones on the market.

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular uses AT&T and T-Mobile cell towers to deliver nationwide coverage. Unlike Lively, Consumer Cellular provides 5G speeds in most urban areas. For users in rural areas or those with non-5G phones, Consumer Cellular provides 4G speeds.

When we tested Consumer Cellular in our location, we had solid 4G LTE coverage and reliable speeds. Our experience was smooth when sending texts, making calls, and browsing websites.

Medical Alert Features

Lively

Thanks to Lively’s health and safety features, you can turn your phone into a medical alert device.

Here’s what each service involves:

• Urgent Response: Press the big red button on your phone to get help in emergencies from a certified agent. We tested this out by pressing the button, and we were connected to a friendly operator in under a minute.
• Ask Lively: An operator can answer any questions you have about your device, look up directions for you, or find a phone number you need.
• Lively Rides: The Lively team can schedule a Lyft ride whenever you need transportation.
• Nurse On-Call: Call a doctor or nurse anytime, no appointment required.
• Lively Link: This is an app that keeps family and friends updated on your health and safety. We could track the Jitterbug Smart4’s location when we were out and about running errands or taking a walk.
• Care Advocate: A trained agent is available to guide you on questions involving health and wellness, financial matters, and more.

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular doesn’t offer the traditional health and safety features that Lively does. However, you can sign up for CC Go by Lyft to access on-demand rides from Lyft. Instead of using the Lyft app to schedule and pay for a ride, you can do it all with a phone call. This service can help you get to church, a doctor’s appointment, the grocery, and other places!

Contracts and Warranty

Lively

Contracts

Providers we’ve reviewed, like AT&T and Verizon, often require two-year contracts, while Lively doesn’t. With Lively, you’re never locked into a contract. You simply pay month-to-month and can cancel at any time. Lively even has a 30-day return policy if you’re not satisfied with your phone.

Warranty

Lively phones have a manufacturer’s standard limited warranty, which covers the manufacturer’s defects. If you’re concerned about accidents, like dropping the phone in water or cracking the screen, you may want to add a Lively Protection Plan for $3.50 per month. It enhances and extends the warranty that comes with your device.

Consumer Cellular

Contracts

Consumer Cellular does away with contracts, so you can cancel anytime. The company even offers a 30-day risk-free trial (data use is limited to 500MB). During those 30 days, we recommend visiting your usual spots to make sure you have good coverage.

Warranty

Consumer Cellular doesn’t offer a standard warranty when you buy a phone, but you can add an Allstate protection plan. It covers cracked screens, liquid damage, speaker and sound failures, battery failure, and more. The monthly cost ranges from $2 to $9 per month, depending on your phone.

Overage Charges and Additional Fees

Lively

Lively charges overage fees if you go over your data allotment for the month. If you exceed your monthly data allowance, overage charges will be applied. Overage charges of $0.02 per MB will be applied if service plan data is exceeded.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

To avoid overage fees, keep an eye on your data usage during the first month of service. If you use more data than you expected, you can upgrade your plan. Or, if you’re not using all of the data your plan offers, you can downgrade to a less expensive data plan.

Using the internet on Lively's Jitterbug Smart4

Along with overage fees, Lively charges an activation fee of $35 for both of its phones, which is typical for the industry. Customers can activate their phones online or via phone. When we activated our Jitterbug Smart4, we learned you can shave $10 off the activation fees when you choose online. If you decide to send back your Lively device, you may be subject to a $10 restocking fee as well.

Consumer Cellular

No activation fees, restocking fees, or overage fees here. Consumer Cellular phones do not include an additional activation fee, unlike many competitors, such as Boost Mobile. If you happen to exceed your monthly allotment of minutes, texts, or data, Consumer Cellular will automatically bump you up to the next plan. This guarantees you’re getting the best rate while saving you from hefty overage charges. We’re not fans of overage charges, so Consumer Cellular has a leg up on Lively in this department.