PureTalk Phone Plans for Seniors

The Buying Experience With PureTalk

PureTalk’s website is user-friendly, guiding you through the process of purchasing a plan and making sure PureTalk is right for you. I also like that PureTalk directly addresses the needs of seniors, so you don’t end up paying for data you don’t use.

Checking Compatibility and Coverage

On the bottom of the main webpage, scroll down to the two important boxes with buttons to check your current phone’s compatibility and network coverage. I started with the compatibility check. I appreciated the step-by-guide to figuring out whether my iPhone was unlocked (mine was not!) and compatible with PureTalk service.

I could easily check my phone's compatibility and PureTalk coverage in my area using PureTalk's website.

I filled out the customer service form on the website to ask how to unlock my phone and received a prompt response from PureTalk. (Check your junk mail folder for a reply to the online form, because that’s where I found mine.) A service agent instructed me to contact my current carrier to unlock my phone and answered several other questions I had as well.

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Once I unlocked my phone, I was able to enter its IMEI number on PureTalk’s website and found it is compatible with their service. I wouldn’t have thought to check this, so I appreciated the prompt to do so. If you’re not sure where to find your phone’s IMEI number in your settings, PureTalk says to type *#06# on your keypad to find it — easy peasy!

Next, I entered my ZIP code in the other box on the home screen to see if there was network coverage in my area. I’m in an urban area of Florida and discovered I have 5G coverage where I live.

Selecting Your Service Plan

I tested a few different options for setting up service with PureTalk and found that they were pretty seamless. Note that there are no brick-and-mortar PureTalk stores or authorized PureTalk retailers. Seniors who want to try out phones and get help with SIM cards in person might prefer Cricket Wireless, which you can shop for at Walmart, or Consumer Cellular, which you can check out at Target stores.

But signing up for service on the PureTalk website is a breeze. You can call a PureTalk sales representative and make your purchase over the phone. To buy online, you first choose a phone plan, then click “add to cart.” I picked the $25 5 GB data plan. It’s slightly confusing that clicking “add to cart” takes you to a “pick out a phone” page rather than a typical shopping cart page. But to set up service, you first need to specify whether you’re going to bring your own phone or pick out a new or refurbished phone. So it actually makes sense, but was momentarily confusing.

At the top left of the phone page, there are options to select an eSIM or physical SIM card if you want to keep your own phone. ESIMs are free, but physical SIM costs $3, plus $4 for two-day shipping. For comparison, Straight Talk, another prepaid cell carrier, charges $4.88 for a physical SIM.

>> Learn More: Straight Talk Phone Plans for Seniors

Note that one of the customer service specialists I spoke to recommended a physical SIM card rather than an eSIM. She said the eSIMs can be “hit or miss,” and suggested it’s easier to help you on their end if you have a physical SIM card. Tech-savvy seniors (or the impatient!) might prefer the eSIM, however, which can get you up and running with PureTalk within hours.

Either way, you can always call customer service to walk you through putting in your SIM card and starting your phone service.

Device Protection

If you don’t want to bring your own phone and you choose to finance a new one, PureTalk requires you to sign up for device protection. This fee can be a few dollars a month for a cheaper phone or up to $10 a month for a more expensive one. Since I was bringing my old phone, I didn’t opt for device protection.

A sales rep told me device protection covers accidents and function breakdowns but not phones that are lost or stolen. She also said customers can remove the device protection option after 36 months of service. I don’t love this required plan, but at least your device is protected.

Trade-Ins and Discounts

You can also trade in your old phone and put that trade-in value toward your account. After you check out, PureTalk will send you a kit with detailed instructions for trading in a phone. Once your phone is inspected, they’ll credit the trade-in value to your account. The whole process takes about three weeks, a PureTalk rep told me.

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When I called and spoke to Kimberly, a helpful PureTalk sales representative, she told me that adding a family member to my account would get me a 10 percent discount on my bill. Keep in mind that discounts can’t be combined. So if you take advantage of a current deal on the website, you can’t get the multiline discount, too. But you can get the multiline discount after that first discounted month. Adding a third line gets a 15 percent discount, and four or more lines gets you 20 percent off. Also important to note: PureTalk’s 15 percent military discount can’t be combined with a multiline discount.

I requested a physical SIM card be sent to me, as Kimberly suggested. Once I entered my payment information, I was ready to roll!

You won’t receive a bill from PureTalk, and the company will charge a $5 fee if you opt to not start autopay. Your payments will be deducted automatically each month, and you can check your data usage and billing information via the PureTalk website anytime.

Chatting With Customer Service

Despite some negative online customer reviews about long wait times, I was able to connect with a PureTalk customer service representative in a little over eight minutes. And when I did, I could hear her clearly, and she answered most of my questions promptly and quite capably. After answering my questions, the sales representative asked if she could email me some information about PureTalk’s most popular plan, which I appreciated.

You can also fill out a contact form on PureTalk’s website, and someone from the carrier’s Support Team will respond via email. I received a response to all my questions in a matter of hours. The customer support rep told me that PureTalk was established in 2004, is headquartered in Georgia, and is veteran-owned. She taught me how to unlock my current phone, told me that the carrier does not offer a discount for AARP members, and explained the details of PureTalk’s money-back guarantee.

PureTalk Phone Plans at a Glance

*Speed will be throttled to 256 kbps after high-speed data is used.

**Excluding taxes and fees

PureTalk Plan Details

PureTalk offers seven straightforward, prepaid cell phone plans that can be great options for seniors, depending on their individual needs. Unlimited talk and text are pretty standard in cell phone plans these days, and PureTalk provides most of the same features and functionality in all of their plans. Here are the details about some of PureTalk’s popular plans that I think are perfect for seniors.

3 GB Plan

Data and Features

A PureTalk sales rep told me that the 3 GB plan is the carrier’s most popular plan, particularly for seniors. PureTalk points out that typically, older adults use less than 2 GB of data, so the 3G data cap should be plenty. If you mostly use your phone while connected to Wi-Fi, you can easily send emails, browse the internet, stream music and video, and post on social media without running out of data. And if you go over your data limit, you won’t be charged overage fees, which I appreciate. Your service speed will just slow for the remainder of the billing period.

I like that this plan offers a good amount of data while still being very affordable, even for seniors on fixed incomes. Other companies might offer cheaper low-data plans, but 1 GB of data, for example, can be skimpy. If you’re interested in a very low data plan,  H2O Wireless offers a 1 GB plan for $8.33 per month, but keep in mind that you only get that price if you pay for 12 months of service in advance.

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You’ll also get quality video streaming at 1080p (HD quality) on all PureTalk phone plans, and all PureTalk plans come with $20 of international call credits to more than 50 countries. You can use your phone overseas, too. If service is slow, you can go online and select an international add-on to your account. (Note: Credits do not carry over to the next month.)

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Cost

The 3 GB plan costs $20 per month, making it an affordable option. PureTalk plans are prepaid, with prices that are similar to or cheaper than other cell phone companies, such as Consumer Cellular and Straight Talk. PureTalk will not send you a monthly paper bill. You can check your plan details and data usage anytime on the website, and bill payments are automatically deducted each month with autopay. You can make one initial payment outside of autopay when you sign up, but PureTalk will charge you a $5 fee to do so.

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Also note that plan prices listed on PureTalk’s website don’t include taxes or other fees, such as a “recovery fee,” which can vary by area. This fee helps cover PureTalk’s costs incurred for compliance with federal and state programs, taxes, and fees. To figure out what your recovery fee is, just plug your ZIP code into the box on the purchase page. My recovery fee in Florida was just $1.

You can find higher data plans that are cheaper per month, such as with Mint Mobile, but they require you to pay for three or more months of service up front. Paying as you go with PureTalk might be preferable for older adults who are leery about paying far in advance for service.

10 GB Plan

Data and Features

Like the 3 GB plan, you get the best data speeds available in your area without having to worry about data prioritization or overage fees. This plan is best for those who use data pretty heavily. If you frequently use GPS, stream shows on the go, or play online games when not connected to Wi-Fi, it’s a great option.

Plus, you get 5 GB of hotspot data if you, say, like to use your phone at a coffee shop or the park where there’s no Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi is slow. The rest of the plan’s features are similar to the 3 GB plan, including international talk and text and 1080p streaming quality.

Cost

The 10 GB plan costs just $30 per month. This is pretty affordable for a 10 GB plan. For comparison, Consumer Cellular’s 10 GB plan costs $5 more at $35 per month.

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Unlimited Plan

Data and Features

The Unlimited Data Plan might be the best option for seniors with a bigger budget, those who work or travel frequently, and heavy data users. It comes with 20 GB of hotspot data for high-speed service when you’re away from home, along with international talk and text and 1080p streaming.

Like most carriers, high-speed data on unlimited plans isn’t actually “unlimited.” Once the data threshold is reached, service can noticeably slow. After using 60 GB of data, speeds will slow to 256 kbps, which is less than 3G speeds. That might not be fast enough to stream video on your phone. But, note that PureTalk has a higher threshold of data usage before they slow speeds, compared with other cell phone carriers. For example, Consumer Cellular throttles speeds after 50 GB of data, and Mint Mobile slows speeds after 35 GB of use.

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Cost

The Unlimited plan costs $55 per month, which is pretty solid for unlimited data and 20 GB of hotspot data. It may be the plan for you if you’re in the market for a new phone, because you can get $200 off a new device with this plan. Just remember that discount means you’ll need to agree to 36 months of service and monthly device protection fees, which are currently $8 a month.

Another plus: PureTalk doesn’t charge an activation fee, whereas Verizon’s fee for new customers is $35. For comparison, Straight Talk is a little more expensive than PureTalk and is prepaid rather than postpaid. Straight Talk offers a $65 per month unlimited plan that also comes with unlimited hotspot data; PureTalk’s $65 plan comes with 30 GB of hotspot data.

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Choosing a Cell Phone

PureTalk offers over 20 phones to choose from on their website. That’s a little fewer than Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile, and AT&T, for example. But I found plenty of great options from top cell phone manufacturers. Here are two of our favorites.

TCL Flip 2

For a simple, compact flip phone with internet capabilities, the TCL Flip 2 is a great value at just $79.99. It has a small screen (2.8 inches) and low-end camera (2MP), but the TCL Flip 2 has 8 GB of RAM and a battery life of almost 14 hours. (For comparison, Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Easy Flip also comes with 8 GB of RAM.) We like the bright screen, large OK button in the middle of the keypad, and easy-to-use buttons to make. The large number keys are raised, labeled clearly, and light up when pressed, which should make using the phone easier for older adults with vision or dexterity difficulties. The phone is also hearing-aid compatible and comes with a one-year warranty.

Our calls were clear and crisp sounding, and as a Wi-Fi enabled phone, we were able to send emails and browse the web. One thing to note that could be a drawback is that you can’t download apps on the TCL Flip 2.

For comparison, Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2 also costs $79.99 and comes with medical alert features, but the Jitterbug does not have internet capability like the TCL Flip 2 does.

>> Further Reading: Best Flip Phones for Seniors in 2025

Motorola Edge 2024

Motorola Moto G Power 5G

If you’re more interested in a 5G smartphone, Motorola's Motorola Edge 2024 is an excellent phone for a great price. Priced at $549.99, the Moto G has 256 GB of storage and 8 GB of memory, which is plenty of storage for most users.

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It’s noticeably faster than Motorola’s previous 4G version and has more than 30 hours of talk time. This phone weighing just under 5 ounces has a lot of features that make it easy to use for older adults with dexterity and vision difficulties. It swipes open quickly and easily, the fingerprint sensor works well, and the bright, 6.6-inch screen is a nice size for video chatting and reading articles. It also charges quickly – 50 percent in just 15 minutes (note: battery needs to be low to charge at that speed, as charging time slows as it progresses).

Plus, The Motorola Edge 2024 is hearing-aid compatible and has solid speakers on the top and bottom of the phone to improve sound and clarity on calls. I also appreciate the flashlight feature, which can be helpful in a pinch,  particularly because you can turn on the flashlight by making a chopping motion while holding your phone.

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The one drawback of this phone is that like the TCL Flip 2, photo quality with the phone’s camera can be a bit fuzzy. But it is capable of taking great photos outdoors in daylight. And the Night Mode feature (called Night Vision in some manuals) does improve nighttime indoor photo quality.

Nationwide Coverage

PureTalk runs on AT&T’s GSM network to provide the same reliable nationwide 5G+, 5G, and 4G service (depending on your area) as the bigger carriers. PureTalk offers 5G access with all plans, if it’s available in your area and is compatible with your device. If you check out PureTalk’s coverage map, you’ll see how extensive its network coverage is, save for some parts of Idaho and small areas in the Northwest and Northeast.

PureTalk offers widespread nationwide coverage.

Something to consider if you want to bring a phone to PureTalk is that generally, if you have a phone made for T-Mobile and Verizon, which run on CDMA networks, it may not be compatible with PureTalk service. Consider chatting with a customer service representative at PureTalk to make sure the phone you want to bring will be compatible before signing up.

Contracts, Warranties, and Refunds

Contracts

Like Lively and T-Mobile, PureTalk doesn’t have long-term contracts. However, keep in mind that if you finance a phone, you will be subject to a 36-month service agreement and will have to pay for device protection during that term. But if you bring your phone or buy a phone outright from PureTalk, you are free to cancel service anytime.

Warranty

PureTalk does not manufacture their own devices, but phones purchased from PureTalk come with a standard one-year manufacturer’s warranty. For extra peace of mind, you can add a few dollars a month to your bill for device protection from Allstate, which covers mishaps beyond the manufacturers’ warranty, such as if you drop your phone and crack it, or if you experience water damage.

PureTalk’s Money-Back Guarantee

You have 30 days to request a full refund if you’re not happy with your PureTalk service, but there are some conditions.

To qualify for a refund, you need to cancel anytime before your next bill date, or before you use 500 minutes of talk or 500 MB of data, whichever comes first. Within two weeks, your refund will be issued to whatever card you used to pay for service. Note that you need to call PureTalk to cancel your service (you can’t do it online), so make sure you do so before the deadline if you want to take advantage of the money-back guarantee.

PureTalk vs. Other Phone Carriers

Although PureTalk doesn’t offer discounts specifically for seniors, their monthly fees are cheaper than many other carriers’ senior phone plans.

Verizon has an unlimited 55+ plan starting at $62 per month, but it’s only available to Florida residents). AT&T offers a senior discount for AARP members, but their phone plan prices are higher than PureTalk’s. AT&T’s Unlimited Starter plan is $35.99 only if you get four phone lines; one line on this plan is $65.99 per month. For another comparison, Consumer Cellular’s unlimited data plans are $50 per month for a single line and $65 per month for two lines ($32.50 each).

Seniors who would prefer shopping for a phone and plan in person might prefer a carrier such as Consumer Cellular, T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, Cricket, or Verizon. PureTalk phones and plans can only be purchased online or via phone.

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Also keep in mind that PureTalk doesn’t offer extras that might appeal to some older adults, such as free streaming services from T-Mobile and medical alert options from Lively. If you’d like access to an urgent response team, on-call nurses, and features to keep caregivers and loved ones in the loop, you may want to consider Lively’s mobile plans.

Older adults who want a cell phone with accessibility features designed with seniors in mind might want to check out Consumer Cellular as well, which offers a simple, super-affordable flip phone, the IRIS Easy Flip, for $59. You can also bundle a medical alert device for $89 and monthly monitoring for $25 with your Consumer Cellular phone service. Like PureTalk, Consumer Cellular also offers 5G connectivity in urban areas across the U.S.

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Overall, older adults willing to purchase a cell phone plan online are likely to be happy with PureTalk. PureTalk’s phone plans are easy to understand, competitively priced, and offer access to one of the largest networks in the U.S., AT&T. No contracts are required for phone service, and all plans offer unlimited talk and text in the U.S. as well as to 70 other countries. The company was founded by a U.S. military vet and is headquartered in Covington, Georgia. Their commitment to veterans is evident in their 15 percent discount for military members and contributions to veterans’ causes that might appeal to veterans, their loved ones, and those who enjoy supporting veterans.

The Bottom Line on PureTalk

PureTalk is a great option for seniors who just want a straightforward phone plan with unlimited talk and text. It’s also a good choice for older adults who are more comfortable with prepaid plans that you pay for month-to-month with no contracts (unless you’re financing or buying a discounted phone). And we’ve found PureTalk’s customer service team to be super responsive and helpful when I had questions and needed help. With plans starting at $20 per month, PureTalk offers a range of plans to suit the needs of seniors.