The best cell phone plans for seniors are offered by Lively, the only cellular company in the United States that includes medical alert system capabilities with its cell phone service. Lively uses the Verizon network, providing some of the best cellular coverage in the country and offers seniors a Value Talk & Text plan for $14.99 a month. All Lively plans include options to add one of several Health & Safety Packages, including the Lively Link app. The app makes it easy for caregivers to check in with seniors and provides a way for them to contact doctors and nurses 24/7 in case of an emergency.

Consumer Cellular, our second pick, may not offer medical alert services but provides senior-friendly phones and flexible cellular plans. Seniors take advantage of AT&T’s country-wide coverage and can switch their plan each month, depending on their usage, without costs or overage fees.

Why Lively Is Our Top Pick for the Best Cell Phone Plan for Seniors

Lively combines affordable cell phone plans with varying tiers of service and a choice of medical alert services. Unlimited Talk & Text costs $19.99 per month, but if seniors want to add medical alert services, they will have to opt for data. Lively’s data packages start at $2.49 for100 MB of data and increase to $30.00 for unlimited data.

While researching the best cell phone plan for seniors, we considered the cost, service and senior-friendly options. Our top picks are below.

Company and Carrier

Monthly Cellular Cost

Service

Senior-friendly Options

Lively (Verizon)

$14.99

Includes 300 minutes, and texts cost 10 cents each

Medical alert Health & Safety plans include options for urgent response, urgent care, a personal operator, the Lively Link app and senior-friendly phones are available

Consumer Cellular (AT&T)

$15.00

Unlimited talk only

Flexible plans, senior-friendly phones, supports up to three lines under one account

T-Mobile

$27.50

Unlimited talk, text, and data

T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55+ plans are offered in every state, plans include ScamShield for scam protection and T-Mobile offers fast, reliable 5G access

For more information about this product, please read our full product review of Lively.

Other Cell Phone Plans for Seniors to Compare

Consumer Cellular’s flexible wireless plans are a budget-saver for seniors. Verizon charges $70.00 per month for unlimited data, and Consumer Cellular charges only $55.00 for the same unlimited data using Verizon’s cellular network.

Consumer Cellular allows seniors to choose customized plans

Besides having a wide selection of senior-friendly phones at discounted prices, Consumer Cellular offers an unlimited Talk Only plan for $15.00 per month, appropriate for seniors who don’t need data or texting. Cell phone plans can be easily switched each month, depending on use, without fees. Users can add two additional lines to their cell phone plan, with all three lines sharing minutes, text and data.

To learn more, please read our full product review of Consumer Cellular.

T-Mobile offers affordable unlimited service and 5G access

Even as a major cellular service provider, boasting 5G access, T-Mobile is by far the lowest priced unlimited cell phone company. With superior coverage and 5G service, seniors can use any number of senior-friendly apps such as Life360, a caregiver app, Park ‘n’ Forget that directs users to their car and MediSafe, a medication reminder. The Essentials 55+ plan is only $27.50 per month, with higher-level plans offering premium options.

To learn more, please read our full product review of T-Mobile.