Find the Right Phone Plan — Without the Pushy Sales
Compare real plans. Keep your number. Save money.
Answer seven quick questions and we'll show you the top three plans that match your life — with the real price, what's included, and the catch (if any).
Why this tool?
- Carriers hide senior discounts behind several clicks — we put them front and center.
- Real $15/month plans exist. They use the same towers as the big carriers — they're called MVNOs (networks that rent from Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile).
- You can usually keep your current phone and your phone number — no need to buy anything new in most cases.
- We don't take commissions from any carrier. Prices shown are what we saw on carrier websites — they change often, so always double-check before you sign up.
How much data do you use each month?
Data is what your phone uses for maps, email, web, and video — anything that isn't a call or text.
Carrier-by-carrier comparison
Every carrier has a sweet spot and a catch. Here's the plain-English version so you can compare without reading ten different websites.
Verizon
Major carrierBest for: Rural areas, highway travel, and households that need the strongest coverage.
Strengths
- Best rural and highway coverage of any US carrier
- 55+ plans (must live in Florida for the statewide 55+ deal; available elsewhere as a 2-line deal)
- Full Apple Watch cellular support
The catch: Advertised prices rarely include taxes and fees — add about $10 per line. Pushy upsells in stores.
AT&T
Major carrierBest for: Rural and suburban areas where Verizon is weak; also the South and Midwest.
Strengths
- Strong rural coverage in many states
- Senior 55+ plans (limited to Florida residents for official 55+ deal)
- Apple Watch cellular support
The catch: Customer service reputation is mixed — expect long hold times. Activation fees of $35.
T-Mobile
Major carrierBest for: Seniors in cities and suburbs who want unlimited data and a clear 55+ discount.
Strengths
- Nationwide 55+ plans — no state restriction
- Taxes and fees included in advertised price
- Apple Watch cellular supported
The catch: Rural coverage is still improving — check at your home address before switching.
Mint Mobile
Prepaid / MVNOBest for: Anyone in good T-Mobile coverage who wants the lowest price.
Strengths
- Uses the T-Mobile network — same towers as T-Mobile itself
- No 55+ discount needed — the price is already low
- Free international calling to Mexico and Canada
The catch: You pay for 3, 6, or 12 months upfront. Pricing goes up after the first term — renew to stay cheap.
Consumer Cellular
Senior-focusedBest for: Seniors who want a real person on the phone when something goes wrong.
Strengths
- US-based human customer support
- AARP discount (5% off bill, 30% off accessories)
- Uses AT&T or T-Mobile towers — pick the best for your address
The catch: Plans above 5GB can be pricier than MVNO competitors. Hotspot is limited.
Lively (Jitterbug)
Senior-focusedBest for: Seniors who want a simple flip phone or a phone with an emergency button.
Strengths
- Big-button Jitterbug flip phone available
- Urgent Response button on every Jitterbug phone
- Optional Health & Safety packages (nurse-on-call, caregiver app)
The catch: You typically need to buy a Jitterbug phone. Not made for app lovers.
Boost Mobile
Prepaid / MVNOBest for: Shoppers who like in-store help but want prepaid pricing.
Strengths
- Its own network plus roaming on T-Mobile and AT&T
- Lots of store locations for in-person help
- $25/mo unlimited plans run often
The catch: Boost's own network is still growing — coverage can be spotty in certain areas.
Cricket Wireless
Prepaid / MVNOBest for: People who want AT&T coverage at a lower price and in-store help.
Strengths
- Runs on AT&T's network
- Taxes and fees included in advertised price
- Easy storefronts for face-to-face help
The catch: Speeds may be slower than AT&T's direct plans during busy times.
Visible (by Verizon)
Prepaid / MVNOBest for: Tech-comfortable users who want Verizon coverage without Verizon prices.
Strengths
- Full Verizon network — same towers
- Taxes and fees included
- Unlimited hotspot on the Plus plan
The catch: Support is app and chat only — no phone number to call.
US Mobile
Prepaid / MVNOBest for: Flexible users who want to pick from Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T towers.
Strengths
- Choose your network — Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T
- Free network switching any time
- eSIM support for same-day activation
The catch: App-first support. Customer service is good but mostly online.
Switching to save — the 5-step walkthrough
Switching carriers used to be painful. Today it can take 15 minutes and your phone number goes with you. Do it in this order.
Check if your phone is unlocked
An unlocked phone works on any carrier. On an iPhone: Settings → General → About → look for "Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions." On an Android: Settings → About phone → SIM status. If it says "Locked", call your current carrier and ask them to unlock it (they must, for free, as long as your phone is paid off).
Get your account number and transfer PIN
Log in to your current carrier's app or website. Look for "Account number" and "Transfer PIN" (sometimes called a "port-out PIN" or "NPIN"). Write both down along with the exact name and address on your account. The new carrier will ask for all of these.
Sign up with the new carrier and request to port your number
Pick the plan, choose "Bring your own phone", and choose "Keep my current number." Enter your old account number, transfer PIN, and billing address. The new carrier handles the rest — you don't have to call the old carrier to cancel.
Install the SIM card or eSIM
Most new plans use eSIM now — a small chip already inside your phone. The new carrier will email a QR code or activate it in their app. Scan the code, follow the prompts, and your phone switches over. A physical SIM card works the same way but takes a few extra minutes to swap.
Confirm everything works before you cancel anything
Test a phone call, a text, and mobile data (turn off Wi-Fi to check). Check that you can receive calls from family. Once everything works for 24 hours, the port is done. Your old plan cancels automatically when the number moves — don't call and cancel, or the port can fail.
Red flags — watch out for these
Some offers look great and turn out to be expensive in the long run. These are the most common traps we see in stores and online.
"Free phone" offers
Almost always a 24- or 36-month contract dressed up as free. You pay for the phone in bill credits — if you switch carriers early, you owe the remaining balance.
Unlimited plans that aren't really unlimited
Most "unlimited" plans slow your data down after a certain point (often 20 – 50 GB). This is called deprioritization. Ask for the exact number before you sign up.
Taxes and fees not included
Verizon and AT&T advertise prices before tax. T-Mobile and most prepaid plans include tax. A $60 Verizon plan often ends up at $70+ per month once taxes are added.
Autopay and paper-bill fees
Many carriers give you a $5 – $10/month discount only if you set up autopay with a debit card or bank account. Paper bills sometimes cost $5 extra.
Early termination fees (mostly gone, but watch)
The big carriers removed their ETFs, but if you bought a phone on an installment plan, the remaining balance is due when you leave. Always check your balance before switching.
Returning leased equipment
If you had a leased phone, tablet, or hotspot, you must return it within 30 days of cancelling. Get a tracking number and keep the receipt for at least a year.
What about my current iPhone or Android?
The short answer: most phones bought in the last 5 years work on every major network. The one thing to check is whether it's unlocked — meaning it isn't tied to one carrier.
On iPhone
Open Settings → General → About. Scroll to Carrier Lock.
- "No SIM restrictions" means unlocked — you can switch any time.
- Any other message means locked — call your carrier to request an unlock.
On Android
Open Settings → About phone → SIM status. Look for a line that mentions network lock or carrier status.
- If it says unlocked or no network restriction, you're good.
- Still unsure? Pop in a friend's SIM card from a different carrier. If it connects to their network, your phone is unlocked.
Is your phone locked? Here's how to unlock it
US law requires carriers to unlock your phone once it's fully paid off. Call your current carrier's customer service line and say: "I'd like to request a carrier unlock on my paid-off device." They'll email instructions within 1 – 2 business days. This is free.
Questions we hear a lot
Will I lose my phone number?
No. As long as you ask the new carrier to port (transfer) your number, it moves with you. The process usually takes minutes and you don't need to cancel with the old carrier first — canceling early can actually make the port fail.
Do I need a new phone?
Almost never. Any iPhone from 2019 or newer and most Androids from the last 5 years work on all three US networks (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile). The one thing to confirm is that your phone is unlocked.
What's an eSIM?
A tiny chip already built into your phone that replaces the old physical SIM card. Instead of mailing you a SIM, the new carrier sends a QR code. You scan it and your phone switches over in under 5 minutes.
What's the difference between prepaid and postpaid?
Postpaid means you pay at the end of the month — the big carriers do this. Prepaid means you pay upfront for the next month — Mint, Boost, Cricket, Visible, and Consumer Cellular mostly work this way. Prepaid is usually cheaper and doesn't need a credit check.
What's the best plan for someone who barely uses their phone?
Lively Basic ($15/mo) if you mainly want calls and safety features. Consumer Cellular 1GB ($20/mo) if you want a real human to call when something breaks. Both use major networks and are built for seniors.
Is there a catch with $15 plans?
A few small ones: you usually pay for 3 – 12 months upfront to get the lowest price, support is mostly online (not in a store), and some don't support Apple Watch cellular. The network itself is the same as the big carrier — Mint uses T-Mobile's towers, US Mobile uses Verizon or T-Mobile's.
Keep going
Tools and guides that pair well with picking a new phone plan.
Prices and plan details change often — always confirm on the carrier's website before signing up. TekSure doesn't take commissions from any carrier. This tool is for education, not a sales pitch.