Consumer Cellular vs. Tracfone
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March 21, 2025
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While wireless bills can easily cost upward of $80 per month, providers like Consumer Cellular and Tracfone offer affordable services that can be a good fit for older adults. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 95 percent of adults 65 and older now use mobile devices for communication and health management, making it essential that they find a reliable wireless carrier.
There are key differences between the companies. Consumer Cellular delivers straightforward pricing with unlimited data options starting at $50 a month. Tracfone, by comparison, offers lower initial costs at $15 a month but doesn’t offer any unlimited data plans. Consumer Cellular provides valuable discounts for AARP members, however, making the company our preferred recommendation between the two, despite Tracfone’s attractive entry-level pricing. Both carriers cater to seniors, but their approaches to data, pricing, and discounts vary significantly.
Consumer Cellular vs. Tracfone: Takeaways
- Consumer Cellular’s most affordable plan costs $20 per month, while a similar plan from Tracfone costs $15 per month (or less, if you pay for multiple months in advance).
- Tracfone requires prepayment for service, while Consumer Cellular, a postpaid carrier, bills every month.
- A Consumer Cellular plan with unlimited talk, text, and data costs $50 per month for one line, while Tracfone’s plans max out at 20 GB of monthly data.
FYI: They’re both affordable initially, but Tracfone and Consumer Cellular get more expensive with data usage. To find affordable plans with unlimited data, check out our rundown of the best phone plans for seniors.
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| Editor's Ratings | ||
| Starting Cost (One Line) | $20 per month | $15 per month |
| Starting Cost for Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data | $50 per month | Not available |
| Discounts for Multiple Lines | Yes, additional lines cost $15 each. | No |
| Annual Contracts | Not required | Prepayment required for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months in advance |
| Bring Your Own Phone Option | Yes | Yes |
| Contact | ||
| Phone Number |
Call for best price:
844-580-0512 |
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| Website | View Packages Links to Consumer Cellular | See Pricing Links to Tracfone |
Consumer Cellular vs. Tracfone: Plans and Costs
Consumer Cellular plans start at $20 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 1 GB of data. Consumer Cellular also offers plans with 5 GB of data for $25 per month, 10GB of data for $35 per month, or unlimited data for $50 per month. With any Consumer Cellular plan, additional lines cost only $15 each. The unlimited data plan, for example, costs $50 per month for one line, $65 for two lines ($32.50 per line), $80 for three lines, and so on, up to seven lines.
There are technically no overage charges with Consumer Cellular. If you exceed your plan’s allowance in a given month, you’ll automatically be upgraded to the next plan for that billing period.
Tracfone’s plans operate a bit differently. Instead of paying every month on a recurring basis, you must prepay in one-, three-, six-, or 12-month increments. As you might expect, paying more up-front will give you a discount. The plan with unlimited talk, text, and 1 GB of data, for example, costs $15 for 30 days or $144 for 365 days (roughly $12 per month).
Another notable difference between Tracfone and Consumer Cellular is their approach to overage charges. On the plus side, you won’t have to deal with overage charges (or accidental upgrades) of any sort. However, if you use up your talk, text, or data allowance, you’ll need to purchase a refill in order to continue using your device. Another noteworthy difference is that, as mentioned above, Tracfone does not offer any plans with unlimited data, unlike Consumer Cellular.
Tracfone’s plans are very affordable, but the more data you add, the more expensive they become. Consumer Cellular is the better option if you use your phone to browse the web, stream music, or watch videos, as they’re all activities that use a good amount of data.
Senior Plan Availability
Nearly all of Consumer Cellular’s plans are available to people of any age, but the company offers a special discounted plan for AARP members. The plan includes two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $55, and it requires no contracts or up-front payments. For all other Consumer Cellular plans, AARP members can save 5 percent on their monthly bill.
There is no specific Tracfone plan for seniors. But, one of the brand’s affordable unlimited talk and text plans would likely be a good fit for older adults.
Consumer Cellular vs. Tracfone: Phones and Devices
Both Consumer Cellular and Tracfone allow you to bring your phone to use on their networks with one of their SIM cards. You can use the compatibility tools on the companies’ websites to see if your current phone will work with their networks. Both companies also allow you to keep your phone number in certain cases.
Both providers also offer a similar lineup of new phones at similar prices. Consumer Cellular, for example, offers the senior-friendly iPhone 14 for $479, while Tracfone sells the iPhone SE, another senior-friendly model, for just $190. Across the board, you’ll find similar prices on smartphones from Samsung, Apple, and Google.
Tracfone offers a slightly larger selection of flip phones, but that likely won’t be a deciding factor between the networks.
Consumer Cellular vs. Tracfone: Coverage
Both Consumer Cellular and Tracfone are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which means they lease their networks from other providers. Tracfone uses AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile’s networks, while Consumer Cellular uses AT&T and T-Mobile’s.
The downside of an MVNO is that during times of heavy data usage, T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T will deprioritize service for MVNO users. You can expect this with both Tracfone and Consumer Cellular.
In our tests, however, we didn’t notice it with either provider.
Our Favorite
Both Consumer Cellular and Tracfone are among our favorite cellular providers, but we think Consumer Cellular is the better option for most older adults.
Consumer Cellular’s plans start at $20 per month for unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 1 GB of data. Adding data to your plan is relatively affordable. We also appreciated that heavy users can get unlimited data for under $30 per line, provided you’re an AARP member. Tracfone, however, does not offer any unlimited data options. Their lower-tier plans are pretty affordable, but they require prepayment for the lowest prices.
To learn more about Consumer Cellular, read our full Consumer Cellular review.
Our Methodology
To comprehensively compare Consumer Cellular and Tracfone, we conducted rigorous testing over a three-month period across multiple service areas. Our evaluation process incorporated both quantitative measurements and qualitative user experience assessments, reflecting the diverse needs of senior users.
According to J.D. Power and Associates, network reliability and cost remain the top factors influencing satisfaction among wireless customers. With this in mind, we evaluated both providers based on four key criteria:
- Cost and Value Proposition: We analyzed monthly costs, hidden fees, and the overall value of each plan tier, including special discounts for seniors.
- Network Performance: Using standardized speed tests across urban, suburban, and rural locations, we measured connection reliability, call quality, and data speeds during peak and off-peak hours.
- User Experience: We assessed the simplicity of plan management, billing clarity, and overall ease of use for those with various levels of experience with technology.
- Customer Support Quality: We evaluated response times, resolution rates, and accessibility of support channels specifically crucial to seniors.
Our methodology aligns with the American Customer Satisfaction Index’s 2024 Wireless Service Report, which found that 81 percent of users prioritize straightforward pricing over maximum data speeds. Each provider was tested using identical phone models to ensure consistency, with particular attention to performance in locations frequently visited by older adults, such as medical facilities, community centers, and residential areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is better: Consumer Cellular or Tracfone?
The two providers offer talk and text plans at similar prices, but Consumer Cellular excels at offering more affordable rates for data plans.
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Does Consumer Cellular or Tracfone have a senior plan?
Tracfone does not offer a special plan or discount for seniors. Consumer Cellular offers all AARP members a 5 percent discount. Plus, AARP members who are ages 55 and older can get affordable unlimited plans.