Consumer Cellular vs Verizon

Plans and Costs

Consumer Cellular’s plans tend to be more budget-friendly than Verizon’s across all age groups. For a plan with unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data, Consumer Cellular charges just $20 per month — a price Verizon doesn't come close to matching.

However, as data allowances increase, so do the prices. A Consumer Cellular plan offering 10GB of data is $35 per month, while their unlimited data plan costs $50 per month. Still, each additional line costs just $15. So, even though $50 per month may seem high for unlimited data, two lines would amount to $65, or $32.50 each.

In contrast, all of Verizon’s plans come with unlimited talk, text, and data. They start at $65 per month for one line, and the main differences between each plan will be data speeds, hotspot data, and extra features like international calling capabilities. That said, unless you’re a heavy data user, these features likely won’t be necessary.

Consumer Cellular’s unlimited data plans are $50 per month for a single line, $65 per month for two lines ($32.50 each), and $80 for three lines ($26.67 each). In almost every scenario, Consumer Cellular’s pricing remains more affordable than Verizon’s.

Senior Plans

Both Consumer Cellular and Verizon offer plans for seniors. However, the two plans differ slightly in terms of eligibility and features.

Consumer Cellular offers one senior plan. It includes two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $55 per month ($27.50 per line). To be eligible for this plan, you must purchase two lines and be an AARP member. Technically speaking, people of any age can be members of AARP.

Verizon offers one senior plan. It includes unlimited talk, text, and 4GB of data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This plan costs $62 for one line or $84 for two lines. The primary downside of this plan is it’s currently only available to residents of Florida; Consumer Cellular’s plan is available nationwide. Additionally, Consumer Cellular’s senior plan includes 5GB of data.

Contracts

Both Consumer Cellular and Verizon offer phone plans without the need for long-term contracts. With either provider, you’re free to cancel at any time and halt your monthly payments. However, if you choose to finance a phone through either provider, it can serve as a type of long-term commitment.

For instance, if I started a new line with Verizon and wanted to buy the latest iPhone, I’d have two options: either pay $23.05 per month over 36 months (added to my Verizon bill) or pay the full price of $829.99 upfront. If I went with the monthly payments, I’d still be able to cancel my Verizon service anytime. However, I’d still need to pay off the remaining phone balance.

Consumer Cellular offers a similar setup. You can either pay the full cost of your phone upfront or opt for monthly payments added to your bill. The only difference is that Consumer Cellular’s financing plans are for two years, while Verizon’s extends over three years.

Phones and Devices

One might assume that Consumer Cellular, being a budget brand, would offer comparably budget options for phones themselves. However, Consumer Cellular offers the most modern smartphones available, including the iPhone 16 Pro and the latest Samsung phones. Verizon, as you can imagine, also offers the latest devices from Samsung and Apple. Both providers also offer a selection of simple flip phones that are ideal for users who just want to make calls and send the occasional text message.

Oddly enough, the devices will cost you the same price from both providers. Each provider also gives you the option of purchasing a phone through monthly installments. The primary difference when it comes to devices is that Verizon allows you to trade in a current device and put it toward the payment of a new one. Consumer Cellular does not offer a similar option.

Coverage

Verizon is a stand-alone company with its own proprietary network, while Consumer Cellular is not considered an actual carrier. Instead, Consumer Cellular — as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) — piggybacks its service through T-Mobile. In theory, this could mean that if a Consumer Cellular customer were to find himself in a crowded area with a bunch of T-Mobile users, his service would take a back seat to T-Mobile subscribers. In practice, however, I’ve never noticed much of a difference while using my Consumer Cellular service.

Our Favorite

Consumer Cellular offers plans to meet most people’s needs at affordable prices. It is a great choice for AARP members who want a top-of-the-line phone with the option for unlimited talk, text, and data options. To learn more about my experience with Consumer Cellular, take a look at my hands-on Consumer Cellular review.

Verizon is a good choice if you don’t mind paying for their services. They are more expensive but offer faster data speeds. For more information on cell phones, check out my rundown of this year’s best phones for seniors.