FreedomPop for Seniors: Plans, Prices, and Reviews
A popular alternative to mainstream wireless carriers, FreedomPop offers people of all ages affordable cellular plans. With a FreedomPop plan, you can make calls, send messages, and even browse the web. Regardless of the plan you choose, you can rest assured you won’t have to lock into any long-term contract or pay an activation fee.
Let’s take a closer look at FreedomPop pricing, coverage, and other unique features.
Pro Tip: To learn more about our favorite cellular providers for seniors, check out our rundown of the best senior cell phone plans.
FreedomPop Pros and Cons
FreedomPop Pros
- Plans from $10 per month: At $10 per month, FreedomPop’s most basic plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited texts, and 1GB of data.
- No activation fees: To keep its prices low and simple, FreedomPop plans have no hidden fees for activation or cancellation.
- Bring your own phone: FreedomPop offers the option to bring your own device to its service plans. In many cases, you can even keep your current cell phone number.
- No contracts: You’ll pay for your FreedomPop plan on a monthly basis, so you won’t have to lock into a long-term contract.
- Largest GSM network: If you have an AT&T-compatible phone, you’re in luck because GSM is one of the largest nationwide 5G networks in the U.S.
FreedomPop Cons
- Potential deprioritization: FreedomPop piggybacks off AT&T’s cellular network, which provides nationwide coverage — but it also means your data speeds may be slowed during peak hours.
- Limits on high-speed data: FreedomPop offers a plan with “unlimited” data. However, with this plan, your data speeds will be slowed after 10GB of use in a month. If you’re looking for a truly unlimited plan, check out T-Mobile plans for seniors.
Senior Plans with Unlimited Data
While FreedomPop does have an "Unlimited" data plan, the provider will throttle your data speeds after 10GB of data used in a month. If you're looking for truly unlimited data plans for seniors, then we'd recommend checking out one of these three providers. In our tests, these providers offered truly unlimited data at affordable prices.
FreedomPop Plans and Pricing
In the past, FreedomPop offered a variety of customizable plans. However, as of 2024, the company offers two plans. While both include unlimited talk and text, they differ in terms of their monthly data allowances.
It’s important to note that, while FreedomPop advertises its $30-per-month plan as having “unlimited” data, it does not have unlimited premium or high-speed data. After using 10GB of data in a billing cycle, your data speeds will be slowed to 128kbps, which will prevent you from doing much online.
FreedomPop Plan Comparison
Monthly Cost | Talk and Text | Monthly Premium Data | Monthly Data |
---|---|---|---|
$10 | Unlimited | 1GB | 1GB |
$30 | Unlimited | 10GB | Unlimited |
FreedomPop Plans for Seniors
FreedomPop does not currently offer a plan or discount specifically for older adults, but we think the $10-per-month plan is a great option. With unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data, it’s ideal for the person who uses their phone primarily for calls and messages with the occasional streaming task.
Regardless of your chosen plan, both require no contracts, and they allow you to bring your phone to the plan. All you need to do is select your plan, and FreedomPop will send you a SIM card.
FYI: If you’re looking to save money on your wireless bill, check out our list of senior cell phone discounts. Alternatively, take a look at our rundown of the best landlines for seniors.
How to Purchase FreedomPop
To get started with FreedomPop, visit the company’s website and choose one of the two plans. Once you’ve chosen your plan and checked out, FreedomPop will mail your SIM card to you. You’ll plug that SIM card into your existing phone.
FreedomPop offers a selection of iPhones if you wish to purchase a new phone. The iPhones will be priced according to their respective MSRPs, but purchasing one will give you a discount on your service plan for the first month. As far as price goes, the iPhones cost $429 to $1,199, not including the $200 rebate included on all iPhones. If you prefer a flip phone, FreedomPop offers the Neo Flip for $65.
Pro Tip: Are you interested in purchasing a smartphone? Check out our rundowns of the best iPhone for seniors, the best Android for seniors, and the best smartphones for seniors.
FreedomPop Pricing
FreedomPop is extremely simple when it comes to pricing. You can either pay $10 a month for 1GB of data or $30 a month for unlimited data. But, only 10GB a month will be high-speed. All contracts are on a month-to-month basis. With the unlimited plan, you’ll also get international calling to over 80 countries, while that amount is only 20 countries with the 1GB plan.
Extra Fees
FreedomPop does not charge any activation fees. However, if you are on the 1GB plan and go over 1GB in a given month, you will be automatically upgraded to the unlimited plan unless you have turned on what FreedomPop calls Safety Mode. With Safety Mode, which costs an extra $6.99 per month, you’ll get 500MBs of data added to your account one time, and 10 percent more data each month. If you don’t have this feature turned on, your service will be turned off if you go over your data, meaning you won’t be able to use the internet, make calls, or send texts. If that’s the case, keep track of your data usage on the MyFreedomPop mobile app.
International calling is included with each plan, and there are no late fees. So, mainly, you only have to worry about overage fees with the 1GB plan.
FreedomPop Network Coverage
FreedomPop uses AT&T’s cellular network, so you’ll have coverage throughout the United States. The only caveat is that FreedomPop piggybacks off AT&T’s network, so your data speeds may be deprioritized in favor of AT&T customers. In our experience, though, we hardly noticed any delays or slowdowns.
FYI: Did you know AT&T has discounted cellular plans for seniors? To learn more, check out our rundown of AT&T phones for seniors.
Data Speeds
On its fastest 5G and 5G plus networks, FreedomPop offers typical download speeds of 53 to 474Mbps, typical upload speeds of 3 to 33Mbps, and typical latency of 26 to 39ms. These are the exact same typical speeds as its parent network, AT&T.
That being said, since you’ll only get 1GB or 10GB of 5G+ speeds per month, you can expect much slower speeds with FreedomPop after you’ve run out of premium data. 4G LTE speeds, for example, are 12 to 78Mbps for downloads, 1 to 12Mbps for uploads, and 29 to 52ms for latency. That may or may not be enough to video chat or stream a movie on your phone, which requires download speeds of about 25Mbps.
FreedomPop vs. Mint Mobile
Both FreedomPop and Mint Mobile offer affordable wireless plans for seniors with no contracts, but there are some key differences in their prices and phones.
FreedomPop | Mint Mobile | |
---|---|---|
Starting price | $10 | $15 per month |
Price increases | Never | Never |
5G access | Yes | Yes |
Data | 1GB | 5GB |
Long-term commitments | None | None |
Prepayment required | No | Yes |
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an affordable wireless provider, then FreedomPop is one of the best options out there. With a combination of nationwide coverage, no contracts, and free SIM cards, it’s a great option for talk and text plans.
If you’re looking for a plan with ultra-fast, unlimited data usage, however, then we recommend T-Mobile. If you want a phone with medical alert device features, then you should try Jitterbug phones for seniors.
To learn more about cellular for seniors, check out our helpful guides:
FreedomPop Frequently Asked Questions
-
What carrier does FreedomPop use?
FreedomPop uses AT&T’s cellular network, but AT&T users are prioritized so you may experience slowed data speeds during peak usage hours.
-
Is FreedomPop still free?
No, FreedomPop is no longer free. Rather, prices start at $10 per month for unlimited talk and text plus 1GB of data.
-
Is FreedomPop going out of business?
As of 2024, FreedomPop is still in business, offering affordable cellular and internet service throughout the U.S.
-
How much does FreedomPop internet cost?
FreedomPop no longer offers home internet, just mobile service. All mobile plans include unlimited talk and text, but 1GB of data costs $10 per month, while unlimited data costs $30 per month.
-
Is FreedomPop monthly?
All of FreedomPop’s plans are paid for on a monthly basis, so you can cancel your service at any time without incurring cancellation charges and fees.