Jitterbug Phones for Seniors: Plans and Costs
Combining affordable plans with safety features, Lively makes two of the best cell phone options for seniors. The company sells a number of phones but only two Jitterbug phones designed for seniors — a smartphone and a flip phone. Either option will suit older adults who want a reliable cell phone that’s easy to use.
The Jitterbug Flip2 is a modern take on a flip phone, while the Jitterbug Smart4 is ideal for first-time smartphone users. Regardless of the phone you choose, you'll have access to Lively's affordable plans with optional safety features.
Discount Alert: Right now, the Jitterbug Flip2 is available for 50 percent off – $39.99, down from $79.99, and the Jitterbug Smart4 is 60 percent off — $47.99, down from $119.99. Check Lively's website for current promotions.
Tip: A good cell phone is nothing without a quality network. Read our rundown of this year's best senior cell phone plans to find plans from $15 per month.
Our methodology: How we evaluated Lively phones and plans
We spent two weeks thoroughly researching and testing Lively Jitterbug phones to find out whether they’re good choices for older adults. Here are details about the criteria we used to evaluate Lively cell phones and phone service:
- Shopping experience: We took notes on each step of the online purchasing process for the phones we reviewed. We also evaluated whether it was easy to find clear information about phone specs, features, warranties, and costs on Lively’s website.
- Device design and function: We tested each phone’s durability, water-resistance, and hearing-aid compatibility, as well as whether buttons and features were easy to find and use.
- Senior-friendly features: In addition to evaluating design elements that make phones easier to use for older adults with dexterity, sight, and hearing impairments, we looked for extras that make seniors’ lives easier. These included phones with medical alert functions, caregiver connectivity, and Lively’s on-call nurse and care advocate services available with some phone plans.
- Network connectivity: We tested our phones in our home and while out and about to make sure the phone had a reliable signal via a strong network.
- Cost: We calculated the total costs of each cell phone, including device prices and the monthly cost of available plans. We also noted whether there were activation, restocking, and care plan fees to determine their overall value.
- Senior user feedback: We consulted with volunteers 55 to 80 years old, with varying tech comfort levels, to test phones and provide usability feedback. We also researched online reviews to get a realistic sense of senior usability.
- Customer service: We researched how customers could contact Lively for support and whether those communication avenues were easy to find. We tested chat and email help options and also contacted sales and technical support teams by phone to gauge their helpfulness for senior users who might not be tech-savvy.
A Breakdown of Jitterbug Phone Plans
Unlike most cellular carriers, Lively offers two types of plans: flip phone plans for the Jitterbug Flip2 and smartphone plans for the Jitterbug Smart4. Lively smartphone plans also work with third-party devices you bring to Lively's network.
Lively Flip Phone Plans
| Basic | Preferred | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $14.99 | $34.99 | $44.99 |
| 300 Minutes & 300 Texts | Included | Included | Included |
| Unlimited Talk & Text | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month |
| Urgent Response | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lively Link App | No | Yes | Yes |
| Nurse On-Call | No | No | Yes |
| Care Advocate | No | No | Yes |
| Lively Rides | Pay per ride | Pay per ride | Pay per ride |
Lively Smartphone & SIM Plans
| Basic | Preferred | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $19.99 | $39.99 | $49.99 |
| Unlimited Talk & Text | Included | Included | Included |
| Urgent Response | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lively Link App | No | Yes | Yes |
| Nurse On-Call | No | No | Yes |
| Care Advocate | No | No | Yes |
| Lively Rides | Pay per ride | Pay per ride | Pay per ride |
| 1 GB Data | Included | Included | Included |
| 5 GB Data | $5 per month | $5 per month | $5 per month |
| 10 GB Data | $15 per month | $15 per month | $15 per month |
| Unlimited Data | $30 per month | $30 per month | $30 per month |
Lively phone setup
Your Lively phone will come with a user’s manual, wall charger, and charging dock. Lively also provides helpful resources on their website for setting up and using their phones. The quick-start guide shows you how to activate your phone (including activating online, which saves you 10 bucks!), how to get in touch with customer service via email and phone, how to create your account online, and even how to recycle your old phone.
If you signed up for the Urgent Response feature, the guide also shows you how to create your Personal Emergency Profile. This profile includes your emergency contacts, doctors, and information about the medications you take.
Lively Plan Features
In addition to talk, text and data, Lively plans come with some optional features tailored toward older adults:
Urgent response: In an emergency, we can press the dedicated button on top of our Smart4 screen and connect to trained agents who can trace our location and send help if necessary, similar to a medical alert system. Easy access to 911 is essential for people with medical conditions and mental disorders, who are more frequent 911 callers.1
Lively Rides: With Lively Rides, Jitterbug users can contact an operator to arrange Lyft rides, with no app required. That's great, since studies have shown that technology may be a barrier to older adults' ride-share access.2
Lively Link: Using this app on his smartphone, one of our partners received notifications each time we pressed our Urgent Response button. He could also check on the location and the battery level of our Smart4.
Care Advocate: Care advocates conduct an initial screening and help the user create a Care Plan that encompasses health, financial planning and personal care.
Nurse On-Call: Nurse On-Call allowed us to speak directly with registered nurses and doctors who provided us with medical advice and could even prescribe common medications over the phone.
Overage Charges
If you go over your monthly data allowance, Lively will charge you for the overage at $0.02 for every additional MB of data — so it's worth keeping an eye on your usage or upgrading to a higher data tier before you hit that ceiling.
Customer service
In online reviews, some subscribers have complained about long wait times to speak to company representatives. In our test calls, we waited around 10 minutes to be connected to an agent. Once we were connected, we found that customer service agents were courteous and helpful and even told us about current promotions to make sure we got the best deal on a phone plan that suited our needs.
We recommend speaking with customer service if you have any questions setting up or using your Jitterbug phone, particularly if you’ve opted for extra safety features such as access to a care advocate and the on-call nurse who can provide medical advice. Those extras can be lifesavers and improve your quality of life, so you’ll want to make sure you know how to use them if you need to!
Jitterbug Flip2
At $79.99 ($39.99 with an ongoing promotion) plus a $35 activation fee, the Jitterbug Flip2 is the more affordable of Lively's two Jitterbug device options. With its classic flip phone design, it's also the simpler model.
If you mainly use your phone to make calls, send text messages, and snap the occasional photo, the Jitterbug Flip2 is ideal. With its large buttons, voluble speaker, and sizable screen, this phone is a breeze to use. Additionally, this phone is hearing aid-compatible, and we love that the phone is equipped with Alexa, so you can call, text, and open apps using only your voice.
The Flip2 weighs less than 5 ounces, and its battery holds a charge for up to 12 hours of talk time. We appreciate that there are 33 ringtones to choose from and that its large screen and backlit buttons make them easier to see. We also like the big red urgent response button at the bottom (but note that urgent response is only available with the Preferred and Premium phone plans).
To learn more about this phone, read our Jitterbug Flip2 review.
Jitterbug Flip2 Video Review
Jitterbug Smart4
Like the Flip2, the Jitterbug Smart4 uses a list-based menu to simplify phone operations. In our experience, this device was much more intuitive than similar Androids with icon-based menus. We also appreciated that, like any Android phone, it had Google Assistant. This allows a user to use voice commands to activate just about any of the phone's features, which is helpful for older adults with vision or dexterity challenges.
At $119.99 (currently $47.99) plus a $35 activation fee, the phone costs a bit more than the Flip2. For those seeking a phone with longer battery life and faster speeds, however, the Smart4 is worth the cost of entry, especially when you compare it to other smartphones on the market.
To learn more about our experience, read our Jitterbug Smart4 review.
FYI: Two-thirds of older adults agree that technology makes life easier, but three in five say technology is not designed with their age in mind, according to a survey by AARP.3 That’s why we appreciate Lively’s affordable Jitterbug phones and plans specifically for seniors.
Jitterbug Smart4 Video Review
Additional Phones
While Lively formerly sold only Jitterbug phones, the company now offers a variety of additional devices. These devices currently include:
- iPhone 12 Pre-Owned: $329.99
- iPhone 13 Pre-Owned: $419.99
- iPhone SE Pre-Owned: $189.99
- BLU View 5 Pro: $109.99
Plans for these devices will be the same as those listed in the Smartphone & SIM Plans table. These plans will also be your options when bringing your own device to Lively’s network and using one of their SIM cards.
Compare Jitterbug to Other Brands
Who should look elsewhere
Older adults who use a lot of data may want to consider another phone carrier. Even with the Flip2’s most expensive phone plan, you only get 300 minutes and 300 texts each month; unlimited talk and text costs an extra $5 a month. The Flip2 supports 4G LTE, which is slower than 5G. And unlike Consumer Cellular, Lively starts charging overage fees when you run out of data. Lively may also throttle speeds after you reach a certain data point, which can be frustrating for seniors who use their phones to stream content and watch videos.
In addition, you have to pay for Lively phone service to use a Jitterbug phone; the phones can’t be used with other carriers. Although Lively service plans are very affordable for most seniors, speeds are not the fastest so older adults who enjoy heavy phone usage might not be happy with Lively’s service.
>> You Might Like: Our 2026 buyer’s guide to medical alert systems
Also note that although Lively’s medical alert device, the Mobile2, is water-resistant, Lively phones are not. This is unlike most smartphones on the market, including phones made by Apple, Samsung, and Google. Finally, Lively phones aren’t best for seniors who frequently make international calls; calls to certain countries can cost $1 to $2 per minute.
The bottom line
While modern cell phones have a reputation for being beyond the capabilities of older adults, the Jitterbug lineup proves that this is not the case. With a combination of simplicity, wellness features and affordable service plans, each Lively device is tailored to keep seniors connected to their loved ones with little hassle.
To learn more about the best cell phones for seniors, check out our guides.
Frequently asked questions
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How is Lively Urgent Response different from similar medical alert services?
Unlike a medical alert system, Lively’s service is not confined to medical emergencies, since it can also be used to contact roadside assistance. The service does not, however, include fall detection on Lively phones.
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What makes the Jitterbug Flip2 so easy to use?
Through a combination of large buttons, a bright screen and an intuitive menu design, the Jitterbug Flip2 is designed to have no learning curve whatsoever. Additionally, it’s accessible to people with vision and hearing impairments.
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Do I have to sign a contract for Lively service?
The longest commitment you’ll have to make with Lively is for just one month. You will never be asked to sign a long-term agreement.
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Are roaming and long-distance calls included with Lively?
Lively includes roaming and long-distance calls for free if they are in the U.S. There are additional charges for international calls and texts outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, El Salvador or Puerto Rico.
- Jamaica: $0.40 per minute
- United Kingdom: $0.06 per minute
- Germany: $0.07 per minute
- Everywhere else outside the U.S.: $1 per minute or $1.35 per minute for Unlimited plan customers
