PureTalk for Seniors: Phones, Prices, and Reviews
|
August 15, 2024
|
Deciding on a phone plan can be overwhelming, especially when most major providers are pushing costly plans with unlimited data. If that’s the case for you, consider PureTalk as a worthwhile phone provider. It has unlimited talk and text plans starting at $20 a month — no long-term contracts required.
PureTalk may lack the bells and whistles of larger companies like AT&T. However, it uses the same network and offers coverage throughout the U.S. In our experience, PureTalk is best if you want to use your phone for basic tasks. But, if you want unlimited data in addition to talk and text, it’s not the cheapest option by a long shot.
Pro Tip: Looking for senior discounts on plans with data? Then read our rundown of the best phone plans for seniors.
PureTalk Pros and Cons
Pros
- AT&T network: Because PureTalk is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), it uses AT&T’s network, which has ample coverage throughout the nation.
- Affordable talk and text plans: I paid only $20 per month for unlimited talk and text, making PureTalk one of the most affordable cellular providers around.
- No long-term contracts: Each plan was monthly, meaning I didn’t have to sign a long-term contract.
- No prepayment required: Unlike Mint Mobile, which requires you to pay for several months of service in advance, PureTalk allows you to pay on a monthly basis.
Cons
- 5G not available everywhere: Only 27 states have 5G access with PureTalk. However, it’s available nationwide with Consumer Cellular’s plans for seniors.
- No senior discount: While PureTalk offers a discount for military veterans, it does not offer one for seniors.
PureTalk Plans and Pricing
All of PureTalk’s plans include unlimited talk and text. However, unlimited data starts at $55 per month. The chart below does not show all of the available plans — which range from 3 GB to unlimited data — but, generally, the more you pay, the more data you get. Additionally, purchasing a higher-tier plan can get you discounts on a new phone purchased from PureTalk.
PureTalk Phone Plans Compared
| Starting Monthly Price | Talk and Text Allowance | Data Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| $20 | Unlimited | 3 GB |
| $30 | Unlimited | 10 GB |
| $45 | Unlimited | 25 GB |
| $55 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
PureTalk Plans for Seniors
There are no PureTalk plans or discounts for seniors. However, I would recommend the cheapest plan, which costs $20 a month for unlimited talk and text plus 3 GB of data. This is enough data to browse the web and access social media. If you are a veteran, you can get a 15 percent discount on this plan, bringing the monthly cost down to $17.
However, if you don’t want to be limited in terms of data, the cheapest unlimited data plan costs $55 per month. You’ll also get a $200 discount on any phone purchased from PureTalk. If you don’t want to worry about your data usage per month, an unlimited plan is the way to go.
How to Purchase PureTalk
The easiest way to purchase PureTalk is from its website. Click on the plans and add the one you want to your cart. From there, the website will ask you whether you want to bring your own phone and just get a physical SIM card. Or, you can buy an eSIM card or buy one of the phones listed on the website. You’ll only need a SIM card if you’re traveling internationally and want to use your phone’s data while abroad. Make your selection and proceed to checkout. Enter your billing, shipping, and payment information, and review and place your order.
If you have a SIM card, physical or digital, you’ll need to activate it either way. PureTalk’s website has instructions on how to update this card. Furthermore, if you purchased a phone from PureTalk, it should come with instructions on how to activate it.
Need help? Call 877-820-7873 anytime from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekdays, or until 7 p.m. on weekends, Eastern Time. Or, if you bought a phone from PureTalk, simply dial 611 on the phone you purchased.
PureTalk Pricing
PureTalk has a total of seven plans available, and each includes unlimited talk and texts. The plans will differ in terms of price, monthly and hotspot data allowance, and discounts on the purchase of a phone from PureTalk.
Unlike Jitterbug phones, which charge extra fees for exceeding your monthly data allowance, PureTalk does not have overage charges. If you exceed your monthly data allowance, your data speeds will simply be slowed to 256 kbps until your plan renews.
During my tests, I found that PureTalk data speeds were fast enough to browse the web, stream music, and stream HD videos on my smartphone. However, once I exceeded my data allowance and my speeds were reduced, I found I could still browse the web and even stream music. The slowed data speeds only appeared to impact my video streaming, which became nearly impossible until I connected to Wi-Fi.
FYI: PureTalk offers “unlimited” plans. However, they’ll throttle your data after using 60 GB in a given month. To find plans with no limits, read our guide to the best unlimited plans for seniors.
PureTalk Network Coverage
PureTalk uses AT&T’s network, which has coverage across the entirety of the U.S. The downside of PureTalk not operating its own network is that AT&T can potentially prioritize its own subscribers during times of heavy usage. This means you might experience slowed data speeds periodically. That said, in my tests, I didn’t notice this.
Another drawback of PureTalk is that its 5G coverage is somewhat limited. While all plans do, in theory, support 5G, it’s only available in the following locations:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- Wisconsin
For everyone in the other 23 states, you will not get 5G speeds; this could be a dealbreaker for some. However, it’s not a necessity if you use your phone to talk and text, largely.
PureTalk vs. Consumer Cellular
In terms of pricing, PureTalk and Consumer Cellular are neck and neck — both charge at least $20 per month and around $50 to $55 per month for unlimited data. However, while Consumer Cellular includes 5G nationwide, it’s only available in 27 states through PureTalk. If you want faster speeds and to save $5 a month, go with Consumer Cellular over PureTalk.
Read our Consumer Cellular review to learn more.
| PureTalk | Consumer Cellular | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price for Unlimited Talk and Text | $20 | $20 |
| Price for Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data | $55 | $50 |
| 5G Access | Yes | Yes |
| Long-Term Contracts | No | No |
| Overage Charges | No, your data speeds will be reduced until the next billing period begins. | No, you’ll be automatically upgraded to the next tier or plan. |
Bottom Line
PureTalk is best for someone who wants a phone to talk and text with — just like in the good old days. However, if you want unlimited data, it starts at $55 a month. This is much more than other companies like Consumer Cellular ($50), Mint Mobile ($15 a month for new customers or $30 for everyone else), or Boost Mobile ($25 per month).
With basic plans ranging from 3 to 15 GB of data per month for only $20 to $35, PureTalk’s prices are reasonable. Plus, you’ll also get 2 to 5 GB of hotspot data, allowing you to use your phone’s data on other devices. This is an especially good deal if you buy 10 or 15 GB of data per month, as you’ll get $100 off a phone.
PureTalk is ideal for someone who wants to talk and text, and needs a new phone. It’s less ideal if you already own a phone and want unlimited data, as you can find lower prices elsewhere.
PureTalk Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does PureTalk have a senior plan?
No, PureTalk does not have a senior plan. Rather, seniors pay the same prices as all other customers. However, active military members and veterans can get a 15 percent discount on their monthly bills.
-
Is PureTalk trustworthy?
PureTalk is a trustworthy company. It has been in business for 20 years, as of 2024. Plus, it has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2011, where it has a B overall rating. Additionally, it has a four-out-of-five-star rating on Trustpilot from 742 reviews — nearly three quarters of which are four or five stars.
-
What are the downsides of PureTalk?
One downside of PureTalk is that it does not offer a discount for seniors. Additionally, it only provides 5G access in 27 states, while other providers offer it nationwide. Plus, starting at $55 a month, it does not have the lowest prices for unlimited data.