The best cell phone plans in Canada are usually those that match your exact needs when it comes to the services that you expect your cell phone provider to offer to you. Indeed, there are as many different needs as there are users of smartphones and networks, so choosing the best plan really falls down to understanding your exact needs and how you use the data, calls, and SMS services. Sometimes, the cheapest cell phone plans may be the best, while sometimes, it is the comfort of having unlimited calls that work the best.

Indeed, the Canadian cell phone service is very rich and diverse, and with prepaid plans, no contract plans, and postpaid plans, there are many options to choose from. The best cell phone plans will include as many calls and messages, as well as data as you need, and maybe a bit on top, as your usage may not be the same month after month. To be able to choose the plan best suited to your needs, you will also need to know how the Canadian cell phone market works.

On top of this, some Canadian plans come with cell phones included, for those seeking to refresh their gadgets. Popular providers and their offers change month after month, so it may be best to always stay on the lookout and spend some time considering the different options so that you are certain you get what you need without overpaying. There are also budget-friendly options, but their coverage may vary, which is another factor to take into consideration. For now, let us read on so that we can make informed decisions before purchasing a plan.

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Understanding the Canadian Cell Phone Plan Market

Canadian cell phone carriers offer a variety of plans that you can purchase and all of these come at different prices. The average cost of a cell phone plan in Canada is CAD45 a month (with a 5GB plan). However, this is really not enough for most users, and plans with 25GB of data start at around CAD55 for some of the cheapest options.

Considering that this is not a low price and that the data included is not enough for most users, it is important to be careful about how and which plan you opt for. Giving yourself some time to think can also help, as finding the best family option, for example, can help you save a lot. Saving as little as CAD20 per phone user in your home (in a 5-member family) can help you save around CAD1,200 per year, which is not too little.

Choosing the right type of plan can also help save a lot. Many people decide to keep their old phone, in which case, they get cheaper plans or more minutes, SMS, and data for the same price. Some like no obligations, while some like to prepay their usage. With needs this diverse, there are several types of cell phone plans that you may want to consider:

  • Prepaid Plans – as the name suggests, these plans have to be prepaid. You pay some money to your carrier, and the money is converted into credits, which you can use for calls, SMS, or data. These plans will have clear pricing on all the services provided, and you can top off your credit as soon as you’ve used up the old one. While some do not like having to check their credit periodically, some love that they can limit their use – especially with their children’s phones and their data usage. This is the best regular plan for your children, as you can limit their usage and avoid overpaying for hours of Instagram scrolling when in fact they forgot to turn on their WiFi and are using the data from their monthly plan
  • Postpaid Plans – postpaid plans, on the other hand, are paid at the end of every month. These plans usually entail some minutes, SMS, and data as their standard offer. All the services that you use on top of this are then added to your bill. This is very similar to how your other bills work, for example, your utilities. This is a great option for those whose needs vary month after month, as you will never have to worry about your data usage or the credit left on your account. we do not recommend you get this type of plan for your children, as the bills can be astronomical
  • BYOP Plans – Bring Your Own Phone Plans – these plans are the most affordable of them all since you will not be paying for a phone together with your actual usage. If you already have a phone that you think can last you for a few more years and you have limited needs for your phone usage, or are strict with how you use it, this is probably the cheapest option for you
  • No-Contract Plans – Pay-As-You-Go Plans – no-contract plans give you the most freedom. With these plans, there is no contract obligation and you do not have to worry about making the payment the next month. These plans are also self-renewing, and you will be getting your bill at the end of each month. Still, you need to be careful, as some no-contract plans may actually be more expensive than a cheap phone plan that also happens to be a postpaid plan. Always look at the actual pricing of each service

Evaluating Cell Phone Plans in Canada

So, when choosing the best phone deals in Canada, you will need to start with your actual needs and preferences. To help you establish how much data, minutes, and messages (SMS – Short Message Service), your old bills can help, but also your phone’s call and SMS history and data usage stats. Only when you know this can you go on and evaluate cell phone plans offered in your part of Canada.

Key Features to Look For in a Plan

When doing this kind of evaluation, it is important to note that you will need to evaluate your needs first and then go with the plan options that major providers in your area offer. Beware that you should always purchase a plan that has more minutes/SMS/data than you actually need, as purchasing them during months of higher phone usage will result in extra charges. This additional cost can turn even the cheapest plan into one of the more expensive plans, so make sure to check out the offers by more mobile providers and be mindful of what you need.

Likewise, overpaying for an exclusive plan when you only have a few phone calls a month and use just a bit of data makes no sense, as overpaying year-round for a potential usage that is never realized is simply wasting your money. For this reason, here is a list of key features to look for in a plan, with comparing pricing and the value you receive being the most important one:

  • the pricing of the plan and the value you receive out of it
  • the availability of the plan in your area – as not all mobile carriers work in all areas of Canada
  • the different payment options – while some like to pay in cash, others love online banking options – if this is of importance to you, it is worth checking it out
  • do you receive a phone with the plan or not – some like to have a new phone every year or so, while others do not
  • whether the plan comes with the option to include your family or not – family plans are generally cheaper per member than if everybody got a separate plan
  • your budget for this service every month
  • what your needs for mobile services are:
    • how many calls do you make each month/how long do they last
    • how many SMS messages do you send each month?
    • how much data do you use
    • some plans offer interchangeable credits for SMS/minutes of talking on the phone
  • does the plan offer carry-over features? In this case, you could opt for a lower-priced plan, as the unused minutes/SMS messages and data (MB or GB) will be accumulated for when you need more of them
  • what are the billing cycles like
  • what kind of plan do you need – postpaid, prepaid, no contract, BYOP, etc?

There are many more factors to consider but paying attention to these only will help you navigate the offer there is. As there are literally hundreds of plans, going through them all can be a bit deal breaker, as there are simply so many of them. For this reason, we recommend you do the following step-by-step to help you bring the number of plans down to a more manageable number:

  1. look at the providers working in your area
  2. look at the general satisfaction rate of the people in your neighbourhood how satisfied they are and which providers they use
  3. be aware of your needs, if you are a sole user of the plan, you will have some needs, but bringing the family on board will change your needs drastically
  4. out of all the carriers in your area that people in your neighbourhood are satisfied with, which carriers offer the type of plan that you need (postpaid, prepaid, BYOP, or pay-as-you-go)
  5. out of these plans, which offer the minutes/SMS/data that you are most likely to be using in an average month
  6. finally, which of these comes at the lowest price – this is important to be able to compare the pricing and the value you will be receiving with your plan

Comparing Pricing and Value

When comparing the pricing and the value, it is important to note that all carriers advertise competitive rates. Based on all the previous criteria, select plans that suit you and then compare the value and the pricing that comes with the plan, to see how competitive the rates actually are. When it comes to these, it is important to calculate how much you will be paying for each minute/SMS/MB of data you will be using, and you can do this by simply dividing the cost by each of these.

Although this can pose some challenges, and you will only get a rough estimate (especially if you include MBs), this can still give you a good idea of how much value you can squeeze out of each plan. When it comes to the actual price per unit (for example CAD/minute of talking or CAD/SMS) this is where you will be able to save the most, as the lowest price here is the best indicator of how much you can save.

Popular Providers and Their Offers

There are many providers working in Canada, and for this reason, the first step in choosing the best plan for you is having a good look at the providers working in YOUR area. This will help you determine which carriers are the best for you, and you can proceed onwards. Here is a complete list of mobile providers working in Canada, but please beware that some of these may be subsidiaries of larger companies and that new providers may spring up any day:

  • Airtel Wireless
  • Bell Aliant
  • Bell Mobility
  • Bell MTS
  • Chatr Mobile
  • Cityfone
  • Eastlink Wireless
  • Fido Mobile
  • Fleetcom
  • Freedom Mobile
  • Ice Wireless
  • Keewaytinook Mobile
  • Lucky mobile
  • Northwestel
  • PC Mobile
  • Petro-Canada Mobility
  • Phonebox Mobile
  • Primus Wireless
  • Qiniq
  • Rogers Wireless
  • SaskTel Mobility
  • SimplyConnect
  • Sogetel Mobilité
  • Speakout Wireless
  • TbayTel Mobility
  • Telus Mobility
  • TNW Wireless
  • Videotron Mobility
  • Virgin Plus
  • Wundle Mobile
  • Xplore Mobile
  • Zoomer Wireless

Spotlight on Major Carriers

Of course, among these, there are always those that simply offer more for less. These are usually companies that have been on the market for a long long time and have years of tradition and good service to stand behind every advert they make. Bell, Rogers, and Telus are such companies, so let’s have a brief look at what makes them the giants in the field that they are:

Bell

In 1975, Bell was listed as the fifth-largest Canadian company. When it comes to their services, they work in the telecommunications industry. Founded in 1880, it is one of the oldest Canadian companies to this day. It is headquartered in Quebec and has great family plans, with shared data, and many subsidiaries, and it provides services to Virtual Network Operators so that even if you have a contract with another company, you could still be using Bell services.

Rogers

With over 60 years of experience behind them, Rogers is one of the oldest telecommunications companies in Canada. They are green-focused and offer a multitude of services for both you and your family. Mobile plans, TV< Internet, and Home Security are just some of the plans that they offer, and with them, you can purchase both iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones.

Telus

Telus is also one of the ‘Big Three’ telecommunications companies in Canada. They offer services in telecommunications, mobile plans, data, internet, voice, TV subscriptions, home security, and wireless services. They also offer a number of plans that come with devices: mobile phones, watches, and tablets. When it comes to their offer, it is varied, but some smaller carriers can give you more value for your money.

So, Bell, Rogers, and Telus are the three biggest telecommunications companies in Canada. These big players have great plans and offer unlimited calling, unlimited data plans, and similar offers which are hard to pass by unnoticed. However, if you do not need an unlimited plan, and would prefer a prepaid plan, it is probably best to go with some smaller companies, such as Koodo, Virgin Mobile, Fido, Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, and Chatr Mobile. They have good plans for a fraction of the cost, but may not offer unlimited plans.

Exploring Budget-Friendly Options

So, the best mobile phone plans would be the plans that are suited to you and your needs for talking, texting, and data. No one best service provider could give you both the best plan prices and the best calling and internet plan there is. The offers are varied, so doing good research is worth a ton, and so is checking out some of the smaller providers in the country. Let’s have a look at Freedom Mobile and Fido and let’s see how they fit the bigger picture.

Freedom Mobile

Freedom Mobile believes that wireless services in Canada cost too much and wants to offer lower-priced contracts to all eligible customers. They provide 4G LTE, and 5G coverage and do so at affordable prices: their lowest plans including cell phones start at CAD39 with a Trade Up, in 24-month contract plans.

Fido

Fido i also one of the smaller providers in the country, and they offer a basic plan, with a Samsung Galaxy S24 device and a 2-year contract for as little as CAD45 a month. This is a very affordable option, and with a FIDO Trade, you can trade in your old device and receive up to CAD705 credit on your account. They also offer iPhone 15 and Motorola Edge for CAD10 a month with financing.

Take A Look At How to Purchase a Plan from Fido?:

Navigating Different Types of Plans

Even the best cell phone plans may not be suited to all. For this reason, we’ve outlined different types of mobile plans offered in Canada. Contract phone plans, prepaid phone plans, no-contract plans, and prepaid and postpaid options have all been outlined above. Whenever choosing the best plan for you, you should keep in mind that not all expensive plans are worth the money and that not all affordable phone plans suck. There are even affordable roaming plans for those who travel a lot and a lot of carriers allow Canada-US plan options for those who move a lot.

If you come from abroad / have recently immigrated to Canada, it is important to note that some carriers offer unlimited calls and unlimited international text. These are also affordable roaming plans and you can use these if you travel a lot or are otherwise on the move for business purposes. Family plans are also great for those bringing their family to Canada, as they can give you a lot of control over your costs and the type of traffic that your family members can use.

Prepaid vs. Postpaid Plans

Prepaid vs postpaid phone plans is an old story, but as always, it all boils down to your needs. When it comes to prepaid plans, they offer you a lot of control over how much you are spending and it is easy to top the credit off. However, they may not be the best if your actual usage fluctuates a lot – in this case, a postpaid plan may be your best option. In fact, post-paid plans are the best for all who want to have cell phone plan options that include unlimited usage, but you still have to be careful with these, as you may be overpaying for each additional minute of calling or each MB of traffic you use on top of what is included in your plan. So, as always, being mindful of your actual usage is a must.

Family Plans and Shared Data Options

Family plans are offered by bigger companies (mostly by the Big Three) and they include more expensive plans. However, once you have a deeper look, you can see that they are among cheap cell phone plans when seen as a per-user plan. So, although you will be paying more overall for the plan, you will be able to include family members and save big time. When it comes to the shared data options, these competitive plans usually include one pool of data that all connected users can draw from, which makes it cheaper overall and enables you to better use the traffic at your disposal.

Cheapest Talk and Text Plans in Canada

The cheapest talk and text plan in Canada that we could find is the Fido Basic plan. This plan comes with a low-data profile, which may not be suited for all, but if you talk and text a lot and only use data for WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, this is the right plan for you. Coming with unlimited talk, the plan is available for only CAD15 a month.

The talk and text plan in Canada are usually not this cheap, and there is one more similar plan. This time, this is the Chatr Mobile – Nationwide Talk, Text & 3G data. The plan is very affordable, at CAD25 a month, but again, the data limit of 500MB a month may simply not be enough for most people. However, if you do not spend a lot of time browsing Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube, this plan may be the best for you.

Best Data Plan in Canada

The best data plan in Canada is probably one of the unlimited data plans offered by the Big Three. However, it is important to note that with these plans, it is easy to think that the data is unlimited, when in fact it is not. These plans will provide you with high-speed Internet traffic until a certain limit has been reached. Once you are over the limit, the speed drops significantly and you can use the slow-speed internet for an unlimited amount of traffic. The speed is the limiting factor here.

The Freedom Mobile Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan allows you to use 100 GB in both Canada and the United States until the 100 GB has been used up. The plan comes at only CAD50 a month. Fido offers Data Talk & Text plans for CAD44 a month, and only 20 GB of traffic. This is still a lot more than an average person needs, but the price per GB is much lower in the Freedom Mobile plan. Finally, Bell (one of the Big Three) has a very affordable family plan of 480 GB a month, coming at the price of CAD280 a month. For a family of four, this is 120 GB of data a month for CAD70 per family member, so there are cheaper options, but this may be good enough for a larger family. Already at 6 family members, the price per member drops down to under CAD50 a month, but so does the allocated Internet traffic per family member.

Coverage and Network Quality

When it comes to the coverage and the network quality, this is an important aspect to consider. Some cheap plans may come from service providers that simply do not work in your area, and having patchy or low-quality coverage may ruin your experience with a deal on phone plans. Likewise, a very expensive plan does not mean that you will automatically be satisfied with the coverage, especially if you live in a rural area.

In fact, Canada is a huge country, and covering 100% of it with a phone network does not serve any purpose, as most of Canada is unsettled and most of the inhabitants of the country are situated 100-150 miles from the US border, in particular, because of a good climate there. When it comes to choosing the best plan, this is the reason you should check out which service providers work in your area before deciding on a mobile or a device plan.

Additional Services and Perks

Canadian phone service plans usually come with some additional perks. After all, around 20% of Canadian residents were not born in Canada and many of them want to keep their ties to their home country. For this reason, international roaming and travel plans, as well as plans including international calls and texts are available. They are also very affordable, considering how expensive similar plans can be in other countries. Bundles and other added benefits are another reason to do your research as you could be losing a lot of money on the absolutely cheapest plans.

Exploring Bundles and Added Benefits

The bundle plans are another name for family plans. These are a great option for all who would like to have all the benefits of a good and reliable service but at a lower cost per family member. However, you should be careful with these, as you may still overpay. The Three Big companies offer bundles, but sometimes, purchasing plans from smaller companies may be a good option to secure a lower price. Bell’s Family Bundle, for example, comes with 480GB of data at CAD280 a month, but you will find cheaper data with Fido and Freedom Mobile, and they will be cheaper for families of up to 5 members.

International Roaming and Travel Plans

International roaming and affordable travel plans are based on a contract cell phone plan that has immigrants or those who travel a lot in mind. When it comes to these, it is important to consult your current provider before moving on to the next one. Sometimes, you can find affordable add-o packages that you can join to your existing plan and avoid having to pay a more expensive plan year-round for a shorter trip once or twice a year. These add-ons are usually purchased for a shorter time, like a month or two and they can make your life much easier, especially if you are a business traveller and do not want to purchase another SIM card in the country you are travelling to.

Tips for Choosing the Right Plan

We’ve mentioned before that the perfect cell phone rate plan does not exist. In fact, there are as many different needs and wants as there are users and Canadian phone carriers try their best to secure that their plans are good for the vast majority of their users and this is a part of the reason why there are so many plans. When choosing the best plan for you, you will need to consider:

  • which Canadian phone provider works in your area
  • the quality of the signal (are there any delays in calls or not)
  • the cost of data
  • the cost of local and Canada-wide domestic calls
  • the cost of distance calls
  • the availability of emergency calls
  • whether you need a bundle cell phone plan or a single wireless plan
  • whether you can make payments with your credit card
  • the cost of contacting users of other Canadian carriers

Besides these, it is also important to pay attention to your usage patterns and to be able to negotiate and find promotional deals when changing the provider.

Usage Patterns with the Right Plan

When you are looking at a new service plan for your phone, recognizing your usage patterns is important. These patterns may include:

  • the total number of domestic calls you make in a month
  • the total number of international calls you make in a month
  • the total duration of both domestic and international calls
  • the number of text messages you send in a month
  • the total data you use in a month domestically
  • the total data you use in a month internationally (when you travel, so outside of the borders of Canada)
  • how these needs and usage patterns change throughout the year and how they may change in the future

All of these factors, and many more, should be taken into consideration when trying to see how cost-effective a plan would be. Comprehensive coverage is only provided with prepaid plans, but these plans may not be the best for international traffic and there is no automatic payment discount that many use to get a lower price on their phone lines. Additional cell phone lines may also be a big plus with some users, as monthly savings (bundle savings) may add up and larger Canadian phone companies offer these.

Negotiating and Finding Promotional Deals

The same companies, however, do not offer as many promotional deals, as their position in the market is fixed. For this reason, if you are looking for an affordable plan or a promotional plan, you may be better off contacting or checking out the offers of smaller providers. They often work with company-to-company network rentals, but they purchase larger amounts of traffic at a much lower price. In addition to this, as they are still trying to establish their presence on the market, it is easy to see why they can offer such low prices for basic services that you may overpay with other providers.

FAQs

What Company Is the Best Cell Phone Carrier in Ontario?

Bell, Rogers, and Telus are the best cell phone carriers in all of Canada, including Ontario. These are the oldest companies with affordable plans, family bundles, and unlimited data plans. The companies do charge for their service, but having nationwide access to data and mobile signals is worth every penny.

Which is Better Bell or Telus?

Both Bell and Telus are very good providers. When it comes to their coverage, Telus is a bit better when it comes to the western parts of Canada, while Bell is more present in the eastern parts of the country. When it comes to the Internet services and the packages they offer, they are very similar, and even share some antennas in Canada, meaning that the service they provide in these areas is uniform.

Can I Use my Indian Phone in Canada?

Yes, you can use your Indian phone in Canada, but it may not work in all areas and with all carriers. The thing is that every continent has its own standards, and Indian phones are largely made for Asian networks. Canadian networks in large part use different frequencies and bandwidths, so not every Indian phone will work with every Canadian provider.

Is Telus or Rogers Better in Canada?

Telus and Rogers offer very similar services and coverage in Canada, but Rogers may be a bit better. Rogers’s signal reaches 97% of Canadians, and this is what gives them an edge over their competitors. However, both companies are one of the Big Three (Bell, Rogers, and Telus), so you will be well taken care of whichever provider you choose.

Final Considerations

Choosing the best carrier in Canada is not an easy task at all. Considering the coverage, the different providers working in the area you live in, the prices, and what is included in the package you will be paying for takes time. For this reason, we’ve made our guide which should assist in the process of choosing the best plan for you, based on your and your family’s needs and preferences.