By
Kevin Kearney - Deputy Editor
Last updated

Bell offers one of Canada's largest lineups of wireless plans, but that also makes it one of the most confusing carriers to shop and navigate. Between BYOD discounts, device financing, Canada-U.S. plans, international travel options, prepaid service, and family discounts, it's easy to end up paying for features you'll never use.

After testing Bell's network firsthand and comparing its plans against Rogers, Telus, and the major flanker brands, we believe Bell's Select 100GB CA-US offers the strongest value. Below, we'll explain why this Bell plan is actually worth considering, along with some great alternatives for you and your family.

How we picked the best Bell plans

  • Price & value
    We ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing the essentials to keep you connected.
  • High-speed data
    We looked at whether the amount of guaranteed “premium” data was reasonable for the plan price and flagged if you’re being overcharged for data you likely don’t need.
  • Coverage & network reliability
    We evaluated each carrier’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage to predict your service quality (no dropped calls allowed!).
  • Plan extras and perks
    If you get free Netflix or a hefty hotspot, we factored those in relative to the cost of the plan.

You can read more about our detailed methodology below.

Best Overall
BELL Phone Plans

Bell's best plans offer large data allotments, 5G connectivity, and the ability to finance a new smartphone with your new plan. Under Bell's plan structure, you'll gain access to Canada-wide talk and text perks, US Roaming access ($13/day), and a healthy data bucket each month. Bell's postpaid plans are perfect for BYOD or device financing.

Select 100GB CA-US | $70/month

Pros:
  • 100GB of 5G data
  • Canada-wide talk and text
Cons:
  • Bell throttles your data speeds after you hit your 100GB limit
For most Canadians, Bell's Select 100GB plan strikes the best balance between price and premium features. At $70/month, it provides access to the carrier's 5G+ network, which consistently delivered some of the fastest speeds I recorded during my testing around Toronto and Southern Ontario. Streaming Netflix in 4K, uploading large video files from coffee shops, hotspotting my laptop, and cloud gaming all worked without issue. Plus, I never came close to exhausting 100GB of premium data. 

The biggest downside is that Bell continues to inflate data buckets to differentiate its plans. Unless you frequently work away from Wi-Fi, travel often, or rely on hotspotting, you're paying for the right amount of data with this plan—and it probably covers more than enough for low-data users. Compared to Bell's more expensive Unlimited plans, the Select 100GB plan delivers nearly the same everyday experience at a much more reasonable monthly price, making it the easiest recommendation for most customers.

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Best BELL
Cheap Plans

Sometimes the best plan is the cheapest plan. That's especially true if you don't need a new phone or a ton of data. Bell offers a cheaper option for Canadians, providing greater affordability with the same Canada-wide talk and text perks.

Select 60GB CA-US | $65/month

Pros:
  • 65GB of 5G data
  • Canada-wide talk and text
Cons:
  • Same throttled data once you hit your limit

If you're looking to keep your monthly bill in check without sacrificing network quality, Bell's Select 60GB plan is arguably the smarter buy. The 60GB of 5G+ data is enough for streaming music during commutes, watching YouTube, uploading photos and videos, navigating with Google Maps, and working away from Wi-Fi regularly.

Where this plan falls short isn't performance—it's value relative to Bell's own competitors. Virgin Plus, Public Mobile, and Koodo frequently offer similar data allowances for less money by trimming premium perks or limiting maximum speeds. If having Bell's stronger customer support, wider retail presence, and premium 5G+ network matters to you, the Select 60GB plan makes a great pick for starting a plan with Bell. However, if you want the lowest possible monthly bill, one of Bell's flanker brands will often stretch your dollar further.

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Best BELL
Family Plan

Unlimited Share Family Plan Canada-US |  $230/month

Pros:
  • Reduced rates for additional lines
  • Reliable coverage
  • No contract
Cons:
  • Throttled data speeds after you reach the limit

If you've got a household full of phones, there's no sense in paying for individual plans. Bell's shareable plans work by providing a large data chunk that a group of four can use. Bell's Unlimited Share Family Plan even lets you bring your own phones and activate them on Bell's reliable network. Considering this is a plan for families, you might also be interested in a perk the whole family can enjoy: 24 months of Crave, plus up to $1,000 in trade-in credit when trading in a compatible phone.

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Methodology: How WhistleOut rates cell phone plans

WhistleOut evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:

  • Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
  • High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
  • Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
  • Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.

Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best Bell plans, analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. We also performed hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback.

Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to dive deeper into evaluating a cell phone carrier or plan to find the one that best meets your specific needs.

Best Bell phone plans: FAQ


What is the cheapest Bell phone plan?

Bell's cheapest postpaid phone plan is the Select 60GB. If you're looking for the lowest monthly price, prepaid plans are usually more affordable than Bell's postpaid 5G plans. Though you won't have device financing options with a prepaid choice.

Does Bell offer a discount for seniors?

No, Bell doesn't offer a dedicated senior discount on its mobile plans. However, seniors can still save by choosing a lower-cost BYOD or prepaid plan, bundling Bell services, or taking advantage of limited-time promotions.

Can I bring my own phone to a Bell plan?

Yes. Bell offers a range of BYOD (bring your own device) plans that let you keep your current phone while avoiding device financing costs. As long as your phone is unlocked and compatible with Bell's network, you can activate it on a BYOD plan.

Is Bell or Rogers cheaper for cell phone plans?

Which carrier is cheaper depends on the promotion. Bell and Rogers frequently match each other's pricing, but one carrier may temporarily offer lower prices, more data, or extra perks. It's worth comparing current offers before signing up.

How do I switch to a Bell phone plan?

Choose a Bell plan online or in-store, then activate it with a physical SIM or eSIM. If you want to keep your current phone number, request a number transfer during activation and don't cancel your existing service until the transfer is complete.

Kevin Kearney

Deputy Editor

Kevin  Kearney
Kevin is an experienced journalist and writer whose musings on tech, education, and culture have appeared in Stereogum, InsideHook, The Millions, and elsewhere. As a Deputy Editor for WhistleOut, he offers unique expertise on the inner workings of the mobile industry and has a particular passion for emerging efficiencies within smartphone apps.

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