Bell Mobility is Canada's largest and oldest telecommunications company, offering wireless, internet, cable TV, and more. Bell—in partnership with Telus—built Canada's largest high-speed wireless 4G LTE network and offers nationwide 5G coverage for most Canadians.
The best overall cell phone plan from Bell is the Essential 100GB plan, which offers 100GB of full-speed data for $90/month. For students, we recommend the Promo 75 plan, which offers 75GB of full-speed 5G LTE data for $60/month. If you're looking for a family plan, Bell's Unlimited Share Family Plan Canada-US gives you 400GB shareable across four lines for $300/month.
Even though Bell is primarily known for its postpaid plans, the carrier is currently offering a great deal with their $30 Prepaid plan, giving customers unlimited talk and text, along with 5GB of data.
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 Bell phone plans right now
| Plan | Best for | Shop this plan |
|---|---|---|
| Essential 100GB | Overall | $90/month |
| Promo 75 | Students | $60/month |
| Unlimited Family Share Plan Canada-US | Family Plan | $300/month |
| $30 Prepaid Plan | Cheap Plan | $30/month |
Best Overall
BELL Phone Plan
Essential 100GB | $90/month
- Pros: Unlimited shareable data, BYOD, 5G+ access
- Cons: Data slows after 100GB
When you're covered by Bell, you know you're going to get great service. Some Canadians complain that Bell's prices can be prohibitively expensive, which is a criticism we've had in the past, too. But the Essential 100GB plan changes the equation, offering a more affordable rate with the high-quality coverage you've come to expect from Bell.
Bell is currently offering new activations for just $90/month. For that low price, you get 100GB of full-speed shareable data and nationwide unlimited talk and text. You can use more than the allotted 100GB in a given month, but it'll be slowed down to 512 Kbps. Considering the average Canadian only uses 6GB of data per month, though, we imagine you'd have to try pretty hard to exceed that 100GB cap.
This plan also gives you access to Bell's expanding 5G and 5G+ network. If you happen to live outside of that coverage area, no need to worry: Bell's 4G LTE reaches 99% of Canadians, so you'll likely still receive Bell's super fast service.
Looking to trade in your old phone? Eligible phones can earn you up to a $800 trade-in credit.
View planIf you're a resident of Manitoba or Saskatchewan, the Essential 120GB is available for $75/month. If you're in Quebec, check out the Ultimate 100GB, which costs just $55/month.
Best BELL
Student Plan
Promo 75 | $60/month
- Pros: Cheap 5G data, financing available
- Cons: Limited to new activations and phone upgrades, cheaper plans through flanker brands
Bell does offer exclusive student cell phone plans, though they only roll those out around the start of the school year. That doesn't mean there aren't other affordable Bell options ideal for students. We recommend Bell's limited-time Promo 75, which offers 75GB of full-speed 5G data and unlimited talk and text in Canada and the U.S. for $60/month.
You can bring your phone and activate it or purchase a new one through Bell SmartPay, which allows you to purchase a phone for $0 with no interest over 24 months. At the end of those 24 months, you can return your phone, upgrade it, or keep it. You should be aware, though, that if you end the contract before 24 months you will be left paying the remainder of the bill. Not sure if financing is right for you? Check out our guide on the different payment options available for Canadians.
Best BELL
Family Plan
Unlimited Share Family Plan Canada-US | $300/month
- Pros: Reduced rates for additional lines, reliable coverage, no contract
- Cons: Data slows after 400GB
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 can be used by the group. Bell's Unlimited Share Family Plan is an especially good option, allowing you to bring your own phones and activate them on Bell's reliable network. If you're in Quebec, Manitoba, or Saskatchewan, this plan is significantly cheaper, at just $120/month, though you'll only pick up 80GB of shareable data.
Considering this is a plan for families, you might also be interested in a perk the whole family can enjoy: this plan also offers 24 months of Crave + Movies + HBO if you activate or upgrade to a new phone through Bell's SmartPay financing program.
Best BELL
Bring-Your-Own-
Phone Plan
$30 Prepaid Voice and Data Plan | $30/month
- Pros: Bring your own phone
- Cons: Limited-time offer
Although Bell is a premium carrier, they still offer some BYOD, prepaid monthly plans if you're looking to access their large network on the cheap. The best cheap plan currently available through Bell is their $30 prepaid plan, which offers unlimited nationwide minutes, unlimited international texting, and 5GB for $30. Signing up for auto-pay will earn you an additional 5GB. While Bell is certainly hoping your enrollment in auto top-up will keep you on the plan, you're still not locked into a contract. If you want to cancel your Bell prepaid plan, just make sure you cancel your plan before the end of the month.
If you're an American student studying in Canada, beware that the long-distance (from Canada to US) Minute Rate is high, at $0.50 per minute. There is a workaround, however: Bell's long-distance add-on, which offers unlimited calling to the US, is available for an extra $20/month.
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.
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