Carrier	Parent Network	Network	Best For	Shop plan
Fido	5 Rogers	3.54G LTE	1 Budget data and plan inclusions	View Plan
Koodo	4.5Telus	2 5G	2.5 Flexible perks and network	View Plan
Virgin Plus	4 Bell	2.5 4G LTE	4 Member perks and consistent coverage	View Plan

Plans and pricing

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From a top-level perspective, Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Plus all offer similar plans and structures. This is by design. Owned by parent companies Rogers, Telus, and Bell, the three flanker brands are available as cost-efficient alternatives to the Big Three, running off their respective Canada-wide networks. Each provides varying data pools and Canada-wide talk and text coverage. The plans from the flanker brands should speak to Canadians who want to save a bit on their monthly costs or don't need all of the bells and whistles from the Big Three.

Fido, for instance, has plans as low as $39 per month, offering 10GB of data. Koodo and Virgin Plus are all in the same ballpark, offering plans at around the same $35 to $39 monthly cost, with data pools starting at 10GB. Though all three flanker brands support options for those who need more data. This, of course, will cost more each month. Thankfully, even these don't traditionally exceed the costs of the Big Three.

Fido plans and pricing

Fido is known for competitive pricing and frequent promotional deals, especially for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) customers. Typical plans range from 10GB to 60GB of 4G LTE data with unlimited Canada-wide talk and text.

In my experience, Fido’s introductory pricing is often excellent, but the carrier doesn't include packed-in hotspot access. So, those who require a hotspot for their laptop or tablet have to consider the additional $5-per-month cost. Fido also includes an $80 activation fee, annoyingly.

Pros:

• Strong promo pricing
• Simple plan structure
• Good urban performance

Cons:

• Limited perks
• No full 5G access
• Rural coverage is weaker

We’ve also assembled a list of the best Fido cell phone plans on the market, which tracks the best options the Rogers flanker has to offer.

Koodo plans and pricing

Koodo sits in the middle ground between budget and premium. It's the only flanker of the three that offers 5G network access. Plans typically include 10GB to 100GB of data. The standout feature is Pick Your Perks, letting you customize your plan with extras like rollover data or international minutes.

During testing, Koodo’s pricing felt reasonable, thanks to how generous the plan inclusions feel. With strong data coverage, reliable call quality and the ability to tailor my plan with a free perk to suit my needs, I felt as though the slightly higher cost was justified.

Pros:

• Flexible perks
• Telus network reliability
• Transparent pricing

Cons:

• Perks locked behind mid-tier plans
• Online-first support model

Want to see what else Koodo has to offer? You can find everything you need in our guide to the best Koodo cell phone plans.

Virgin Plus plans and pricing

Virgin Plus offers plans similar to Bell but at a discount, including standout options like the 60GB Talk & Text plan. Prices are competitive with Koodo, and Virgin Plus differentiates itself with Member Benefits, offering discounts on retail, entertainment, and travel.

Compare network coverage and reliability across Canada

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Before choosing a carrier, it's important to understand the coverage of each flanker brand.  Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Plus all operate on separate networks, owned and operated by the Big Three. They do, however, share some similar characteristics.

Fido coverage

Fido uses Rogers’ network, which is strong in major cities but less consistent in rural areas. The carrier supports 28% of the country’s landmass but reaches 97% of Canadians. In downtown Toronto, I consistently saw fast LTE speeds and stable connectivity, but coverage dropped more often in cottage country and smaller towns.

You can learn more about Fido’s coverage area in our complete guide to the Fido coverage map.

Koodo coverage

Koodo runs on Telus’ network, which shares infrastructure with Bell. It covers 37% of Canada’s geography and reaches over 99% of Canadian residents with 4G LTE access. Koodo also has access to Telus’ nationwide 5G network, which covers 70% of Canadians. Coverage is excellent nationwide, including rural regions. During trips across Southern Ontario, Koodo maintained signal where Fido dropped to 3G or lost connectivity.

Learn more about Koodo’s coverage area in our detailed analysis of the Koodo coverage map.

Virgin Plus coverage

Virgin Plus runs on Bell’s network, which is virtually identical to Telus in coverage. The 4G LTE service reaches over 99% of Canadians. It covers all major metros like Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton, plus smaller communities nationwide. In 2024, Bell pulled the plug on Virgin Plus' 5G support, meaning the carrier no longer offers 5G access to Canadians.

In real-world testing, Virgin Plus delivered consistent speeds and fewer dead zones than Fido. Outside of metro cities, Virgin Plus maintains a strong connection with stable signal bars. It's enough to support social media and email access.

You can learn more in our guide to the Virgin Plus coverage map.

Customer service

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We've all interacted with customer service, and it's rarely ever a pleasure to do so. Tangible and timely results when reaching out to customer service is essential. Each of the three flanker brands offer over-the-phone customer service as well as live chat and online support tools. 

During my hands-on experience with Fido, Koodo, and Telus, I found that Fido offered the best customer service experience. Speaking with a Fido Customer Solutions Specialist, I had my questions answered after a brief 10-minute wait time. Anecdotally, Koodo and Virgin Plus had me on hold with longer wait times and varying levels of assistance from a customer service rep.

Fido customer support

Fido customer service is available at a Fido store, over the phone, via a chat agent on Fido.ca, or by using a self-serve option in Fido’s customer portal, MyAccount. You can get a representative on the phone by calling Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

Koodo customer support

Koodo customer service encourages you to use its virtual options over calling over the phone. Self Serve is designed as a troubleshooting resource. Koodo Assist, the carrier's chatbot, is also available.

Virgin Plus customer support

Virgin Plus customer service is available over the phone, via a chat agent on the carrier's website, or by logging into the My Account customer portal. You can speak to a representative on the phone on weekdays and weeknights.

Exclusive benefits and perks

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In 2026, value is not solely extracted by a carrier's plan. To make the most out of your dollar and monthly costs, it's crucial that we look at the perks and additional benefits that come along with your plan. Whether its roaming benefits, data overage protection or perks that extend beyond what you expect from your plan, let's outline what Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Plus offer.

Fido perks

In 2026, Fido's plan benefits are sorely lacking. Beyond a data pool, Canada-wide talk and text inclusion, there aren't too many standardized features in Fido's plans. When looking beyond those inclusions, Fido only offers 3% cash back value with a Rogers Red credit card, which is far from anything worth getting excited over as an everyday customer.

Fido used to support its XTRA loyalty program. Though this program was sunset back in 2023.

Koodo perks

Koodo stands out as the carrier with the best perk inclusions. With each of its core plans, the carrier offers 1 additional free perk. These include Premium Voicemail, rollover data, unlimited long distance, 5G speed boosts, and 3-day Easy Roam access. While they aren't necessarily groundbreaking, this offers flexibility and the chance to tailor your plan to your needs.

Beyond this, Koodo does not support any bundles regarding streaming services, loyalty programs, etc. There aren't any device protection add-ons that stand out, and no ecosystem-style benefits like you’ll find with Telus or Rogers.

Virgin Plus perks

Virgin Plus offers access to Member Benefits via all core plans. Member Benefits support savings and discounts on everyday purchases. The perks range from everyday savings on food and retail to entertainment discounts and travel offers. With Member Benefits, you can save on purchases like Hello Fresh, Budget car rentals, and location deals like the Royal Ontario Museum.

While providing Member Benefits access, Virgin Plus doesn't leverage any plan perks that impact your phone plan. You'll get 4G LTE support, Canada-wide talk and text, hotspot, call display, etc., but nothing outstanding beyond this.

Which carrier offers the best cell phone deals?

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If you're in the market for a new phone and plan to sign up with a carrier exclusively to get a new iPhone or Android, you'll want to know what's out there. The next carrier you choose should not only be affordable but also provide options for your next phone. Here’s what you can expect from Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Plus.

Fido Payment Program

Fido offers $0 down phones with monthly financing. Depending on the device you have on your wishlist, you might find some decent pricing options through Fido. Through a two-year term, Fido offers 0% APR, so you won't be charged interest throughout your financing plan.

Keep in mind, however, Fido should have its best deals during sales events like Black Friday and Boxing Day.

Koodo Tab and Tab Plus

The Telus-owned carrier offers Happy Tab and Happy Tab Plus two-year terms. On a Happy Tab or Happy Tab Plus plan, you'll pay a portion of the device each month on top of your monthly bill. 

The difference between Happy Tab and Happy Tab Plus ultimately lies in the devices available. Happy Tab is designed for mid-range devices, while Happy Tab Plus is available for high-end and new phones.

We track the best Koodo phone deals every week, with an eye out for the plans that don’t require large upfront payments.

Virgin Plus support

Virgin Plus supports its own financing option under the guise of Sweet Pay. Virgin Plus’s Sweet Pay lets you spread the cost of a new phone over time with 0% interest, often with $0 down phone deals and bundled with your plan.

Much like the other carriers, Virgin Plus offers 0% interest financing and early upgrade options. It’s competitive with Bell’s premium financing system.

 Check out our guide to the best Virgin Plus cell phone deals to find the best in savings. 

Fido vs. Koodo vs. Virgin Plus: Who's the best?

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Although Fido, Koodo and Virgin Plus all support reliable Canada-wide coverage, there is one clear winner amongst the trio. After thoroughly testing each carrier myself, I put Koodo as the best choice. 

Koodo offers stellar 5G connectivity and ample data all for an affordable cost. The carrier avoids unnecessary extras or egregious add-ons and instead provides premium 5G speeds and top-tier bundled-in perks to get the most out of your monthly bill. 

Fido and Virgin Plus pale by comparison, feeling slightly archaic without 5G options. Being locked to 4G LTE is a pain point that can't be ignored in 2026. Comparable prices, similar customer service experiences, cash back rewards and Member benefits simply can't replace a premium experience and speeds once you're on the network.