If you're wondering how to get the best cell phone plan, you've come to the right place. We've been studying the cell phone market for almost two decades and have used that knowledge to find you the very best cell phone plans in Canada.
Right now, the best cell phone plan in Canada is Public Mobile's Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB plan, which provides 5G data on the nationwide Telus network for just $34/month.
Our selection for runner-up is Freedom Mobile's 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan, which offers unlimited talk and text as well as 100GB of 5G data for $50/month after a BYOD discount. We've also found the best family plan is Bell's Family Share Plan, which offers 400GB of shareable 5G data for $300/month.
Read on to find some of the best and cheapest cell phone plans in the country.
How we picked the best cell phone plans in Canada
-
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 cell phone plans in Canada right now
| Carrier | Plan | Data | Shop this plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 50GB | 50GB | $34/month |
|
Unlimited 100GB CA-US | 100GB | $50/month |
|
Unlimited Share Family Plan | 400GB | $300/month |
Best Cell
Phone Plans
Public Mobile | Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB | $34/month
- Pros: 50GB of 5G data, access to the nationwide Telus network
- Cons: No smartphone options, limited customer service
Ever since Public Mobile rolled out their 5G coverage last year, we've kept a close eye on their plans. Out of their many solid plans, we think this is the best and among the best overall plans in Canada. For $34/month, you'll grab 50GB of 5G data on the nationwide Telus network, plus unlimited talk and text. For a limited time, you'll also score a free eSIM when you activate this plan, so long as you're using an eSIM-compatible device.
With that being said, there are some potential downsides. Public isn't currently offering smartphones with this plan, meaning you'll need to BYOD. (Frankly, we don't think that's such a bad thing: most people's wallets would thank them if they used a pre-existing device.) In addition, Public's customer support primarily directs you to their user forum, which is helpful but not in every situation. Despite those potential issues, we think this is an excellent plan for self-sufficient types looking for 5G coverage for a seriously low price.
View plan
Freedom Mobile | 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US | $50/month
- Pros: Wide selection of phones, cheap 5G data
- Cons: Limited coverage map
It's not easy to find a reliable plan this cheap, especially because cell phone plans are inordinately expensive in Canada. But we've got good news: there are still carriers out there offering great deals. That's certainly the case with this Freedom Mobile plan, which offers 100GB of full-speed 5G data, plus unlimited talk and text, for just $50/month if you bring your own phone. If you're shopping for more than one line, Freedom's offering a deal that can rival some of the best family plans in Canada: when you activate a third line on this plan, you'll earn a $10/month credit, bringing it down to just $30/month.
Even though the best price is for those who BYOD, all of Freedom Mobile's plans offer opportunities to pair new phones with their plans. If you are looking for a new phone, we recommend the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 7a, both available for under $20/month.
The one potential downside is that Freedom Mobile's 5G network is rather new and, as such, is still growing. We say "potential downside" because it depends on where you live: Freedom Mobile offers 5G and 4G LTE coverage in most of the country's major metropolitan areas. If you're outside of those areas, though, you might be better off with another carrier.
Best FAMILY
CELL PHONE PLAN
Bell | Unlimited Share Family Plan | $300/month
- Pros: High-speed data on one of Canada's largest wireless networks, BYOD
- Cons: Expensive monthly bill
This plan offers a generous 400GB of shareable 5G data on one of Canada's largest and most reliable networks. To make things even better, there are discounts for adding additional family members. If there's more than one phone in your household, there's no reason to pay separate bills, considering Bill charges $90/month for the first phone and just $70/month for each line after that.
While there are several family plans available from the Big Three, we think this is the best option, despite the hefty monthly payment, considering the amount of data provided. The data is shareable across all lines and slows to a maximum of 512 Kbps once it surpasses 400GB, but that shouldn't be an issue for most families.
view planMethodology: 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 cell phone plans in Canada. We compared the plans from 23 carriers by analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the plans we feel meet the needs of most people.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to evaluate a cell phone carrier or plan and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
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