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 best deals in Canada.
Right now, the best cell phone plan in Canada is Public Mobile's Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 80GB plan, which is one of the cheapest ways to score 5G data on the nationwide Telus network. For just $45/month, you'll have access to one of the country's largest 5G networks.
Our runner-up selection is Koodo Mobile's $29 Prepaid Plan, which offers a generous 30GB of data for just $29/month.
If you're looking for a plan for your whole household, we recommend Rogers' Essentials Family Plan Canada+US, which offers 100GB of 5G data per line for $245/month for four lines.
Read on to find the best and cheapest cell phone plans in Canada.
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-US Talk + Text + 80GB | 80GB | View plan |
 |
$29 Prepaid Plan | 30GB | View plan |
 |
Essentials Family Plan Canada+US | 400GB | View plan |
Best Cell
Phone Plans
Public Mobile | Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 80GB | $45/month
- Pros: 80GB of 5G data, Canada-US-Mexico talk, text, and data, access to the nationwide Telus network
- Cons: No smartphone options, limited customer service
We keep a close eye on Public Mobile's plans, and this is among the best plans in Canada, period. You'll grab 80GB of 5G data on the nationwide Telus network, plus unlimited talk and text and the ability to use your plan in the U.S. and Mexico. You'll also get 2,000 international calling minutes.
With that being said, there are some potential downsides. Public Mobile 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.) Despite that, we think this is an excellent plan for self-sufficient types looking for 5G coverage for a seriously low price.
View plan
Koodo Mobile | $29 Prepaid Plan | $29/month
- Pros: Cheap coverage on the nationwide Telus network, 30GB of data, unlimited Canada-wide calling
- Cons: Limited phone selection, no U.S. coverage
Finding a reliable plan this cheap is difficult, 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 Koodo plan, which offers unlimited Canada-wide calling and 30GB of data for $29/month.
We don't usually highlight prepaid plans on this page because they historically offer such limited selections of phones, but this deal is too sweet not to rank among the best in Canada. You'll need to BYOD, but we tend to think that's the smarter option anyway.
View planBest Family Cell Phone Plan
Rogers | Essentials Family Plan Canada+US | $245/month for four lines
- Pros: High-speed data on one of Canada's most reliable wireless networks, BYOD
- Cons: Expensive phone financing
This plan offers a generous 100GB per line of 5G data on one of Canada's most reliable wireless networks, plus talk, text, and data in the U.S. and Mexico for your first 12 months. There are discounts for adding additional family members to make things even better, allowing you to save up to $15/month per line.
While several family plans are available from the Big Three, we think this is one of the best options, despite the hefty monthly payment. The data is shareable across all lines and slows to a maximum of 512 Kbps once it surpasses each line's data limit, 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 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 Canada's best cell phone plans. 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 most people's needs.
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.
Kevin Kearney
Deputy Editor
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