Compare Cell Phone Plans in Canada with PlanHub

How do you define your calling time needs?

In 2023, the market offers 3 main call time options; 0 minutes, 100 minutes or unlimited, a majority prefer to have peace of mind and opt for the unlimited call time option, but is it the most economical option? To avoid overpaying, review your recent bills via your current provider's app or customer portal to take stock of your call usage over the past few months.

Is 0 minutes of calling time really a viable option in 2023?

VOIP apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, allow you to call without using a phone plan. Regarding emergency calls like 911, these are always available even if there are no minutes of call time. It is therefore possible to choose a 0 minute plan without putting your safety at risk if you are a person who rarely uses his phone for regular calls.

The latest smartphones have the ability to direct calls to Wi-Fi. You could use this feature if you have access to a Wi-Fi connection. However, your provider will need to have this feature enabled.

Is 100 minutes per month of calling time enough?

The 100 minutes plans are ideal for someone who wants to talk mostly via VOIP or Wi-Fi calls, but who would like to ensure a safety cushion for impromptu calls.

Unlimited calls, is it the best option?

If peace of mind is priceless to you, the answer is "yes". If your concern is not to save money on your cell phone plan, but to have the peace of mind that you will be able to talk for as long as your smartphone battery will allow, unlimited calling time plans are for you!

How to evaluate your texting needs?

The vast majority of plans include unlimited messaging for text messages in Canada. It is therefore advisable to assume that unlimited texting is what you need unless there is a specific condition in your situation that favours a limited number of texts. If that's your condition, look into pre-paid plans. Among others, Virgin Plus offers packages of 500 text messages per month.

How to choose your calling options?

Several options that used to be paid for are now included in subscriptions and prepaid offers such as voicemail, caller ID, and unlimited texting.

Other options such as three-way calling, however, require you to check with your operator to see if they are offered or what their limit is. For example, some operators may charge you for a three-way call if you exceed a specific number of hours per month. The same thing for call forwarding, it is included, but only to Canada. If you plan to have your calls forwarded to a phone abroad, the option becomes payable.

If you're looking for a package for everyday use, consider only the basic options such as voicemail, call display and unlimited texting so as not to increase your bill unnecessarily.

How to determine your data needs (GB)?

Both iOS and Android smartphones log incoming and outgoing data volumes. Look in your device's settings to see the amount of data consumed (GB). The settings and path can differ and vary greatly from one cell phone to another so the easiest way is to search for "how to view your mobile data usage [Brand and Models of your device]?"

Another way is to look at your bill or the usage section on your online account. Choose three recent plans, 1 busy month, 1 average month and 1 below average month, and add them up and divide the result by 3 to get an average.

If this is your first cell phone plan and you have no idea how much data you're going to use, choose a basic plan which usually includes between 2 and 6 GB of data. Then go to your phone's data settings and enter a cellular data limit that is 50% of the data included in your plan, or 3 GB for a 6 GB plan. You will receive an alert when you approach this limit. If this happens during the first two weeks and you feel that your consumption has been normal, you will probably need to increase your data volume.

Contact your carrier to choose a higher data plan.

How to determine which provider has good network coverage in your area?

You can consult the PlanHub cellular network coverage map. It shows you the coverage of each operator by region so you can see which provider has good network coverage for your area. Just enter an address and the map will show you which providers have cell towers located nearby, so you'll have a better idea of which providers have good coverage in your geographical area.

How do you determine an appropriate budget for a cell phone plan?

As part of sound budget management, PlanHub estimates that a maximum of 1.25% of your gross income should be spent on a cell phone plan. For an annual income of $50,000 gross, the amount allocated to your monthly subscription would be $52.50. This estimate was obtained by following the many budgeting trends of 2023. Please consult a professional in the field to validate that it applies to your situation.

What do you need to understand about a cell phone plan to make the right choice?

When you compare the plans of different operators on PlanHub, here is how to understand what is proposed.

The amount to the right of "Upfront" indicates what you will have to pay when you sign up for your plan. This usually includes the activation fee and the cost of a new device, if applicable.

The "Monthly" amount indicates what the plan costs each month.

The "Total 2 years" is the sum of everything you will have paid at the end of the 24-month plan, before taxes.

Read the additional notes carefully, they specify additional discounts, temporary promotions, cashback and other rewards specific to the selected plan.

Do I have to pay for texting and calling outside of my province?

Some plans offer unlimited calling only to your home province, so make sure your plan includes Canada.

I need to call the U.S. often, are there any plans?

There are "unlimited calls and text messages" plans that include Canada and the United States. The PlanHub results page allows you to include this option in the search filter to find these plans. Otherwise, operators will charge you for incoming and outgoing text messages and outgoing calls to the US.

Do you need to call overseas countries?

If you usually use a calling card to call abroad, you may need to contact your family at any time. Many operators offer preferential rates on hours of calls to countries overseas.

How to choose the right cell phone plan?

Once you have determined your needs, which operators cover your geographical area, your budget and you know how to properly understand the proposed plans, you will be in a position to make an informed choice.

Depending on your financial situation, you may either choose a budget-friendly option or one that gives you peace of mind. Make sure the plan you choose properly meets your needs and your ability to pay.

Is direct debit a good way to save money?

More and more operators are charging an extra $5 if you choose to pay via the Internet or through your bank. By choosing direct debit, you will avoid this extra $5 per month.

Save on your cell phone plan with a credit card

An indirect method to save money on your cell phone plan is to use a credit card that gives you cash back or points on your purchases. Choose your card accordingly, they don't all have the same types of advantages for the payment of telecommunication bills.

How to monitor your cellular data usage to save money?

Once you have purchased your mobile plan, your habits may change. If you have carefully assessed your cellular data usage to avoid overpaying, your Wi-Fi access may change over time. A new job and new habits may give you better daily access to Wi-Fi. If this is the case, you could save a lot of money by changing your plan to one with less data.

Negotiate to get the best price for your cell phone plan

If you plan to stay with your current operator, you should know that they will apply the usual rate to your plan. However, it is possible to negotiate a new discount. Negotiate with a customer service representative and tell them that you are a good customer and that you are willing to stay with them if they make an effort. By committing to two years, you can get a discount that can amount to tens of dollars a month.

How can you take advantage of the holidays to save on your cell phone plan?

The end of the year is a good time to get large amounts of data or special offers. However, the various buyouts between operators and inflation led to cuts on subscriptions around the great moments of celebrations such as "Boxing day".

Bundle your services to save money?

If you have an internet or TV subscription with your operator, they should offer you a discounted rate for your subscriptions. Bundling your subscriptions could save you several tens of dollars per month.

Are family packages economical?

Do you have several family members at the same address? Many operators allow you to add additional subscriptions for your family members at a preferential rate. If you have also subscribed to a TV and internet package with the same operator, you could save a considerable amount of money each month.

Refer a new client to benefit?

Some operators offer you a discount if you refer a new client to their services. Of course, if you refer more than one person, that's a lot of dollars per person that will be deducted from your plan, so don't hesitate to ask your operator about it.

Use promotional codes

Some providers assign promotional codes to their customers. If you use another user's promotional code you will get a discount on your plan and the user who owns the code will also receive some form of compensation. This is a great strategy to save money on your plan and also to generate some cash. If you would like to leave a review on a provider you have been a customer of, go to our review page. You will also be able to post your promotional code if you have one.

How to avoid being overcharged on your cell phone plan?

It is sometimes tempting to listen to videos when you are out of range of Wi-Fi like in public transportation, but these data accumulate quickly and can make you exceed your plan. Consider downloading your music and videos via Wi-Fi so you can listen to them offline.

Set data barriers for yourself

You can create alerts or set a data threshold in your phone's options.

How to avoid roaming charges?

You are not automatically protected by roaming charges. If you receive a text message from the United States or elsewhere in the world, you could be charged an average of $0.30. Your outgoing messages to a foreign country are also billed by your operator. Therefore, plan a package accordingly if you plan to communicate with people outside of Canada.

The same applies to calls and data that you use abroad. If you are travelling in a geographical area not covered by your plan, contact your provider to find out about your roaming connectivity options, which vary greatly from one provider to another. You could end up with a hefty bill if you don't plan ahead.

How to avoid late payment fees?

Late payment fees are particularly high since the law allows for 50% interest. Some operators may also charge you 50% of the total amount due, which can amount to hundreds of dollars a month. Be aware that if you fail to pay for more than three months, you will enter a never-ending cycle where the interest will only increase to several times the amount due. To avoid this situation, make sure you choose a package that fits your budget and use an automatic payment method.

Step 2: Determine your budget

PlanHub estimates that a maximum of 1% of your gross annual income should be spent on a cell phone device. For a person with a gross annual income of $50,000, $500 per year should be spent on a cell phone, i.e. a $1,500 phone that will be used for 3 years or a $1,000 phone that will be changed after 2 years of use. Note that for practical purposes, this calculation does not take into account the resale price of a used device, which can greatly alter the data.

This estimate was obtained by following the many budgeting guides of 2023. Please consult a professional in the field to validate if this budget applies to your financial situation. Budget-wise, PlanHub also strongly advises you to evaluate the possibility of a used phone. Generally, used cell phones can have an excellent cost-to-value ratio. That being said, be aware of counterfeit devices and possible scams on public marketplaces like Facebook or Kijiji.

Step 3: Choose the right device for you