Koodo vs Telus
Koodo and Telus, two highly popular mobile service providers in Canada, are closely linked as Telus owns Koodo. In 2007, Telus launched Koodo, which primarily targets a younger audience with à la carte plans at more affordable prices. Telus focuses more on long-term contracts for adults and families. Although their businesses are affiliated with each other, Koodo and Telus are distinctly different. Let’s look at the main differences between Koodo and Telus to help you make an informed decision.
Coverage
Koodo and Telus guarantee identical coverage to their users, stating that their network covers 99% of the Canadian population, including remote and rural areas. They also offer 5G access in many regions across the country. Whether you choose Koodo or Telus, you will benefit from this same extensive coverage. For more details on their coverage and to compare with other Canadian providers, check out our national coverage map.
History
Telus, the youngest of the three major providers in Canada, was founded in 1990 following the privatization of the state-owned Alberta Government Telephones (AGT). Telus expanded its reach by acquiring Edmonton’s primary telephone service provider, EdTel, in 1995, becoming the sole provider in the region. In 1996, Telus further solidified its position by rebranding AGT and EdTel under its own consumer brand. Moving its headquarters to Vancouver in 1999 helped boost its popularity.
Recently, Telus has made massive investments to expand fiber optic internet connectivity and 5G access in British Columbia and nationwide. While Telus’s history may not be as long or detailed as that of Bell or Rogers, Telus Canada has established itself as a committed provider since its inception and continues to do so.
After Bell and Rogers launched their own secondary brands with Virgin Plus and Fido, Telus decided to follow suit. In 2007, Telus partnered with the American provider Amp’d Mobile, which targeted university and college students with affordable plans, but their partnership was short-lived. In response to the growing popularity of Virgin Plus and Fido, Telus felt the need to launch a true secondary brand to attract a younger clientele. Thus, Koodo was created in 2008. Although Koodo entered the secondary brand competition later, it managed to establish itself by appealing to young customers, a market that Telus did not target as much, preferring to focus on adults and families. If you want to learn more about Koodo Mobile, check out our dedicated page.
Mobile Plans
While Koodo and Telus may have identical offerings, they serve completely distinct audiences. Koodo concentrates on low-cost plans for students and young people, whereas Telus offers more extensive and premium options for adults and families. As a result, the decision between the two will be mostly influenced by your demands and the features you need in a plan.
As you’ve noticed, Koodo generally offers smaller data plans at more affordable prices, while Telus provides shareable data plans for the whole family. However, this is just an overview of each company’s offerings. If you want to explore what else each brand has to offer, feel free to check out our dedicated pages for the best Koodo and Telus phone plans currently available from both providers.
Cell Phone Plans
Cell Phone Plans
Looking for a new cell phone? Koodo and Telus both offer exceptional deals on new devices. Whether you choose to finance your phone or pay for it directly, these two providers provide you a lot of flexibility when purchasing a new cell phone. Although there are some differences in the cell phones offered by Koodo and Telus, here are some of the latest models.
- Iphone 15
- iPhone 14, Mini, Pro, et Pro Max
- iPhone 13, Pro, et Pro Max
- iPhone 12, Pro, et Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S23+ et Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S22+ et Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
- Google Pixel 8
Both providers offer the sale of some of the latest devices from top global manufacturers. Additionally, both offer certified pre-owned phones at very affordable prices. The main difference in their phone range is that Koodo offers older models of cell phones. Each new version results in a price drop for these devices. On the other hand, large companies like Telus only offer the latest versions of flagship phones from major brands.
Reviews
Customers have expressed satisfaction with Koodo Mobile. It manages to leverage Telus’s advanced coverage while offering more affordable rates that young consumers appreciate. The main concern expressed by customers is regarding customer service. Despite its charm and affordability, it does not stand out for its effectiveness compared to a renowned provider like Telus. If you would like to see more reviews about Koodo, check out our dedicated Koodo reviews page.
The reviews for Telus are mainly positive, especially regarding their mobile services. According to customer reviews, Telus offers some of the most competitive rates. Additionally, customers seem extremely pleased with their shareable data plans and 5G speeds. The main complaint about Telus is regarding its customer service. Being a large company, customers may experience long wait times to speak with a representative, which is not often the case with smaller businesses. To learn more about customer impressions, please refer to our dedicated Telus feedback page.
Pros and Cons
Still torn between Koodo and Telus? In this section, we’ll introduce a few major pros and cons with each provider. We hope this helps your Koodo vs Telus decision:
Koodo Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage reaches 99% of Canadians | Doesn’t offer data plans as huge as Telus → no unlimited shareable plans |
| “Shock Free” data ensures you will never pay an overage fee | Customer service isn’t as efficient as Telus |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Plans don’t include long distance calling → needs to be purchased as an add-on |
Telus Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage reaches 99% of Canadians | No “Shock Free” data to prevent overage fees |
| Offers larger data plans that can be shared among your family | Customer service wait times could be long |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Cancellation fee of $50 plus your remaining bill |
FAQ
In our final section, we’ll address some frequently asked questions about Koodo vs. Telus. If you still have any unanswered questions about these two brands, we’ll do our best to address them in the following section.
Are Koodo’s mobile plans cheaper than Telus’?
For the most part, yes. Koodo mostly offers cheaper plans that include less data. Koodo plans that provide the same amount of data as a Telus plan are offered at the same price.
Do plans from Koodo or Telus require a contract?
Some Telus plans require contracts, but all Koodo plans are pay as you go.
Do Koodo and Telus have the same coverage?
Yes, they both use the same cell phone towers nationwide.
What are the cheapest plans from Koodo and Telus?
The cheapest plan from both Koodo and Telus costs just $15/month for 250MB of data, 100 nationwide minutes and unlimited texting.
Can I purchase a phone from Koodo or Telus online?
Yes. Both providers sell mobile phones and plans entirely online, as well as in person at their stores and kiosks.
Conclusion
No matter where you stand in the Koodo vs. Telus debate, both providers offer a range of appealing plans at various price points. Understanding the differences between the two will help you determine which best fits your needs. However, choosing the right provider is just the first step in finding your ideal plan. Luckily, PlanHub is here to streamline this process for you.
After clicking this little green button, you’ll be redirected to our mobile plan searching tool. Here, you’ll be able to find your next phone plan in a few small steps. First, you’ll need to answer some simple questions about your preferences. Then, our website will immediately pull up a list of the best, most affordable mobile plans that match your taste. Finally, all you need to do is choose one from the list that stands out to you. All that’s left to do is sign up and start enjoying your new mobile plan!