Rogers has one of the best student phone plans available in Canada, with 100GB of data and unlimited calling and texting for $50 per month. For tighter budgets, Lucky Mobile's $19 per month prepaid plan includes 500 MB of data, 100 Canada-wide minutes, and unlimited international texting.
Many providers offer starter phone plans tailored to students at a reasonable price, depending on your needs regarding data packages, speed, calling, and text messaging use.
Key Takeaways
- Rogers offers the best all-inclusive mobile phone plan for students: it's $50 per month for 100 GB of data and unlimited calling and texting in Canada.
- Public Mobile's $20 plan includes 2 GB of data plus unlimited Canada-wide calling and unlimited international calling, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious students.
- chatr Mobile has the best prepaid plan for students at just $2 per day for unlimited data, texting, and calling within Canada.
Comparing the best student phone plans in Canada
There are a lot of phone plan options available in Canada, from a very long list of providers.
To help, we've created this table that lists the best plans with the best features for students with various needs.
| Best for… | Cell service provider | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students who need mountains of data | Rogers | $50 per month | * 100 GB data * Unlimited Canada-wide texts * Unlimited Canada-wide calling |
| Students who favour talk and text | Telus | $25 per month | * Pay-per-use data * Unlimited Canada-wide texts * Unlimited Canada-wide calling |
| Students who travel back and forth to the U.S. | Videotron | $50 per month | * 45 GB data for use in Canada and the U.S. * 100 GB bonus data per year * Unlimited Canada and U.S. texts * Unlimited Canada and U.S. calling |
| Students who just want the basics | Public Mobile | $20 per month | * 1 GB data * Unlimited worldwide texts * Unlimited Canada-wide calling |
| Students who want a nice variety of perks | Virgin Plus | $39 per month | * 60 GB data * Unlimited Canada-wide call & text * Unlimited calling to the U.S., Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, and United Kingdom * Unlimited international texting from Canada |
| Students who don't make many phone calls | Lucky Mobile | $19 per month | * 500 MB data * Unlimited worldwide texts * Unlimited Canada-wide calls |
| Students who prefer pay-as-you-go without much data *chatr Mobile no longer offers the pay-as-you-go option, but they have new affordable plans | chatr Mobile | $19 per month | * Unlimited worldwide texts * Unlimited Canada-wide calling |
| Students who prefer pay-as-you-go with plenty of data | 7-11 SpeakOut Wireless | $40 for 30 days | * 5 GB data * Unlimited worldwide texts * Unlimited Canada-wide calling |
1. Rogers' $50 5G Mobile Student Plan
Why we picked it: Rogers is a Canadian powerhouse telecommunications company and one of the few service providers with phone plans tailored specifically for students. There are even international student-specific plans available (this isn't one of them).
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2. Telus' $25 Talk & Text student plan
Why we picked it: Telus is a well-known telecommunications company that offers plenty of products and services for students, like landlines, internet, and even virtual health care. Their Talk & Text plan provides students with a reasonably-priced way to keep in touch.
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3. Videotron's $50 All-Inclusive Canada-US student plan
Why we picked it: Quebec-based mobile service provider Videotron recently bought out Freedom Mobile and extended its coverage to the entire nation. Its wide range of student-specific cell plans includes several international options.
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4. Public Mobile's $20 student plan
Why we picked it: Public Mobile operates on the Telus network, which means cross-Canada coverage and service. Sometimes students really do just use their phones to call home, and this fairly basic plan covers just what's needed at a reasonable price.
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5. The $39 Basic Plan from Virgin Plus
Why we picked it: First launched in the U.K. in 1989, the U.S. in 2006, and Canada in 2021, Virgin Mobile has become a popular and trusted name in the telecommunications industry. This plan offers a little bit of everything for the student who wants to call, text, and surf without paying a fortune.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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$75 GeniusCash + Unlimited transactions for $0 + Ding-free non-affiliated ATM usage.
$25 GeniusCash + $50 bonus for funding a new account, and $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs
$12 GeniusCash + Access trusted news coverage 24/7 + Digital and home subscription options.
$25 GeniusCash + Delicious meal choices with fresh ingredients + Front-door delivery.6. The Lucky Mobile $19 Canada-Wide Plan
Why we picked it: Lucky Mobile is a subsidiary of Bell Mobility and offers prepaid mobile phone plans for Canadians. Its reasonably-priced plans offer all the amenities of a full-service mobile service provider, without any long-term commitment requirements.
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7. chatr Mobile's $19 Basic Plan
Why we picked it: chatr Mobile provides connection, convenience, and affordability without having to make commitments, as there are no term contracts. Owned and operated by Rogers Communications Inc., clients can expect the same level of service as those who pay for more pricey monthly plans.
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8. 7-11 Speakout Wireless' $40 Prepaid Mobile Plan
Why we picked it: 7-11 Speakout Wireless offers reasonably-priced plans for students who want a prepaid plan with all the bells and whistles. It operates on the Rogers wireless network, providing wide coverage and reliable connectivity.
| Pros | Cons |
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Student phone plans in Canada: What to look for
Student phone plans in Canada are incredibly varied, sometimes making it really difficult to choose the best one for your needs.
1. Don’t be pressured into buying a new phone if you don’t need one
Thanks to the CRTC's announcement in 2017 that all cell phones can be unlocked at no charge, you choose to keep an old phone but switch to a new carrier, buy a new one, or even borrow a phone from a friend or family member.
If you do need (or simply want) a new phone, you can choose to finance or pay for it outright. Otherwise, purchasing a refurbished phone costs considerably less and often comes with a similar warranty.
2. How much data is included?
Many students will have WiFi access at home and at school, so they might only need to talk and text with their phone. Then again, if you have a long commute, can't afford WiFi at home, or maybe work part-time somewhere with shoddy internet, you might want to consider a phone plan with more data.
Budget-savvy students should consider using the same provider for home internet and cell service as this usually involves a bundle discount.
3. Can you use it outside of Canada?
Especially for international students, details about international roaming, international calling, and international texting can be very important. Every mobile service provider has different regulations and fees related to roaming outside of Canada, so check these specifics closely before committing.
There are few phone plans specifically targeted for international students (Rogers has a few), otherwise, many service packages still provide for the needs of this group. Many typical plans include international calling and texting.
4. What is the student phone plan price and can you afford it?
Whether you want to buy your minutes ahead of time, without any kind of contract or commitment, or you prefer to pay a predictable monthly bill, there are student phone plans for just about every price point.
Once you've decided what you can spend, consider whether you want to go prepaid or have a regular bill, and then go ahead and look at the appropriate cell phone plans. All the other considerations we've mentioned here will factor into your choice of provider and plan.
Best student phone plan in Canada according to Reddit
Based on discussions from various Reddit threads, students seeking affordable cell phone plans in Canada often consider Public Mobile. For instance, in a thread from r/britishcolumbia, a user highlighted Public Mobile's $34/month plan offering 50GB at 5G speeds, noting it should be more than sufficient for typical usage.
Additionally, in a conversation on r/UBC, another user pointed out that while major carriers like Bell, Telus, and Rogers have higher prices, their subsidiaries—such as Public Mobile under Telus—provide more budget-friendly options, especially for those bringing their own devices. It's important to note that unlimited data plans are not widely available in Canada, making these alternatives particularly appealing to students.
FAQ
What are the best student phone plans in Canada?
The Rogers' $50 5G Mobile Student Plan offers an excellent package with a huge amount of data, calling, and texting included for a reasonable price. For more budget-conscious students, Public Mobile offers the essentials for just $20.
What is the cheapest phone plan for students?
Lucky Mobile has a $19 plan and chatr Mobile has a $2 per day plan, both of which are prepaid options. Otherwise, Public Mobile offers 2G of data, unlimited Canadian calling, and unlimited international texting for $20 per month.
How much per month are cell phone plans for students?
Student phone plans typically range from $19 to nearly $100 a month.
Which mobile network is best in Canada for students?
Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility, and Telus Mobility are Canada's biggest mobile phone service providers and they have the widest spread, most reliable networks. Some surveys show that Telus is the best, with a slight edge over the other two.
What is the best phone plan for international students in Canada?
We didn't come across any plans specifically for international students, but Rogers has plans created specifically for students as well as plans created for newcomers to Canada. Videotron has student-specific plans that include international use too.
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