Jitterbug Cell Phone Plan Review: Affordable and Easy-to-Use Plans for Senior Citizens

No matter how young or old we are, it is important to ensure that you have a working and reliable cell phone plan so you can easily contact loved ones, call your job if needed, and in case of an emergency. Cell phones can help to save people’s lives, and while we can’t be near our loved ones 24/7, it’s crucial for them to have ways of getting ahold of first responders when necessary.

For many senior citizens, having a cell phone plan can really help them out. It can be difficult to find the best cell phone plan for a loved one who is over the age of 55, but Jitterbug plans have been known to be simple and easy-to-use.

Make sure to consider a cell phone plan through Jitterbug for a senior citizen you know by learning the basics!

If you want to switch cell phone carriers, then consider looking into Really to help you with all of your phone services needs! At Really, you can compare phone plans to get more bang for your buck, and you can see what carriers and plans are in your area, sort by price, best value and more, and even click on the plan you wish to learn more about in an instant. 

Jitterbug At a Glance

Jitterbug is an incredible carrier that is great for senior citizens with simple and easy phones to use, and  affordable plans too.

Take a look at some of the basics of Jitterbug to get an idea of what they’re all about!

Best for: Jitterbug is known for offering some of the best and most affordable plans for senior citizens. This brand is through an MVNO called, Lively and they offer simple plans with the choice of two cell phones that are senior-friendly, so they’ll be able to understand how to work them.

Price: The best part about getting a Jitterbug cell phone plan is how affordable they are. Their plans start around $19.99 and you can also add data to any plan for an extra fee. For 1GB it’s $5, 3GB is $10, 5GB is $15, and for unlimited data, it’s around $30.

Plan: Finding the perfect cell phone plan through Jitterbug is as easy as can be. There are a few different plans ranging from set data allotment plans and also unlimited ones. You can choose set data allotments of 1 GB, 3GB, 5GB, or unlimited data depending on how much data a senior citizen you know will use.

Network: The next important thing to get to know is how well your network coverage is for a Jitterbug plan if you’re interested. Someone with a Jitterbug mobile plan gets to enjoy Verizon Wireless’ reliable service and network. They offer incredibly fast 5G speeds, which are some of the best in the country and the call and text quality is superb. 

Can you use your own phone? If you know someone who is a senior citizen and looking to downgrade to a cheaper and more affordable cell phone plan, Jitterbug is a great option. Many people wish to keep the cell phone plan that they currently have, but Jitterbug only allows you to choose from one of their two cell phone options.

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Jitterbug: Pros & Cons

Take a look at some of the most talked about pros and cons of Jitterbug!

👍 What We Liked

• Affordable Plans for Seniors. The best part about Jitterbug is that they provide affordable plans to all seniors who are in need of a cell phone.
• Uses Verizon Wireless’ Network. Jitterbug uses Verizon Wireless’ network coverage, which it is known to have reliable call and text performance and  fast data speeds.
• Nurse Options and Urgent Response. No matter where you are, anyone with a Jitterbug cell phone will have nurse options and an urgent response button to press if they need medical assistance.
• Plenty of Plan Options. Jitterbug offers a standard plan, but you’re able to choose the data plan you want to fully customize your plan and make sure you have what you need.
• Phones Available to Buy in Store. If you go to your local Rite Aid, Walgreens, Best Buy, or look on Amazon, you can easily purchase a Jitterbug cell phone to get started with your plan. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• Limited Cell Phone Selection. One of the main downsides is that there are only two cell phones that you can use through Jitterbug, the Flip2 and the Smart3.
• No Bring Your Own Phone Option. Through Jitterbug, you only have the option to select and purchase a cell phone through them. They have no bring your own phone option.
• Can’t Use Phone on Other Networks. If you are not satisfied with the Verizon Wireless network and you want to switch to AT&T or T-Mobile, it’s crucial to know that this isn’t an option for customers.
• Pay Extra for Data. A standard plan through Jitterbug is $19.99, but adding data is an extra cost to your plan and you can pay as much as $50 per month for a plan with the $30 unlimited data plan added to it. 
• No International Features. While this is a feature that not many seniors would use to begin with, it’s crucial to know that international features are nonexistent on their plans.

Jitterbug Services & Features

Make sure to check out some of the best services and features of a cell phone plan through Jitterbug:

• Affordable plans
• Choice of flip phone or smartphone
• Unlimited talk and text
• Set data allotment or unlimited data plans
• Voice-typing
• Video chat
• No long-term contracts
• No cancellation fees
• Keep your existing phone number
• Urgent Response available
• Lively Link available
• Nurse on-call if needed
• Care advocate if needed
• 100% US-based customer service
• Medical alerts available

Jitterbug Plans & Pricing

Consider some of the following plans and prices of a Jitterbug cell phone plan for a loved one:

• $19.99 for one-line per month plus $5 for 1GB and unlimited talk and text
• $19.99 for one-line per month plus $10 for 3GB and unlimited talk and text
• $19.99 for one-line per month plus $15 for 5GB and unlimited talk and text
• $19.99 for one-line per month plus $30 for unlimited talk, text, and data

Jitterbug Phone Selection 

Since you are unable to bring your own cell phone to a Jitterbug plan, you have two main options for selecting the best cell phone for you. For many senior citizens, a simple flip phone will suffice, but many others wish to try out the smartphone option instead.

Make sure to check out the two Jitterbug cell phone options that are available to senior citizens:

• Jitterbug Flip2
• Jitterbug Smart3

How Well Does Jitterbug Actually Work?

Call & Text Performance

For almost every Jitterbug user, they have loved the call and text performance that they received. Being able to use Verizon Wireless’ network, their service is impeccable and no one has had any issues with phone calls or text messages dropping. In major cities, the service works exceptionally well, and even for people in rural areas as well. 

Data Speeds

Getting data on a Jitterbug cell phone plan is essential, and there are a few different options to choose from. No matter which one you select, you get to take advantage of the super fast Verizon Wireless data speeds when using your cellular service. From download speeds of 5 to 12 MBPS and upload speeds of 2 to 5 MBPS, you will thoroughly enjoy the fast speeds all around. 

Jitterbug vs. Competitors

Take a look at some of Jitterbug’s competition to see just how good they are and why they’re the best carrier around for senior citizens!

Jitterbug vs. Consumer Cellular

One of Jitterbug’s biggest competitors when it comes to senior citizen cell phone plans is Consumer Cellular. Through your AARP membership, you can save money on an exclusive Consumer Cellular cell phone plan and get a ton of features for an affordable price. Through this carrier you’ll experience limited high-speed data and their exclusive plan is only offered to those who need two-lines or more. 

Jitterbug vs. Tello

One of the most popular mobile virtual network operators is Tello, which is another carrier that Jitterbug is constantly up against. Tello offers cheaper prices than Jitterbug, but they have very spotty coverage for people who live in rural areas.

Jitterbug vs. Mint Mobile

The most popular MVNO that is available to everyone is Mint Mobile. While they don’t offer senior citizen plans like Jitterbug, they also don’t offer monthly plans, and instead you have to choose one to last you three months, six months, or for a full year.

Jitterbug Customer Service

If you are having issues with your Jitterbug account, or you wish to know how you can set up your new cell phone plan, the best possible thing to do is to call their customer service number. A customer service representative is always there to help you no matter how big or small your issue may be, and they are known for providing exceptional service.

Since Jitterbug is set up through a mobile virtual network operator called Lively, you will have to call their customer service number to get a hold of them. You can call them at 1 (800) 733-6632 at any time if you need help with anything pertaining to your plan.

What Customers Have to Say About Jitterbug

“I don't understand all these one-star reviews. I've had my Lively! flip phone for almost 10 months now, and I really like it. The service is great! I haven't had to deal with their customer service, so I can't comment on that. I pay my bill via autopay which is easier and more reliable than having to send a check every month. Overall, so far, VERY satisfied!” - Linda A. (via Trustpilot 1.7 / 5 stars)

“RThe Jitterbug was so easy to setup. Great Call has a fantastic user interface online that, truly, other major cell phone brands should adopt. The phone takes a bit to get used to, but our grandmother finds it so easy to use, the buttons are large enough for her to read, and the display is simple enough to learn rather quickly. We would definitely recommend.” - Anna H. (via Trustpilot 1.7 /5 stars)

“I purchased a Jitterbug Flip2 at BestBuy based upon AARP magazine and Lively website noting that the phone was capable of voice texting. This is only partially true. You can compose and send a text using voice but you cannot have inbound text read to you. Upon calling their help desk, I was told to turn on speech within accessibility options. This is basically a screen reader which seems to only work on menu screens and sub-screens but not once you are into the text conversations list.” - Professor Lugnuts. (via Trustpilot 1.7 / 5 stars)

Jitterbug FAQ

Consider some of the most frequently asked questions before signing up for a Jitterbug plan!

Are Jitterbug Phones Sold in Stores?

Jitterbug cell phones are sold in stores so you are able to get your hands on one and sign up for a plan. You can purchase the flip phone and the smartphone through Best Buy, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and even through Amazon too. 

Will Jitterbug Work on AT&T or T-Mobile?

There are many people who love Jitterbug’s service and coverage, but aren’t a fan of Verizon Wireless. It’s important to know that Jitterbug is limited to Verizon Wireless’ service and coverage only and you can’t use it on either AT&T or T-Mobile’s networks. 

Can Jitterbug Phones Download Apps?

Since the Jitterbug smartphone is a senior citizen version of a smartphone, many people wonder if it works the same way as an iPhone or Android. There are a ton of apps that you can install on the latest Jitterbug Smart3 cell phone because it has the Google Play store available on it. 

Jitterbug Offers Affordable Cell Phone Plans For Every Senior Citizen

Trying to find the best cell phone plan as a senior citizen, or for an older loved one can be difficult because of the many choices that are available. Jitterbug offers affordable plans to all senior citizens and they can choose from an easy-to-use cell phone and customize their phone plan.

Consider Jitterbug for yourself, or a senior citizen in your life to ensure that you have reliable service and coverage no matter where you go!