Best Phone Plans in Canada — Compare & Save

Prepaid vs Postpaid vs BYOD

Budget Carriers Worth Considering

Canada’s “Big Three” — Rogers, Bell, and Telus — own budget sub-brands that use the exact same network towers at lower prices. Public Mobile and Koodo run on Telus, Fido and Chatr on Rogers, and Lucky Mobile on Bell. PhoneBox is an independent MVNO popular with newcomers for its simple sign-up process and no-contract plans.

International Calling Options

• Wi-Fi calling apps — WhatsApp, WeChat, LINE, and Telegram are free for voice and video calls over Wi-Fi
• Carrier add-ons — most carriers offer international calling add-ons for $5–$15/month depending on the region
• Calling cards — available at convenience stores, often cheapest for landline calls to Asia and Africa
• VoIP services — Fongo and TextNow offer cheap per-minute rates for international calls

Example: Newcomer in Vancouver with an Unlocked iPhone

Rahul just landed in Vancouver on a work permit. He has an unlocked iPhone from India and needs a Canadian number within the first week. He uses Wi-Fi at home and in the office, so he only needs cellular data for commuting and errands:

• Public Mobile BYOD plan: $25/month for 8 GB + unlimited Canada-wide calls/text — no credit check required
• One-time SIM cost: $10 (purchased at Walmart / London Drugs)
• Year-1 total: $310 CAD (vs $900+ on Rogers postpaid)
• International calls to India: free via WhatsApp over Wi-Fi at home — no add-on needed

After 6-12 months with a Canadian credit history, Rahul can consider switching to a postpaid Koodo or Fido plan if he wants a phone subsidy. For most newcomers, BYOD prepaid stays cheapest for the first 1-2 years.