Videotron

If you have been paying a phone bill in Canada, you already know we’ve historically had some of the most expensive mobile plans in the world. Fortunately, the landscape has improved significantly. Thanks to intense competition triggered by Quebecor (the parent company of Freedom Mobile and Fizz) and a highly consumer-friendly CRTC ruling, carriers are actively slashing prices, boosting data buckets, and building in roaming features.

Additionally, under the CRTC guidelines, Canadian telecom providers are no longer allowed to charge activation, plan-change, or cancellation fees. This means you can swap carriers whenever you find a better deal without paying a penalty.

1. Best Overall Value: Public Mobile (Telus)

If you want premium network coverage on a budget, Public Mobile is currently one of the most popular and highly recommended choices in Canada.

• The Network: It runs on Telus’s nationwide 5G/4G network, meaning you get top-tier coverage even in rural areas.
• How it works: It is a 100% digital, prepaid subscription carrier. There are no physical stores and no customer service phone lines; everything is managed through their app.
• Typical Plans:
  • $34–$40/month for around 50GB–75GB of 5G data.
  • $45/month for 125GB of 5G data, which incredibly includes Canada-US-Mexico roaming.
• Best For: Tech-savvy users who want premium coverage, don't need to talk to physical customer service agents, and already own their own phone (BYOD).

2. Best for Travelers & Frequent Roamers: Freedom Mobile

Freedom Mobile has completely shaken up the Canadian telecom market, forcing the legacy carriers to change how they operate.

• The Network: Formerly criticized for poor reception, Freedom now offers true coast-to-coast coverage. When you leave a major city, your phone seamlessly hops onto Rogers, Bell, or Telus networks (labeled as "Nationwide") at no extra charge.
• The Big Selling Point: Their Total Freedom and Roam Beyond plans. Instead of paying $14 to $16 per day to use your phone in the US or Europe (which Rogers, Bell, and Telus charge), Freedom builds international roaming directly into your plan.
• Typical Plans:
  • $35–$40/month for 50GB–70GB of 5G+ data with Canada-US-Mexico roaming included.
  • $45–$65/month for a "Roam Beyond" plan that gives you massive 5G data to use seamlessly in Canada, the US, Mexico, and 120+ international destinations.
• Best For: Anyone who travels to the US, Mexico, or internationally and wants to completely avoid daily roaming fees.

3. Most Flexible & Customizable: Fizz Mobile (Quebecor)

Operating heavily in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba, Fizz is a highly innovative, digital-only carrier.

• The Network: It runs on Videotron/Freedom's network but easily partners with the Big Three for nationwide coverage.
• The Big Selling Point: Data Rollover and Customization. If you don’t use all your data this month, it automatically rolls over to the next month. You can also "gift" data to other Fizz users instantly. Their plans are fully "à la carte"—you can toggle voicemail, minutes, or data on/off to adjust your monthly price.
• Typical Plans: You can build basic plans starting around $15–$20/month. A highly popular customizable 5G plan with 35GB of data is roughly $35/month.
• Best For: Budget-conscious users in major provinces who want maximum flexibility and love the idea of data carrying over.

4. Best Mid-Tier "Flanker" Brands: Fido, Virgin Plus, & Koodo

These are the sub-brands of the "Big Three" (Fido is owned by Rogers, Virgin Plus by Bell, and Koodo by Telus).

• The Network: You get the exact same physical coverage as the premium parent networks. Crucially, all three flankers now support full 5G speeds (up to 1Gbps).
• Typical Plans (Bring Your Own Device):
  • $39/month for 20GB of 5G data.
  • $44–$45/month for 60GB of 5G data.
• Best For: People who want to finance a new phone on a 24-month tab or prefer having physical kiosks in malls to speak with a customer service agent in person.

5. The "Big Three" (Rogers, Bell, Telus)

These are Canada's premium, legacy carriers.

• The Catch: For an individual "Bring Your Own Phone" user, they are generally overpriced (often starting at $65–$85/month for basic 5G plans).
• When to use them: Only sign up with Rogers, Bell, or Telus proper if:
  • You qualify for an EPP (Exclusive Partner Program) corporate discount through your employer, which can drop their premium unlimited plans down to $45–$50/month.
  • You are bundling your mobile plan with your home internet and TV to get a massive multi-service discount.
  • You require family "data-sharing" plans across 3 or more lines.

Insider Tips to Get the Best Deal in Canada:

1. Keep Your Phone (BYOD): Buying your phone outright and signing up for a "Bring Your Own Device" plan is almost always 30% to 50% cheaper over two years than financing a phone through a carrier.
2. Mark the Promo Seasons: The absolute best cellular deals in Canada are offered during Black Friday (November), Boxing Week (late December), and the Back-to-School season (August). During these times, carriers routinely drop prices and double their data buckets.
3. Threaten to Leave (The Winback Offer): Because there are no more cancellation or activation fees, switching carriers is painless. If you switch from Fido to Bell, for example, Fido's "winback" team will almost certainly call you within a week to offer you an unadvertised, incredibly cheap plan to win you back.

The best cell phone plans in Canada right now (as of early September 2026) focus on strong value from flanker brands and MVNOs like Fizz, Public Mobile, Koodo, Fido, and Freedom Mobile, which deliver solid data allotments on the major networks (Telus, Rogers, Bell/Videotron) at lower prices than the Big Three (Rogers, Bell, Telus).

Most Canadians actually use the Big Three or their discount “flanker” brands for nationwide coverage, but budget-conscious users flock to Fizz, Public Mobile, and similar options for better deals—often with no contracts, autopay discounts, and perks like data rollover.

Top Recommendations by Category

Here are standout options based on recent comparisons, user reviews (e.g., high recommendation rates on PlanHub), and real-world value. Prices are approximate and can change with promotions—always verify on carrier sites or comparison tools like WhistleOut or PlanHub for your province and needs (data usage, coverage, roaming).

• Best Overall Value/Flexible Pick: Fizz
  Highly rated (#1 on some review platforms with ~86% user recommendations) for customizable plans, data rollover/accumulation, and competitive pricing. Plans often start around $25/month for 25GB+ (or higher data tiers like 50-70GB in the $30-45 range), with 5G access on the Videotron/Freedom network. Great for Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, BC, and Manitoba. Strong for light-to-moderate users who want flexibility without big-brand markups.

• Best Budget/Prepaid on a Major Network: Public Mobile
  Runs on the Telus network (excellent nationwide coverage and speeds). Popular prepaid options include high-data plans like 100-175GB tiers around $35-50/month (unlimited talk/text, Canada-US options sometimes included). Loyalty points for bill credits, no contract/credit check, and self-serve focus. Tops many “best value” lists and user satisfaction scores.

• Strong Prepaid/Data-Heavy Alternative: Koodo Mobile
  Also on Telus. Prepaid plans frequently highlighted for massive data (e.g., 60-80GB around $45-50/month) with unlimited talk/text. Autopay bonuses and easy online management make it a go-to for many. Good balance of price and features.

• Good Rogers Network Option: Fido
  Affordable postpaid/prepaid plans on Rogers (strong urban performance). Examples include 60GB+ for around $45/month with 5G access and unlimited talk/text. Reliable for everyday use and often competitive on data pricing.

• Best for Roaming (Canada-US-Mexico): Freedom Mobile
  Competitive plans with included roaming (e.g., 10-100GB tiers from ~$35-45/month, plus extra international perks). Now part of the Videotron family; good 5G+ speeds in coverage areas. Appeals to frequent cross-border users.

• Other Notables:

  • Virgin Plus (Bell network): Solid mid-range plans (~$40-45 for 60GB) with member perks.
  • Big Three (Rogers/Bell/Telus direct): Premium coverage (especially rural), but pricier—best if you need the absolute best reliability or bundle with home services. Their flankers above usually suffice for most.

Quick Tips for Choosing

• Coverage: Telus and Bell generally lead in nationwide/reliability metrics; Rogers excels in some urban/speed categories. Check maps for your area—flankers share the same towers.
• Data Reality: Many plans now offer 50-100GB+ at reasonable prices. Factor in your usage (most people do fine with 20-60GB).
• Prepaid vs. Postpaid: Prepaid (Public Mobile, Koodo, etc.) wins for flexibility/no credit checks; postpaid often has better device financing.
• Savings Hacks: Look for autopay discounts, BYOD (bring your own device) deals, family plans, and loyalty perks. Prices drop frequently with competition.
• Where to Compare: Use tools like PlanHub.ca, WhistleOut.ca, or Topicks.ca for side-by-side views filtered by province.

Shop around based on your location and usage—deals shift fast. If you share more details (province, data needs, roaming, budget), I can refine this further!