If you’re looking to save money on your cell phone bill, Consumer Cellular and Ting are two great discount wireless carrier options worth considering. Both offer affordable talk, text and data plans on the major wireless networks for a fraction of the cost of premium carriers like Verizon and AT&T.
But how do you decide which low-cost wireless provider is right for you? Let’s compare the pros and cons of Consumer Cellular and Ting to help you pick the best bargain wireless carrier.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Consumer Cellular | Ting |
| Networks Used | AT&T, T-Mobile | T-Mobile, Verizon |
| Plans | Preset talk, text & data buckets | Pay per usage buckets |
| Phone Selection | Basic phones & budget smartphones | Wide variety including flagships |
| Data Speeds | 2G – 4G LTE (can be throttled) | 4G LTE |
| Unlimited Plans | No | Yes (talk & text only) |
| Group/Family Plans | No | Yes |
| Customer Support | Excellent (U.S. based) | Good |
| Contracts | No | No |
| Activation Fees | No | No |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes (extra fee) | Yes (extra fee) |
| International Roaming | Add-on packages | Low cost packages |
Overview Of Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular is a top-rated wireless company popular with senior citizens and light data users who don’t need unlimited plans. Here’s an overview of their key features:
- Uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks for solid nationwide coverage
- Bring your own phone or buy device from Consumer Cellular
- Affordable talk minutes, texts and data options
- No long-term contracts or early termination fees
- Excellent US-based customer service reputation
Consumer Cellular’s main drawbacks are lack of family/group plans, limited smartphone options and slower data speeds which can be throttled after only 2-3GB depending on your plan. But if you don’t use much data and want exceptional service, Consumer Cellular is a great choice.
Also Read: Choose Between Tracfone And Cricket Wireless.
Overview Of Ting
Ting takes a unique approach by only charging you for the talk, text and data buckets you actually use each month. Here are some of Ting’s notable features:
- Uses T-Mobile and Verizon, America’s largest 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk & text available on some plans
- Shared data buckets from 2GB to 20GB based on usage
- Flexible plans easy to customize as your needs change
- GSM or CDMA phone options available
- No contracts and transparent pricing
The downsides with Ting are having to accurately predict your usage to pick the right plan sizes and less competitive pricing on large or unlimited data. But Ting’s flexibility and usage-based pricing model appeal to many light to moderate data users.
Plan Options Comparison
When it comes to wireless plan pricing and options, Consumer Cellular takes the simpler approach while Ting offers more flexibility.
Consumer Cellular lets you select monthly allotments of talk minutes, text messages and data which are all billed separately. For example, you might choose:
- 500 talk minutes for $15/month
- Unlimited text for $5/month
- 1GB of data for $10/month
Ting uses an entirely different model based on your actual usage each month. You pay only for what you use across six different usage buckets:
- Talk minutes
- Text messages
- Individual data buckets from 1GB to 10GB
Ting’s pricing per bucket can vary month to month depending on your usage, while Consumer Cellular’s set monthly fees remain unchanged. Ting offers more flexibility, but Consumer Cellular may work better if you need predictable billing.
Coverage Comparison
When it comes to wireless network coverage, both Consumer Cellular and Ting leverage multiple carrier networks to ensure solid nationwide connectivity:
Consumer Cellular runs on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, giving you excellent combined LTE coverage across the country. AT&T excels in rural areas while T-Mobile has better performance in cities.
Ting taps into the T-Mobile and Verizon networks. T-Mobile offers faster speeds while Verizon has broader rural coverage and fewer dead zones. Together, they match the reach of premium carriers.
Both networks should provide reliable coast-to-coast service for most owners. However, individual experiences can vary by location so be sure to check carrier maps for your area.
Also Read: Is Visible Better Than Ting?
Phone Options
What phones can you use with these discount providers? Here are some key facts:
Consumer Cellular has a basic selection of mostly inexpensive, lower-end smartphones along with flip phones and senior-friendly devices. You can also bring your own compatible GSM phone.
Ting offers a good variety of both basic phones and higher-end smartphones. You can buy phones directly from Ting or bring your own device if compatible with their networks.
Ting definitely provides more flexibility if you want to use the latest flagship phones. But Consumer Cellular’s focus on senior-friendly devices and flip phones is ideal for less tech-savvy owners.
Perks And Features
Here are some other great features and benefits offered by each discount carrier:
Consumer Cellular
- Excellent US-based customer support
- Reduced cost international calling options
- referral program discounts
- No extra fees or taxes on bills
Ting
- Usage website shows real-time usage counters
- Rewards program with bill credits
- Low priced international roaming packages
- Hotspot add-on available
Both providers offer the basics like voicemail, caller ID and wireless tethering. But Ting does have a few more advanced options if you want extras like international roaming or mobile hotspot access.
Also Read: Comparison Between Visible And TracFone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some drawbacks of Consumer Cellular include:
Lack of family/group plans
Limited smartphone selection
Slower data speeds that can be throttled
No unlimited high-speed data options
Fewer plan choices and customization
Ting utilizes the T-Mobile and Verizon networks to provide nationwide 4G LTE coverage. T-Mobile excels in urban areas while Verizon has better rural coverage.
Consumer Cellular offers devices from popular budget-friendly manufacturers like Motorola, Samsung, Nokia and ZTE. They focus on simple, affordable smartphones, flip phones and senior-oriented devices.
The Verdict
In the end, choosing between Consumer Cellular and Ting comes down to your specific needs and priorities:
Consumer Cellular is the best value for seniors or light data users who just want simple, affordable wireless service from a reputable provider.
Ting is ideal for budget-focused owners who want maximum flexibility and control over their bill amount each month. Ting rewards smarter data usage while allowing access to premium networks. You can’t go wrong with either carrier.
Evaluate your expected monthly usage, priority features, and budget to determine which affordable wireless provider is the right fit.
Ting and Consumer Cellular both deliver outstanding service and significant savings over major carriers. Ditch your expensive wireless bill and enjoy top-notch coverage for less with these discount carriers designed for savvy shoppers.