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Did you know that 50% of all cell phone plans are family and share plans? These plans often prove to be more cost-effective for families and groups of people hoping to apply for a mobile plan. Comparison engines like Stackup.ca can help you find the best family cell phone plans with data share in Canada.
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The Best Family Data Share Cell Phone Plans in Canada
Telus offers the best family data-sharing plans in Canada, excelling in coverage, signal quality, and 5G download speeds compared to the other two carriers. It’s also the most affordable option for family data-sharing plans in most provinces based on a four-line family. When you purchase a plan from Telus, you may receive additional benefits such as free Disney+, Telus Online Security Complete, and extra discounts like pre-authorized payment discounts and bundle discounts to help you save even more.
We have analyzed the three major carriers and compared their offerings to see what options they provide.
Rogers Share Everything Plans
Rogers offers ‘Share Everything’ plans that share talk, text, data, and features like Roam Like Home across lines. Prices start at $60 per month, which includes 500 MB of data. Additional phone lines cost $35 per month each, while tablets and hotspots are $10 per month each. If you need more data, you can upgrade to 30 GB for up to $230 per month. For a typical family with 4 lines, each with 10 GB of data, the cost is $230 per month.
Additional Line Fee
Phone
Tablets
Hotspots,Sticks & Hubs
$35/mo
$10/mo
$10/mo
Shareable Data per Line
500Mb
1GB
2GB
4GB
6GB
10GB
15GB
30GB
$60/mo
$65/mo
$70/mo
$90/mo
$105/mo
$125/mo
$145/mo
$230/mo
Rogers 5G Infinite Plans
Rogers also offers an alternative for clients seeking discounts on additional lines with shareable data. The 5G Infinite plan starts at $80 per month, with additional lines costing $70 each. This plan includes 150 GB of data. For a typical family with 4 lines, each with 150 GB of data, the total cost is $290 per month.
Discount
+ 1 line
+ 2 lines
+ 3 lines
+ 4 lines
upto $15/mo
upto $30/mo
upto $45/mo
upto $60/mo
Bell Essential and Ultimate Plans
Bell offers Essential and Ultimate 5G plans with shareable data. The main difference is that the Ultimate plan includes everything in the Essential plan, plus unlimited calling, texting, and data in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico—making it an excellent choice for those who frequently travel between these countries. Each additional line receives a $20/month discount. For a typical family with four lines, each with 150 GB of data, the total cost is $300 per month.
Discount
+ 1 line
+ 2 lines
+ 3 lines
+ 4 lines
$20/mo
$40/mo
$60/mo
$80/mo
Telus Family Share Plans
Like other carriers, Telus offers Premium Unlimited plans with shareable data. The plans start at $80 and include high-speed download data up to 200 GB. Each additional line can receive up to $20/month off. For a typical family with four lines, each with 150 GB of data, the total cost is $280 per month.
What’s so special about a family plan? Why would a shared plan be a better choice than having each of you pay for your own plans? Here are some of the biggest benefits of opting for a family plan instead of a bunch of individual ones:
Discounts for multiple lines
You probably know that buying retail is often more expensive than buying wholesale. The same principle is at work when you go for a family plan instead of a number of individual plans. Carriers always offer better deals the more lines you add into the bundle.
Simplified billing
This is especially convenient if the head of the family is the only one paying for everybody’s bill. It’s also possible that you would rather have a single person take charge of getting everyone’s share and paying for the bill. Either way, a family plan gives you a single billing statement instead of a number of different ones. This makes your budgeting and bill-paying a less complicated process.
Easier processing
One thing that hinders people from getting a cell phone plan is the credit check. Some carriers prove to be stricter than others when it comes to this. The great thing about a family plan is the fact that only the principal account holder is required to pass the credit check. This makes it easier for everyone else to get their own lines even if their credit backgrounds are far from satisfactory. Cost-wise, family plans are the better choice because of the bulk discounts. Process-wise, they are also better.
Shared Data vs Fixed Data Family Plans
Now that you’ve decided that a family plan is the better option, it’s time to decide what kind of plan you need. Among the biggest choices you have to make is the kind of data allocation. Would you rather have a shared data family plan, or a fixed data family plan? Here’s the difference between the two:
Shared Data Family Plan
Under a shared data family plan, a single data allowance is shared across all lines in the plan. Let’s say you’re given a 6GB limit for all three lines in your plan. This means that you will have to share this 6GB allowance with the two other people included in the plan. What happens if you use up all 6GB? The data connection for all three lines will either slow down to a crawl, or will be stopped. This depends on the carrier.
Fixed Data Family Plan
Under a fixed data family plan, each line is given a specific limit. Let’s say you’re given a 6GB limit for all three lines in your plan. This means that each line is allowed to use up to 2GB. That’s 6GB divided among three lines. What happens if you use up the 2GB allotment? This means that your data will either slow down to a crawl or stop completely. However, the two other lines in the plan will not be affected. Which is better? A shared family plan, or a fixed family plan? This actually depends. If one of you uses more data than anybody else, then there’s a chance that this person will only eat up everybody else’s data under a shared plan. It’s probably a good idea to assess how much data each person uses on a regular basis. This should help guide your decision.
Other Facts You Need to Know When Choosing Family Phone Plans in Canada
Here are a few other tidbits that will help you decide what kind of family plan to go for:
Some shared plans allow you to set data limits.
Yup, that’s right! If you’re the main account holder and are afraid everybody else will use up all the data, some carriers actually allow you to set data limits on each line. This means that you won’t have to worry about waking up one day with zero data allowance left in the account.
Some plans have unbelievable prices but with fewer features.
Don’t be too excited when you see a family plan being offered at an unbelievable price. Great deals are not just about the price – it’s also about the inclusions. What use would you have for a cheap plan if the inclusions do not cover your needs? So the next time you see a family plan, don’t just look at the pricing. Make sure you look at every single detail on that fine print. It’s better to take some time in looking at the smallest details than paying for something that you won’t be able to use to your satisfaction.
Auto payment offers bigger savings.
Carriers appreciate it when they know you’ll be sticking to your plan month after month. This is why they often offer amazing discounts if you activate the auto-renew option. You can get discounts of around $5 each month, which is definitely not bad at all. Don’t forget about these small facts before deciding on a family plan. Use these to your advantage to make sure you get the kind of service you need at a price you can afford.
More Options?
Bell Share Plans would be perfect for those who want a lot of options. It allows you to choose the handset, the data allowance, and the voice allocation that you want to go with your plan. What makes it even better is the fact that you get up to $10 savings for every additional family member that you add to the plan. Some of the most popular inclusions to this is the $55/month unlimited voice calls to anywhere in Canada, and the 1GB shareable data.
More Data and Better Customization?
Rogers Share Everything Plans is the best out there if you want a family plan that offers a lot of data with a lot of customization options. Some of the most popular choices are 6GB for $70 a month, 10GB for $80 a month, and 15GB plus 1GB free for $95 a month. This data allowance can be shared across up to nine devices. It also comes with unlimited messaging and calling to anywhere in Canada.
Simple?
If you don’t have the patience to deal with a lot of extras, Virgin Mobile offers the most uncomplicated plans out there. You can opt for myPeeps, which bundles five lines in a single account.
Starting Small?
Telus Family Plans is perfect for small families. Simply adding a family member to an existing plan will cost you only $25 per month. For a 2-person plan with a 6GB data allowance, you only have to pay $55 a month. A 3-person plan gives you 10GB of data at only $53.33 a month. The 4-person plan is only $52.50 a month, with 15GB data allowance. Think about what you require from your family plan. From there, you can zoom in on what meets your budget and your needs the most.
FAQ
What are family data share cell phone plans?
Family data share cell phone plans allow multiple users (usually family members) to share a single pool of data across several lines. These plans typically include unlimited talk and text, with data being shared among all devices on the plan. This can be more cost-effective than having separate individual plans for each family member.
How does data sharing work in a family plan?
In a family data share plan, a set amount of data is allocated for the entire family to use. Each member of the family can access this data pool through their individual lines. If one user consumes more data, it reduces the amount available for the others. Some plans offer the option to add more data if the shared pool is exhausted.
Can I add more lines to a family data share plan later?
Yes, most carriers allow you to add additional lines to your existing family data share plan. The number of lines you can add varies depending on the carrier and the specific plan. It’s typically easy to add a line by contacting the carrier or through their online account management system.
Are there any limitations on the number of devices that can be added to a family plan?
Yes, most carriers have a maximum number of lines that can be added to a family data share plan. This limit typically ranges from 5 to 10 lines, depending on the carrier and the plan. Be sure to check with your carrier for specific details about their limits.
What happens if we use up all the shared data in our family plan?
If you use up all the shared data in your family plan, different carriers have different policies. Some may slow down your data speeds (throttle) until the next billing cycle, while others might offer the option to purchase additional data. It’s important to understand how your carrier handles data overages to avoid unexpected charges.
Can we switch from an individual plan to a family data share plan?
Yes, most carriers allow customers to switch from individual plans to a family data share plan. This can often be done without any penalties, especially if all lines are with the same carrier. However, it’s important to review your current contract terms and any potential fees before making the switch.
Vikas (Vik) Palan
Vikas Palan is an editor at Stackup.ca, specializing in technology, telecommunications, and personal finance content. He ensures each article is well-researched, accurate, and optimized for readers and search engines, helping Stackup.ca become a trusted information source for Canadians.
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