Twigby vs. Consumer Cellular: Which carrier is better?

Twigby and Consumer Cellular are popular prepaid carriers that offer several limited data plans for their users.. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Twigby is on the Verizon network, while Consumer Cellular is on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. 

Twigby and Consumer Cellular are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Twigby is an MVNO of Verizon, while Consumer Cellular is an MVNO of AT&T and T-Mobile. With Consumer Cellular, users can choose between which network they want to use for service.

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers. 

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Consumer Cellular and Twigby offer several limited data plans. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Twigby offers several limited data plans along with an unlimited plan and a plan without data. Consumer Cellular also offers several limited data plans, as well as an unlimited plan. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Twigby Plans

Twigby plans give you a discount for the first three months of service. 

Twigby offers 5 plans, ranging from plans with no data included to unlimited data. All plans offer unlimited talk and text, and all data plans offer hotspot access. All plans allow up to 50 lines on an account. All Twigby plans are on QCI tier 9. 

If you purchase your phone from Twigby, your device will be sold to you unlocked after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

No Data Plan

This plan does not have data access. 

With this plan, you do not have access to any data. This means you must have a WiFi connection in order to browse the internet, send emails, stream videos, and play games. According to Twigby, you also need to have WiFi access to use iMessage on iPhones. You also do not have access to group messaging on basic or Android phones. 

You do not have hotspot access on this plan either. 

The plan costs $10 per month, and $5 for the first 3 months. 

2GB Plan 

This plan gives you 2GB per month before slowing down. 

This plan gives you 2GB per month, which slows to 2G speeds after the cap. This slower speed allows you to send texts and emails or browse the internet, but playing games and streaming video. The plan also allows for mobile hotspot access with the 2GB included in the plan. This access stops at the 2GB cap.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 2GB at $7.50 per GB. This plan costs $5 per month for the first 3 months. 

5GB Plan 

This plan gives you 5GB per month if you use their service. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data to use per month, which then slows to 2G speeds after you reach the cap. 

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $4 per GB. The plan also gives you the first 3 months of service at $10 per month. 

8GB Plan 

This plan gives you 8GB monthly. 

This plan gives you 8GB per month of service, which slows to 2G speeds after this cap. You also get access to mobile hotspot data, which stops at 8GB. 

The plan costs $26 per month. At this rate, you get 8GB at $3.25 per GB. The plan also gives you service at $16 per month for the first 3 months. 

Unlimited Plan 

This plan gives you 20GB before slowing speeds. 

This plan gives you 20GB of data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data access, which stops at the cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.75 per GB. You get service at $25 per month for the first 3 months. 

Consumer Cellular Plans

All plans allow for a $5 Autopay discount when you sign up for participation. 

Consumer Cellular offers 4 plans, with limited plans ranging from 1 to 10GB. You can add up to 7 lines on one plan, with additional lines being $15 each. All plans from Consumer Cellular are deprioritized. As for QCI tiers, Consumer Cellular is tier 7 on T-Mobile’s network and tier 8 on AT&T’s network. 

If you purchase your phone from Consumer Cellular, your device will be locked until your device is paid for in full. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. The advertised price includes their $5 Autopay discount. 

1GB 

This plan stops data access after 1GB.

This plan offers 1GB of data. You can use all of your plan data as hotspot data. However, after you use 1GB, your data access stops completely. 

The plan costs $25 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

5GB

This plan gives you 5GB with hotspot access. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data per month, with the option to use it as hotspot data. Again, your data access stops after this allotment. 

The plan costs $30 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB at $6 per GB. 

10GB

This plan allows hotspot access with all plan data. 

This plan gives you 10GB of data before cutting off at the data cap. You can use your hotspot for all plan data. 

The plan costs $40 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 10GB at $4 per GB. 

Unlimited 

This plan gives you 50GB of full speed data before slowing down your connection. 

This is Consumer Cellular’s biggest plan, as it gives you 50GB of full speed data. After you reach 50GB, your data will slow to 128 kbps, or 2G speeds. This is enough to send text messages and emails and browse websites, but not much else. These speeds are extremely slow and may be frustrating for users. You can use a hotspot for all plan data.

The plan costs $55 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1.10 per GB. 

Features

Twigby offers more international connection capabilities included. 

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If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Consumer Cellular and Twigby offer similar features, but Twigby offers more international connection capabilities. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Twigby and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Twigby plans allow unlimited talk in Mexico and Canada, but not text or data. For Consumer Cellular, Mexico and Canadian connection is pay-per-use at various rates depending on your network. 

International Connection

Twigby allows unlimited talk in up to 80 countries, but not text or data. For Consumer Cellular, international connection is pay-per-use at various rates depending on your network. 

Video Streaming Quality

All Twigby data plans stream at 720p High Definition resolution. Their No Data plan requires WiFi to stream video. Consumer Cellular streams at 480p Standard Definition on all plans.  

Streaming Services

Twigby and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Twigby and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. Twigby offers this service through Paypal only.  

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Twigby and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Twigby and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Twigby does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. Consumer Cellular has 4 physical stores. 

Twigby is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer chat support from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Mon. through Fri. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Sat. through Sun. You can also email Twigby Customer Support at twigby.support@twigby.com. Consumer Cellular has 4 stores, with 2 located in Florida and 2 located in Arizona. Otherwise, users can call their customer support line at (877)-320-3486 and use their chat line any time between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time. 

The Verdict

Twigby offers better limited data deals, but Consumer Cellular’s unlimited plan is better. 

When it comes to price per GB and included features, Twigby offers better deals on their phone plans. However, Consumer Cellular offers a better price per GB on their unlimited plan than Twigby.  

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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