Bottom line: The decision is largely regional and operational: coverage quality where you live, the current data value and which self-service model you prefer.
Current comparison snapshot
| Provider / option | Best for | Current facts | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Mobile | National 5G value and large Canada-U.S.-Mexico data plans | Public Mobile currently lists a $35/month 50 GB Canada-wide 5G plan and Canada-U.S.-Mexico plans from $35 with 25 GB, scaling to much larger data buckets. Current plans include unlimited talk/text and 2% back in Public Points. | Public Mobile is highly self-serve and promotion-driven. Compare the exact available plan when activating because pricing and data buckets change frequently. |
| Fizz ↗ | Flexible prepaid service, data rollover and newcomer-friendly activation | Fizz requires no credit check, charges no activation fee, offers free eSIM, rolls unused data forward, supports data gifting and lets users change plan configuration online. Current offers include examples such as 40 GB for $35/month. | Fizz subscription availability is currently limited to selected provinces, and 5G availability varies by area. It remains a self-serve provider rather than a store-first carrier. |
| Plan flexibility | Users whose data needs change from month to month | Fizz lets users customize data, calls, texts and coverage and states that the price of an existing plan will not rise unless the customer changes the plan. Unused data automatically rolls into the next cycle. | Changing a Fizz plan can move you onto current pricing, so review the new configuration carefully before confirming a change. |
| Testing before switching | Users worried about Fizz coverage at home or work | Fizz currently offers a 15-day free network trial with 3 GB, 100 texts and 100 minutes on a free eSIM, allowing users to test service without cancelling their current provider. | The trial depends on device/eSIM eligibility and should be used in the exact places where coverage matters to you. |
Public Mobile wins when you mainly want maximum 5G data for the price
Its current $35 50 GB Canada-wide 5G plan and larger cross-border options are difficult to ignore for heavy-data users. Public Mobile should be the first benchmark when national 5G availability and a simple fixed plan matter most.
Fizz wins on flexibility and newcomer friction
No credit check, no activation fee, free eSIM, data rollover, data gifting and a free network trial make Fizz unusually easy to test and activate after arriving in Canada. Those features are especially relevant to people who do not yet have Canadian credit history.
Coverage is the tiebreaker
If both providers look similar on price, use real local coverage to decide. Fizz’s free trial can reduce switching risk, while Public Mobile’s national TELUS-based footprint may be the safer default in areas where Fizz subscriptions or home-network coverage are weaker.
Provider pages checked for this comparison
These links go to the providers’ own current product or route pages. Re-check them before applying or purchasing because pricing and promotions can change.
What to compare
Do not compare brands on one promotional number. Put the products side by side using the same assumptions and the factors that affect your recurring cost and ability to use the product.
How to make the decision
- Use each carrier’s current coverage map.
- Compare data and speed at the same monthly price.
- Check rollover or plan-flexibility features.
- Review support options before porting.
Calculate phone-plan value instead of comparing only headline data
Use the current carrier benchmark pages to compare annual cost, data allowance and simple cost per GB. Then use your actual monthly usage in the calculator so a huge unused data bucket does not automatically look like the best value.
Mobile Plan Value Calculator → · Mobile Data Value Reference →
CanadaStarter methodology
We prioritize total cost, eligibility, practical usability and downside risk. We separate temporary promotions from ongoing terms and prefer primary provider disclosures for fees and eligibility. We do not treat a higher affiliate payout as evidence that a product is better.
Because financial products, insurance policies, telecom plans and promotions change frequently, use this guide to narrow the field and then confirm the final terms on the provider’s official website before applying or purchasing.
Your consumer rights for cell phones
Use this primary source alongside our comparison when checking rules, consumer rights or government guidance.
CRTC →Frequently asked questions
Is Fizz available everywhere in Canada?
Coverage and subscription availability vary. Verify your address and the current network footprint.
Which has better customer service?
Both rely heavily on digital self-service. Compare the current support channels if live assistance matters to you.