A side-by-side comparison of plans, 5G coverage, roaming, perks, and customer support to help you pick the right carrier.
Plans & pricing
Both carriers are no-contract. Below are the key 5G plan tiers for each, priced for most provinces outside Quebec.
Bell and Rogers now tie at the top: Bell's Ultra International Roaming plan and Rogers' 5G+ Ultimate both cost $100/month for unlimited data. Bell Ultra adds Crave, hotspot (50GB/mo), a free tablet or watch plan, and 5GB/day roaming in 83 countries. Rogers 5G+ Ultimate adds StreamSaver, 50% off Roam Like Home, Uber One, and a free data-only plan for 24 months. Rogers has dedicated 65+ senior pricing at every tier with lower monthly rates and multi-line discounts; Bell does not have an equivalent. Quebec residents get lower pricing from both carriers through province-specific plans.
5G and network coverage
Coverage is estimated from ISED tower registry data and Statistics Canada 2021 census boundaries (updated March 2026). Rogers leads nationally by a wide margin.
Rogers leads in almost every province, particularly in Alberta (99.7% 5G) where Bell currently has 0% 5G coverage. The exception is northern Canada: Bell covers 96.5% of Yukon and 99.8% of the Northwest Territories on 4G. Rogers has no presence in those territories at all.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Bell | Rogers |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $30/mo | $20/mo |
| Cheapest 5G plan | $50/mo (QC) · $70 elsewhere | $50/mo (QC) · $65 elsewhere |
| 4G population coverage | 92.8% | 98.3% |
| 5G population coverage | 76.5% | 96.7% |
| Total towers | 9,986 | 12,284 |
| Device financing | 24 months | 24 months |
| Daily roaming rate | From $13/day | From $3/day |
| Monthly roaming pass | Yes | Yes |
| Senior plans (65+) | No | Yes, every tier (from $65/mo) |
| Northern Canada (YT/NWT) | Yes, strong coverage | No coverage |
| Unique perk | 1 yr Perplexity Pro AI | Citytv+, Uber One, Sportsnet+ |
| Sub-brands | Virgin Plus | Fido, Chatr Wireless |
| Customer rating | 4.0 / 5 | 1.6 / 5 |
Roaming
Rogers Roam Like Home starts from $3/day depending on destination, letting you use your existing plan's data, talk, and text abroad. Popular and Ultimate plan subscribers receive 25–50% off daily rates. Monthly passes are available for frequent travellers at a lower effective rate.
Bell's travel add-on starts from $13/day, with a monthly pass option that brings costs down for extended trips. For occasional international travel, Rogers is significantly more affordable day-to-day.
Device financing
Both Bell and Rogers offer 24-month device financing, letting you spread the cost of a new phone over two years. Your monthly bill combines the plan price plus the device payment. Once the 24 months are up, the device portion drops off, lowering your bill. You can also upgrade to a new device and start a new financing term.
Perks and add-ons
Bell includes one year of Perplexity Pro (an AI research tool) on most 5G plans. The Ultra U.S./Mexico roaming tier adds unlimited long-distance calling and unlimited calls to 27 countries; the Quebec version swaps in France roaming instead of Mexico. The Ultra International Roaming tier adds calls to 83 countries. Both Ultra tiers include Crave Standard With Ads and hotspot (50GB/mo), and the versions sold outside Quebec also add a free tablet or watch plan and Aeroplan points. A student version of the Select plan is also available at no extra cost.
Rogers bundles free Citytv+ for 3 months on all 5G Infinite plans. Popular and Ultimate tiers include 12 months of Uber One, Sportsnet+ savings, and access to the StreamSaver add-on for streaming bundles. Rogers Ultimate subscribers also receive 30% off Device Protection. Rogers Satellite connectivity is available as an add-on for $10/month for the first 12 months on select plans, and is included free for the first 12 months on others.
Both carriers have budget sub-brands: Virgin Plus runs on Bell's network, while Fido and Chatr Wireless run on Rogers' network, often offering lower monthly prices on the same underlying infrastructure.
Customer support
Bell scores considerably higher in customer satisfaction. Common Rogers complaints centre on dropped calls, unexpected price changes without notice, and limited help for rural service interruptions. Bell's main criticism is cost. Customers describe it as reliable but expensive. Rogers' multilingual phone support in Cantonese and Mandarin is a meaningful differentiator for communities in Metro Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area.
Who should choose which?
- You want the widest 5G coverage in Canada
- You travel internationally: roaming from $3/day
- You're 65+ and want dedicated senior pricing
- You live in Alberta, BC, or Saskatchewan
- You want streaming perks (Uber One, Citytv+, Sportsnet+)
- You need Cantonese or Mandarin phone support
- You live or travel in Yukon or the Northwest Territories
- You want 1 year of Perplexity Pro AI included
- You need unlimited calls to 27 or 83 international countries (Ultra U.S./Mexico or Ultra International tiers)
- You live in Quebec and want the lowest 5G entry price
- You're a student (Select student plan available)
- You value higher customer satisfaction scores
For most Canadians in urban and suburban areas, Rogers leads on raw network strength: more towers, broader 5G, and much cheaper international roaming. Bell holds its ground in northern Canada, Quebec pricing, and customer experience. Both offer 24-month device financing and no-contract plans at comparable top-tier prices.
Before committing to either carrier, check coverage at your home and workplace using the maps below.
