Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile are both budget-oriented alternatives to Canada's Big Three, but they take very different approaches. Public Mobile is a Telus-owned prepaid-only carrier with a fully self-serve online model, running on the Telus network for nationwide coverage. Freedom Mobile is an independent carrier operating its own network, concentrated in major urban centres across BC, Ontario, and Alberta, offering postpaid and annual prepaid plans with Canada-US-Mexico roaming included as standard. The two carriers overlap closely on price, but differ significantly on coverage reach, plan structure, roaming, and support model.
Plans and pricing
Public Mobile offers 9 prepaid no-contract plans from $22 to $50 per month, ranging from a data-free senior talk and text plan up to 175GB on 5G with Canada-US-Mexico included. Freedom Mobile offers 9 plans including 5 main postpaid no-contract options, two 6-month prepaid options, and 2 annual prepaid tiers, with all main postpaid plans including Canada-US-Mexico roaming as standard. The plans below show a representative selection from each carrier.
At $35 per month, both carriers include Canada-US-Mexico roaming: Public Mobile offers a choice between 50GB domestic-only 5G or 25GB with CAN/US/Mex included, while Freedom's $35 plan provides 10GB with CAN/US/Mex and 1GB Roam Beyond. At $40 per month, Public Mobile provides 75GB with CAN/US/Mex while Freedom provides 70GB with CAN/US/Mex plus 5GB Roam Beyond for 120+ international destinations. At $45 per month, both carriers deliver 125GB with CAN/US/Mex, with Freedom also including 5GB Roam Beyond. At $50 per month, both carriers deliver 175GB with CAN/US/Mex, with Freedom also including 10GB Roam Beyond. Public Mobile also offers a $22 per month talk and text plan for seniors, and lower data tiers at $24 and $28 per month that Freedom does not match. Public Mobile offers 2% back in Public Points on most plans. Freedom offers prepaid options including a 6-month plan at $90 (no data, talk and text) and a 6-month plan at $150 (90GB, 5G) plus annual tiers at $129 and $159 per year for light or backup users, plus postpaid billing and device financing that Public Mobile does not provide.
5G and network coverage
Coverage data is based on registered tower locations from the ISED tower registry and Statistics Canada 2021 census boundaries, updated March 2026. Public Mobile runs on the Telus network, which provides nationwide coverage including rural areas, Atlantic Canada, and all provinces and territories. Freedom Mobile operates its own independent network focused on major urban centres in BC, Ontario, and Alberta. On 5G population reach, the Telus network covers 76.3% of Canadians compared to Freedom's 48.0%.
Public Mobile on the Telus network holds a decisive coverage advantage nationally, covering 93.0% of Canadians on 4G and 76.3% on 5G, with over 16,000 towers and 6,863 dedicated 5G sites. Freedom's coverage is concentrated in BC (91.1% 4G), Ontario (84.2% 4G), and Alberta (81.4% 4G), but drops sharply outside those provinces, with Quebec at just 1.3% 4G and most other provinces and territories at 0%. For anyone outside Freedom's urban footprint, Public Mobile's Telus-network access is a clear advantage. Within Freedom's coverage zones, however, both carriers deliver solid urban 5G performance.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Public Mobile | Freedom Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $22/mo (senior prepaid) | $35/mo (or $90/6-mo prepaid) |
| Plan type | Prepaid only | Postpaid and prepaid |
| Cheapest 5G plan | $35/mo (50GB, Canada only) | $35/mo (10GB + CAN/US/Mex) |
| Data at $40/mo | 75GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex | 70GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex + 5GB Roam Beyond |
| Data at $45/mo | 125GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex | 125GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex + 5GB Roam Beyond |
| Data at $50/mo | 175GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex | 175GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex + 10GB Roam Beyond |
| Top-tier plan | $50/mo (175GB) | $70/mo (250GB + 20GB Roam Beyond) |
| Canada-US-Mexico included | From $35/mo | From $35/mo |
| International long-distance minutes | 1,000 intl mins (5G plans) | Not listed |
| International messages | Included on all plans | Included on postpaid plans |
| International roaming (120+ destinations) | No | Yes (Roam Beyond, 1GB-20GB depending on plan) |
| Annual/prepaid option | No | Yes ($90/6-mo, $129/yr, $150/6-mo, $159/yr) |
| Rewards program | 2% back in Public Points | No |
| 4G population coverage | 93.0% (34.4M) - Telus | 54.4% (20.1M) |
| 5G population coverage | 76.3% (28.2M) - Telus | 48.0% (17.8M) |
| Total towers | 16,007 (Telus network) | 2,166 |
| Dedicated 5G towers | 6,863 | 728 |
| Rural and national coverage | Yes, nationwide (Telus network) | No, urban only |
| Device financing | No - BYOD only | Yes, 24 months (MyTab/TradeUp) |
| Price lock guarantee | No | Yes (selected plans) |
| US roaming - included on plan | From $35/mo | All main postpaid plans |
| US roaming - add-on pass | $15 talk & text / $30 15-day / $40 30-day | No add-on pass (included on plan) |
| International roaming beyond US | No pass available | Roam Beyond included + add-on passes ($30/$50) |
| In-store support | No | Yes |
| Phone support | No | Yes |
| Sub-brands / parent | Telus-owned | Independent |
| Customer rating | 4.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
Roaming rates compared
Both carriers include Canada-US-Mexico on plans from $35 per month. Public Mobile offers two options at $35: a 50GB domestic-only 5G plan, and a 25GB plan with CAN/US/Mex included — so roaming is available at entry-level pricing without an upgrade. Freedom Mobile also starts CAN/US/Mex at $35 with its 10GB plan. Freedom Mobile additionally includes Roam Beyond data for 120+ international destinations on all postpaid plans from $35, ranging from 1GB at the entry tier up to 20GB at the $70 tier, plus purchasable 30-day passes for additional Roam Beyond data. Public Mobile offers standalone US roaming bundles for customers on the domestic-only $35 plan, but has no roaming option for any destination outside the United States. Freedom holds a clear advantage for international travellers.
United States and Mexico
| Option | Public Mobile | Freedom Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Included on plan | From $35/mo (25GB CAN/US/Mex 5G plan and above) | All main postpaid plans from $35/mo |
| Daily rate | No daily rate | No daily rate |
| Talk & text add-on bundle | $15 (unlimited talk & text) | No add-on (included on plan) |
| 15-day data pass | $30 (unlimited talk, text & 5GB data) | No 15-day pass |
| 30-day data pass | $40 (unlimited talk, text & 5GB data) | No 30-day US-only pass |
International destinations (120+ countries) - Roam Beyond
| Option | Public Mobile | Freedom Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Included Roam Beyond data | Not available | 1GB - 20GB depending on plan tier |
| 30-day pass (5GB) | Not available | $30 (includes unlimited talk & text) |
| 30-day pass (10GB) | Not available | $50 (includes unlimited talk & text) |
Public Mobile customers on the domestic-only $35 plan can use the standalone roaming bundles for US and Mexico access — the $30 15-day and $40 30-day passes are practical options for short trips — or upgrade to the 25GB CAN/US/Mex plan at the same $35 price point. For travel beyond North America, Freedom is the only viable choice of the two, with Roam Beyond data included on all postpaid plans from $35 per month and additional passes available for purchase.
Device financing
Public Mobile does not sell devices and does not offer financing — all customers must bring their own unlocked phone. Freedom Mobile offers 24-month device financing through its MyTab/TradeUp Payment Program, spreading the cost of a new phone across two years on the monthly bill. Customers who need to purchase a new device as part of switching will find Freedom the only option of the two for financing.
Perks and add-ons
Public Mobile offers 2% back in Public Points on most plans, redeemable for bill credits or plan upgrades. All plans include unlimited international messages. A senior plan is available at $22 per month (talk and text, no data). Canada-US-Mexico calling and texting plus 1,000 international long-distance minutes are included from the $35 CAN/US/Mex 5G plan (25GB) and above. The self-serve model keeps costs low, with account management entirely through the online portal or app. Public Mobile is a Telus subsidiary and does not operate sub-brands of its own.
Freedom Mobile includes Canada-US-Mexico roaming as standard on all main postpaid plans. All postpaid plans include Roam Beyond data for 120+ international destinations — 1GB at the $35 entry tier, scaling up to 20GB at the $70 tier. Select plans carry a Price Freeze Promise, guaranteeing the monthly rate will not increase. Prepaid options include a 6-month talk-and-text plan at $90 and a 6-month data plan at $150 (90GB, 5G) plus annual tiers at $129 and $159 per year for light or backup users. Freedom supports eSIM and offers 24-month device financing. Freedom has no sub-brands.
Customer support
Freedom Mobile offers significantly more support channels than Public Mobile, including phone support, in-store assistance, and messaging-based options via Apple Messages, WhatsApp, and RCS. Public Mobile is limited to online chat, a self-serve portal, and a community forum with no phone or in-store channel. Despite this, Public Mobile scores higher in customer satisfaction at 4.5/5 versus Freedom's 3.8/5 on Topicks.ca, continuing a pattern where streamlined self-serve carriers tend to score better on satisfaction than carriers with broader but inconsistent support infrastructure.
Who should choose which?
- You want the lowest entry price — $22 per month for a senior talk and text plan, or $24 per month for general data plans
- You live outside BC, Ontario, or Alberta and need reliable national coverage on the Telus network
- You travel or live in rural, northern, or Atlantic Canada where Freedom has no coverage
- You want 2% back in Public Points on your monthly bill
- You want more data per dollar — 50GB domestic or 25GB CAN/US/Mex at $35, and 75GB CAN/US/Mex at $40 versus Freedom's 70GB
- You already have an unlocked phone and do not need device financing
- You are comfortable managing your account entirely online or through an app
- You live in a major city in BC, Ontario, or Alberta where Freedom's network performs well
- You want postpaid billing rather than prepaid top-up
- You travel internationally beyond the US and want Roam Beyond data in 120+ destinations included on your plan from $35/month
- You want a Price Freeze Promise locking in your monthly rate
- You need 24-month device financing to spread the cost of a new phone
- You want prepaid options — including 6-month plans at $90 (talk and text) or $150 (90GB, 5G), or annual tiers at $129 or $159 per year
- You prefer in-store or phone support rather than a self-serve-only model
Public Mobile wins on entry-level pricing, national coverage, data volume at the $35 and $40 tiers, rewards, and customer satisfaction — its Telus-network reach covers rural and non-urban Canada that Freedom cannot, its $35 tier offers a choice of 50GB domestic or 25GB CAN/US/Mex (matching Freedom's $35 entry for roaming), its $40 plan delivers 75GB CAN/US/Mex versus Freedom's 70GB, and its 4.5/5 customer rating leads Freedom's 3.8/5. At $45 and $50 per month both carriers match on data volume, but Freedom includes Roam Beyond for 120+ international destinations on every postpaid plan. Freedom Mobile wins on international roaming, postpaid flexibility, device financing, price lock guarantee, prepaid variety, and support channel breadth, making it the stronger choice for urban Canadians in Freedom's coverage area who travel internationally beyond North America, need a new phone, or want a locked-in rate.
The deciding factors are where you live, whether Freedom's network covers your area, and whether you need device financing or international roaming beyond the United States.
