Jitterbug Pros and Cons: All You Need to Know Before You Sign Up

Jitterbug is a cell phone line from Lively that’s specially designed for the senior population. Their devices are well-crafted with a simple interface, GPS services, and optional add-ons for medical services. Jitterbug cell phones are a fantastic addition for seniors all over the country, but they are not the only option! Let’s dive into Jitterbug’s pros and cons to decide whether or not this line of devices is right for you. 

Jitterbug Pros and Cons

There are a lot of cell phones on the market, but few are as specialized as Jitterbug’s. Even with the focus on design and features for seniors, it is important to see Jitterbug’s pros and cons, as well as how they hold up to the competition, to decide whether or not these devices are right for you. There are many factors to this decision, including what you want from your cell phone, the features that are right for you, and your preferred provider. Let’s dive into it. 

PRO — Cell Phones

There are two Jitterbug devices, each one with unique features suited for seniors. They offer the Jitterbug Flip 2, which is a flip phone with large keys, and the Jitterbug Smart 4, which is a simple touch smartphone. Having one flip phone and one smartphone is a great way to give options to customers. 

The Jitterbug Smart 4 is from Lively, one of our favorite cell phone carriers for seniors. This phone costs around $150 and is designed with seniors in mind. Its user interface is simple and easy to navigate, and alongside that, it offers all the features of a modern-day smartphone as well. It has a camera, GPS, and it is connected to the Google Play app store, so they can download any application that they want with their phone. As a part of Lively, there are often some sweet deals for new customers buying new phones, so keep your eyes open for those. The team at Lively has created a device that does not have the high-tech advancements of mainline smartphones, rather is developed to create a device that is easy to see and hear and is very easy to use. 

The Jitterbug Flip2 costs $100 and has built-in features to ensure that seniors are always connected to emergency services should something happen. Lively comes with two health and safety packages that add on an extra cost per month but give the seniors an urgent response system if they need it. If you are worried that they might get into trouble without having a way to contact anyone, the Jitterbug Flip 2 is a great choice. 

PRO — Phone Health and Safety Features

The Jitterbug Flip 2 has an Urgent Response button that grants the user access to emergency help 24/7 with the push of a button. This is a great addition to a cell phone designed for seniors, where they are always just one button push away from healthcare if they need it. 

PRO — Cell Phone Design

Both Jitterbug devices are designed with senior use in mind. The smartphone has an easy-to-navigate homepage with big navigation buttons, including phone, text messages, and web. On top of the system design, Lively operators are available by pressing the “0” button and are ready to provide assistance. They will even dial a number! 

PRO — Coverage

Jitterbug cell phones are usable in any major network in the United States. While their cell phones are designed to work with Lively, unlocked Jitterbug cell phones can connect to almost any network in the States. Make sure to check your local coverage maps for information regarding the best cell phone coverage in your area! 

PRO — Lively Health and Safety Features

One of the best features of Lively is the Health and Safety Package. There are three tiers, each providing increasing amounts of coverage. 

Urgent Response

The urgent response allows users to connect with certified Emergency Dispatch. They are ready to help with all forms of distress, from medical to being locked out of your home or car. Urgent response is available on all Lively devices 24/7. 

Urgent Care

At Lively, urgent care gives users access to registered nurses and board-certified doctors to help with medical advice regarding symptoms and prescriptions. Users pay the monthly fee for unlimited access to these professionals with as many questions as they wish. These doctors can help users order or refill prescriptions over the phone. No appointment is necessary.

Lively Link

This service connects users over an app that their friends and family can download to get regular updates about a user’s health and safety. It tracks location and activity, and friends and family can ping the user at any time to make sure everything is okay. 

Personal Operator

Available only on the ultimate plan, Personal Operators are available 24/7 and can schedule rides, give directions, find phone numbers, and otherwise help you as much as possible at any time of the day. These operators are around to ensure that you are safe and are not experiencing abnormal levels of distress as you navigate your daily activities. 

PRO — Customer Service

Customer service is essential when it comes to getting a new cell phone plan. Lively’s customer service is there to help you out whenever you’re facing an issue with your cell phone or plan.  

Cell phones from Jitterbug are fantastic options for seniors. These cell phones are well-designed for people who want a simple interface and don’t need a lot of high-tech options. Cell phones from Apple and Samsung have so much technology inside, but you pay for it. 

Jitterbug Summary

Jitterbug cell phones bring a lot to the table. They offer safety services to help seniors get in touch with emergency services when they need them, and their customer service provides amazing help to seniors in all situations. There’s a lot to like about Jitterbug cell phones, especially when paired with Lively for cell phone service. That being said, Jitterbug phones work on just about every wireless network, so you can bring them on to your favorite! This is great if you have a family plan and add a new family member who likes the look of these cell phones.  

They are by no means perfect, but they offer a lot. There are an almost uncountable number of cell phones on the market, and it’s important to decide which one is the best for you or your family.  

• What Sets Jitterbug Apart? Jitterbug’s amazing specialization for seniors sets them apart from the competition. Both of their devices, the smartphone and the flip phone, are specifically designed for ease of use. Seniors can navigate through simple menus with big text and intuitive buttons without the clutter that comes with other smartphones. 
• Price of Jitterbug Cell Phones. Jitterbug cell phones, new, cost between $100 and $150. This is a great price relative to new cell phones, which makes sense, as Jitterbug’s devices are not designed to contain cutting-edge technology. They are designed to be easy to use, reliable, and durable. These cell phones are exceptionally affordable options for seniors. 
• What Kinds of Phones does Jitterbug Offer? Jitterbug offers two cell phones, the Smart 4 and the Flip 2. The Smart 4 has an easy-to-use user interface and it offers all the features of a modern-day smartphone as well. It has a camera, GPS, and it is connected to the Google Play app store. Jitterbug’s Flip 2 is a flip phone with big buttons and a simple interface. Lively has created a pair of devices that do not have the high-tech advancements of mainline smartphones, rather they create devices that are easy to see, hear, and use. 
• What Network Does Jitterbug Use? Lively, the company that creates Jitterbug, runs on Verizon’s network. Verizon’s 4G and 5G networks, and, by extension, Lively’s network, cover almost all of the continental United States, meaning you’ll get great coverage no matter where you are. While the exact numbers differ between the major wireless providers, the big three networks all provide fantastic coverage in the continental United States.  
• Do Jitterbug Cell Phones Work on Other Networks? Yes! Unlocked Jitterbug cell phones work on just about any network in the country, letting you buy them for family and relatives even if you don’t use Lively. Some of the great health and safety services are only available at Lively, but Jitterbug cell phones are still a great choice on other networks. 

Jitterbug Versus the Competition

There are a lot of cell phones on the market. Finding the right one is challenging, but it pays dividends in the long run. Getting a phone that gives you problems is incredibly annoying, and with the price of many phones out there, you might have to stick with it for years. Jitterbug is fantastic for users who want to prioritize. It is an easy-to-use device that doesn’t have the confusing bells and whistles that many modern smartphones possess. Let’s look at how they hold up to other devices. 

Jitterbug vs. iPhone SE

There are some draws to using an Apple device. Accessing iMessage, the app store, and all of their other connected programs can make it easier for seniors to navigate through their phones, and we think that the iPhone SE is the best Apple smartphone for seniors. This phone, with 64 GB of storage, costs $430, making it much more expensive than what Jitterbug offers. That being said, for an Apple family, bringing in another iPhone into the middle is a great choice for a senior, and this one is perhaps their most user-friendly, making it the best-suited for seniors. 

Jitterbug’s devices have more dedicated features that make them great for seniors and anyone who wants a simpler cell phone than what Apple offers. 

Jitterbug vs. Samsung Galaxy A15

The Samsung Galaxy A15 is an affordable option that comes with an impressive suite of features and a great battery life. The battery lasts around 50 hours of light use, making it a great choice for seniors who aren’t always near an outlet or don’t always remember to plug it in at night. They won’t have to worry about their phone dying on them when they are out and about or when they have an important call to make. 

Alongside its awesome battery life, it only costs around $200, and it has all the features common to today’s smartphones. This is similar to the iPhone SE in that it’s a little less sophisticated as, say, the Galaxy 24, but it is still more difficult to utilize than the Smart 4 or Flip 2. 

Lively Phone Plans

Lively makes Jitterbug cell phones, so pairing one with the other is the best way to enjoy all of Jitterbug’s features. While Jitterbug cell phones work on any network, we want to highlight Lively as a great choice. Lively has three major plans with data added on after. The phone plans at Lively are all affordably priced and are designed for those who do not need to use a lot of data in their daily routine. Their three major plans are 

• Basic — $20
• Preferred — $50
• Premium — $60

While these plans don’t come with any data, they come with a lot of features that are perfect for seniors. Lively’s basic cell phone plan comes with the following benefits: 

• Ask Lively — A customer service line where Lively personnel can answer questions about cell phones, look up numbers, or get directions. 
• Lively Rides — Lively’s customer service team can schedule Lyft rides for any Lively users. 

Lively’s preferred cell phone plan comes with the above benefits and the following: 

• Urgent Response — Lively users can contact Urgent Response agents 24/7 for all emergencies. 
• Lively Link — Lively users stay connected with their friends and family, and alerts are sent if there’s ever an emergency.

Lively’s premium cell phone plan comes with the above benefits and the following: 

• Care Advocate — You receive access to experts to help you create plans for health and well-being. 
• Nurse On-Call — Lively premium cell phone plan users can call nurses and doctors 24/7 for medical advice. 

Data Add-Ons

Lively’s above cell phone plans do not have any data, just talk, text, and the special benefits. 

• 1 GB — $5 per month
• 5 GB — $10 per month
• Unlimited (20 GB) — $30 per month

Lively cell phone plans are more expensive than the competition, especially if you add data on top of their basic plan offerings. That being said, the strength of Lively as a carrier is all the benefits it provides for seniors. 

Jitterbug Cell Phones: Review Summary

The Good

• Inexpensive. Jitterbug cell phones are very inexpensive relative to other cell phones on the market. Both of these options are great choices for people who want a simple phone that is easy to use and aren’t as interested in the bells and whistles of a modern device.
• Major wireless networks. Jitterbug cell phones are compatible with every network in the United States, making it a great option for seniors interested in Jitterbug cell phones, even if they aren’t going to join Lively’s cell phone service.
• Cell Phone Deals. You can keep your eyes open for sales, both from Lively’s website and third-party providers like Amazon and Best Buy.  
• Easy to Use. Both Jitterbug devices are designed around ease of use. Big buttons, easy navigation, and high volume make these devices excellent for seniors. 

The Bad

• Simple Devices. The simplicity and specialization of these phones that make them so good for seniors who want these features might make them less appealing to anyone who does not. Smartphones from Apple and Samsung can be more attractive to seniors who don’t mind the extra steps and can navigate the menus with ease.  

There’s a lot to like about Jitterbug cell phones. Very affordable, has fantastic features, and is great when paired with Lively’s cell phone network. They are not the best for everyone, of course, but Jitterbug cell phones are our favorite for seniors. If you want more information regarding cell phone plans in your area, you can check out Really’s comparison tool for all the information you need! 

We hope that this article has helped you decide whether Jitterbug is right for you. They offer great devices for seniors who don’t want to struggle to navigate through menus and apps that many modern smartphones have.