Chatr vs Public Mobile: Which Budget Plan is Better?

Entry prices are similar — both carriers offer plans starting around $30/mo for basic data. Where Public Mobile pulls ahead is its rewards program: points earned for on-time monthly payments, referrals, and account longevity can reduce your effective monthly cost by $5–15/mo over time. Chatr has no rewards program — what you see is what you pay, every month. Over a 12-month period, a Public Mobile customer actively using the rewards program typically pays $60–180 less than an equivalent Chatr plan.

Public Mobile uses Telus's 5G network — full 5G access on compatible devices wherever Telus has deployed it, which covers most major Canadian cities and is expanding nationally. Chatr runs on Rogers's LTE network, with limited 5G availability on select plans. For Canadians who have or plan to buy a 5G smartphone, Public Mobile gives you access to faster speeds that Chatr largely cannot match. Both networks have strong urban coverage, but Telus (Public Mobile) has broader national reach.

Public Mobile is available across Canada — every province and territory. Chatr is only available in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec — the four provinces where Rogers has the strongest infrastructure. Canadians in the Maritimes, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or the territories cannot use Chatr. If you're outside Chatr's service area, Public Mobile (or Lucky Mobile on Bell) is the budget option.

Chatr's plan lineup is intentionally simple — a small number of plans with straightforward pricing and no decision fatigue. Activation can be done in-store at Rogers or Chatr retail locations, which some customers prefer over Public Mobile's fully online activation. Public Mobile is online-only: account management, support, and activation all happen through the app or website. For Canadians who are not comfortable with app-based self-serve, Chatr's in-store option is a practical advantage.