Koodo and Telus are two very popular mobile providers among Canadians. In case you didn’t know, Telus actually owns Koodo. They introduced Koodo back in 2007 as a flanker brand geared towards younger customers. While Telus mostly focuses on long-term contracts for adults and families, Koodo sells more pay as you go plans at lower prices. Although both brands are operated by the same company, there are many differences between them. If you’re confused about which brand is better suited for you, we’ll go over all the most important Koodo vs Telus differences to help you narrow down your choice.
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Network Coverage and Speed
Koodo and Telus provide identical coverage to its users. According to them, their network provides the most extensive coverage in Canada, and reaches 99% of the Canadian population. It manages to reach more remote and rural locations than its competitors, and provides 5G access to many locations across the country. Whether you sign up with Koodo or Telus, you’ll gain access to the same state-of-the-art coverage. To see more specifics about their coverage and see how they compare to other Canadian providers, feel free to check out our national coverage map.
History
Telus is the youngest provider of the “big three”. Founded in 1990, Telus was formed as a privatization of the crown corporation known as Alberta Government Telephones (AGT). By 1995, it absorbed Edmonton’s main telephone provider (EdTel) and became the sole provider in Edmonton. Finally, in 1996, AGT and EdTel were replaced by Telus, which went public as a consumer brand.
After moving its headquarters to Vancouver in 1999, Telus quickly grew a large following. Recently, Telus has invested billions of dollars towards connecting British Columbia and the rest of the country to fibre optic internet and 5G access. Although their history isn’t as long and detailed as Bell or Rogers, Telus Canada has been a dedicated provider since the beginning, and continues to be one to this day
After Bell and Rogers introduced their own flanker brands with Virgin Plus and Fido, Telus decided to start one of their own. In 2007, Telus formed a partnership with the American provider Amp’d Mobile. Amp’d sold affordable plans towards university and college students, but their partnership didn’t last very long.
While Virgin Plus and Fido continued to gain popularity, Telus felt the pressure to introduce a proper flanker brand aimed towards younger customers. Finally, Koodo was established in 2008. Although they entered the flanker competition later, Koodo still managed to become very popular. The provider has always targeted younger clients, while Telus is more geared towards adults and families. If you’re still curious about the brand, make sure to read through our page on Koodo Mobile.
Cell Phone Plans
Although there’s some crossover between the plans offered by these two companies, they mostly sell very different plans from one another. While Koodo is more focused on affordable plans for college students and young adults, Telus’ plans are aimed towards adults and families. Depending on what kind of plan you’re looking for, the winner of the Koodo vs Telus debate could easily be decided:
Koodo
Cell Phone Plan
20 GB of mobile data-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
BYOD
-
Quebec
Telus
Cell Phone Plan
100 GB of Mobile Data-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
BYOD
-
Ontario
Koodo
Cell Phone Plan
50 GB of mobile data-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
BYOD
-
Quebec
Telus
Cell Phone Plan
75 GB of Mobile Data-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
BYOD
-
Quebec
There are many other plans available from each provider, but we’ve chosen to present four options. If one of them catches your eye or if you want more details, feel free to perform a personalized search!
Mobile Plans with Phones
Koodo and Telus both offer a wide range of phones, including recent models like the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S24, as well as previous versions such as the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S23. Koodo stands out with flexible payment options, allowing customers to pay in installments or opt for a higher initial payment. Additionally, Koodo offers certified refurbished devices, providing an affordable solution for those looking to save.
On the other hand, Telus also offers high-end devices with similar payment options, but focuses more on plans tailored for families and professionals.
Koodo
iPhone 16
128 GB
50 GB of mobile data
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Upfront $346.00
-
Quebec
Telus
iPhone 16
128 GB
100 GB of Mobile Data
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Pay upfront: $15.00
-
Ontario
Koodo
iPhone 15
128 GB
50 GB of mobile data
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Upfront: $25.00
-
Quebec
Telus
iPhone 15
128 GB
100 GB of Mobile Data
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Pay upfront: $15.00
-
Ontario
Koodo
Samsung Galaxy 24
128 GB
50 GB of mobile data
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Upfront: $25.00
-
Quebec
Telus
Galaxy S24
128 GB
100 GB of Mobile DataUnlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Pay upfront: $15.00
-
Ontario
Koodo
Google Pixel 9
128 GB
50 GB of mobile data
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Upfront: $65.00
-
Quebec
Telus
Google Pixel 9
128 GB
100 GB of Mobile Data
-
Unlimited Calls
-
Unlimited Messages
-
Pay upfront: $15.00
-
Ontario
Reviews
Koodo Mobile has earned significant praise from its customers. They manage to use Telus’ advanced coverage while providing more affordable plans which younger consumers appreciate. The main problem raised by customers lies with customer service. Despite being friendly and accessible, it’s not quite as efficient as customer service from a major provider like Telus. If you ever want to see more reviews about Koodo, make sure to read up on our page on Koodo reviews.
Pros and Cons
Still undecided between Koodo and Telus? Here’s a breakdown of the main pros and cons of each provider to help you make your decision:
Koodo Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage reaches 99% of Canadians | Doesn’t offer data plans as large as Telus → no unlimited shareable plans |
| “Shock Free” data ensures no overage fees | Customer service isn’t as efficient as Telus |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Plans don’t include long distance calling → must be purchased as an add-on |
Telus Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage reaches 99% of Canadians | No “Shock Free” data to prevent overage fees |
| Offers larger data plans that can be shared with family | Customer service wait times can be long |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Cancellation fee of $50 plus your remaining bill |
FAQ
Are Koodo’s mobile plans cheaper than Telus’?
For the most part, yes. Koodo mostly offers cheaper plans that include less data. Koodo plans that provide the same amount of data as a Telus plan are offered at the same price.
Do plans from Koodo or Telus require a contract?
Some Telus plans require contracts, but all Koodo plans are pay as you go.
Do Koodo and Telus have the same coverage?
Yes, they both use the same cell phone towers nationwide.
What are the cheapest plans from Koodo and Telus?
The cheapest plan from both Koodo and Telus costs just $15/month for 250MB of data, 100 nationwide minutes and unlimited texting.
Can I purchase a phone from Koodo or Telus online?
Yes. Both providers sell mobile phones and plans entirely online, as well as in person at their stores and kiosks.
