Head to head
Life Wireless vs SafeLink Wireless
Both are approved Lifeline providers, and both are free if you qualify. They differ on the network they run on, how much of the country they cover, and what handset you end up with.
| Life Wireless | SafeLink Wireless | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | AT&T | Verizon |
| Operated by | Telrite Holdings | Verizon (TracFone Wireless) |
| States served | 41 | 43 |
| ZIP codes covered | 12,132 | 33,988 |
| National rank by footprint | #3 | #2 |
| Offering Lifeline since | 2010 | 2008 |
| Service type | Mobile | Mobile |
| Customer service | 888-543-3620 | 833-333-9227 |
Coverage: who reaches further
SafeLink Wireless is approved in 43 states against Life Wireless's 41, and covers 33,988 ZIP codes against 12,132. They overlap in 36 states, where you can genuinely choose between them.
Only Life Wireless (5 states)
Alaska, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota and Texas.
Only SafeLink Wireless (7 states)
Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, New Hampshire, New Mexico and North Carolina.
Network: the difference that matters most
Lifeline plans are free either way, so the deciding factor is usually whose signal reaches your home. Life Wireless runs on AT&T; SafeLink Wireless runs on Verizon. Since they are on different networks, one may work at your address where the other does not. If you have a friend or neighbour on either network, their signal is the best test you have.
Which should you apply to?
Choose Life Wireless if: Tied for the widest state footprint in the country; Runs on AT&T, a genuine alternative to the T-Mobile-heavy field; Long operating history.
Choose SafeLink Wireless if: Broadest state footprint of any Lifeline provider; Runs on Verizon's network, the strongest rural coverage of the big three; Long operating history and retail presence in Walmart stores.
Note that you can only hold one Lifeline benefit at a time, so this is a real choice rather than something to hedge. You can switch providers later, but you cannot run both at once.
Check which one covers your ZIP first
Life Wireless and SafeLink Wireless overlap in 36 states, but coverage is licensed ZIP by ZIP. Find out which of them — and which other providers — actually serve your address.
Check my ZIP codeFour questions, about two minutes. Runs entirely in your browser — we do not store your answers or send them anywhere.