AppleCare+ is a solid plan — but it only covers Apple products, it is sold one device at a time, and most claims still carry a deductible. Here is an honest look at the main alternatives, what each one does well, and how to pick the one that fits your devices.
AppleCare+ is a well-run plan, and for someone whose entire life runs on a single iPhone it can be the simplest choice. But it has three structural limits that send a lot of people looking elsewhere.
First, it covers Apple products only. If you own a Windows laptop, an Android tablet, or a gaming handheld alongside your iPhone, AppleCare+ does nothing for them. Second, it is sold per device — every iPhone, iPad, and Mac in the house needs its own separate plan, and the bill grows with each one. Third, most claims still carry a per-claim deductible: roughly $29 for a screen, $99 for other accidental damage, and $149 on the Theft and Loss tier.
None of that makes AppleCare+ a bad product — it makes it a single-device, single-brand product. If that describes you, it may still be the right pick. If you own several devices or a mix of brands, the alternatives below are worth a serious look. Our RMO MyTech vs AppleCare+ comparison breaks down that specific match-up in detail.
Here are the alternatives most people actually compare, and the honest case for and against each one:
The best alternative is not the same for everyone. Three questions sort it out quickly:
There is no shame in choosing AppleCare+ if you own one Apple device and want theft coverage. But if you own a mix of devices and brands, an independent plan that covers them all under one membership is usually the more sensible — and lower-cost — answer.
There is no single best alternative — it depends on your devices. If you own a mix of phones, tablets and laptops, including non-Apple ones, a multi-device plan such as RMO MyTech covers them all under one membership with a $0 deductible. If theft and loss are your main worry, a carrier plan is worth considering. The right choice comes down to how many devices you own, how much a claim costs, and whether you need theft and loss coverage.
They are priced differently. AppleCare+ is sold per device, so the cost grows with every Apple product you cover, and most claims carry a deductible of roughly $29 for a screen or $99 for other damage. RMO MyTech starts at $4 per month, covers multiple devices under one membership, and charges $0 on covered claims — so for a household with several devices it is often the lower total cost. AppleCare+ does cover theft and loss on its top tier, which MyTech does not.
Yes. AppleCare+ only covers Apple products, but most independent protection plans do not have that limit. RMO MyTech covers phones, tablets, laptops and other personal electronics regardless of brand. Asurion, carrier plans, SquareTrade and Geek Squad also cover a range of brands. If you own a Windows laptop or an Android phone alongside Apple gear, an independent plan keeps everything under one agreement.
Some do and some do not. Carrier plans such as Verizon Mobile Protect, AT&T Protect Advantage and T-Mobile Protection<360> include theft and loss. AppleCare+ adds it on its Theft and Loss tier. RMO MyTech covers accidental damage and hardware failure but does not currently include theft or loss. If theft and loss matter most to you, check that line specifically before you choose a plan.
Once you have a shortlist, these guides help you compare and decide:
