Verizon is one of the major cell phone carriers in the United States.
They are called a major network operator, abbreviated as MNO, because they build and operate their own network.
Verizon is responsible for putting up cell sites, purchasing spectrum, building infrastructure, and negotiating deals to create and expand their network. Building a network is expensive, so Verizon’s plans tend to cost a lot. Their cheapest postpaid plan starts at $65 per month.
Not everyone can afford Verizon’s expensive plans, so Verizon leases access to their network to Verizon MVNOs.
MVNOs are prepaid cell phone carriers that operate virtually on existing networks and typically offer more affordable plans.
We suggest you consider popular MVNOs like US Mobile or Visible for more affordable options that still use Verizon for coverage.
Verizon is one of the major cell phone carriers in the United States.
They are called a major network operator, abbreviated as MNO, because they build and operate their own network.
Verizon is responsible for putting up cell sites, purchasing spectrum, building infrastructure, and negotiating deals to create and expand their network. Building a network is expensive, so Verizon’s plans tend to cost a lot. Their cheapest postpaid plan starts at $65 per month.
Not everyone can afford Verizon’s expensive plans, so Verizon leases access to their network to Verizon MVNOs.
MVNOs are prepaid cell phone carriers that operate virtually on existing networks and typically offer more affordable plans.
We suggest you consider popular MVNOs like US Mobile or Visible for more affordable options that still use Verizon for coverage.
The main differences between the plans are in how much premium data is included, how much hotspot data is included, and the available perks.
It is also important to note that Verizon Start Unlimited is deprioritized (so it may have slower speeds when the network is busy), and that it only has access to Verizon’s Nationwide 5G network. It won’t get the blazing fast gigabit speeds you’ll see on Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G network.
We think most people will be happy with Verizon’s Play More unlimited plan. It includes 50GB of premium data, 25GB of hotspot data, and extra perks like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Apple Music free for 6 months, and 50% off Verizon Home Internet.
You can see the full details of Verizon’s cell phone plans and what specific features and perks they include by clicking on the plan cards below:
Yes, Verizon offers plans for families. Families with two or more lines can enjoy multi-line discounts on all of Verizon’s unlimited plans.
You can manage up to 10 phone lines on any plan.
What is great is that you can mix-and-match Verizon’s unlimited plans. This means lines that need more hotspot data can be on Verizon Get More Unlimited, while lines that don’t need hotspot data can be on Verizon Start Unlimited.
Taking advantage of Verizon’s mix-and-match policy helps make sure that each person gets the features they need and that your cell phone bill is as low as possible.
Here are Verizon’s available family plans and prices:
Yes, Verizon offers plans for families. Families with two or more lines can enjoy multi-line discounts on all of Verizon’s unlimited plans.
You can manage up to 10 phone lines on any plan.
What is great is that you can mix-and-match Verizon’s unlimited plans. This means lines that need more hotspot data can be on Verizon Get More Unlimited, while lines that don’t need hotspot data can be on Verizon Start Unlimited.
Taking advantage of Verizon’s mix-and-match policy helps make sure that each person gets the features they need and that your cell phone bill is as low as possible.
Here are Verizon’s available family plans and prices:
You can add a smartwatch, tablet, or hotspot device to your Verizon account at any time. Verizon calls these plans “connected device plans.”
You can add a smartwatch to your plan for $10/month. You can add a tablet plan starting at $20 per month. And you can add hotspot plans starting at $20/month.
Keep in mind that customers on Do More Unlimited and Get More Unlimited will get 50% off a smartwatch, tablet, or hotspot plan. That is up to $15/month in savings, depending on which connected device plan you get.
You can see all of Verizon’s connected device plans here:
You can add a smartwatch, tablet, or hotspot device to your Verizon account at any time. Verizon calls these plans “connected device plans.”
You can add a smartwatch to your plan for $10/month. You can add a tablet plan starting at $20 per month. And you can add hotspot plans starting at $20/month.
Keep in mind that customers on Do More Unlimited and Get More Unlimited will get 50% off a smartwatch, tablet, or hotspot plan. That is up to $15/month in savings, depending on which connected device plan you get.
You can see all of Verizon’s connected device plans here:
Verizon offers a $10 auto-pay and paper-free billing discount on all of their cell phone plans. This $10/month discount has already been factored into the cost of the plans you see on our website.
Verizon also offers a secret referral program. You can earn up to $100 in prepaid debit cards for referring your friends and family members.
Military veterans, teachers, nurses, and students can also enjoy a discount on Verizon’s services.
Check your eligibility and see avaialble discounts here.
Verizon offers a $10 auto-pay and paper-free billing discount on all of their cell phone plans. This $10/month discount has already been factored into the cost of the plans you see on our website.
Verizon also offers a secret referral program. You can earn up to $100 in prepaid debit cards for referring your friends and family members.
Military veterans, teachers, nurses, and students can also enjoy a discount on Verizon’s services.
Check your eligibility and see avaialble discounts here.
No discounts or referral programs are available at this time.
RootMetrics currently ranks Verizon as having the #1 best coverage and data speeds across the United States with an overall performance score of 96.0.
Verizon’s LTE bands are 2, 4, 5, 13, 46, 48, and 66.
Verizon’s 5G bands are n260 and n261.
The primary bands Verizon uses for coverage are marked in bold.
You want to make sure your phone has as many compatible bands as possible for the best coverage, data speeds, and performance on the Verizon network.
Check Verizon coverage in your area by using Verizon's official coverage map.
You can also use third-party maps like CoverageMap.com.
You can contribute to the CoverageMap.com project by downloading the SpeedSmart app and running a speed test while connected to a cellular network.
RootMetrics currently ranks AT&T as having the #2 best coverage and data speeds across the United States with an overall performance score of 95.6.
AT&T’s LTE bands are 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 17, 29, 30, and 66.
AT&T’s 5G bands are n5 and n260.
You want to make sure your phone has as many compatible bands as possible for the best coverage, data speeds, and performance on the AT&T network. The primary bands AT&T uses are marked in bold.
You can AT&T coverage in your area by using AT&T's official coverage map.
You can also use third-party maps like CoverageMap.com.
You can contribute to the CoverageMap.com project by downloading the SpeedSmart app and running a speed test while connected to a cellular network.
RootMetrics currently ranks T-Mobile as having the third best coverage and data speeds across the United States with an overall performance score of 90.3.
T-Mobile's LTE bands are 2, 4, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, and 71.
T-Mobile's 5G bands are n41, n71, n260, and n261.
The primary bands T-Mobile uses are marked in bold.
You want to make sure your phone has as many compatible bands as possible for the best coverage, data speeds, and performance on the T-Mobile network.
Check T-Mobile coverage in your area by using T-Mobile's official coverage map.
You can also use third-party maps like CoverageMap.com.
You can contribute to the CoverageMap.com project by downloading the SpeedSmart app and running a speed test while connected to a cellular network.
Verizon supports VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail, mobile hotspot, video streaming at 720p, 5G access, eSIM, domestic roaming, and international texting.
Verizon also includes free international roaming in Canada and Mexico with all of their unlimited plans.
International calling and international data roaming are available as add-on services for your plan.
A couple of notes about the plan features:
Verizon supports all plan features.
You can check your phone’s compatibility with Verizon by using Verizon’s IMEI checker.
Verizon includes free international texting from within the United States to over 200 countries and territories worldwide with all of their unlimited plans.
Verizon also includes free data roaming in Canada and Mexico with unlimited talk and text. You get 0.5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico per day before your speeds are slowed to 128Kbps.
The Do More Unlimited and Get More Unlimited plans also include one free international TravelPass per month, and you can accumulate up to 12 total TravelPasses per year.
A TravelPass lets you use your phone in over 185 supported countries for 24 hours. You get unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and 0.5GB of high-speed data during your 24-hour period.
You are also able to purchase TravelPasses for $10 per day for any of Verizon’s cell phone plans.
Keep in mind that these TravelPasses are expensive. You may consider international eSIM plans from Airalo or US Mobile instead.
For example, a $15 eSIM data plan from Airalo gives you 5GB of data for 30 days in the United Kingdom.
Rates vary from country to country, but international eSIM data plans are often much cheaper than Verizon’s TravelPass and give you more high-speed data.
Verizon offers add-ons for international calling, international data roaming, phone insurance, and more. Click to expand an add-on below to see more information about it and what cell phone plans it works with:
From Verizon's website:
- Unlimited calls to Canada and Mexico
- International calling to 220+ destinations starting at $0.05 per minute. (This is cheaper than the standard pay-per-minute rate, which starts at $0.49 per minute).
From Verizon’s website:
From Verizon’s website:
Verizon’s Monthly International Travel Plan is intended to be used for longer trips. It bundles a monthly allotment of minutes, texts, and MB of data that remains active on your account until you remove it.
The Monthly International Travel plan is $100 per month in addition to the cost of your regular Verizon plan. This plan works in 185+ compatible countries.
It includes the following features:
If you run out of minutes, texts, or data, Verizon will charge you the following overage rates:
Verizon’s Pay As You Go rates allow you to pay per minute, per text, and per MB of data that you use internationally.
You will only be charged international pay as you go rates if you choose to enable international service on your account, and you decide not to get Verizon’s TravelPass or Monthly International Plan.
If you do not enable international service, then you will not be charged the pay as you go rates.
Verizon’s pay as you go rates are as follows:
These rates may be reasonable for lighter international data users. However, they can be quite expensive for more moderate to heavy use. For example, using 1GB of cellular data costs $2,050 with Verizon’s pay as you go rate system.
Be mindful of Verizon’s pay as you go rates if you choose to enable international features and do not opt for either the daily TravelPass or Monthly International Travel Plan.
Verizon’s TravelPass is an add-on available for their postpaid plans that allows you to use your phone while traveling abroad.
The TravelPass includes the following features:
You can add a TravelPass to your Verizon plan by texting “travel” to 4004, or by following this link.
You can contact Verizon customer service by chatting with customer service on Verizon’s website or mobile app, by scheduling a callback, by calling Verizon, or by going to a physical Verizon store.
Verizon’s customer service contact information:
Overall, Verizon is a good option for people looking for premium cell phone plans and a premium experience.
That said, you can find more affordable plans from US Mobile, Xfinity Mobile, and Visible that still use Verizon’s network for coverage.
Verizon is one of the major cell phone carriers in the United States.
They are called a major network operator, abbreviated as MNO, because they build and operate their own network.
Verizon is responsible for putting up cell sites, purchasing spectrum, building infrastructure, and negotiating deals to create and expand their network. Building a network is expensive, so Verizon’s plans tend to cost a lot. Their cheapest postpaid plan starts at $65 per month.
Not everyone can afford Verizon’s expensive plans, so Verizon leases access to their network to Verizon MVNOs.
MVNOs are prepaid cell phone carriers that operate virtually on existing networks and typically offer more affordable plans.
We suggest you consider popular MVNOs like US Mobile or Visible for more affordable options that still use Verizon for coverage.
