- Unlimited data plans
- Two-line plan option
- Plenty of add-ons like international service
- Easily accessible at WalMart stores
- Phone financing available
- Plans not as flexible as some MVNOs
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At a glance
- Value for money: They offer multi-line and multi month discounts, but their prices and features are not very competitive compared to other MVNOs.
- Coverage: Great coverage on the Verizon network.
- Customer experience: Their ratings for customer service is pretty poor in relation to other carriers. People have complained that it's a struggle to get hold of anyone.
- Transparency: It's very difficult on their website to find terms without reading through ther terms & conditions small print.
- Range of choice: There are plenty of plans to choose from, with a range of allowances.
Straight Talk review: An in-depth analysis
Straight Talk emerges on the cell phone plan landscape as a seemingly versatile option if you're seeking freedom from the traditional carriers, offering access to the Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless network.
With a small selection of plans, Straight Talk positions itself as a flexible choice with its no-contract allure, coupled with the convenience of Verizon coverage, painting an attractive picture.
But does good network coverage on a cheaper plan always mean better?
Beneath the surface, Straight Talk's value proposition begins to waver when stacked against the offerings of other MVNOs, especially when it comes to variety and transparency with their plans.
What is Straight Talk?
Straight Talk is an MVNO and is a division of TracFone, which was acquired by Verizon in 2021. As such, Straight Talk, which used to offer all three networks, is gradually moving to hosting all services on the Verizon network.
What makes Straight Talk different?
There are five Straight Talk plans to choose from, and the two top-tier unlimited plans include free Walmart+, which gives you free delivery and shipping on the majority of your Walmart orders.
You'll also find an international plan, along with home phone, home internet, and data-only plans to choose from.
Plans & pricing
What are the best Straight Talk cell phone plans?
Straight Talk 10GB plan
- T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Straight Talk unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Straight Talk unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Straight Talk unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
How does Straight compare to Verizon?
Verizon vs Straight Talk comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $360 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Straight Talk | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $45/mo | $540/yr |
| Savings | $30/mo | $360/yr | ||
How much does Straight Talk cost?
Plans start at around $30 a month for a basic plan with 100MB of data, but this plan is for flip phones only and does not support smartphones.
The other five plans range from around $35 - $65 a month for a single line.
They do offer multi-line and multi-month discounts with their plans. So the more lines you buy, the lower the price. And you can also get a good deal by purchasing 3, 6, or 12 months of service at a time.
Is Straight Talk a good value?
Straight Talk can help save you money, particularly if you're already paying separately for Walmart+ or you're on a Verizon plan.
That said, there are other Verizon MVNOs that can offer you more features at a much lower cost. Although compared to buying directly from Verizon, you can still save money with a Straight Talk plan.
Straight Talk offers four unlimited plans, but please note that each "unlimited" plan has a high-speed data cap, where your speeds will be slowed once this cap is reached. And considering most of us don't need unlimited data, you could save more money by opting for a cheaper cell phone plan with a data allowance.
Compare Straight Talk vs other carriers
During my research, I found numerous carriers with significantly cheaper plans and better customer ratings:
| Straight Talk | How do Straight Talk plans compare? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
*$45 for 3 Months
|
| T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G |
| Unlimited data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data |
| $55/mo | $25/mo | $25/mo | $15/mo* |
| $660/yr | $300/yr | $300/yr | $315/yr |
| 1.1 on Trustpilot | 4.5 on Trustpilot | 4.5 on Trustpilot | 3.3 on Trustpilot |
- Boost Mobile vs Straight Talk
- Mint Mobile vs Straight Talk
- Red Pocket vs Straight Talk
- Tello vs Straight Talk
- Twigby vs Straight Talk
- Ultra Mobile vs Straight Talk
- US Mobile vs Straight Talk
Network coverage
What network does Straight Talk use?
As Verizon owns this carrier, it's powered by the Verizon network. So, if you're new to this network, it's worth reviewing our Straight Talk coverage map before signing up to confirm coverage in your location.
Does Straight Talk have good coverage?
Verizon provides 4G LTE wireless coverage to the vast majority of the US. It's also historically the strongest network in rural areas, so most customers will have a good connection. You can assess the best coverage in your area to check which dominates in your location.
Does Straight Talk have 5G coverage?
Yes. If your phone supports 5G technology, you'll have access to Verizon's 5G network wherever available. You can find out more about how Verizon's 5G network performs in the 2023 OpenSignal 5G Experience Report.
Straight Talk 5G coverage map
How fast are Straight Talk data speeds?
Data speeds vary based on your network, location, and device.
Straight Talk customers are subject to data deprioritization, which means that when Verizon's network is congested, your speeds may temporarily slow down.
Customer service
Does Straight Talk have good customer service?
Experiences with this provider differ greatly.
BBB and the Straight Talk Trustpilot ratings for this carrier are pretty abysmal, while some Redditors and our reviewers give some positive feedback.
Straight Talk customer reviews roundup
- Straight Talk MoneySavingPro rating: 3.8 stars (8)
- Straight Talk Trustpilot rating: 1.1 stars (1,200+)
- Straight Talk Amazon rating: 4.2 stars (814)
How do I contact customer service?
Customer support is available through several venues:
- Call: 1-877-430-2355 between the hrs of 8 am - 11:45 pm EST daily
- Live Chat: Through the website or app
User experience
What are reviewers saying about Straight Talk?
Reviewers love the prices and coverage. The overarching sentiment among customers is that the phone service and features are good as long as you don't need to contact customer support.
Some customers have complained about losing coverage as the provider transitions to using the Verizon network. But all new customers are on Verizon, so that shouldn't be a concern as long as the network is strong in your area.
What are some common complaints about Straight Talk?
Although most people have positive experiences, there are some common complaints among subscribers.
Many customers complain that the customer service team, while friendly, isn't trained well enough to help with certain issues.
A few customers also stated that the company showed resistance when they requested to port out their number.
SIM activation
Is it easy to switch?
Assuming your device is unlocked, switching carriers is generally a very straightforward process. Activating your new service typically takes just a few minutes.
Does Straight Talk support eSIM?
Straight Talk currently only supports eSIM in Apple iPhones.
Activating your eSIM is fast and convenient. Purchase your plan and start the activation process immediately without waiting for a SIM card to arrive.
Phone selection
What phones do they have?
This low-cost carrier offers a surprisingly robust phone selection, including top Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, plus the latest iPhones.
An installment payment plan is available with SmartPay. But make sure to read the fine print, as these programs are often overpriced.
Can I bring my own phone to Straight Talk?
You can save money by keeping your current device and bringing your own phone. You can also transfer your current phone number. Just ensure your device is unlocked and compatible with the Verizon wireless network.
Is my phone compatible?
Nowadays, the majority of unlocked 4G and 5G smartphones are compatible with any network, but you'll be able to check on Straight Talk's site during sign-up.
Straight Talk features
My view point: Is Straight Talk any good?
Short answer: With coverage on the Verizon network, some Straight Talk plans could save you money on your bill compared to going direct to Verizon. However, other low-cost carriers offer more variety in their plans and provide more budget-friendly options. No one carrier or plan is universally the most suitable option for every user's needs, so it's important to know what you need to get the best deal.
Is Straight Talk worth it?
While Straight Talk provides the benefit of Verizon's extensive network coverage at a more affordable rate than Verizon's own plans, it's important to explore all of your options.
Straight Talk provides a range of choices, like multi-month subscriptions and a discount when purchasing more than one line. But other MVNOs can save you more.
According to this 2023 JD Power report, the average monthly price is $157. By unbundling your phone from any unnecessary features, it's possible to get a single-line unlimited data plan for around $25-$30 a month with MVNOs.
Straight Talk's offerings include four unlimited plans, so there is a lack of flexibility for lighter data users, and their Trustpilot rating is 1.1, with most comments around customer service experience.
Would I use Straight Talk?
Short answer: I wouldn't personally use Straight Talk, as I've found MVNOs like US Mobile and Boost Mobile offer me a better value for money for my cell phone needs. Straight Talk also has a low Trustpilot score of 1.1, with mixed reviews of their customer support. However, if you like the Verizon network, these plans can help you save money while getting access to Verizon's 5G & 4G LTE wireless network, and many reviews state they are happy with the overall service.
Straight Talk FAQs
You can buy a Straight Talk SIM card online or purchase one from a Walmart store near you. Orders typically ship within 1-3 business days.
No problem - there are tons of affordable options on the other networks, including Red Pocket Mobile and Mint Mobile. You can compare other prepaid cell phone plans to find the best one for you.
Yes. It offers two data-only options. If you're looking for something different, compare the best data-only plans on the Verizon network.
You can use mobile hotspots with plans that include dedicated hotspot data. These include the Silver, Gold, and Platinum Unlimited plans.
Yes. If you need multiple lines with a baked-in discount, this carrier offers some discounts for families.
Yes. The Bronze and Silver plans come with free calling to Mexico and Canada. Gold and Platinum include calling to 60+ countries.
No. There is no international roaming on this carrier.
Recap: Is Straight Talk the right choice for you?
Straight Talk is a low-cost carrier that operates on the Verizon network. But is it a good MVNO?
While no one carrier or plan suits everyone perfectly, this option can be a helpful solution for those with multiple lines and people who use Walmart+.
There are, however, a range of other MVNO plans that provide more flexibility, more features, and better transparency on their plans while still offering great 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage.
Make sure to consider the following factors when determining if this provider is right for you:
- Plans: Limited flexibility. Most people don't need unlimited.
- Coverage: It's switching over to all Verizon; before, it had used all three big networks.
- Phones: Bring your own phone or choose from a wide range of new devices.
- Customer experience: Customer service reviews are mixed. Most feedback is fairly positive on the service in general, but the customer service receives the lowest ratings.
- Multi-month option: If you prefer paying your bill in advance for several months, this carrier offers a discount for buying 3,6 or 12 months of service.
How we reviewed Straight Talk
To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.
Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
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