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You may know that Verizon and AT&T are the two largest wireless carriers in the nation.
But do you know which one has the best coverage in your area? Or how much of the time you'll get a 4G LTE connection on each network?
We'll get the answers to both those questions, along with valuable tips on saving over 50% on your cell phone bill.
AT&T vs Verizon: Plans
Cheapest AT&T unlimited data plan
Boost Mobile unlimited data plan
- AT&T & T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Boost Mobile phone plans are powered by the AT&T and T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks, giving you the same wireless coverage at a fraction of the price.
With a range of data allowances from 2GB up to unlimited, there's something for the light to heavy data users. Check out our review about best unlimited data plans on AT&T.
Pros
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Multi-line discounts for family plans
- Mobile hotspot access
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No free international calls
- International roaming is limited
- All of Boost Mobile's prepaid plans come with unlimited calling and text.
- If you use a lot of data, unlimited plans include up to 30GB of high-speed data.
- Most plans include mobile hotspot data, but be sure to check. The allowance depends on the plan, but the maximum is 30GB, which comes out of your monthly data allowance.
- Discounts are available for additional lines, so you can save on a plan for the whole family.
- When it comes to devices, they provide a wide range of phones to choose from. Including the latest models from popular brands like Apple and Samsung, with financing options of 0% financing over 1-2 years. Helping to make it affordable to purchase a new phone.
- Boost Mobile's international features are not as strong. Their international roaming options are limited compared to other carriers, and international calls are an extra add-on, which means you'll have to pay extra if you want to make calls to friends and family overseas.
AT&T unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Starter | Unlimited | $65 | $780 |
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | Unlimited | $75 | $900 |
| AT&T Unlimited Premium | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Boost Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $300/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $600/yr | ||
Best cheap Verizon phone plan
US Mobile 10GB plan
- Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
US Mobile phone plans offer affordable deals on the Verizon and T-Mobile networks, with good customer service and customizable options. You can build the best phone plans to suit specific needs, with unlimited talk and text and even international roaming options.
Plus, they don't lock you into any long-term contracts, giving you the freedom to switch whenever you like.
Pros
- T-Mobile and Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Multi-line discounts for family plans
- Free trial available
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- TV, music, & gaming subscription perks on unlimited plans
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- International calling is an extra cost
- International roaming is an extra cost
- Mobile hotspot allowance only available on unlimited plans
- US Mobile stands out with its exceptional customer service, offering 24/7 support by phone or online chat.
- Try before you buy on a 50-day trial period.
- Mobile hotspot data allowance is dependent on the unlimited plan you choose. You'll get either 5 GB, 10 GB, or 50 GB.
- With their family plans, you can save hundreds of dollars on your cell phone bill by adding multiple lines. The more lines you add, the more discount you receive.
- For extra perks, US Mobile offers streaming services like Disney Plus bundle with Hulu and ESPN, HBO Max, Apple TV, Spotify Family, PlayStation Plus, and more, with an unlimited prepaid plan and at least three additional lines.
- Available to new and existing US Mobile customers with an unlimited plan and at least three additional lines. You'll need to pay for the subscription yourself and verify it every three months for a maximum of 12 months. The extra cost will be credited to your account via Autopay.
- They may not be the best option for frequent travelers seeking reliable international coverage. Their add-on packages for roaming can be expensive, and their international calling features may not be as competitive as other carriers.
Cheapest Verizon unlimited data plan
Visible unlimited data plan
- Verizon coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Check out our review about best unlimited data plans on Verizon.
Pros
- Great pricing
- Unlimited talk, text, and data
- Taxes & fees included in price
- User-friendly website
Cons
- Only 2 plan choices
- Data speed is capped at 5 Mbps
- Limited phone compatibility
- App-based service
Verizon unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Unlimited Welcome | Unlimited | $70 | $840 |
| Verizon Unlimited Plus | Unlimited | $75 | $900 |
| Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
Verizon vs Visible comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $660 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Visible | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $240/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $660/yr | ||
Plan features
- 4G & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big three cellular networks you'll pay less without sacrificing speed. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so you can expect high-speed data.
- Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calls in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
- International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico, and discounted rates on others.
- Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with multi-line discounts.
- Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you're out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.
- Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.
- HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't. Read the fine print to find the option you want.
AT&T vs Verizon: Coverage
AT&T coverage map
Verizon coverage map
Compare network performance
| NETWORK | OVERALL | RELIABILITY | SPEED | DATA | CALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Coverage | 95 | 96 | 94 | 96 | 94 |
| AT&T Coverage | 94 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 92 |
Source: Rootmetrics
AT&T vs Verizon: Family plans
AT&T family plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Starter | $65 |
$120 $60/line |
$135 $45/line |
$140 $35/line |
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | $75 |
$130 $65/line |
$150 $50/line |
$160 $40/line |
| AT&T Unlimited Premium | $85 |
$150 $75/line |
$180 $60/line |
$200 $50/line |
Verizon family plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Unlimited Welcome | $70 |
$120 $60/line |
$135 $45/line |
$140 $35/line |
| Verizon Unlimited Plus | $75 |
$130 $65/line |
$150 $50/line |
$160 $40/line |
| Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | $85 |
$150 $75/line |
$180 $60/line |
$200 $50/line |
AT&T vs Verizon: Data plans
AT&T data plans
Verizon data plans
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visible 0GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $0/mo |
| Total Wireless 0GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $0/mo |
| Total Wireless 0GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $0/mo |
| Total Wireless 0GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $0/mo |
| Total Wireless 0GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $0/mo |
AT&T vs Verizon: Phone deals
AT&T phone deals
Verizon phone deals
AT&T vs Verizon: Customer service
| NETWORK | TRUSTPILOT RATING |
|---|---|
| AT&T user rating | 1.2 |
| Verizon user rating | 1.3 |
Verizon vs AT&T FAQs
You can get a great deal on MVNOs running on the AT&T or Verizon network. Both offer cell phone plans suited to all needs and budgets.
Verizon's nationwide 4G LTE coverage beats AT&T by only 2%. You can use your ZIP code to check who has better coverage in your area.
Recap
In the battle of the networks between AT&T vs Verizon, the best cell phone carrier for you is the one that offers the best 4G LTE coverage where you live and in the areas you visit regularly.
Once you've decided on the best network for you, you will save money by switching to an MVNO on that network. It's a breeze to use our comparison tool to find a cheaper phone plan.
Then, just enjoy the extra money in your pocket!
MoneySavingPro methodology
We're here to bring transparency to telecoms, putting power back in your hands. This guides everything we do.
- We've got high standards. We use our industry expertise to find carriers that reach these standards. We all deserve the best value for money, choice, and customer experience.
- We care about accuracy. MoneySavingPro is run by cell phone geeks and money-saving obsessives. Our content team researches everything thoroughly so that the information you read here will give you the whole picture. Everything we do is backed up by the data.
- We keep things simple. It's our job to break down what you need to know, so you can make informed choices.
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