The only real downside is the cost: Verizon’s plans run about $5 to $15 more than similar plans from its competitors. So, is Verizon worth its top-shelf price? If you want the best coverage and fast data speeds, then we think you’ll like Verizon’s options. Read on to learn all the nitty-gritty details about Verizon Wireless cell phone plans.
Data: If you don’t have enough high-speed data, then your smartphone is basically useless. Make sure you have the 4G LTE and 5G data that you need for work, gaming, streaming, scrolling, and everything else. Price: Get the best price available by comparing plans using tools like the Whistle Out widgets in this article. Coverage: All three major networks—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—have pretty good 4G coverage in major cities. But 5G nationwide coverage and rural coverage can vary widely. Check coverage maps for the carrier with the best network in your area. Features: There are tons of extra features—like mobile hotspot data, international benefits, and HD video streaming—that you can get. Check the fine print to see what a plan offers before you sign up.
Take a look at the company’s unlimited plan pricing and features to decide for yourself. The 5G Start plan is the cheapest, but your data speeds can be deprioritized at any time, making it hard to reliably stream, game, or work on your phone. This plan also comes with no mobile hotspot data, and you have to pay extra for ultra-wideband 5G. The Play More and Do More plans are quite similar. They both come with 50 GB of high-speed 5G/4G LTE data (can be slowed after that cap), 720p streaming quality, and 25 GB of hotspot data. Play More gives you more free subscriptions and Do More comes with Verizon Cloud storage and other business perks. The Get More plan has pretty much all of the above (but a smidge better): Unlimited premium data (no data deprioritization cap to be seen here), 720p video streams, free subscriptions, cloud storage, plus 50 GB of hotspot data! It’s a real powerhouse of a plan. Verizon’s “Nationwide 5G” is kind of like 5G-lite. It gives you just slightly faster speeds than the 4G LTE you’re used to and it’s available all over the country. But ultra-wideband 5G can give you wildly fast data speeds—like 100–200+ Mbps! That’s faster than most home broadband connections. But it’s only available on certain devices and in certain areas. Imagine you’re stuck waiting at the DMV and your data speeds are too slow to stream. Or what if your car breaks down and your coverage is too shoddy to call AAA? There are some very real reasons that people pay extra for Verizon. Just check out the prices in this chart. Also, not all of Verizon’s prepaid plans come with features like hotspot tethering. If you’ve ever needed to access your computer on the go, you know how important a hotspot can be. Oh, and one more thing—you could experience slower speeds due to data deprioritization (which is a fancy way of saying you’re at the back of the line when the network is congested). If you’re set on getting a prepaid plan, you might want to check out Metro by T-Mobile. This chart shows some of Verizon’s most popular deals on new phones and devices. Check out the Verizon coverage map below to see what we’re talking about. Keep in mind you can still get help with your Verizon account or phone through online chat (if you’re signed into your Verizon account) or throw some hashtags Verizon’s way on Twitter and Facebook.
Twitter: @vzwsupport Facebook: @verizon
We’d like to see Verizon innovate and improve when it comes to customer service. And a more transparent way of allowing customers to price and compare plans wouldn’t hurt, either. You can get a step-by-step guide to paying your Verizon bill and signing up for autopay in this article.
Unlimited plans: You can go for the cheaper 5G Start plan if you’re okay with occasional data slowdowns. If you want reliable speeds and more perks, like mobile hotspot data, then opt for one of the pricier options, like the 5G Do More plan. Family Plans: If you’ve got a couple of family members who will share a family plan with you, then do it. It will save you a ton of money, but your bill will probably still be higher than it would be with another company. Performance: Verizon’s coverage and data speeds earned top ratings again and again. You can’t argue with that. Customer service: It’s fairly easy to reach Verizon online, but the entire wireless service provider industry leaves something to be desired when it comes to customer service.
If you’re all about fast speeds and the best coverage, Verizon is a great pick. If you want to get the best possible price, do what you can to work within a family plan. If you’re a single user, reach out to family and friends and see if you can hop on a plan. We used publicly available information about Verizon wireless plans, customer reviews, and our own data from over 100,000 mobile users to evaluate Verizon’s overall value and data speeds. We hope that this review has helped you find the perfect cell phone plan. If you’re curious you can read more about our reviewing process in this article. There are at least 15 smaller companies that use Verizon’s network, but we recommend Visible Wireless for its wildly cheap family cell phone plans and Xfinity Mobile for its awesome bundling deals (for those already on Xfinity internet). Just be aware that MVNOs often have slower data speeds because when the network gets busy Verizon slows down their customers’ data first! After your first 50 GB on the Get More, Do More, or Play More plans and during times of high traffic on the 5G Start plan, Verizon could slow your speed down to 600 Kbps or less. If you’re on a prepaid cell phone plan (both with a data cap and the unlimited data plan), you might feel like your internet browsing is in slow motion if you exceed your data limit and Verizon throttles you back to 128 Kbps. For those on the “new Verizon Plan,” where you can choose from small (S), medium (M), and large (L) data packages, you’re still stuck paying overage charges of $15 per GB. We also noticed that Verizon waives the activation fee when you purchase a prepaid phone and plan online. Huzzah! If you’re looking for a standard level of protection (loss, theft, or damage) for only one device, we think the Total Equipment Coverage hits the spot. The price is much less per month than the Total Mobile Protection plan, and the deductible is the same. You can check if your current number can be transferred on Verizon’s site. Don’t cancel your current service before you transfer your number to Verizon. While you may be ready to cut ties with your old wireless provider, keeping your service until the transfer is complete helps make your transition smoother. As with any big company, Verizon’s return and early termination policies are pretty lengthy. We recommend reading through them if you’re considering canceling your service or returning your device. To qualify for the military discount, you’ll need to be either active duty or a veteran and provide proof of service. Active duty members need a military-issued email, paystub, or SCRA Status Report. Veterans need their DD 214, veterans ID card, military retiree account statement, or a VetRewards card from Veterans Advantage.
