Is Verizon better than AT&T?
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
AT&T unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | Unlimited | $75 | $900 |
| AT&T Unlimited Elite | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
Best cheap AT&T plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 6GB
- Price
- $15/mo** 50% Off for 3 Months
Good2Go Mobile 6GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 6GB data for only $15 per month. Good2Go Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Good2Go Mobile review
Pros
4G LTE coverage
No contract
No credit checks
Cons
No unlimited data options
No app interface
Benefits
Coverage on the nationwide AT&T & T-Mobile networks
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or buy a Good2Go Mobile phone
Mobile hotspot/tethering not supported
International calling to over 60 countries available as affordable plan add-on; calling to other countries via add-on calling card
Customer service available by phone 7am - 1am EST every day
AT&T vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $585 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Mint Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $30/mo | $315/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $45/mo | $585/yr | |
Verizon unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Play More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Do More Unlimited | Unlimited | $80 | $960 |
| Verizon Get More Unlimited | Unlimited | $90 | $1,080 |
Verizon vs Ting comparison
Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $420 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| Ting | Verizon 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $45/mo | $540/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $35/mo | $420/yr | |
Plan features
- 4G & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big four 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 Extra | $75 | $130$65/line | $150$50/line | $160$40/line |
| AT&T Unlimited Elite | $85 | $150$75/line | $180$60/line | $200$50/line |
Cheapest AT&T MVNO multi-line plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Pocket 500MB | $10 | $20$10/line | $30$10/line | $40$10/line |
| Red Pocket 3GB - 12 Mths | $15 | $30$15/line | $45$15/line | $60$15/line |
| Red Pocket 3GB | $20 | $40$20/line | $60$20/line | $80$20/line |
| Red Pocket 10GB - 12 Mths | $22.50 | $45$22.50/line | $67.50$22.50/line | $90$22.50/line |
| Red Pocket 25GB - 12 Mths | $30 | $60$30/line | $90$30/line | $120$30/line |
Verizon family plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Play More Unlimited | $80 | $140$70/line | $165$55/line | $180$45/line |
| Verizon Do More Unlimited | $80 | $140$70/line | $165$55/line | $180$45/line |
| Verizon Get More Unlimited | $90 | $160$80/line | $195$65/line | $220$55/line |
Cheapest Verizon MVNO multi-line plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Mobile Unlimited Talk & Text | $8 | $16$8/line | $24$8/line | $32$8/line |
| US Mobile 1GB | $12 | $24$12/line | $36$12/line | $48$12/line |
| US Mobile 5GB | $15 | $30$15/line | $45$15/line | $60$15/line |
| US Mobile 12GB | $20 | $40$20/line | $60$20/line | $80$20/line |
| US Mobile 18GB | $25 | $50$25/line | $75$25/line | $100$25/line |
AT&T vs Verizon: Data plans
AT&T data only plans
| Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Pocket | AT&T | 0 | 0 | 1GB | $10 |
| Red Pocket | AT&T | 0 | 0 | 5GB | $25 |
| Red Pocket | AT&T | 0 | 0 | 20GB | $40 |
Verizon data only plans
| Carrier | Network | Minutes | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | 0 | 0 | 2GB | $10* Free 10 Day Trial |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | 0 | 0 | 4GB | $15* Free 10 Day Trial |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | 0 | 0 | 6GB | $20* Free 10 Day Trial |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile | 0 | 0 | 15GB | $26* Free 10 Day Trial |
AT&T vs Verizon: Cell phone deals
AT&T cell phone deals
| Phone | Storage | Network | Condition | Price | Apple iPhone 11 | 64GB | AT&T | New | $499 | Apple iPhone 12 | 64GB | AT&T | New | $729 | Apple iPhone 13 mini | 128GB | AT&T | New | $729 | Apple iPhone 12 mini | 256GB | AT&T | New | $779 | Apple iPhone 13 | 128GB | AT&T | New | $829 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | 256GB | AT&T | New | $999 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | 128GB | AT&T | New | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | 128GB | AT&T | New | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | 128GB | AT&T | New | $1,099 |
|---|
Verizon cell phone deals
| Phone | Storage | Network | Condition | Price | Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | 128GB | Verizon | New | $384 | Apple iPhone 12 mini | 64GB | Verizon | New | $599 | Apple iPhone 12 | 128GB | Verizon | New | $749 | Apple iPhone 13 mini | 128GB | Verizon | New | $779 | Apple iPhone 13 | 128GB | Verizon | New | $799 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | 128GB | Verizon | New | $984 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | 128GB | Verizon | New | $1,080 |
|---|
AT&T vs Verizon: Customer service
| NETWORK | TRUSTPILOT RATING |
|---|---|
| AT&T user rating | 1.2 |
| Verizon user rating | 1.3 |
AT&T vs Verizon: MVNOs
Cheap AT&T carriers list
| Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
| Boost Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Cricket Wireless | AT&T |
| Freedompop | AT&T |
| H2O Wireless | AT&T |
| PureTalk | AT&T |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Straight Talk | T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon |
| Tracfone | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Unreal Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Wing | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Black Wireless | AT&T |
| easyGO Wireless | AT&T |
| Airvoice Wireless | AT&T |
| Optimum Mobile | AT&T |
Cheap Verizon carriers list
| Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
| Boom! Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| CREDO Mobile | Verizon |
| Lively | Verizon |
| Net10 Wireless | Verizon |
| Page Plus Cellular | Verizon |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Spectrum Mobile | Verizon |
| Straight Talk | T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon |
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Total Wireless | Verizon |
| Tracfone | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Twigby | Verizon & Sprint |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Visible | Verizon |
| Xfinity Mobile | Verizon |
| Wing | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Affinity Cellular | Verizon |
| Selectel Wireless | Verizon |
Cheap carrier benefits
- Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big four carriers.
- Much lower prices: Save up to $600 per year on your cell phone plan. Why are MVNOs so much cheaper? They don't have the huge overhead and advertising costs the big guys do.
- No contracts: Don't get trapped into a two-year agreement. Switch carriers when you decide to with a no contract phone plan.
- Same cell phone service: Just because you're paying less, that doesn't mean you have to scrimp on features. Plans with unlimited everything are easy to find from these prepaid carriers. Usually, a low cost carrier plan comes with unlimited talk and text as standard, high speed data, and even mobile hotspot data features.
- Keep your phone and number: You can bring your own phone and keep your phone number. No need to sign up for pricey device payments.
- Customize your plan: You decide how much data you need. Choose to pay as you go, opt for unlimited or no data, minimal minutes, or unlimited talk text and data. Unlimited data plans come at a much better price with an alternative carrier. Pick the plan options that fit your budget - not the one your carrier thinks you need.
- Great customer support: Smaller mobile providers are known for their attention to their customers. Stop feeling like an anonymous number getting lost in the crowd! Check out our carrier user reviews before switching.
Verizon vs AT&T FAQs
Which is cheaper AT&T or Verizon?
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.
Which has better coverage AT&T or Verizon?
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 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.
