Best Verizon MVNO carriers: our top picks

When you go with one of the best Verizon MVNO carriers, you get to enjoy Verizon's reliable network coverage without having to shell out a fortune for Big Red's main phone plans. Essentially, MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) 'lease' network infrastructure from one (or more) mainstream service providers, which allows them to offer their services at much more competitive prices. Moreover, since there are no contracts involved with these prepaid wireless carriers, you're free to cancel the service and switch to an alternative service provider whenever you feel like.

Now, as affordable these cell phone plans are, they do come with some trade-offs. When you're with an MVNO, your data speeds may get deprioritized if the network is congested. Also, the plans offered by MVNOs usually don't have bundled extras like streaming services or multi-line discounts. However, if you don't care about all that and just want incredible network coverage and data access, going with a Verizon-based MVNO is highly recommended.

Among the available options, we think Visible stands out as the best overall MVNO using Verizon's network. It offers just two feature-laden plans to pick from, with each having unlimited talk, text, and data (with 5G support), mobile hotspot, and more. Visible is also owned and operated by Verizon, so you be assured of amazing service. Another good alternative is US Mobile, which utilizes the networks of all the 'Big Three' carriers. The service provider offers three unlimited plans, but the starter plan is only available if you sign up for an entire year. There's also a lightweight plan for basic use cases, as well as the option to buy chunks of data that can be easily shared across multiple devices.

At a glance

Best overall

Visible SIM card Galaxy S20+

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras)
Best overall

Reasons to buy

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Unlimited talk, text, and data
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Taxes and fees included
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Both LTE and 5G networks supported
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Free hotspot usage at 5/10Mbps

Reasons to avoid

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Phone support is a bit lacking

Visible deserves a top spot on just about any list of alternative carriers, as it's one of the best options in the market. Owned and operated by Verizon, it's a unique carrier that handles everything through its mobile app or website, rather than requiring you to walk into a store to get started with your new phone service. This includes making and account and paying your bill(s) as well.

Along with the basic plan simply called Visible that costs $25 per month, you can also go for the higher Visible Plus plan, which costs $45 per month. Both plans come with unlimited talk, text, and 4G/LTE and 5G data, plus unlimited mobile hotspot usage at 5/10Mbps, spam protection, and unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada. With Visible Plus, you also get additional perks like access to Verizon's 5G Ultra-Wideband network, international calling to more than 30 countries and texting to over 200 countries worldwide, 2GB of daily roaming data in Mexico and Canada, and bundled smartwatch service.

Always make sure you're using a compatible Visible phone before switching over. Visible regularly runs promotions and lets you to save even more by paying for a full year of service in advance.

Best perks

US Mobile SIM cards

(Image credit: Android Central)
Best perks

Reasons to buy

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Light plan works great for basic users
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Good value with unlimited plans
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Multi-line subscription perks with top plan
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All taxes and fees included

Reasons to avoid

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Starter unlimited plan is only available only for a full year

US Mobile is an MVNO that has been consistently growing in popularity, thanks to a balanced set of plans and good phone compatibility. It utilizes the networks of all the 'Big Three' carriers to power its service and even supports C-band 5G. It's nice that US Mobile will work with the best Verizon phones, as well as with phones that are unlocked and compatible with T-Mobile.

Service plans with US Mobile are quite well-rounded, so you can just go with one of the two fully unlimited plans. There is also a 10GB plan (Unlimited Flex) that's only available if you sign up for an entire year of service. US Mobile's top-of-the-line plans—Unlimited Starter and Unlimited Premium—are priced at $25 and $44 per month (before regular discounts), respectively, but the pricing gets even better if you sign up for multiple lines.

Unlimited Premium comes with up to unlimited premium data, access to both C-band and mmWave 5G, 100GB of hotspot data, and a bundled smartwatch plan. And with up to 20GB of international data via an eSIM, this is a great plan for heavy users on the move. If you're making it your family plan, you can get a subscription service (with three lines) at $15 per month extra. It includes a wide range of services like Audible, ESPN Plus, and Xbox Game Pass. US Mobile also has a basic 2GB plan that'll cost you as little as $8 per month if you sign up for a full year of service.

Best international features

Straight Talk home page on Pixel 6

(Image credit: Android Central)

3. Straight Talk

Best international features

Reasons to buy

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Mexico and Canada calling with all unlimited plans
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Hotspot usage with all unlimited plans except Bronze
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Data rollover and multi-line savings
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Data and calling add-ons available

Reasons to avoid

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High prices compared to the competition

Straight Talk has been around for quite a while now and has quite a reputation as a cheap alternative carrier, offering plenty of data and great coverage. This is helped by the fact that it's now a part of TracFone, which itself is owned by Verizon. With a wide range of plans and three strong unlimited options, Straight Talk stands out as a competitive option for heavy users.

The unlimited plans are graded like an Olympic podium with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and even a Platinum option. Bronze is fairly basic at $35 per month with 10GB of high-speed data and calling to Canada and Mexico. Silver costs $45 per month and upgrades your data to unlimited high-speed, with the same calling to Canada and Mexico. It also comes with 10GB of hotspot data. Gold, which costs $55 per month, takes the hotspot up to 30GB and adds 100GB of cloud storage and even a Walmart+ membership. If you want even more, you can go for the top-tier Platinum plan. It's priced at $65 per month and comes with unlimited hotspot data and device protection too. Straight Talk also lets you save with multi-line discounts for a maximum of five lines.

Best for Xfinity customers

Xfinity Mobile Logo On Phone

(Image credit: Comcast)

4. Xfinity Mobile

Best for Xfinity customers

Reasons to buy

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Affordable 'By the Gig' shared data
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Solid multi-line savings available
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International roaming in over 200 countries
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5G access included

Reasons to avoid

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Only available for Xfinity customers

Xfinity Mobile offers mobile plans designed for those who already use Xfinity for their home internet. Xfinity Mobile offers unlimited nationwide calling/ texting and access to millions of Wi-Fi hotspots. For mobile data, there are quite a few options. First, you can go with Xfinity's 'By the Gig' plan, with data costing $20 per month for 1GB, $35 per month for 3GB, or $65 per month for 10GB. The actual cost is prorated based on your usage.

There are also two unlimited plans, and they both give you access to nationwide 5G network, video streaming, as well as multi-line discounts. The lower Unlimited plan has 30GB of high-speed data and 480p video streaming, while the higher Unlimited Plus plan offers 50GB of high-speed data and 720p video streaming. For unlimited plans, your speeds are reduced once you use up your chosen plan's data allotment. Xfinity also offers international calling with per-country rates and a $10 per month optional add-on for unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada.

Although unlimited plans have multi-line savings, your per-line discounted cost remains the same for two to four lines. Also, you can add up to five more lines (for a total of 10 lines) at reduced prices too.

Best on a budget

Ting Mobile website on a OnePlus Nord N200

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5. Ting Mobile

Best on a budget

Reasons to buy

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Extremely affordable basic plan
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5G network access included
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Data can be shared across multiple lines
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Hotspot usage included

Reasons to avoid

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Starter plan doesn't come with any data at all

Ting Mobile uses both Verizon and T-Mobile networks for its coverage, primarily depending on what works best in your area. It started using Sprint's network before shifting to its current two base carriers, offering significantly improved coverage in the process. What's more, 5G is now included with all plans for free, so you can get reliable coverage if you have the right phone for it.

Ting's plans are reasonably straightforward, starting with a Flex plan with unlimited talk and text plan at just $10 per month. You can also add shared data at $5 per GB, which remains a solid value if you use less than 3GB in a month. Ting also has plans for more modern devices, starting with Set 5 and Set 12, which come with 5GB and 12GB of high-speed data, respectively. Lastly, there are two highest plans, called Unlimited and Ollo Unlimited Pro, which come with 22GB and 35GB of high-speed data, respectively. All of Ting Mobile's plans feature nationwide LTE and 5G coverage.

Ting will work with most (if not all) of the best unlocked phones, which means that if you have a fairly recent smartphone that's unlocked, you can continue using it. You can buy a new phone via Ting's website too, but device selection is extremely limited.

Best for families

Total Wireless website

(Image credit: Android Central)

6. Total Wireless

Best for families

Reasons to buy

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Multi-line savings with all plans
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Mobile hotspot usage included
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International calling benefits
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Disney+ Premium with two highest plans

Reasons to avoid

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International calling is expensive

Another alternative to consider when looking for a Verizon MVNO carrier is Total Wireless. Plans start quite cheap, with the $40 per month starter option giving you 5G access, unlimited talk and text with high-speed data, 5GB hotspot usage, as well as international calling and texting to Mexico and Canada. The higher plans increase your allotment of high-speed data to unlimited (without speed reductions) and mobile hotspot to either 15GB or unlimited. Both of the highest unlimited options include ad-free Disney+ Premium as well. All plans also come with spam filtering.

Total Wireless offers multi-line discounts (up to five lines) on all plans, but the base plan needs at least three lines for discounted rates. The top-tier offering, which costs $60 per month for one line, costs just $27 per month if you get five lines. It also gives you access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network, and $10 of international calling credit to more than 120 countries.

How to choose

These are the best Verizon MVNO carriers you should consider

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Verizon's network is an excellent choice for any prepaid carrier, all thanks to its reliable coverage and constantly improving 5G network. Coverage gaps are often more pronounced on prepaid carriers because they generally don't have access to roaming agreements, so it's always a good idea to make sure you're on the strongest possible network for your area. With these best Verizon MVNO carriers, you can use most of the best Android phones, such as the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, without any effort.

Our top vote goes to Visible, as the Verizon-owned prepaid carrier makes things easy as pie with two feature-packed for you to choose from. Both offer unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot usage at 5/10Mbps, and a lot more, with the higher Visible+ also giving you access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network, smartwatch service, and a bunch of international benefits. Even better, the prices for both plans include fees and taxes, so you pay what you see. On the other hand, US Mobile offers a bunch of perks that make its plans stand out. The two unlimited plans offer loads of premium data, dedicated hotspot data, as well as international calling &texting benefits. The highest plan even makes you eligible for a $15 per month bundle having a variety of subscription services such as Spotify Family, Max, and PlayStation Plus, provided you sign up for three lines.

Samuel Contreras

When Samuel is not writing about networking or 5G at Android Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.

With contributions from