Best Verizon MVNO carriers: our top picks

Going with one of the best Verizon MVNO carriers is a simple and easy way to enjoy Big Red's nationwide network coverage, that too without having to shell out a fortune for the service provider's main postpaid plans. An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is an alternative wireless operator that 'leases' network infrastructure from one or more mainstream carriers (in this case, Verizon), which results in much more affordable prepaid plans. What's even better is that there are no pesky contracts involved, so you're free to switch between MVNO carriers whenever you want.

It's worth noting that these prepaid cell phone plans do have some trade-offs. Usually, when you're with an MVNO, your data speeds may get deprioritized if the network is busy. In addition, the plans offered by MVNOs generally don't come with added perks like streaming services and multi-line discounts. But even then, a Verizon-based MVNO is a fabulous option if you just want reliable network coverage and couldn't care less about the extra stuff.

While there are quite a few options out there, we recommend Visible as the best overall Verizon MVNO. Actually owned and operated by Verizon, Visible lets you pick from three feature-laden plans, all of which have unlimited data, talk and text, usage in Mexico and Canada, unlimited shared hotspot use, and much more.

At a glance

Best overall

visible website on phone

(Image credit: Rajat Sharma / Android Central)
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 5/10/15Mbps

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) too.

Along with the basic plan simply called Visible that costs $25 per month, you can go for the middle Visible Plus plan, which costs $35 per month, or the newly introduced Visible Plus Pro plan, which has a cost of $45 per month. It's worth noting that all these prices are inclusive of taxes and fees, and don't take into account regular promotional discounts. While all three plans have unlimited data, as well as talk and text, the two higher plans also give you access to the super-fast 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network of Verizon. You also get unlimited shared mobile hotspot usage at 5/10/15Mbps, unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada, video streaming at up to SD/Full-HD/4K resolutions (based on the plan you go for), and more. Visible Plus Pro also comes with unlimited calling to over 85 countries and unlimited texting to more than 200 countries around the world.

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

Best perks

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(Image credit: Rajat Sharma / 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 drive its service and even supports C-band 5G. It's nice that US Mobile will work with most (if not all) of 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, called Unlimited Starter and Unlimited Premium, are priced at $25 and $44 per month (including all taxes and fees, and 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, up to 100GB of mobile 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 just $15 per month extra. It includes a wide range of services like Audible, ESPN Plus, and Xbox Gamepass. US Mobile also has a basic 2GB plan that'll cost you as little as $8 per month (all taxes and fees included) if you sign up for a full year of service.

Best international features

straight talk website on phone

(Image credit: Rajat Sharma / 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 long time now and has quite a reputation as a cheap alternative carrier, offering lots of data and solid network coverage. This is helped by the fact that it's now a part of TracFone Wireless, which itself is owned by Verizon. With a range of plans and three strong unlimited options, along with a balanced starter option, Straight Talk stands out as a competitive pick for the demanding users.

The unlimited plans are graded like Olympic tiers with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and even a Platinum option. Bronze is fairly basic at $35 per month and has 10GB of high-speed data and calling to Canada and Mexico. Silver costs $45 per month and upgrades your data to unlimited high-speed, along 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 lets you save even more with multi-line discounts for a maximum of five lines.

Best for Xfinity customers

xfinity mobile website on phone

(Image credit: Rajat Sharma / Android Central)

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, and multi-line discounts. The lower Unlimited plan has 30GB of high-speed data and up to 480p video streaming, while the higher Premium Unlimited plan offers you unlimited high-speed data and up to 4K 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, whereas talk, text, and data to/from/in Mexico and Canada is included with both unlimited plans.

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

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(Image credit: Rajat Sharma / Android Central)

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 utilizing 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 Mobile'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 under 3GB in a month. Ting Mobile 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 to use it. You can buy a new phone through Ting's website too, but device selection is extremely limited.

Best for families

total wireless website on phone

(Image credit: Rajat Sharma / 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, calling to over 85 countries, and texting to more than 200 countries around the world. The two higher plans also give you roaming access in over 15 countries across the globe.

Total Wireless offers multi-line discounts (up to five lines) on all its 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 a solid 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 as 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 three feature-laden plans for you to pick from. All give unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot usage at 5/10/15Mbps, and a whole lot more, with the higher Visible Plus and Visible Plus Pro plans also giving access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network, smartwatch service, and a bunch of international benefits. Even better, the prices for all 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 highest unlimited plans offer lots 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.

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