Verizon vs AT&T: Plans Compared

AT&T and Verizon are the two biggest cell phone carriers in the country, known for their perk-heavy plans and wide-reaching 4G and 5G networks. But which is better? 

In this article, we'll try to answer that question by looking at each carrier's respective coverage, prices, perks, and multi-line discounts. Read on as we do a deep dive into AT&T vs. Verizon.

AT&T vs Verizon: Similarities

• AT&T and Verizon offer customers nationwide 4G LTE coverage and are actively expanding their 5G coverage. 
• Both carriers own their networks rather than renting them from other companies. This is a win for Verizon and AT&T customers because when the networks get busy, it's the renters that get deprioritized data (aka slower speeds) first.
• AT&T and Verizon do not include taxes and fees in their plan pricing.
• AT&T and Verizon offer multi-line discounts, bringing the monthly per-line cost down for additional lines.

AT&T vs Verizon: Differences

• Verizon offers a wide range of optional add-ons and bundles through both its traditional unlimited plans and its customizable Simplicity plan. AT&T focuses instead on building more features directly into its plans.
• AT&T plans offer talk, text, and data connectivity throughout Latin America, while Verizon's international strengths are concentrated in Canada, Mexico, and optional travel add-ons.
• Verizon offers a lower-cost build-your-own option with Simplicity, while AT&T's unlimited lineup consists exclusively of traditional tiered plans.

AT&T vs Verizon: Coverage 

AT&T and Verizon both offer excellent overall coverage, and the competition between the two for nationwide supremacy is especially close when it comes to 4G LTE. Indeed, the two are a mere 3% apart: 

National 4G LTE Coverage:

• AT&T: 60%
• Verizon: 57%

This 4G LTE coverage tends to be what's most readily available in rural areas, so the fact that both AT&T and Verizon wield formidable 4G networks is reassuring if you're considering signing up with one or the other.

Things are a little less competitive when it comes to 5G coverage, as AT&T's network covers a full 13% more of the country than Verizon's: 

National 5G Coverage:

• AT&T: 31%
• Verizon: 18%

That said, in the places Verizon's 5G signal is available, you may be able to tap into the fastest speeds, thanks to the carrier's 5G Ultra Wideband network. This 5G UW spectrum offers lightning-fast speeds and enhanced signal reliability.

AT&T vs Verizon: Entry-Level Unlimited Plans

If you're looking for the least expensive unlimited plan from AT&T or Verizon, you now have a few different approaches. AT&T's entry-level Unlimited Starter is designed as a traditional unlimited plan, while Verizon offers both Unlimited Welcome and the newer Simplicity plan. Simplicity starts at a lower monthly price for a single line (with Auto Pay and a switcher discount) and includes unlimited premium data plus 10GB of hotspot data, while letting you customize your plan with optional add-ons. Unlimited Welcome remains Verizon's most basic traditional unlimited plan, making it a better apples-to-apples comparison with AT&T's Starter offering.

{{cards-1}}

AT&T vs Verizon Mid-Level Unlimited Plans

Both AT&T and Verizon sell mid-level unlimited plans that strike a nice balance between price and functionality. These plans are designed to appeal to the widest range of subscribers, with dedicated hotspot data, plentiful premium cellular data, international perks, and pricing around the $70/month mark. Verizon's Unlimited Plus remains the better comparison here, as Simplicity is positioned as a lower-cost customizable alternative rather than a traditional mid-tier plan.

{{cards-2}}

AT&T vs Verizon Premium Unlimited Plans

If you want to be able to use your phone to connect as a mobile hotspot more than 3 times per week, scroll and post photos to social media apps to your heart's content, binge-watch your favorite shows on streaming services, and play graphic-intensive games, you’ll want a plan that can keep up with your heavy data usage. The AT&T and Verizon unlimited plans below give you all the premium data you need without deprioritization.

{{cards-3}}

The Bottom Line

Both AT&T and Verizon offer excellent overall value, and you're unlikely to be disappointed with either. AT&T delivers slightly broader nationwide coverage and stronger built-in international benefits throughout Latin America, while Verizon offers more flexibility. Customers can choose between traditional unlimited plans or the lower-cost, customizable Simplicity plan depending on their priorities. If you value premium travel perks and large hotspot allowances, Verizon's Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate remain standout options, while Simplicity provides an attractive entry point for shoppers who want unlimited premium data without paying for extras they may not use.