We’re diving into the detailed Verizon plans comparison and much more.
Verizon is one of the premier postpaid wireless carriers in the United States. Offering a wide range to choose from, you can get great features, solid nationwide coverage, and dependable network quality with a Verizon unlimited data plan.
Having so many different options can make it difficult to understand and untangle all the Verizon unlimited data plan options. Most people end up settling for a plan that’s either too expensive or not in line with their needs and budget.
To make sure you’re not one of them and to ensure you get the best Verizon plan for your needs; we’re diving into all the ins and outs of the best Verizon plan deals so you can pick the best option for your needs and budget.
Check out our Verizon plan widget to find yours in seconds, or learn more in our plan breakdowns below!
Before we take a deeper look at the different Verizon unlimited data plans and the options available to you, it’s important to note a couple of the key ingredients that differentiate one plan from another. At a high level, there are five things to think about when you’re evaluating plans (before you get to the sticker price of the plan you want):
Unfortunately, just because a plan says “unlimited” doesn’t always mean the data you use is truly unlimited. You should be aware of three different types of data: premium data, deprioritized data, and 3G data. Here’s how they’re different:
Premium data: also called priority data or high-speed data, gives you the best 5G or 4G network speed a carrier can deliver wherever you are. With premium data, you’ll get the very best network coverage Verizon can deliver without worrying about your speeds and coverage dropping for any reason other than poor signal.
Deprioritized data: also called basic data, means you’ll have access to 5G and 4G network speed like premium data, but if the network gets too congested (too many users on the same network at the same time), you’ll experience temporarily slower data speeds. This can slow your data speeds by up to 30% until the network you’re on frees up, but for most people, this drop in speed is actually unnoticeable.
3G data: also called 600kbps data, means that your data has access only to 3G network speed (or the equivalent). 3G network speed is very slow and most people would recognize it immediately.
Carriers don’t make it easy to know which type of data is available for each plan. The general rule of thumb is that the more premium data a plan offers, the more expensive it will be. The top-of-the-line plans that give you truly unlimited premium data offered by the big three (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) are:
Other unlimited data plans offer a mixture of premium data and deprioritized data. Typically that means you’ll have an allotment of premium data (say 25GB each month) and, after your premium data is spent, you’ll get unlimited deprioritized data for the rest of the month.
Keep in mind that most wireless customers use less than 10GB of data per month and that the vast majority of people won’t know the difference between premium and deprioritized data.
The cheaper unlimited data plans offer only deprioritized data. For example, Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome plan offers users unlimited deprioritized data 100% of the time. But there are a few unlimited data plans providing an allotment of deprioritized data each month and, if you use up that allotment, the rest of the month you’ll be on unlimited 3G data. For example, Xfinity’s Unlimited plan offers 20GB of deprioritized data, followed by unlimited data at the equivalent of 3G speeds.
Each unlimited data plan is a mixture of either premium data, deprioritized data or 3G data.
Most users could not tell the difference between premium data and deprioritized data. But most users could tell the difference between premium data or deprioritized data and 3G data.
Most users (95%) consume less than 10GB of data per month.
Carriers’ unlimited data plans support different levels of video resolution, from as high as 2160p down to 480p. Most Top of the Line unlimited plans offer users video resolution at the 2160p level. Most lower end unlimited data plans offer users video resolution at the 480p level.
If you use your phone to watch movies (or you are a gamer), you might want to consider a plan that supports video resolution at the 720p level or higher.
For most other users a lower video resolution will be sufficient.
Hotspot data allows consumers to connect a computer or other WiFi capable device to the Internet through their smartphone and their wireless carrier. Most users do not need any hotspot data, but that is changing as more and more people recognize its benefits.
Carriers offer hotspot data at 5G, 4G or 3G speeds. Keep in mind that 3G hotspot data speed is equivalent to “dial up” from the 1990s (and is really not a practical option).
Carriers that offer 5G and 4G hotspot data cap the amount that a user can consume each month. Of course, the more expensive unlimited data plans offer the largest hotspot data allotment.
Since most people don’t use hotspot data very often, it is difficult for them to know what, say, 50GB of hotspot data really means. Typically, 50GB of hotspot data would allow a user to surf the web from their desktop computer (through their phone) for about 100 hours.
All 5G and 4G hotspot data is capped – so you should know how much you’re likely to use a hotspot.
Hotspot at 3G speed is vastly inferior.
While most wireless users do not have a need for a hotspot, it is becoming more popular as people see the benefit of having it as a part of their unlimited data plan.
Depending on the type of unlimited plan you choose, you’ll likely get access to added features and perks that are bundled into your unlimited data plan. These might include subscriptions to streaming services like Netflix, international connectivity like being able to make calls and text and have access to the internet while you’re traveling abroad, and, in some cases, odd additions like meal delivery services and data protection services. The most common add-on services are streaming services.
For some consumers, Add-On Features (especially streaming services) could offer a way to save $10 per month or more.
For business travelers, international calling features could also save significant amounts of money.
Some carriers include taxes and fees in their advertised “top line” price and others do not. Taxes and fees will generally add 10% to the overall cost of your plan if it’s not integrated into the plan’s “top line” price. For example, T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus has a “top line” price of $90/month for a single line, and that price is inclusive of the taxes and fees. Conversely, AT&T’s Unlimited Premium has a top line price of $85/month for a single line plus taxes and fees making the real price more like $94 per line, depending on where you live.
“Top line” advertised price can include or not include taxes and fees. Be aware of this if you are trying to compare plans on an equal basis.
The most important consideration of an unlimited data plan is having the right amount and the right type of data. Everyone wants to feel confident that they will not run out of 5G or 4G data or face unexpected charges from their carrier.
For the vast majority of users, deprioritized data is more than sufficient to provide a high-quality wireless experience. If you’re a gamer or you stream movies on cell phone all the time, then you might opt for an unlimited data plan with an allotment of premium data and one with 720p or higher video resolution.
All the other elements of an unlimited data plan, such as streaming services or hotspot data, are very specific to an individual’s unique needs. So, while they’re important in their own right, they are best thought of as tie breakers.
Verizon has the reputation of being the best carrier for overall nationwide coverage and quality. But Verizon’s plans are the most expensive in the industry. Recently, Verizon has consolidated their wireless plans into two options; one entry-level and one mid-tier, with the option of adding additional perks and features onto these plans so you don't need to worry about paying for anything you don't want or need.
To make it easier to find the Verizon option best suited for your needs, we're covering both base options for these plans, as well as the added feature bundles:
While the Unlimited Welcome offers only deprioritized data, neither of these Verizon plans include any 3G data so a user would never experience perceptibly slower data speed on a Verizon plan. We discuss and review these new plans below.
Verizon's entry-plan option, Unlimited Welcome, is designed for those seeking a cost-effective plan without needing advanced features. Starting at $65/month per line, it gives you unlimited deprioritized data, ensuring you can stay connected without worrying about data limits. However, it's important to note that this plan does not include hotspot connectivity, making it ideal for individuals who don't require mobile hotspot functionality.
Moreover, if you opt for Unlimited Welcome, you will not be eligible for Verizon's best device offers. This plan primarily focuses on access to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) offers, which means you won't have access to the latest device deals provided by Verizon. If owning the latest smartphone isn't a priority for you, this plan could be a suitable choice.
If you prioritize affordability, Verizon's Unlimited Welcome with Feature Bundle is a great choice. This plan offers unlimited deprioritized data without any threshold for further slowdowns. Additionally, it includes features like unlimited talk, text, and up to 2GB of high-speed data daily while traveling in Canada and Mexico. For an extra $10 per month, per bundle, the Feature Bundle gives you access to eight discounted subscription services as well as the option to add 100GB of mobile hotspot.
While Unlimited Welcome with the added bundles makes it one of the more expensive entry-level plans, if you're looking for a budget-friendly unlimited plan that gives you the flexibility to add a number of useful perks without having to pay for what you won't need, this plan may be a solid choice for you.
If you're a heavy data user seeking a top-of-the-line wireless service plan with extensive connectivity, Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan may be an ideal choice for you.
At $80/month, per line, Unlimited Plus distinguishes itself from Unlimited Welcome by targeting users who know they will use a lot of data and value having truly unlimited premium data, which will never get slowed down when the network is busy. With an allotted 30GB of LTE/5G hotspot as well, this plan is for those who just want dependable data and coverage without paying for any additional perks or features.
If you're a heavy data user seeking a top-of-the-line wireless service plan with extensive connectivity and a range of add-on features, Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan is the ideal choice. Designed for streamers, gamers, and big-time business users, this plan offers exceptional performance and benefits tailored to your needs.
With Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate, you'll receive top-tier performance, extensive coverage, and the flexibility to customize your plan with desirable add-ons and perks.
If you’re looking for dependable service, a wide range of additional perks and features, and relatively competitive pricing, Verizon is a great choice for you. Keeping in mind data type, features/perks, video/streaming quality, hotspot data, and taxes/fees will help you score the best phone plan deal for your needs.
