.png){kind=logo}
I have thoroughly tested Verizon Wireless for most of my adult life... and I'm not exactly young. I've been on a Verizon plan long before I started writing about all things mobile and professionally reviewing wireless carriers in 2018. Suffice it to say I have plenty of hands-on experience with Verizon.
But that doesn't mean you'll see a biased review from a Verizon fan. In fact, I spent a month testing my plan like I was a new customer and comparing it to my hands-on test of Visible, a Verizon-operated MVNO carrier, so I could figure out whether I should stick with Verizon or go elsewhere.
Based on my testing, I'm considering switching from Verizon to another carrier. I have mostly had great service in my years with Verizon, but I've paid literally too high a price for it. That's what you get with Verizon and the other two big carriers: dependable and fast service with a hefty bill.
Let's take a closer look at my experience with Verizon—maybe it'll help you understand whether Big Red is the right choice for you.
How I tested Verizon
I’ve been a Verizon customer for over 10 years and spent one month intentionally testing its service to thoroughly evaluate its performance in everyday scenarios.
The features I tested included the following:
- Sending texts and photo messages in varying locations, including both urban and rural areas
- Making phone and video calls (Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime) in various locations, including both urban and rural areas
- Streaming music (Spotify) in my car from my phone
- Watching streaming video (Netflix and YouTube) on my phone
- Playing several games on Apple Arcade
- Downloading cloud-based files to my phone
- Using the mobile hotspot for 2 hours in four different locations
- Interacting with Verizon's customer service via phone and online chat
- Managing my plan via both the My Verizon app and the website
The bottom line
Overall, Verizon's service has been reliable and fast enough that I've stayed with them for over a decade—but after paying more attention to my habits, my plan offers more than I actually use and is therefore too expensive for my needs. Now that I don't have to rely on hotspot data as my primary internet source, I could easily drop down to a cheaper option that doesn't have bells and whistles I don't use. I may explore other Verizon-based carriers, such as Visible, as I know I'll get the same service without the extra fluff (or expense).
Verizon's plans and pricing
Verizon's main phone plan options revolve around its myPlan program, which consists of three base unlimited offerings starting at $65/month and peaking at $90/month. The most basic, Unlimited Welcome, has no hotspot, no premium data (read: your speeds could slow any time), and no 5G Ultra-Wideband access (the fastest of Verizon's networks), but still offers reliable service at a semi-affordable price. The top-tier Unlimited Ultimate has—you guessed it—everything, including guaranteed high speeds with no slowdowns and a massive 60GB hotspot.
You can perk up any of these plans by purchasing discounted services like the Disney Bundle, a Netflix and Max bundle, and Apple One. Of course, you don't have to purchase any of these extras and can stick to just the phone service.
Verizon plans
| Plan | Premium data | Hotspot data | Price | Shop plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Welcome | None | None | $65/month | View Plan |
| Unlimited Plus | Unlimited | 30GB | $80/month | View Plan |
| Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited | 60GB | $90/month | View Plan |
I currently have Unlimited Plus, Verizon's mid-tier option. At $80/month, Unlimited Plus offers unlimited high-speed premium data with no deprioritization threshold (just like Unlimited Ultimate) and a generous 30GB mobile hotspot allowance (still likely more than most people use). You'll also get access to Verizon's 5G UW, its fastest service. This plan strikes a balance between offering constant connectivity, whether streaming, gaming, or listening to music on the go, for a somewhat more palatable price.
I've been pretty happy with Unlimited Plus up til now. Still, as I started to really look at my usage, I realized that it might not be quite the Goldilocks plan I had once thought.
How I rated Verizon: WhistleOut's metrics
Analyzing Verizon
Here at WhistleOut, we review all carriers using the same five metrics: price, value, speed, coverage, and customer service. Each metric is looked at individually on a 5-star scale and then combined to calculate the carrier's overall score.
Verizon's ratings were:
- Price: 3 out of 5
- Value: 4 out of 5
- Data speeds: 5 out of 5
- Coverage and network reliability: 4.5 out of 5
- Customer service: 2.5 out of 5
My years as a real-life Verizon customer have given me ample time to know exactly how the major carrier works in all sorts of real-world situations.
Price
Verizon is in no way a budget phone carrier. You do not switch to Verizon to save money. These plans are some of the most costly around. The saving grace is that they aren't the most expensive (you can look to T-Mobile for that), and they are competitive with the plans from the other two major carriers. A single-line unlimited plan from Verizon costs $65-$90/month, but that cost per line goes down to $30-$55/month if you have a 4-line family plan.
Score: 3 out of 5
Value
Verizon is not cheap, but that doesn't mean its plans offer no value. When you sign on to a plan like Unlimited Plus, you're paying for premium service. With the best all-around coverage, unlimited premium data, fast speeds, and generous hotspot allowances, you get what you pay for.
Still, with Verizon-backed carriers like Visible and US Mobile now offering the same coverage—and very similar perks—for half the price, Verizon's value isn't quite what it used to be.
Score: 4 out of 5
Data speeds
Image: Angelo Ilumba
Besides the rare times I'm in seriously rural areas outside Verizon's service, I never have trouble with Verizon speeds. You're not always going to get the fastest data speeds with Verizon, especially if you're on the 4G LTE network, but you'll usually have adequate speeds for just about everything you need to do on your phone. I've played games, binged shows, and doomscrolled without ever noticing lagging service.
Image: Angelo Ilumba
Plus, the fastest mobile data speeds I have ever seen have come from Verizon's 5G UW network. I've clocked Verizon 5G UW at over 800Mbps. I have absolutely no idea what I'd be doing on my phone that would require that kind of crazy speed, but it's sure cool to see.
Score: 5 out of 5
Coverage and network reliability
Coverage is a nonissue with Verizon. This is a robust network known for exceptional coverage in the big cities and suburbs. In addition, it boasts the strongest rural coverage of the three major carriers.
While that rural coverage is still not perfect, my experiences have convinced me that it's the best option out there. I've been in rural areas with friends where I'm the only one with service. (That also means I'm the one stuck ordering the Uber.) I've also tested the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, but they simply don't compare. If I don't have a signal from Verizon, I don't have a signal on any other carrier.
If there's a downside to Verizon's coverage, it involves 5G, where the carrier trails T-Mobile and AT&T. However, this hasn't been an issue for me. I'm more often connected to Verizon's base 5G or 5G UW than its 4G LTE.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Customer service
I'm going to be super blunt here. If I were rating Verizon's customer service based solely on its online support, I'd give it a giant zero. Too often, I've been given the runaround with promises that my problem would be resolved in a matter of time, only to have absolutely nothing happen when that time arrived.
On the other hand, Verizon's phone agents have been consistently on point, solving my problems for me on the spot. I suggest that if you need something from Verizon customer service, just call. For this, I feel like I should split the difference: Verizon's customer service is half awful, half awesome.
Score: 2.5 out of 5
Signing up with Verizon
I signed up with Verizon over 10 years ago. I went into a store to switch to Verizon from AT&T to trade in an old phone for a new one because I was too impatient to wait for it in the mail. Verizon took care of everything for me, canceling my AT&T service and getting my phone number transferred over. It was a painless, easy process.
Now, it's even easier. You don't have to visit a store to sign up with Verizon. You can purchase a Verizon plan online and activate it on your current phone. If you have questions, you can talk to an online sales rep. Don't worry: they are much more helpful than the online customer service agents. After all, they're trying to get your business.
Verizon also regularly offers incentives to new customers, like free iPhones, when you switch and trade in a qualifying smartphone. Something that budget carriers can't compete with.
Managing my plan
Managing my Verizon plan is very easy via the My Verizon app or online at Verizon's website. Sometimes, it offers new plans, though I've never been pressured to switch or upgrade. In fact, there have been a couple of times when the new offerings were better than the grandfathered plan I had. It's been super easy to sign into my account and change plans.
The My Verizon mobile app
Image: Angelo Ilumba
The My Verizon app provides a comprehensive and user-friendly interface, making managing my account and services simple. The main dashboard gives a quick overview of essential information, such as data usage, billing details, and plan features. Some of the key functionalities include:
- Adjust plan settings: The app allows seamless switching between plans or adding features like international calling. Customizing my plan according to your needs is straightforward.
- Billing and payments: The app efficiently handles managing payment methods, viewing billing history, and setting up automatic payments. This ensures that my plan remains active without the hassle of manual payments.
- Customer support: The chat option quickly connects me with a customer service representative, and numerous resources and FAQs help resolve common issues. However, I highly recommend calling Verizon if you need an issue solved. Don't rely on chat.
- Device Management: You can manage multiple devices under your account, monitor usage across each device, check how much you owe (if you are on a device payment plan), and shop for a new device.
Overall, the My Verizon app makes it easy to stay on top of my mobile plan and ensures a smooth user experience for all account management needs.
Am I satisfied with Verizon?
The answer is complicated. I'm satisfied with Verizon's service, but the plan I have is more than I actually use and, as a result, too expensive for what I need.
I've been with Verizon for a long time. There has to be a little bit of satisfaction here. The truth is, I used to depend on Verizon and my phone as my primary source of internet when living in a rural and not well-connected small town. I ate through premium data and hotspot data like they were nothing. In those days, I was very happy with Verizon. It was truly the only carrier that could give me what I needed in a phone plan. I relied on my phone and its data for all things internet, and Verizon didn't fail me. I didn't worry about deprioritization or throttling, and I didn't worry about coverage.
Nowadays, I live in a tech hub served by extremely fast and reliable fiber internet. I hardly use mobile data, and I don't need the premium Verizon specs to support me. Yet, here I am, continuing to pay for one of the most expensive phone plans, mostly out of habit. Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan is overkill for me. It's probably overkill for most people who can otherwise stay connected via solid home internet.
I previously tested Visible Wireless, which operates on Verizon's network, and found its service to be well reliable enough for my needs nowadays. So, since I do like Verizon but don't love its cost, I may switch over to its MVNO instead.
Verizon vs. AT&T and T-Mobile
There are no surprises here. Verizon's competition is the other two major carriers. Let's look closer at how Verizon compares to AT&T and T-Mobile by comparing similar plans.
Verizon vs. the competition
| Verizon Unlimited Plus | AT&T Extra 2.0 | T-Mobile Experience More | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Mobile hotspot | 30GB | 50GB | 60GB |
| Streaming Perks | Discounted subscriptions | None | Netflix and Apple TV+ included |
| Price | $80/month | $70/month | $85/month |
| Shop plan | Shop plan | Shop plan |
Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan offers unlimited premium data and 30GB of mobile hotspot, similar to AT&T's Extra 2.0 plan. However, Verizon includes discounted streaming subscriptions, whereas AT&T offers no streaming perks. Regarding price, Verizon's plan is slightly higher at $80/month compared to AT&T's $70/month. Therefore, the choice between Verizon and AT&T may come down to whether the streaming discounts offered by Verizon justify the slightly higher cost.
Like Verizon Unlimited Plus, T-Mobile's Experience More provides unlimited premium data, but offers twice the mobile hotspot data at 60GB compared to Verizon's 30GB. Verizon includes discounted streaming subscriptions, whereas T-Mobile offers Netflix and Apple TV+ as part of their plan. Price-wise, Verizon's plan is $80/month, slightly cheaper than T-Mobile's $85/month. The decision between Verizon and T-Mobile will likely depend on whether you prioritize the extra hotspot data and discounted streaming subscriptions.
At the end of the day, all three carriers are similar. If you are choosing between the major carriers, coverage should heavily influence your decision. Choose the carrier that best covers the areas that matter most to you.
Recap: Would I recommend Verizon?
I strongly recommend Verizon to anybody who relies on their mobile data as their primary source for internet connection. You'll get uninterrupted high-speed data on a network that has you covered well across the country. Here are some questions to consider:
- Do you have strong Verizon coverage in your area?
- Is your phone your main source for internet browsing, watching streaming video, listening to streaming music, using social media, playing games, and more?
- Do you like to connect other devices to your mobile hotspot?
If you answered yes to these questions, Verizon is a great option.
However, if you have another internet source, look elsewhere (and not towards one of the other major carriers). Verizon offers some of the best service, but you pay for it. For most of us, a cheaper MVNO will more than suffice. You don't even have to venture far from Verizon to find low-cost plans with great value. Visible, a Verizon-owned MVNO, offers unlimited plans as low as $25/month.
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
Find a better phone plan
Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "Cheap Unlimited Data Plans from $25/Month")
.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "Best Cell Phone Deals for June 2026: Get the New iPhone 17 for Free")
