These are the 2 Verizon options I most advocate to individuals

For people who don’t know, I spend the overwhelming majority of my time at Android Authority reviewing carriers, in addition to normal information and options round them. I’ve used a big proportion of the US carriers, together with Verizon and a number of other of its greatest pay as you go companions.

For most individuals, I wholeheartedly advocate Seen as the place to begin in relation to Verizon options. The service is easy to arrange, has simply three plan choices, and can be a part of the Verizon household. In the event you want a number of strains, I additionally strongly advocate Whole by Verizon. That mentioned, there’s one other provider I typically counsel earlier than Whole for many customers: US Cellular.

US Cellular is a good selection for individuals who choose to not be tied on to Verizon. It’s an impartial supplier that permits you to select between all three main US networks in a single handy package deal.

Curious which one is the higher match for you? Let’s break down the main points, from pricing and telephone choice to community precedence and extra. Earlier than I bounce in, I need to make this clear: neither provider goes to have the polish or shiny promos you’d get with Verizon. You may need to attend longer for customer support. You may need to determine a number of issues your self. However finally, you’ll get a really related expertise and save a ton.

US Cellular has the bottom beginning costs, due to its restricted information plans — one thing Seen doesn’t provide. On the low finish, you will get 2GB for simply $10 monthly, or the equal of $8 month-to-month when you pay $96 upfront for the 12 months. Restricted plans go as much as 20GB of shareable information, however we solely advocate these when you primarily depend on Wi-Fi. Even then, you typically gained’t pay far more for a vast plan, which generally provides a greater expertise.

There are three limitless choices at US Cellular. Limitless Flex is just obtainable with a one-time $210 cost, which averages out to $17.50 a month. In the event you choose month-to-month billing, Limitless Starter and Limitless Premium are available in at $25 and $35 monthly, respectively. Whereas Premium usually retails for $44, it’s at the moment on promotion for $10 off. There’s additionally an annual choice for Premium that drops the efficient month-to-month price to $32.50.

Seen retains issues even less complicated, providing three limitless plans at $25, $35, and $45 monthly: Seen Primary, Seen Plus, and Visible Plus Professional. All embody limitless information, although they differ in community precedence and bonus options. In the event you decide to pay yearly, you’ll save $25 on Primary, $45 on Plus, or as much as $90 on Professional.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Single-line Verizon postpaid plans vary from $65 to $90, although that’s not together with taxes and charges.
• Verizon household plans drop as little as $30 to $55 per line for 4 strains.

US Cellular doesn’t simply use Verizon’s community — it provides entry to all three main carriers, rebranded as Warp, Mild Pace, and Darkish Star. On Warp, 5G-capable units obtain QCI 8 precedence, which is similar stage you get with Seen Plus or Verizon’s higher-end postpaid plans. You’ll additionally get a restricted quantity of high-speed “premium” information — as much as 100GB, relying in your plan. After that, you continue to have limitless information, however it could be deprioritized throughout community congestion.

Seen, however, provides really limitless information on Verizon’s community throughout all plans. Seen Primary makes use of QCI 9, which usually leads to slower speeds throughout peak congestion. It’s nonetheless a terrific deal when you’re close to Wi-Fi more often than not or dwell in a much less crowded space. Seen Plus consists of 50GB of QCI 8 information. As soon as that’s used up, you keep on the community however might expertise decreased speeds throughout busy durations.

If you’d like utterly uncapped, high-priority information, Seen Plus Professional delivers. It consists of limitless premium 5G and LTE entry, plus 4K video streaming — all for $45 monthly. Whereas each supplier reserves the fitting to throttle extraordinarily excessive information customers, you’d have to burn by way of tons of of gigabytes in a brief span to set off it usually.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon MyPlan Final and Plus embody limitless QCI 8 information, making certain top-tier pace and latency.
• MyPlan Welcome provides QCI 9 and will decelerate considerably throughout congestion.

Each carriers provide a big selection of telephones from prime manufacturers like Apple, Google, and Samsung. You’ll discover a mixture of price range, mid-range, and flagship choices, much like what you’d count on from the main carriers.

In the event you’re seeking to finance a telephone, each companies accomplice with Affirm to offer rates of interest as little as 0% APR for as much as 36 months. Seen often runs high-value promotions — for instance, providing a free iPhone 16e with activation. US Cellular hasn’t traditionally matched these sorts of offers, however a latest Reddit put up from their CEO confirmed upcoming promos, beginning with $400 off the Pixel 9 someday in April.

Seen additionally provides insurance coverage by way of Assurant, with protection beginning at $10 monthly. This consists of safety towards harm, theft, and loss. Verizon’s equal service begins at $16, making Seen a greater deal in lots of instances. Whereas Verizon does have $9/month insurance coverage choices, it usually provides much less protection.

US Cellular doesn’t at the moment provide in-house insurance coverage, however third-party choices like Assurant, Progressive, and others can fill the hole if you need protection.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon usually provides 45+ units, together with refurbished choices.
• Postpaid customers can get interest-free financing and occasional free telephone promotions (although whether or not they’re price it is some extent of competition).
• Insurance coverage is out there however tends to be costlier than Seen’s choices.

Neither provider provides in-store service, however US Cellular gives extra methods to get assist. You’ll be able to attain them through telephone, chat, and on-line, they usually’re lively of their official subreddit, the place reps commonly reply questions and share updates.

Seen, in contrast, limits help to speak by way of its app and web site. Whereas that will sound limiting, their response occasions are strong, and points usually get resolved with out a lot friction; you simply have fewer methods to achieve out.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon provides brick-and-mortar help by way of each company and third-party shops.
• Verizon-owned shops usually tend to provide higher service, particularly for pay as you go customers.
• On-line and telephone help can be obtainable for each pay as you go and postpaid clients, although dealt with by completely different departments.

Worldwide calling and different extras

Neither supplier bundles in streaming companies, however each provide worthwhile extras. US Cellular stands out with options like free smartwatch connectivity on sure plans and the choice to change between networks. Some plans even let you use two networks directly — an uncommon and highly effective perk when you want broader protection.

Seen doesn’t provide multi-network entry, nevertheless it does present limitless hotspot utilization (with pace caps) and strong worldwide options. The World Move is particularly helpful for vacationers, providing you with a free day of worldwide information every month that may be rolled over and stacked.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon provides all kinds of worldwide options that change relying on the plan.
• Verizon provides non-compulsory streaming perks for its postpaid plans, although they usually price round $10 every.
• Verizon has higher roaming agreements, which ought to result in higher help in useless zones.

Whereas Seen and US Cellular are top-tier choices, a number of different carriers additionally function on Verizon’s community, as we talked about earlier. Some are impartial, however many at the moment are owned by Verizon following latest acquisitions. Listed below are three extra Verizon-based carriers price a glance if neither US Cellular nor Seen matches your wants:

• Pricing: $40–$60 for single strains; $23–$27 per line with 5 strains
• Precedence: QCI 9 on the bottom plan, QCI 8 for mid-tier and above
• Limitless Cap: No mounted restrict, however prime 0.5% of knowledge customers may even see decreased speeds
• Cellphone Choices: Much like Seen and US Cellular, with a concentrate on reasonably priced fashions
• Buyer Service: Restricted retail presence; telephone and on-line help obtainable
• Extras: Disney+ Premium on choose plans, plus wonderful multi-line reductions

Verizon Pay as you go:

• Pricing: $35 for 15GB; $50–$60 for limitless information
• Precedence: QCI 8 or 9, relying on the plan
• Limitless Cap: Limitless, however information might sluggish throughout congestion
• Cellphone Choices: Akin to postpaid, with barely fewer flagship choices
• Buyer Service: Full help at Verizon shops, in addition to on-line and by telephone
• Extras: Worldwide perks on some plans; higher protection in fringe areas

Straight Discuss:

• Pricing: $35 for 10GB; $45–$65 for limitless
• Precedence: QCI 9 on most plans
• Limitless Cap: Delicate cap with decreased speeds throughout heavy use or community congestion
• Cellphone Choices: Sturdy promotional offers; heavy emphasis on mid-range telephones
• Buyer Service: First rate vary of help channels
• Extras: Walmart+ membership perks (together with Paramount+) with choose plans

Each carriers provide clear benefits, delivering an expertise that mirrors Verizon’s postpaid service in lots of key areas. The higher selection finally will depend on how you utilize your telephone, which options matter most to you, and whether or not you worth simplicity or flexibility.

For many former Verizon customers, Seen stays my prime suggestion. As a Verizon-owned model, it gives wonderful worth with easy pricing and really limitless information on Verizon’s community, typically on the lowest worth obtainable. In day-to-day use, most individuals gained’t even discover they’ve switched, because the expertise intently resembles being a Verizon buyer. Desire a related expertise however with household reductions? Whole Wi-fi can be price .

That mentioned, US Cellular has compelling strengths of its personal. It’s a powerful choose for anybody drawn to the thought of switching between Verizon, T-Cellular, and AT&T networks. It additionally appeals to those that need to transfer away from Verizon’s ecosystem completely, as US Cellular operates independently and isn’t below Verizon’s direct management.