Verizon vs AT&T: Plans Compared

It’s never been easier to compare AT&T unlimited plans and Verizon unlimited plans side by side. If you’re weighing AT&T versus Verizon, here’s everything you need to know, including detailed plan comparisons highlighting cellular data, perks, pricing, and more.

To find and compare plans from other top wireless carriers, try our Plan Finder.

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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 add-ons to its plans at an additional cost of $10 per month each, including extra hotspot connectivity, more streaming services, and smartwatch/tablet capabilities. AT&T does not.
• AT&T plans offer talk, text, and data connectivity in all of Latin America, while Verizon plans may be a better fit if your international traveling is limited to Canada and Mexico.

AT&T vs Verizon Coverage 

No cell phone plan comparison would be complete without covering the all-important topic of coverage. Caveat: the best way to compare AT&T vs Verizon coverage is in real life with the help of a friend or neighbor who uses the carrier you’re considering. But, when that’s not possible, our AT&T coverage map and Verizon coverage map can help.

To compare AT&T vs Verizon coverage, simply input the address where you need cellular service on the maps below. From there, you can view coverage by carrier where you live, work, and use your cell phone most often.

What Is an Unlimited Plan?

Before we zero in on AT&T and Verizon plan comparisons, let’s quickly define what’s in an unlimited plan. While it’s true that all unlimited plans include unlimited data, not all of that data is necessarily of the high-speed variety. 

Entry-level unlimited plans provide unlimited deprioritized data with either a small amount of high-speed data or, in some cases, none at all. 

Mid-level unlimited plans offer a mix of high-speed data and unlimited deprioritized data. 

Premium unlimited plans include high-speed data 100% of the time.

AT&T vs Verizon Entry-Level Unlimited Plans

If you’re looking for the least expensive unlimited plan from AT&T or Verizon, the entry-level plans below are the most comparable. Who are these plans for? Light data users who never or rarely use their phones as a mobile hotspot and primarily use their phone’s Internet connection to read the morning news, check emails, and watch the occasional YouTube video, but that’s about it.

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AT&T vs Verizon Mid-Level Unlimited Plans

If you’re in the market for a middle-of-the-road unlimited plan that doesn’t cost too much but also doesn’t offer too little in the way of high-speed data, the following AT&T and Verizon plan comparison is worth a look. Who are these plans for? Average data users who use their phone as a mobile hotspot between 1 and 3 times per week, play a handful of games on their phones, stream a few shows a week, and scroll social media no more than about an hour a day.

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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.

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The Bottom Line

To help you pick the right AT&T vs Verizon unlimited plan and to compare plans from other carriers, be sure to try our Plan Finder where we sort through thousands of options in seconds to show you the best plans to meet your needs. It’s free and unbiased, and it lets you select things like the number of lines you need, whether you want hotspot data, and which streaming services you’d like to add, so you can understand the total cost of whichever plan you choose before you head to the carrier to sign up. Still not sure which plan is right for you? Check out our article about what to look for in a wireless plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do more people use AT&T or Verizon?

As of early 2024, Verizon tops the U.S. mobile market with over 37% of wireless subscriptions, according to Statista. T-Mobile and AT&T aren’t far behind, but Verizon leads overall usage.

Is Verizon or AT&T better?

Both AT&T and Verizon offer great 4G LTE coverage across the country, but each offers other benefits. Verizon shines in rural and remote areas with solid coverage, while AT&T has broader 5G access in more areas.

How can I make my AT&T plan cheaper?

When an AT&T account holder enrolls in AutoPay, each line may get an up to $15 discount each month on some monthly Unlimited Plans. However, AutoPay discounts may vary depending on the plan.