Verizon vs Cox Mobile: Plans Compared

Verizon is the biggest carrier in the country, with national 4G LTE and 5G networks that stretch from coast to coast. Cox Mobile is a smaller carrier that makes use of Verizon's network, offering similar coverage. Verizon has also expanded its lineup with Simplicity, a lower-cost build-your-own unlimited plan that complements its traditional unlimited offerings.

That's pretty much where the similarities end. Cox Mobile is only available to Cox Internet customers, while Verizon is open to anyone; Verizon now offers four unlimited plans, while Cox Mobile has just one; and Verizon gives customers the option to customize their service with optional add-ons, while Cox doesn't offer comparable flexibility.

In this article, we'll break down Cox and Verizon's respective offerings to help you decide which to choose for your next cell phone plan.

Cox Mobile vs Verizon: Similarities

• Both make use of Verizon’s national 4G LTE and 5G cellular networks.
• Both offer multi-line discounts, bringing the monthly per-line cost down for additional lines.
• Both offer unlimited plans.
• Both offer trade-in deals for current flagship phones, from Samsung devices to Apple iPhones.
• Neither include taxes and fees in their advertised prices. 

Cox Mobile vs Verizon: Differences

• Cox Mobile plans are limited to current Cox Internet subscribers, whereas Verizon's service is open to anyone.
• Verizon offers four unlimited plans, including the lower-cost build-your-own Simplicity plan, while Cox Mobile only offers one unlimited plan.
• Cox Mobile offers a capped data plan, while Verizon has eliminated capped plans for its postpaid customers.
• Verizon offers optional streaming, travel, hotspot, and other add-ons, while Cox Mobile doesn't offer comparable plan customization.
• Verizon includes international features on several plans, while Cox Mobile offers very limited international benefits.
• Verizon includes dedicated hotspot data with Simplicity, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate. Cox Mobile's unlimited plan doesn't include a separate hotspot allowance.
• Verizon's plans generally cost more than Cox Mobile's, although Simplicity narrows the price gap.

Cox Mobile vs Verizon: Coverage

Before you sign up for a cell phone plan, it’s important to get a sense of the level of coverage you’re likely to receive aboard the particular network. In the case of both Cox Mobile and Verizon, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to tap into fast, widespread coverage. 

Verizon’s powerful 4G and 5G networks effectively blanket the United States, so no matter where you are, you’re likely to enjoy excellent mobile service. Verizon’s postpaid subscribers get priority delivery of this coverage. 

Cox Mobile subleases space on Verizon’s powerful network, giving its customers similar access. However, in times of network congestion, Cox Mobile subscribers may be subject to coverage deprioritization, at which time their data speeds will slow. Cox Mobile’s Gig Unlimited Plan guarantees 20GB of premium data per month before this will happen. 

To check Cox Mobile and Verizon coverage in your area, simply enter your address in our Verizon coverage map below. Note that in lieu of a Cox Mobile coverage map, you can use Verizon as a proxy.

Cox Mobile vs Verizon: Unlimited Plans

Verizon now offers four postpaid unlimited plans: Simplicity, Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate. Simplicity is the carrier's new build-your-own plan, starting at $30/month for one line with Auto Pay and a switcher discount. It includes unlimited premium data and 10GB of hotspot data while allowing customers to add optional services as needed. Unlimited Welcome serves as Verizon's entry-level traditional plan, while Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate include progressively larger hotspot allowances and additional premium features.

Cox Mobile, on the other hand, sells a single unlimited plan: the $45/month Gig Unlimited. While Gig Unlimited doesn’t include extra perks or hotspot data allowances, it does feature 20GB of premium (i.e., non-deprioritized) data per month, and access to Verizon’s powerful 4G and 5G network coverage. 

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What Is an Unlimited Plan?  An unlimited data plan is a phone plan that comes with unlimited data, but not all of these plans include the same kind of unlimited data. The lowest-priced unlimited plans typically offer unlimited deprioritized data that is subject to slowdowns when networks are busy, but no premium data (aka high-speed data). Mid-tier unlimited plans usually include a combo of high-speed data, capped to a certain amount, and unlimited deprioritized data. The most expensive unlimited plans are where you’ll get truly unlimited premium data without  restrictions.

Cox Mobile vs Verizon: Capped Plans

It used to be that Verizon offered a selection of capped, or limited data, postpaid plans, but the carrier has done away with these in favor of unlimited. Cox Mobile, on the other hand, sells one data-capped plan, called Pay As You Gig. 

Pay As You Gig allows customers to pay a flat rate per gig of data, per month. Each gig costs $15/month, so it makes the most sense for users who don’t tend to consume much data. If you’re someone who primarily stays connected to WiFi while streaming and browsing on your phone, Cox Mobile’s Pay As You Gig may be exactly what you’re looking for. 

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What Is a Capped Plan? Also known as “By the Gig” plans, capped plans offer customers a set amount of data per month instead of unlimited data. Capped plan data is deprioritized meaning it can be slowed when a network is congested. Capped data plans can be a cost-effective alternative to unlimited plans as long as you’re ok with deprioritized data and you don’t exceed your monthly cap since doing so can result in significant fees.

What if I Don’t Have Cox in My Area?

As mentioned, Cox Mobile plans are limited to Cox Internet subscribers. However, Cox isn’t the only national broadband internet provider to offer mobile service. Xfinity, Spectrum, and Optimum all do a similar thing, via Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, and Optimum Mobile, respectively. All three sell high-value, low-cost unlimited talk, text, and mobile data plans that you can bundle with your internet service. 

The Bottom Line

Verizon is one of the country’s three major mobile providers (along with AT&T and T-Mobile), offering a wide selection of plans that come backed by powerful national 4G and 5G coverage. Cox Mobile, meanwhile, is a small upstart carrier, or MVNO, that provides phone service to Cox Internet customers exclusively. 

If you’re seeking a variety of plan options and perks, Verizon is the way to go. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice some of these, you may find Cox Mobile’s low prices too enticing to pass up, especially since they provide access to Verizon’s reliable national cellular coverage. Plus, bundling your Cox Mobile plan with your Cox Internet service makes things easy when it comes to paying your monthly bill. Verizon offers one of the broadest postpaid lineups in the industry, ranging from the affordable build-your-own Simplicity plan to feature-packed premium options like Unlimited Ultimate. Cox Mobile, meanwhile, focuses on simplicity and value, offering just one unlimited plan exclusively to Cox Internet customers.

If you want the flexibility to choose between multiple plans or customize your service over time, Verizon is the stronger option. If you're already a Cox Internet customer and simply want an inexpensive wireless plan that runs on Verizon's network, Cox Mobile remains an attractive alternative.