Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon: Plans Compared

If you’re looking for a point-by-point Spectrum Mobile and Verizon comparison, we’ve got all the details for you here. We take a look at capped plans, unlimited data plans, coverage, what perks these carriers offer, and all the benefits you can expect. 

Want to check out the best cell phone plans at other top carriers? Feel free to try out our Plan Finder.

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Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon: Similarities

• Both Verizon and Spectrum Mobile plans have nationwide coverage on the 4G LTE network and growing 5G coverage.
• Both also provide home Internet and allow you to bundle other services with mobile plans.
• Both Verizon and Spectrum Mobile include hotspot data with their cell phone plans, but not without caveats. If hotspot data is important to you, read our section on that below.
• Both mobile network carriers provide customers with (virtually) unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada; Verizon goes a step further to include unlimited data at 3G data speeds in those countries, too.

Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon: Differences

• Spectrum is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which means it rents cell tower infrastructure from another network. Spectrum Mobile specifically leases from Verizon’s network. Verizon towers are, of course, owned by Verizon.
• After a certain amount of data usage, Spectrum Mobile slows your speeds down.
• On Verizon’s mid-level and premium unlimited data plans, you always get access to the fastest speeds available on the network.
• Spectrum Mobile phone plans are most cost-effective for Spectrum Internet or TV customers, since otherwise Spectrum adds a hefty monthly fee to your plan. Verizon plans are available to everyone at the advertised prices.
• Verizon offers multi-line discounts, meaning the more lines you add, the cheaper each additional line is. This is useful for family plans. Spectrum Mobile plans are a flat rate per single line.
• Spectrum Mobile doesn’t include any streaming perks in its cell phone plans, however, it does offer an Anytime Upgrade option; Verizon’s plans feature bundled benefits like optional discounted streaming subscriptions in the monthly bill.
• Verizon provides its mobile service customers with some extra hotspot data with its mid-level and premium unlimited plans. Spectrum Mobile includes some hotspot data in all its unlimited plans.
• Verizon does not include taxes and fees in its plan pricing, while all Spectrum Mobile plans include taxes and fees in the listed price.

Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon: Coverage

Since Spectrum Mobile uses the Verizon network to provide its wireless service, you can expect similar coverage on Spectrum Mobile and Verizon. The only caveat is that during busy times on the network, Verizon prioritizes its own customers over MVNOs like Spectrum Mobile. Verizon’s 4G LTE network is generally understood to be the best in America, outdoing the likes of AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon’s 5G network, while smaller and less far-reaching, is growing fast as the company installs more towers and its 5G speeds are among the fastest available. The combination of these two networks means that Verizon offers some of the best coverage in the country. 

To check Spectrum and Verizon coverage in your area, simply enter your address in our Verizon coverage map below. In place of a Spectrum coverage map, you can use Verizon as a proxy.

Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon Entry-Level Unlimited Plans

Now let’s compare the most cost-effective unlimited plans from Verizon and Spectrum Mobile. These plans are a good fit for you if you don’t use much data, and rarely if ever use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. If you find that you mostly use your data to check out today’s news, catch up on social media, send emails, and not much more, these plans are most likely a good fit for you.

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Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon Mid-Level Unlimited Plans

What if you want at least some high-speed data, but you’re not ready to compromise on price? These mid-level unlimited plans are a good balance between an affordable price and a good amount of high-speed data. For an average data user who makes a hotspot between one to three times weekly, these plans will suit your data needs. This level of plan fits a customer who streams the odd YouTube video, plays a few mobile phone games, and catches up on social media for around an hour every day. 

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Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon Premium Unlimited Plans

For the user who needs premium data with no limits, this plan is most likely the best fit. In this instance, there’s no comparison since Spectrum Mobile doesn’t offer a premium unlimited plan. This plan is worth consideration for heavy data users who use their smartphone to connect as a mobile hotspot upwards of three times every week, post content to social media apps, stream YouTube videos and shows and enjoy playing graphic-intensive games. If that’s you, the Verizon unlimited plan below offers you all the premium data you can use, with no need to ever worry about data slowdowns.

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What Is an Unlimited Plan? As the name suggests, an unlimited data plan is a phone plan that includes unlimited data. However, the type of unlimited data included in these plans varies. Lower-priced unlimited plans tend to come with unlimited deprioritized data subject to slowdowns during busy times on a network. Some entry-level unlimited plans also offer some amount of premium data (aka high-speed data), but many do not.Mid-level unlimited plans typically include a mix of high-speed data, capped to a certain amount, plus unlimited deprioritized data. The highest-priced unlimited plans are where you'll find truly unlimited premium data.

Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon Capped Plans

Only Spectrum Mobile offers capped data plan options. Their By the Gig model of capped data charges a flat rate per gigabyte of data you consume. The benefit is that you can share your data allotment across all the lines on your account, so multiple people can share the same cap of data. This is most useful for customers that don’t use very much cellular data, but still need to have access to some data while on the go.

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What Is a Capped Plan? Also commonly referred to as "By the Gig" plans, capped plans offer customers a set amount of data each month instead of unlimited data. Capped plan data is deprioritized, which means it's subject to slowdowns when the network is congested. Capped data plans can be a cost-effective alternative to unlimited plans, assuming you don’t mind deprioritized data and know how much data you use in a typical month. That's because exceeding your data cap can result in significant fees.

Spectrum Mobile vs Verizon: Hotspot Data

When a carrier offers unlimited data, it’s normal to wonder whether that counts toward hotspot usage too. But if you love using a hotspot, let this be your reminder to always check the fine print on hotspot data allowances.

Most plans with truly premium data offer a premium hotspot allowance, too. Verizon’s unlimited plans do. For example, on one of Verizon’s plans, you might get 50 GB of premium data per month, with an additional 10 GB of premium hotspot data in addition to those 50 GB.

However, with other carriers like Spectrum Mobile, once you reach a specific level of usage your data will be subject to further slowdowns. Any hotspot data you get is included in that cap.

For instance, on an unlimited data plan with Spectrum Mobile, you may have 30 GB of premium data. Of that allotment, you can use up to 5GB for hotspot usage. Once you’ve used those 5 GB up, you'll only have 25 GB of data to use before you end up in the "slowdowns" area. While you will still have hotspot data after that limit, it will be so slow that it's virtually unusable.

In short, if you’re a heavy hotspot user, make sure to look for plans that include a separate amount of data for hotspots.

The Bottom Line

In addition to our carrier phone plan comparison pages like this one, our free, unbiased Plan Finder is another great way to help you quickly compare cell phone plans based on your criteria. All you have to do is answer a few questions so we know what matters most to you, like hotspot data, early phone upgrades, or streaming services, and we’ll provide you with a shortlist of the best phone plan deals to meet your needs.

Still considering what plan features are right for you? Our article on how to choose the best cell phone plan is worth a read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spectrum Mobile and Verizon the same?

Spectrum Mobile is different from Verizon, but they aren’t entirely unrelated. Verizon runs its own network with high-priority data and wide coverage, while Spectrum Mobile uses Verizon’s network to offer cheaper plans with lower data priority. It’s a more affordable way to get on Verizon’s network, but you might notice slower speeds during busy times.

Who qualifies for Spectrum Mobile?

Spectrum Mobile is available exclusively to customers with Spectrum Internet, making it a great fit if you're already using their services at home. If you’re not a Spectrum Internet subscriber, there’s an added monthly fee, so it’s worth considering whether the savings are enough for you to consider a switch.

Will Spectrum pay off my phone if I switch?

Yes, Spectrum Mobile will cover your remaining phone balance when you switch, but there are some exceptions. They won’t reimburse leasing costs, interest, or early termination fees from your previous carrier. It’s a great way to make the switch smoother, but be sure to double-check what’s eligible.