Straight Talk vs AT&T: Plans Compared

Straight Talk Wireless is a prepaid carrier owned by Verizon and operating on its nationwide 4G and 5G networks. Like other MVNOs, Straight Talk offers cheap cell phone plans aimed at people looking for an affordable alternative to larger carriers like AT&T.

We wanted to find out how it actually stacks up against AT&T, which is one of the country’s biggest wireless providers. We knew there would be plenty of differences between a smaller budget-conscious carrier like Straight Talk and a large premium brand like AT&T, but we figured we would dig into the fine print and see how their plans compared.

In this guide, we’ll break down the similarities and differences between Straight Talk and AT&T, analyzing their plans, coverage, service, and more. By the end, you’ll be able to decide which carrier is the best choice for you.

Straight Talk vs. AT&T: Similarities

Straight Talk and AT&T are very different, though the two carriers do have some similarities. Here are the most significant:

• Both Straight Talk Wireless and AT&T operate on nationwide 4G and 5G networks. 
• Both carriers provide unlimited data plans.
• Both carriers offer hotspot data on select unlimited data plans.
• Both carriers allow users to purchase phones with their plans and offer promotional deals and financing for iPhones, Samsung phones, and more.
• Both carriers offer family plans with significant multi-line discounts.

Straight Talk vs. AT&T: Differences

Straight Talk and AT&T are rather different carriers by design. These are their most important contrasts:

• Straight Talks operates on the nationwide Verizon network; AT&T operates on its own nationwide network.
• Straight Talk offers prepaid plans aimed at users who don’t need much data; AT&T’s postpaid plans are designed for users who need large amounts of high-speed premium data.
• Straight Talk’s 5G plans top out at the relatively slow speed of 143Mbps; AT&T’s 5G can reach speeds three times faster and its super-fast 5G+ is available in select areas.
• Straight Talk’s unlimited plans are deprioritized during network congestion, meaning users may experience slower speeds during busy times; AT&T has two unlimited plans with premium data.
• Straight Talk’s plans offer less mobile hotspot data than similar plans from AT&T. 

Straight Talk vs. AT&T: Coverage

Straight Talk uses Verizon’s towers, so Straight Talk’s coverage map is the same as Verizon’s. That means Straight Talk 4G service is available in 56% of the country and reaches 99% of the population. Its 5G coverage is smaller, though, covering 12% of the map and reaching 70% of the population.

AT&T’s coverage area is slightly larger. Its 4G map covers 58% of the map, making it the biggest 4G network in the country. AT&T’s 5G footprint is smaller, covering just 28% of the country, though its service reaches 70% of Americans. The carrier also offers a super-fast service called 5G+, though that’s only available in dense urban areas.

What’s an unlimited plan?

‍Most customers are drawn to unlimited data plans based on their name. After all, why wouldn’t you want an unlimited amount of data to use? The reality, though, is more complicated. 

While some unlimited data plans offer truly unlimited high-speed data, most do not. Most carriers’ unlimited plans are deprioritized, either after a user exceeds a premium data amount or during network congestion.

Unlimited plans with premium data amounts provide a limited amount of high-speed data per month. When a user exceeds that amount, their data will be deprioritized, which they’ll feel through slower speeds while using their phone.

Other unlimited plans deprioritize when the network is congested, which can happen during peak hours (like earlier in the morning or during lunch hours) or in large crowds (like at sporting events). For these plans, it doesn’t matter how much data a user has burned through—they’ll experience slower speeds during congestion to make room for the users who pay for truly unlimited data.

Want to learn more about unlimited cell phone plans? Read more in our guide to understanding unlimited data plans.

Straight Talk vs. AT&T: Entry-Level Unlimited Plans

Entry-level unlimited plans are designed for basic phone users, who talk, text, browse social media, and stream music, but aren’t concerned with streaming video, gaming, or using a mobile hotspot.

The StraightSAVINGS! Nationwide plan is Straight Talk’s entry-level unlimited plan, offering unlimited data on the Verizon network for a low monthly price. Its data is deprioritized during network congestion, but customers can otherwise take advantage of unlimited 5G data.

AT&T offers two entry-level unlimited plans in the Value Plus VL and the Unlimited Starter SL plans. Their main distinction from the StraightSAVINGS! Nationwide plan is their abundant international options. In addition, the Unlimited Starter SL provides a 5GB mobile hotspot, allowing users to get WiFi on the go at 4G LTE and 5G speeds.

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Straight Talk vs. AT&T: Mid-Level Unlimited Plans

Straight Talk and AT&T also provide mid-level unlimited plans, which are geared at more typical phone users, who not only talk, text, browse, and stream music, but also game, stream video, and occasionally use their phone as a mobile hotspot. These plans offer robust international options, and larger mobile hotspots allowances.

Straight Talk offers several affordable mid-level plans with solid mobile hotspot data and international calling. AT&T’s Unlimited Extra EL plan will be the better pick for most mid-level users, though, thanks to its 75GB of premium data, which will all but guarantee users don’t face throttling when the network gets busy.

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Straight Talk vs. AT&T: Premium Unlimited Plans

While most people assume plans with more data are better, that’s not always the case. Premium unlimited data plans are great for a certain type of user, but they are also expensive. Before you purchase one of these plans, you’ll want to make sure you’ll be making the most of it. 

We recommend that only the most data-heavy users—people who rely on FaceTime and Zoom, use a mobile hotspot more than three times a week, and use their phone as the primary screen for binge-watching and gaming—sign up for premium unlimited plans. If you are one of those people, then you won’t find a suitable plan with Straight Talk, which is par for the course for prepaid carriers. 

AT&T, on the other hand, offers a solid premium option in the Unlimited Premium PL plan. The plan is one of the rare unlimited plan that offers truly unlimited premium data, meaning you’ll never have to deal with throttling, no matter how much data you use or how congested the network might get. In addition, the plan gives you a 60GB mobile hotspot, which is more than enough to use for remote work. 

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Straight Talk vs. AT&T: Capped Plans

Unlike unlimited plans, capped data plans offer limited amount of data per month. Once a user reaches that monthly limit, they’ll be without service until the next month.

Straight Talk offers two plans that we consider capped. The first is the Basic Plan, which provides very little data, no mobile hotspot, and service that’s only available for flip phones, making it a poor option for most users but a worthwhile consideration for an emergency phone for seniors or young children.

The other Straight Talk capped plan is labeled as an unlimited plan, though its terms make that “unlimited” title a bit of a misnomer. The plan has a 10GB premium data limit and after that your speeds will be throttled to 2G, a speed too slow to do anything except the most basic tasks. 

AT&T offers a single capped plan in its 4GB plan. That minimal amount is still subject to deprioritization during network congestion, making it an option for only the most basic phone users. 

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The Bottom Line

Straight Talk is a good choice for entry-level and mid-level phone users looking for cheap monthly payments. While their unlimited plans have fewer features than AT&T’s comparable plans, the carrier still offers a lot of value with their affordable plans.

AT&T’s plans are certainly more expensive than Straight Talk’s, but customers who are looking for more than basic connectivity will need want the features—like faster 5G and larger mobile hotspot amounts—that AT&T’s unlimited plans provide.

There are plenty more options on the market, of course. If you’re interested in seeing them, check out our free and unbiased Plan Finder, which searches thousands of cell phone plans from every major carrier to find the best option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Straight Talk Verizon or AT&T?

Straight Talk is owned by Verizon and operates on its nationwide 4G and 5G networks.

Is AT&T service better than Straight Talk?

AT&T service is better than Straight Talk in terms of speed and reliability, mainly because Straight Talk, as a subsidiary carrier, is deprioritized on the Verizon network. That means users generally experience slower speeds, especially during network congestion. AT&T, on the other hand, is the premium carrier on the AT&T network. Even during network congestion, AT&T customers will likely have faster service than Straight Talk customers.

Can I switch from AT&T to Straight Talk?

Yes, you can switch from AT&T to Straight Talk by activating a Straight Talk plan. Straight Talk will walk through the switching process from there.