Visible vs AT&T: Plans Compared

AT&T is one of the “Big Three” major carriers (along with Verizon and T-Mobile) that operates its own national cell phone network and offers a range of plans. Visible (a.k.a Visible Wireless, a.k.a. Visible by Verizon) is a smaller prepaid carrier, or MVNO, that’s owned by Verizon and operates on its network to provide excellent coverage. 

In this article, we’ll compare the two providers to help you decide which makes the most sense to go with for your next cell phone plan. 

Visible vs AT&T: Similarities

• Both offer unlimited plans.
• Both Visible and Verizon’s plans include international calling privileges.  
• Both sell a range of mid-range and flagship smartphones, from Samsung devices to Apple iPhones.
• Both Visible and Verizon allow you to sign up for multiple lines of service (also known as family plans), which result in cost savings. 
• Neither include taxes and fees in their advertised prices.

Visible vs AT&T: Differences

• Verizon’s plans are postpaid—meaning you pay for your service at the end of the month—whereas Visible offers prepaid plans, and can be paid for in advance on a monthly basis. 
• Visible subleases space on Verizon’s network, whereas AT&T plans make use of its own network to provide 4G and 5G coverage. 
• AT&T offers one capped data plan, while Visible only offers unlimited data ones. 
• Verizon’s plans are among the most expensive around, while Visible’s are distinctly cheaper. 

Visible vs AT&T: Unlimited Plans

AT&T sells four unlimited plans: the premium Unlimited Premium PL ($85.99/month) and Unlimited Extra EL ($75.99/month), the mid-range Unlimited Starter SL ($65.99/month), and the entry-level Value Plus VL ($50.99/month). All but Unlimited Starter SL include monthly mobile hotspot data allowances, not to mention unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada. 

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Visible Mobile, meanwhile, sells two unlimited data plans: the entry-level $20/month Visible plan, and the $35/month Visible+ plan which Navi would categorize as an entry-level to mid-level plan option. The basic Visible plan includes unlimited deprioritized data, unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada, and an unlimited mobile hotspot at slow 5Mbps data speeds. Visible+, meanwhile, includes 50GB of premium data, unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of data in Mexico and Canada, one GlobalPass day a month, and an unlimited mobile hotspot at slightly faster 10Mbps data speeds.

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What Is an Unlimited Plan?

Let’s quickly define what an unlimited data plan is. First, you should know that all unlimited plans include unlimited data. However, keep in mind that not all data plans necessarily offer high-speed data. 

Lower-priced unlimited plans tend to include unlimited deprioritized data (or data that slows down when networks are busy). Some plans include a small amount of high-speed data, while others don’t. Mid-level unlimited plans typically include a mix of high-speed data, capped to a certain amount, and unlimited deprioritized data. 

Premium unlimited plans tend to offer premium, high-speed data all the time, with no limit.

Visible vs AT&T: Capped Plans

While Visible doesn't offer any capped data plans, AT&T sells a single one: the AT&T 4GB plan ($50/month). As its name suggests, this plan gives you 4GB of data to use per month, but it’s important to note that this is deprioritized data, so it's subject to slowdowns during times of network congestion. Also, the plan isn't eligible for any device promotions that AT&T happens to be running at a given time. 

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What Is a Capped Plan?

Capped plans—also sometimes called “By the Gig” plans—offer customers a set amount of data to use per month, instead of unlimited data. All the data on capped plans is deprioritized, which means you may experience data slowdowns when the network is congested.

Capped data plans are sometimes a more cost-effective alternative to unlimited plans. If you don’t mind deprioritized data and you know how much data you use in a typical month, it makes sense to only pay for the data you’re going to use.

Visible vs AT&T: Coverage

AT&T’s national 4G LTE and 5G networks spread to all corners of the country, so no matter where you are, you’re likely to enjoy fast, reliable coverage. AT&T’s 4G network coverage is the second-best in the country, behind Verizon; its 5G coverage is similarly impressive, trailing only T-Mobile in terms of nationwide reach. 

Visible, as mentioned, runs aboard Verizon’s national 4G and 5G Ultra Wideband networks. 

Visible’s ability to tap into these coverage networks allows its customers to enjoy generally excellent service. Visible’s $35/month Visible+ plan gives subscribers 50GB of premium Verizon data, while its lower tier $25/month Visible plan offers unlimited deprioritized Verizon data.

Visible vs AT&T: Perks

Going with AT&T for your cell service entitles you to a selection of add-ons. The company’s core unlimited plans feature generous mobile hotspot data allowances, along with international privileges like talk, text, and data privileges in 200+ countries. Unlike T-Mobile, AT&T’s unlimited plans aren’t packaged with perks like streaming subscriptions, nor can you add them on for an extra charge like you can with Verizon’s myPlan. 

As a low-cost prepaid carrier, Visible doesn’t have an equivalent perk system, nor do the company’s two main plans feature a whole lot in the way of extras. Keeping things relatively stripped down is how Visible is able to offer plans at such an incredibly low cost (topping out at $35/month for the Visible+ plan). 

The Bottom Line

Signing up with AT&T means you get the full postpaid carrier experience, with great coverage, generous hotspot data allowances, and the ability to pay for your service after you’ve received it on a monthly basis. It also means, of course, high prices: AT&T’s plans are some of the most expensive on the market. 

Choosing Visible by Verizon means you have to forgo most of the benefits of going with a major carrier. Visible’s plans are fairly stripped down, and the perks are far more modest (slow mobile hotspot data, for example). However, the carrier’s offerings are nothing if not cheap. This may be enough to convince many to go Visible—particularly since the carrier’s plans come backed by reliable coverage via Verizon’s national 4G and 5G networks. 

Still not sure which plan is right for you? Check out our article on what to look for in a wireless plan.