Which is better, Visible or AT&T? The answer really comes down to data and cost. Visible offers a cheaper unlimited data plan, but your data speeds will not be the fastest. AT&T costs more, but your data speeds will probably be faster.
Data: You should know how much data you need each month, but also how much data speed you need. People who game, stream, upload, or work on their phones a lot will want to opt for faster data speeds. Price: Don’t overpay. There are a bunch of new discount providers in the market that may offer the same thing for less. Coverage: There are three major networks in the country—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Check coverage maps to see which has the best reach in your area. Performance: There are all kinds of perks and features—like mobile hotspot data—that will affect your mobile experience. Get the ones you want, but don’t pay for the ones you don’t use.
(Note: AT&T does offer a 4 GB limited-data plan with unlimited talk and text, but it’s overpriced and underpowered, so we’re not going to really talk about it in this review.)
Unlimited talk, text, and data Access to 5G networks where available (and with a 5G capable device) Coverage on Verizon’s huge network Unlimited hotspot data Deals on the newest phones
These plentiful features are why we’ve dubbed this plan one of the best on the market. It can easily go toe-to-toe with plans that cost twice as much. But, of course, every rose has its thorn … You may also notice data slowdowns when the network is congested. That means you may have a hard time livestreaming when you’re in a crowded stadium or during peak hours. You can avoid deprioritization altogether if you go with the Visible+ premium plan. It costs an extra $15/month, but you get 50 GB of high-speed data every month. Rest assured even the Visible+ plan still costs less than unlimited plans from major carriers like AT&T. Here’s a look at AT&T’s data plans that will get you a slice of that lightning-fast data. Here are the main differences between AT&T’s unlimited data plans: Unlimited Starter comes with deprioritized data speeds, like Visible’s plan. That means AT&T can slow down your data whenever it wants. Also, your video streams are capped at 1.5 Mbps, and you don’t get any hotspot data. Unlimited Extra has a soft data cap of 50 GB. Once you reach your cap, your data can be slowed down. This plan also caps your video streams at 1.5 Mbps. It comes with 15 GB of hotspot data. Unlimited Elite has a lofty 100 GB data cap. If you manage to (somehow) use more than that, your data speeds can be slowed down. You’ll get HD video streaming, 40 GB of mobile hotspot data, and a free subscription to HBO Max. So, if you just want a bare bones unlimited data plan, go with Visible. It gives you more than AT&T’s Unlimited Starter plan but for less money. But if you want more speed and better perks, then the Unlimited Elite plan is the way to go, if you can afford it. Which brings us to our next point: AT&T’s prices aren’t the cheapest. In all seriousness, family plans can save you a ton of dough. Visible used to offer a Party Pay program that could get your line down to $25/month, but the carrier threw that out the window after recently reducing prices. If you want to get a family plan, you’ll need to go with AT&T. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Take a gander at these plans to see what’s on offer. You may also notice a plan called Unlimited Your Way. This is a plan that lets you add up to ten lines to a single account. Each line can be on a different unlimited data plan, allowing you savings and flexibility. Nice. So let’s talk network coverage and speed. Both Visible and AT&T sell the newest flagship devices from companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google. Take a look at some of the most popular deals from each company below.
Plans: Visible’s offers affordable unlimited talk, text, and data plans that have some limits on data speed. AT&T offers three different unlimited plans, some of which offer better speeds and perks, but they’re pricier. Family plans: Only AT&T offers family plan discounts, so if you’re looking for a carrier to put your whole family on, you can get the better deal from AT&T. Coverage and performance: AT&T runs a great nationwide network with the best data speeds in the industry. Visible runs on Verizon’s network, which means amazing coverage, but there’s a risk of data deprioritization.
We hope that this article has helped you decide which carrier is better for you. If you’re still on the fence, check out some other contenders in our best unlimited data plan lineup.