A subsidiary of Verizon, Visible is a fully digital, prepaid cell phone carrier that offers many of the perks of its parent company at a deeply discounted price. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at this popular carrier to help you decide if it checks all your boxes. From its features and benefits to its pricing, pros and cons, we’ll cover everything there is to know about Visible to help you decide if it’s the best fit for your needs and budget.
| Highlights |
|---|
| Access Verizon's 5G & 4G LTE network at a lower cost |
| Unlimited data, talk, text and hotspot data usage |
| Premium plan comes with 50 GB of guaranteed high-speed data |
| Bring your own device or purchase new from Visible |
| No annual contracts, added fees or taxes |
About Visible
Owned and operated by Verizon Communications, Visible is a prepaid cell phone carrier that offers access to Verizon’s award-winning 5G and 4G LTE networks for a lower monthly cost. It does this by leveraging Verizon’s existing infrastructure and by keeping overhead costs to a minimum—it is an online-only service with no physical storefronts.
Visible offers a host of benefits that make it a compelling alternative to big name mobile service providers, including unlimited data, talk, text and hotspot usage, plus no annual contracts or hidden fees. Arguably, one of the only potential downsides to Visible is that customers are subject to deprioritization in instances of heavy network congestion, which can lead to slower speeds. But the brand’s premium plan, Visible+, is designed to combat that issue—it comes with a generous 50 gigabytes (GB) of guaranteed high-speed data. So unless you’re an especially heavy data user, Visible may just be the cell phone service you’ve been searching for.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fully digital service ideal for people who do everything on their phones | Customers are deprioritized during time of network congestion, leading to slower speeds |
| Access to Verizon's 5G and 4G LTE network at a lower monthly cost | Only two plans to choose from, and both are geared toward single-line users |
| Unlimited data, talk and text | |
| Unlimited hotspot data usage | |
| Premium plan comes with 50 GB of guaranteed high-speed data | |
| Works with both iOS and Android devices | |
| Bring your own phone or purchase one of theirs | |
| Network covers 99 percent of the population | |
| Flexible payment options with as low as zero percent APR | |
| No annual contracts, added fees or taxes |
Visible Plans Cost
Visible runs on Verizon’s award-winning 5G and 4G LTE networks. But because it is a digital-only service with no actual storefronts, it has fewer overhead costs. This translates to lower costs for customers. Here’s a look at the pricing structure for the two available plans at the time of this review:
| Visible | Visible+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon 5G & 4G LTE coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited data, talk and text to U.S., Mexico & Canada | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited hotspot usage | Yes | Yes |
| Same payment every month | Yes | Yes |
| No annual contract | Yes | Yes |
| Data prioritization (up to 50 GB) | No | Yes |
| Faster network on 5G Ultra Wideband | No | Yes |
| International texting to 200+ countries | No | Yes |
| International calling to 30+ countries | No | Yes |
| Price Per Month | $25/month | $45/month |
Visible Network and Coverage
Visible operates on the same expansive 5G and 4G LTE networks as Verizon, which means it covers an impressive 99 percent of the U.S. population. One important factor to keep in mind is that Verizon will always prioritize its own customers during times of network congestion. This means that Visible customers could experience slower speeds in high traffic times. However, the brand’s premium plan, Visible+, is designed to combat this issue. It comes with 50 GB of high-speed data per month, so if you opt for this plan, you won’t be impacted by network slowdowns as long as you stay within that allotment. (For reference, most sources agree that it would be hard for a single user to exceed that amount of data in one month.)
Device Compatibility
Visible is compatible with most iPhones and a growing number of Android devices. To ensure your device is compatible, you can visit the Visible website and enter your IMEI number. If your phone is not compatible, Visible offers a variety of devices you can purchase.
Visible’s Customer Service
Visible does not offer over-the-phone assistance, nor does it operate any physical stores—it’s part of how it keeps costs so low. If you need assistance, you can visit the Visible website or app. Both include a chat feature. You can also reach out through Facebook messenger (@VisibleMobile) or X (Formerly Twitter) (@visiblecare).
A Side-by-Side Comparison: How Visible Stacks Up
Visible’s unique positioning as an online-only, budget-friendly mobile network sets it apart from the competition. Here’s a closer look at how it compares to some of the other popular players on the market today:
Visible vs. Verizon
Visible is a subsidiary of Verizon, and as such, is able to offer customers many of the benefits associated with its parent company. However, there are some big differences between Visible and Verizon. Because Visible is a streamlined service with no physical stores and very few overhead costs, it is much less expensive than Verizon. But those savings come at a cost—Visible customers are deprioritized during times of heavy internet usage. This means that whereas Verizon customers will continue enjoying their usual internet speeds, Visible customers could experience slower speeds during times of heavy congestion. Visible’s premium plan, Visible+ helps protect against this by guaranteeing 50 GB of high-speed data per month, but if you’re a heavy data user, this may not be enough. Verizon customers enjoy other perks that Visible customers don’t, like more plans to choose from, multi-line packages, more comprehensive customer service, and overall, faster speeds. Ultimately, Visible is a great choice if you want the dependable service of the Verizon network at a great discount prices, while Verizon is best for those who are willing to pay a little more for the most consistent, high-speed data.
Visible vs. Mint Mobile
There are a lot of similarities between Visible and Mint Mobile. Like Visible, Mint Mobile leverages the infrastructure of a major mobile service provider while operating completely online, enabling it to offer high speeds and low costs. Both companies offer unlimited talk and text, and both enable customers to use their own devices (as long as they are compatible). There are a few differences between these two popular picks, though. For example, whereas Visible operates on the Verizon network, Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network. Since coverage depends on your location, you may have access to one and not the other. Also, while Visible offers unlimited hotspot data usage, Mint Mobile caps customers at just 10 GB. This may be a dealbreaker for anyone who travels or works outside the home. Mint also requires customers to pay up front for several months of service; Visible follows a month-to-month payment plan with no penalties for canceling. Another major differentiator between these two carriers is that Visible’s premium plan, Visible+, comes with 50 GB of premium, high-speed data, which protects customers against slow speeds during times of heavy internet usage. Even with Mint Mobile’s most premium plan, data speeds are reduced after 40 GB. Visible’s premium plan, Visible+, also offers access to Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G service, which is currently the best possible cellular network from the carrier.
Bottom Line: Why We Love It
Visible offers a simple solution for people who want the coverage, speed and reliability of a big name carrier without the price tag. By operating on the expansive Verizon network but offering a streamlined, digital-only customer interface with no physical stores, Visible is able to offer excellent service at deeply discounted prices. The brand offers two straightforward plans, both of which come with unlimited data, talk, text and hotspots, and its premium plan, Visible+, comes with 50 GB of guaranteed high-speed data, which helps protect customers from slow speeds due to network congestion. We love that there are no contracts required, and that the service is available for both iOS and Android users. All in all, Visible is an excellent, budget-friendly option for anyone looking for great coverage at a lower price.
Visible FAQs
Visible is a great option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly mobile service plan with unlimited data, talk, text and hotspot usage. By leveraging Verizon’s existing infrastructure, and keeping overhead costs low, Visible is able to offer access to many of the same perks Verizon customers enjoy at a deeply discounted price. The only potential downside is that Visible customers are deprioritized in times of network congestion, which may lead to reduced speeds. However, Visible’s premium, Visible+, plan combats that issue with 50 GB of high speed data guaranteed every month
Visible operates on Verizon’s award-winning 5G and 4G LTE networks. This means that customers get access to one of the largest and most reliable networks in the United States, albeit with some differences in data prioritization compared to Verizon’s direct customers.
No, unlike many of its competitors, Visible does not require any long-term contracts. Their service model is based on a month-to-month subscription, giving customers the flexibility to cancel or change their plans without incurring penalties.
To get Visible, you can sign up on their website or through the Visible app. The process involves choosing a plan, checking if your phone is compatible (or purchasing a new phone from Visible), then activating the service.
Visible’s pricing is straightforward and competitive. They offer two plans: Visible for $25 per month, and Visible+ for $45 per month. Of course, prices are subject to change so always check their website for the latest pricing information.
Visible services can be acquired through their official website or via the Visible app. Visible does not operate physical stores, focusing instead on an online, direct-to-consumer model.
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