These are the 2 Verizon alternate options I most suggest to individuals

For people who don’t know, I spend the overwhelming majority of my time at Android Authority reviewing carriers, in addition to basic information and options round them. I’ve used a big share of the US carriers, together with Verizon and a number of other of its greatest pay as you go companions.

For most individuals, I wholeheartedly suggest Seen as the place to begin relating to Verizon alternate options. The service is easy to arrange, has simply three plan choices, and can also be a part of the Verizon household. If you happen to want a number of strains, I additionally strongly suggest Whole by Verizon. That stated, there’s one other service I typically counsel earlier than Whole for many customers: US Cellular.

US Cellular is a good alternative for individuals who desire to not be tied on to Verizon. It’s an unbiased supplier that allows you to select between all three main US networks in a single handy package deal.

Curious which one is the higher match for you? Let’s break down the main points, from pricing and cellphone choice to community precedence and extra. Earlier than I soar in, I wish to make this clear: neither service goes to have the polish or shiny promos you’d get with Verizon. You might need to attend longer for customer support. You might need to determine a number of issues your self. However finally, you’ll get a really comparable expertise and save a ton.

US Cellular has the bottom beginning costs, because of its restricted information plans — one thing Seen doesn’t provide. On the low finish, you will get 2GB for simply $10 per 30 days, or the equal of $8 month-to-month should you pay $96 upfront for the 12 months. Restricted plans go as much as 20GB of shareable information, however we solely suggest these should you primarily depend on Wi-Fi. Even then, you typically gained’t pay rather more for a limiteless plan, which usually presents a greater expertise.

There are three limitless choices at US Cellular. Limitless Flex is simply obtainable with a one-time $210 cost, which averages out to $17.50 a month. If you happen to desire month-to-month billing, Limitless Starter and Limitless Premium are available at $25 and $35 per 30 days, respectively. Whereas Premium usually retails for $44, it’s at present on promotion for $10 off. There’s additionally an annual possibility for Premium that drops the efficient month-to-month price to $32.50.

Seen retains issues even less complicated, providing three limitless plans at $25, $35, and $45 per 30 days: Seen Primary, Seen Plus, and Visible Plus Professional. All embrace limitless information, although they differ in community precedence and bonus options. If you happen to decide to pay yearly, you’ll save $25 on Primary, $45 on Plus, or as much as $90 on Professional.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Single-line Verizon postpaid plans vary from $65 to $90, although that’s not together with taxes and costs.
• Verizon household plans drop as little as $30 to $55 per line for 4 strains.

US Cellular doesn’t simply use Verizon’s community — it presents entry to all three main carriers, rebranded as Warp, Mild Pace, and Darkish Star. On Warp, 5G-capable units obtain QCI 8 precedence, which is identical degree you get with Seen Plus or Verizon’s higher-end postpaid plans. You’ll additionally get a restricted quantity of high-speed “premium” information — as much as 100GB, relying in your plan. After that, you continue to have limitless information, however it could be deprioritized throughout community congestion.

Seen, then again, presents actually limitless information on Verizon’s community throughout all plans. Seen Primary makes use of QCI 9, which usually ends in slower speeds throughout peak congestion. It’s nonetheless an amazing deal should you’re close to Wi-Fi more often than not or stay in a much less crowded space. Seen Plus consists of 50GB of QCI 8 information. As soon as that’s used up, you keep on the community however might expertise lowered speeds throughout busy intervals.

If you would like fully uncapped, high-priority information, Seen Plus Professional delivers. It consists of limitless premium 5G and LTE entry, plus 4K video streaming — all for $45 per 30 days. Whereas each supplier reserves the fitting to throttle extraordinarily excessive information customers, you’d have to burn via a whole lot of gigabytes in a brief span to set off it sometimes.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon MyPlan Final and Plus embrace limitless QCI 8 information, guaranteeing top-tier velocity and latency.
• MyPlan Welcome presents QCI 9 and will decelerate considerably throughout congestion.

Each carriers provide a big selection of telephones from high manufacturers like Apple, Google, and Samsung. You’ll discover a mixture of funds, mid-range, and flagship choices, much like what you’d count on from the foremost carriers.

If you happen to’re trying to finance a cellphone, each companies companion with Affirm to offer rates of interest as little as 0% APR for as much as 36 months. Seen sometimes runs high-value promotions — for instance, providing a free iPhone 16e with activation. US Cellular hasn’t traditionally matched these sorts of offers, however a latest Reddit publish from their CEO confirmed upcoming promos, beginning with $400 off the Pixel 9 someday in April.

Seen additionally presents insurance coverage via Assurant, with protection beginning at $10 per 30 days. This consists of safety in opposition to harm, theft, and loss. Verizon’s equal service begins at $16, making Seen a greater deal in lots of circumstances. Whereas Verizon does have $9/month insurance coverage choices, it sometimes presents much less protection.

US Cellular doesn’t at present provide in-house insurance coverage, however third-party choices like Assurant, Progressive, and others can fill the hole if you need protection.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon sometimes presents 45+ units, together with refurbished choices.
• Postpaid customers can get interest-free financing and occasional free cellphone promotions (although whether or not they’re value it is a degree of rivalry).
• Insurance coverage is accessible however tends to be dearer than Seen’s choices.

Neither service presents in-store service, however US Cellular offers extra methods to get assist. You’ll be able to attain them through cellphone, chat, and on-line, they usually’re lively of their official subreddit, the place reps repeatedly reply questions and share updates.

Seen, in contrast, limits assist to speak via its app and web site. Whereas which will sound limiting, their response instances are stable, and points sometimes get resolved with out a lot friction; you simply have fewer methods to succeed in out.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon presents brick-and-mortar assist via each company and third-party shops.
• Verizon-owned shops usually tend to provide higher service, particularly for pay as you go customers.
• On-line and cellphone assist can also be obtainable for each pay as you go and postpaid clients, although dealt with by completely different departments.

Worldwide calling and different extras

Neither supplier bundles in streaming companies, however each provide worthwhile extras. US Cellular stands out with options like free smartwatch connectivity on sure plans and the choice to change between networks. Some plans even help you use two networks without delay — an uncommon and highly effective perk should you want broader protection.

Seen doesn’t provide multi-network entry, however it does present limitless hotspot utilization (with velocity caps) and stable worldwide options. The International Cross is very helpful for vacationers, providing you with a free day of worldwide information every month that may be rolled over and stacked.

How does this evaluate to Verizon’s choices?

• Verizon presents all kinds of worldwide options that modify relying on the plan.
• Verizon presents optionally available streaming perks for its postpaid plans, although they sometimes price round $10 every.
• Verizon has higher roaming agreements, which ought to result in higher assist in lifeless zones.

Whereas Seen and US Cellular are top-tier choices, a number of different carriers additionally function on Verizon’s community, as we talked about earlier. Some are unbiased, however many are actually owned by Verizon following latest acquisitions. Listed below are three extra Verizon-based carriers value a glance if neither US Cellular nor Seen suits your wants:

• Pricing: $40–$60 for single strains; $23–$27 per line with 5 strains
• Precedence: QCI 9 on the bottom plan, QCI 8 for mid-tier and above
• Limitless Cap: No fastened restrict, however high 0.5% of information customers may even see lowered speeds
• Telephone Choices: Just like Seen and US Cellular, with a give attention to reasonably priced fashions
• Buyer Service: Restricted retail presence; cellphone and on-line assist obtainable
• Extras: Disney+ Premium on choose plans, plus glorious multi-line reductions

Verizon Pay as you go:

• Pricing: $35 for 15GB; $50–$60 for limitless information
• Precedence: QCI 8 or 9, relying on the plan
• Limitless Cap: Limitless, however information might gradual throughout congestion
• Telephone Choices: Corresponding to postpaid, with barely fewer flagship choices
• Buyer Service: Full assist at Verizon shops, in addition to on-line and by cellphone
• Extras: Worldwide perks on some plans; higher protection in fringe areas

Straight Speak:

• Pricing: $35 for 10GB; $45–$65 for limitless
• Precedence: QCI 9 on most plans
• Limitless Cap: Mushy cap with lowered speeds throughout heavy use or community congestion
• Telephone Choices: Sturdy promotional offers; heavy emphasis on mid-range telephones
• Buyer Service: First rate vary of assist channels
• Extras: Walmart+ membership perks (together with Paramount+) with choose plans

Each carriers provide clear benefits, delivering an expertise that mirrors Verizon’s postpaid service in lots of key areas. The higher alternative finally depends upon how you employ your cellphone, which options matter most to you, and whether or not you worth simplicity or flexibility.

For many former Verizon customers, Seen stays my high advice. As a Verizon-owned model, it offers glorious worth with simple pricing and actually limitless information on Verizon’s community, typically on the lowest value obtainable. In day-to-day use, most individuals gained’t even discover they’ve switched, because the expertise intently resembles being a Verizon buyer. Desire a comparable expertise however with household reductions? Whole Wi-fi can also be value taking a look at.

That stated, US Cellular has compelling strengths of its personal. It’s a powerful decide for anybody drawn to the thought of switching between Verizon, T-Cellular, and AT&T networks. It additionally appeals to those that wish to transfer away from Verizon’s ecosystem completely, as US Cellular operates independently and isn’t beneath Verizon’s direct management.