Verizon wireless unlimited plans are usually summarized with one sentence: “pricey, but very good”.
If you compare Verizon wireless unlimited plans to competitors like Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile, then Verizon’s plans tend to be a little more expensive (although not always). However, in our opinion Verizon offers the best coverage in the country with the most reliable speed and performance.
Verizon, however, is quite notorious in providing a lot of (too many) different plans that can easily confuse newcomers. This is why in this guide we will breakdown your options so you can get the best Verizon wireless plan for you.
Verizon Wireless Unlimited Plans
Nowadays, the unlimited plans are definitely the cream of the crop of any wireless providers, and in case of Verizon, there are four different wireless unlimited plans to choose from:
Verizon Start Unlimited Plan
Features:
- Unlimited 4G LTE Data (No access to 5G)
- 480p streaming (throttled by Verizon)
- Free Apple Music for 6 months
- YoutTubeTV Free for one month
- Disney+Free for 1 year
Verizon Start Unlimited Plan is the entry-level unlimited Verizon wireless plan that costs $35/month for up to 4 lines/devices and $30/month if you have more than 5 devices.
It is essentially a stripped-down version of the unlimited wireless plan, and you are only limited to 4G LTE data (depending on your location, Verizon other plans now offer 5G speed). Even then, the 4G LTE data is subject to deprioritization, especially if you live in an area where there are a lot of people using Verizon, which will translate to lower speeds.
De-prioritized 4G
What all wireless carriers don’t really tell you is that unlimited plans are not 100% unlimited, and carriers may de-prioritize your data based on usage and/or the total bandwidth usage in your area (congestion).
In the case of the Verizon wireless Start Unlimited, you can get deprioritized anytime and get a slower speed, so it’s a bad thing. Yet, based on our tests, the impact of this deprioritization is fairly small and won’t really affect daily usage like messaging and emails.
480p Limited Video
4G LTE speed technically shouldn’t have any issue streaming videos with 1080p or even 4K quality. However, Verizon Start Unlimited limits your video to only 480p quality most of the time.
If your smartphone can display 1080p HD and even 4K, then the 480p quality displayed will be a very noticeable quality. If you are streaming from tablets, you can get 720p video quality.
Mobile hotspot limited to 600kbps
If you share your phone’s internet via mobile hotpot, then the speed will always be limited to 600kbps.
Our Verdict
The Verizon Start Unlimited Plan, as the “start” in the name suggests, is an entry-level Verizon wireless plan that unfortunately has several limitations. Two notable ones are the fact that your video streaming capability is limited to 480p video quality on your phone and 720p on tablets, and your 4G LTE data is subject to congestion.
In general, unless budget is really an issue, we’d recommend adding just $10/month to get the Play More plan, which we will review below.
Verizon Play More Unlimited Plan
Features
- 5G access included with a 5G-enabled phone and in specific areas, 4K quality streaming
- 25GB 4G LTE Data before deprioritization
- 15GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot before throttling to 600kbps
- HD quality streaming (720p on average)
- Apple Music included forever
- YouTubeTV free for 1-month
- Disney+ Free for 1-year
The Verizon Play More Unlimited Plan is focused on the play part of internet activities: video streaming, music streaming, and gaming. You get Apple music for free throughout your Play More subscription, and Verizon won’t limit your video streaming quality.
The plan will cost $45/month per line for up to four lines/devices, and $40/month for more than 5 devices.
25 GB Premium Data Threshold
With the Verizon Play More plan, you get 25GB of premium 4G LTE (and 5G Ultra Wideband data in select areas and/or devices). Meaning, you won’t experience any deprioritization until you use 25GB worth of data.
25GB deprioritization threshold is not bad, and you can stream a lot of videos before you experience a slowdown. However, keep this in mind and monitor your data consumption if you are streaming full HD videos.
15GB Unlimited Hotspot
The Play More plan includes a pretty generous 15GB hotspot allowance. You can share your phone’s internet connection in 4G for up to 15GB. This can be useful to save costs, so you can technically use the plan with several people for 15GB data consumption in total.
For example, in a business setting, you can share your internet connection with your employees during office hours (and watch their usages).
Apple Music FREE forever
You get an Apple Music subscription as long as you stay with the Verizon Play More plan, which is an amazing value. On top of that, you also get YouTubeTV free for one month and Disney+ Free for a year. Again, this is your best plan if you are looking for video, music streaming, and entertainment.
Our Verdict
The Verizon Play More Plan is your go-to plan if you are going to use your wireless for a lot of streaming. In this plan, Verizon won’t limit your video streaming quality and you’ll get 720p video quality (1080p streaming available for $10/month), and you also get Apple Music for free during the subscription.
For $45/month not including taxes and other fees, it’s not the cheapest unlimited plan out there. However, don’t forget that we also get Amazon’s amazing coverage with the price. The best, most cost-efficient Verizon wireless plan if you do a lot of video and music streaming.
Verizon Do More Unlimited Plan
Key Features
- 5G access included with a 5G-enabled phone and in specific areas, 4K quality streaming
- 50GB 4G LTE Data before deprioritization
- 15GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot before throttling to 600kbps
- DVD quality streaming (480p on average)
- Apple Music free for 6 months
- YouTubeTV free for 1-month
- Disney+ Free for 1-year
- 50% off Tablet or Jetpack Unlimited Plan (from $20/month)
- 500GB of Verizon Cloud Storage
There are many similarities between the Verizon Do More Plan and the Play More plan reviewed above, so at a glance, choosing between the two might be slightly confusing. For starters, they are both priced at $45/month per device, which can further add to the confusion.
There is, however, a clear difference between the two plans: in the Do More plan, you get 50GB of “premium” data before deprioritization instead of 25GB found in the Play More plan. As a tradeoff, however, video streaming in this plan is limited to DVD quality (480p) and you only get Apple music for 6 months.
50GB Premium Data Threshold
The biggest highlight of this plan is the very big, 50GB deprioritization threshold. So, as the name “Do More” suggests, this Verizon wireless plan is more geared towards productivity rather than entertainment. This will eliminate any concern regarding data slowdown and data consumption in general.
15GB Unlimited Hotspot
The Do More plan includes a pretty generous 15GB hotspot allowance, similar to Play More plan. You can share your phone’s internet connection in 4G for up to 15GB. Again, this can be useful to save costs, so you can technically use the plan with several people for 15GB data consumption in total.
500GB of Verizon Cloud
A great feature, and 500GB of cloud storage space is very generous. You can back up a lot of things from your photos to downloaded TV series/movies to documents with this cloud storage service.
Our Verdict
This is the Verizon wireless plan to choose if you don’t really stream a lot (both for videos and music), but you want the 15GB hotspot limit and stable 4G LTE (or 5G) speed for up to 50GB of data usage.
Again, at $45/month per device, or $40/month if you have more than 5 devices, it is not the cheapest wireless plan available in the market. However, Verizon’s coverage, paired with the very generous 50GB deprioritization threshold is a very interesting overall offer.
Keep in mind, however, that in this plan you are limited to standard video streaming quality (480p) although you can remove the limit and stream videos in 1080p.
Verizon Get More Unlimited
Key Features:
- 5G access included with a 5G-enabled phone and in specific areas, 4K quality streaming
- 75GB 4G LTE Data before deprioritization
- 30GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot before throttling to 600kbps
- HD quality streaming (720p on average)
- Apple Music free forever
- YouTubeTV free for 1-month
- Disney+ Free for 1-year
- 50% off Tablet or Jetpack Unlimited Plan (from $20/month)
- 500GB of Verizon Cloud Storage
The most expensive personal unlimited wireless plan from Verizon, the Get More Unlimited Plan is essentially a combination of Do More and Play More plans with a few extras.
With the Get More plan you get a massive 75GB premium data, so you can use 75GB of 4G (and 5G data in limited devices and area) before you experience deprioritization (in Play More we only get 25GB, and in Do More we get 50GB). We also get 30GB of 4G mobile hotspot instead of 15 GB, and similar to the Do More plan, we also get 500GB of Verizon cloud for free.
The Get More plan is undoubtedly the best of the best of what Verizon offers in its wireless unlimited plans. So, the question is, with the price tag of $55/month per device (or $50/month if you have more than 5 devices), is the $10/month difference worth it?
75 GB Premium Data Threshold
One of the key highlights of this plan is the very big, 7GB deprioritization threshold. So, as the name “Get More” suggests, you really get a lot more with this Verizon wireless plan. This will eliminate any concern regarding data slowdown and data consumption in general.
30GB Unlimited Hotspot
Probably the biggest highlight of the Get More Unlimited plan is the fact that you can share your 4G and 5G connection via hotspot for 30 GB instead of 15 GB limit before it slows down. If, for example, you are going to share your internet connection with other devices, then the $10/month extra can be worth it. Pair this with the big deprioritization limit of 75 GB, so technically you can share this connection with several devices without facing any slowdown.
500GB of Verizon Cloud
A similar feature to what you’d get from the Do More Unlimited plan, and again, 500GB cloud for free is pretty generous.
Our Verdict
The Verizon Get More Unlimited Plan is Verizon’s top-of-the-line offer designed for heavy data users. You essentially get everything in this plan:
- HD video streaming and free Apple Music as long as you subscribe to this plan.
- Massive 75GB data deprioritization threshold
- 30GB hotspot allowance
In our opinion, unless you really need those features, the extra $10/month is not really worth it and you’re better off with either the Play More Unlimited or Do More Unlimited plan, depending on whether you’ll do a lot of music and video streaming.
As we have mentioned, however, it’s possible to take advantage of the 30GB hotspot allowance and 75GB premium data threshold to share your connection with several devices and share the costs. This way, the $10/month price difference can be justified.
Verizon Shared Data and Prepaid Wireless Plans
If for one reason or another the unlimited Verizon wireless plan isn’t for you, then there are the shared data and prepaid plans, and here are the breakdown:
Verizon Shared Data Plans
1. Small Plan (2GB Data)
Key Features:
- Premium 4G LTE Data
- Unlimited Talk & Text
- Carryover Data
- Safety Mode
- Data Boost $15 /1GB
- Verizon Up Rewards
Price: $35/month
2. Medium Plan (4GB)
You Stream music, upload photos on social media and surf the web
Key Features:
- Premium 4G LTE Data
- Unlimited Talk & Text
- Carryover Data
- Safety Mode
- Data Boost $15 /1GB
- Verizon Up Rewards
Price: $50/month
3. Large Plan (8 GB)
Key Features:
- Premium 4G LTE Data
- Unlimited Talk & Text
- Carryover Data
- Safety Mode
- Data Boost $15 /1GB
- Verizon Up Rewards
Price: $70/month
4. 5 Plan (5 GB)
Key Features:
- Premium 4G LTE Data
- Unlimited Talk & Text
- Carryover Data
- Safety Mode
- Data Boost $15 /1GB
- Verizon Up Rewards
Price: $40/month
Verizon Prepaid Plans
All plans include Unlimited Talk & Text and Unlimited text to 200+ international destinations. All without the annual contracts.
1. 6GB
For a Limited time, activated on our 3GB plan and get a 3GB bonus at no extra cost.
Key Features:
- Mobile Hotspot
Price: $35/month
2. 16GB
For a Limited time, activated on our 8GB plan and get a 8GB bonus at no extra cost
Key Features:
- Mobile Hotspot
- Unlimited Calling to Mexico and Canada
Price: $45/month
3. Prepaid Unlimited
Everything you love about unlimited, now without the long term commitment. Now $65/mo.
Key Features:
- Unlimited Calling to mexico and Canada
Price: $65/month
4. Prepaid Family Plans
Mix & match plans and save up to $20/mo per line on lines 2-10. That’s smart. That’s family-sized Prepaid.
Everyone gets:
- Unlimited US Talk & Text
- Unlimited Text to 200 International Destinations
- Mobile Hotspot
Unlimited and 16 GB also get:
Unlimited Talk to Mexico and Canada
Get 16 GB for $45/mo with double the data when you enroll in Auto Pay.
Most people aim to get cheaper deals with a prepaid plan, which unfortunately doesn’t really happen. In fact, Verizon’s prepaid plans and shared data plans tend to end up being more expensive than other services, and even when we compare the overall value to Verizon wireless unlimited plans, which we have reviewed above.
Also, let’s not forget that all of Verizon’s prepaid plans are subject to deprioritization, and so you are always vulnerable to slower speeds when the network is congested.
In our opinion, it’s best to commit to a contract and get any of the unlimited plans instead.
Verizon’s Coverage
Verizon is currently the wireless carrier with the best coverage in the country for some years now, and this accolade still stands in 2020. At the moment, Verizon covers almost 70% of the whole country with 4G LTE, and it is rapidly building its new 5G access network.
Verizon’s great coverage is the main reason why it costs more than other wireless competitors, and in our opinion, the price is justified if you want reliability and speed. This is especially true if you live in a more rural area where Verizon can provide significantly more reliability, or you often travel to different areas in the country.
Verizon Customer Service
Verizon is notorious for their bad customer service. However, it is in our opinion an issue for all network providers and wireless carriers. None of them offers decent customer service, and unfortunately, that is also the case with Verizon.
If you really need to contact customer service with Verizon, based on our experience it’s best to use the online chat or DM their social media profiles:
- Twitter: @vzwsupport
- Facebook: @verizon
Final Verdict
Our answer is yes. If you do have the budget, then we recommend getting the Verizon Play More Unlimited Plan or Do More Unlimited Plan depending on whether you’d prefer the HD video streaming and free Apple Music, or better data threshold and 500GB cloud storage.
If you are willing to spend an extra $10 every month, then simply choose the Get More Unlimited plan where you’d get literally everything.
We won’t really recommend their shared data or prepaid plans because, with line-access fees on the Family Plan and other extra costs, they can be even more expensive than the Unlimited Plan.
Overall, if you value speed and performance above anything else, then Verizon is an excellent choice.
FAQ:
Q: Do Verizon Wireless Unlimited Plans charge hidden fees?
Fortunately, the answer today is no. Yes, Verizon has been guilty in the past about charging hidden fees and hiding important information like deprioritization. However, nowadays they are mostly transparent about anything.
After you’ve passed the deprioritization threshold on your Verizon Unlimited plans, Verizon could reduce your speed to 600 Kbps, so keep this in mind if you are subscribing to an Unlimited Plan.
Q: Can I bring my own phone to their plans?
Yes, Verizon allows us to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and you’ll get a free sim card if your phone is compatible. If not, the SIM card will cost your $24.99.
Q: Does Verizon charge an activation fee their unlimited plans?
Unfortunately, yes, Verizon does charge a one-time activation fee for new customers, around $30 per device. However, if you purchase a prepaid phone and plan online, Verizon won’t charge any activation fee.
Q: Can I port my old number to Verizon Wireless Unlimited Plans?
Yes, Verizon offers free phone number transfers for free, so you wouldn’t need to change your number and tell all your friends, which can be a major hassle. Number transfers usually take only a day at the very least, and during the transfer process, your old phone would still work.