Verizon doesn’t tout its prepaid service the way other carriers do. But you can save money — and skip the contract and credit check — by going with a Verizon prepaid cell phone plan over a traditional plan. That’s because prepaid customers get 2 gigabytes of data for $45, compared with just 1GB for $50 on Verizon’s Small plan.
Although Verizon’s prepaid service is less expensive than its standard plans, it’s more expensive than those of nearly every other provider. One reason: the carrier’s network. Verizon ranked first nationally in call performance, data performance, network speed and reliability, and overall performance in a recent RootMetrics report. But depending on where you live, you can access that same network with Straight Talk Wireless, a prepaid-only carrier that contracts with Verizon to offer service on Verizon’s network. So with Verizon you pay for the name as much as the network.
AT A Glance
- Prepaid plans start at $15 for basic phones and $30 for smartphones.
- Strengths: Strong nationwide network, bonus data on select plans when you enroll in autopay.
- Weaknesses: Minimal features, more expensive than other prepaid options.
Verizon prepaid plans
Verizon has two types of prepaid cell phone plans: smartphone plans with data plus unlimited talk and texts, and basic phone plans that don’t include data. These plans require no credit check, no contract and no activation fee. Customers with a smartphone plan can use their device as a mobile hot spot to connect tablets, laptops and other devices to Wi-Fi. Using your phone as a hot spot will burn through your data quickly, though. Here are Verizon’s current prepaid plans:
Smartphones
- Unlimited talk and text, data via Wi-Fi: $30 per month.
- 2GB: $45 per month.
- 5GB: $60 per month.
Basic phones
- 300 minutes or text messages (any combination): $15 per month.
- Unlimited talk and text: $30 per month.
Verizon’s prepaid network
Verizon prepaid customers use the carrier’s top-rated nationwide network and, for the most part, get the same coverage as they would on a standard plan. The only major difference: Prepaid customers could face roaming charges. Verizon’s network includes a handful of roaming areas (in dark red, below). Although these areas are included at no extra charge on Verizon’s standard plans, prepaid customers pay an additional 20 cents per minute for calls placed or received in roaming areas.
Click the map to check coverage in your area. Image courtesy of Verizon Wireless.
» MORE: How much data do you really need?
Current Verizon prepaid deals
Verizon prepaid deals as of May 11, 2016, include:
- Sign up for automatic payments and get an extra 1GB of data per month. This offer is good only on select smartphone plans.
- Get a $25 credit each month, for three months, when you bring your number to Verizon’s prepaid service. The offer is good only on select prepaid phones and plans and is not valid on numbers currently active on Verizon’s standard service.
How Verizon’s prepaid plans compare on price
Verizon’s prepaid plans aren’t a great deal compared with those of its competitors. Consider this: Verizon’s $45 smartphone plan comes with 2GB of data, but you can get 4GB for $40 with Virgin Mobile and 5GB for $45 with Boost Mobile. Customers can get a less expensive prepaid plan and still potentially use Verizon’s network with Straight Talk Wireless.
How Verizon’s prepaid plans compare on features
Despite being more expensive than its competitors, Verizon offers fewer features in its prepaid plans than Boost, MetroPCS and Virgin Mobile. Verizon prepaid customers can use their smartphone as a mobile hot spot, assuming it is capable, but doing so will burn through their data package in a hurry. And Verizon doesn’t offer unlimited 2G data, so if you use up your high-speed data package, you’ll have to buy more data or stick to Wi-Fi until your billing cycle resets.
Click the image to see in more detail how Verizon stacks up on features. Asterisks indicate features available for an additional charge.
Autopay discount: Verizon doesn’t offer a discount for automatic payments. It does, however, give an extra 1GB of data to customers who have its 2GB and 5GB plans if they opt for autopay.
Family plans: If you want a Verizon family plan, you’ll need to sign up for the carrier’s standard service; Verizon does not offer family plans on its prepaid service. Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, MetroPCS and Virgin Mobile all offer prepaid family plans.
Unlimited 2G: Verizon’s prepaid plans don’t include unlimited 2G data, so if you deplete your high-speed data plan, you have to stick to Wi-Fi for the rest of your billing period or pony up for extra data. Additional data packages start at $5 for 500 megabytes. Several prepaid carriers, including Cricket Wireless and T-Mobile prepaid, do offer unlimited 2G data for customers who exceed their high-speed data plan.
Unlimited music streaming: Verizon doesn’t offer unlimited music streaming on its prepaid plans. This feature is available on select plans with T-Mobile prepaid, Boost, Virgin Mobile and MetroPCS.
International calls and texts: Verizon’s prepaid smartphone plans and $30 basic prepaid plan include unlimited texting to select carriers in Mexico and Canada, but texts received from international numbers may carry an extra charge. You can also purchase 1,000 minutes to Mexico and Canada for $10 per month. Without an international calling package, calls to those countries are 10 cents to 29 cents per minute, and calls to other countries are $1.49 per minute.
» MORE: How does Verizon prepaid stack up on features?
Mobile hot spot: Verizon’s smartphone plans include mobile hot spot capability at no extra charge, so you can use your phone to connect a laptop or tablet to Wi-Fi. Using your phone as a hot spot will eat up your data, though, especially if you’re streaming music or videos.
Is Verizon’s prepaid service right for you?
Prepaid service with Verizon has a premium price tag but doesn’t have the features to match. You can get more for your money with another carrier. If Verizon has the best signal in your area, though, you’ll save money going prepaid rather than with a standard plan. A 2GB plan on Verizon’s prepaid service costs $45, compared with $40 for a 1GB standard plan.
Kelsey Sheehy is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: ksheehy@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @KelseyLSheehy.
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