Verizon MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) are wireless providers that don’t have cell towers. Instead, they purchase access to Verizon’s towers. This allows them to offer you cellular service under their own brand names.
Here’s how they go about doing this:
- Direct purchase: Some MVNOs, like Spectrum Mobile, buy talk, text, and data directly from Verizon and then create customized plans to sell to you.
- Indirect purchase: Other MVNOs buy access to the network through an intermediary company called a Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) or an Aggregator. Some MVNOs, like Boom Mobile, also operate their own MVNEs.
Guide To Verizon MVNOs
- Benefits
- Drawbacks
- Quality Of Customer Support
- Phone Inventory
- Bring Your Own Phone Compatibility Options
- Verizon MVNO List
- Best Verizon MVNO Phone Plans
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Verizon MVNO Benefits
Coverage, But It Is Somewhat A Mixed Bag
While Verizon boasted impressive 4G LTE coverage in 2019, its focus has since shifted to building its 5G network. Currently, Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network reaches 222 million people, with a target of 250 million by year-end 2024. However, in terms of overall 5G coverage, T-Mobile leads the race with over 330 million people covered. AT&T, meanwhile, covers 290 million people with its 5G network and claims its combined 4G LTE and 5G networks reach 2.91 million square miles.
Despite not having the most extensive 5G coverage, Verizon’s combined 5G and 4G LTE network footprints still provide broader coverage in more locations compared to T-Mobile. As a result, Verizon MVNOs also offer more overall nationwide coverage than T-Mobile and its MVNOs. However, Verizon has not recently disclosed the land area covered by its network, making it challenging to compare its coverage directly with AT&T’s network and its MVNOs
Mobile virtual network operators on Verizon will typically have coverage that mirrors that of Verizon Prepaid. Unfortunately, Verizon Prepaid does not show a 5G coverage map. So to get a more accurate picture of what you can expect coverage-wise with Verizon MVNOs, we can look at Spectrum Mobile’s coverage map.
Verizon Prepaid does have a coverage map on its website for its 4G LTE network. A screenshot of what it looks like is shown below.
If you elect to get your wireless service from a Verizon MVNO you can expect to receive the coverage you see in both the 4G LTE and 5G coverage maps shown above.
Save Money By Only Paying For What You Need
Verizon MVNOs typically offer more specialized and customizable products compared to major wireless carriers. They may cater to specific demographics or serve niche markets that big carriers do not. Big postpaid wireless carriers, like Verizon, typically take more of a one-size-fits-all approach to their offerings by primarily only selling truly unlimited data plans.
Because Verizon MVNO companies may better serve niche markets than major carriers, you may find that you can significantly reduce the cost of your phone bill by more than 50% when you switch over to one. Choosing a provider that caters to your needs can save you money by eliminating the need to pay for unnecessary service features you will never use.
Verizon MVNO Drawbacks
Data Speeds And Network Prioritization Can Be Troubling
A potential downside with Verizon MVNOS is data prioritization. During network congestion, Verizon may prioritize its own postpaid users over its MVNO users. This can manifest as slower data speeds or higher latency for Verizon MVNO users compared to some Verizon Wireless postpaid subscribers.
It’s important to note that some users have reported experiencing more significant throttling (speed slowdowns) with Verizon MVNOs during congestion compared to MVNOs on other networks.
However, the impact of Verizon’s data prioritization policy may not always be noticeable. It largely depends on your location and the level of network congestion in that area. In the absence of congestion, data speeds with MVNOS of Verizon should be comparable to those of a Verizon Wireless postpaid plan subscriber. Some Verizon MVNOs, such as US Mobile and MobileX, offer high-priority data plans to help mitigate these potential issues.
- First 35GB of data at 5G data speeds, then 1Mbps
- Includes premium high priority data with a 5G device
- Includes 10GB mobile hotspot
- Price includes all taxes and fees!
- Keep your number & bring your phone!
- Free 30 day trial available with 30GB of data and $50 prepaid gift card offer
- Prepay annually and get it for just $22.50/month
- Use Teleportal to manually change to different underlying networks as needed
- 24/7 Customer Service
Limited To No Roaming Capability
Most, if not all, Verizon MVNOs do not support roaming on other domestic wireless networks. Roaming occurs when your provider uses another network to provide you with cellular coverage in areas where it lacks its own infrastructure. Switching from a Verizon Wireless postpaid plan, which allows roaming, to a Verizon MVNO, which typically does not, may result in a slight reduction in coverage. For most users, this difference should be negligible, given the extensive reach of Verizon’s 4G LTE network and its expanding 5G coverage footprint.
Limited Selection Of Independent Providers
Thanks to Verizon’s acquisition of Tracfone and all its associated brands in November 2021, the actual number of independently owned Verizon MVNO and prepaid brands are smaller than what’s available through other networks. Approximately one-third of the brands monitored by BestMVNO, which rely on Verizon’s network for coverage, are owned by Verizon. This includes Page Plus Cellular, Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Total by Verizon, Tracfone, Visible by Verizon, Verizon Prepaid, and Walmart Family Mobile.
Quality Of Customer Support
Customer support can be hit or miss. Some providers cut costs by offering either offshore customer support, a limited support staff, or limited support hours with limited ways to contact them. Others may provide a customer support experience that some may find superior to that of Verizon.
Many seem to find US Mobile to be a Verizon MVNO to offer a good customer support experience. You can see this in their Trustpilot reviews. The company’s representatives are also very active and quick to help customers over social media. This includes US Mobile’s subreddit thread.
Phone Inventory
This is an area where the MVNO industry, in general, is relatively weak. Most independently, non-carrier-owned Verizon MVNOs and prepaid brands either do not sell phones or don’t offer subsidies. This means you may be less likely to find a free phone or a heavily discounted phone through a Verizon MVNO. However, some Verizon MVNOs, like Xfinity Mobile, occasionally offer discounted and free phones.
BYOD Compatibility Options
If you already have a Verizon or Verizon branded compatible phone that is paid off and out of contract ((excluding Verizon Prepaid devices which depending on the device require minimally 1 month of use on a Verizon Prepaid plan before they can be used with an MVNO)) you can use it with any Verizon MVNO. If you do not have a Verizon-branded phone you may still be able to use it. It will just need to pass a device compatibility checker found on a majority of Verizon MVNO websites. Most unlocked Motorola, Google Pixel, and Samsung phones, as well as Apple iPhones, will pass the compatibility checkers. Just be sure they aren’t international models.
Verizon MVNO List
Alright, so you have made up your mind that a Verizon MVNO is right for you. Below is a list of all of the Verizon MVNOs that may be able to help you save a lot of money on your phone bill.
- Affinity Cellular
- Boom! Mobile
- Cox Mobile
- Credo Mobile
- Dataxoom
- Infimobile
- Lively
- MobileX
- Now Mobile
- Page Plus Cellular
- Patriot Mobile
- Red Pocket Mobile
- Selectel Wireless
- Simple Mobile
- Spectrum Mobile
- Straight Talk
- Ting Mobile
- Total Wireless
- Tracfone
- Twigby Mobile
- US Mobile
- Visible
- Walmart Family Mobile
- Wing
- Xfinity Mobile
Each provider in the list above offers several phone plans. With so many choices, finding the right one can be time-consuming. I’ve tried to save you some time by going through each of the provider’s plans myself. I picked the ones that I feel offer the best bang for the buck value from each particular provider. To meet the criteria for inclusion into this price comparison list, plans were chosen that contained at least 3GB of data with unlimited talk and text.
List Of The Best Verizon MVNO Phone Plans In 2025
All plans INCLUDE unlimited talk and text. Plans from Verizon-owned brands are included in the list for comparison’s sake.
Were you able to find a plan that you like or did you find the table too confusing or missing what you need in a plan? Leave a comment down below if you think I missed something.
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Say for this list could it include in the part – unique plan features.
Customer service info as, live chat agent, AI-chat bot, or call for human support customer service options?
Thanks for the research work you’ve done here! Is it Joe P. is it?
An added drawback to MVNO plans operating on the Verizon network:: call forwarding may not be provisioned to MVNO customers.
It seems that for most of these companies, the Hot-Spot data is more of a percentage of the total high speed data allowance than simply a yes or no affair. If the first 30GB of “unlimited data” is high-speed, around 10 or 15GB will be allowed for hot-spot use. Just one more thing to watch out for. But if you have a pretty good idea how much you usually use on a tethered laptop or tablet, you can still get a pretty good deal.
None of the “low cost” MVNO providers offer Number ID but try to tack on an additional charge for that feature. Some will only accept month to month recurring charge on your CC. Beware of the large print in their ads (only to find the fine print) disallows this or that feature.
Be aware that there is a problem with Verizon’s port-in process from non-Verizon carriers. Because of a formatting error, port-in attempts must be performed manually by techs at the MVNO. You may need to wait up to 72 hours to get your number ported over. Verizon has been aware of this for at least a month.
I have a perfectly functioning Samsung Note 9 on Verizon with 4G and Visible tells me that phone is unsupported. Anybody offer some insight as to how this is even possible?
The Twigby features say “Includes WiFi calling”. THIS IS NO LONGER TRUE!
Beware of Boom Mobile! I purchased a red sim for a year’s service, $239.04, offering “unlimited everything data/text/talk” only to have the service disconnected the first week it was activated. I’m still fighting to get my money back. They’ve been reported to the FCC, FTC, BBB, & OAG for false advertising and theft.
Hi, I’m looking for my best option Unlimited talk and text with a bit of data..
We’d like two lines for only talk and text (no intention of using data). What do you recommend Joe? Must be reliable Verizon network. I was looking at Ting vs. US Mobile?
I just ordered a new factory unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10 and currently have T-Mobile service. Can you recommend a reliable, reasonably priced carrier and/or MVNO that includes international calling?
Do new verizon prepaid phones sold on amazon work on red pocket?
Hi guys, I currently have 2 lines with Verizon. I have their Unlimited for $110 per month plus the lines and everything else. I use about 22gb of data per month – I travel full time and often use my phone as a hot spot. I’m interested in using one of these MVNO’s but are seeing their ability to support and Apple Watch w Cellular service. Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!!!
With Verizon’s plan to switch off 3G (CDMA channels) at then end of 2019, you need to make sure your Verizon branded BYOP is VoLTE and HD Voice compatible to use on any Verizon MVNO. Otherwise, after December 31, 2019 your phone becomes a digital paperweight.
The issue I have: My Verizon branded Samsung Galaxy S6 supports VoLTE and HD voice calling, but as a Verizon MVNO customer, I have no way to enable HD Voice under Settings/Advanced Calling (Android 7.0). The Advanced Calling options are grayed out unless using a Verizon post paid account with an active ID and Password on the MyVerizon app.
Unless Verizon programmers write a similar MyVerizon app for use on Verizon MVNO(s), I will be having to buy a new phone before January 1, 2020.
I posted this issue on the Verizon Community Support Forums under Samsung S6 and S6+ , but I’m not optimistic anything will come of it.
Maybe I should open a Case Number with my Verizon MVNO.
Selectel Wireless Has Added a Few New Updates
the $40 Plan is now 7 Gigs the $30 is now 2gigs
they $20 is now unlimited Talk & Text but a small amount of data
they have added a $12.00 plan and kept their 15
the Yearly Plan is 2000 Minutes and Unlimited Texts 100 Megs Data
Did anyone try Red Pocket Mobile or Boom Mobile? Is the speed fast enough comparing with normal Verizon experience?
Be aware of Us mobile, they have great customer service. The plans say unlimited data, but that is not true. Each plan has a limit and if you go over that limit you are throttled down to 128 kbs. Which is so slow you can barely do anything. There web site only says you are slowed. You have to ask customer service how slow.
I have been on service with Visible for about a week now. Service when working is great just like Verizon, as it should be since its Verizon’s network and Visible has Verizon’s financial back. For that reason I have been very discouraged that in the first week service reliability has been very poor. If I said it had a 90 percent up time I’d be gracious. When reaching out to Visible, granted its during their only outlet of care, chat and service hours 9AM-6PM, they have been quick to respond. This is a response, “Our technology is on the Verizon network, yes, but our service doesn’t move with them. Think about the network like a highway: Verizon and Visible (service platforms) are both on the same road, but in different cars. They can move slower than us, faster than us and vice versa. The Verizon network gives us reliability, but doesn’t eliminate outages in general. Our services will fluctuate independently from one another. We are sorry to hear that our service is not as you expected. -Catherine”. Were not talking apples to apples. So if a bridge goes down on that highway isn’t all traffic affected? The business model is much like that of a MVNO, just that Verizon is positioned to aquire Visible if that need arises, much like AT&T to Cricket or TMobile to MetroPCS. Lets be fair, however when expressing my move to their service, based on the references to having Verizon’s back, the response is “That management is preparing something special for everyone that is helping them get this venture off the ground”. OK, well if I was aware that I was a beta tester I would not expect to pay for this service and also be compensated for such a service. I encourage anyone to view renowned wireless critic Roger Entner of Recon Analytics and his review at the Wirelessweek website. Point in blank – You Get What You Pay For.
I’ve been on verizon post paid for almost 20 years… tired of my inflated bill. Thinking of going with Total Wireless… I use around 1GB data a month, but lots of talk and text. I see very few options in regards to ‘tethering’. When it says it is not supported, does that mean that if I turn it on in my phone settings it will not work? Or does that mean that if I turn it on and have problems there is no one to support it?
Also, I DO need the same coverage. Can anyone confirm that any of these Verizon pre-paid options receive the exact same connection and coverage that post paid customers do?
ie… I’m near a specific tower, it is getting hammered by verizon post paid customers, do they take precedence over pre-paid? meaning, my calls may not go through because there are too many post-paid customers near me? thanks
I just wanted to post my experience transferring my phone to Total Wireless. There are a lot of negative reviews out there about total Wireless and TracFone brands in general. This made me very hesitant to leave pure talk USA. Pure talk USA customer service is american-based and it’s very good. Overall I found AT&T coverage excellent which is the network Pure Talk runs on. However I was increasingly finding areas we’re indoors I had poor coverage. This was becoming frustrating for me as I need to have access to my phone for work. I ported my number over to Total Wireless about a week ago. I’m on a similar plan unlimited talk and text and 5 gigs of data. The cost on total Wireless with the 5% Auto refill discount is just a dollar and change more. The Port went through flawlessly and coverage has been great so far. I noticed that I send text messages and multi media messages much quicker. My indoor reception has also been much better. I’ll post an update when I have been with them longer. I can’t comment on there poor customer service because I did everything online. At this point I have no reason not to recommend them.
2 Questions: First I looked at Verizon Prepaid and specials. They appear to cost $35 and $40 per month but then there is another $20 per month “connection” charge. IS THIS CORRECT?? Second, is there any Verizon MVNOs that uses the Verizon “Roaming” system as part of what they provide?? Thanks, ron t.
Anything new about Verizon removing the 5mbps cap? I’m looking to go to a Verizon prepaid carrier for better coverage.
It looks like the yearly plan from Red pocket is no longer available on Amazon.
In an article you talked about Verizon doing away with the 5mbps cap. I was wondering if you’ve found out any more about that. I’m a Verizon customer seeking a cheaper solution. Straight talk could not give me an answer.
I have been with pure talk USA an AT&T mvno for almost 2 years now the customer service is great and the price is very good considering for $35 a month with all taxes and fees I get 5 gigs of LTE data however recently I have been in areas where AT&T indoor coverage hasn’t been very good people on Verizon continue to have good service and it’s beginning to frustrate me in addition when I receive videos either from a Verizon sender or another AT&T mvno like cricket the picture is very grainy and distorted I’m not sure if these mvnos use some type of compression technology that is causing that I’m thinking of going to Verizon prepaid for $40 a month plus taxes it’s only 3 gigs but I don’t use that much anyway and I’m hoping to avoid some of these issues I wonder what people’s opinions are on this. Thank you
For Total Wireless, if you forgo the autopay discount and buy a monthly pin from Walmart or Walmart.com, there is a bonus Gig thrown in. You basically get a GB for under $2 by buying the pin card 5GB + 1GB.
The ad above for Boom claims “voice and data roaming including”. I attempted to confirm with Boom and was told they do not offer roaming, so the ad above is misleading and incorrect.
has anyone used puppy wireless before? does the signal work well
Boom Mobile quietly discontinued roaming according to multiple customer service reps.
I see Boom on Verizon offer’s Roaming,I live in Kentucky were I go through area’s that Verizon roams on bluegrass cellular ,I had Slectel Wireless but they have stopped the free roaming you have to pay extra for the roaming.im looking for a mvno on Verizon that has a plan like post pay.like Selectel did thanks
Anyone know if Net10Wireless and PagePlusCellular have sales taxes or not?
I want to spend less than $11/mo for LTE. I do not need more than 500 megs
Boom! Mobile does offer hotspot and visual voice mail for iPhones on the Verizon network only at their 2gb and up plans.
Have been with Total Wireless for about 3 months. They literally have THE WORST systems in place and TERRIBLE customer service. In just three months I have spent hours fighting with their people on the phone. WORLD’s WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Network though isn’t bad and internet seems to work well. But their systems are awful and they close tickets without resolving and customer service is AWFUL TERRIBLE.
What does everyone think of Total Wireless? I don’t see anyone talking about it and $33 for 5GB of data and unlimited talk/text seems to be the best deal out there. Any experience with them? Is there a catch?
Boom! Mobile allows tethering on the iPhone. Am doing it right now.
Does any of these MVNOs support wifi calling?
How current is this list? I’m getting tired of at&t mvnos as i think at&t coverage is actually getting worse instead of better. Ever heard of this problem from others?
The Bluegreenmobile plans are not throttled as indicated. They are full speed 4G LTE.
Have any of you heard about AF Mobile? They have an Unlimited Talk and Unlimited Text plan for $25 and it’s a Verizon MVNO?!
NetTalk just announced it has a 40 dollar 10GB plan. I just purchased a Verizon pre-paid Galaxy s4. It’s not activated yet. How long do I have to use Verizon’s $40/$45 2GB plan before I can switch to another MVNO?
Do any of these MVNO’s offer Verizon post paid coverage, or only the prepaid Verizon coverage map?
does anyone know about rok mobile?
While I have noticed you stated that Page PLus does offer Unlimited/Unlimited with 1.5 GB 4G LTE speed in the fine print section (which is also unlimited, throttled to 64kbps after 1.5gb), I am curious as to why you did not include that as the cheaper better plan in the main print section as you did others who had less to offer at that comparable price, example: Redpocket and Envie?
Page plus is advertising plans $10 less expensive than those you mentioned
The Selectel plan you have listed is $30, not $55. The $55 plan comes with 3 GB of data plus unlimited t&t.
Just spoke to Verizon rep via Chat and she indicated prepaid and postpaid would get same speeds. So $45 (+ taxes) for 2GB of data (not-throttled on their auto-pay), this would seem to be the best value as all other MVNO’s throttle speeds to 5/1 Mbps. Downside is there is taxes to Verizon prepaid whereas I know for personal experience that Page Plus does not charge taxes.
New phones on straight talk use ATT and Sprint. Iphone 4, 4s and 5 use Verizon in some areas. The white Galaxy 3 from Walmart uses Verizon.
ROK Mobile’s website says they run off of Sprint towers and “a GSM provider” towers. Not Verizon…..
@bestmvnocom:disqus
Are there any Verizon MVNOs that offer unlimited global sms in and out?
I don’t know if other providers do it, but StraightTalk throttles regular service at 5 Mbps down. This should be part of the information provided here.
Thank you for these helpful lists. I have shared them online several times.
So, you completely left out Tracfone which has had a BYOD option for Verizon CDMA 3G since late 2013.
NET10 has had Verizon LTE BYOD for a while too, mid Jan?
TF is spitting and sputtering into it as well, and several have been activated since mid February.
Do any of these support tethering or creating a personal hot spot for other devices? I sometimes need to share internet with an iPad or computer. I just switched my iPhone 6 from Verizon (More Everything) to Page Plus Cellular (The 55) and lost my hot spot.