Verizon doesn’t compete with T-Mobile on the array of perks included with premium plans, the 5G download speed, or the overall user experience, according to analysis by OpenSignal and Ookla. But Verizon has a few advantages over T-Mobile. Because Verizon severs most perks and entertainment from its premium plan—offering discount streaming up to 40 percent as an add-on instead—Verizon’s Unlimited Plus plan is still your cheapest path to unlimited, unthrottled 5G data. For $15 more, the Unlimited Ultimate plan adds unlimited international data and phone, 4K streaming, smartwatches, family location monitoring, and identity protection.
Verizon also has the edge on 5G video experience, according to OpenSignal, and also offers a raft of partnerships with gaming and video companies. And while AT&T might have the best availability in farthest-flung places, Verizon still barely edges it out to offer the best overall coverage. Two decades later, we can still hear you now, bro.
But as for Verizon’s lowest cost option, Verizon Welcome? Just as with AT&T, throttling for congestion can happen at any time, and video quality is limited. But if you want four phone lines, dear lord, it’s cheap: just $25 a line, with discounted streaming add-ons possible.
WIRED: Like the competition, every plan includes 5G data access (but 5G is slower on the Welcome plan). Verizon has the best coverage area overall, according to OpenSignal, as well as the best 5G video experience. Up to 40 percent discounts on streaming services, as well as some international features and better video streaming, are optional add-ons.
TIRED: The basic Welcome Unlimited plan offers no Wi-Fi mobile hot spot, and Verizon may throttle your internet speed during any “congestion.” It includes 5G access, but not the fast version, and only 480p video. The “unlimited” mobile hot spot and international data on the premium Ultimate plan have some fine print, with lowered data speeds after certain thresholds. In general, check the fine print on each plan: More so than other carriers, Verizon deals heavily in asterisks.
Will your phone work? Verizon’s website has a “Bring Your Own Device” feature you can use to see if your phone is supported on the network.
Best Unlimited Phone Plan for Rural and Military/First Responders: AT&T Extra 2.0
Value 2.0 plan (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $50 | 2 Lines $90 | 3 Lines $105 | 4 Lines $120 | 5 Lines $150
The Extra 2.0 plan (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $70 | 2 Lines $120 | 3 Lines $150 | 4 Lines $160 | 5 Lines $200
The Premium 2.0 plan (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $90 | 2 Lines $160 | 3 Lines $195 | 4 Lines $200 | 5 Lines $250
The Elite plan (with autopay, taxes/fees not included): 1 Line for $110 | 2 Lines $200 | 3 Lines $255 | 4 Lines $280 | 5 Lines $350
T-Mobile may win for 5G speed and coverage across the most populated areas of the United States, but AT&T offers better coverage for lower-speed 4G LTE in more sparse areas, especially in the American West.
AT&T offers four tiers, which have already been rebranded twice in 2026 with some updated offerings. But perhaps the biggest addition has been a “turbo” feature that adds an extra layer of pay-to-play user priority for some customers. Essentially, customers who pay more get better data speeds than ostensibly unthrottled users. There’s priority, and then there’s priority, I guess.
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