Verizon Prepaid Cell Phone Plans Review (2024)

What's the difference between postpaid and prepaid?

There are a couple of main differences between prepaid plans and “normal” plans. For one, you don’t need to undergo a credit check for a prepaid plan. That’s because you’ll be paying your bill before you get your service each month rather than after.

Another difference is that prepaid plans tend to be a bit cheaper. However, cutting costs also means you’ll miss out on some perks, like free subscriptions, mobile hotspot data, and HD video streams.

Looking for a cheaper way to get on Verizon's network?

Verizon’s prepaid plans are a good deal, but smaller prepaid carriers offer even better deals. And there are several super-affordable providers operating on Verizon's network.

For example, Visible Wireless offers unlimited data on Verizon's network for just $25 a month. Mobile users can also get a 10GB plan with unlimited talk and text for just $15 a month with Twigby Wireless.

Check out our roundup of the best Verizon prepaid carriers to find the best Verizon prepaid carrier available near you.

What we like

What can we say about Verizon that we haven’t already said? The carrier features prominently in our roundups of the best cell phone plans, best network coverage, and best unlimited plans. Needless to say, we think it’s among the best carriers.

But it’s good to recap what we’ve said elsewhere. Plus, there are some features specific to Verizon’s prepaid plans that we want to cover. Let’s dig into it.

Best coverage

Affordable options

Hey you. Yes, you. Do you want $15?

Of course, you do. So, why would you sign up for Verizon’s Start Unlimited plan when you could get a prepaid unlimited talk, text, and data plan for $10 less? Check it out.

Plenty of data

Life is full of data-hungry activities, from Facetiming your family to check in on them during the pandemic to playing PUBG Mobile during your lunch break. Not to mention all that social media scrolling you do before bed.

So not having enough 4G LTE data can feel like showing up to school without your permission form for the field trip. It ain’t fun. But Verizon’s prepaid plans are chock full of cheap, fast data. Obviously, there’s the unlimited data plan. But you can also get a 15GB plan for just $35 a month (with AutoPay).

What we don’t like

Fewer perks

If you like to set up a mobile hotspot so you can work or be entertained while you’re out and about, then Verizon’s prepaid plans are not the best. You can get mobile hotspot data, but it's not a lot. Verizon's 15GB plan pulls your hotspot data from your regular data allotment, and the Unlimited plan only offers 5GB. You're going to have to pay $10 more per month for the Unlimited Plus plan if you want substantial hotspot data.

But it’s not just mobile hotspot data you’ll be missing out on. Other perks that other Verizon plans have that the prepaid plans don’t have include:

• 5G Ultra Wideband
• Unlimited premium data
• No HD video streaming
• No option to add $10 perk packs

Must prepay

How do Verizon’s prepaid plans compare?

Prepaid plan comparison

What we like

Discounts on additional lines

You can add up to ten lines to your account with Verizon. While most of us (except the Duggars from 19 Kids and Counting) don’t actually have enough family members to fill 10 slots, we can still save a few bucks.

Most Verizon prepaid plans—including the unlimited data plan—will be $5 cheaper when you’re adding it to an existing account. That might not sound like much, but it can add up when you’re paying for the whole family.

Mix and match

Great performance

What we don’t like

How do Verizon prepaid family plans compare?

Verizon’s network offers more than good coverage

If you’re sick of the grainy camera and cracked screen on your old iPhone X (or whatever you’ve got), then maybe it’s time for an upgrade. One of the best ways to get a great deal on a new phone is to grab it when you sign up for a new plan.

Verizon sells all the top phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and other brands. Here’s a look at the company's most popular devices.

The telecommunications industry is not known for its spectacular customer service. Verizon, unfortunately, doesn’t do much to change this reputation. But we wouldn’t say it's the worst carrier when it comes to customer service, either.

If you need to get in touch with someone at Verizon to talk about issues with your service, bill, or anything else, you can reach them online at these handles:

• Twitter: @vzwsupport
• Facebook: @verizon

Hopefully Verizon (and every other cell phone company) will invest a bit more in their customer service departments in the coming years.

Recap: Is Verizon prepaid right for you?

Verizon pretty much leads the cellular pack when it comes to overall quality and performance. The catch is that its plans cost a pretty penny. You can save a few bucks by going with Verizon prepaid, but it might not be enough.

Here’s a quick recap of Verizon’s prepaid offerings.

• Plans: Verizon’s prepaid plans cost $10–$20 less than its regular plans while offering similar service. But they're still not as cheap as many other discount providers.
• Family plans: You can add up to 10 lines to your Verizon prepaid account and save a few bucks on each one. However, you might find a better deal with another company.
• Performance: Verizon’s overall performance can’t be beat. You’ll get the best coverage, awesome data speeds, and a vast selection of new phones to purchase.