Key facts
- Verizon and AT&T offer premium, mid-range, and entry-level postpaid unlimited data plans.
- Both carriers allow mixing plans in multi-line accounts for flexibility.
- Verizon offers discounts on services like Disney Plus, Netflix, and Apple One.
- AT&T includes unlimited talk, text, and data between the US, Canada, and Mexico on most plans.
- Verizon generally has well-balanced coverage, while AT&T is known for superior rural coverage.
- Verizon offers faster high- and mid-band 5G, while AT&T leads in low-band 5G speeds.
Verizon and AT&T are two of the three major US carriers, primarily offering mainstream postpaid unlimited data plans, though they also provide economical prepaid options. For significant savings, MVNOs like Mint Mobile or Visible are generally recommended over these premium carriers. When comparing Verizon and AT&T directly, their plan prices are in a similar range, often influenced by promotions. Verizon's plans are price-locked for three years before increasing, while AT&T offers a $10 discount with paperless billing and AutoPay. Verizon offers more incentives, such as discounts on streaming services like Disney Plus, Netflix with HBO Max, and Apple One. AT&T distinguishes itself with more robust international features, including unlimited talk, text, and data between the US, Canada, and Mexico on most plans, and expanded country coverage on its premium tiers. AT&T also offers more hotspot data on its plans compared to Verizon's base offerings. Regarding network coverage, AT&T is reputedly stronger in rural areas, while Verizon provides well-balanced coverage across urban, suburban, and rural environments. Advertised data speeds show Verizon with faster high- and mid-band 5G, whereas AT&T leads in low-band 5G speeds, though both offer comparable 4G LTE performance. Customer support experiences can vary for both carriers, but both provide options for human interaction and app-based management. AT&T offers various discounts for specific groups like military, veterans, and students, while Verizon also provides similar discounts for military, veterans, first responders, and students. Ultimately, the choice between Verizon and AT&T hinges on local coverage, with AT&T recommended for its competitive pricing and additional features if coverage is equal.