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The Best Verizon Alternatives in 2022

The Best Verizon Alternatives in 2022

Verizon’s claim to fame is its incredible coverage. And indeed, it has the best coverage nationwide. This, of course, is one of its huge advantages against other networks. But that’s not the only thing that made people across the country love it.

Aside from its impressive coverage, Verizon also offers a variety of plans and phones, so you have plenty of options to choose from, and you’re sure to find something that’s suited to your needs.

What’s more, it offers great streaming perks. With Verizon, you can get unlimited plans where you will receive Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Apple Music subscriptions as part of your package. 

For some people, this could be the deciding factor when selecting a Verizon package. Assume you already have access to all of those platforms and are paying around $30 per month to do so. If you combine those expenses with your Verizon cell phone plan, these flagship unlimited plans will cost you roughly $50 to $60 per month.

Unfortunately, though, such perks and amazing coverage come at a cost. Verizon is the priciest wireless provider available. The plans that it offers are often $5-$10 more expensive than equivalent plans from other providers.

If you’re on a tight budget, this isn’t the ideal provider for you. The good news is that there are other great options that you can go for. In case you’re planning to make a switch, here are some of the best providers that you can use as a Verizon alternative.

Tello
Tello

Compatible With

IOS, Android

If Verizon is the most expensive network in the United States, Tello (also known as Tello Mobile) is the opposite – it’s one of the most affordable cellphone service providers in the country. But, just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean you don’t have much to enjoy. Tello’s Economy plan is ideal if you’re searching for a flexible and economical cell phone plan.

For $10 a month, you get 1 GB of data, unlimited minutes, and unlimited texts. This is great if you’re in need of a simple cell phone plan with basic amenities. The plan renews on a month-to-month basis, allowing you to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time. Tello works with practically any unlocked phone, so you can bring your own or purchase a new phone if you like.

Tello also makes a great choice if you regularly make international calls. The network’s Economy plan includes free calls and messages to over 60 countries, allowing you to stay in touch with friends and family around the world. A free mobile hotspot tether is included in the package, allowing you to use your phone as a data source for other devices.   However, if you have a large family and need a cell phone plan for multiple lines, Tello might not be the ideal option. There are no discounts for purchasing several lines, and you must purchase a plan for each line separately.

App Details Android

  • Category Communication
  • Installs 50,000+
  • Rating out of 5 4.0
  • Last Updated Date 21 March 2022
  • App Developer Miron Enterprises, LLC
  • Download Size 17M
  • Compatibility Android 5.0 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Social Networking
  • Rating 472
  • Rating out of 5 4.3
  • Last Updated Date 12 April 2022
  • App Developer Miron Enterprises, LLC
  • Download Size 53.1 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 10.0 or later.
  • Price Free
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless

Compatible With

IOS, Android

Cricket uses AT&T’s network. AT&T bought the company in 2014, and its network has routinely rated second in the country. With this, Cricket users will have access to the same wide 4G LTE network and towers that AT&T provides to its customers – just at a fraction of the cost. Talk about getting your money’s worth.

AT&T employs bands 17 and 5 (700 and 850 MHz), as well as bands 2 and 4 (1900 and 1700/2100 MHz). Cricket uses bands 5 and 2 for 4G HSPA and HSPA+ (850Mhz, 1900Mhz).

Cricket is all about simplicity and transparency in service, plans, and pricing, despite the shared expensive AT&T infrastructure. Cricket’s price and plan options are all clear, straightforward, and simple to explore on the website. The best part is that there are no unexpected taxes or fees because the cost is all included.

When it comes to choosing a cellular carrier and plan for themselves and/or their family, most people prioritize pricing and coverage. And if this is your priority, too, then Cricket is ideal for you.

Plans for a single line with 1 GB of data start at $30 per month. That price isn’t particularly surprising, given those other carriers of similar size charge similarly. The difference is that these other tiny carriers are connected to T-Mobile or Sprint networks.

Cricket, on the other hand, is supported by AT&T, a major carrier. So, you’re guaranteed that this network’s coverage reaches nearly 100% of the US population.

App Details Android

  • Category Tools
  • Installs 10,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 4.2
  • Last Updated Date 3 May 2022
  • App Developer Cricket Wireless LLC
  • Download Size 42M
  • Compatibility Android 7.0 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Utilities
  • Category Ranking 99
  • Rating 34.9K
  • Rating out of 5 4.6
  • Last Updated Date 1 April 2022
  • App Developer Cricket Wireless, LLC
  • Download Size 140 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
  • Price Free
US Cellular
US Cellular

Compatible With

IOS, Android

If you live in the Midwest, U.S. Cellular is one of the finest carriers for coverage. Larger phone companies’ service areas in the Midwest will occasionally eclipse smaller phone companies’ coverage areas, while some users may have trouble if they need to move outside of the prescribed coverage area.

Despite being one of the oldest cell phone carriers in the business, U.S. Cellular cannot be considered the best in terms of coverage and services.

It has the fifth-largest network, which appears impressive on the surface. That network, however, only reaches twenty-three states because its roaming agreements with other carriers are able to cover much of the rest of the country. It is because of these collaborations that nearly all of the present U.S. Cellular customers get nationwide 4G coverage.

As long as the user lives in the coverage region, U.S. Cellular is a good option. The network offers acceptable plans, outstanding call clarity, and excellent customer service.

Furthermore, it has long been known for providing a diverse range of high-quality smartphone options, such as the latest iPhones or Samsung Galaxy models. If you’re on a tighter budget, you can also choose from more economical but still functioning smartphone selections.

App Details Android

  • Category Tools
  • Installs 1,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 3.8
  • Last Updated Date 4 April 2022
  • App Developer USCC Services, LLC
  • Download Size 29M
  • Compatibility Android 4.4 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Productivity
  • Rating 9.1K
  • Rating out of 5 4.1
  • Last Updated Date 12 April 2022
  • App Developer USCC Services, LLC
  • Download Size 60.5 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 12.1 or later.
  • Price Free
T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Compatible With

IOS, Android

T-Mobile is yet another crowd favorite as one of the best Verizon alternatives.  This is because it comes packed with features and a solid coverage nationwide. Another huge plus is its all-in pricing.

When it comes to finding a good network, everyone wants good coverage that you can rely on no matter where you are. Luckily, T-Mobile has excellent national coverage.

The success of T-Mobile’s unlimited plans persuaded the rest of the industry to follow suit and return to all-in call, text, and data plans. The carrier’s unlimited plans are still some of our favorites since they provide so many great features.

What makes this network stand out is its all-pricing. It’s inconvenient when you go to buy a plan and discover that it’s significantly more expensive than advertised once taxes and fees are factored in. With T-Mobile, you won’t have to worry about that.

If there’s a disadvantage to using T-Mobile, it might be the cost. For example, the carrier’s unlimited plans are now only marginally less expensive than AT&T’s. 

App Details Android

  • Category Tools
  • Installs 100,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 3.6
  • Last Updated Date 21 April 2022
  • App Developer T-Mobile USA
  • Download Size 30M
  • Compatibility Android 6.0 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Utilities
  • Category Ranking 13
  • Rating 2.4M
  • Rating out of 5 4.8
  • Last Updated Date 21 April 2022
  • App Developer T-Mobile USA, Inc.
  • Download Size 107.2 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
  • Price Free
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

Compatible With

IOS, Android

Boost Mobile, which launched in 2000, is a rather groundbreaking mobile service provider. The prepaid cell phone company first targeted youthful, metropolitan people. It did, however, adapt its plans over time to accommodate budget-conscious customers.

As a result, it launched a slew of ‘UNLTD’ unlimited plan campaigns to promote its new, low-cost data plans. Boost was the first to deliver what customers wanted most: a lot of data at a reasonable price.

Boost Mobile offers the best value packages and is suitable for those who have solid Sprint coverage.

Because Boost has restricted coverage compared to other prepaid carriers like MetroPCS and Virgin Mobile. It has download and upload rates of 16.8 and 6.7 megabits per second, respectively, and a slow app download average of two minutes and seventeen seconds.

Video streams are limited to 480p resolution, which is a fuzzy version of DVD-quality resolution. When compared to most MP3s, which stream at 128 kbps, audio downloads are designed for 500kbps.

However, because Boost uses the Sprint network, it has restricted coverage compared to other prepaid carriers like MetroPCS and Virgin Mobile. It has download and upload rates of 16.8 and 6.7 megabits per second, respectively, and a slow app download average of two minutes and seventeen seconds.

Video streams are limited to 480p resolution, which is a fuzzy version of DVD-quality resolution. When compared to most MP3s, which stream at 128 kbps, audio downloads are designed for 500 kbps.

App Details Android

  • Category Tools
  • Installs 5,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 4.4
  • Last Updated Date 28 October 2021
  • App Developer Sprint
  • Download Size 14M
  • Compatibility Android 5.0 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Utilities
  • Rating 333.9K
  • Rating out of 5 4.7
  • Last Updated Date 28 October 2021
  • App Developer Sprint Nextel Corporation
  • Download Size 94.3 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
  • Price Free
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Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile

Compatible With

IOS, Android

Virgin Mobile is also a decent Verizon substitute, especially if you’re in the UK. Virgin Mobile covers almost 99 percent of the population, so you should be able to obtain a great connection no matter where you are in the UK. Although the 4G here may not meet the EE network’s highest speeds, it is clearly good enough.

But, if you’re going for Virgin Mobile, make sure to use the coverage checker on a plan’s website before signing up to make sure you can get a signal where you are; all networks have black areas.

In terms of pricing, Virgin Mobile’s prices are generally reasonable. Its plans are usually less expensive than those offered by major networks and comparable to those from smaller networks.

Virgin Mobile’s SIM-only plans are available on a limited number of tariffs (just five for the general public), but they cover all bases. The cheapest plan includes 1000 minutes and 2GB of data per month, while the most expensive plan includes 5000 minutes and 200GB of data.

There is also the option of having unlimited data. However, it is only available to existing broadband customers.

All plans include unlimited messages, but the maximum number of monthly minutes available is 5000. Still, that’s more than two and a half hours every day of conversing, so it might as well be endless.

It also doesn’t provide 30-day SIM offers as many other networks do. Instead, you have to choose between a 12-month subscription or nothing.

However, one advantage it provides is the ability to switch your allotment to a different tariff at any time. It will let you do that on a long-term contract, and we’d like to be free to cancel it whenever we choose.

App Details Android

  • Category Communication
  • Installs 5,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 4.5
  • Last Updated Date 28 April 2022
  • App Developer Virgin Plus
  • Download Size 46M
  • Compatibility Android 5.0 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Utilities
  • Rating 107
  • Rating out of 5 4.6
  • Last Updated Date 23 April 2022
  • App Developer Virgin Mobile Canada
  • Download Size 296.8 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 11.0 or later.
  • Price Free
Textnow
Textnow

Compatible With

IOS, Android

TextNow is a prepaid mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) established in San Francisco that claims to be the world’s first cloud-based cell phone service. With this network, you can always be connected via WiFi and a downloaded app.

In the absence of WiFi, TextNow switches to a cellular network (T-Mobile).

TextNow’s plans are incredibly affordable, especially when you consider that subscribers who switch will receive a $25 discount. The TextNow app even offers a free, ad-supported grade of service.

Despite its numerous benefits, TextNow has several weak points. One of them is its voice quality. Unfortunately, in this category, you can’t always expect the best results. Sometimes, you also need to force a cellular network. This can be a dealbreaker for some, especially for users who always need to stay connected for work purposes.

Also, it’s not the cheapest option in the market. Unfortunately, it gets expensive when you want to add more data.

App Details Android

  • Category Communication
  • Installs 50,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 4.4
  • Last Updated Date 27 April 2022
  • App Developer TextNow, Inc.
  • Download Size Varies with device
  • Compatibility Android Varies with device
  • Price $0.99 - $99.99 per item

App Details iOS

  • Category Social Networking
  • Category Ranking 13
  • Rating 486.3K
  • Rating out of 5 4.8
  • Last Updated Date 18 April 2022
  • App Developer TextNow, Inc.
  • Download Size 193.8 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
  • Price Free
Tracfone
Tracfone

Compatible With

IOS, Android

Tracfone is known for offering no-contract, no-hassle service that is tailored to each customer’s specific requirements at an affordable price. It offers a choice of phones and service plans to fit customers’ needs and lifestyles. There are no activation or cancellation costs, and you may be able to use your current phone to start a Tracfone cell service.

It’s a three-step process to switch to Tracfone. You purchase a new phone or a SIM card to use in your existing phone, activate the service online, and then purchase minutes, texts, and data package.

When it comes to international calls, Tracfone has four options for making international calls, but the plans do not include international roaming or international messaging. Calls must originate in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the United States Virgin Islands. Unless you sign up for the International Neighbor program, you cannot visit the Virgin Islands.

Tracfone’s no-contract service offerings allow customers the most flexibility without losing network or device quality. You can choose from a variety of phone and service package alternatives to meet their specific requirements. You can rest assured that Tracfone has a no-commitment option for you, regardless of your lifestyle or preferences.

App Details Android

  • Category Communication
  • Installs 5,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 3.8
  • Last Updated Date 6 May 2022
  • App Developer TracFone Wireless, Inc.
  • Download Size 22M
  • Compatibility Android 5.0 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Utilities
  • Rating 40.3K
  • Rating out of 5 4.7
  • Last Updated Date 23 February 2022
  • App Developer Tracfone Wireless Inc.
  • Download Size 124.3 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
  • Price Free
At&t Wireless
At&t Wireless

Compatible With

IOS, Android

AT&T has excellent 4G LTE coverage across the majority of the United States and is working to expand its footprint each year. It has routinely ranked second in terms of nationwide 4G LTE coverage, just ahead of Verizon.

Furthermore, AT&T’s 5G service has never had more support, with numerous 5G technologies going out to provide Americans from coast to coast with greater access. To take full use of these speeds, you’ll need a 5G-capable smartphone, and some earlier AT&T 5G phones won’t be able to access all of the network’s 5G features.

5GE (5G Evolution) is AT&T’s third “5G” technology, but it’s just a rebranded 4G LTE connection. Because of the deceptive designation for 5GE, AT&T has stopped using the word in marketing materials, although you’ll still see it as a connectivity symbol on phone screens within the network. However, AT&T 4G LTE/5GE still offers remarkable speeds, with AT&T claiming rates of 14-61 Mbps in optimal conditions.

One drawback, though, is its price. AT&T’s unlimited plans are among the most expensive on the market, and they don’t provide much more value for the money.

App Details Android

  • Category Productivity
  • Installs 100,000,000+
  • Rating out of 5 3.1
  • Last Updated Date 18 May 2022
  • App Developer AT&T Services, Inc.
  • Download Size 75M
  • Compatibility Android 7.0 and up
  • Price free

App Details iOS

  • Category Utilities
  • Category Ranking 18
  • Rating 3.9M
  • Rating out of 5 4.1
  • Last Updated Date 21 April 2022
  • App Developer AT&T Services, Inc.
  • Download Size 224.1 MB
  • Compatibility Requires iOS 12.1 or later.
  • Price Free
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