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Mint Mobile vs. Visible: Which Offers the Best Value in Wireless Service?

By
Melanie Pallotti
August 27, 2024

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In an era where staying connected is more crucial than ever, finding the right mobile carrier can significantly impact both your communication capabilities and your budget. As traditional carriers continue to offer premium-priced plans, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) have emerged as attractive alternatives, providing competitive services at more affordable rates. Two such providers that have gained considerable attention in recent years are Mint Mobile and Visible. Both carriers promise to deliver reliable service and substantial savings, but which one truly offers the best value for your needs? In this comprehensive comparison, we'll explore the ins and outs of Mint Mobile and Visible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and overall value propositions.

We'll delve into various aspects of these two providers, including network coverage and reliability, plan options, pricing structures, data speeds and performance, device compatibility, customer service, and additional features. We hope to leave you with a more clear understanding of what each carrier brings to the table and be better equipped to decide which one aligns best with your mobile communication needs and budget.

Coverage & Network Reliability

When it comes to coverage and network reliability, both Mint Mobile and Visible take different approaches, each with its own set of advantages and potential drawbacks. Mint Mobile operates as an MVNO on T-Mobile's network, leveraging one of the largest and most advanced networks in the United States. T-Mobile has made significant strides in expanding its coverage in recent years, particularly in urban and suburban areas. With the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint completed in 2020, Mint Mobile customers now benefit from an even more extensive network infrastructure.

Hand Holding phone with mint mobile logo on the screen
Mint Mobile users benefit from extensive network coverage. 

T-Mobile's network is known for its strong performance in cities and towns, offering reliable 4G LTE coverage and an ever-expanding 5G network. Mint Mobile customers can access T-Mobile's 5G network at no extra cost, provided they have a 5G-capable device. This gives Mint users access to potentially faster speeds and lower latency in areas where 5G is available.

However, it's worth noting that while T-Mobile has been working to improve its rural coverage, there may still be some areas where service is less robust compared to other major carriers. Additionally, as an MVNO, Mint Mobile customers may experience data deprioritization during times of network congestion, potentially resulting in slower speeds compared to T-Mobile's direct customers.

Visible, on the other hand, is owned by Verizon and operates exclusively on Verizon's network. Verizon is renowned for having one of the most extensive and reliable networks in the country, particularly excelling in rural and remote areas where other carriers might struggle to provide consistent coverage.

Visible customers benefit from Verizon's robust 4G LTE network, which covers over 70% of the U.S. population. In addition, Visible has been expanding its 5G access, offering it to customers at no extra cost on compatible devices. Verizon's 5G network, while not as widespread as T-Mobile's, is known for its high-speed mmWave technology in select urban areas, which can provide extremely fast data speeds.

One potential drawback for Visible customers is that, like Mint Mobile users, they may experience data deprioritization during times of network congestion. This means that in busy areas or during peak usage times, Visible customers might see slower speeds compared to Verizon's postpaid customers.

Both Mint Mobile and Visible offer extensive coverage, but the experience can differ based on location. Mint Mobile, through T-Mobile's network, generally provides strong coverage in urban and suburban areas, with rapidly expanding 5G availability. Visible, leveraging Verizon's network, offers robust coverage across a wider geographic area, including many rural locations, but may have more limited 5G availability compared to Mint Mobile.

Visible phone
Visible users may notice more coverage in rural areas compared to Mint Mobile.

Plan Options

Mint Mobile and Visible take distinctly different approaches when it comes to plan options, each catering to different types of users and preferences. Mint Mobile offers a variety of prepaid plans, all of which include unlimited talk and text. Their plans are structured around data allowances and the length of commitment. Mint's unique selling point is its bulk pricing model – the longer you commit, the less you pay per month.

Mint Mobile's plans typically come in four data tiers:

  • 4GB per month
  • 10GB per month
  • 15GB per month
  • Unlimited data

Each of these plans is available in 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month commitments. The pricing is most competitive when you commit to a full year, which can lead to significant savings for those willing to pay upfront. Mint's "unlimited" plan does come with some caveats. After using 35GB of data in a month, speeds may be reduced. Additionally, video streaming is typically limited to 480p quality. Mobile hotspot data is included in all plans, using from the same data bucket as regular usage.

One potential drawback of Mint's plan structure is that after your initial term (be it 3, 6, or 12 months), the price increases unless you renew for another long-term commitment. This can be a consideration for those who prefer more flexibility in their plan options.

Visible, in contrast, takes a much simpler approach to plan options. They offer just two plans: Visible and Visible+.

The base Visible plan includes:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • Access to Verizon's nationwide 5G and 4G LTE networks

The Visible+ plan includes all the features of the base plan, plus:

  •  50GB of premium data (no deprioritization)
  • Faster 5G Ultra Wideband access where available
  • International calling to 30+ countries and international texting  
  • Roaming in Mexico and Canada

Both Visible plans are offered on a month-to-month basis, with no long-term commitments required. This flexibility can be appealing to users who prefer not to be locked into a long-term plan or those who may need to adjust their service frequently.

One of Visible's standout features is its "Party Pay" option. This allows users to join with others (friends, family, or even strangers through Visible's platform) to reduce their individual monthly costs. The more people in the party (up to four), the greater the discount each member receives.

While Visible's plans are truly unlimited, users may experience reduced speeds during times of network congestion, especially on the base plan. Video streaming is also typically limited to 480p quality, similar to Mint Mobile's unlimited plan.

In comparing the two, Mint Mobile offers more traditional tiered data plans with the potential for significant savings through long-term commitments. This can be ideal for users who know their data needs and are comfortable paying upfront for service. Visible, on the other hand, offers straightforward unlimited plans with no commitment, which can be appealing to heavy data users or those who value flexibility in their mobile service.

Competitive Pricing

Pricing is often a crucial factor in choosing a mobile carrier, and both Mint Mobile and Visible position themselves as affordable alternatives to major carriers. However, their pricing structures differ significantly, each offering unique advantages to different types of users. Mint Mobile's pricing is based on a bulk buying model. The basic principle is simple: the more months you buy upfront, the less you pay per month. Mint offers 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month plans, with the 12-month plans providing the best value.

With Mint Mobile’s bulk pricing option, the more months you buy upfront, the less you pay per month.

Their prices are significantly lower than those offered by major carriers for similar data allowances. However, it's important to note that these prices require paying for a full year of service upfront. For shorter terms (3 or 6 months), the monthly rate is higher. Mint also often runs promotions for new customers, offering the 3-month plan at the 12-month price. This allows new users to try the service at the best available rate before committing to a full year.

One potential drawback of Mint's pricing model is that after the initial term, prices revert to the higher 3-month rate unless you renew for another long-term plan. This can lead to bill shock for customers who forget to renew or are unable to pay for another long-term plan upfront.

Visible takes a different approach with its simplified pricing structure. As of 2024, Visible offers two straightforward plans:

  • Visible: $25/month
  • Visible+: $45/month

Both plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as unlimited mobile hotspot usage. The main differences lie in the priority data allowance, 5G access speeds, and international features, as mentioned in the Plan Options section.

Visible's pricing is straightforward and requires no long-term commitment. The price you see is the price you pay, with taxes and fees included. This can be appealing to users who prefer predictable billing and don't want to worry about varying monthly costs. One of Visible's most attractive features is its Party Pay option. By joining a "party" with other Visible customers, users can reduce their monthly bill. For the base Visible plan, the price can drop as low as $25 per month when in a party of four or more (compared to the standard $30 per month). For Visible+, the price can go down to $40 per month in a party of four or more.

Hand Holding phone with visible logo on the screen
Visible offers pricing that is straightforward and requires no long-term commitment.

Comparing the two, Mint Mobile generally offers lower prices, especially for users willing to commit to a year of service upfront. For example, Mint's unlimited plan at $30 per month (with a 12-month commitment) is less expensive than Visible's base plan at $25 per month, even with Party Pay discounts.

However, Visible's pricing may be more attractive for those who prefer not to pay upfront or who value the flexibility of a no-commitment plan. Additionally, for heavy data users or those who frequently use mobile hotspot features, Visible's truly unlimited plans, including unlimited hotspot data, could provide better value. Both carriers offer significant savings compared to traditional carriers, but the best choice will depend on individual usage patterns, budget constraints, and preferences regarding commitment length and payment structure.

Data Speed and Performance

Data speed and performance are crucial factors in the mobile experience, affecting everything from casual web browsing to video streaming and online gaming. Both Mint Mobile and Visible offer competitive data speeds, but there are some key differences in their approaches and overall performance.

Mint Mobile, operating on T-Mobile's network, generally provides good data speeds in areas with strong T-Mobile coverage. T-Mobile has been aggressively expanding its 5G network, which Mint Mobile customers can access at no extra cost with a 5G-capable device. This gives Mint users the potential for very fast data speeds, particularly in urban and suburban areas where T-Mobile's 5G coverage is most robust. On 4G LTE, Mint Mobile users can expect average download speeds ranging from 20-60 Mbps, depending on location and network conditions. In areas with 5G coverage, speeds can potentially reach over 100 Mbps, with some users reporting speeds exceeding 300 Mbps in areas with optimal 5G coverage.

However, it's important to note that Mint Mobile users may experience deprioritization during times of network congestion. This means that when the T-Mobile network is busy, Mint customers might see reduced speeds compared to T-Mobile's direct customers. Additionally, on Mint's unlimited plan, speeds may be reduced after 35GB of data usage in a month.

Mint Mobile does offer mobile hotspot capabilities on all its plans, allowing users to share their data connection with other devices. The hotspot data comes from the same allotment as regular data usage, so speeds and any applicable limits or throttling will apply to hotspot usage as well.

Visible, operating on Verizon's network, takes a different approach to data speeds and performance. All Visible plans offer unlimited data, but with some caveats regarding speed. On the base Visible plan, data speeds are capped at 5 Mbps for mobile hotspot usage. Regular data usage is not technically capped, but users may experience deprioritization at any time, which can result in slower speeds during periods of network congestion.

The Visible+ plan offers some improvements in this area. It includes 50GB of premium data, meaning users are less likely to experience deprioritization until after they've used 50GB in a month. This plan also offers access to Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network where available, which can provide extremely fast speeds – potentially exceeding 1 Gbps in some areas.

In practice, Visible users on 4G LTE typically report average download speeds ranging from 5-12 Mbps, with some users experiencing higher speeds depending on location and network conditions. On 5G, particularly with the Visible+ plan and in areas with Ultra Wideband coverage, speeds can be significantly higher. One advantage of Visible is that it offers truly unlimited mobile hotspot data, albeit at the capped speed of 5 Mbps. This can be beneficial for users who frequently tether other devices to their phones and don't want to worry about exceeding a specific data allotment.

Both carriers support video streaming, but typically limit the quality to 480p unless users manually override this setting. This is common practice among MVNOs and helps to manage network resources. In terms of real-world performance, both Mint Mobile and Visible generally provide speeds sufficient for common tasks like web browsing, social media, and standard definition video streaming. However, users with more demanding data needs, such as those who frequently stream high-definition video, engage in online gaming, or require fast upload speeds, may find Mint Mobile's higher potential speeds (particularly on 5G) to be advantageous.

On the other hand, Visible's truly unlimited data and hotspot usage could be more valuable for heavy data users who prioritize having consistent access to data without worrying about limits, even if the speeds might not be as high as what Mint can offer in optimal conditions.

Device Compatibility and Bring Your Own Phone Options

Device compatibility and the ability to bring your own phone (BYOP) are important considerations when choosing a mobile carrier. Both Mint Mobile and Visible offer options in this regard, but their policies and compatibility requirements differ.

Mint Mobile, operating on T-Mobile's network, is compatible with a wide range of devices that work on T-Mobile's GSM network. This includes many popular smartphones from manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and others. Mint Mobile also sells its own selection of phones, ranging from budget-friendly options to flagship devices.

For those looking to bring their own device, Mint Mobile's BYOP program is straightforward. Users can check their phone's compatibility on Mint's website by entering the device's IMEI number. Generally, if a phone is unlocked and compatible with T-Mobile's network, it should work with Mint Mobile. This includes most unlocked GSM phones and many CDMA phones that have been properly unlocked.

Mint Mobile and Visible both have a plethora of advantages to their services.

Both Mint Mobile and Visible offer compelling alternatives to traditional carriers, each with its own strengths. Mint Mobile shines with its bulk pricing model, potentially offering significant savings for those willing to commit long-term. It leverages T-Mobile's network, providing robust coverage and fast data speeds, especially in urban areas. Visible, owned by Verizon, offers straightforward unlimited plans with no long-term commitment, appealing to those who value flexibility and consistent pricing. Its coverage excels in rural areas, thanks to Verizon's extensive network.

The choice between the two ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. Those seeking the lowest possible prices and don't mind paying upfront may prefer Mint Mobile. Users who prioritize unlimited data, including hotspot usage, and value no-contract flexibility might find Visible more appealing. Both carriers represent strong value propositions in the competitive MVNO market, offering consumers more affordable options for staying connected.

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Mint Mobile 5GB Plan

5GB
data
5GB full-speed data
Hotspot access
All plan data (stops at 5GB)
Best for:
Light data users, those who mostly use WiFi
More Details

Mint Mobile 15GB Plan

15GB
data
15GB full-speed data
Hotspot access
All plan data (stops at 15GB)
Best for:
Light-average data users
More Details

Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

20GB
data
20GB full-speed data
Hotspot access
All plan data (stops at 20GB)
Best for:
Average data users
More Details

Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan

Unlimited
data
40GB high-speed data, unlimited data at 512 kbps (3G speeds)
Hotspot access
10GB mobile hotspot data
Best for:
Heavy data users
More Details

Visible+

Visible+
data
50GB premium, unlimited deprioritized data after
Hotspot access
Unlimited access
Best for:
Those who want more features
More Details

Visible Base

Visible Base
data
Unlimited deprioritized data
Hotspot access
Unlimited access
Best for:
Those who want to save the most money
More Details

Visible Base

Visible Base
data
Unlimited deprioritized data
Hotspot access
Unlimited access
Best for:
Those who want to save the most money
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your questions,
answered

does this phone service work everywhere?

Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.

is there a contract?

Nope, it’s pay as you go.

is this prepaid?

yep! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.

does my phone need to be unlocked?

Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.

what if I want a new phone?

We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.

what does decentralized wireless (dewi) mean?

It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.

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