Verizon vs. Straight Talk: Which Carrier is Better?

Verizon is one of the three major wireless networks popular in the United States, and Straight Talk is a powerful MVNO that utilizes Verizon’s network to deliver fantastic coverage to all its users. They have a nice set of plans that, while expensive, offer a lot of data to mid-data users to find a great plan without breaking the bank. Straight Talk has multi-line savings, lots of data, a good mixture of plans, and a store full of the latest and greatest devices.

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In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How do the prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Straight Talk operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), purchasing network service access in bulk from Verizon. This model allows Straight Talk to offer customers lower-priced plans while leveraging Verizon’s extensive network. Verizon’s nationwide coverage is exceptional, their 5G network, where it is available, provides unbelievable data speeds. Their 4G LTE network is much more widespread, ensuring almost everyone has great coverage. Straight Talk, leveraging the same network, has the same coverage, but data speeds are less reliable.

A key difference between these carriers is data priority. Verizon customers typically enjoy higher data priority compared to Straight Talk users. During peak times, when network traffic is heavy, carriers like Verizon prioritize data speeds based on customer tiers:

• Tier 1 Data: Guarantees the highest speeds at all times, only slowing in extreme congestion scenarios like large events.
• Tier 2 Data: Maintains high speeds unless Tier 1 users also experience slowdowns, making it generally reliable but potentially slower in densely populated areas.
• Tier 3 Data: The first to be throttled during congestion. Straight Talk uses this tier, providing cost-effective plans but with lower data priority.

Verizon's plans include Tier 1 and Tier 2 data options, ensuring higher priority for their customers. In contrast, Straight Talk's plans use Tier 3 data, meaning users may encounter more slowdowns, particularly in urban areas with heavier network traffic.

To determine the congestion level in your area, use the network for a couple of months and monitor data slowdowns in your daily usage. Depending on your location, plan, and reliance on mobile data, different customers in the same area may experience varying congestion levels. Since frequent switching between mobile services is a pain, we aim to provide as much information as possible to help you find the perfect carrier.

Interested in a detailed breakdown of major wireless networks and MVNOs? Check out our website!

Plan Options

Verizon offers various plans that provide unlimited data, while Straight Talk offers a quartet of data plans with limited high-speed data. Along with high-speed data, both carriers offer unlimited talk and text along with various features and add-ons. First up, let’s talk about Verizon’s cell phone plans. 

Verizon Cell Phone Plans

Verizon offers three cell phone plans, keeping their offerings simple and efficient. The price of these cell phone plans varies tremendously based on how many lines are on your account. We recommend at least three lines on this major provider, as it saves $30 on each line each month. These are Verizon’s cell phone plans: 

• Welcome Unlimited, priced at $65/55/40/30 a month per line
• Unlimited Plus, priced at $80/70/55/45 a month per line
• Unlimited Ultimate, priced at $90/80/65/55 a month per line

The Unlimited Plus plan is a little more expensive and comes with the following perks: 

• 30 GB mobile hotspot
• Device savings
• Price guarantee
• Premium data

Regardless of the number of lines, the Unlimited Plus plan is $15 more per line on your account. This is a lot, but the premium data is handy in spaces with high data usage. It is hard to gauge how important premium data is. There are many areas around the country where Verizon’s network is strong enough to keep everyone using full-speed data.

Unlimited Ultimate doubles the hotspot data and opens up some new customer deals. This is an excellent choice for people who are willing to pay a premium for their cell phone service in order to get all the bells and whistles on their cell phone plan. 60 GBs of high-speed hotspot data is excellent for those who need to use data on laptops or tablets on the go. 

Premium data is most valuable for those in big cities. There is a lot of congestion in big cities, and Data is frequently slowed down in other areas, especially in big cities. We recommend starting on the less expensive plan and checking your data speeds for a month or two. If you notice slow data, we recommend switching to a more expensive plan if you have the budget for it. 

Alongside the base plans, Verizon offers a package of optional add-ons that each add $10 to your cell phone bill. The best part is that you can skip them entirely and stick to the base plan price, but if you find any Verizon add-ons you like, adding them to your plan always saves a few dollars on the service. 

Straight Talk Cell Phone Plans

Straight Talk has four main plans for its store. All of them are viable, depending on how much data you want each month, with great savings coming from creating a multi-line account. Carriers like Tello Mobile and Visible Wireless, who don’t have any multi-line savings, are able to provide more affordable prices when compared to the maximum cost of Straight Talk’s cell phone plans, but the multi-line savings from Straight Talk is an excellent choice for if you have friends or family who are willing to open an account with you. Here are the main Straight Talk plans:  

• Bronze Unlimited — $35 per month (no multi-line savings)
• Silver Unlimited — $45/37.50/30/25
• Gold Unlimited — $55/47.50/40/35
• Platinum Unlimited — $65/57.50/50/45

The savings available from these plans make them excellent choices for multiple-line accounts. Straight Talk’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans all come with 60 GB of high-speed data before your plan is throttled to 2G data speeds. Outside of the data, the Gold and Platinum plans both come with hotspot data (15 and 20 GB, respectively), 100 GB cloud storage, international calling, and a Walmart+ membership!

As long as you are content with using less than 60 GB of high-speed data each month, opening an account with Straight Talk is a great choice. For single-line users, we still recommend the Silver plan, as the Bronze plan only comes with 10 GB of high-speed data.

Straight Talk offers a simple family plan for all its customers. When you have multiple lines on an account, each line receives its lowest prices on Straight Talk’s 3-month contract plans, which are the shortest contracts they offer. 

Major Wireless Network vs. MVNO

One of the biggest differences between Verizon and Straight Talk is that Verizon is a major wireless network, while Straight Talk operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Understanding the differences between these types of carriers is crucial.

Data Throttling and Data Deprioritization

Deprioritization

Data deprioritization occurs when a network experiences high traffic and cannot handle the current level of usage. This happens frequently, although it's challenging to quantify its occurrence precisely. Major wireless networks may offer certain plans with a premium tier of data, which is prioritized over other traffic. Once this premium data is exhausted, users are more likely to experience slower speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle.

Throttling

Data throttling happens when users on limited data plans exceed their monthly data allowance. This is separate from network congestion and results in significantly reduced speeds. Unlike deprioritization, throttling drastically slows data until the next billing cycle, when a new data allocation restores normal speeds.

As an MVNO, Straight Talk's data speeds fluctuate more than Verizon's. Straight Talk customers are more frequently subjected to data deprioritization because Straight Talk must yield bandwidth to Verizon's direct customers during times of network congestion. This makes Straight Talk, and other MVNOs, less reliable in terms of consistent data speeds.

Impact on Data Speeds

In densely populated cities such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Miami, MVNOs like Straight Talk often face significant congestion. The network strength in these areas is typically robust, but the sheer number of residents and commuters can overwhelm the system. Consequently, Straight Talk users in these locations are more likely to experience slowed data speeds.

Predicting congestion in less populated areas and rural regions is more challenging. However, events such as festivals, concerts, and sporting events can temporarily overload local networks. If you've ever attended a major event and struggled with slow data, you've experienced the effects of network congestion firsthand.

Verizon’s Advantage

Verizon, as a major network, does not throttle its customers' data on plans that include unlimited high-speed data. Additionally, Verizon experiences less data deprioritization compared to Straight Talk. Verizon customers benefit from either Tier 1 or Tier 2 data, which means MVNO customers are always deprioritized before those on the major network.

In summary, while Straight Talk offers cost-effective plans through its use of Verizon's network, it is more susceptible to data deprioritization, especially in high-traffic areas. Verizon, with its higher data priority and robust infrastructure, generally provides more reliable and consistent data speeds.

Customer Service 

Verizon has physical locations and robust online customer service offerings, while Straight Talk only has online customer service. You can call Verizon’s customer service line on this number: 800-922-0204. You can also reach Verizon’s help pages following this link, which has answers to frequently asked questions, the option to chat, and more. 

For Straight Talk, you can contact them here: 877-430-2355 or access their help page here. 

The Verdict

Straight Talk is on the expensive side for MVNOs, but the 60 GB data maximums provide an impressive amount of data, but there are times when 60 GB just ain’t enough. If you are a high-data user, we recommend Verizon for its unlimited high-speed data. High-data users will quickly cut through their high-speed data allocation and then be stuck with slow data speeds for the rest of the month unless they have unlimited.

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan. Being able to limit your data consumption opens up the option for far more low-data plans that are a fraction of the cost of major wireless unlimited high-speed data plans. The downside, of course, is that it is difficult to keep data consumption low. 

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare features, coverage, prices, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Verizon and Straight Talk?

The primary difference is that Verizon owns and operates its network infrastructure, offering high-priority data and extensive nationwide coverage. Straight Talk, on the other hand, is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses Verizon’s network to provide more affordable plans with lower data priority.

How does coverage compare between Verizon and Straight Talk?

Both Verizon and Straight Talk (using Verizon’s network) provide comprehensive nationwide coverage. However, Verizon has excellent coverage in rural areas and robust 5G coverage in major metropolitan areas. It's best to check local coverage maps for precise information about your area.

What are data priority tiers, and how do they affect service?

Data priority tiers determine the order in which users experience slowdowns during network congestion. Verizon offers Tier 1 and Tier 2 data, ensuring higher priority and faster speeds. Straight Talk uses Tier 3 data, which is the first to be slowed down in high-traffic situations, potentially resulting in slower speeds for its users.

Depending on how much you rely on your cell phone, this data throttling can be incredibly annoying. It always feels like it happens at the worst times. 

Are there significant price differences between Verizon and Straight Talk plans?

Yes, Straight Talk offers more budget-friendly plans than Verizon. This is because Straight Talk, as an MVNO, purchases network access in bulk and passes those savings onto customers. However, the trade-off is lower data priority and potential slowdowns during congestion.

Straight Talk’s prices are high compared to other MVNOs. If you want a really affordable cell phone plan, we recommend looking at MVNOs like Ting Mobile, Tello Mobile, and Freedom Pop. 

Will I notice a difference in data speeds between Verizon and Straight Talk?

During periods of heavy network traffic, Verizon customers will relax with high-speed data far longer than Straight Talk users. Straight Talk users, with Tier 3 data, are more likely to notice reduced speeds in such situations, especially in densely populated areas.

Which carrier is better for rural areas?

Verizon typically offers better coverage and reliability in rural areas compared to other major wireless networks. Verizon may provide more consistent service if you live or frequently travel to rural regions.

Can I use my existing phone with Straight Talk?

Yes, most unlocked phones compatible with Verizon’s network can be used with Straight Talk. However, it’s recommended that you check with Straight Talk for specific compatibility requirements.

Do both carriers offer 5G coverage?

Yes, both Verizon and Straight Talk offer 5G coverage in many areas. However, the extent and quality of 5G service can vary, so it’s advisable to check 5G availability in your specific location.

When you use your data allocation on Straight Talk, you will no longer have access to high-speed data from Verizon’s network. 

Which carrier offers better customer service?

Customer service experiences can vary widely, but generally, Verizon has a strong reputation for customer support. Straight Talk’s customer service is also highly rated, but cell providers are often difficult to work with when you run into problems.

How do I decide which career is better for me?

Consider your budget, coverage needs, and tolerance for potential data slowdowns. If you prioritize nationwide coverage, high data speeds, and don’t mind paying a premium, Verizon may be the better choice. If you seek a more affordable option and are okay with potential slowdowns during peak times, Straight Talk could be a better fit. Checking local coverage maps and comparing plan details will help in making an informed decision.