Verizon vs. US Mobile: Which Carrier is Better?

Verizon is one of the three major wireless networks popular in the United States, and US Mobile is an MVNO that operates on Verizon’s network, which provides fast data, impressive data allocation, and a hotspot for its customers. On top of that, US Mobile has a lot of plans at different price points with different data allowances. There is something for everyone! U.S. Mobile utilizes both Verizon’s and T-Mobile’s networks, and they have crafted their plans to utilize the fastest network in the area and switch between them when necessary. 

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

US Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), purchasing network service access in bulk from Verizon and T-Mobile. This model allows US Mobile to offer customers lower-priced plans while leveraging the extensive networks of two major wireless providers. Verizon’s nationwide coverage is exceptional, and its 5G network, which is available, provides unbelievable data speeds. T-Mobile has greater 5G coverage, but their overall network leaves more holes than Verizon’s. Combined, these two networks just about ensure you always have high-speed coverage. US Mobile, leveraging those networks, has the same coverage, but data speeds are less reliable.

Just because US Mobile customers have access to these two major wireless networks doesn’t mean they get better data speeds all the time. MVNOs rent bandwidth from major wireless networks, but data consumption, especially in major metropolitan areas, is outpacing the strength of major wireless networks. Due to this, major networks have generally divided data priority into three tiers. There is premium major network data, basic major network data, and MVNO data. 

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

MVNO data is always the first to get slowed down in times of network congestion. Congestion is hard to map, but it is seen much more in major metropolitan areas. 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 US Mobile 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. 

US Mobile Cell Phone Plans

US Mobile offers four cell phone plans, each one very different from the last. Understanding the ins and outs of US Mobile phone plans is essential before you decide whether or not this is the right new wireless carrier for you. The four US Mobile phone plans are as follows:

• Unlimited Starter: $15 a month
• Unlimited Essentials: $40 a month
• Unlimited Premium: $50 a month
• Shareable Data: Varied

It should be noted that both Unlimited Essentials and Unlimited Premium also come with 50 GB of mobile hotspot data. Unlimited Starter comes with 10 GB of high-speed data and is excellent for a single-line plan. The downside to this plan is that it is currently only available in year-long contract form, but it is a cheap way to receive quality cell service. 

Unlimited Essentials comes with 50 GB a month, starting at $40 for a single-line account and reducing down to $30 a line for a three-line account. These multi-line savings are not as impressive as what’s available at other MVNOs, but they are better than nothing! 

Unlimited Premium comes with 100 GB a month, which is a huge selling point in our eyes. This lets you use your phone a lot when out and about before you come close to going over your data allocation. 

US Mobile’s shareable data plan is very strange. This plan lets you choose the GBs you get for a number of lines, starting at $50 for 30 GB and adding $2 per extra GB and $8 per extra line. This tool lets you choose GB and the number of lines, displaying the cost per line below the monthly total. If you can configure it to be less expensive than their pre-created cell phone plans, then US Mobile’s shareable data plan might be right for you! 

Unfortunately, US Mobile provides multi-line savings, but they are not up to snuff with the competition in the MVNO scene. Many MVNOs with multi-line savings provide, give or take, $20 off each line with four lines, whereas US Mobile only offers $10. While this makes their multi-line plans a bit weaker than the competition, they certainly provide enough data and coverage to justify the cost!  

Major Wireless Network vs. MVNO

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

Data Throttling and Data 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.

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

Customer Service 

Verizon has physical locations and robust online customer service offerings, while US Mobile 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 US Mobile, you can contact them here: (878) 205-0088 or access their help page here. 

The Verdict

US Mobile is on the expensive side for MVNOs, but the 60 GB data maximums provide an impressive amount of data. We believe that most people can work with 60 GB of high-speed data each month without needing to try to limit data usage, but checking your last few months may reveal that 60 is not enough! This is common for people who have long commutes or spend a lot of time outside of a WiFi network. If that’s the case, then Verizon is the best choice for you. 

Their unlimited high-speed data plans are 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. It is exciting to relax, knowing that you can use data whenever, wherever. 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. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Verizon and US Mobile?

The primary difference is that Verizon owns and operates its network infrastructure, offering high-priority data and extensive nationwide coverage. US Mobile, 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 US Mobile?

Both Verizon and US Mobile (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. US Mobile 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 US Mobile plans?

Yes, US Mobile offers more budget-friendly plans than Verizon. This is because US Mobile, 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.

US Mobile’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 US Mobile?

During periods of heavy network traffic, Verizon customers will relax with high-speed data far longer than US Mobile users. US Mobile 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 US Mobile?

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

Do both carriers offer 5G coverage?

Yes, both Verizon and US Mobile 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 US Mobile, 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. US Mobile’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, US Mobile could be a better fit. Checking local coverage maps and comparing plan details will help in making an informed decision.