Visible vs. PureTalk: Which carrier is better?

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 prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Visible is on the Verizon network, while PureTalk is on the AT&T network. 

Visible and PureTalk are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Visible is an MVNO of Verizon, while PureTalk is an MVNO of AT&T. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

Plan Options

Visible offers truly unlimited data, and PureTalk offers limited data plans. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Visible offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Meanwhile, PureTalk offers several limited data plans. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Visible Plans

Both Visible plans offer unlimited data. 

Visible only offers 2 plans – Visible Base and Visible +. Visible + offers more features as well as premium data. Both plans offer a hotspot, with the data coming from your overall plan data. As an MVNO on Verizon’s network, Visible is on QCI tiers 8 and 9. Visible + has higher priority for its 50GB of premium data, tier 8, which will be further explained below. Visible Base is on tier 9.

It’s also important to note that Visible is a single line carrier – meaning you can only have one phone on an account. If you’re buying a plan for your family or with your significant other, you need to make separate accounts with separate plans for everyone. 

If you purchase your phone from Visible, your device will be locked for the first 60 days after activation. Both plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. 

Visible Base

This plan is always depriotized.

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, Visible’s base plan has unlimited talk and text. 

Visible Base also has unlimited data with no cap – meaning you have truly unlimited data that never slows down no matter how much you use. However, the Visible base plan is always deprioritized. Your data and connection will slow down at any point of high traffic in your area. 

The plan also includes unlimited mobile hotspot data. Again, your data is deprioritized and may slow down in times of high network traffic. 

The plan costs $25 per month. 

Visible +

This plan gives you 50GB of premium data, then unlimited deprioritized data. 

Visible + gives you access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, which is their network for premium data. As such, the 50GB of premium data you get with this plan will not slow down no matter how much network traffic in your area. After you use the 50GB, your data is unlimited – but subjected to the same deprioritization as the other plan. The mobile hotspot is also premium data for the first 50GB, then deprioritized after. 

At this rate, you get the 50GB of premium data at $0.90 per GB. 

The plan costs $45 per month, with a $10 welcome discount for the first month.

PureTalk Plans

PureTalk offers 7 plans at varying data amounts. 

PureTalk offers 7 plans: 2 unlimited, 5 limited. All of their plans are deprioritized, which means you may experience slower speeds at times of high traffic. PureTalk is also currently giving new customers 25% off for 3 months of service. As an MVNO of AT&T, PureTalk’s QCI level is tier 8. 

Certain plans also allow a discount on a new phone. 

PureTalk allows up to 5 lines on one account. If you purchase your phone from PureTalk, your device will be sold to you already unlocked. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

2GB

This plan slows speeds to 2G after 2GB.

PureTalk offers 2GB of data with this plan, then unlimited data at 256 kbps, or 2G speeds. 2G speeds allow you to send texts and emails or scroll the internet. The plan also includes hotspot access, which is usable with all plan data. Hotspot data stops after the 2GB cap. 

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 2GB at $10 per GB. 

4GB

This plan slows speeds after 4GB.

This plan comes with 4GB, then unlimited slow data at 2G speeds. It also includes hotspot access, which is usable with all plan data. Hotspot data stops after the 2GB cap. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 4GB at $6.25 per GB. 

6GB

This plan offers hotspot access on all plan data. 

PureTalk includes 6GB of full speed data, and later unlimited slow data at 2G speeds. The plan also includes hotspot access with all plan data, and stops after 6GB. 

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 6GB at $5 per GB. 

10GB

This plan gives you 10GB of full speed data. 

This plan gives users 10GB of full speed data. After this cap, PureTalk gives access to unlimited slow data and lowers speeds to 2G. You can use all 10GB on hotspot access, but access stops at 10GB. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 10GB at $3.50 per GB. 

20GB

This plan gives you 20GB at full speed, then unlimited slow data. 

As their biggest limited data plan, this plan offers 20GB of full speed data before slowing to 2G speeds. Hotspot access is also available, and stops after 20GB.

The plan costs $45 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $2.25 per GB. 

Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot 

This plan gives you 15GB of hotspot usage, then access stops. 

With this unlimited plan, PureTalk offers 60GB of full speed data. After 60GB, your data slows down to 2G speeds. This plan also offers 15GB of hotspot data. After the 15GB, your data for hotspot usage will stop. 

The plan costs $55 per month. At this rate, you get 75GB at $0.73 per GB. 

Unlimited + 25GB Hotspot 

This plan also gives you 60GB of full speed data. 

Like their other unlimited plan, PureTalk offers 60GB of full speed data before slowing speeds down to 2G. This plan also offers 25GB of hotspot data, which stops after this cap. 

The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 85GB at $0.76 per GB. 

Features

Visible offers more features than PureTalk.

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Visible offers several more features than PureTalk, such as international connection and spam protection.

Domestic Roaming Data

Visible offers domestic roaming data on their plans. PureTalk does not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Visible offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada. However, Visible does not include roaming data for Mexico and Canada with Visible Base. Visible + includes roaming data that slows down to 2G speeds after 0.5GB each day. PureTalk does not offer this feature.

International Connection

Visible does not give you international roaming data. However, Visible + gives you international talk and text. Visible Base does not offer this feature. PureTalk does not offer this feature.

Video Streaming Quality

Visible’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. All PureTalk plans stream at 1080p High Definition. 

Streaming Services

Visible and PureTalk do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Visible and PureTalk do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from PureTalk, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. Visible does not offer this feature. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Visible offers spam protection on both of their plans, which blocks spam calls and protects you from potential fraud. PureTalk does not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Visible offers a 15 day free trial. PureTalk does not offer this feature.   

Customer Service 

Visible and PureTalk do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. 

Visible is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. Visible offers 24/7 chat support from a live agent. PureTalk offers customer support over the phone at (855) 849-2701 from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. EST every day. You can also submit support tickets online at their website. 

The Verdict

Visible offers better unlimited deals.

As Visible offers unlimited data with no cap on one plan and premium data that doesn’t slow down on their bigger plan, they offer better deals on their unlimited plans than PureTalk. However, PureTalk still offers great deals on all of their plans, including unlimited. Their limited data plans also have the advantage if that’s what you’re looking for, as Visible doesn’t offer limited data plans. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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