Visible vs. Red Pocket Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Visible and Red Pocket Mobile are popular prepaid carriers. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

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 of Visible and Red Pocket Mobile

Visible is on the Verizon network, while Red Pocket Mobile is on all three networks 

Visible and Red Pocket Mobile 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 lower price. Visible is an MVNO of Verizon, while Red Pocket Mobile uses all three networks. This means you can choose which network you prefer.

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 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.

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Visible offers truly unlimited data, and Red Pocket Mobile offers several limited 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. Red Pocket Mobile offers several limited data plans of varying sizes. Both carriers deprioritize data, which means your connection may slow down during times of high traffic, such as a concert or a crowded store. 

Data throttling and deprioritization are key factors that affect mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which use the networks of larger carriers to provide service.

• Data Throttling: MVNOs often impose data throttling once a user exceeds a certain data limit in their plan. Throttling slows down data speeds to much lower levels, making tasks like streaming or downloading almost impossible. This lets MVNOs offer more affordable plans, as throttled data usage does not affect major network bandwidth nearly as much as high-speed data.
• Deprioritization: MVNO customers are deprioritized during times of network congestion. This means that if the main carrier's network is busy (e.g., in crowded areas or at peak times), customers of the parent network (like Verizon or AT&T) get priority, while MVNO users experience slower speeds. 

Both practices are ways for MVNOs to offer lower-cost services while still using major networks. This means MVNO data is slower overall, but deprioritization is hard to quantify. In big cities and other major metropolitan areas, MVNOs are more likely to receive slowed-down data during normal circumstances. Of course, big events will cause deprioritization, but if the event is big enough, even major wireless customers will receive serious data slowdowns. 

Especially with no-contract cell phone carriers, like Visible and Red Pocket Mobile, you can join their service and pay month-by-month. While you do so, take note of the data speeds of your daily cell phone usage. Notice times when it’s hard to load websites or social media? You’re probably getting deprioritized data! 

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. Want some more info on Visible? Check out our Visible Wireless Pros and Cons article for a longer look into this awesome MVNO. 

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

Visible’s base plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data on Verizon’s 5G and 4G LTE networks for just $25 per month. There are no data caps, but your speeds may be deprioritized during times of network congestion. For most users, this is a great option that balances affordability and reliable performance, especially if you're not in a high-traffic area. The plan also includes unlimited mobile hotspot usage, with speeds capped at 5 Mbps—perfect for basic tasks like browsing and messaging.

The plan costs $25 per month. 

Visible +

For $45 per month, the Visible+ plan provides all the perks of the base plan, plus 50 GB of premium data, ensuring faster speeds without deprioritization even during busy times. This plan also grants access to Verizon’s ultra-fast 5G Ultra Wideband network. In addition, Visible+ includes international calling to over 30 countries and texting to 200+ countries, making it ideal for frequent travelers or those who need enhanced connectivity.

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.

Red Pocket Mobile Plans

While they offer more plans than Mint Mobile, their unlimited slow data after full speed limits is almost unusable. 

Red Pocket Mobile offers 8 plans. Four of their plans are paid monthly, and others require you to pay for a full year of service. The annual plans are slightly cheaper, but you must commit to 12 months of service. All plans from Red Pocket Mobile are deprioritized. Unfortunately, no carrier is perfect. Check out our Red Pocket Mobile Pros and Cons article for more information! 

Red Pocket Mobile’s QCI tier varies depending on which service you choose. If you choose T-Mobile, which is listed on their website as GSMT, you’ll be on tier 7. The GSMA network, or AT&T, you'll be at tier 8. Verizon’s network, or CDMA, Red Pocket Mobile will have tier 9. 

If you purchase your phone from Red Pocket Mobile, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. You must submit a request to unlock your device. Taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

1GB Plans

This plan gives you 1GB for $10, and includes mobile hotspot access. 

This plan, as listed, gives you 1GB of data per month. You can use all of the plan’s data as hotspot data. However, hotspot data stops after 1GB. Otherwise, you get data at 64 kilobits per second. This is incredibly slow – not even 2G speeds. You can send and receive emails or texts at this speed, but not much else. 

The annual version of this plan is $9 per month, or $99 annually. 

5GB Annual

This plan gives you 5GB per month for a year of service. 

While you pay for the entire year’s worth of service up front, you get 5GB of data each month. All plan data can be used as hotspot data. You get unlimited slow data after the 5GB, but hotspot data is capped. 

The plan costs $15 per month and $180 annually. At this rate, you get 5GB per month at $3 per GB.

5GB Monthly

This plan gives you 5GB per month, and you pay monthly instead of annually. 

This plan gives you 5GB per month. All plan data is usable as hotspot data. Again, the plan gives you unlimited slow data at 64 kbps after the initial cap.

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB per month at $4 per GB. 

20GB Annual

This plan also gives you unlimited slow data after the 10GB cap.

You get 20GB per month for a year of service. Again, your plan gives you the ability to use all plan data as hotspot data. While you get unlimited slow data at 64 kbps after 20GB, you cannot use hotspot data after this cap. 

The plan costs $25 per month and $300 annually. At this rate, you get 20GB per month at $1.25 per GB.

20GB Monthly 

This plan gives you 20GB for $30 per month. 

With this plan, you get 20GB per month. Again, this can be used as hotspot data until the cap. Afterwards, you get unlimited slow data without hotspot access. 

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.50 per GB. 

Unlimited Annual

This plan offers their highest data allotment.

As one of Red Pocket Mobile’s biggest plans, this plan offers 30GB per month for a year. You also get hotspot access for all plan data until the cap. Much like other plans they offer, you get unlimited slow data at 64 kbps after the cap. 

The plan costs $30 per month, or $360 annually. At this rate, you get 30GB per month at $1 per GB.

Unlimited Monthly 

This plan is Red Pocket Mobile’s most expensive plan. 

Red Pocket Mobile offers you 30GB per month with this plan. Like their other plans, you get to use all plan data as hotspot data until the cap. After, you get unlimited slow data.

The plan costs $40 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $1.33 per GB.

Features - Visible vs. Red Pocket Mobile

Visible offers more features with their plans. 

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 more features with their plans, such as domestic roaming and spam protection. However, Red Pocket Mobile includes better streaming quality.

Domestic Roaming Data

Visible offers domestic roaming data on their plans. Red Pocket Mobile 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. Red Pocket Mobile offers talk in Mexico and Canada with all plans and text with their annual plans. 

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.  Red Pocket Mobile offers international talk with all of their plans, and text with their annual plans only. 

Video Streaming Quality

Visible’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. All Red Pocket Mobile plans offer 720p High Definition streaming.

Streaming Services

Visible and Red Pocket Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Visible and Red Pocket Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

Visible and Red Pocket Mobile do 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. Red Pocket Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Visible offers a 15 day free trial. Red Pocket Mobile does not offer a free trial.   

Customer Service 

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

Both Visible and Red Pocket Mobile are digital-only carriers, meaning they only offer customer support online. Visible offers 24/7 chat support from a live agent. Red Pocket Mobile also offers 24/7 chat support from a live agent, or you can call at (712) 775-8777 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and text at (305) 842-3314 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 

The Verdict

The better carrier completely depends on what you’re looking for.  

Visible and Red Pocket Mobile have very few similarities despite being MVNOs with access to the same carrier. As such, the better carrier depends on what you need from a plan. If you don’t use much data at all, you’ll find a better deal with Red Pocket Mobile’s plans. If you use a lot of data and travel often, Visible is the better choice.  

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

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, 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!

MVNO Pricing Categories: Finding the Right Plan for Your Needs

MVNOs in the U.S. can be divided into different pricing categories to help users find the best plan based on their budget and usage. Low-cost MVNOs, like Mint Mobile, offer affordable options with limited data starting as low as $15/month, making them ideal for budget-conscious users. Mid-tier MVNOs, such as Cricket Wireless and Visible, offer more data or unlimited plans at moderate prices ranging from $30-$50/month, providing a balance of value and performance. 

High-end MVNOs, like Google Fi and Visible+, offer premium features like international coverage and priority data for around $45-$65/month, appealing to heavy data users or frequent travelers. Lastly, pay-as-you-go MVNOs, like Ting, are perfect for light users who want flexible pricing based on their actual usage. Understanding these categories can help you choose the best MVNO based on your data needs and budget. Let’s break down how Visible compares to each of these categories. 

Comparing the Best MVNOs in Each Pricing Category to Visible's Plans

Visible’s plans are often a popular choice when deciding between MVNOs due to their simplicity and value, but how do they stack up against other top MVNOs in each pricing category? Let’s break it down:

Mint Mobile vs. Visible

• Mint Mobile: Mint offers some of the most budget-friendly options in the market, with plans starting at just $15/month for 4 GB of data if you pay for 3-12 months upfront. Mint is perfect for users who don’t mind paying upfront to secure a lower monthly rate and don’t need unlimited data.
• Visible ($25/month): For $25/month, Visible offers unlimited talk, text, and data without requiring any prepayment for months in advance. Unlike Mint’s limited data, Visible’s base plan provides unlimited data, though speeds can be deprioritized in high-traffic areas. Visible is the better choice for those wanting unlimited data at a consistently low price without having to commit to longer-term payments upfront.

Verdict: Mint is the better option if you’re a light data user and value the lowest possible cost. However, Visible offers unmatched value in this price category if you want unlimited data for just $25/month.

Total by Verizon vs. Visible 

• Total by Verizon ($30/month): This plan includes 5 GB of high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and access to Verizon’s network. Once you exceed 5 GB, your speeds are reduced. 
• Visible ($25/month): For $5 less, Visible provides unlimited talk, text, and data with no data caps, though speeds may be deprioritized in times of network congestion. It’s an ideal choice for users who want more flexibility with data usage, especially for heavy users who prefer not to monitor their data consumption.

Verdict: Visible completely outmatches Total by Verizon. Both MVNOs leverage Verizon’s network, but Visible offers way more in their two cell phone plans. Want a deeper dive? Check out our Total by Verizon vs. Visible Pros and Cons article for all the info you need!

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Google Fi vs. Visible+ 

• Google Fi: Google Fi offers an unlimited plan starting at $50/month, with access to multiple networks (T-Mobile, US Cellular) and flexible international roaming in 200+ countries. The plan includes 50 GB of premium data, similar to Visible+, but comes at a slightly higher price. Google Fi’s advantage lies in its seamless global coverage, making it ideal for frequent international travelers.
• Visible+ ($45/month): Visible+ offers similar perks with 50 GB of premium data and access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband, but at a lower cost. While it also includes international calling and texting, Google Fi’s advantage lies in its more extensive international coverage for those who travel often.

Verdict: For $45/month, Visible+ is the better option for most users, especially those who primarily stay within the U.S. However, Google Fi may be worth the extra cost for international travelers who need consistent global roaming.