Visible vs. T-Mobile Prepaid: Which carrier is better?

‍Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid are popular prepaid carriers that offer high-speed data for cheaper prices than their competitors. Visible is best known for their simple, budget-friendly plans, while T-Mobile Prepaid is a branch of the T-Mobile tree which of course we know to be one of the “big three” in wireless. 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 - How do Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid Compare?

Visible is on the Verizon network, while T-Mobile Prepaid is a section of T-Mobile’s plan lineup. 

Visible is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. 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 T-Mobile Prepaid is a specific section of T-Mobile’s own plans.

MVNO - What Should You Know:

A common aspect of MVNOs you should know about is they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

‍Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

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.

Verizon has the most nation-wide 4G LTE coverage out of every wireless carrier in the country which is no small feat. Covering over 70% of the country, Verizon has had it’s footprints all over the map giving reliable coverage to even the most rural of areas when it comes to LTE.

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. So you can expect some pretty solid 5G speeds from T-Mobile’s prepaid plans- (T-Mobile’s prepaid and postpaid both access the same network coverage). Their 4G LTE isn’t as widespread as their two major competitors, Verizon and AT&T, but it’s by no means a dealbreaker.

Another good way to look at your coverage options is to go directly to the source and see what the Visible and T-Mobile coverage maps look like from the websites themselves, then you can see the Visible Wireless Coverage Map here and the T-Mobile Prepaid Coverage Map here.

Plan Options - A Close Look at Visible vs. T-Mobile Prepaid

Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid both offer premium data. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Both companies offer premium data on specific plans, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Both companies also deprioritize data, which you know means 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 two plans – Visible Base and Visible+. Visible+ offers more features as well as premium data. Both plans offer a hotspot, with that data coming from your overall plan data. As an MVNO on Verizon’s network, Visible is on QCI tier 9. Visible+ has higher priority for its 50GB of premium data, which will be further explained below.

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. As you can see there are a lot of Pros and Cons with Visible Wireless, so it’s always good to read up before you sign up!

Visible Base

This plan is always deprioritized.

As we said before, 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, so you have access to Visible’s high-speed data no matter how much you use, but they can’t guarantee that it will stay consistent at all times.

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. 

This plan has two payment options, you can either pay monthly or annually. 

The Visible Base Monthly plan is $25 per month (taxes and fees included) and the Visible Base Annual plan is $275 a year (taxes and fees included, save $25 with this payment option).

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 50GBs 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 Visible Base plan. The mobile hotspot is also premium data for the first 50GB at speeds up to 10Mbps, then is deprioritized after. 

This plan has two payment options, you can either pay monthly or annually. 

The Visible+ Monthly plan is $45 per month (taxes and fees included) and the Visible+ Annual plan is $395 a year (taxes and fees included, save $145 with this payment option). At this rate, you get the 50GB of premium data at $0.90 per GB.

T-Mobile Prepaid Plans

T-Mobile Prepaid plans offer premium data. 

T-Mobile Prepaid offers four  different plans, one being limited data and the other three unlimited. You can have up to four lines on these plans. The QCI value of these plans is 6, which is the highest tier.

If you purchase your phone from T-Mobile Prepaid, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. When it comes to prepaid versus postpaid phone plans, there are a lot of pros and cons to each, just like phone carriers themselves. What side fits your phone use more? Let’s find out: Prepaid vs. postpaid plans: which type of plan is better for you?

Prepaid 10GB Plan

This plan gives you 10GB of high-speed data.

T-Mobile Prepaid’s only limited plan has 10GB of high-speed data. Data speeds slow to 2G speeds once you’ve used your 10GB of data. The plan also includes mobile hotspot access that uses your 10GB and stops once you use this amount. 

The plan costs $40 per month. At this rate, you get 10GB at $4 per GB. 

Prepaid Unlimited Promo Plan

This plan gives you domestic unlimited mobile hotspot data, but at slower speeds after 3GB. 

This plan gives you access to 50GB of high-speed data, which then becomes unlimited but deprioritized. You also get up to 3GB of domestic high-speed mobile hotspot data, and then is throttled to 3G speeds after that. 3G speeds allow you to scroll social media and send texts or emails, but streaming video or playing games will be slower. 

The plan costs $55 per month. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1.10 per GB. 

Prepaid Unlimited Plan

This plan gives you unlimited mobile hotspot data, but at slower speeds after 3GB. 

This plan, like their other unlimited prepaid plan, gives you 50GB of premium data. Data becomes deprioritized after the 50GB. You also get up to 3GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, and then is throttled to 3G speeds after that. After you use the 3GB, data slows to 3G speeds. 

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1 per GB. 

Prepaid Unlimited Plus Plan

This plan gives you 10GB high-speed mobile hotspot data included. 

This plan, like their other unlimited prepaid plan, gives you 50GB of premium data. Data becomes deprioritized after the 50GB. You also get up to 10GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, and then is throttled to 3G speeds after that. After you use the 10GB, data slows to 3G speeds. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1.20 per GB.

Features - Visible vs. T-Mobile Prepaid

While both carriers offer pretty good deals for their customers, there are some differences in the features and benefits that may entice you to pick one over the other. If you’re a frequent traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get.

Visible offers more included 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 included features, such as international capabilities, than T-Mobile Prepaid plans. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid plans offer domestic roaming data.

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 2GBs of roaming data per day that slows down to 2G speeds after you use it each day. 

T-Mobile offers talk and text to Mexico & Canada while in the U.S. on their Unlimited Promo plan, but not for their other plans. They offer an add-on for access at an additional $5 per month.

International Connection

Visible does not give you international roaming data, but you can buy it with their Global Pass. Though, Visible+ gives you international talk and text, Visible Base does not offer this feature. The Global Pass is an add-on with their plans, you can get these benefits:

T-Mobile Prepaid does not offer international text and data, but an add-on is available for international talk (when you’re in the United States) for $15 per month. 

Video Streaming Quality

Visible’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. Both of T-Mobile Prepaid’s unlimited plans stream at 720p High Definition, and their 10GB plan streams up to 4k Ultra High Definition. 

Streaming Services

Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid do not offer this feature.

Every T-Mobile plan does come with access to “T-Mobile Tuesdays” which is their program for customers to get free stuff, great deals, potential savings, and exclusive offers every Tuesday.

Music Services

Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid do not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid do not offer this feature.

Device Financing

Visible has partnered with Affirm which is a financial company and through them you can “Buy Now and Pay Later” with select phones and Smartwatches. You can get APR financing through Visible’s deal with Affirm- (note that you may need to make a down payment, so be aware of that before you look into the program). Then once you’re done paying off said loan, the device(s) are yours. More information you need on Visible and Affirm can be found here.

If you buy a phone from T-Mobile, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time.

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 and T-Mobile Prepaid both offer spam protection on both of their plans, which blocks spam calls and protects you from potential fraud. 

Free Trial

Visible offers a 15 day free trial. T-Mobile Prepaid does not offer this feature.   

Customer Service 

Visible does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. T-Mobile has thousands of stores across the country. 

Visible is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. Visible offers 24/7 chat support from a live agent. T-Mobile offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest one with their store locator. They also offer customer support online with their website live chat, their support website for common questions, and over the phone at 1-800-937-8997. 

The Verdict

Visible offers a better deal for their plans.  

When it comes to price per GB as well as included features, Visible offers a better deal on their plans than T-Mobile Prepaid does. However, if you’re looking for limited data, T-Mobile Prepaid’s 10GB plan is the obvious 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!

We’ve compared Visible with other carriers before: Visible vs. Total by Verizon: Which carrier is better?

And if you want to compare and contrast Visible and T-Mobile Prepaid to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.