Visible Review 2026: Unlimited Verizon for $25/Month – Worth It?

Looking for unlimited data on Verizon's network without the Verizon price tag? Visible is one of the few carriers that actually delivers on the "unlimited for $25" promise – with taxes included.

What is Visible?

Visible is Verizon's digital-only prepaid brand, launched in 2018 to compete with T-Mobile's Mint Mobile and AT&T's Cricket. The pitch is simple: strip away stores, phone support, and complexity – pass the savings to customers.

The result? Truly unlimited Verizon data for $25/month, taxes included. No other Verizon MVNO matches this price point for unlimited service.

Key facts:

• Parent company: Verizon Communications
• Network: Verizon 4G LTE and 5G (same towers as postpaid)
• Founded: 2018
• Support: App and chat only (no phone support)
• Stores: None (100% online)

Visible Plans Breakdown

Visible keeps it simple with three plans:

Current Visible pricing with SWITCH26 promo code

Visible Basic – $25/month

Visible+ – $45/month

Which plan should you choose?

The $25 Basic plan works great for most people, especially if you're in suburban or rural areas where network congestion isn't an issue. Only upgrade to Visible+ if:

• You live in a major city with consistent congestion
• You need international roaming to Mexico/Canada
• You want faster hotspot speeds for working remotely

No Hidden Fees – Seriously

One thing we appreciate: Visible publishes their Broadband Facts labels upfront. What you see is what you pay.

Visible's Broadband Facts labels show zero hidden fees

Our Scoring Breakdown

We rate carriers on 11 objective criteria. Here's how Visible performed:

Bonus factors (not in base score):

• Taxes & fees included: ✅ Yes
• Unlimited hotspot: ✅ Yes

Network Coverage and Speeds

Visible uses Verizon's network – the same towers that Verizon postpaid customers use. Coverage extends to approximately:

• 70% of US geography
• 99% of US population

Visible runs on Verizon's network covering 99% of the US population

Real-World Speed Tests

We tested Visible across multiple scenarios:

The deprioritization reality:

On Visible's $25 plan, you're always at QCI 9 – the lowest priority tier. This means:

• Off-peak hours: You'll rarely notice any difference from premium
• Peak hours in cities: Speeds can drop to 5-15 Mbps
• Crowded events: Significant slowdowns (but still usable for messaging)

For most daily activities (streaming, social media, video calls), even deprioritized speeds are sufficient. You'll only feel the pinch at packed stadiums or downtown rush hour.

The $25 vs $45 Debate

This is the key decision for most Visible customers. Here's the honest breakdown:

Choose Basic ($25) if:

• You live in suburban or rural areas
• You're usually on WiFi at home/work
• You don't need Mexico/Canada roaming
• 5 Mbps hotspot is enough for you
• You want maximum savings

Choose Visible+ ($45) if:

• You're in NYC, LA, Chicago, or other major metros
• You rely heavily on cellular (no home WiFi)
• You travel to Mexico or Canada
• You need full-speed hotspot for laptop tethering
• You attend concerts, sports events, or festivals regularly

My recommendation: Start with the $25 plan. You can always upgrade if speeds disappoint. Most people find Basic is plenty.

Hotspot and Tethering

One of Visible's standout features is unlimited hotspot on both plans – rare at this price point.

Basic plan hotspot:

• Unlimited data
• Capped at 5 Mbps
• Sufficient for: email, web browsing, light streaming
• Not great for: video calls, multiple devices, streaming in HD

Visible+ hotspot:

• Unlimited data
• Full LTE/5G speeds
• Great for: working remotely, multiple devices, HD streaming

I used Visible+ hotspot as a home internet backup for a week – it handled Zoom calls, Netflix, and general work without issues. The $25 plan's 5 Mbps cap is limiting but workable for basic tasks.

Is Visible Good for Digital Nomads?

Short answer: Yes, especially on Visible+.

Digital nomads and remote workers have specific needs that Visible handles well:

Why digital nomads love Visible:

• Unlimited hotspot – No data caps for tethering laptops
• 4K streaming works – On Visible+, users report streaming 4K video, downloading large files, and running video calls simultaneously
• eSIM activation in minutes – One user reported activation in under 8 minutes
• Global Pass for Canada – Essential for those who cross the border
• No contracts – Cancel anytime, perfect for nomadic lifestyles
• Predictable billing – No surprise fees, taxes included

Real user experience:

"As a digital nomad, the mobile hotspot without data caps feature was the most important to me. I stream 4K videos, download hefty ISOs on the road, and need to attend video calls. So far, hotspot hasn't let me down yet." — r/Visible user

Which plan for digital nomads?

Most nomads should choose Visible+ ($45) because:

• Full-speed hotspot (not capped at 5 Mbps)
• 50GB premium data for congested areas
• Canada and Mexico roaming included
• Video calls and heavy uploads need the extra bandwidth

The $25 Basic plan's 5 Mbps hotspot cap will frustrate anyone doing video calls or streaming.

Concerts, Stadiums & Crowded Events

This is where Visible's deprioritization hits hardest. At packed venues, Verizon postpaid customers get bandwidth first.

What to expect:

• Basic plan ($25): Speeds can drop to 1-5 Mbps or worse
• Visible+ ($45): Better with 50GB premium data, but still affected after that

Real-world performance at events:

• Sending texts: Usually works
• Loading Instagram/TikTok: Slow but functional
• Streaming video: Likely won't work well
• Video calls: Probably not happening

Pro tip: If you regularly attend concerts, sports games, or festivals and need reliable data during the event, Visible may frustrate you. Consider a carrier with true premium priority, or just accept you'll be on WiFi or waiting until you leave.

Security Assessment

Security is a key part of our 11-point scoring. Here's Visible's security posture:

The good: Visible has no data breaches on record, and 2FA is available to protect your account.

The concern: No SIM PIN protection option, which could make SIM swap attacks easier. However, Visible uses eSIM primarily, which is inherently more secure than physical SIMs.

Customer Service Experience

Visible is chat-only – no phone support, no stores. This is how they keep costs low.

What works well:

• Chat available 24/7 in the app
• Most simple issues resolved quickly
• Self-service for plan changes, payments, etc.
• Good knowledge base and FAQs

What frustrates people:

• Complex issues can take multiple chat sessions
• No phone support for urgent problems
• Wait times vary (sometimes instant, sometimes 30+ minutes)
• Bot-first approach before reaching humans

Our experience: Simple issues (billing questions, plan changes) were handled efficiently. A porting issue took three chat sessions over two days to resolve – frustrating, but eventually fixed.

If you value being able to call someone, Visible isn't for you. If you're comfortable with chat support, it's adequate.

Activation and Porting

Setting up Visible is straightforward – most users are up and running in under 10 minutes with eSIM.

What you'll need:

• Compatible unlocked phone
• Valid email address
• Payment method
• Account number and PIN from old carrier (for porting)

Steps:

1. Download the Visible app
2. Check phone compatibility
3. Choose your plan
4. Order eSIM (instant) or physical SIM (2-3 days)
5. Follow activation prompts
6. Port your number (usually 5-15 minutes)

The Visible app is highly rated: 4.5 stars on iOS (98.8K ratings) and 4.4 on Android (35.9K ratings)

Compatibility requirements:

• Phone must be unlocked
• Must support Verizon LTE bands (2, 4, 13, 66)
• For 5G: phone must have Verizon 5G band support
• Most phones from 2019+ work fine

Visible sells popular phones like iPhone 17 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro, and Motorola razr with financing options

eSIM vs Physical SIM

eSIM advantages:

• Instant activation (users report under 8 minutes)
• No waiting for shipping
• More secure (can't be physically stolen)
• Easy to switch devices

Physical SIM advantages:

• Some users report fewer activation issues
• Works on older phones without eSIM support
• Easier to swap between phones

Our recommendation: Try eSIM first. If you run into issues, request a physical SIM as backup.

How to Avoid Porting Problems

Porting issues are the #1 complaint with Visible activations. Here's how to avoid them:

Before you start:

1. Verify your account number and PIN with your current carrier – call them to confirm
2. Don't cancel your old service – let the port complete first
3. Ensure your phone is fully unlocked – not just "paid off"
4. Remove any old eSIMs from your device settings

Common porting issues and fixes:

If something goes wrong: Visible support can usually resolve porting issues within 24-48 hours via chat. Frustrating, but they do fix it eventually.

Visible vs The Competition

How does Visible stack up against other budget carriers?

Visible wins on: Price for truly unlimited, taxes included, no throttling, Verizon coverage

Visible loses on: Customer support options, SIM security, build-a-plan flexibility

Visible vs Tello

Tello matches Visible's $25 price point but runs on T-Mobile instead of Verizon. Key differences:

• Tello: More flexible plans, can build your own
• Visible: Truly unlimited, no data caps at all
• Coverage: Depends on your location (check both maps)

Visible vs US Mobile

US Mobile offers more networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) but starts higher:

• US Mobile: More flexibility, premium data options
• Visible: Simpler, cheaper for unlimited
• Winner: Visible for value, US Mobile for features

Who Should Get Visible?

Final Verdict

After extensive testing, Visible earns its spot as one of the top budget carriers. The combination of:

• Truly unlimited data
• Verizon network coverage
• Taxes included
• $25 price point

...is unmatched in the market. The tradeoffs (deprioritization, chat-only support) are reasonable for the savings.

Our Final Ratings

Bottom line: If you want unlimited data on Verizon's network without breaking the bank, Visible is the answer. Start with the $25 plan – upgrade to Visible+ only if you need priority data or international roaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Visible really unlimited? Yes. No data caps, no throttling. You may experience slower speeds during network congestion (deprioritization), but your data never stops or gets throttled to 2G.

Does Visible work with my phone? Most unlocked phones from 2019+ work. Check compatibility at visible.com. Your phone must support Verizon LTE bands and be carrier-unlocked.

Can I keep my phone number? Yes. You can port your existing number during activation. You'll need your account number and PIN from your current carrier.

Is Visible owned by Verizon? Yes. Visible is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon, launched in 2018 as their digital-only budget brand.

What's the difference between Visible and Verizon Prepaid? Visible is cheaper ($25 vs $65+), but Verizon Prepaid offers in-store support and some premium data priority. Visible is better value; Verizon Prepaid offers more support options.

Does Visible have 5G? Yes. Both plans include 5G access. Visible+ adds access to Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G network.

Is Visible good for digital nomads and remote workers? Yes, especially on Visible+. The unlimited hotspot, fast eSIM activation, and Canada roaming make it popular with remote workers. The $25 plan's 5 Mbps hotspot cap limits video calls though – most nomads choose Visible+.

Does Visible work at concerts and sporting events? Poorly on the Basic plan. Deprioritization hits hardest in crowded venues. Visible+ helps with 50GB premium data, but you'll still experience slowdowns at packed events. Texting usually works; video streaming usually doesn't.

How long does Visible eSIM activation take? Most users report 5-10 minutes for eSIM activation. Physical SIM takes 2-3 days shipping plus activation time.

Is Visible good for rural areas? Mixed results. Verizon has strong rural coverage in many areas, but some users report dead zones in remote regions (especially parts of Texas and the Mountain West). Check Verizon's coverage map for your specific area.

Can I stream 4K video on Visible hotspot? On Visible+, yes. Users report successfully streaming 4K, downloading large files, and running multiple video calls. The $25 Basic plan caps hotspot at 5 Mbps, which limits streaming to 480p.

Why can't I text Android users after switching to Visible? Common issue when porting. Go to Settings > Cellular, disable your old carrier's line, and enable the Visible line. If using an iPhone, also try disabling and re-enabling iMessage.

Should I get eSIM or physical SIM? Try eSIM first – it's faster (instant vs 2-3 day shipping) and more secure. If you have activation issues, you can always request a physical SIM as backup.

What's Visible's BBB and Trustpilot rating? Visible has a B rating with the Better Business Bureau and 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot (based on 2,900+ reviews). J.D. Power ranked Visible in the top 3 Value MVNOs for 2026.

Does Visible work in Canada and Mexico? Only on Visible+ ($45). You get talk, text, and 2GB/day of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico. The $25 Basic plan is US-only.

How to Sign Up

Ready to try Visible? Here's the process:

1. Visit visible.com or download the app
2. Check your phone's compatibility
3. Choose Basic ($25) or Visible+ ($45)
4. Select eSIM for instant activation
5. Port your number or get a new one
6. Start saving immediately

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links, at no extra cost to you. This doesn't affect our ratings – Visible earned its 10/11 score through our objective 11-point methodology.