Visible Wireless is probably better for those who want truly unlimited data, as long as you’re okay with somewhat slower data speeds. It also offers way better family plan deals. But if you’re just looking for a cheap plan with 4–15 GB of data, then Mint Mobile gives you unbeatable value and faster data speeds. We’ll get into all the nitty-gritty details in this review. First, a few tips to help you choose the perfect cell phone plan.
Data: Know how much data you need each month and get a plan that gives you what you enough (but not too much more). Remember, not all data is created equal, so be sure your carrier has data speeds that match your needs. Price: You may think you’re getting a good deal, but there’s no way to know until you look at the competition. Compare prices before signing up so you don’t have to switch later. Coverage: The three major networks run by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer pretty great coverage. But one may have better service in your area. Check out the coverage maps to see which is best. Features: Do you want to use your phone as a mobile hotspot? Do you enjoy extra perks, like free subscriptions to streaming services? Do you need international coverage for your business travel?
So the price difference between these plans really comes down to one thing: data. Then there’s the “unlimited” data option, which is actually more like a 35 GB option. With this plan you’ll get 35 GB of 4G LTE data, but after you reach the cap, you can see speeds plummet. Another thing that’s important to understand about these data plans is that your data will always be subject to deprioritization. That means your data can be slowed down when the network is busy even before you reach your data cap. For example, the company’s 4 GB plan will go from $15 a month to $25 a month once the promo period ends. That’s a significant rate hike. You can keep the $15 a month price, but you have to sign up for a full year to do so. Here’s a look at the fine print from Mint.
Unlimited talk, text, and data Access to 5G networks where available (and with a 5G-capable device) Coverage on Verizon’s huge network Unlimited hotspot data Deals on the newest phones
The fact that you get all this for just $40 makes Visible’s plan one of the best on the market. But we’re not just here to give you a list of pros. There are some cons as well, mainly having to do with data throttling and deprioritization. That’s still enough speed for many basic tasks, like streaming music and video. But if you’re someone who needs reliably fast data for gaming, posting, streaming, or working, then it’s probably best to find another carrier (maybe AT&T or Verizon). Or be sure you stay in a 5G-serviced area, where your data speeds will still be throttled, but you’ll get speeds of at least 200 Mbps! Visible customers will always have their data throttled at 5–12 Mbps. That means your data speeds should almost never be below 5 Mbps or above 12 Mbps (unless you’re connected to the 5G network), no matter how much data you use. Mint customers will have a data cap of 4–35 GB, depending on which plan they purchase. Data speeds can still be reduced before reaching that cap because of deprioritization, but, in general, they shouldn’t get too slow (and may be faster than Visible’s speeds). Once customers reach the data cap, however, speeds can plummet to way below Visible’s floor of 5 Mbps, to the point where it may be impossible to stream music and videos or even load some basic apps. Both Mint and Visible offer family plans, but we’ll tell you up front that Visible’s family plan option is way more impressive when it comes to saving you money. We’ll go into the details below, starting with Mint. But Mint’s family plans are missing one thing, and it’s a big thing. There are no discounts for adding additional lines. None, nada, zippo. Take the example below: you’ve got four lines, two of them with 4 GB of data and two of them with 15 GB of data. Visible’s Party Pay lines come with all the perks and features of its normal individual lines, including 5G access, mobile hotspot use, and independent bill management (so you don’t have Venmo your buddy money for your phone bill every month). Visible’s Verizon-powered network will get you the very best coverage in the nation. You’ll have more bars in more areas than your buddies on AT&T or T-Mobile. It’s a great option for those who travel a lot or live in rural areas. Meanwhile, Mint’s T-Mobile-powered network offers up the largest 5G infrastructure and the fastest 4G speeds in the industry. It’s a great network for those who live in metropolitan areas and do a lot of work or gaming on their phones. Here’s how the networks stack up in terms of download and upload speeds.
Plans: Mint Mobile has several very affordable plans with 4–15 GB of data that are great for folks who don’t need unlimited data. Visible offers just one plan, and it comes with unlimited talk, text, and data for just $40. Family plans: You can add extra lines to your Mint Mobile account, but you won’t see any cost savings when you do. Visible, on the other hand, offers some incredible discounts when you add a second, third, and fourth line. Coverage and performance: Mint uses T-Mobile’s super-fast network and tends to offer faster data (at least until you hit your data cap). Visible runs on Verizon’s network, which offers unparalleled nationwide coverage, but its speeds will stay in the 5–12 Mbps range.
That’s all we’ve got for this Mint vs. Visible review. We hope that we’ve helped you find the perfect phone plan!
