Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by Ewen Finser
As a digital nomad and tech journalist I’ve spent years trying to find reliable but affordable wireless coverage in the USA.
After many weeks of testing various carriers, I’ve come to the conclusion that Visible by Verizon stands head and shoulders above the rest.
It’s the best choice for anyone who wants transparent pricing, unlimited data, and broad coverage. Unlike other cell plans I’ve tried, there are no hidden fees or miniscule data limits.
If you’re considering switching providers then you need to understand what Visible by Verizon can do for you.
Bottom Line Up Front
The main feature of Visible by Verizon that got my attention is that it offers the very best value I’ve seen for a truly ‘unlimited’ data plan. There are no limits on how much you can download, whether you use a mobile hotspot or not.
For $20 – $40 per month (including all taxes and fees), you get unlimited talk, text, and data. That’s it. No small print, no hidden charges. Just a reliable, affordable, wireless carrier service.
The only major drawback I found is that customer support is chat only. I’m one of those people who doesn’t need their hand held when carrying out activities like installing SIMs but your requirements may be different.
You’re also getting a reliable service for a fraction of the cost you’d pay competitors like AT&T or T-Mobile. That’s why I stand by what I said: for most people Visible by Verizon is the best deal on the market right now.
Why I switched
I’ve spent almost three years now bouncing between cities and some pretty remote rural areas for work. During that time I’ve tried out several different wireless carriers and grew sick of some of their endless “gotchas”.
From AT&T’s unpredictable bills to T-Mobile’s piecemeal coverage outside major cities, I always had this nagging sense I was paying a lot for very little.
If you’ve ever been in this situation, you’ll know that you want a wireless plan that ‘just works’. No hidden charges or nasty surprises, just affordable and trustworthy coverage.
I was skeptical at first when I saw Verizon’s pitch. Could Visible really offer unlimited everything without a catch?
But I have to tell you, I’m around three months in now and have done it all: cross-country trips, remote working in the middle of nowhere, downloading colossal amounts of data, and Visible hasn’t let me down yet.
Visible by Verizon: At a Glance
Plans
Like I said, this was the first thing that caught my eye about Verizon’s offering.
Currently you can sign up with a special discount code (SAVE5), which knocks $5 off monthly prices. There are three main plans:
- Visible ($20 per month)
- Visible+ ($30 per month)
- Visible+ Pro ($40 per month)
The features are slightly different depending on your plan. You can also save by paying for a year’s subscription in one go (see below).
Network
This was another major reason I hitched my wagon to Verizon’s star, as Visible runs on its 4G LTE and 5G networks. (5G ultra wideband is available for the premium plans).
Verizon’s coverage includes 99% of the US population, meaning it performs well in both the town and the country.
Hotspot
If you’re a digital nomad like me or just appreciate being able to use data on the go, then you’ll appreciate Visible’s hotspot policy. In brief, you have unlimited use of your phone as a WiFi connection.
Admittedly, the speeds will vary depending on your plan. For instance, the ‘+’ subscription offers twice the speeds of the standard ‘Visible’ plan. The ‘+ Pro’ subscription includes triple the speed of the ‘Visible’ plan.
International Options
All Visible by Verizon plans include unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada when in the USA. This is very useful if your partner lives in the Great White North as mine does(!)
If you choose the ‘+’ or ‘+Pro’ plans you also get unlimited data and free calls/texts to other North American territories like the US Virgin Islands.
‘Pro’ subscribers also get 500 minutes per month to call over 85 other countries, and unlimited texts to over 200.
If you choose the regular ‘Visible’ plan then you can still get unlimited talk and text, as well as 2 GB of data for your mobile hotspot in 140+ countries if you sign up for a ‘Global Pass’ This costs $10 per day.
‘Visible +’ and ‘Visible +Pro’ subscribers get one or two free ‘Global Pass’ days per month respectively. You can bank up unused days (max twelve at a time).
Extras
Aside from the Global Pass, the only extra fee you might pay with Visible is for the ‘Smartwatch service’. This costs $10 per month on the ‘Visible’ and ‘Visible+’ plans but is included in the ‘Pro’ plan.
After doing some calculations on the back of an envelope I quickly realized that if you do have a smartwatch, you might as well sign up for the ‘Pro’ plan as it’s cost ($40 per month) is the same as the ‘+’ plan plus the $10 monthly fee for connecting your watch.
Visible Plans in Depth
Visible
As I said, this plan currently costs $20 per month, though you can save $25 by paying $275 for a one-year subscription.
For this, you’ll get:
- Unlimited data, talk & text on Verizon’s 5G & 4G LTE networks
- Unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada (while in USA)
- High-risk spam and robocalls blocked
- Unlimited use of mobile hotspot (up to 5 Mbps)
- Up to 480 SD quality video
Who it’s For:
I’d recommend this plan for people on a shoestring budget, or who don’t need high-speed Internet. For instance, 5 Mbps is just enough to stream a standard video on Netflix but you might see some buffering.
Visible+
This plan is currently $30 per month. You can save $45 by paying $375 for an entire year’s subscription.
For this you’ll get everything in the Visible plan, as well as:
- Unlimited ‘premium’ data on Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, as well as its 4G LTE network.
- Unlimited use of mobile hotspot (up to 10 Mbps)
- Unlimited data while roaming Mexico and Canada
- Up to 1080p HD quality video
- One ‘Global Pass’ day per month
Who it’s for:
If you make regular trips north or south of the border the unlimited data will come in useful. The extra speed also makes the ‘+’ plan suitable for streaming HD video and moderate gaming.
Visible+ Pro
This plan costs $40 per month, although you can save $90 per year by paying $450 in one go.
It includes everything in the ‘Visible’ and ‘Visible+’ plans as well as:
- Unlimited use of mobile hotspot (up to 15 Mbps)
- 4K video streaming
- Smartwatch service
- International calling to 85+ countries and texting to 200+
- Two free ‘Global Pass’ days per month.
Who it’s for:
As a smartwatch owner, signing up for the ‘Pro’ plan was a no-brainer for me given you can connect it at no extra cost. If you work remotely or regularly perform bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming 4K video, then this plan is also a top choice.
What I Like About Visible by Verizon
Transparent pricing with no surprises
If you’ve ever tried reading a pricing page like, say, the one for AT&T’s unlimited plans I guarantee you’ll get a headache. Prices don’t include taxes and fees, plus even if you’re eligible for a discount e.g. as a first responder, this doesn’t kick in until two billing cycles have gone by.
On the other hand, I found Visible’s pricing to be refreshingly honest. There are no activation charges, and the price you see on the page includes all taxes and other fees. Even the smartwatch service add-on is clearly priced at $10 per month, plus you can avoid this by signing up for a ‘Pro’ subscription.
Unlimited Hotspot Data
Most wireless carriers (you know who you are) will give you a certain amount of hotspot data then either cut you off or slow down your connection so much that it’s effectively useless.
Visible’s been a game changer for someone like me who regularly needs to tether their laptop for work. With it I’ve streamed video calls on Zoom, uploaded large files to servers, and even indulged in a little light gaming – all without issue.
Admittedly speeds are capped: from up to 5 Mbps for the standard ‘Visible’ plan to up to 15 Mbps for the ‘Pro’ tier but there’s no limit on the overall data you can download.
Network Reliability
I took a gander at Verizon’s website before signing up and found the carrier has won multiple awards over the years for network coverage, particularly for reliability and its 5G speeds.
After my SIM was installed I decided to put this to the test on my travels. Coverage was strong in urban areas but I wanted to push the envelope further. While visiting family, I streamed a 4K film and downloaded some hefty ISO files in rural Virginia.
Performance was excellent, though bear in mind I was using the ‘premium data’ on the Pro plan, so you may not get the same results if you’re using a regular ‘Visible’ subscription.
Simple sign up
Of all the platforms I’ve reviewed, Visible offers one of the easiest registration processes I’ve ever been through.
The whole process from the time I decided to sign up to the eSIM being activated on my phone took under eight minutes. The companion app also lets you manage your account with a few finger taps.
This made a refreshing change to waiting in line at the T-Mobile store for almost half an hour before I could even try to sign up.
What I Don’t Like About Visible by Verizon
Chat-only customer support
I should stress that I don’t personally dislike the fact there’s no in-store or telephone support. But as I said above, I have a tech background so am comfortable poring over support documentation to find solutions as problems arise.
If you’re not that kind of person (and there’s no shame in that), then you may prefer more personalized help if you run into account issues or technical glitches. If this is a dealbreaker for you, you may need to find another wireless carrier who’ll let you talk to a human being.
Network deprioritization on ‘Visible’ plan
Internet traffic for the lowest-cost ‘Visible’ tier (currently $20 per month) is subject to deprioritization during periods of heavy network congestion.
In other words, if too many other people are also using their data connections then yours can slow down.
I didn’t experience this, as I decided $40 per month for the ‘Pro’ plan was a bargain, but if you’re on a budget then this may affect you – especially if you’re downloading a lot of data in a busy area like a city.
No multi-line discounts/family plans
Competitors like AT&T offer discounts if you’re willing to rent multiple ‘unlimited’ lines, which can save you money.
That said the AT&T unlimited starter plan is $35.99 per month for four lines, but you only get 5GB of hotspot data per month, after which speeds slow to just 128 Kbpbs making it virtually unusable.
For just $4 more per person, per month you can get a Visible by Verizon’s top-tier ‘Pro’ subscription with no deprioritization and unlimited hotspot data. Ask yourself: which offers you better value for money?
Who should use Visible by Verizon?
I’ve already outlined how I felt Visible matched my needs, as I just wanted a reliable, affordable way to get online as a digital nomad. I’d say it’s also the best choice if you:
Are on a Budget
The savings you can make by signing up for a Visible unlimited plan are pretty substantial i.e. around half what you’d pay Verizon’s competitors like AT&T. You also won’t get any “bill shock” as pricing is clearly laid out.
Digital Nomads/Remote Workers
If you need the Internet for your job then Visible’s unlimited hotspot data can come in very useful, especially in rural areas thanks to Verizon’s extensive network coverage.
International travelers
All Visible plans support free talk and text to people in Canada and Mexico. Premium tiers also support unlimited data in those countries as well as free ‘Global Pass’ days.
Final Thoughts
Visible by Verizon is changing the face of wireless coverage in the USA. If you’re someone like me who likes to keep things simple, reliable, and affordable then I suggest you make the switch as I did. The unlimited hotspot data alone makes it worth your while.