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While starting this page, we compared Visible vs Mint Mobile to see which carrier would be more convenient and reliable to have. In this review, I’m going to take you back a little with a side-by-side comparison between US Mobile vs Visible wireless.
After Mint, these two have also been making the headlines lately, with many people trying to determine the best service between them. If I’m not wrong, that’s the same reason you’re my audience today.
Well, this article has covered the most asked questions about both US Mobile and Visible phone services. I’ve put together not only the features the carriers advertise to us but also those they fail to mention to us. That includes the current browsing speeds you can achieve on the 5G spectrum, plus hotspot, WiFi calling, and data throttling.
US Mobile vs Visible: A Summary on the Phone Providers
| Feature | US Mobile | Visible |
| Founded | 2015 | 2018 |
| Carrier Network | Verizon/ T-Mobile | Verizon |
| eSIM Support | YES | YES |
| Free 5G | YES | YES |
| 5G Data Speeds | 50-2000+Mbps | 50-200+Mbps |
| Lowest Phone Plan | $12 | $40 |
| Unlimited Minutes | YES | YES |
| Unlimited data | YES | YES |
| Family Discount | YES | YES (Sorta) |
| Free Mexico/ Canada Call | YES (only to Canada) | YES |
| Mobile Hotspot | YES (add-on) | YES (5Mbps data speed) |
| Video Streaming | YES [standard 480p] | YES [standard 480p] |
| Phone Unlock Period | At Purchase | After 60 Days |
| Extra Perks | Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, HBO Max, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora+, Stadia Pro, Apple Arcade, & Netflix | N/A |
| Type of Service | Online Only | Online Only |
Should I Get US Mobile?
Do you travel a lot? If you do, US Mobile has most of the things you’d want to do with your phone both locally and internationally. As an MVNO, it usually runs on both the T-Mobile and Verizon networks. And as you may know, the CDMA carrier has the largest coverage across the country.
In the case of international trips, US Mobile does provide free roaming data on various rate plans. Then, you can purchase extra add-on international data at affordable rates- from as low as $3 to $25.
Similar to Cricket and Metro services, US Mobile has also been able to borrow several entertainment perks from its host networks. It has up to thirteen options comprising of free music, video, and gaming subscriptions.
Should I Get Visible?
Do you surf the web a lot? Visible is also a good prepaid phone, and a great one if you browse the internet a lot. As we were discussing Cricket vs Visible differences, we saw the MVNO not only uses the Verizon network but also happens to be its subsidiary. And one of the benefits of this relationship is the unlimited data, which we can track back to Verizon plans.
Furthermore, Visible does include an unlimited mobile hotspot, but the speeds are capped at 5Mbps. You can also enjoy free calling or texting to Canada and Mexico. Then, there’s an option to get a whole month of service for just $5 when you bring a friend over to the service.
That means you can enjoy up to a whole year of service for just $5/ month. But then, will the five bucks be worth it? Continue reading the full visible vs US Mobile review below for a more detailed answer.
US Mobile vs Visible: Comparing the Various features & Perks of the Cell Phone Providers
1. Device Compatibility
In general, many of the devices in the market right now are 5G and or 4G LTE-capable. As such, they should be compatible with both US Mobile and Visible networks for the most part.
However, US Mobile has both Super LTE (on Verizon) and GSM lines (on T-Mobile). So, it’s not all devices will be compatible since the two carrier networks use different LTE bands.
However, T-Mobile tends to have more major LTE bands (71*, 12*, & 4*) to use than Verizon (band 13*). So, the US Mobile on the GSM line will have the easiest device compatibility.
Winner: US Mobile for more LTE bands on the GSM network.
2. Network Coverage
In this one, we’re going to settle on a tie since both MVNOs have lines running on the Verizon network. And as was mentioned earlier, Verizon happens to have the widest coverage across the country. That includes even places like Toledo and especially Oregon where T-Mobile has limited coverage.
Remember, the US Mobile GSM runs on T-Mobile bands, thereby you may experience spotty coverage in remote areas. That’s especially true through small cities like MadisonandHarney since the GSM carrier primarily focuses on the metropolises.
Winner: a Tie since both carriers utilize Verizon at some point.
3. 5G Access & Speeds
Overall, both wireless carriers should have won here since they offer free access to the 5G network, plus has access to the Verizon network. However, my points will go to US Mobile on the Super LTE line. Why is that?
On the Super LTE, you can expect up to 1-2Gbps download speeds while tapping to the 5G Ultra-Wideband. However, a lot of users have access to the Nationwide low-band network that utilizes the existing LTE infrastructure. So, you can expect browsing speeds of up to 300+Mbps or at least 50Mbps.
On the other hand, Visible also utilizes Verizon towers. However, the carrier has capped the browsing speeds to around 230Mbps, which, of course, isn’t bad when there’s no congestion. Also, the carrier tends to have high latency, reaching up to 150ms during peak hours.
4. Phone Plans & Pricing
When we now compare US Mobile vs Visible plan structure, you’ll notice the former is relatively more competitive. It currently has up to six plans with data allowance and a basic phone plan that only includes unlimited talk & texting.
| Features | 1GB Plan | 5GB Plan | 12GB Plan | 18GB Plan | 30GB Plan | Unlimited All Plan |
| 1 Line Price (Before Tax) | $12/ mo. | $15/ mo. | $20/ mo. | $25/ mo. | $30/ mo. | $45/ mo. |
| 2 Lines price (after Discount) | $12/ mo. (per line) | $15/ mo. (per line) | $20/ mo. (per line) | $25/ mo. (per line) | $30/ mo. (per line) | $30/ mo. (per line) |
| 3+ Lines Price (after Discount) | $12/ mo. (per line) | $15/ mo. (per line) | $20/ mo. (per line) | $25/ mo. (per line) | $30/ mo. (per line) | $25/ mo. (per line) |
| 4G LTE & 5G | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| High-Speed Data | 1GB | 5GB | 12GB | 18GB | 30GB | Unlimited |
| Priority Data | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 75GB/ 35GB (then 2G) |
| Hotspot Data Cap | NO ($5 add-on) | NO ($5 add-on) | NO ($5 add-on) | NO ($5 add-on) | NO ($5 add-on) | NO ($10 add-on) |
| Video Streaming | SD Quality (480p) | SD Quality (480p) | SD Quality (480p) | SD Quality (480p) | SD Quality (480p) | SD Quality (480p) |
In the US Mobile phone plans, the various available options make it very easy to find the best fit for you. If you don’t browse a lot, the 1GB plan could save you a lot of money over the year. Then, the 30GB or Unlimited All plan has enough data allotment to browse, stream, and game smoothly while at home or on the go.
However, the Unlimited All plan doesn’t exactly have “truly” unlimited data as most of us would want. Yes, indeed, the company tried it after launching the plan last year. But later in August, they announced that the unlimited data will be capped at 75GB on Super LTE and 35GB for GSM users.
As for the family discount, US Mobile has the feature on only the Unlimited All plans, whereby you can get 3+ lines at only $25 each.
Visible Also Has Family Discount!
Yes, of course, Visible also does have a discount when you add multiple lines to your account. The Visible Party plan (as it’s called) has all the lines with access to the full benefits, including unlimited data and hotspot.
| Features | Visible Phone Plan |
| 1 Line Price (Before Tax) | $40/ mo. |
| 2 Lines price (after Discount) | $35/ mo. (per line) |
| 3 Lines Price (after Discount) | $30/ mo. (per line) |
| 4+ Lines Price (after Discount) | $25/ mo. (per line) |
| 4G & LTE | YES |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited |
| High-Speed Data | Unlimited |
| Priority Data | N/A |
| Hotspot Data Cap | Unlimited (at 5Mbps) |
| Video Streaming | SD Quality (480p) |
The Visible rate plans also do have WiFi calling on compatible devices, a feature unavailable on the US Mobile Super LTE line. Then, you can call and text your pals in Canada, Mexico, or both destinations at no extra charge.
In addition to the Party Pay discount, you can also save some bucks with Visible single line through the referral program. Of course, US Mobile also has this kind of offer, but it only gives you $10 discount and also limits you to 6 referrals.
On its end, Visible gives you a $35 discount on every referral, then you can invite up to twelve friends. Thus, allowing you to pay only $5/ month for a whole year.
Winner: US Mobile has plans for everyone and is relatively cheaper without referral required
5. Deprioritization & Throttling
Sadly, neither Visible nor US Mobile have their own cell towers. So, you can expect deprioritization when the host networks (T-Mobile & Verizon) are busy. But then, this is a common issue with all MVNOs, whereby you can experience up to a 60% drop in the data speeds.
As for the throttling, though, Visible takes the whole point as it offers it single and Party Pay plans with unlimited LTE/ 5G data. The only problem is that the speeds are capped at 200+Mbps, which means your 5G speed could drop to 16-70Mbps during congestion.
On its end, US Mobile has a hard stop (no throttling) on the 1GB through 30GB phone plans. It only throttles data of the Unlimited All plans- at 70GB on Super LTE (Verizon line) and 35GB with GSM (T-Mobile line).
Winner: Visible for uncapped high-speed data
6. Mobile Hotspot
Similarly, Visible leads here as it has unlimited mobile hotspot for both the single and Part Pay plans. However, the hotspot feature has the data capped at 5Mbps, which should be usable when there’s no network congestion.
As for US Mobile, none of the regular plans, including the Unlimited All has a free hotspot pass. Instead, you’ll have to purchase it as an add-on for either $5 or $10/month.
Winner: Visible for free unlimited mobile hotspot pass
7. Entertainment Perks
Last but not least, the points here will be for US Mobile. It gives you the chance to choose the free music, video, and or gaming subscription you’d want to have with your phone plan. They include Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora+, Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, ESPN+, Playstation+, Xbox Live Gold, & Apple Arcade.
However, the benefit is exclusively for the Unlimited All family plans. In other words, you’ll have access to only one entertainment perk if you have at least three unlimited All lines. Or else two perks with 4+ Unlimited All lines.
Unfortunately, Visible has no entertainment perk.
Winner: US Mobile gives up to two free Music, video, and gaming subscriptions
Final Thoughts:
Overall, both US Mobile and Visible could serve your cell Phone needs. They have access to Verizon’s extended coverage, decent browsing speeds, and some discounts when you have multiple lines.
However, US Mobile is my favorite pick for now as it’s a more flexible rate plan. That includes the unlimited talk & text-only plans that you can get for seniors from as low as $6/ month. Then, the $12GB plan that you can get at only $20/ month if you’re an average surfer.
That said, though, it’s disappointing to have a phone that you can’t share the data with your other devices. So, hopefully, US Mobile will work on that in the new year, and, perhaps improve the streaming quality to at least 1080p quality.
