If you are trying to save money on your cell phone bill, Visible is a Verizon-owned discount cellular phone service provider offering affordable plans that include data.
But are the savings you’ll get by switching to this company worth what you get?
This Visible review evaluates the good and the bad about the service so you can decide if switching to the provider is a smart move.
Overall Rating
Summary
Visible offers cellular phone plans at affordable prices of $40 or less per month, per phone. Use the Party Pay feature along with others to get the lowest price for unlimited talk, text, and data.
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Available plan features
4
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Customer service
3.2
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Cost
4.5
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Service
3.2
Pros
- One plan with unlimited talk, text, and data
- Attractive discounts and referral bonuses
- Upgrade plans for discounts on new phones
- Uses Verizon network
Cons
- Deprioritization during busy times
- 5G access limited to select phone models
- Slower video streaming
- Users report poor customer service
In This Article
What is Visible?
Visible is a telecommunications company that is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The provider believes that wireless should be simple, accessible and inclusive.
Verizon launched Visible with the goal of serving clients who want to work entirely online. The company’s ideal customer prefers to live and work virtually.
The brand is designed to compete with other cellular companies that serve clients who are looking for lower-cost cellular plans.
Their mission is all about giving it to you straight with no hard-to-understand contracts or hidden fees.
Visible’s main values include:
- Transparency
- Connection
- Community
- Innovation
- Impact
- Fun
These values facilitated the company’s commitment to community efforts and philanthropy through their Visible Connect Social Good initiative.
Based on its values, Visible developed three key pillars when it comes to philanthropy. These include racial equity, mental wellness and civic action.
Visible has raised over $27 million since launching its Visible Connect Accelerator Program and has impacted 11 million lives.
How Does Visible Work?
Visible is an all-digital phone service and eligible devices may support WiFi calls. All plans offer mobile hotspots as well.
When you join Visible, you can either buy a phone from them or bring your own phone as long as it is compatible.
Visible works with both iOS and Android phones. You can use the Visible website to check compatibility if you’re bringing your own phone.
Once you sign up, Visible will overnight you a SIM card or get you a SIM number through eSIM. After you get your SIM number, you can follow the directions to activate the service.
Additionally, you can either bring your old cell phone number with you when you make the switch or get a new number.
How Much Does Visible Cost?
Visible has plans as low as $25 per month and comes with unlimited data, messages and minutes. The price includes all taxes and fees. However, the cost for a single line is $40 per month.
The company also offers Visible Protect to keep your phone safe from unexpected damages. This costs $6 to $10 per month or more depending on the plan you choose and the type of phone you have.
See below for ways to get discounts so that you pay less than $40 per month.
Party Pay
Visible has a feature called Party Pay that allows you to work with friends, family members and even strangers in order to save money each month.
With Party Pay, you’ll be connected to the members of your party in order to save money on your bill.
One cool thing about Party Pay is that everyone in your party still has their own separate Visible account. In other words, there’s no sharing or splitting of minutes, texts, data or phone lines.
You won’t share payments either. Because every member has their own account, each member of your party is responsible for paying their own bill.
Party Pay discounts are available when you add one or more additional members to your party.
Here’s what your discounted monthly price could be with Party Pay:
- You +1 other member: $35 per month each
- You +2 other members: $30 per month each
- Four or more party members: $25 per month each
You can join a party by getting a party link from an existing Visible member. Alternately, you can create your own party by following the instructions on your account.
Key Features of Visible
Aside from its main perk of an affordable price, here are some of the other features Visible offers.
Visible Coverage Map
Visible runs on Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks (where available).
As you can see, the 4G LTE coverage indicated by the lighter blue color is pretty expansive.
However, the 5G coverage indicated by the darker blue color is somewhat limited. As with most cell phone carriers, coverage in mountainous areas is sparse or nonexistent.
Keep this in mind if you live or work in this type of area.
Data Speeds
This is one area where you need to know what works for you before switching from a more costly mainstream carrier.
Visible offers the following data speeds:
- Upload speeds of 2-5 Mbps
- Download speeds of 5-12 Mbps
These speeds are quite a bit lower than what you’ll find with many popular carriers.
In addition, 5G network speeds will be capped at 200Mbps. Furthermore, you should expect service to be slower during high traffic times due to deprioritization.
If slower upload and download speeds won’t work for your needs, you may want to stick with your mainstream carrier.
Video Streaming
Visible provides video streaming at a resolution of 480p. This is the standard resolution for data streaming.
But, to give you a comparison, WiFi streaming typically runs at a 720p resolution.
Although 480p streaming is standard for most data plans, higher-end phone plans often have an option to stream at 720p.
If streaming on your phone is something you do frequently, Visible may not be for you.
Mobile Hotspot
As a Visible customer, you’ll automatically get a mobile hotspot as a part of your plan. Visible’s mobile hotspot feature includes unlimited data.
Unfortunately, there is a speed cap of 5Mbps. While some users have reported getting faster speeds when using Visible’s mobile hotspot, you shouldn’t plan on getting faster speeds.
If 5Mbps isn’t fast enough for you, then you may want to consider another carrier.
Phone Selection
Visible has a pretty sizable selection of phones you can choose from if you’re looking to buy a new phone directly from the company.
Here are some of the phones Visible currently has:
- Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A12
- Motorola edge
- Motorola edge 5G UW
- Motorola moto e
- Motorola moto g power (2021)
- Apple iPhone SE
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 13
- Apple iPhone 13 mini
- Google Pixel 6
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
Affirm financing is available for most new phone purchases if you qualify.
Visible has some used phones for sale as well. The company even sells wearables such as Apple watches.
If you don’t want to buy a new or used phone, you can bring your own phone or wearable to Visible.
Visible Upgrade
Visible offers the Visible Upgrade program. This is a great way to stay up to date with the current phone trends.
If you purchased and financed your phone through Visible, you can get an upgraded phone when you’ve paid off at least 50% of your loan.
To take advantage of this program, just choose a phone of the same brand and send back your old phone that is still in working condition.
Then, Visible will pay off the remainder of your original loan and finance the new loan for you all at the same time.
Keep in mind that both the old and the new phone need to be financed through Affirm in order for you to be eligible for the upgrade program.
Swap Program
The Swap Program can be an free way to upgrade to a new phone when your current one is incompatible with Visible.
After creating your account and transferring your number, the carrier overnights your new phone and SIM card. Next, you set up service and send back your old phone.
This trade-in program can help you save money if you can’t afford a replacement phone or are not picky about the brand. However, your new phone won’t be the most luxurious but it’s a fully-capable smartphone.
Your two trade-in options can be:
- ZTE Blade A7 Prime
- ZTE Blade A3 Prime
Referral Program
Visible does currently offer a referral program. When you refer a friend who signs up to use Visible, both of you will get a $20 discount for one month of service.
If you can manage to secure successful referrals every month, you’ll have found yourself an avenue to a nearly free cell phone plan.
Just send your Friend Code (accessible through your Visible dashboard) to any friends you want to invite. You can also post the code on your social media accounts.
Deals/Discounts
Visible has discounts and deals for new customers that vary based on when you sign up.
Currently, new Visible customers enjoy these savings:
- $200 e-gift card from a variety of retailers
- Discounts on new phone purchases
- 15-day free trial when you transfer select iPhones
Of course, the deals and discounts you find might be different depending on when you sign up. Check the Visible website for more details.
Visible Reviews
Many customers find the low monthly prices and unlimited data features pleasing. However, the service isn’t always as reliable as the major networks.
| Website | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| Apple App Store | 4.4 out of 5 | 50.1k |
| Google Play Store | 4.1 out of 5 | 19.7k |
| Trustpilot | 1.4 out of 5 | 572 |
| BBB | 1.37 out of 5 | 95 |
“I have had Visible for over two years now, and it is the best and cheapest service I have ever used. I live in a more rural area, and my data service is better than the internet we pay for.” — klbs162427
“Used to have Verizon, but Visible works just as well as that at a more reasonable cost. Granted, there aren’t as many bells and whistles with Visible – such as a rewards program and deals on new devices – but I never used all those perks.” — Isabelle T.
“The customer service is very good via live chat but if you have any problems you cannot talk to a live person and typing it out ten times to each rep you talk to is ridiculous.” — Sabina M.
“Cheapest unlimited data I’ve found so far, so I’m sticking with it. But there are definitely some hassles with such a discounted service: sms texts don’t send sometimes; 4G slows…” — Amber A.
Alternatives to Visible
Here are some alternatives to Visible that you might want to consider.
Ting
Ting Mobile has three different cell phone plans you can choose from with different data allowances. The carrier accesses the Verizon and T-Mobile networks.
The $25 per month plan includes 5GB of fast data with unlimited talk and text. All 5GB can be used as a hotspot.
Ting’s $35 per month plan includes 12GB of fast data with unlimited talk and text. You can use up to 8GB as a hotspot.
The $45 per month Unlimited plan includes 22GB of fast data with unlimited talk and text. This plan includes up to 12GB of hotspot usage.
Trustpilot score: 4.4 out of 5
Republic Wireless
Republic Wireless has cell phone plans starting at $19.99 per month for DISH customers and $39.99 for everybody else. You get 1G of data for that price and can buy additional 1G data blocks for $5 each.
This carrier uses the AT&T network.
Personally, I’ve been with Republic Wireless for over six years. I pay roughly $165 a month for our six family phones and have been very happy with the service.
Trustpilot score: 3.0 out of 5
Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular is a well-known provider of low-cost cellular service utilizing the AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
The company currently has six different plans you can choose from:
- $20 per month for 1GB of data
- $25 per month for 3GB of data
- $35 per month for 7GB of data
- $40 per month for 10GB of data
- $45 per month for 15GB of data
- $55 per month for unlimited data
All plans come with unlimited talk and text. Anyone can use this service, but AARP members are eligible for discounts.
FAQ
Before you sign up for Visible, here are some answers to frequently asked questions that can help you determine if the service is right for you.
When you purchase a phone from Visible, it will be locked for the first 60 days of activated service.
After you’ve had active service for at least 60 days, the phone becomes unlocked. This allows you to switch to another carrier if you want.
Yes, anyone can join. This includes friends, family members and even complete strangers.
You can’t guarantee that you’ll get 5G coverage.
Two factors have to be in place in order for you to get 5G. Your phone must work with 5G, and 5G coverage must be available in the area you’re connecting to service.
Note that there’s no extra cost to access 5G coverage.
No, Visible doesn’t have store locations, and you can’t sign up for Visible by going to a Verizon store.
All services are provided through the app and the website.
If you want to reach customer service, you’ll have to connect to the company’s chatbot through your app or PC since it doesn’t offer phone or email support.
You can also reach Visible customer service by reaching out to @VisibleCare on Twitter or @VisibleMobile on Facebook Messenger.
The Visible website says that customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Summary
Visible has affordable cell phone plans with unlimited talk, text and data. However, you will sacrifice in the area of data speeds and streaming resolution.
If your cell phone use is limited largely to basic talk and text and you don’t mind slower speeds or deprioritization during busy times, you might benefit from using Visible.
Before enrolling in any low-cost cell phone service, take the time to evaluate your cell phone usage and needs. This can help you ensure you get the features you need at the best price possible.
