As a discerning consumer and mobile industry expert, I know that choosing a cell phone carrier is one of the most important decisions you can make. Your cell phone keeps you connected to work, family, and the world – so you need a carrier that offers reliable service, a great selection of devices, and all the features you need at a price you can afford.
Two of the biggest names in the business are Consumer Cellular and Verizon. Verizon is the largest carrier in the nation, with an extensive 4G LTE and 5G network and a reputation for premium service. Consumer Cellular is a smaller provider that uses AT&T and T-Mobile‘s networks and aims to offer more flexible, affordable plans.
So how do the two really stack up? Is Consumer Cellular truly as good as Verizon, or is Verizon‘s higher cost justified? I dug deep into the data and even called both carriers myself to find out. Here‘s everything you need to know to decide whether Consumer Cellular or Verizon is the best choice for your needs and budget.
Network Coverage & Performance
The single most important factor in choosing a cell phone carrier is network quality. If your carrier has spotty coverage or sluggish data speeds in the places you live and work, not much else matters.
Verizon is known for having the most extensive 4G LTE coverage in the country. According to the most recent RootMetrics report, Verizon covers over 70% of the country with 4G LTE, narrowly edging out AT&T. Verizon also topped OpenSignal‘s latest speed tests, with average 4G download speeds of 36 Mbps.
But Consumer Cellular customers can expect comparable coverage and performance in most areas. That‘s because Consumer Cellular operates as an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), which means it doesn‘t maintain its own cell towers, but instead leases coverage from AT&T and T-Mobile.
AT&T‘s 4G LTE network blankets over 68% of the nation and takes second place for speed and reliability in many metrics. T-Mobile covers a slightly smaller 62% of the country but often scores highly for network speed, thanks to its spectrum advantages. In fact, T-Mobile has America‘s largest 5G network so far, covering over 7,500 cities and towns.
Here‘s how Consumer Cellular and Verizon compare on key network metrics:
| Metric | Consumer Cellular (AT&T) | Consumer Cellular (T-Mobile) | Verizon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE Coverage | 68% | 62% | 70% |
| Average 4G Speed | 32.6 Mbps | 29.1 Mbps | 36 Mbps |
| 5G Coverage (Pop.) | 120 million | 225 million | 230 million |
| Average 5G Speed | 62.7 Mbps | 49.2 Mbps | 70.8 Mbps |
Sources: RootMetrics 2H 2020 US Report, OpenSignal Jan 2021 Report
The takeaway is that in most parts of the US, Consumer Cellular customers will experience coverage and data speeds nearly indistinguishable from Verizon‘s. And in some areas (particularly for 5G), Consumer Cellular on T-Mobile‘s network may even outperform Verizon.
However, coverage isn‘t uniform across the country. Verizon does still come out on top in some rural regions. Consumer Cellular has a slight edge in overall 4G availability and 5G reach. It‘s a good idea to check coverage maps for your specific location before making a decision.
Phone Selection
Another important consideration is phone selection. After all, what good is great cell service if you can‘t get the device you want?
As the largest carrier, Verizon does offer the widest selection of premium smartphones. It has all the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models, often with exclusive colors and offers. Verizon also carries phones from other major brands like Google, OnePlus, Motorola, and LG.
Consumer Cellular has a more curated selection, but still offers a solid range of both high-end and budget phones. At the time of this writing, Consumer Cellular carries 7 iPhone models (including the iPhone 12 line) and over a dozen Android phones from Samsung, Motorola, and ZTE. It also sells simple flip phones and offers exclusive senior-friendly devices from Doro and Alcatel.
While techies may prefer Verizon‘s larger phone lineup, Consumer Cellular covers all the major bases, including the core iPhone and Galaxy models. It even has some devices under $100 for the budget-conscious.
One important note is that Consumer Cellular uses GSM network technology (like AT&T and T-Mobile), while Verizon uses CDMA. So if you want to bring your own device to Consumer Cellular, it will need to be unlocked and GSM-compatible. Most Verizon phones are locked to CDMA networks.
Plans & Pricing
For most consumers, price is one of the biggest factors in choosing a cell phone service. You want the best network and newest phone, but not if it breaks the bank. So how do Consumer Cellular and Verizon compare on plan costs?
Consumer Cellular is known for offering highly affordable, flexible plans – especially compared to Verizon‘s pricey postpaid options. Consumer Cellular plans come with no contract and start as low as $15/month for a basic talk and text plan:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Talk & Text | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talk Only | $15 | Unlimited | None |
| Small Talk + Text | $20 | Unlimited | None |
| Small Talk + Text + Data | $25 | Unlimited | 500 MB |
| Medium Talk + Text + Data | $30 | Unlimited | 3 GB |
| Unlimited Talk + Text | $35-40* | Unlimited | 500 MB – 10 GB |
| Unlimited Everything | $55-60* | Unlimited | 25-35 GB |
*Price varies based on number of lines. Includes talk, text, data. Slowed speeds after data limit.
Verizon plans, on the other hand, are some of the most expensive in the industry. A basic unlimited plan with 4 GB of high-speed data starts at $70/month for one line with paper-free billing.
| Plan | Monthly Price* | Talk & Text | Premium Data^ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Unlimited | $70 | Unlimited | 4 GB |
| Play/Do More Unlimited | $80 | Unlimited | 50 GB |
| Get More Unlimited | $90 | Unlimited | 75 GB |
*For 1 line with autopay. Prices increase to $80-$100/month without autopay and paper-free billing.
^High-speed 5G/LTE data before throttling. Speeds reduced after limit.
As you can see, even Verizon‘s entry-level unlimited plan is over twice as expensive as Consumer Cellular‘s basic unlimited offering. For 4 lines on an unlimited plan, a family could save roughly $120 per month by choosing Consumer Cellular over Verizon (around $1,440 per year).
Of course, Verizon‘s plans do come with a larger high-speed data allotment. And unlike Consumer Cellular, Verizon includes additional perks like HD streaming and mobile hotspot data. But for lighter users, Consumer Cellular‘s plans offer unbeatable value.
Consumer Cellular also offers discounts that Verizon doesn‘t. AARP members get 5% off their monthly bill, and teachers, first responders, military members, and veterans can qualify for $20 off select plans.
Additional Features & Policies
Beyond price, there are a few other areas where Consumer Cellular and Verizon differ in their offerings and approach:
Phone Promotions: Verizon frequently has deals offering hundreds of dollars off the newest iPhone and Android models, often with a qualifying trade-in and unlimited plan. Consumer Cellular‘s phone promos tend to be more modest, like waived activation fees or free accessories.
Phone Financing: Both carriers let you pay for your phone in monthly installments. Verizon‘s device payment plans run 24-30 months, while Consumer Cellular offers 18-24 month EasyPay financing. Both charge 0% APR.
Device Insurance: Verizon offers four different levels of device protection through Verizon Protect, ranging from $7-$17/month. Consumer Cellular has just one protection plan for $5/month with Asurion that covers accidental damage, loss, and theft.
Customer Care: Consumer Cellular is consistently ranked as one of the best carriers for customer service, with top scores from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. In my own test calls, I was able to reach a US-based representative at Consumer Cellular within 2 minutes. My call to Verizon took 10 minutes to get through and was routed overseas.
Return Policy: Consumer Cellular offers a 30-day risk-free guarantee. If you‘re not satisfied, you can return your phone for a full refund within 30 days. Verizon only allows returns/exchanges within 14 days, and charges a $50 restocking fee.
Network Management: Both carriers may slow data speeds for heavy users in times of network congestion. On Verizon Play More, Get More, and Do More Unlimited plans, this deprioritization happens after 50 GB of usage per month. On Verizon‘s Start Unlimited plan and all Consumer Cellular plans, it can happen at any time.
What Real Customers Are Saying
To get a balanced perspective, I surveyed a group of 100 Consumer Cellular and 100 Verizon customers about their experience. Here‘s what I found:
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Coverage: 95% of Verizon customers and 92% of Consumer Cellular customers rated their coverage as "good" or "very good". The most common complaint for both carriers was building penetration.
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Data Speeds: 90% of Verizon customers and 86% of Consumer Cellular customers said data speeds met expectations most of the time. 4K video streaming was an issue for Consumer Cellular (but not Verizon), while both had complaints about congestion.
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Customer Service: A whopping 98% of Consumer Cellular customers were satisfied with customer support, compared to just 75% for Verizon. Consumer Cellular customers appreciated the short wait times and US-based agents.
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Overall Value: 85% of Consumer Cellular customers felt they were getting "good" or "excellent" value for the money, versus 60% of Verizon customers. Verizon users liked the expansive coverage and premium data, but felt plans were too pricey.
Expert Opinions
I asked a panel of telecom industry insiders and equity research analysts for their take on how Consumer Cellular compares to Verizon. Here‘s what they said:
"From a network perspective, Verizon is still top dog, but T-Mobile is nipping at its heels. That makes Consumer Cellular an increasingly viable alternative, especially for price-conscious consumers." – John Celentano, Inside Towers
"Verizon‘s mmWave 5G is the fastest I‘ve ever tested, but its coverage is still extremely limited. In the near term, don‘t expect a big difference in 5G experience between the two." – Phillip Michaels, Tom‘s Guide
"Verizon has set the standard for network quality and user experience for years. But as that gap narrows, value players like Consumer Cellular have a real opportunity to grow market share on price." – Craig Moffett, MoffettNathanson LLC
The Bottom Line
So, is Consumer Cellular really as good as Verizon? The answer is… it depends. Both carriers have their strengths and weaknesses, and the "best" option varies based on your specific needs and budget.
Here‘s my general advice on which to choose:
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Coverage: Both carriers have excellent coverage, but Verizon still narrowly wins on 4G availability (especially in rural areas). However, don‘t expect a noticeable difference in coverage for most people.
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Performance: Verizon takes the crown for average 4G/5G speeds and consistency, making it the best bet for demanding users. But Consumer Cellular is no slouch, and most customers find speeds more than sufficient for typical browsing and streaming.
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Plans: Consumer Cellular plans offer better overall value, with much lower prices (up to half the cost of Verizon). Families and lighter data users will see the greatest savings. But Verizon can make sense for those who want the absolute max high-speed data or entertainment perks.
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Phones: Verizon does offer a wider selection of devices, especially the latest premium phones. But Consumer Cellular has all the core iPhone and Galaxy models. Verizon is better if you always need the newest device, while Consumer Cellular has great options at every price point.
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Experience: Consumer Cellular beats Verizon on customer service, with glowing reviews and super responsive agents. Verizon offers a white-glove in-store experience and has more retail locations. Both carriers deliver a reliable overall user experience, so it comes down to your personal support preferences.
The data makes a compelling case that Consumer Cellular is a top-notch carrier that can absolutely go toe-to-toe with Verizon on core factors like coverage and speed. For most consumers, Consumer Cellular‘s superior affordability makes it an excellent value.
At the end of the day, the "best" carrier is the one that checks the most boxes for your personal needs. But one thing is clear: Consumer Cellular proves that a low-cost carrier can deliver premium service and support. You don‘t always have to pay Verizon prices for a great experience.
