Visible and Straight Talk are both owned by Verizon and both use its network, so coverage is the same. The difference is price and how you buy. Visible's unlimited plan is $25 a month with taxes included, and you sign up online. Straight Talk's unlimited plans are $45 to $65 plus taxes, but you can buy, pay cash and get help at about 4,500 Walmart stores, and the Gold and Platinum plans include Walmart+.
The short answer
| If you... | Pick |
|---|---|
| Want the cheapest unlimited plan on Verizon | Visible, $25 |
| Want taxes included | Visible |
| Want to pay cash or get help in a store | Straight Talk |
| Already pay for Walmart+ | Straight Talk Gold |
| Need fast hotspot data | Visible+, $35 |
Plans compared
| Plan | Price | Taxes | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visible | $25 | Included | Unlimited at 5 Mbps |
| Visible+ | $35 | Included | Unlimited at 10 Mbps |
| Visible+ Pro | $45 | Included | Unlimited at 15 Mbps |
| Straight Talk StraightSAVINGS! | $25 (own phone) | Extra | No set allowance |
| Straight Talk Silver | $45 | Extra | 10GB at 5 Mbps |
| Straight Talk Gold | $55 | Extra | 30GB at 5 Mbps |
| Straight Talk Platinum | $65 | Extra | Unlimited at 5 Mbps |
Price over a year
| Visible | Straight Talk Silver | Straight Talk Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly, with taxes | $25 | About $48–$51 | About $58–$62 |
| 12 months | $300 | About $580–$610 | About $700–$745 |
Visible is about $280 a year cheaper than Silver. Gold's Walmart+ is worth about $98 a year, which narrows the gap if you use it, but Visible still comes out well ahead.
Families
| Lines | Visible | Visible+ | Straight Talk StraightSAVINGS! |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25 | $35 | $25 + taxes |
| 4 | $100 | $140 | $100 + taxes |
Data priority
Visible base and every Straight Talk plan get slower data than Verizon's own customers when a tower is busy. Visible+ and Visible+ Pro include premium data, so they aren't slowed first. Straight Talk streams video at 480p on every tier.
Stores, support and payment
This is Straight Talk's real advantage. You can buy a SIM or phone, refill with cash and get help at Walmart. Visible is online only, with chat support. If you don't have a bank card or want help in person, Straight Talk is the better fit.
International
Visible includes talk and text to Mexico and Canada, and Visible+ adds roaming there. Straight Talk Platinum includes calling to 200+ destinations and Canada and Mexico roaming; Silver and Gold call 60+ countries.
Extras compared
| Visible+ | Straight Talk Gold | Straight Talk Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $35, taxes included | $55 + taxes | $65 + taxes |
| Premium data | Yes | No | No |
| Hotspot | Unlimited at 10 Mbps | 30GB at 5 Mbps | Unlimited at 5 Mbps |
| Perks | Mexico and Canada roaming, $10 smartwatch line | Walmart+, 100GB cloud | Walmart+, 500GB cloud, $160 anniversary phone credit |
| Calling abroad | Mexico and Canada | 60+ countries | 200+ destinations |
Switching from Straight Talk to Visible
- Check your phone works on Visible's network and is unlocked (is my phone unlocked?).
- If you're paying off a phone, the remaining balance becomes due when you leave. Pay it off or plan for it (hidden costs of switching).
- Get your account number and number transfer PIN from Straight Talk. Don't cancel Straight Talk yourself: the move cancels it.
- Sign up with Visible and choose to keep your number. Most newer phones can use an eSIM, so you're often live within minutes (how to switch to eSIM).
- Some Straight Talk phones are locked to Straight Talk. Check the unlock status before switching: see using a Verizon phone on Straight Talk for how phones move between Verizon brands.
Taxes included, on Verizon's network, with unlimited hotspot at 5 Mbps. Month to month, no contract.
See Visible's plans →Prices checked October 25, 2026. We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Who should pick which
- Visible: you want the lowest price, taxes included, and are fine with online support.
- Visible+: you use hotspot or want premium data, for $35.
- Straight Talk Gold: you already pay for Walmart+ and want store help.
- Straight Talk Platinum: you call many countries and want unlimited hotspot.
The bottom line
Pick Visible unless you need Walmart's stores or want to pay cash. On the same network, it costs about half as much and includes taxes. If you go with Straight Talk, see our Straight Talk plans compared to choose a tier.
Frequently asked questions
Is Visible better than Straight Talk? +
Do Visible and Straight Talk use the same network? +
Which has better hotspot? +
Can I pay for Visible with cash? +
Can I switch from Straight Talk to Visible and keep my number? +
Is Straight Talk owned by Verizon? +
Does Straight Talk have a cheaper plan than Visible? +
Can I get Walmart+ with Visible? +
Keep reading
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Jean has tested carrier plans independently since 2019, running SIMs on all three networks and paying for every line himself. He ranks carriers on the bill you actually get, taxes and fees included, not the price on the ad.