Mint Mobile Vs. Visible: Which Unlimited Phone Plan Is Cheaper?

When you want to find phone carriers with the best cheap plans, small MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) like Mint Mobile and Visible are near the top of the list. Determining whether Mint Mobile or Visible is more economical requires doing some math and understanding what length of plan you want to use. If you only want to use the service for six months and can take advantage of its current discounts, Mint Mobile gives you a lower overall price for an unlimited plan. However, if you want to stick to a month-to-month contract or need to use the service for at least 12 months, Visible is less expensive. (It's important to note that prices, deals, and plan options sometimes change with MVNOs, so always look for the latest information.)

At the time of this writing, Mint Mobile had the more affordable unlimited short-term plan, as you could purchase a six-month deal for $60 upfront (or $10 per month). If you wanted to remain with Mint Mobile after six months, you'd pay $210 for another six months, bringing your total for the year to $270. Visible's least expensive unlimited plan is $25 per month; if you want to pay annually, its lowest priced plan is $275.

Visible is one of the MVNO cheap phone carriers that use Verizon's network, while Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile's network. MVNOs offer lower costs than the big three providers, usually with reduced speeds.

One of the biggest differences between Mint Mobile and Visible's cheapest unlimited plans is the contract period. Mint Mobile forces you to select a plan that carries a 3-, 6-, or 12-month commitment and pay upfront. Visible's unlimited plan allows you to pay month to month or annually. (If you don't need an unlimited plan, Mint Mobile customers received a free data upgrade on their data-limit plans in mid-2026.)

Another key difference is the increase in rates for the Mint Mobile plan after the initial sale period ends. For instance, the $10 per month deal is only available for new customers. Once six months is up, you'll pay $35 per month for a six-month renewal, as you would then be an existing customer. Visible's monthly fee does not change after a certain period.

A final difference worth noting is that Visible includes all taxes and fees in the quoted monthly cost. With Mint Mobile, you'll pay taxes and fees on top of the quoted monthly cost. Some of the taxes and fees are specific to your location. Reddit users estimated their monthly Mint Mobile fees in a general range of $1.88 to $4.12. If you use the median of this estimated range (about $3 per month), you'd pay $306 per year, even with the anniversary plan discount. With all fees already included, Visible would be cheaper over 12 months.