Straight Talk review in 2024: Is it Any Good? - MoneySavingPro (2024)

Straight Talk unlimited data plan

• T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon coverage

• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

Unlimited

data

$65/mo

View Plans

$120 in annual savings

How does Straight compare to Verizon?

Verizon vs Straight Talk comparison

Keep your Verizon phone, number & coverage: Save $360 per year

How much does Straight Talk cost?

Plans start at around $30 a month for a basic plan with 100MB of data, but this plan is for flip phones only and does not support smartphones.

The other five plans range from around $35 - $65 a month for a single line.

They do offer multi-line and multi-month discounts with their plans. So the more lines you buy, the lower the price. And you can also get a good deal by purchasing 3, 6, or 12 months of service at a time.

Is Straight Talk a good value?

Straight Talk can help save you money, particularly if you're already paying separately for Walmart+ or you're on a Verizon plan.

That said, there are other Verizon MVNOs that can offer you more features at a much lower cost. Although compared to buying directly from Verizon, you can still save money with a Straight Talk plan.

Straight Talk offers four unlimited plans, but please note that each "unlimited" plan has a high-speed data cap, where your speeds will be slowed once this cap is reached. And considering most of us don't need unlimited data, you could save more money by opting for a cheaper cell phone plan with a data allowance.

Compare Straight Talk vs other carriers

During my research, I found numerous carriers with significantly cheaper plans and better customer ratings:

Straight Talk	How do Straight Talk plans compare?
	See at Tello	See at US Mobile *30 Day FREE Trial	See at Mint Mobile *$45 for 3 Months
T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon 4G & 5G	T-Mobile 4G & 5G	Verizon & T-Mobile 4G & 5G	T-Mobile 4G & 5G
Unlimited data	Unlimited data	Unlimited data	Unlimited data
$55/mo	$25/mo	$15/mo*$29/mo	$15/mo*$30/mo
$660/yr	$300/yr	$306/yr	$315/yr
1.1 on Trustpilot	4.6 on Trustpilot	4.7 on Trustpilot	2.9 on Trustpilot

• Boost Infinite vs Straight Talk
• Boost Mobile vs Straight Talk
• Lycamobile vs Straight Talk
• Mint Mobile vs Straight Talk
• Red Pocket vs Straight Talk
• Straight Talk vs Verizon
• T-Mobile vs Straight Talk
• Tello vs Straight Talk
• Twigby vs Straight Talk
• Ultra Mobile vs Straight Talk
• US Mobile vs Straight Talk

Network coverage

What network does Straight Talk use?

As Verizon owns this carrier, it's powered by the Verizon network. So, if you're new to this network, it's worth reviewing our Straight Talk coverage map before signing up to confirm coverage in your location.

Does Straight Talk have good coverage?

Verizon provides 4G LTE wireless coverage to the vast majority of the US. It's also historically the strongest network in rural areas, so most customers will have a good connection. You can assess the best coverage in your area to check which dominates in your location.

Does Straight Talk have 5G coverage?

Yes. If your phone supports 5G technology, you'll have access to Verizon's 5G network wherever available. You can find out more about how Verizon's 5G network performs in the 2023 OpenSignal 5G Experience Report.

Straight Talk 5G coverage map

4G

5G

The FCC collects coverage data, which only offers an approximate indication and doesn't account for indoor coverage. The actual speed and performance can vary depending on your location and device. The reception you experience is influenced by local conditions and elements like natural and artificial physical features in your area.

How fast are Straight Talk data speeds?

Data speeds vary based on your network, location, and device.

Straight Talk customers are subject to data deprioritization, which means that when Verizon's network is congested, your speeds may temporarily slow down.

Customer service

Does Straight Talk have good customer service?

Experiences with this provider differ greatly.

BBB and the Straight Talk Trustpilot ratings for this carrier are pretty abysmal, while some Redditors and our reviewers give some positive feedback. You can also read what real people say about the provider in our Straight Talk customer reviews.

Straight Talk customer reviews roundup

• Straight Talk MoneySavingPro rating: 3.8 stars (8)
• Straight Talk Trustpilot rating: 1.1 stars (1,200+)
• Straight Talk Amazon rating: 4.2 stars (814)

How do I contact customer service?

Customer support is available through several venues:

1. Call: 1-877-430-2355 between the hrs of 8 am - 11:45 pm EST daily
2. Live Chat: Through the website or app

User experience

What are reviewers saying about Straight Talk?

Reviewers love the prices and coverage. The overarching sentiment among customers is that the phone service and features are good as long as you don't need to contact customer support.

Some customers have complained about losing coverage as the provider transitions to using the Verizon network. But all new customers are on Verizon, so that shouldn't be a concern as long as the network is strong in your area.

What are some common complaints about Straight Talk?

Although most people have positive experiences, there are some common complaints among subscribers.

Many customers complain that the customer service team, while friendly, isn't trained well enough to help with certain issues.

A few customers also stated that the company showed resistance when they requested to port out their number.

SIM activation

Is it easy to switch?

Assuming your device is unlocked, switching carriers is generally a very straightforward process. Activating your new service typically takes just a few minutes.

Does Straight Talk support eSIM?

Straight Talk currently only supports eSIM in Apple iPhones.

Activating your eSIM is fast and convenient. Purchase your plan and start the activation process immediately without waiting for a SIM card to arrive.

Phone selection

What phones do they have?

This low-cost carrier offers a surprisingly robust phone selection, including top Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, plus the latest iPhones.

An installment payment plan is available with SmartPay. But make sure to read the fine print, as these programs are often overpriced.

Can I bring my own phone to Straight Talk?

You can save money by keeping your current device and bringing your own phone. You can also transfer your current phone number. Just ensure your device is unlocked and compatible with the Verizon wireless network.

Is my phone compatible?

Nowadays, the majority of unlocked 4G and 5G smartphones are compatible with any network, but you'll be able to check on Straight Talk's site during sign-up.

Straight Talk features

My view point: Is Straight Talk any good?

Short answer: With coverage on the Verizon network, some Straight Talk plans could save you money on your bill compared to going direct to Verizon. However, other low-cost carriers offer more variety in their plans and provide more budget-friendly options. No one carrier or plan is universally the most suitable option for every user's needs, so it's important to know what you need to get the best deal.

Is Straight Talk worth it?

While Straight Talk provides the benefit of Verizon's extensive network coverage at a more affordable rate than Verizon's own plans, it's important to explore all of your options.

Straight Talk provides a range of choices, like multi-month subscriptions and a discount when purchasing more than one line. But other MVNOs can save you more.

According to this 2023 JD Power report, the average monthly price is $157. By unbundling your phone from any unnecessary features, it's possible to get a single-line unlimited data plan for around $25-$30 a month with MVNOs.

Straight Talk's offerings include four unlimited plans, so there is a lack of flexibility for lighter data users, and their Trustpilot rating is 1.1, with most comments around customer service experience.

Would I use Straight Talk?

Short answer: I wouldn't personally use Straight Talk, as I've found MVNOs like US Mobile and Boost Mobile offer me a better value for money for my cell phone needs. Straight Talk also has a low Trustpilot score of 1.1, with mixed reviews of their customer support. However, if you like the Verizon network, these plans can help you save money while getting access to Verizon's 5G & 4G LTE wireless network, and many reviews state they are happy with the overall service.

Straight Talk FAQs

Recap: Is Straight Talk the right choice for you?

Straight Talk is a low-cost carrier that operates on the Verizon network. But is it a good MVNO?

While no one carrier or plan suits everyone perfectly, this option can be a helpful solution for those with multiple lines and people who use Walmart+.

There are, however, a range of other MVNO plans that provide more flexibility, more features, and better transparency on their plans while still offering great 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage.

Make sure to consider the following factors when determining if this provider is right for you:

• Plans: Limited flexibility. Most people don't need unlimited.
• Coverage: It's switching over to all Verizon; before, it had used all three big networks.
• Phones: Bring your own phone or choose from a wide range of new devices.
• Customer experience: Customer service reviews are mixed. Most feedback is fairly positive on the service in general, but the customer service receives the lowest ratings.
• Multi-month option: If you prefer paying your bill in advance for several months, this carrier offers a discount for buying 3,6 or 12 months of service.

How we reviewed Straight Talk

To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.

Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:

1. Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
2. Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
3. Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
4. Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
5. Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.

Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.

Straight Talk guides

• Straight Talk Review
• Straight Talk Cell Phone Plans
• Straight Talk Coverage Map
• Straight Talk Customer Reviews