Mint Mobile vs. T-Mobile is definitely a question that is on the minds of many cellphone users, given the incredibly high-profile ads campaign of the former.
On one side is Mint Mobile, a smaller service that ranks at the very top of the prepaid phone plans. On the other is T-Mobile, a well-established phone plan giant that specializes in offering some of the best unlimited data plans around. Both of them are on the same network, which makes them directly cross-compatible too.
This begs the question, which one is best for you?
Mint Mobile Overview
Mint Mobile is a fantastic prepaid carrier that has been going from strength to strength. Just recently, the carrier upped the data allowances across the board on its superb range of prepaid plans, making them an even more compelling option for those on a budget.
With Mint, you pay for your plans in allotments of three, six, or twelve months upfront, with the longer plans averaging out as cheaper on average. While you will have to pay a fair bit upfront, Mint Mobile’s excellent prepaid plans offer almost unbeatable bang for the buck if you can forgo a few perks and extras.
T-Mobile Overview
T-Mobile specializes in offering feature-laden contract-free unlimited plans that are perfect if you’re a heavy user. Starting at $60 a month for a single-line user, you’ll be able to cut those per-line prices down by adding multiple’s to an account – including getting the third line for free.
With HD streaming options, free Netflix accounts, and prioritized 5G data speeds, T-Mobile is a great choice if you are looking to stream a lot of content on the go. T-Mobile rebranded its Magenta plans to “Go5G” in 2023.
Overall, the new plans are a little pricier but feature an expanded Mobile Hotspot allowance and more international roaming data.
Mint Mobile vs. T-Mobile: Major differences
Comparison of features
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | |
| Contract length | No contract (3 to 12 month plans) | No contract (24mo device payments) |
| 5G data | Up until 45GB (128Kb/s after) | Yes (usage restrictions on some plans) |
| Video streaming | 480p | 4K UHD (480p on some plans) |
| Streaming perks | No | Netflix (w/ Go5G plan) |
| International calling | 60 countries | Mexico and Canada (Intl. extra) |
| International roaming | No | Yes (w/ Go5G plan) |
| Mobile hotspot | 10GB cap on unlimited plan | Unlimited 3G speed, 50GB max 5G speeds |
| Deprioritization | Yes | Yes (only after 50GB+ usage) |
| Family plans | Yes | Yes |
Mint Mobile vs. T-Mobile: Pricing plans
Mint Mobile’s plans
Mint Mobile has four data plans starting with a 5GB plan for lighter users. The fact of the matter is many people simply don’t need unlimited data if they make use of their Wi-Fi at home. You can check your old bill to get an idea of how much data you normally use. Mint also allows you to use all of your data in a hotspot if you want to share it with a tablet or laptop.
Mint’s data plans are also available in 15GB and 20GB sizes if you’re a heavier user. If 20GB still isn’t enough for you, Mint’s unlimited plan comes with 40GB of data and 10GB of hotspot data.
All Mint plans are technically unlimited so if you go over your data amount, you won’t be disconnected. However, the data slows down to about 500kbps after you’ve used up your data. This is enough for messaging and streaming music but isn’t good for video streaming or social media.
| 5GB | 15GB | 20GB | Unlimited (40GB) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months (introductory price) | $15/mo. ($45) | $20/mo. ($60) | $25/mo. ($75) | $30/mo. ($90) |
| 3 months | $25/mo. ($75) | $35/mo. ($105) | $45/mo. ($135) | $40/mo. ($120) |
| 6 months | $20/mo. ($120) | $25/mo. ($150) | $35/mo. ($210) | $35/mo. ($210) |
| 12 months | $15/mo. ($180) | $20/mo. ($240) | $25/mo. ($300) | $30/mo. ($360) |
If you have multiple lines, Mint Mobile has a feature called Mint Family. While you don’t get multi-line discounts, Mint Family makes its 12-month rates more palatable with only 3-month renewals required.
One area where Mint Mobile is a bit weak is when it comes to international features. Though you’re able to call Mexico and Canada for free, that’s about it. You can always add an international roaming balance to your plan through “UpRoam Credit,” but if you’re someone who travels frequently, this will quickly add up.
Mint Mobile charges $0.05 per text message sent, $0.25 per minute for calls, and $0.20 per megabyte in most international countries, though prices are lower in Mexico and Canada at $0.02 per text, $0.06 per minute, and $0.06 per megabyte.
All of Mint’s plans come with unlimited talk and texting so you need only think about data usage.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers four plans starting on the low end with Essentials Savings. This plan is basically identical to the regular Essentials plan, except you’ll save money by adding multiple lines. Both plans come with 50GB of high-speed data which is slowed to 1.5Mbps if you use up your data. Unlimited 3G hotspot data is included, plus you do get unlimited talk and text.
The Magenta plan takes the premium data up to 100GB and adds 5GB of high-speed hotspot data. If you bring two or more lines, you also get SD Netflix included. Magenta MAX upgrades the data to unlimited premium and comes with 40GB of hotspot data. It includes Netflix with one line and upgrades to HD with two or more lines.
Both Magenta plans also have taxes and fees included so their pricing is a bit more straightforward.
T-Mobile also recently unveiled two new plans, Go5G and Go5G Plus, both of which include 100GB of premium data. The Go5G plan also comes with 15GB of premium hotspot data, after which you get unlimited 3G data, while Go5G Plus gives you 50GB of hotspot data before speeds drop, along with Netflix on Us and 4K streaming.
| Essentials / Essentials Savings | Magenta | Magenta MAX | Go5G | Go5G Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (per month) | $60 / $50 | $70 | $85 | $75 | $90 |
| Premium data | 50GB | 100GB | Unlimited | 100GB | Unlimited |
| Talk and text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Mobile hotspot data | Unlimited 3G | 5GB high-speed / Unlimited 3G | 40GB high-speed / Unlimited 3G | 15GB / Unlimited 3G | 50GB / Unlimited 3G |
| Taxes and fees | Not Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Video streaming | SD | SD | Up to 4K UHD | SD | Up to 4K UHD |
| Netflix on Us | Not Included | Included with 2 or more lines | SD for 1 line, HD for 2 or more lines | Included with 2 or more lines | Included |
| International texting | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
One area where T-Mobile really shines over Mint Mobile is when it comes to international benefits. With each plan, you’ll get unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, as well as unlimited international texting. If you’re on the Magenta or Magenta MAX plan, you’ll also have access to data abroad, which is incredibly useful if you like to travel and stay connected without having to hunt for a SIM card in another country. Though your speeds will be much slower than at home, it’ll still cost you significantly less than international roaming charges.
Mint Mobile vs. T-Mobile: Features, speed and service
As we mentioned above, T-Mobile offers the most feature-laden plans out of the two carriers, but at a significant cost. Depending on the plan, you’ll be scoring things like a free Netflix account, basic international roaming, and the ‘T-Mobile Tuesdays’ perks scheme. The latter gives you access to in-store discounts and giveaways.
In comparison, Mint Mobile plans are pretty stripped-down affairs, although you do still get the basics like mobile hotspot allowance and free WiFi calling.
Speed-wise, both carriers are offering 5G data plans and operating on the greater T-Mobile network. Simply, both should get comparable speed and service, although you should note that as a prepaid carrier, Mint Mobile is subject to what’s called ‘deprioritization’. This essentially means that your data speeds may slow down if the local area is busy as T-Mobile will always prioritize its own customer’s data speeds primarily over those of sub-carriers running on its network.
This is a relatively complex issue that may or may not be a big deal depending on your local area. It’s also worth noting that some T-Mobile plans are also subject to slower speeds after a certain data allowance is exceeded (50GB on essentials).
You should also note that, as an MVNO, Mint Mobile doesn’t participate in large carrier roaming agreements. This can mean terrible coverage in areas that aren’t specifically covered by T-Mobile network towers. With T-Mobile, if you’re in an area with poor coverage, the service will essentially ‘borrow’ coverage from AT&T or Verizon and visa versa.
Mint Mobile vs. T-Mobile: Family Plans
Normally, in comparing a major carrier’s and an MVNO’s family plans, you’d see that the big carrier outshines the small one. That is usually because most MVNOs do not offer family plans— their prices are already low. However, Mint Mobile does offer discounts on family plans with two to five lines.
Essentially, you can mix and match between any of Mint’s plans and get the standard single-line introductory rates on each line for the entire duration of service with Mint. Usually, on single lines with Mint, the introductory rates expire after the first three months.
T-Mobile offers some of the best family plans or multi-line discounts, especially on its Magenta and Magenta MAX plans. For each additional line, the rate per line decreases (up to five lines). You can pay as little as $40/line on Magenta MAX with five lines for a total savings of $45 per line or $225 altogether.
If your family members do not use much data, Mint is probably the way to go. You can pay as little as $15/month for each line. But if you want huge amounts of priority data and additional perks like Netflix, T-Mobile is your best bet for a great family plan.
Mint Mobile vs. T-Mobile: Customer Service
No cellular carrier has great customer service rankings. Poor ratings might have more to do with people being more eager to share their bad experiences than good ones. T-Mobile and Mint have their fair share of negative reviews regarding customer service, but they also have some positive reviews.
For both companies, customer service is the same mixed bag you see with practically all mobile carriers. Mint customers, at times, may think it takes a little too long to get a response from customer service. T-Mobile customers have felt that representatives seem unhelpful at times. However, customers of both carriers also claim that customer service reps are knowledgeable and able to fix problems relatively quickly.
Is Mint Mobile as fast as T-Mobile?
Upfront pricing for T-Mobile provides many perks that customers may find beneficial. T-Mobile coverage is offered over a 5G network alongside options for more lines at lower prices. As far as speed goes, T-Mobile users get preferred access to the network, so Mint Mobile users may encounter slower speeds at times.
Both services allow for WiFi calling and mobile hotspots capable of 4G LTE speeds. As far as device capabilities go, both services allow users to either purchase or bring their own mobile phones. Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and other Android devices are usually compatible, depending on the model.
Are T-Mobile and Mint Mobile the same?
The answer isn’t so straightforward. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile make up a small number of providers that dominate the mobile landscape in the United States. They offer access to high-speed data on their networks through their own infrastructure.
So is Mint Mobile actually T-Mobile? Not really. Mint Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which means they don’t own their own cellular towers. Instead, they lease bandwidth from the T-Mobile network.
Mint Mobile vs. T-Mobile: Which carrier is best for you?
Mint Mobile and T-Mobile both have the same fantastic coverage and mid-band 5G access to T-Mobile’s 5G network. This makes it hard to choose between the two.
If you’re looking for a single line (or two) and want to save some money by paying upfront, then Mint Mobile is worth it. You will still get great service and will have the choice between 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or unlimited data plans. However, the biggest drawback with Mint Mobile is that you won’t get the same speed and performance as you would with T-Mobile in congested areas, nor will you get much international use out of your plan.
If you’re someone who needs a lot of high-speed data and likes to use hotspot data when Wi-Fi isn’t an option, T-Mobile is the better choice. You will get unlimited talk, text, data, mobile hotspot data, and international features so you can use your phone abroad or text internationally.
While T-Mobile’s plans may be too expensive for some, the monthly price does drop significantly when you sign up for three or more lines, making it a much better family plan.
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