Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile has a plan that will work for just about anyone, with a choice between 4GB, 10GB, 15GB, or unlimited data plans. You can also save money if you're willing to buy an entire year of service at once. All plans come with mobile hotspot data, and access to T-Mobile's 5G network at no extra cost.
Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile has many plans to choose from, whether you need just 250MB or want unlimited data. If you're willing to buy three or more months at once, you can save some money. All data plans come with free international calling, hotspot, and 5G at no additional cost.
Both carriers offer great value on prepaid plans. With the T-Mobile network powering both, the biggest difference will be how much data you need and how many months of service you're willing to buy. Ultra Mobile has a wider range of plans and will likely have something that works for any user, but Mint Mobile seems to hit the mark for what the average smartphone user needs. Mint Mobile also gets the price right if you're willing to buy a few months upfront.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: How much data do you need?
Mint Mobile shares a lot in common with Ultra Mobile, and that's no surprise considering that Ultra Mobile is Mint Mobile's parent company. Both carriers even use the name Ultra in their APN settings. Because of this, you can expect network performance to be largely the same. The big difference comes down to the plans. While Mint Mobile only offers plans for a minimum of three months, Ultra Mobile has single-month and multi-month plans.
| Mint Mobile | Ultra Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Hotspot data | Included with all plans 5GB limit on unlimited plan | Included with all data plans 10GB or 20GB limit on unlimited plan |
| 5G | Included | Included |
| Minimum term | 3 months | 1 month |
| Maximum term | 12 months | 12 months |
Both carriers use T-Mobile's network and have 5G access if you have a phone that supports it. Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile have identical coverage maps on their websites, but you should still make sure that T-Mobile covers your area before signing up with either carrier.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: Ultra Mobile's plans
Ultra Mobile has two plan categories, whether you want to pay for one month at a time or multiple. If you only want to go for one month, you can start with 250MB for $10 per month. Unlimited data is as low as $40 or $50 per month.
If you're willing to buy three, six, or 12 months, you can choose between 250MB, 2GB, 3GB, 6GB, 15GB, or unlimited data. Buying 12 months gets you the lowest rates, though the discount isn't as steep as Mint Mobile's. If you're on the unlimited plan, your data will slow down after 40GB or 60GB of usage, depending on the unlimited plan you pick. If you're on another plan and need more data, you can upgrade to a larger plan or add data at $10 per 1GB.
Ultra Mobile includes unlimited international calling to more than 80 countries. If you need to call other international locations or even roam internationally, all plans except the 250MB plan include a credit.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: Mint Mobile's plans
Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNO carriers you can get. It has four data plans depending on how much high-speed data you need each month. You can choose between 4GB, 10GB, 15GB, or unlimited data. If you use up all of your data allotment or 35GB of data on the unlimited plan, your data will be reduced to 2G speeds but not completely cut off.
Each plan includes unlimited talk and text, including calls to Mexico and Canada, though service to other countries charges by the minute or message.
| 4GB | 10GB | 15GB | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 need more data, it can be added at a rate of 1GB for $10 or 3GB for $20. You also can upgrade mid-cycle by paying the price difference if you find that you run out of data regularly.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: What phones can you get?
Both carriers offer largely the same phone selection with a range of high-end and budget phones, whether you're looking for Android or iPhone. You can also bring your own phone if it supports T-Mobile's LTE network, including VoLTE. The best phones to use with Mint Mobile will also work with Ultra Mobile.
Your phone needs to support VoLTE to work on either carrier. You can check to see if your phone works by entering your IMEI on either Mint Mobile's or Ultra Mobile's BYOP page.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: Which should you get?
Network performance will be just about the same with either carrier, so you should pick the plan that works best for you. Fortunately, both carriers allow you to upgrade to a larger data plan mid-cycle if you find that you didn't get enough data. And if you're only able to buy a single month of service, Ultra Mobile is your best bet with a wide range of single-month plans available. And if you barely need any data, Ultra Mobile is also your best bet with its 250MB plan.
If you are willing to buy three or more months at once, Mint Mobile stands out with great prices on plans that will resonate with more smartphone users at 4GB, 10GB, 15GB, or unlimited. Mint Mobile really shines with its 12-month plans, but if you're unsure about the service, you can try three months at the 12-month rate before renewing for another year.
Mint Mobile
Simple savings on data plans
Mint Mobile saves you money by selling data plans for three, six, or 12 months with a mobile hotspot on each plan.
Ultra Mobile
Get the right data plan for any user.
Ultra Mobile has an option for just about everyone and great ways to save even if you're just signing up for a single-month plan.
When Samuel is not writing about networking or 5G at Android Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.
