Plans for everyone
With four feature-packed plans offering 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, and unlimited data, Mint Mobile has something for just about everyone. You can also save money by buying an entire year of service upfront. All Mint Mobile plans come with mobile hotspot data use and access to T-Mobile's 5G network.
Pros
- Fast T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE data networks
- Affordable data options
- Mint Family makes multi-line savings more accessible
- Multi-month savings
- Hotspot use with every plan
Cons
- No multi-line discounts
- Only 10GB of hotspot data on the unlimited plans
- Data speeds are reduced after 40GB use on the unlimited plan
A lot of choices
Ultra Mobile offers six plans with 250MB to 60GB of data. You can save money by getting 1, 3, 6, or 12 months of service upfront. Using T-Mobile's 5G network, Ultra Mobile offers unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot use, Wi-Fi calling, and more on all its plans.
Pros
- Fast T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE data networks
- Tons of data options
- Multi-month savings
- Single-month plans are available
- Unlimited calling to more than 90 international locations
Cons
- Expensive unlimited plan
- Multi-line plans aren't a good value
Comparing Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile is undoubtedly attractive since T-Mobile now owns both Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). Both mobile carriers have their advantages, but one usually offers something the other lacks. For example, you won't find the one-month plan from Ultra Mobile on Mint Mobile.
Mint Mobile offers Family plans to make things easier, and Ultra Mobile offers one more plan option with one-month, three-month, six-month, and 12-month options. Let's discuss each carrier in more detail to see which one is right for you.
- MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: How much data do you need?
Mint Mobile has a lot in common with Ultra Mobile, and that's no surprise since they both use T-Mobile's network. When it comes to data performance, the two carriers should be nearly identical. The big difference comes down to their plans. While Mint only offers plans for a minimum of three months, Ultra has both single-month and multi-month plans that may provide the flexibility some people need.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Mint Mobile | Ultra Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Network | T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Hotspot data | All plans (10GB limit on unlimited plan) | All plans (10GB or 20GB limit on unlimited plan) |
| 5G access | Included | Included |
| Minimum term | 3 months | 1 month |
| Maximum term | 12 months | 12 months |
Both carriers use T-Mobile's network infrastructure and have 5G access if you have a phone that supports it. If you have a compatible phone, you can access T-Mobile's nationwide 5G and its faster mid-band 5G network. This network provides plenty of coverage for most people but may be a bit weaker than a carrier based on the networks of Verizon or AT&T, especially in rural areas. If T-Mobile doesn't provide the necessary coverage, you may consider some of the other best MVNO carriers.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: Ultra Mobile's plans
Ultra Mobile has two plan categories, depending on whether you want to pay for one month at a time or multiple months. If you only want one month, you can start with 250MB for $15. That same plan costs $10 monthly if you buy 12 months at once.
These savings are available on every data plan, so you can save more if you're looking for enough data to use with a smartphone. Ultra Mobile offers two unlimited plans with 40GB or 60GB of high-speed data. If you're a heavy user, these two plans aren't a bad value and offer more high-speed data than the most significant plan from Mint Mobile. In our Ultra Mobile review, we found that the speeds were good on T-Mobile's 5G network.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | 1-month | 3-month | 6-month | 12-month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250MB | $15 per month | $13 per month | $11 per month | $10 per month |
| 3GB | $19 per month | $16 per month | $15 per month | $14 per month |
| 5GB | $24 per month | $16.50 per month (special offer) | $21 per month | $20 per month |
| 10GB | $29 per month | $21 per month (special offer) | $27 per month | $25 per month |
| 15GB | $39 per month | $27 per month (special offer) | $35 per month | $30 per month |
| Unlimited (40GB) | $49 per month | $34.50 per month (special offer) | $45 per month | $40 per month |
| Unlimited+ (60GB) | $59 per month | $56 per month | $55 per month | $50 per month |
Ultra Mobile offers unlimited international calling to more than 90 countries on all its plans. If you need to call other international locations or roam internationally, all plans except the 250MB plan include a credit for this.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: Mint Mobile's plans
Mint Mobile is a favorite for prepaid carriers, all thanks to its easy-to-understand plans and pricing with reasonable data allowances. In our Mint Mobile review, we found the network performance to be strong on T-Mobile's 5G network.
It has four data plans, and based on your estimated monthly data requirements, you can choose from 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or unlimited data. If you use up all your data allotment or 40GB of data on the unlimited plan, your data speeds will be reduced but not completely cut off.
All plans offer unlimited talk and text (including calls to Mexico and Canada), though service to other countries is charged by the minute or message.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | 5GB | 15GB | 20GB | Unlimited (40GB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months (introductory price) | $15/mo. ($45) | $15/mo. ($45) | $15/mo. ($45) | $15/mo. ($45) |
| 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) |
One of Mint Mobile's best aspects is Mint Family. While this prepaid carrier doesn't offer specific family plans, Mint Family allows you to choose a different plan for individual lines with a maximum of five lines. This means you don't have to shell out quite as much at once to get the best rates with Mint Mobile.
If you need more data, you can add it at a rate of 1GB for $10 or 3GB for $20, and if you're an Unlimited Plan user, you can choose 5GB for $15 or 10GB for $20. If you regularly run out of data, you can also upgrade mid-cycle by paying the price difference.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: What phones can you get?
Both prepaid carriers offer the same device selection with a range of high-end and budget phones, whether you're looking for Android or iPhone. You can bring your phone if it supports T-Mobile's LTE and 5G networks. What's great is that most of the best Android phones will work with Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile.
If you're still unsure, you can go to the BYOP pages of the two carriers and enter the device's IMEI number to know whether your smartphone will work properly.
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 MVNO with a plan that works best for you. Fortunately, both carriers allow you to upgrade to a larger data plan mid-cycle if you don't get enough data. And if you're only able (or willing) to buy a single month of service, Ultra Mobile is your best bet, with a wide range of single-month plans available. If you barely need data, Ultra Mobile is still your best bet with its 250MB base plan.
If you are willing to buy three or more months at once, Mint Mobile stands out with great prices on all its plans. With 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, and unlimited data offerings, it has a well-rounded selection. Mint Mobile 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 the service for another year.
Multi-month savings
Mint Mobile saves you money by selling high-speed data plans for three, six, or 12 months at once, with mobile hotspot use on each plan. Mint Family also makes multi-line payments a little easier, with the best rates available at three-month renewals.
More variety, more perks
Ultra Mobile has something for everyone, with data allowances ranging from 250MB to 60GB. All plans include perks like mobile hotspot use, as well as unlimited talking & texting to more than 90 international destinations.
- MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket
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