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AT&T vs T-Mobile: Which is carrier is best?

We compared T-Mobile & AT&T plans, coverage & customer ratings: Which cell phone service is best for you?

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Chances are your cell phone service runs on one of the largest mobile networks - Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile.

All these providers do their best to convince you their network is the fastest and best cell phone network out there but what are the best value plans?

If you're trying to figure out which network is better between AT&T and T-Mobile you're in the right place.

We'll give you the lowdown and show you how you could save a lot of money while enjoying great service on whichever network you choose.

T-Mobile vs AT&T: Plans

Best cheap T-Mobile phone plan

Mint Mobile 5GB plan

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
5GB
data
$15/mo*
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2 Read our Mint Mobile review
$720 in annual savings

Cheapest T-Mobile unlimited data plan

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

T-Mobile unlimited data plans

Plan Data Monthly Price Annual Cost
T-Mobile Essentials Unlimited $65 $780
T-Mobile Magenta Unlimited $75 $900
T-Mobile Go5G Unlimited $80 $960
T-Mobile Magenta MAX Unlimited $90 $1,080
T-Mobile Go5G Plus Unlimited $95 $1,140

T-Mobile vs Tello comparison

Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year

Carrier Network Coverage 4G/5G Data Price Annual Cost
T-Mobile T-Mobile 4G & 5G Unlimited $75/mo $900/yr
Tello T-Mobile 4G & 5G Unlimited $25/mo $300/yr
Savings $50/mo $600/yr

Best cheap AT&T phone plan

Boost Mobile 5GB plan

Image of cell phone with Boost Mobile
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
5GB
data
$5/mo*
$15/mo
See at Boost Mobile

*$15 for 3 Mths Service

4 Read our Boost Mobile review
$750 in annual savings

Cheapest AT&T unlimited data plan

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Boost Mobile
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
See at Boost Mobile

*50% Off 1st Mth

4 Read our Boost Mobile review
$612.50 in annual savings

AT&T unlimited data plans

Plan Data Monthly Price Annual Cost
AT&T Unlimited Starter Unlimited $65 $780
AT&T Unlimited Extra Unlimited $75 $900
AT&T Unlimited Premium Unlimited $85 $1,020

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $612 per year

Carrier Network Coverage 4G/5G Data Price Annual Cost
AT&T AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited $75/mo $900/yr
Boost Mobile AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited $25/mo $288/yr
Savings $50/mo $612/yr

Plan features

  • 4G & 5G data speeds: Since MVNOs operate on the big three cellular networks you'll pay less without sacrificing speed. More and more are adding 5G coverage all the time so you can expect high-speed data.
  • Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calls in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
  • International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico, and discounted rates on others.
  • Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with multi-line discounts.
  • Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you're out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.
  • Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.
  • HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't. Read the fine print to find the option you want.

T-Mobile vs AT&T: Coverage

T-Mobile coverage map

T-Mobile Coverage Maps

AT&T coverage map

AT&T Coverage Map

Compare network performance

NETWORK OVERALL RELIABILITY SPEED DATA CALL
AT&T Coverage 94 94 95 96 92
T-Mobile Coverage 86 88 82 89 82

Source: Rootmetrics

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T-Mobile vs AT&T: Family plans

T-Mobile family plans

Plan 1 line 2 lines 3 lines 4 lines
T-Mobile Essentials $65 $100
$50/line
$120
$40/line
$140
$35/line
T-Mobile Magenta $75 $130
$65/line
$156
$52/line
$180
$45/line
T-Mobile Go5G $80 $140
$70/line
$171
$57/line
$200
$50/line
T-Mobile Magenta MAX $90 $150
$75/line
$186
$62/line
$220
$55/line
T-Mobile Go5G Plus $95 $160
$80/line
$201
$67/line
$240
$60/line

AT&T family plans

Plan 1 line 2 lines 3 lines 4 lines
AT&T Unlimited Starter $65 $120
$60/line
$135
$45/line
$140
$35/line
AT&T Unlimited Extra $75 $130
$65/line
$150
$50/line
$160
$40/line
AT&T Unlimited Premium $85 $150
$75/line
$180
$60/line
$200
$50/line

T-Mobile vs AT&T: Data plans

T-Mobile data plans

Carrier Network Data Price
Good2Go Mobile 1GB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 1GB $5/mo
Tello 1GB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 1GB $5/mo
US Mobile 500MB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 500MB $5/mo
Tello 2GB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $6/mo
Boost Mobile 2GB plan T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $10/mo

AT&T data plans

Carrier Network Data Price
Good2Go Mobile 1GB plan AT&T 5G/4G Coverage 1GB $5/mo
Good2Go Mobile 3GB plan AT&T 5G/4G Coverage 3GB $10/mo
Boost Mobile 2GB plan AT&T 5G/4G Coverage 2GB $10/mo
Red Pocket 1GB plan AT&T 5G/4G Coverage 1GB $10/mo
Boost Mobile unlimited data plan AT&T 5G/4G Coverage Unltd $12.50/mo $25/mo

T-Mobile vs AT&T: Phone deals

T-Mobile phone deals

AT&T phone deals

T-Mobile vs AT&T: Customer service

NETWORK TRUSTPILOT RATING
AT&T user rating 1.2
T-Mobile user rating 1.5

T-Mobile vs AT&T FAQs


Recap

There's no longer any reason to pay exorbitant fees to stay on the best cell phone network regardless of whether you decide that's AT&T or T-Mobile.

You can easily check your phone's compatibility on the carriers' website.

Finally, use our comparison tool to find a cheap cell phone plan.

MoneySavingPro methodology

We're here to bring transparency to telecoms, putting power back in your hands. This guides everything we do.

  • We've got high standards. We use our industry expertise to find carriers that reach these standards. We all deserve the best value for money, choice, and customer experience.
  • We care about accuracy. MoneySavingPro is run by cell phone geeks and money-saving obsessives. Our content team researches everything thoroughly so that information you read here will give you the whole picture. Everything we do is backed up by the data.
  • We keep things simple. It's our job to break down what you need to know, so you can make informed choices.

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