Is T-Mobile better than AT&T?
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
T-Mobile unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Magenta | Unlimited | $70 | $840 |
| T-Mobile Magenta Max | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
Best cheap T-Mobile plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $30/mo** Only $90 for 3 Months Service
Mint Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $30 per month. Mint Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Mint Mobile review
Pros
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
Cons
No family plans
Minimum 3 months
Benefits
Operates on the nationwide T-Mobile network
7-day money-back guarantee
Prepaid - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your phone or buy a Mint Mobile device
Keep your phone number
Using your phone as a mobile hotspot is permitted
Free calling to Canada & Mexico, affordable rates to 160+ other locations
Flat-rate international roaming available as an add-on feature
Customer service by phone on weekdays and weekends, 24/7 by virtual chat
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $480 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $30/mo | $360/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $40/mo | $480/yr | |
AT&T unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | Unlimited | $75 | $900 |
| AT&T Unlimited Elite | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
Best cheap AT&T plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 6GB
- Price
- $15/mo** 50% Off for 3 Months
Good2Go Mobile 6GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 6GB data for only $15 per month. Good2Go Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the AT&T & T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE networks. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro's Good2Go Mobile review
Pros
4G LTE coverage
No contract
No credit checks
Cons
No unlimited data options
No app interface
Benefits
Coverage on the nationwide AT&T & T-Mobile networks
Prepaid cell phone plans - no contract, credit check, or activation fee
Bring your own phone or buy a Good2Go Mobile phone
Mobile hotspot/tethering not supported
International calling to over 60 countries available as affordable plan add-on; calling to other countries via add-on calling card
Customer service available by phone 7am - 1am EST every day
AT&T vs Good2Go Mobile comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $585 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T 4G & 5G | 6GB | $30/mo | $315/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $45/mo | $585/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
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
T-Mobile vs AT&T: Family plans
T-Mobile family plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Magenta | $70 | $120$60/line | $120$40/line | $140$35/line |
| T-Mobile Magenta Max | $85 | $140$70/line | $141$47/line | $172$43/line |
Cheapest T-Mobile MVNO multi-line plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile 4GB | $15 | $30$15/line | $45$15/line | $60$15/line |
| Mint Mobile 10GB | $20 | $40$20/line | $60$20/line | $80$20/line |
| Mint Mobile 15GB | $25 | $50$25/line | $75$25/line | $100$25/line |
| Mint Mobile Unlimited Data | $30 | $60$30/line | $90$30/line | $120$30/line |
AT&T family plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | $75 | $130$65/line | $150$50/line | $160$40/line |
| AT&T Unlimited Elite | $85 | $150$75/line | $180$60/line | $200$50/line |
Cheapest AT&T MVNO multi-line plans
| Plan | 1 line | 2 lines | 3 lines | 4 lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Pocket 500MB | $10 | $20$10/line | $30$10/line | $40$10/line |
| Red Pocket 3GB - 12 Mths | $15 | $30$15/line | $45$15/line | $60$15/line |
| Red Pocket 3GB | $20 | $40$20/line | $60$20/line | $80$20/line |
| Red Pocket 10GB - 12 Mths | $22.50 | $45$22.50/line | $67.50$22.50/line | $90$22.50/line |
| Red Pocket 25GB - 12 Mths | $30 | $60$30/line | $90$30/line | $120$30/line |
T-Mobile vs AT&T: Data plans
T-Mobile data only plans
| Carrier | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB data only plan | 1GB | $6 |
| US Mobile 2GB data only plan | 2GB | $10* Free 10 Day Trial |
| Tello 2GB data only plan | 2GB | $10 |
| Tello 5GB data only plan | 5GB | $15 |
| Mint Mobile 4GB data only plan | 4GB | $15** Only $45 for 3 Months Service |
AT&T data only plans
| Carrier | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pocket 1GB data only plan | 1GB | $10 |
| Red Pocket 5GB data only plan | 5GB | $25 |
| Red Pocket 20GB data only plan | 20GB | $40 |
T-Mobile vs AT&T: Cell phone deals
T-Mobile cell phone deals
| Phone | Carrier | Network | Monthly Price | Total Cost | Apple iPhone SE T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $18/mo for 24 mths | $429 | Apple iPhone 13 mini 128GB T-Mobile | Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $31/mo for 24 mths | $729 | Apple iPhone 13 128GB T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $35/mo for 24 mths | $829 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $42/mo for 24 mths | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | $46/mo for 24 mths | $1,099 | Apple iPhone 12 mini 128GB T-Mobile | US Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | - | $679 | Apple iPhone 12 128GB T-Mobile | US Mobile | T-Mobile 5G/4G LTE | - | $779 |
|---|
AT&T cell phone deals
| Phone | Carrier | Network | Monthly Price | Total Cost | Apple iPhone SE AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $18/mo for 24 mths | $429 | Apple iPhone 11 64GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $21/mo for 24 mths | $499 | Apple iPhone 13 mini 128GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $30/mo for 24 mths | $729 | Apple iPhone 12 64GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $30/mo for 24 mths | $729 | Apple iPhone 13 128GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $35/mo for 24 mths | $829 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro 128GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $37/mo for 24 mths | $899 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $42/mo for 24 mths | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $42/mo for 24 mths | $999 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB AT&T | Red Pocket | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | $46/mo for 24 mths | $1,099 | Apple iPhone 12 mini 256GB AT&T | Unreal Mobile | AT&T 5G/4G LTE | - | $779 |
|---|
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: MVNOs
Cheap T-Mobile carriers list
| Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
| Boost Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Boom! Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Consumer Cellular | T-Mobile |
| FreeUP Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Metro by T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Republic Wireless | T-Mobile |
| Simple Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Straight Talk | T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon |
| Tello | T-Mobile |
| Ting | T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Tracfone | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Unreal Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| US Mobile | Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Gen Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Wing | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Hello Mobile | T-Mobile |
| GoSmart Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Reach Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Lycamobile | T-Mobile |
| Walmart Family Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Speedtalk Mobile | T-Mobile |
Cheap AT&T carriers list
| Carrier | Network(s) |
|---|---|
| Boost Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Cricket Wireless | AT&T |
| Freedompop | AT&T |
| H2O Wireless | AT&T |
| PureTalk | AT&T |
| Red Pocket | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Straight Talk | T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon |
| Tracfone | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Unreal Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Wing | AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile |
| Good2Go Mobile | AT&T & T-Mobile |
| Black Wireless | AT&T |
| easyGO Wireless | AT&T |
| Airvoice Wireless | AT&T |
| Optimum Mobile | AT&T |
Cheap carrier benefits
- Same great nationwide coverage: These cell phone carriers operate on the very same networks as the big three carriers.
- Much lower prices: Save up to $600 per year on your cell phone plan. Why are MVNOs so much cheaper? They don't have the huge overhead and advertising costs the big guys do.
- No contracts: Don't get trapped into a two-year agreement. Switch carriers when you decide to with a no contract phone plan.
- Same cell phone service: Just because you're paying less, that doesn't mean you have to scrimp on features. Plans with unlimited everything are easy to find from these prepaid carriers. Usually, a low-cost carrier plan comes with unlimited talk and text as standard, high-speed data, and even mobile hotspot data features.
- Keep your phone and number: You can bring your own phone and keep your phone number. No need to sign up for pricey device payments.
- Customize your plan: You decide how much data you need. Choose to pay as you go, opt for unlimited or no data, minimal minutes, or unlimited talk text and data. Unlimited data plans come at a much better price with an alternative carrier. Pick the plan options that fit your budget - not the one your carrier thinks you need.
- Great customer support: Smaller mobile providers are known for their attention to their customers. Stop feeling like an anonymous number getting lost in the crowd! Check out our carrier user reviews before switching.
T-Mobile vs AT&T FAQs
Which is better T-Mobile or AT&T?
AT&T has better nationwide 4G LTE coverage, but T-Mobile's data speeds are better.
Is T-Mobile coverage as good as AT&T?
T-Mobile's coverage comes third, behind AT&T, covering around 62% of the country, with their 5G coverage covering around 30%. AT&T covers around 68% of the US.
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.
