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Quick Summary
Americans pay an average of $70–80/mo with the Big 3. Both Mint Mobile and Lycamobile run on T-Mobile towers at $15/mo and $5/mo respectively — both substantially cheaper. Lycamobile leads on price: international calling to 60+ countries built in — T-Mobile coverage from $5/mo. The right pick depends on which plan features matter most for your usage.
Key Takeaways
- Both Mint Mobile and Lycamobile run on T-Mobile towers — same coverage area, the decision comes down to price, plan flexibility, and features
- Lycamobile starts at $5/mo vs Mint Mobile from $15/mo — price difference is meaningful on identical or equivalent network infrastructure
- Mint Mobile: lowest per-month price on T-Mobile when you prepay 3 months upfront — from $15/mo
- Lycamobile: international calling to 60+ countries built in — T-Mobile coverage from $5/mo
- Americans pay an average of $70/mo with the Big 3 — both Mint Mobile and Lycamobile offer lower-cost alternatives on major US networks
Looking for an affordable phone plan but unsure which carrier is best? If you're trying to cut costs, Mint Mobile and Lyca Mobile both offer low-cost prepaid options-but they focus on different benefits.
Mint Mobile rewards you for prepaying upfront, offering some of the cheapest unlimited data plans available. Lyca Mobile, on the other hand, prioritizes international calling, making it a great choice if you frequently connect with friends or family abroad.
I've checked them both out and reviewed them below to help you find the right plan for your needs.
Mint Mobile vs Lyca Mobile plans
Winner: Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is all about long-term savings, letting you lock in low rates when you prepay for three, six, or twelve months. Their unlimited plan is just $30 per month when paid annually, which is one of the best deals for prepaid plans.
Lyca Mobile offers flexible monthly prepaid plans, making it ideal if you don't want to commit long-term. Their unlimited plan costs $50 per month, which is $20 more than Mint's best rate, but includes international calling to over 75 countries.
If you're focused on saving money and don't mind pay for multiple months upfront, Mint Mobile is a great choice. However, if international calling is a priority for you, Lyca Mobile's plans are worth taking a look at.
Mint Mobile plans
(Prices reflect 12-month prepay rates; month-to-month pricing is higher.)
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile 6GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 6GB | $15/mo |
| Mint Mobile 17GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 17GB | $15/mo |
| Mint Mobile 23GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 23GB | $15/mo |
| Mint Mobile unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $15/mo |
Lyca Mobile plans
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyca Mobile 5GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $19/mo |
Mint Mobile vs Lyca Mobile coverage
Winner: Tie
Mint Mobile operates exclusively on T-Mobile's network, which delivers fast 5G speeds and strong urban coverage. However, T-Mobile's rural coverage isn't as strong as Verizon's or AT&T's, according to the RootMetrics 2024 report.
Lyca Mobile also runs on T-Mobile's network, meaning domestic coverage is identical to Mint Mobile. However, Lyca Mobile has international roaming options that allow you to use your phone outside the U.S. for an additional fee.
If you spend most of your time in the U.S., there's no difference between Mint Mobile and Lyca Mobile in terms of coverage. If you travel internationally and want to keep your same plan, Lyca Mobile offers more roaming options.
Mint Mobile coverage
Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Mint Mobile coverage map
Lyca Mobile coverage
Lyca Mobile is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Lyca Mobile coverage map
Data speeds: Which provider delivers better performance?
Winner: Mint Mobile
Since both carriers operate on T-Mobile's network, speeds are generally similar. However, Mint Mobile offers better value at a lower price.
Mint Mobile's unlimited plan includes high-speed data up to 35GB per month, making it one of the best low-cost unlimited options.
Lyca Mobile's unlimited plan includes up to 60GB of high-speed data, which is nearly double Mint's cap, but it costs $50 per month-$20 more than Mint Mobile's.
If you use under 35GB per month, Mint Mobile is the better deal at a lower price. If you need more than 35GB of high-speed data, Lyca Mobile offers a higher cap but at a premium cost.
Extra features: Which provider gives you more?
Winner: Lyca Mobile
Mint Mobile includes free international calling to Mexico and Canada, making it great for people who have family in those countries. However, it doesn't include free calls to other international destinations.
Lyca Mobile is built for international communication, offering free international calling to over 75 countries, making it one of the best options if you frequently call outside the U.S.
If you regularly call multiple countries outside the U.S., Lyca Mobile is a better option.
Mint Mobile vs Lyca Mobile plan features
| Carrier Features | Mint Mobile | Lyca Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | No |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes | Yes |
| Contract | Prepaid | Prepaid |
| Credit Check | No | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 | Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm / Sun 10am to 8pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 7 days | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Voicemail | Yes | No |
| Multi-line Discounts | No | Yes |
| Multi-month Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico & Canada | Yes - Unlimited in 70+ countries |
| International Roaming | Yes | Yes |
Final verdict: Which carrier is the better deal?
- Best for the lowest-cost plan → Mint Mobile
- Best for international calling → Lycamobile
- Best for international travel → Lycamobile
- Best value for data → Mint Mobile
If you're looking for the cheapest unlimited plan and don't mind paying upfront for multi-month deals, Mint Mobile is great value for money. But, if you make frequent international calls or travel often, Lyca Mobile may be a better fit.
See if Mint Mobile is right for you
Check out Lyca Mobile plan options
Mint Mobile vs Lyca Mobile FAQs
The main difference between Mint Mobile and Lyca Mobile are plan prices and features. Both offer cheap cell phone plans powered by the major networks.
Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile and Lyca Mobile runs on T-Mobile.
Most newer handsets are compatible if they're unlocked, but if you're not sure you can check phone compatibility with our IMEI checker.
If your Mint Mobile phone is unlocked it should work with Lyca Mobile. Most of the latest handsets are compatible but you can check your phone's compatibility with the carrier before purchasing.
Why you can trust me
I've spent years helping people ditch overpriced phone plans by exposing hidden fees and carrier tricks. At MoneySavingPro, we go beyond the fine print, testing and comparing real-world network performance so you don't have to.
I've personally tested Mint Mobile, Lycamobile, and other low-cost providers, comparing their speeds, coverage, and pricing to the Big 3. If there's a smarter way to save, you'll hear about it here first.
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