Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile are two MVNOs owned by T-Mobile. Both offer prepaid wireless service at prices well below what you'd pay at a major carrier, but they take different approaches to pricing, plan structure, and features.
Mint is known for its multi-month plans and simplicity, letting you lock in low monthly prices by paying for 3, 6, or 12 months of service upfront. Ultra Mobile leans into international perks and flexible plan tiers, but those extras come at a premium cost that can be tough to justify unless you actually need the global calling features.
We've completed extensive hands-on testing of both Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile. In fact, three of our WhistleOut experts are currently customers of these carriers. Angelo Ilumba and Daphne Kelly are Mint users, while I (Max McCaskill) have an annual plan with Ultra.
Our analysis showed these two carriers serve different types of customers:
- Mint Mobile is a stronger pick for budget-focused users who want reliable T-Mobile service at the lowest possible price.
- Ultra Mobile is best for customers who need built-in international calling and texting.
Keep reading to understand exactly how Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile stack up across price, value, speed, coverage, and customer service. We'll help you make the best decision for your next wireless carrier.
Get to the point: Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile carrier snapshot
If you want to know what it's like to be a customer of one of these carriers, check out our hands-on reviews of Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile. Otherwise, here's a quick rundown of the pricing and features of each if you want to make a decision right now:
| Mint Mobile | Ultra Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $15–$30/month | $19–$59/month |
| Coverage | T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Plan lengths | 3, 6, or 12 months | 1, 3, 6, or 12 months |
| Mobile hotspot data | Up to 20GB | Up to 25GB |
| Highest recorded speed* | 600Mbps (5G) | 229Mbps (5G) |
| International calling | Add-on passes only | Included on all plans |
| Family plan options | Mix-and-match lines | Unlimited Plan only |
| WhistleOut rating | ||
| Shop plans | Shop plans |
*Highest speed recorded during WhistleOut hands-on testing.
The bottom line: Mint is cheaper, but Ultra has more perks
Mint Mobile's best feature is its low pricing. Users who opt for an annual or family plan can score the Mint Unlimited plan for just $30/month. All of Mint's plans also include unlimited talk, text, and mobile hotspot access. The carrier's low prices are through its bulk pricing model: the longer you commit, the lower your monthly rate drops. Our testers Angelo and Daphne were both so impressed with Mint's service that they left their major carrier plans and signed up with Mint for full-year plans.
Ultra Mobile's plan lineup is much broader, ranging from the basic Talk & Text plan with 500MB of data all the way up to the Unlimited+ plan with 35GB of premium data and a 25GB mobile hotspot. It also offers more plan length options, from one-month to annual plans. That said, Ultra is generally more expensive than Mint, but it also offers international perks that Mint can't match. Every Ultra Mobile plan includes free unlimited calling to 90+ countries. That said, unless you need that kind of international support, I found that Ultra Mobile is only genuinely competitive when you commit to an annual plan or catch a promotional deal.
Reviews and ratings: How we scored Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile
At WhistleOut, we review all carriers using the same five criteria: price, value, speed, coverage, and customer service. Each is evaluated on a 5-star scale to calculate the carrier's overall rating.
- – Price: 5 out of 5
- – Value: 4.5 out of 5
- – Data speeds: 4.5 out of 5
- – Coverage and network reliability: 3 out of 5
- – Customer service: 4 out of 5
- – Price: 3 out of 5
- – Value: 3 out of 5
- – Data speeds: 3 out of 5
- – Coverage and network reliability: 3.5 out of 5
- – Customer service: 2 out of 5
Mint Mobile's rating details
Mint Mobile's pricing and value are genuinely rare in the wireless industry. It's a carrier that actually saves you money without making you feel like you're settling. Buying a full year of Mint's Unlimited plan costs $360 annually, which is a massive $2,568 difference compared to what the average major carrier customer spends per year.
On the coverage and speed front, we saw blazing download speeds of 411Mbps, with peak speeds reaching as high as 600Mbps. Mint's coverage with T-Mobile was solid, performing excellently in cities and suburbs, but dead zones in remote areas were noticeable. The carrier's customer service was also responsive in both online chat and phone interactions.
Read Angelo's full Mint Mobile review for more details.
Ultra Mobile's rating details
Ultra Mobile's biggest challenge is justifying its price tag. At $49/month for the standard Unlimited Plan and $59/month for the Unlimited+, the carrier simply costs more than other T-Mobile MVNOs like Mint Mobile. While Ultra is the better choice for users needing international perks, average customers will find the most value with annual plans or promotional pricing.
On the speed and coverage side, Ultra Mobile's results were solid in urban areas and shakier in rural ones. Our 5G speed testing averaged around 150Mbps, topping out at 229Mbps, which is good performance, though still below what Mint offered. Ultra's T-Mobile coverage has improved over the past two years, particularly in rural parts of North Carolina, but it still lags behind Verizon and AT&T in many areas. Finally, customer service was the weakest part of the experience, with phone calls going unanswered and a mostly useless virtual chatbot.
Read Max's full Ultra Mobile review for more details.
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: Plan prices and value
Mint Mobile's pricing model is one of the most compelling in the prepaid market, but it is unique compared to other carriers. You're not paying month to month. Instead, you're buying a block of service (3, 6, or 12 months) and paying for it all upfront. The tradeoff is significant savings. For example, on the 12-month plan, Mint's Unlimited plan drops to just $30/month for 50GB of premium data and a 20GB mobile hotspot.
Ultra Mobile's approach is more flexible on the front end, so you can choose a 1-, 3-, 6-, or 12-month plan period. For customers who can't afford the large upfront cost of Mint Mobile, Ultra's monthly options may be more affordable, even if they cost more overall. Still, the savings from committing to Ultra's longer plans are excellent. The standard Unlimited Plan with 35GB of premium data and a 25GB mobile hotspot costs $49/month on a one-month plan but drops to just $34/month on an annual plan.
Compare specific Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile plans
Check out the prepaid plans offered by Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile below:
| Mint Mobile | Ultra Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Select plan | ||
| Mobile data | ||
| Hotspot | ||
| Coverage | ||
| Price | ||
| Shop plans | Shop plans |
*Introductory pricing for first 3 months. Standard rates apply after the initial term.
Unlimited plans: Mint Mobile offers more premium data at a lower price
Mint Mobile's Unlimited plan includes unlimited talk, text, 50GB of premium data, and a 20GB mobile hotspot. Once you hit that threshold, your speeds may be deprioritized due to network congestion for the rest of the month. That said, 50GB is plenty of data for average customers, so most people will never reach their limit. The pricing starts at $30/month, but it increases to $40/month unless you resubscribe on an annual or family plan.
Ultra Mobile offers two unlimited plans. In addition to unlimited talk, text, and international calling to 90+ countries, each plan offers data and hotspot use:
- The Unlimited Plan starts at $49/month and includes a 35GB premium data allotment and a 10GB mobile hotspot.
- The Unlimited+ Plan starts at $59/month and includes a 35GB premium data allotment and a 25GB mobile hotspot.
Remember, like Mint Mobile, you can lower the monthly cost of both Ultra unlimited plans by purchasing several months of service in advance.
Mint vs. Ultra unlimited plan comparison
| Plan | Starting price | Premium data | Mobile hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile Unlimited | $30/month | 50GB | 20GB |
| Ultra Mobile Unlimited | $49/month | 35GB | 10GB |
| Ultra Mobile Unlimited+ | $59/month | 35GB | 25GB |
Limited plans: Ultra Mobile has more options
For customers who don't need unlimited data, both carriers offer a selection of limited plans.
Mint Mobile offers three limited plans: 5GB, 15GB, and 20GB. All three include unlimited talk and text and mobile hotspot access. On these plans, hotspot draws from your overall high-speed data allotment. Once that's used up, speeds may be reduced for the rest of the month.
Mint Mobile plan pricing
| Plan | 3-month price | 6-month price | 12-month price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB | $25/month | $20/month | $15/month |
| 15GB | $35/month | $25/month | $20/month |
| 20GB | $45/month | $35/month | $25/month |
| Unlimited | $40/month | $35/month | $30/month |
Ultra Mobile's limited plan lineup is much broader, offering more options than Mint. All of Ultra's limited plans include unlimited talk and text to 90+ international destinations and mobile hotspot capability, with hotspot drawing from the plan's overall data allotment. Ultra also has a cheap basic Talk & Text Plan for low-data users, which Mint doesn't offer. Just note that the Talk & Text Plan is not available as a one-month option.
Ultra Mobile limited plan pricing
| Plan | Premium data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Talk & Text Plan | 500MB | $13/month |
| 4GB Plan | 4GB | $19/month |
| 8GB Plan | 8GB | $24/month |
| 12GB Plan | 12GB | $29/month |
| 24GB Plan | 24GB | $39/month |
Plan perks: Ultra Mobile has more standard perks
Mint Mobile keeps its plans lean. Its lack of add-on perks is part of how it keeps monthly rates so low.
Ultra Mobile separates itself from other carriers with international features built directly into every plan, which is a fairly unusual perk among budget MVNOs. For travelers or anyone with family abroad, Ultra's built-in perks are a genuine advantage. Mint does offer international coverage through its Minternational add-on passes, but these are purchased separately starting at $5/day while abroad.
- Mint Mobile: Purchase Minternational roaming passes for 180+ destinations.
- Ultra Mobile: All plans include unlimited calling to 90+ international destinations.
Family plans: The Mint Modern Family Plan allows customization
If flexibility matters for your family plan, Mint Mobile has a clear advantage. The Mint Modern Family Plan allows up to five lines under one account, with each line customizing its own data plan. A light user can stay on the 5GB Plan while a heavy streamer picks Mint Unlimited. Even better, all of Mint's family plans offer the lowest possible monthly pricing, no matter the length of your plan.
Mint Mobile family plan monthly pricing
| Plan | Single-line price | Multi-line (2–5) price | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB | $15 (12 months) $20 (6 months) $25 (3 months) |
$15 | View plan |
| 15GB | $20 (12 months) $25 (6 months) $25 (3 months) |
$20 | View plan |
| 20GB | $25 (12 months) $35 (6 months) $45 (3 months) |
$25 | View plan |
| Unlimited | $30 (12 months) $35 (6 months) $40 (3 months) |
$30 | View plan |
Ultra Mobile's family plans are locked to the one-month Unlimited Plan, with no mix-and-match options. Your first line is $49/month, then each additional line is $24/month. Mint Mobile is the cheapest family plan option overall, but remember it's still expensive to pay for at least three months of a family plan upfront. For customers who can't afford the multi-month Mint payments, Ultra's one-month plans may be the better option.
Ultra Mobile Unlimited family plan pricing
| Lines | Cost per line | Total monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 line | $49/month | $49/month |
| 2 lines | $49 + $24 | $73/month |
| 3 lines | $49 + $24 + $24 | $97/month |
| 4 lines | $49 + ($24 x 3) | $121/month |
| 5 lines | $49 + ($24 x 4) | $145/month |
Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile: Coverage and data speeds
Image: T-Mobile
Both Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile run on T-Mobile's network, so their coverage maps are the same. No matter which you choose, you're getting access to the largest 5G network in the country. That said, T-Mobile's coverage lags in rural areas, so you may face dead zones outside of cities.
4G LTE service
Angelo noted that Mint Mobile's 4G LTE coverage held up well during his testing, with solid connectivity everywhere he traveled, including urban ares in Southern California and a trip to New Orleans. His only noticeable issues came in remote areas. Similarly, Daphne had a solid experience with Mint's 4G LTE with average speeds around 58Mbps.
My experience with Ultra Mobile's 4G LTE was less positive. I also saw average Ultra Mobile 4G LTE speeds around 50Mbps, but the 4G LTE network was sometimes unusable in rural North Carolina.
5G service
Image: Angelo Ilumba
The 5G coverage map and download speeds are where both carriers shine.
Angelo's first speed test in Irvine, California, hit 411Mbps, and he went on to record peak speeds of 600Mbps. He never saw speeds go below 200Mbps while on the 5G network. These are incredibly fast speeds at a fraction of the major carrier price.
Angelo's experience with Mint Mobile's coverage
Angelo had great coverage during his time on Mint Mobile's 5G network:
"From my experience, the coverage was pretty solid in my neck of the woods—a bustling suburb in Southern California. Whether I was streaming music, hopping on a video call, or just browsing, the connection was smooth, fast, and reliable."
He was so convinced that he signed up for two full years of Mint's Unlimited plan after his review period ended. Read more in his full Mint Mobile review.
Ultra Mobile's 5G performance was also solid, but fell short of Mint's highs. Ultra Mobile's 5G speeds averaged around 150Mbps, with a peak recorded speed of 229Mbps. I also experienced deprioritization during congested periods, with speeds dropping as low as 15Mbps while still showing a 5G signal.
Since I live in a more rural area than Angelo or Daphne, it's not surprising that my speeds were slower. This is a good reminder that 5G coverage is not the same everywhere. Your experience depends on both your location and the type of 5G tower your local carrier is using. Outside of cities, T-Mobile largely uses low-band 5G towers that send signals over farther distances but provide slower speeds overall.
However, for everyday tasks like streaming HD video, video calls, and gaming, both carriers' 5G speeds are more than sufficient. Netflix, YouTube, and mobile games like PUBG: Mobile all worked well on Ultra's 5G signal. Angelo's Mint speeds were also more than capable of handling YouTube, large downloads, and work-related video calls on his hotspot.
Customer service
Both Mint and Ultra are online-only carriers, so you won't find in-person help at a physical store. Instead, your customer service options are limited to phone agents and online resources.
Mint Mobile offers customer support through online chat and a phone line. Angelo tested both during his review and found the carrier quick to respond each time. He acknowledged that his requests were relatively simple fixes, but the speed and responsiveness of the agent left a positive impression. Daphne's experience also showed reliable service without any significant problems.
Max's experience with Ultra Mobile's customer service
After struggling to reach support through multiple channels, Max described his experience:
"All I wanted was to be connected with an actual human, but I could never connect with an agent through the bot's limited set of questions. Instead, I repeatedly typed 'live agent' until it finally connected me."
Read more in his full Ultra Mobile review.
My experience with Ultra Mobile's customer service was not great. It offers three support channels—a virtual chatbot, an online agent, and a phone number—but I struggled with all of them. The phone line, open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, went unanswered during my initial testing. The chatbot also couldn't handle anything beyond its limited set of preset questions, so I had to spam the chat until I was connected with a live agent. Once connected, the agent was helpful, but the overall experience left a negative impression.
Bottom line: Mint Mobile's pricing vs. Ultra Mobile's international perks
Mint Mobile is the better overall carrier for most customers, particularly those who need a family plan or are looking for no-frills service. With the Mint Unlimited Plan starting at $30/month, it's one of the cheapest options for T-Mobile service. That said, not everyone can afford the upfront cost for multiple months of service. For those customers, Ultra Mobile and its one-month plans may be the better option.
Ultra Mobile's main strength is with customers who need international calling as a free perk or who want a basic Talk and Text Plan. That said, if you can catch Ultra's plans on sale, you may be able to save overall with an annual plan. Otherwise, Mint Mobile largely offers more data for a lower price.
Switch to Mint Mobile or Ultra Mobile
Have you made a decision? Switching to either Mint Mobile or Ultra Mobile is easy.
Both support eSIM activation for instant setup, as well as physical SIM card delivery for devices that don't support eSIM. You'll need to get your number transfer (port-out) PIN from your current carrier before initiating a switch.
Check out our Mint Mobile switching guide and Ultra Mobile switching guide for complete instructions.
How WhistleOut rates cell phone plans
WhistleOut evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts tested Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile for at least a month each, in addition to leveraging proprietary data and real-world customer feedback. We compared the two carriers by analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, we picked the best carrier we felt meets the needs of most people. We only compared Mint Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile; no other carriers, big or small, were included in our examination.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to learn more about cell phone carriers and plans and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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