What Carriers Apply T-Mobile'south Network?

Mint Mobile

4 out of 5 stars

4

  • Check

    Affordable data plans

  • X

    Deprioritization

Red Pocket Mobile

3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5

  • Check

    Simple and cheap

  • X

    Unlimited plan is pricey

Metro

3.5 out of 5 stars

3.five

  • Check

    Affordable unlimited plans

  • X

    Limited-data plans are pricey

Consumer Cellular

4 out of 5 stars

4

  • Check

    Affordable limited-data plans

  • X

    Unlimited information is pricey

T-Mobile has plenty to offer mobile customers: super-fast data, 5G infrastructure, and strong nationwide coverage. Merely you don't actually take to sign upwardly for a traditional T-Mobile plan to become onto the T-Mobile network.

There are many different prepaid providers that run on T-Mobile's network. You've probably heard of some of these providers—like Metro and Mint—but others are more than obscure.

All of these prepaid carriers, also known every bit mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), take something special to offer. Nosotros'll review each one in this article.

Our picks for the best T-Mobile alternatives

There are a ton of carriers on the T-Mobile network. So we're going to highlight a few of our favorites upward tiptop for the TL;DR oversupply:

  • Best value:Mint Mobile has some amazing deals on mid-level data plans that should be perfect for coincidental phone users.
  • Best for budget: Red Pocket has talk, text, and data plans that start at only $10.
  • Best for loftier-data users: Metro by T-Mobile offers tons of high-speed data and access to a 5G connection (where available).
  • Best for low-data users: Consumer Cellular is a groovy carrier for older adults and younger kids who just demand a phone for its more basic functions, like calling and texting.

Of course, this is only our opinion. You can decide for yourself past checking out the plans and reviews beneath.

Looking for prepaid providers on some other network?

Light Bulb

If you want to see what the prepaid carriers on AT&T and Verizon are like, and then check out our MVNO reviews.

How expert is T-Mobile's network?

According to our research, T-Mobile is the fastest network in the industry for download  and upload speeds.

T-Mobile is a formidable network that volition work great for most people, but its weakness might be coverage (depending on where you lot live).

Here'southward a closer look T-Mobile's coverage, data speeds, and other metrics.

T-Mobile coverage

If yous're in the Usa you're probably a rock's throw away from a T-Mobile tower. The exceptions are some areas like Idaho, Wyoming, and Nebraska (but every network has dead spots in those areas).

Here's a coverage map that will show you the 62% of the country gets 4G coverage from T-Mobile:

T-Mobile coverage map

T-Mobile data speeds

Download speeds are probably the nearly important metric to expect at when determining overall data speeds. Your download speed will determine how well you can stream, scroll, scan, and game on your device.

Just how fast are download speeds of 54.1 Mbps? Information technology's the best! It'll be plenty for coincidental Netflix viewing, Instagram posting, and hotspot tethering. In fact, it might exist faster than your dwelling broadband connection.

T-Mobile takes home the gilt medal in the download speed olympics. That'due south respectable. But what'south truly impressive are the upload speeds, which are more important now as more than people work from home. T-Mobile is tops in both categories.

What is deprioritization?

Light Bulb

Near of these disbelieve MVNO carriers come with a risk of data deprioritization. This happens when the network owner (like T-Mobile) decides to prioritize the data speeds of its own customers over those on prepaid plans.

Deprioritization can be frustrating when yous're trying to stream, mail, or download content, simply it's not going to be a constant problem. Deprioritization is more likely when the network is congested during times of heavy use.

All right, that's enough nigh T-Mobile's network. Let's have a look at the many MVNOs that actually use this network.

Metro by T-Mobile

T-Mobile's very own prepaid company offers a cheaper way to become unlimited high-speed data.

Pros

  • Robust unlimited information program

  • Cheaper than traditional plans

Cons

  • Limited-information plans are pricey

  • High startup fee

Metro by T-Mobile is, equally the name suggests, T-Mobile'southward very own prepaid provider. While this may audio like the mobile version of within trading, it'south still a great way to become onto T-Mobile's network for less.

Here'south a peak at Metro'southward offerings:

Metro by T-Mobile cell telephone plans

Metro's $50 Unlimited Plan is a pretty great deal if you desire oodles of high-speed data for streaming, gaming, and browsing. At 35 GB, its information cap is higher than many other discount providers. It likewise gives those with 5G-capable phones access to T-Mobile'south 5G network.

But Metro's lower-tier plans, like the $30 5 GB plan, are less budget-friendly. This is especially true when you consider the $thirty startup fee.

Ultra Mobile

Ultra offers cheap talk, text, and information plans with great international benefits.

Pros

  • Cheap limited-data plans

  • Slap-up international perks

Cons

  • Pricier unlimited data programme

Ultra Mobile has caused a fleck of a stir in the prepaid mobile scene past offering inexpensive plans with huge international benefits.

All of Ultra's plans will get you lot unlimited talk and text to lxxx+ countries. These plans also come with the "call me free" program, which means that people in other countries only have to pay their local charge per unit to telephone call you.

But it'south not just the international perks that are ultra (lamentable, we had to). This MVNO's express-data plans are a pretty cracking deal, specially if yous don't need a ton of data. Have a await at Ultra's prices for yourself:

Ultra Mobile plans by popularity

Ultra Mobile should definitely be on your list of MVNOs to bank check out (nosotros've put information technology in our lineup of the best cell phone plans nether $50).

Mint Mobile

Mint keeps its plans unproblematic, cheap, and awesome.

Pros

  • Great deals on limited-data plans

  • No overage charges

Cons

  • Poor streaming quality with unlimited data plans

There's a reason that Mint Mobile took abode the prize for best value in our review of the best cell phone plans under $xxx. This company, which–fun fact–is owned by Ryan Reynolds, offers some of the best deals in the unabridged mobile industry.

Do you lot desire unlimited talk and text, but simply a piffling bit of information for using Google Maps and Facebook Messenger every in one case in a while? Mint's 4GB plan volition give information technology to you for a piddling $fifteen a calendar month. Practice you desire unlimited data for streaming and gaming? Check out the Unlimited plan for only $xxx a month:

Mint Mobile cell telephone plans

If you lot get over your information cap on Mint Mobile, you won't be charged extra (but Ryan Reynolds volition send you a passive aggressive text). But your data will just be throttled to painfully irksome speeds. And Mint's Unlimited plan streams videos at 480p. And then all yous true data lovers out at that place will probably desire to take your business concern elsewhere.

United states of america Mobile

The states Mobile's fully customizable plans run on two premier networks, just full-speed data will toll extra.

Pros

  • Customizable plans

  • Mobile hotspot option

  • T-Mobile and Verizon networks

Cons

  • Full-speed information costs actress

United states Mobile prides itself on its customizability. You tin can make a programme with 300 minutes, 1,000 texts, and 2 GB of data. Or yous tin brand one with unlimited everything. Practice y'all, go wild, limited yourself.

It's up to yous how you mix and match things, just here'southward some insight into the most pop plans that others have chosen from Us Mobile:

U.s. Mobile plans by popularity

As you can run across, there's a wide variety of plans—and prices—from The states Mobile. Yous can pay $4 or $40 a month. You can get 0 GB of data or unlimited "ludicrous" data. And so what plans are actually worth signing up for?

We think that US Mobile makes the most sense for two kinds of customers: those who want actually inexpensive plans with few minutes and data, and those who want an unlimited program. The erstwhile tin can find plans for nether $10 a month. The latter tin can get a perfectly expert unlimited data plan for about $45 a month.

Do you lot really want unlimited data anyway?

Light Bulb

Certain, we all beloved data. But do yous beloved it enough to spend $40+ a month on an unlimited programme? Figure out exactly how much data you actually demand using our handy guide.

TextNow

Become basic service for complimentary (with commercial breaks) or throw downward a few bucks for more than minutes and data.

Pros

  • Gratis basic service

  • Unlimited information selection

Cons

  • Advertisements on free plan

TextNow'south biggest draw is the free phone service. Yes, free, as in $0, no money, zilch, aught, nada. The catch is that you have to watch some ads and if you want to text and make calls when you're non connected to Wi-Fi, yous volition have to purchase a TextNow SIM card for $four.99.

Yous tin likewise pay for your telephone service, if you're into that sort of thing. TextNow offers four programme options, ranging from 1 GB for $eight.99/mo., to $27.99/mo. for v GB.

TextNow plans

TextNow's highest programme has a loftier-speed information cap of v GB. That's higher than another prepaid plans, but it's however far below the data caps of traditional plans from major carriers. The 2GB LTE Plan costs the same as Mint Mobile's "medium" plan but offers just a quarter of the information.

So, in our estimation, TextNow makes sense for those who want a gratis programme and are willing to lookout man a few ads for Xarelto and Sometime Spice. For everyone else, there'due south probably a better carrier on the T-Mobile network out there.

Consumer Cellular

Consumer's depression-data plans might be perfect for your parents or grandparents.

Pros

  • Tons of plans to choose from

  • Decent low-data plan pricing

Cons

  • Higher-data plans are pricey

Consumer Cellular is i of those MVNOs with almost a million different plans. This tin can be a flake overwhelming, and then we'll make it easier past just saying this upwards front: the lower-information plans are a better deal.

Consumer Cellular plans by popularity

Consumer Cellular's lower-data plans, like the Unlimited Talk & Text + 3GB Data program, will be perfect for many seniors who aren't streaming The Witcher on their phone during their tiffin interruption.

If yous do sign up for 1 of these low-information plans, be sure to rail your information usage carefully. Consumer Cellular will automatically upgrade your programme to the next tier (and charge you lot for information technology) if yous exceed your data limit.

Ting

Ting gives you a mobile programme that fits, and changes, with your lifestyle.

Pros

  • Pay for what you use plans

  • International calls included

Cons

  • Data tin be very pricey

Ting Mobile is another T-Mobile MVNO with an unconventional program structure. Most of Ting's plans are designed so that you only pay for the minutes, texts, and information that you actually use. Isn't that refreshing?

Here's a look at a few different programme possibilities from Ting.

Ting plans by popularity

As you lot can see, at that place are plenty of ways to spend less than $xxx a calendar month with Ting. Can nosotros get a "woohoo!" from the penny-pinchers in the crowd?

Yes, in that location are some downsides to using Ting. The biggest ane is probably the high data costs. Nosotros played around on Ting's website for a minute and let'south merely say that your costs tin add upwardly pretty fast when you add data.

Prototype source: screenshot from Ting's website

Tracfone

This phone visitor may be a holdover from the '90s, but don't permit that scare y'all away.

Pros

  • Lots of plans to cull from

  • Longer pay periods bachelor

Cons

  • Non ideal for heavy information users

Tracfone is a true OG in the mobile industry. But the visitor has kept its business concern going past offering niche plans that volition work well for older customers, immature kids, and others who merely demand a simple device that tin can call and text.

Tracfone plans past popularity

Tracfone is a great choice for someone who rarely uses their phone, not so much for anybody else. For example, their ane,500 Minutes Smartphone Plan is $125. Why in the world is it $125? Because you pay for it by the twelvemonth. That's unique.

Like many of Tracfone's offerings, this i,500 infinitesimal, 1.v GB plan seems geared towards customers who desire the simplest, easiest, and cheapest plan available. If you're one of these customers, Tracfone is awesome.

Simply if yous want information to fuel your PUBG Mobile game or your Instagram addiction, you should probably go with some other carrier on the T-Mobile network.

Net10 Wireless

Net10 Wireless lets you cull your network for maximum coverage.

Pros

  • Decent mid-level plans

  • Choose your network

Cons

  • Low loftier-speed data caps

Net10 Wireless, like the other carriers in this article, works on the T-Mobile network. Simply that's not all.

Net10 tin plug you into any one of the "big three" networks, depending on which one has the best service in your area. That's a pretty great perk for those who live in rural areas that tend to exist blank on the coverage maps.

And its plans aren't too bad either:

Net10 plans by popularity

Net10's lower-tiered plans, like the $20 "unlimited" plan will be perfect for casual users who don't post on TikTok and stream Netflix on their phone all day.

But don't be tricked into thinking these are actually unlimited data plans. It's true that one time yous run out of loftier-speed data, you lot tin can continue to utilise low-speed information. This low-speed data might be helpful in a pinch, but information technology won't work well for virtually activities, like streaming, gaming, browsing, and posting.

Simple Mobile

Elementary offers decent depression-data plans, only its truly unlimited data plans are expensive.

Pros

  • Decently priced data plans

  • Adept international benefits

Cons

  • Unlimited data plans are pricey

Simple Mobile prides itself on being, well, elementary. The visitor offers a relatively slim option of plans. Each plan comes with unlimited talk and text, and a sure amount of data. While that seems simple enough, nosotros exercise take consequence with Simple's apply of the word "unlimited."

Simple calls all of its plans "unlimited" because, technically, you can employ as much data as you want. Only with most of its plans your data will accept a hard cap, anywhere from iii–15 GB. Whatever data y'all apply beyond that will exist at significantly reduced speeds.

When yous look at these plans, pay attention to the "total speed" section in the middle cavalcade.

Elementary Mobile cell phone plans

Simple Mobile could still be a practiced fit for certain people—similar low-information users—but those who want a truly unlimited data plan should check out other carriers, like Metro by T-Mobile.

One last affair we'll mention virtually Unproblematic is its decent international perks. Unproblematic's plans work in United mexican states and a few other Latin American countries, plus you'll get unlimited international calling to landlines in over lx countries.

Red Pocket Mobile

A truly affordable prepaid carrier that uses whichever network you lot want

Pros

  • Inexpensive limited data plans

  • Free international calling to 70+ countries

Cons

  • Plans just work with sure phones

When information technology comes to MVNOs, there's cheap, and then there'due south super cheap. Crimson Pocket Mobile fits into that latter category. This carrier has plans with talk, text, and data starting at just $fifteen.

Take a look at some of the nigh popular Carmine Pocket plans:

Red Pocket plans past popularity

This $xv/month plan volition get you unlimited national minutes, unlimited texts, and three GB of information. It will also allow you choose your network. So y'all can stick with T-Mobile, or you can hop onto Verizon's network if you find that the coverage is actually better where y'all are.

As with many of the MVNOs in this commodity, Cerise Pocket's plans get less interesting and more expensive as you add data. The company's $50 unlimited plan is nada to write (or call) home well-nigh.

If you do go with Cherry Pocket, just make sure that you're signing upward for a programme that works with your particular iPhone, Galaxy, or other device.

Democracy Wireless

Republic has customizable and adjustable plans for your customized and adjusting lifestyle.

Pros

  • Cheap no-information options

  • Adjustable plans

Cons

  • No unlimited data plans

Republic Wireless offers customizable and adjustable cell phone plans. That means you tin can build a plan that has just the minutes, texts, and information that you need. And if your needs change from month to month, your plan can too. That's pretty cool.

Here are some of the nigh popular talk, text, and data combinations that Republic offers:

Commonwealth Wireless plans

You lot probably won't exist surprised to larn that Democracy'southward higher-data plans are less easy on the pocketbook. And this T-Mobile alternative doesn't even offer an unlimited data plan. So Commonwealth probably only makes sense for low-data users who want a customizable and flexible plan.

Google Fi

Google wades into the mobile industry with sleek and flexible talk, text, and data plans.

Pros

  • Free international talk and text

  • Cheap low-data plans

Cons

  • Pricey unlimited data plans

Google Fi is Google's effort to get a slice of the huge mobile manufacture. Much like Google's foray into the internet service, Fi is a useful and flexible service, but also somewhat limited.

Yous can see Google Fi's limits reflected in its plan offerings. Each plan comes with unlimited talk and text, and then some amount of data. But at $ten a GB, the data tin add upwards really fast.

Google Fi cell phone plans

One nice thing about Google Fi is that you can use your minutes, texts, and data nigh anywhere in the earth. Y'all can likewise use your phone as a mobile hotspot at no actress cost (using the data that yous've already paid for, of form).

So, if y'all desire a flexible plan with great international benefits, and y'all don't mind paying a bit extra, and then you might desire to go with Google Fi.

Recap: Which prepaid T-Mobile carrier is best for yous?

That was a lot of information to accept in, so we're going to make this recap quick and simple.

We retrieve that Metro from T-Mobile offers the best unlimited plan, Mint Mobile has the best value for midlevel data plans, and Red Pocket is the best choice for those who want a dirt-cheap plan.

Here'south a little flake more information about each T-Mobile MVNO and a link to sign up:

  • Metro by T-Mobile: Metro probably has the most robust unlimited information plan of whatever of the carriers on this list, just it comes at a steep price.
  • Ultra Mobile: Ultra'due south international perks make it a great pick for those who often travel or talk with family unit away.
  • Mint Mobile: Mint Mobile offers the best deal—hands down—on midlevel data plans.
  • US Mobile: US Mobile is great for two kinds of people: low-data users and high-data users. Everyone else in-between should await elsewhere.
  • TextNow: TextNow will requite you lot free—yep, free—service if you're willing to watch some ads. It'southward not the best jail cell telephone carrier, but it might be the cheapest.
  • Consumer Cellular: Consumer Cellular offers up some cheap plans for low-data users (like maybe your parents or grandparents).
  • Ting: You tin become a Ting plan for super-inexpensive if y'all apply the Whistle Out disbelieve (and if you don't need much data).
  • Tracfone: Tracfone is a archetype carrier that stays relevant by offering long-term payment periods on low-data plans.
  • Net10 Wireless: Net10 Wireless lets you choose your network. Only be certain to read the fine print on those "unlimited" plans.
  • Uncomplicated Mobile: Simple Mobile has some decent midtier data plans for folks who don't demand all the bells and whistles.
  • Red Pocket Mobile: Red Pocket is great for all you budget-minded customers. It volition also let you choose which network you desire to employ.
  • Republic Wireless: Democracy will allow y'all customize your own plan and modify information technology when you lot demand to because life happens.
  • Google Fi: Google'south foray into the mobile manufacture will be welcomed by those who want a flexible, low-data plan that works all over the earth.

Sources:

Easton Smith

Written by

Easton Smith

Easton has worked as a freelance author and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than any human alive. When he's not sitting in front of a reckoner, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

Related Articles

Man on laptop using Windscribe VPN

Windscribe VPN Review

Windscribe VPN has free, flexible, and even customizable pricing and features. Combined with a powerful...

Couple using TunnelBear VPN

TunnelBear VPN Review

TunnelBear VPN uses one of the best, most professional-looking interfaces for any VPN nosotros've tested....

Guy on computer using ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN Review

ExpressVPN has powerful features, a clean and elegant interface, and splendid reliability. It'southward hands one...

Man working on laptop using Surfshark VPN

Surfshark VPN Review

Surfshark is ane of the best VPN clients we've tested. It offers unusual features such...