Mint Mobile vs. Connect by T-Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Mint Mobile and Connect by T-Mobile are popular prepaid brands that offer good deals on their services. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s compare them and see which is better.

In this article, we plan to discuss the details of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Mint Mobile is on the T-Mobile network, while Connect by T-Mobile is a part of a big 3 network. 

Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Mint Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile, while Connect by T-Mobile is a section of their prepaid plans offered directly on the T-Mobile network. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Mint Mobile offers unlimited talk and text with all plans, while Connect by T-Mobile offers limited and unlimited options.

Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options, but Connect by T-Mobile also offers a plan with limited talking minutes and texts. Mint Mobile deprioritizes data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers. Connect by T-Mobile offers premium data, which doesn’t slow down even in high network traffic environments. 

Mint Mobile Plans

Mint Mobile offers 4 plans, each with multiple options for lengths of service.

Mint Mobile offers plans ranging from 5GB to Unlimited (40GB) data, giving customers more options to meet their needs. Mint Mobile only offers 3, 6, or 12 month plans to sign up for. However, your data is reset every month. Their current New Customer Offer allows you to purchase a 3 month plan at the best deal. Mint Mobile also offers a deal where you can get 6 months of free service if you purchase a phone and a 6 month plan. Mint Mobile allows up to 5 lines on one account, each with their own customizable plan data to draw from.

As a T-Mobile MVNO, Mint Mobile is on tier 7 of 9 Quality of Service Class Identifiers (QCIs).

This indicates the priority level of the carrier on T-Mobile’s network compared to T-Mobile specific plans. This means they’re at a higher priority compared to MVNOs on Verizon or AT&T’s networks. As such, you may experience higher speeds while being deprioritized than other MVNOs. Unfortunately, no carrier is perfect. That would be nice! 

We’ve compiled a detailed list of Mint Mobile’s pros and cons to help you decide whether or not this is the right carrier for you. 

Mint Mobile Family Plan Savings

Mint Mobile’s family plan lets multi-line accounts (starting at just two lines) enjoy their lowest prices on three-month contracts. For single-line accounts, users need to take out 12-month contracts to get those same prices. On multi-line accounts, each user can pick their own plan from the four offerings, letting Mint Mobile stay flexible if there are certain people who only need 4 GB and others who need the 40 GB on their unlimited plan. 

We recommend prioritizing staying under the 40 GB high-speed data cap of their unlimited plan if you want to make a Mint Mobile account. If you hit the cap, you are reduced to 3G speeds for the rest of the month, and 3G speeds are incredibly slow. There are huge differences in high-speeds versus throttled speeds, and that’s always a big downside to MVNOs that offer limited data plans. So, while thinking about Mint Mobile, make sure you take your monthly data usage into account! 

Mint Mobile Contracts

Alongside Mint Mobile’s family plan savings, they also offer contracts of three distinct lengths - three, six, and twelve months. They never offer month-to-month plans, but three months still gives you a fair amount of flexibility to change plans within Mint Mobile or switch carriers if you wish. As a single-line account, Mint Mobile lets you get their least expensive plan prices, but to do so you must purchase one year of service all at once. This is okay if you are a long-time customer and know what you want, but it is tough as a new customer. 

Mint Mobile does offer a new-customer incentive which is a three-month contract at those low prices even if you are a single-line account, which is a great way to try out their service.

Mint Mobile keeps your phone locked for the first year after purchase. After, you must request to have your phone unlocked. Taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

5GB

5GB of full speed data is included before you get unlimited data at slow speeds. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data and mobile hotspot access. The plan is again deprioritized, then slows down to 2G speeds after the 5GB allotment. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. Hotspot data comes from the 5GB and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $15 per month and $45 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 5GB for $3 per GB.

15GB 

You get 15GB of full speed data, then unlimited slow data. 

This plan gets you 15GB of full speed data and mobile hotspot data. This plan is also deprioritized and slowed down to 2G speeds after 15GB. Your hotspot data comes from the 15GB allotment and stops after 15GB. The plan costs $20 per month and $80 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 15GB at $1.33 per GB. 

20GB

This plan also gives you unlimited slow data after 20GB. 

As it says in the name, you get 20GB of full speed data. This plan is deprioritized, however, and it slows down to 2G speeds after you reach the 20GB cap. The plan also includes mobile hotspot capabilities. Data comes from the 20GB allotment and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $25 per month and $75 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.25 per GB. 

Unlimited

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan gives you 40GB before slowing down speeds. 

With Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan, you get 40GB of data. Your data is deprioritized, and it slows down to 3G speeds (512 kbps) after 40GB. At 3G, you can still send texts, send emails, and scroll through social media without too many issues. Streaming video might be a bit slower. While this may be a negative for those who use large amounts of data, most users use about 20GB of data per month or less, according to Ericsson Mobility. This plan also gives you 10GB of mobile hotspot data, allowing your phone to become a WiFi connection for other devices. Data stops after 10GB. 

The plan costs $30 per month, or $90 for the first 3 months. After that, the price is $40 per month. To get the same $30 per month deal, you need to buy 12 months worth of service. At this rate, you get 50GB at $0.60 per GB. 

Connect by T-Mobile Plans

Connect by T-Mobile plans offer premium data. 

Connect by T-Mobile is T-Mobile's budget-friendly offering aimed at providing affordable wireless service to a wide range of customers, particularly those who don't need unlimited data. It’s designed to be simple and no-frills, with limited data plans that are priced lower than most of T-Mobile's standard offerings. You still get access to T-Mobile’s robust nationwide 5G network, but the focus is on low-cost options with moderate data allowances.

To get Connect by T-Mobile, you can visit any T-Mobile store or go online through their website. It’s available for anyone, and you don’t need to meet any specific requirements to qualify. It’s an excellent option for anyone looking to save on their phone bill without sacrificing decent network access. 

If you purchase your phone from T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

$15 Plan

This plan offers 5GB of high-speed data, along with unlimited talk and text. It's ideal for those who need basic connectivity without breaking the bank, and it includes T-Mobile’s 5G access​. This plan is impressively inexpensive for a major wireless network and is great for low-data users who want to stay tied to a major network or anyone who needs a little plan while they figure out what carrier is best for them. 

$25 Plan

This option includes 8GB of high-speed data, giving you more room for streaming, social media, and general browsing. It’s still a budget-friendly choice while offering a little data boost​. At the end of the day, the differences in data allocations between these three carriers is not super significant, but 8 GB gives you a little more flexibility. 

$35 Plan

The highest Connect plan offers 12GB of high-speed data, making it perfect for users who want the most from Connect by T-Mobile. Twelve GBs is nowhere near enough for high-data users, and it is a pretty small allocation compared to MVNOs. Mint, for instance, offers 40 GB of high-speed data with their most expensive plan. Thirty-five dollars for a single line of 12 GB at T-Mobile is well-priced for what you receive. 

Features

Mint Mobile offers international connection, while Connect by T-Mobile offers spam protection. 

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Mint Mobile offers more features than Connect by T-Mobile, but Connect offers call filtering and spam protection.

Domestic Roaming Data

Mint Mobile does not include this feature. Connect by T-Mobile offers 100MB of domestic roaming capabilities on all plans. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

International Connection

Mint Mobile gives you international text included, while international talk and data are pay-per-use. International talk is $0.25 per minute, while international data is $0.20 per MB. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Video Streaming Quality

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan streams at 480p Standard Definition, while their limited data plans stream at 4k Ultra High Definition. All Connect by T-Mobile plans stream at 480p SD resolution. 

Streaming Services

Mint Mobile and Connect by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Mint Mobile and Connect by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Mint Mobile does not offer this feature. Connect by T-Mobile offers call filtering and spam protection on all plans through Scam Shield.

Free Trial

Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Mint Mobile does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, while T-Mobile offers stores across the country. 

Mint Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online and over the phone. Mint Mobile offers chat support 24/7 and support over the phone at (800)-683-7392 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST every day of the week. T-Mobile offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest one with their store locator. They also offer customer support online with their website live chat, their support website for common questions, and over the phone at 1-800-937-8997. 

The Verdict

Mint Mobile is the better deal. 

When comparing Connect by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile, both stand out as solid choices for budget-conscious consumers who don’t need unlimited data. However, each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses that may sway your decision depending on your specific needs.

Connect by T-Mobile shines in its simplicity and low-cost entry points, offering single-line plans starting at $15 with reliable access to T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network. Its prepaid options are ideal for users looking for straightforward plans without hidden fees or complicated terms. The downside is that Connect lacks the perks and flexibility found in other plans—such as international calling options or unlimited data—making it less appealing for frequent travelers or heavy data users.​

On the other hand, Mint Mobile offers more customizable plans and better value for heavier data users. Mint’s pricing structure rewards those willing to pay for 3, 6, or 12 months upfront, offering significant savings, especially on its unlimited data plan. It also includes features like free international calls to Mexico and Canada and data rollover for unused data. The main drawbacks are the requirement for upfront payment and low data caps, but of course, they are much greater than Connect’s. 

While Mint Mobile offers a better deal than Connect by T-Mobile regarding flexibility, perks, and long-term savings, Connect is a solid option for those who want a basic, no-frills service without committing to long-term plans. Both carriers offer excellent options depending on your budget and data needs.

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!

Does Mint Mobile work as well as T-Mobile?

Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network, which means it uses the same towers and infrastructure for service. In areas where T-Mobile’s coverage is strong, Mint Mobile will perform just as well as T-Mobile. This includes nationwide 5G access and solid coverage in most urban and suburban areas. However, there are some differences to consider:

1. Deprioritization: Since Mint is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), its customers may experience slower data speeds in times of network congestion, especially when compared to direct T-Mobile users. T-Mobile customers often get priority during heavy traffic periods, which can result in faster speeds for them.

Coverage: Both carriers use the same network, so their coverage maps are identical. That said, if you're in a rural area or a place where T-Mobile’s coverage is weaker, both Mint and T-Mobile will face similar issues. However, T-Mobile users may benefit from extra features like Wi-Fi calling or other network optimizations that are not always available to MVNO users. If you want to look at an MVNO that uses a different network, check out our Mint Mobile vs. PureTalk breakdown.