Mint Mobile vs. Hello Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Mint Mobile and Hello Mobile are popular prepaid carriers that each have their 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 and Hello Mobile are both MVNOs on the T-Mobile network.

Mint Mobile and Hello Mobile are both mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. 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 and Hello Mobile are both MVNOs of T-Mobile. 

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 4 plans with multiple length options, while Hello Mobile offers 6 monthly options. 

Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers.

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 4GB 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. 

Hello Mobile Plans

Hello Mobile offers a second month of service free after you purchase your first. 

Hello Mobile offers 6 plans, with two of them being advertised as unlimited. Their limited plans range from 500MB to 5GB of data. As a T-Mobile MVNO, Hello Mobile’s QCI tier is 7. Their plans are also deprioritized, meaning you’ll face slowed data in times of heavy traffic. Hello Mobile also offers up to 5 lines for one plan. 

Hello Mobile sells phones already unlocked. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. 

500MB 

This plan’s data stops after 500MB.

The plan includes 500MB per month, stopping after that amount. You can also buy a mobile hotspot add-on for an additional $15 for 5GB.

The plan costs $5 per month. At this rate, you get 500MB at $10 per GB. 

1GB 

This plan costs $10 per month.

This plan is 1GB, and features unlimited slow speeds after 1GB. These speeds are 64 kbps, which is practically unusable. It will be difficult to send emails and texts as well as using social media.

4GB

This plan also features unlimited slower speeds after 4GB.

This plan is 4GB, and features unlimited slow speeds after. You can also buy a mobile hotspot add-on for an additional $15 for 5GB.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 4GB at $3.75 per GB. 

5GB

This plan also slows after 5GB.

This plan is 5GB, and features unlimited slow speeds after. You can also buy a mobile hotspot add-on for an additional $15 for 5GB. You can also buy a mobile hotspot add-on for an additional $15 for 5GB.

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $4 per GB. 

Unlimited

Hello Mobile’s website states this plan is the best in terms of value. 

This plan has unlimited data, with 15GB being full speed data. After 15GB, data will slow to 64 kbps. This speed is almost unusable, making it difficult to send emails and texts as well as using social media. You can also buy a mobile hotspot add-on for an additional $15 for 5GB.

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 15GB at $1.67 per GB. 

Unlimited + Hotspot Included

This plan is only for single-line customers. 

This plan has unlimited data, with 15GB being full speed data. After 15GB, data will slow to 64 kbps. The plan also includes 5GB of mobile hotspot data, and it stops once you reach that limit.

The plan costs $40 per month. At this rate, you get 15GB at $2.67 per GB.

Features

Mint Mobile offers more features compared to Hello Mobile 

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. Hello Mobile and Mint Mobile offer similar features, with Mint Mobile offering more overall. Mint Mobile offers better access to international connections as well. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Both Hello Mobile and Mint Mobile do not include this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Hello Mobile offers talk in Mexico and Canada. 

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.  Hello Mobile offers international talk included with their plans. 

Video Streaming Quality

Hello Mobile’s plans and Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan stream at 480p Standard Definition. Mint Mobile’s limited data plans stream at 4k Ultra High Definition. 

Streaming Services

Mint Mobile and Hello Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Mint Mobile and Hello Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Mint Mobile, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. Hello Mobile does not offer this feature. 

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

Hello Mobile and Mint Mobile do not offer this feature.  

Free Trial

Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Hello Mobile does not include this feature.

Customer Service 

Mint Mobile and Hello Mobile do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. 

Mint Mobile and Hello Mobile are both digital-only carriers, meaning they only offer customer support online. 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. Hello Mobile offers customer support over the phone from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. EST Mon. - Fri. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on Sat. and Sun at 1-888 95-HELLO (43556), as well as live chat. 

The Verdict

Mint Mobile offers the best deals overall.

When it comes to deals on data and hotspot coverage, Mint Mobile offers the better options. You get larger amounts of data at a cheaper price, as well as more features included.

However, you may want to look into Hello Mobile if you use very little data at all. If you mainly use WiFi, you may see no point in buying a plan with large data amounts or hotspot access. Hello Mobile offers smaller data allotments than Mint Mobile, making them the better option in this situation. 

We 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!