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

Mint Mobile and Ting Mobile are popular smaller carriers with varying deals on data and included features. 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 Ting Mobile is on the T-Mobile and Verizon networks. 

Mint Mobile and Ting 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 is an MVNO of T-Mobile, while Ting Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile and Verizon. This means you can choose your network if you go with Ting 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 more limited data plans, while Ting Mobile offers a pay-as-you-go plan instead. 

Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Mint Mobile offers more limited data options, but Ting Mobile offers a flexible plan. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers.

Also, both carriers differ in terms of when you pay for your plan. Ting Mobile is a postpaid carrier, which means you pay for the previous month of service. Mint Mobile is prepaid, which means you pay for service up front before you use it. 

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. 

Ting Mobile Plans

Ting Mobile offers several unlimited and limited plans, as well as a pay-as-you-go plan. 

Ting Mobile offers varying unlimited and limited plans with the ability to include an unlimited number of lines on your plan. Any fast data you don’t use will roll over to the next month. Their QCI tier changes depending on which network you choose. If you choose T-Mobile, your QCI tier will be 7. It will be tier 9 on Verizon’s network. You can check out our detailed and informative article if you want more information about Ting Mobile's pros and cons. 

Ting is a carrier that does not offer any multi-line savings, making them best suited for users opening a single-line account. You may find that Ting’s prices are better than other MVNOs, but only when looking at single-line versus single-line. Cell phone carriers will always put forward the best prices, even if you need two or three lines on your account to get them.

Their unlimited plans also include varying amounts of hotspot data. 

They also offer a pay-as-you-go, or flexible, plan, where you pay for the exact amount of data you use.

If you purchase your phone from Ting Mobile, your device will be sold to you already unlocked. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

Flex Plan

This plan gives you a rate of $5 per GB. 

As a flexible plan, Ting Mobile allows you to pay for the exact amount of data you use. Any data you buy can be used as hotspot data. 

The plan costs $10 per month, and each GB you use is $5. For example, if you used 1GB, you’d pay $15. 

Set 5 

This plan gives you 5GB, then slow data afterwards. 

Ting Mobile gives you 5GB of data with this plan, and all plan data can be used as hotspot data. After the cap, you can use unlimited slow data at 2G speeds, or 128 kbps. This allows you to send text messages and emails or browse websites, but not much else. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $5 per GB. 

Set 12

This plan is 12GB with hotspot data and unlimited slow data. 

Set 12 gives you 12GB of data, and all of it can be used as hotspot data. Again, data slows to 2G speeds after the cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 12GB at $2.92 per GB. 

Unlimited

This plan slows down after 22GB of full speed data. 

Ting Mobile’s unlimited plan gives you 22GB of full speed data before slowing down to 2G speeds for the rest of the month. The plan also gives you separate hotspot data, which stops after 12GB. 

The plan costs $45 per month. At this rate, you get 22GB of full speed data and 12GB of hotspot data at $1.32 per GB. 

Ollo Unlimited Pro 

Their biggest plan gets you 35GB of full speed data and 18GB of hotspot data. 

Ollo Unlimited is Ting Mobile’s biggest plan, which gives you 35GB of full speed data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get an additional 18GB of hotspot data, which stops after you reach that cap. 

The plan costs $55 per month. At this rate, you get 35GB of full speed data and 18GB of hotspot data at $1.04 per GB. 

Features

Mint Mobile offers better international connection, while Ting Mobile offers domestic roaming included. 

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. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Mint Mobile does not include this feature. Ting Mobile offers domestic roaming with no specific limits.

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Ting Mobile offers pay-per-use rates on talk, text, and data for both Mexico and Canada. Talk rates are $0.30 per minute, text rates are $0.12 per message, and data rates are $0.20 per MB.

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. Ting Mobile offers varying pay-per-use rates depending on the country. 

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 Ting Mobile plans offer 1080p High Definition streaming. 

Streaming Services

Mint Mobile and Ting Mobile do not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

Ting Mobile and Mint Mobile do 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. Ting 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

Mint Mobile and Ting Mobile do not offer this feature.  

Free Trial

Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Ting Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

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

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. Ting Mobile offers chat support 24/7, and phone support at the number 1-855-846-4389.

The Verdict

Mint Mobile offers better deals overall, but Ting Mobile’s Ollo Unlimited plan is also a decent option.

When it comes to better deals, Mint Mobile has Ting Mobile beat. Their slower speeds are also a lot faster than Ting Mobile, and are still usable after the full speed cap. 

But if you use a lot of data and live in an area where Verizon has better coverage, you may want to consider Ting Mobile’s Ollo Unlimited plan. You get a lot of data with included hotspot access for a decent price. If you also travel often, you may want to consider Ting Mobile, as they offer domestic roaming with their plans. 

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

How does Mint Mobile Compare to Other Carriers?

There are loads of MVNOs out there! Mint Mobile is awesome, but there are a lot of other options if you aren’t sure if Mint Mobile is right for you. There are a lot of awesome MVNOs that offer good plans, but some of them are too highly-priced for what they offer. In other words, there are MVNOs that specialize in something specific, be it high data caps, powerful multi-line plans, powerful single-line plans, affordable low-data plans, etc. 

So Mint Mobile has distinct advantages compared to some MVNOs, like PureTalk, and situational advantages compared to others, like Hello Mobile or Visible. Want a bit more info? Check out Mint Mobile vs. PureTalk for a detailed look into the differences. 

Let’s look at some carriers that have situational benefits compared to Mint Mobile. 

• Mint Mobile vs. Visible: Visible offers a low-cost single-line plan with unlimited high-speed data, perfect for single-line users. Mint specialized in its family plans, which lets users enjoy Mint’s best prices on three-month contracts.
• Mint Mobile vs. Tello: Tello specializes in low-cost single-line plans with low data caps. They offer various plans with single-digit data caps at super low prices, while Mint’s plans, though more expensive, are better for medium-data cell phone users. Tello also offers contractless service, great for a few months of service if you aren’t sure where you want to land. 
• Mint Mobile vs. Cricket Wireless: Cricket Wireless has plans that mirror major wireless networks. They offer plans with unlimited high-speed data, which Mint Mobile does not, and have a big bracket of multi-line savings, just like major networks. Mint Mobile offers better low-data plans, and it is better for two-line accounts. 

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!

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