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Mint Mobile vs. Verizon: Which carrier is better?

By
Kyle Reyes
September 16, 2024

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Mint Mobile and Verizon are both really popular options that offer stellar deals for its customers. Mint Mobile has been gaining more and more fans from the many incredible advertisements of one Ryan Reynolds. While Verizon is one of the “big three” in wireless that’s been around for decades. 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 

We’ve compared Verizon to Mint Mobile previously, when Verizon first announced their new myPlan program in May. However, this article will dive deeper into what each carrier offers for its users and what to expect from each company. 

Coverage & Reception

Mint Mobile is on the T-Mobile network, while Verizon is one of the major phone networks.

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.

MVNO - What Should You Know:

A common aspect of MVNOs you should know about is they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

Hand holding phone with mint mobile logo on the screen
Mint Mobile provides a range of plan options. Customers can choose from various data limits and contract durations, allowing for customizable service.

‍Plan Options

Mint Mobile offers more limited data options, while Verizon offers premium data. 

Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Both companies deprioritize data, which you know means you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers. Verizon does however offer premium data and plan, which does not slow down during high traffic. 

And since we’re only talking about Verizon’s postpaid plans that means you will pay for your service every month, like a billing cycle.

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.

Mint Mobile Plans
Image courtesy of Mint Mobile’s website

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. As you can see there are a lot of Pros and Cons with Mint Mobile, so it’s always good to read up before you sign up!

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 for 3 months and requires a $45 upfront payment. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 5GB for $3 per GB. If you don’t want that same deal for 6 months it’s $20 a month.

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 is currently on sale for $15 a month for 3 months (normally costing $20 per month) and requires $45 upfront payment. At this new discount rate, you get 15GB at $1.00 per GB. For 6 months it’s $25 a month and 12 months it’s $20 a month, both also requiring a payment upfront. And the regular rate gets you 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 is also currently on sale for $15 a month for 3 months (normally costing $25 per month) and requires $45 upfront payment. At this new discount rate, you get 20GB at 75 cents per GB. For 6 months it’s $35 a month and 12 months it’s $25 a month, both also requiring a payment upfront. And the regular rate gets you 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. 

Just like the 15GB and 20GB plans, their Unlimited is currently on sale for $15 a month for 3 months (normally costing $30 per month) and requires $45 upfront payment. At this new discount rate, you get 40GB at 37 cents per GB. For 6 months it’s $35 a month and 12 months it’s $30 a month, both also requiring a payment upfront. And the regular rate gets you 40GB (minus the 10Gb from hotspot) at 75 cents per GB.

Verizon Plans

Verizon offers unlimited data with all of their postpaid plans.

Verizon offers 3 postpaid plans: myPlan Unlimited Welcome, myPlan Unlimited Plus, and myPlan Unlimited Ultimate. They all offer unlimited data, but at different prioritization levels. One offers unlimited deprioritized data, while the others offer unlimited premium data. The Unlimited Plus and Ultimate plans have a QCI level of 8, while Unlimited Welcome has a QCI level 9. 

Verizon Plans
These prices are per month for 4 lines plus taxes and fees.​ Image courtesy of Verizon's website.

Here’s a breakdown of their line prices with the $10/Auto Pay discount:

Verizon Plans
Image courtesy of Verizon's website.

You can have up to 12 lines on one Verizon plan account. Devices bought from Verizon are locked for the first 60 days after activation. Their postpaid plans renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. Just like Mint Mobile there are a lot of Pros and Cons with Verizon Postpaid, so it’s always good to read up before you sign up!

myPlan Unlimited Welcome

This plan offers unlimited, but deprioritized, data. 

This plan offers unlimited data, but your connections are subjected to deprioritization. You may experience slower speeds when in high traffic areas. The plan does not come with hotspot access, but 100GB of hotspot data can be bought as an additional add-on for $10 per month. 

The plan costs $70 per month for one line normally, and $60 per month with the Autopay discount. 

myPlan Unlimited Plus 

This plan gives you unlimited premium data. 

This plan offers unlimited premium data, which means users can use however much they want without experiencing slower speeds. The plan also includes 30GB of hotspot data, which is also premium. However, your hotspot data will be deprioritized after 30GB. The 100GB add-on is also available to include with this plan. 

The plan costs $90 per month normally, and $80 per month with the Autopay discount. 

myPlan Unlimited Ultimate 

This plan gives you unlimited premium data. 

This is Verizon’s newest and biggest plan, and it offers unlimited premium data every month. You also get 60GB of premium hotspot data, but your hotspot data becomes deprioritized after you hit that limit. 

This plan costs $100 per month without the $10 Autopay discount, which would bring the price to $90 per month.

Features

Mint Mobile offers their features included, while Verizon offers their features as additional add-ons. 

While both carriers offer pretty good deals for their customers, there are some differences in the features and benefits that may entice you to pick one over the other. If you’re a frequent traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get.

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. Verizon offers more features overall, but all features are additional add-ons. As such, users must pay an additional fee to use them. All of these add-ons are $10 per month. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Mint Mobile does not include this feature. Both of Verizon’s postpaid plans include domestic roaming. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Verizon includes talk, text, and 2GB of data per day in Mexico and Canada with their postpaid plans. 

International Connection

Mint Mobile gives you international text included, while international talk and data are pay-per-use:

Image courtesy of Mint Mobile.

Verizon offers an add-on for Travel Pass for Welcome and Plus plans, but Ultimate offers international talk, text, and data included.  

Video Streaming Quality

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan streams at 480p Standard Definition, while their limited data plans stream at 4k Ultra High Definition. The myPlan Unlimited Welcome plan by Verizon streams at 480p High Definition, while the myPlan Unlimited Plus streams up to 720p HD, and Ultimate plans stream at 1080p HD.

Streaming Services

Mint Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Verizon offers several add-ons to their plans: 

  • The Disney Bundle which gets you Disney+ Premium with no ads, Hulu with ads, and ESPN with ads. Original price is $18.99/mo, only 10/mo. with Verizon savings.
  • Netflix & Max which gives you Netflix Standard with ads and Max with ads plan. Original price is $16.98/mo, only $10/mo. with Verizon savings.
  • The Walmart+ Membership which has its own benefits including a Paramount+ Subscription you can read about on the plans tab. Original price is $12.95/mo, only $10/mo. with Verizon savings.
  • Apple One which has Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ all in a bundle. Perfect for Apple phone users. Original price for individuals is $19.95/mo, only $10/mo. with Verizon savings and original family plans normally pay $25.95/mo, now only $20/mo.
  • Youtube Premium where you can get YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube Kids ad-free. Original price for individuals is $13.99/mo, only $10/mo. with Verizon savings.

(Terms Apply to all above)

Music Services

Mint Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Verizon includes several add-ons for Apple Music Family and AppleOne, which includes Apple Music. Each add-on is $10 per month. 

Gaming Services

Mint Mobile which does not offer this feature.

Verizon offers an add-on for +Play, allowing you to sign up for an XBox Game Pass. They also offer an Apple One add-on, which includes Apple Arcade

Cloud Storage

Mint Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Verizon offers an add-on for 2 terabytes (TB) of Cloud Storage for $10 per month, as well as an add-on for AppleOne, which includes iCloud+. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, they allow 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. 

Verizon offers call filtering and spam protection through their Call Filter program, but the app must be installed and enabled to work. 

Free Trial

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

Customer Service 

Mint Mobile does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. Verizon offers thousands of stores across the country, as well as online customer 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. Verizon offers thousands of locations across the country, and you can find the closest store to you with their store locator. For support over the phone, call 1-800-837-4966 or 1-800-VERIZON. Customer support is also available over chat on their website and through Facebook Messenger. 

The Verdict

Mint Mobile offers better deals for its customers.

As Mint Mobile includes hotspot access and its other features without an additional fee for all of its plans, Mint Mobile offers better deals than Verizon postpaid if you aren’t interested in any of the add-ons Verizon has to offer. You may be interested in an Unlimited Plus plan with Verizon because they offer unlimited premium data. This is if you use a lot of data, but a lot of people don’t use more than 20GB per month on their smartphone. 

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!

We’ve compared Mint Mobile with other carriers before: Mint Mobile vs. PureTalk: Which carrier is better?

And if you want to compare and contrast Mint Mobile and Verizon Postpaid to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.

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Mint Mobile 15GB Plan

15GB
data
15GB full-speed data
Hotspot access
All plan data (stops at 15GB)
Best for:
Light-average data users
More Details

Mint Mobile 5GB Plan

5GB
data
5GB full-speed data
Hotspot access
All plan data (stops at 5GB)
Best for:
Light data users, those who mostly use WiFi
More Details

Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

20GB
data
20GB full-speed data
Hotspot access
All plan data (stops at 20GB)
Best for:
Average data users
More Details

Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan

Unlimited
data
40GB high-speed data, unlimited data at 512 kbps (3G speeds)
Hotspot access
10GB mobile hotspot data
Best for:
Heavy data users
More Details

Verizon myPlan Unlimited Plus

myPlan Unlimited Plus
data
Unlimited premium data
Hotspot access
30GB premium, then unlimited deprioritized
Best for:
Heavier data users
More Details

Verizon myPlan Unlimited Welcome

myPlan Unlimited Welcome
data
Unlimited deprioritized data
Hotspot access
Add-on available
Best for:
Heavy data users
More Details

Verizon myPlan Unlimited Ultimate

myPlan Unlimited Ultimate
data
Unlimited premium data
Hotspot access
60GB premium, then unlimited deprioritized data
Best for:
Heaviest data users, travelers
More Details

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your questions,
answered

does this phone service work everywhere?

Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.

is there a contract?

Nope, it’s pay as you go.

is this prepaid?

yep! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.

does my phone need to be unlocked?

Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.

what if I want a new phone?

We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.

what does decentralized wireless (dewi) mean?

It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.

can I keep my phone number?

yup! you can port your current number in a snap. need help? hit up your VIP concierge.