Simple Mobile vs Ultra Mobile: Which Carrier is Better?

Choosing between Simple Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile? It can be tough, especially when both offer affordable prepaid plans with unlimited talk and text. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Simple Mobile brings value with low prices and dependable coverage on T-Mobile’s network. Meanwhile, Ultra Mobile stands out with its international calling perks and flexible data options. Keep reading to see which carrier fits your needs best! For a comprehensive overview of Simple Mobile's offerings, including their cell phone plans, pricing, and coverage, check out our simple mobile review.

Here’s what we’ll dive into:

• A breakdown of the coverage provided by each carrier
• An in-depth look at pricing and the features included in their plans
• A closer look at the unique perks each carrier has to offer

Compare Ultra Mobile to other Carriers

• Mint Mobile, a T-Mobile MVNO, delivers affordable prepaid plans with nationwide 5G coverage, ideal for budget-conscious users seeking premium service.
• Metro by T-Mobile, a prepaid carrier owned by T-Mobile, offers affordable plans with reliable access to T-Mobile’s expansive 5G network.
• Straight Talk, a Verizon-owned MVNO, offers affordable prepaid plans with nationwide coverage.

Simple Mobile Overview

Simple Mobile is a budget-friendly carrier that runs on T-Mobile’s network, providing solid low- and mid-tier data plans across the U.S. With an attractive range of plans, new customer deals, and big savings for multi-line accounts, Simple Mobile offers great value for MVNO fans. Simple Mobile's customer service is accessible through various contact methods, and their cell phone plans cater to users seeking budget-friendly options. The carrier also throws in extra perks like a 15% student discount and Autopay savings. Plus, their unlimited plans come with additional hotspot data. All plans include unlimited talk and text.

For streaming, Simple Mobile offers up to 480p SD resolution, and their plans also include talk and roaming data in Mexico and Canada, as well as international roaming services.

Ultra Mobile Overview

Ultra Mobile is an MVNO that operates on T-Mobile’s network, offering a range of budget-friendly plans for single-line users. With access to T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE networks, it provides reliable coverage across the continental U.S. It’s an ideal choice for those prioritizing affordability over premium features, especially if they don’t need extensive data.

Ultra Mobile's single line plans are competitively priced and often include discounts for customers who opt for auto-refill, making them a great option even when compared to multi-line plans.

Ultra Mobile is known for its cost-effective pricing and flexibility. Its plans are perfect for budget-conscious users who want essential services like unlimited talk and text, along with international calling to over 80 countries.

Simple Mobile Coverage

Simple Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE networks, offering solid coverage across nearly every state. By operating on T-Mobile's network, Simple Mobile provides quality service due to this relationship. T-Mobile is actively expanding its 5G network, aiming to cover over 90% of the country in the coming years. While they haven’t fully reached that goal yet, Simple Mobile users benefit from excellent coverage, especially in urban and suburban areas. To check how coverage stacks up in your area, be sure to visit Simple Mobile’s coverage map.

Ultra Mobile Coverage

Ultra Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s expansive 5G and 4G LTE networks, offering excellent speed and coverage, especially in urban areas. T-Mobile’s 5G network is one of the leaders in the industry, with rapid nationwide expansion and plans to cover 90% of the U.S. population. Its 4G LTE network ensures reliable service in more remote locations as well. To check coverage in your area, visit Ultra Mobile’s coverage map, which highlights T-Mobile’s tower locations and gives you a clear idea of the service you can expect.

Coverage Comparison

Both Simple Mobile and Ultra Mobile operate on T-Mobile’s network, providing reliable 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the U.S. While both carriers offer solid service, users may experience slower speeds during peak network congestion, as MVNO customers are deprioritized compared to T-Mobile’s direct subscribers. For the most accurate coverage in your area, it’s recommended to use the coverage map tools provided by both carriers.

Overall, both offer extensive coverage, especially in urban and suburban areas, with Ultra Mobile focusing on flexibility for international calling and Simple Mobile offering budget-friendly options.

Simple Mobile Plans

Truly Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot

This plan offers 40GB of full-speed data each month, after which speeds drop to 2G. It also includes 15GB of mobile hotspot data, which slows down once the cap is reached. With the Autopay discount, you get 55GB for $1.09 per GB at full price.

Cost: $60/month ($57 with Autopay)
Pros: Includes hotspot data
Cons: Speeds slow after 40GB
Best for: Heavy data users and frequent travelers

Truly Unlimited + 5GB Hotspot

This plan provides 40GB of full-speed data, after which speeds slow to 2G. You also get 5GB of mobile hotspot data, which stops once the limit is reached. After the first 3 months, the Autopay discount drops to 5%, bringing the price to $47.50 per month.

Cost: $50/month ($45 with Autopay for the first 3 months, then $47.50)
Pros: Larger Autopay discount, separate hotspot data
Cons: Speeds slow after 40GB
Best for: Heavy data users who prefer a shorter commitment

15GB Plan

With this plan, you get 15GB of full-speed data, plus hotspot access. Once the cap is reached, data and hotspot speeds slow to 2G. This plan is perfect for light to average data users.

Cost: $40/month ($37.50 with Autopay)
Pros: Includes hotspot access
Cons: Speeds slow after 15GB
Best for: Light to average data users

5GB Plan

This plan includes 5GB of full-speed data and mobile hotspot access. After the 5GB limit is reached, speeds slow to 2G. It’s a good choice for light data users who still need a bit of hotspot use.

Cost: $30/month ($28.50 with Autopay)
Pros: Includes hotspot access
Cons: Expensive for the amount of data
Best for: Light data users

3GB Plan

The 3GB plan offers 3GB of full-speed data and includes mobile hotspot access. After the cap, speeds slow to 2G. This is a great budget-friendly option for those who only need a small amount of data.

Cost: $25/month ($23.75 with Autopay)
Pros: Includes hotspot access
Cons: Expensive for minimal data
Best for: Users with minimal data needs

Family Plan Offerings

Simple Mobile offers multi-line discounts, allowing up to 5 additional lines on one account. The more lines you add, the greater the savings, making it a flexible choice for families. Adding additional lines can significantly lower the cost per line, making plans more affordable and allowing users to save money when more than one individual joins the plan.

Best for: Families seeking multiple lines under one account with discounts

Ultra Mobile Plans

Ultra Unlimited+ Plan with Unlimited International Calling

The Ultra Unlimited+ Plan is ideal for heavy data users and frequent travelers who need unlimited data and global connectivity. It includes unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data, with speeds slowing once the high-speed data cap is reached. This plan also offers unlimited talk, text, and international roaming, along with 20GB of mobile hotspot data.

Pricing options for the Ultra Unlimited+ Plan:

• Monthly: $59
• 3 Months: $138 ($46/month, Save 18%)
• 6 Months: $258 ($43/month, Save 22%)
• Annual: $444 ($37/month, Save 26%)

Cost per GB: Unlimited

Pros: Unlimited data, international calling and roaming, 20GB mobile hotspot
Cons: Expensive for light data users
Best for: Heavy data users and frequent travelers

Ultra Unlimited Plan

The Ultra Unlimited Plan is a solid option for users who need unlimited data but have a smaller hotspot requirement. It includes 10GB of mobile hotspot, unlimited talk and text, and $5 of international calling credit each month.

Pricing options for the Ultra Unlimited Plan:

• Monthly: $49
• 3 Months: $114 ($38/month, Save 17%)
• 6 Months: $216 ($36/month, Save 20%)
• Annual: $372 ($31/month, Save 23%)

Cost per GB: Unlimited

Pros: Unlimited data, mobile hotspot, international calling
Cons: Lower hotspot limit compared to Ultra Unlimited+
Best for: Regular data users and international callers

15GB Plan

The 15GB Plan provides 15GB of full-speed 5G & 4G LTE data monthly, after which speeds slow to 2G. It also includes unlimited talk, text, and mobile hotspot access. This plan is great for moderate data users who also need international calling and texting.

Pricing options for the 15GB Plan:

• Monthly: $39
• 3 Months: $90 ($30/month, Save 17%)
• 6 Months: $168 ($28/month, Save 20%)
• Annual: $276 ($23/month, Save 23%)

Cost per GB: $2.60

Pros: Generous data limit, international talk and text, mobile hotspot
Cons: Data slows after 15GB
Best for: Moderate data users with international needs

10GB Plan

The 10GB Plan is perfect for light to moderate data users. It offers 10GB of full-speed data and 5GB of mobile hotspot. After the data limit is reached, speeds drop to 2G. This plan includes unlimited talk, text, and international coverage.

Pricing options for the 10GB Plan:

• Monthly: $29
• 3 Months: $72 ($24/month, Save 14%)
• 6 Months: $132 ($22/month, Save 19%)
• Annual: $228 ($19/month, Save 24%)

Cost per GB: $2.90

Pros: Moderate data allowance, mobile hotspot, international coverage
Cons: Slower speeds after 10GB
Best for: Moderate data users

5GB Plan

The 5GB Plan offers 5GB of full-speed data each month, with speeds dropping to 2G after the cap is hit. It also supports international calling and texting. Ideal for light data users who don’t need much data but want affordable coverage.

Pricing options for the 5GB Plan:

• Monthly: $24
• 3 Months: $57 ($19/month, Save 14%)
• 6 Months: $102 ($17/month, Save 19%)
• Annual: $192 ($16/month, Save 20%)

Cost per GB: $4.80

Pros: Low-cost plan, international coverage, mobile hotspot
Cons: Limited data allowance
Best for: Light data users on a budget

3GB Plan

The 3GB Plan offers 3GB of full-speed data and 2GB for mobile hotspot use, with speeds slowing to 2G after the cap is reached. This budget-friendly plan doesn’t include hotspot access but provides basic international calling and texting.

Pricing options for the 3GB Plan:

• Monthly: $19
• 3 Months: $48 ($16/month, Save 14%)
• 6 Months: $90 ($15/month, Save 19%)
• Annual: $168 ($14/month, Save 26%)

Cost per GB: $6.33

Pros: Budget-friendly, international calling and text
Cons: No mobile hotspot, limited data
Best for: Very light data users

Talk & Text Plan

The Talk & Text Plan is designed for basic connectivity, offering 250MB of full-speed data each month, which slows to 2G after reaching the limit. The plan includes unlimited talk, text, and mobile hotspot functionality.

Pricing options for the Talk & Text Plan:

• Monthly: $15
• 3 Months: $39 ($13/month, Save 14%)
• 6 Months: $66 ($11/month, Save 19%)
• Annual: $120 ($10/month, Save 20%)

Cost per GB: $60.00

Pros: Cheapest option, basic international connectivity
Cons: Extremely limited data
Best for: Basic talk and text users with minimal data needs

Plan Comparison

When comparing Simple Mobile vs. Ultra Mobile, both carriers offer budget-friendly plans on T-Mobile’s network, but with key differences.

Simple Mobile plans provide affordable prepaid options with flexible data limits and hotspot access, making it ideal for light to moderate data users.

Ultra Mobile plans, on the other hand, offer more data, unlimited hotspot (with some speed reduction), and international calling features, making it a better choice for users who need more data and frequent global connectivity.

In short, Simple Mobile is perfect for budget-conscious users, while Ultra Mobile is better for those seeking more data and international perks.

Key Differences Between Simple Mobile and Ultra Mobile

Unlimited Data Prioritization and Throttling

Simple Mobile offers unlimited data plans on T-Mobile's network, but after using 35GB of high-speed data in a month, users may experience temporary slowdowns due to data deprioritization, particularly during peak network congestion in busy areas. While speeds are reduced, they are restored once congestion eases, and Simple Mobile does not apply permanent throttling. This means that while the service offers great value for light to moderate users, heavy data users may face occasional slowdowns when the network is congested.

Ultra Mobile offers unlimited 5G data, but users who exceed 35GB of high-speed data in a month may experience temporary slowdowns, especially during peak times when the network is congested. These reductions typically occur in high-traffic areas, such as major cities or large events. Once the congestion subsides, speeds return to normal. Ultra Mobile does not apply permanent throttling after the 35GB limit, but users may face brief delays when the network is heavily used.

Customer Service and Accessibility

Simple Mobile operates entirely remotely, offering customer service through online chat and phone support. Without physical stores, all interactions are handled virtually, ensuring customers have easy access to assistance whenever needed. Whether through chat or phone, Simple Mobile aims to provide responsive support for all inquiries. As part of their security measures, users may need to verify you are human to confirm their identity before accessing support.

Ultra Mobile places a strong emphasis on customer care, offering a range of services aimed at providing efficient support. With a customer-focused approach, the carrier ensures fast call response times and multilingual assistance. Ultra Mobile’s support team is available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST, and for added convenience, a chatbot is available 24/7 to assist with any issues at any time.

The Verdict

If budget-friendly options and flexibility are your top priorities, Simple Mobile offers great value with its affordable prepaid plans and solid coverage on T-Mobile’s network. However, if you’re looking for higher data allowances, international features, and a more robust customer service experience, Ultra Mobile is likely the better choice. Both carriers offer solid plans, but your decision will depend on whether you prioritize budget savings, data needs, or international calling features.

For those who need both, Ultra Mobile offers a more well-rounded package, but Simple Mobile shines for users seeking low-cost plans with basic needs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use my own phone with Simple Mobile and Ultra Mobile?

Yes, both Simple Mobile and Ultra Mobile allow you to bring your own unlocked phone. To ensure compatibility, your device must support the respective network technology used by each carrier (T-Mobile for both). Simply insert the compatible SIM card into your device to start using the same plan.

Which carrier offers better international roaming options?

Ultra Mobile stands out for its strong international roaming features, including free international calling to over 80 countries and roaming in select locations worldwide. Simple Mobile also offers international calling, but its roaming options are more limited compared to Ultra Mobile, which makes it a top choice for frequent travelers looking for great coverage across various destinations.

Which carrier is better for frequent travelers?

Ultra Mobile is ideal for frequent travelers, offering international calling to over 80 countries and a variety of plans with international roaming features. If you’re looking for coverage beyond the U.S., Ultra Mobile provides more extensive services compared to Simple Mobile, which has more limited roaming capabilities. When choosing between the two, consider how much international roaming and verification of global compatibility you need before deciding. Additionally, www.ultramobile.com needs to review user security during a website visit to ensure a secure connection and confirm user identity before access.

How do Simple Mobile and Ultra Mobile handle network prioritization?

Both carriers rely on T-Mobile's network, which means during peak times and network congestion, both may experience slower speeds. Simple Mobile and Ultra Mobile customers may notice reduced speeds, especially for unlimited high-speed data users. However, Ultra Mobile might offer slightly more stable speeds with its higher-tier plans, especially for those who use data heavily.

Are there any hidden fees with Simple Mobile or Ultra Mobile plans?

Simple Mobile is known for its transparent pricing with no hidden fees, but taxes and additional charges may apply at checkout, depending on your phone selection. Ultra Mobile also keeps pricing straightforward but certain add-ons, like international calling or premium data, may incur additional charges. Always review the security of your connection and verify any charges before proceeding.