Mint Mobile vs. US Mobile Cell Plans Review

Mint Mobile and US Mobile are two of the most popular discount cell phone carriers on the market. Both carriers offer cheap and simple plans that can save you a ton of money on your phone bill. But which one is better?

Best Unlimited Plan
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at$15/mo. for 3 mos.
Price per 1 line:
$15–$30/mo
Data cap:
5GB–Unlimited
Current deal 🔥

New customers pay $15/mo for three months

Best Cheap Plan
US Mobile
US Mobile
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at$8/mo
Price per 1 line:
$8–$44/mo
Data cap:
2GB–Unlimited
Current deal 🔥

Get free TV subscriptions with a family plan

Easton Smith
Apr 29, 2025
Icon Time To Read7 min read

The short answer is this: US Mobile offers a wider plan selection, better coverage, and cheaper prices. But Mint Mobile's Unlimited Data plan is one of the cheapest on the market.

"I had better coverage and less frequent slowdowns when I used US Mobile in my area.” says Tim Tincher, a customer who has tried both Mint Mobile and US Mobile.

There’s a lot more to consider about these two carriers, and we’ll go over all of the juicy details—including plans, pricing, and performance—in this Mint vs. US Mobile review.

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US Mobile vs. Mint Mobile: Quick overview

You might wonder why Mint and US Mobile are so cheap. It's because Mint and US Mobile are both mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which is just a fancy way of saying that they don’t own their own cellular networks. Instead, they lease bandwidth from larger network towers to bring service to their customers, but don't have to maintain them.

This means that both companies are able to offer plans that are cheaper and more flexible than those offered by traditional carriers, like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T. Mint Mobile and US Mobile also typically offer prepaid plans, with limited-data or unlimited data plans.

Provider
Price
Features
Hotspot data
Details
Starting at$10/mo
Unlimited talk, text, and 2GB to unlimited data0GB–100GB
Starting at$15/mo. for 3 mos.
Unlimited talk, text, and 5GB to 35GB high-speed dataPulls from plan data amount, 10GB for Unlimited plan

US Mobile offers cell phone plans from $10 per month for varying levels of premium data ranging from 2GB to unlimited, while Mint Mobile offers cell phone plans from $15 monthly with 5 to 40GB of high-speed data. Both plans come with unlimited talk and text.

The big differences between Mint and US Mobile’s plans are the prices, data allotment, and perks. Here’s everything you need to know, beginning with Mint.

Mint Mobile: Plans and prices

Mint Mobile has four plans on the market right now. You can purchase plans for three, six, or 12 months at a time. Each plan also comes with a certain amount of data, from 5–35GB. Take a look at the prices in this chart:

Mint Mobile Plan comparison table

Provider
Plan
Price
Features
Details
3-Month 5GB$15/mo. ($30 upfront payment)Unlimited talk, text, and 5GB data
3-Month 15GB$20/mo. ($60 upfront payment)Unlimited talk, text, and 15GB high-speed data
3-Month 20GB$25/mo. ($75 upfront payment)Unlimited talk, text, and 20GB high-speed data
3-Month Unlimited$30/mo. ($90 upfront payment)Unlimited talk, text, and 35GB high-speed data

Mint Mobile offers cell phone plans from $15 to $30 monthly to start, with upfront payment required for the number of months you sign up for. All plans include unlimited talk and text, 5G network access, and mobile hotspot data taken from your data amount. All plans come with a varying amount of high-speed data. 

You can, technically, still use data after you reach your cap. But that data will be at 128Kbps speeds, which is not enough to do really anything (like stream your favorite song on Spotify or watch a YouTube video).

The Mint Mobile Unlimited data plan provides 35GB of high-speed data. Once you use more than that, your speeds will be reduced. While 35GB is plenty of data for most people, it’s certainly not unlimited.

All of Mint’s plans come with data deprioritization, which means that your data speeds can be slowed down when the network is busy. 

In short, Mint’s plans are a great deal for those who want a cheap plan with a decent amount of data. But those who need truly unlimited data or super-fast data speeds will probably want something different.

Mint Mobile pros and cons
pro
Pros
pro Steep new customer discounts
pro Uses T-Mobile's fast and reliable network
pro 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month plans
con
Cons
con After 35GB, data speeds slow down
con No multi-line discounts
con No month-to-month payment option

US Mobile: Plans and prices

US Mobile offers a large range of plans compared to Mint. Users can choose between the Light Plan, By the Gig plans, or Unlimited plans, which offer 2GB to unlimited high-speed data. Plans can be paid monthly or annually, with the annual plan offering a 20% discount.

US Mobile Plan comparison table

Provider
Plan
Price
Features
Details
Light$10.00/mo.Unlimited talk, text, and 2GB premium data
By the GigStarting at $10.00/mo.Unlimited talk and text. Buy data by the gig
Unlimited Starter$25/mo.Unlimited talk, text, and 35GB (Light/Warp) to 70GB (Dark Star) premium data
Unlimited Starter Annual (Dark Star)$19/mo.
($228/yr upfront)
Unlimited talk, text, and 35GB premium data
Unlimited Premium$44/mo.Unlimited talk, text, and 100GB (Light/Warp) to unlimited (Dark Star) premium data
Unlimited Premium Annual (Dark Star)$29/mo.
($348/yr upfront)
Unlimited talk, text, and premium data

US Mobile offers monthly cell phone plans from $10 per month for 2GB on the Light Plan or By the Gig plan up to $44 monthly for the Unlimited Premium plan. Alternatively, you can save money by opting for an annual prepaid cell phone plan, with prices as low as $8 monthly. Dark Star annual plans are only available with new lines on Dark Star, but current customers can still switch during their renewal stage.

Plan terms differ between the Light, Warp, and Dark Star plans, including data allotment, data priority, and hotspot data.

For users seeking truly unlimited data, consider US Mobile's Unlimited Premium Dark Star plan. Dark Star plans are similar to US Mobile's Light Speed and Warp plans, but with enhanced features, including access to AT&T's network with an additional 250,000 miles of coverage, faster speeds, and increased hotspot data.

What makes US Mobile unique is that you can switch between all three major networks, so if you notice your coverage is getting weak, you can easily transfer to a different one. 

US Mobile uses the following names for the three networks: 

  • AT&T’s network: Dark Star
  • Verizon’s network: Warp
  • T-Mobile’s network: Light Speed
US Mobile pros and cons
pro
Pros
pro Unlimited high-speed data with Dark Star Unlimited Premium plan
pro Easily switch between all three major networks
pro Month-to-month or annual plans
con
Cons
con No entertainment perks unless you get multiple lines with Unlimited Premium

US Mobile vs. Mint Mobile: Unlimited plans

If you want truly unlimited data, only US Mobile offers unlimited high-speed data with its Dark Star Unlimited Premium plan for as low as $29 monthly (with an upfront annual payment of $348).

Mint Mobile offers up to 35GB on its Unlimited plan, which costs $30 monthly for the first three months of service (paid upfront) or $25 monthly for 12 months of service (also paid upfront). So while you get a cheaper deal with Mint Mobile, your speeds slow down after you use 35GB of data.

US Mobile vs. Mint Mobile Unlimited plans comparison table

Provider
Plan
Price
Features
Details
Unlimited StarterStarting at $19/mo.Unlimited talk, text, and data (35GB–70GB high-speed data)
Unlimited PremiumStarting at $29/mo.Unlimited talk, text, and 100GB to unlimited premium data
Unlimited 3 Months$30.00/mo. ($45 upfront payment)Unlimited talk, text, and data (40GB high-speed data)

For an easier comparison, look at the US Mobile Unlimited Starter plan that offers 35GB of high-speed data:

  • The US Mobile Unlimited Starter plan costs $19 monthly on an annual Dark Star plan, or $25 monthly on a monthly plan.
  • The Mint Mobile Unlimited plan costs $30 monthly on a three-month plan, or $25 monthly on an annual plan. However, after your first three months are up, your rates increase to $40 monthly. If you're on an annual plan, your rates increase to $30 monthly.

Comparing hotspot data

Mint Mobile lets customers pull from their regular data allotment for hotspot data. With US Mobile's Unlimited Starter and Unlimited Premium plans, users get 10GB or 20GB of hotspot data. With shared data plans, you can purchase hotspot data.

US Mobile vs. Mint Mobile: Family plans

If you’ve got multiple people in your family who want the same type of cell phone plan, then you really should bundle together with a family plan. A family plan can cut your costs way down and make paying your bills easier. You can set up multiple lines with Mint Mobile or US Mobile, but only US Mobile offers discounts and perks.

Provider
Plan
Monthly Price for 1 line
Monthly Price for 2 lines
Details
By the Gig 2GB$10.00/mo. $18.00/mo.
Unlimited Premium planStarts at $32.50/mo. Starts at $65.00/mo.
Unlimited 3 Months$30/mo.
($45 upfront payment)
$60/mo. ($180 upfront payment)

US Mobile offers multi-line discounts when you have the By the Gig plan. If you opt for 2GB of data, you get the first plan for $10 and additional lines for $8 each, sharing the 2GB data.

There are also multi-line perks when you have more than three lines in your US Mobile Unlimited Premium account. Perks include free entertainment subscriptions to Apple TV Plus, Disney bundle (Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Plus), Netflix Standard, Max, and more.

Mint Mobile on the other hand, doesn't offer any multi-line discounts, although you can combine multiple lines on one account.

Mint vs. US Mobile coverage

As we mentioned above, both Mint and US Mobile are MVNOs that don’t operate their own cellular networks, but rather rent the bandwidth from major providers. This means you can get a more affordable plan with the same coverage as major providers.

Mint uses T-Mobile towers and US Mobile uses T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T towers. 

This means that Mint’s customers will be on the network with the fastest data speeds (though those speeds will be deprioritized) and the largest 5G infrastructure. Meanwhile, US Mobile customers have the option to switch between networks depending on which one works best in their area. Having access to Verizon mean they also get the best nationwide coverage, which is especially useful for rural residents. 

If you want to see how the coverage compares in your specific area, zoom in on these coverage maps.

Mint coverage map
US Mobile coverage map

Mint vs. US Mobile phones and devices

Buying a brand-new smartphone can set you back a thousand bucks or more. But it doesn’t have to. Taking advantage of phone deals when you’re signing up for a new plan can save you hundreds. Both Mint and US Mobile sell new phones at decent prices (though Mint has a better selection).

Here’s a look at some of the most popular devices sold by each company.

Mint Mobile phones
US Mobile phones

Recap: Which carrier is right for you?

That’s it for our in-depth review of Mint and US Mobile. Now it’s up to you to decide which carrier is best for you. Here’s a quick recap to help you make up your mind.

  • Plans: Mint Mobile's $30 Unlimited plan costs less than US Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan. Both offer unlimited data, but Mint caps premium-speed data at 35GB, while US Mobile provides unlimited premium data with the Dark Star network option. Want to save money? Go with Mint. Need more than 35GB of fast data? Choose US Mobile. 
  • Family plans: US Mobile is the winner when it comes to family plans because multi-line plans unlock discounts and subscription perks. Mint doesn't offer any family-plan perks besides convenience.
  • Coverage and performance: You’ll experience data deprioritization with both Mint and US Mobile. However, US Mobile offers coverage on all three major networks, so you can take your pick at which network you want to use.

How to choose a cell phone plan

Before we dive into our in-depth review, let’s talk about the basics. What do you need to look for when choosing a new phone plan?

  • Data: Make sure you have enough data to support your streaming, scrolling, posting, and gaming needs.
  • Price: There are tons of carriers out there offering all kinds of deals. Compare prices before locking in your new plan so that you don’t overpay.
  • Coverage: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all run huge cellular networks. Check local coverage maps to make sure you’re on a network that’s strong in your area.
  • Features: Get a plan with all the features you need—like hotspot data, international benefits, and HD video streaming.

Methodology

We take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. When we analyze cell phone carriers for reviews, we use all available information—including proprietary data from over 100,000 mobile customers—to make informed and unbiased recommendations to our readers. We looked at all of US Mobile's and Mint Mobile's plans, price comparison charts, and third-party sources like OpenSignal.

In addition to industry research, we connect with real users of each brand, using customer experience as well as our own personal experience. We analyze US Mobile and Mint Mobile policies and performance so we can provide the most honest and helpful recommendations to our readers. 

US Mobile vs. Mint Mobile FAQ

US Mobile uses all three major networks: T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. 

Mint Mobile's new customer deal for its 5GB plan is $15 monthly for three months. This is paid upfront for a total of $45. 

Mint Mobile's 55+ cell phone plan for seniors costs $15 per month for first three months of service, paid upfront for $45. 

Easton Smith
Written by
Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than any human alive. When he’s not sitting in front of a computer, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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