Twigby vs. T-Mobile Cell Phone Plans Review

Twigby’s super-cheap plans are a great deal for those that don’t need data. For everyone else, we recommend T-Mobile’s powerful performance.

Best Price
Twigby
Twigby
3 out of 5 stars
3
  • pro
    Tons of affordable low-data plans
  • con
    Deprioritized data and no unlimited data plan
Best Performance
  • pro
    Unlimited plans with super-fast data speeds
  • con
    Pricey
Easton Smith
Mobile, TV, & Moving Expert
November 14, 2021
7 min read

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T-Mobile is one of the biggest players in the cell phone industry. Twigby is the new kid on the block. Both companies would love your business. So, which one is better for you?

Here’s the short answer up front. Twigby sells discount plans that are great for those that don’t need a lot of high-speed data. Meanwhile, T-Mobile’s plans cost more but they also offer more: faster data speeds, higher data caps, and more perks.

If you’ve already heard all you need to hear, then you can sign up for Twigby or T-Mobile online. But if you want to learn more about these two carriers’ plans, prices, and performance, then read on.

Twigby pros and cons
pro
Pros
pro Tons of plans under $20
pro Customizable plans
pro Good coverage
con
Cons
con Data deprioritization
con No unlimited data option
con No family plans
T-Mobile pros and cons
pro
Pros
pro High data caps
pro Fastest data speeds
pro Amazing family plan deals
pro Tons of perks
con
Cons
con Some coverage gaps in rural areas
con More expensive

How to choose a cell phone plan

Before we jump into the detailed review of Twigby vs. T-Mobile, we’re going to go over some basics. Here are some important features to consider when choosing a new cell phone plan.

  • Data: Get a plan with enough data to support your streaming, gaming, working, and scrolling habits. And remember, some carriers have faster data than others.
  • Price: Look at comparison charts (like the ones from WhistleOut in this review) and customer reviews to be sure you’re getting the best deal available.
  • Coverage: There are three major networks in the US—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Check coverage maps to see which one is best in your area.
  • Features: Not all mobile plans come with features like hotspot data, HD video streaming, and family plan discounts. Be sure you’re getting the perks you need.

Twigby vs. T-Mobile plans and pricing

Winner: T-Mobile’s unlimited data plans will be a better deal for most, but Twigby’s super-cheap plans may be perfect for seniors and kids

Twigby and T-Mobile are very different companies that offer very different types of plans. For example, T-Mobile’s cheapest data plan is more expensive than Twigby's priciest plan. Take a look for yourself.

But charts like this one don’t tell the whole story. There are plenty of factors—like data speeds and price changes—that you should think about before choosing a plan. We’ll go over everything you need to know about these plans, beginning with Twigby.

Twigby plans and prices

Twigby’s biggest selling point is its prices. They’re cheap. Like, really cheap. In fact, not a single plan has a starting price above $20 a month (though the prices will go up later).

Twigby plan prices

Twigby is like the dollar store of cell phone carriers. It has incredibly cheap prices on basic plans, but the quality and reliability of the product could use some improvement.

Some of the issues that you might run into with Twigby include: a lack of customer service, subpar coverage, and no special perks. But the biggest drawbacks for most people will be the slow data speeds and price changes, which we’ll talk about more right now.

Data deprioritization

Twigby is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which means that it doesn’t actually operate its own cell phone network. Instead, it uses Sprint’s network to bring coverage to its customers.

But the biggest problem with MVNOs isn't actually the coverage. It’s the data speeds. The company that owns the network will often slow down customers on MVNOs when the network is busy, prioritizing its own customers. This is called data deprioritization.

Twigby customers can experience data deprioritization at any time. That means you won’t have super reliable data for streaming video, Zooming in for a work meeting, or owning n00bs in PUBG Mobile.

Price changes

The other biggest drawback to Twigby is the price changes. All of those super low prices you see here (and in Twigby’s advertisements) are just promotional. In fact, these prices will double after your first six months of service.

This means that the $17.50 plan that gives you 10 GB of data will actually end up being $35.00 a month! Yikes.

Want to learn about other cheap cell phone carriers?

There are tons of discount MVNO carriers out there. You might find one that fits your needs better than Twigby. For example, we think Mint Mobile is a great option. The company offers unlimited data for a clean $30 a month.

T-Mobile plans and prices

If Twigby is the dollar store of cell phone carriers, then T-Mobile is more like the Whole Foods. It sells some premium stuff, but it will cost you a lot more. Here’s a look at the company’s three flagship plans.

T-Mobile’s unlimited data plans

All three of these plans come with 5G access, unlimited DVD-quality video streaming, and service in Mexico and Canada. Plus, each plan has its own special perks, which we’ll break down below.

  • Essentials: This is the cheapest T-Mobile plan, and it comes with some drawbacks. Just like with Twigby, your data on this plan will be subject to deprioritization when the network is busy. Plus your video streaming quality will be capped at 480p.
  • Magenta: With this plan you’ll get 5 GB of high-speed 4G LTE hotspot data. Plus, you’ll have a data cap of 100 GB per month! That’s more than most people need.
  • Magenta MAX: You can truly max out with 40 GB of hotspot data, worldwide data coverage, 4K video streaming, a free Netflix subscription, and no data cap!

One big benefit of all these plans is the network performance. According to data we gathered from over 100,000 mobile customers, T-Mobile has the fastest data speeds in the industry!

An infographic ranking wireless networks by speed: #1 T-Mobile, #2 Verizon, #3 AT&T, Sprint unranked because it was acquired by T-Mobile in 2020

Image source: Reviews.org

Want T-Mobile prepaid?

All of the T-Mobile plans we’ve been looking at in this article are postpaid. If you’re interested in prepaid plans, you can learn more in this review.

T-Mobile discounts for seniors and first responders

If you’re 55 years old or older, a first responder, or an active military employee, then T-Mobile wants to hook you up with a steep discount. Here’s a look at some of the deals you can nab.

Twigby vs. T-Mobile plans: The bottom line

Twigby wows potential customers with amazing promotional prices, but there are some big drawbacks, like slow data speeds and price hikes. Meanwhile, T-Mobile’s starting prices are much higher, but it gives you better performance in every category.

Twigby vs. T-Mobile family plans

Winner: T-Mobile clearly takes the gold medal in this category, while Twigby is disqualified

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, there’s simply no better deal than family plans. You can get more data, better perks, and cheaper prices while making sure that everyone in your home is connected.

But only one of these two carriers actually offers real family plans, and it’s T-Mobile. While Twigby technically lets you add more than one line to a single account, you won’t get any discounts or extra features for doing so.

Just feast your eyes on this comparison between a T-Mobile family plan and a Twigby plan with four lines.

Twigby vs. T-Mobile family plan comparison

The T-Mobile Essentials family plan with four lines will get you unlimited talk, text, and data on a super-fast network. Twigby’s Multi-Line Plan will get you just 40 GB (shared between four lines) of data, and it will actually end up costing $140 a month after the first 6 months! It’s pretty clear that T-Mobile offers the better deal here.

Twigby vs. T-Mobile coverage

Winner: T-Mobile’s network is bigger and faster than Twigby’s Sprint-supported network

This section should actually be titled Sprint vs. T-Mobile coverage because Twigby uses Sprint’s network. And the long story short is that T-Mobile’s network has greater speeds, range, and overall reliability.

Take a look at these coverage maps to see how each company’s network looks in your neighborhood.

Twigby (Sprint) wireless coverage map
T-Mobile coverage map

Twigby customers will be able to take advantage of Verizon’s powerful nationwide network when they are outside of Sprint’s range, but even then their speeds will often be deprioritized.

Twigby vs. T-Mobile phones and devices

Winner: Twigby has good deals on cheaper phones, but for flagship devices go with T-Mobile

It’s time to replace that old cracked iPhone 7 you’re using. But don’t pay full price for a new device. Wait until you sign up for a new plan, and then take advantage of new line deals.

Both Twigby and T-Mobile will hook you up with a decent price on a new phone. T-Mobile tends to have deals on new flagship devices, like the iPhone 12 or Galaxy S20, while Twigby tends to sell cheaper phones, like the iPhone SE (2020). Take a look at the most popular phone deals from each carrier in the charts below.

Twigby phone deals
T-Mobile phone deals

Recap: Which carrier is right for you?

Still not sure which carrier you should choose? Maybe this quick recap of our Twigby vs. T-Mobile review will help.

  • Plans: T-Mobile offers unparalleled performance in almost every category: data speeds, perks, and data caps. But it costs a pretty penny. Twigby’s plans come with less data and slow speeds, but you can get one for under $20 a month.
  • Family plans: T-Mobile clearly wins this category. It offers amazing deals on powerful family plans, saving you money and hassle. Meanwhile, Twigby doesn’t have any discounts or perks for adding extra lines.
  • Coverage and performance: When it comes to network coverage and speeds, T-Mobile wins out over Twigby every time. Plus, it gives you access to a rapidly expanding 5G network.

In short, Twigby is a good option for those who don’t care about having limited coverage and slow data. It might be perfect for your younger kids (who shouldn’t be playing mobile games all day anyways). For everyone else, there’s T-Mobile.

Read Full Twigby Review | View Twigby Plans | Read Full T-Mobile Review | View T-Mobile Plans

Methodology

We began our research into Twigby and T-Mobile with the basics: the plans. We looked at every plan offered by the two companies and compared them based on their unique features, performance, and pricing.

We used comparison charts from WhistleOut, online reviews, and our own proprietary data from over 100,000 mobile customers to evaluate the overall value of each carrier and to make recommendations for different kinds of users.

Overall, we spent several working days reading, analyzing, and writing this Twigby vs. T-Mobile review. If you’re curious, you can learn more about our reviewing process in this article.

Frequently asked questions about Twigby vs. T-Mobile

Hopefully we addressed everything you wanted to know in the article above, but if we didn't, check out this FAQ. Still need answers? Drop your question in the comments, and we'll see what we can dig up for you.

Yes. It is a good choice for people who want a super-cheap cell phone plan and are willing to put up with low data caps and slow data speeds. Just be sure to look out for price hikes that can kick in after the first six months.

Twigby primarily uses the Sprint network to bring service to its customers. But when users go outside of Sprint’s range, they will be picked up by Verizon’s larger network. Overall, users should experience decent nationwide coverage, even if the data speeds are very slow.

T-Mobile is definitely among the best carriers in the industry. Its super-fast data speeds, high data caps, and quality perks make it the perfect choice for those who want the best overall performance. Its prices tend to be high, but you can lower them if you opt for a family plan.

You can pick up a prepaid T-Mobile plan with unlimited talk and text, and 2.5 GB of data for just $15 a month. But the cheapest unlimited data plan is the Essentials plan, which starts at $60 a month for most people (but is cheaper for 55+ and first responders).

Easton Smith
Written by
Easton Smith
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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