Ultra Mobile vs. Mint Mobile: Which Carrier is Better?

If you’re shopping for a budget-friendly prepaid carrier, Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile are arguably two of the most talked-about options.

Both are no-contract MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that run on T-Mobile’s network, promising nationwide 5G coverage.

In this deep-dive comparison, we’ll break down everything you need to know – from pricing and plans to coverage, features, and customer support – and declare a “winner” in each category. By the end, you’ll know which carrier is a better fit for your needs.

TL:DR

Can't stay long and just need recommendations? Well, here it is!

• Best For minimal data users: Ultra Mobile 250MB plan
• Suitable for light data users: Mint Mobile 5GB plan (with a multi-month commitment)
• Balanced option for moderate users: Mint Mobile 15GB plan (with a multi-month commitment)
• Best for users with higher data needs: Ultra Mobile 25GB plan
• Best for heavy data users: Mint Mobile Unlimited plan (with a multi-month commitment)

Quick Overview

Ultra Mobile

Ultra Mobile specializes in international communication, offering unlimited calling to over 90 countries. Their services are tailored for users who frequently connect with contacts abroad. All plans include free Wi-Fi calling, mobile hotspot capabilities, and access to T-Mobile's 5G network.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is renowned for its cost-effective bulk pricing model, requiring customers to pay upfront for 3, 6, or 12 months of service. This model allows for big savings, especially for users willing to commit to longer terms. Mint offers features like free calling to Mexico, Canada, and the UK, as well as low rates to over 160 countries.

Plans and Pricing

Mint Mobile Plans (2025)

Mint Mobile offers affordable prepaid plans on T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE networks. The best pricing is available with a 12-month prepayment.

*The “Unnecessary” Plan is available only to existing customers.

Ultra Mobile Plans (2025)

Ultra Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network and includes international calling features in all plans. As of October 2024, Ultra Mobile has removed high-speed data caps on its unlimited plans.

*Note: Unlimited plans may experience reduced speeds after 35 GB of data usage.

Plan Comparisons

Both carriers use a prepaid, pay-upfront pricing model but with different twists.

Ultra Mobile lets you pay month by month or for several months at once, up to a year. Their data plans range from a small 250MB to unlimited, and even a special unlimited plan with a 40GB hotspot.

Mint Mobile is different; you have to buy plans in 3, 6, or 12-month packages, and their data options start at 5GB and go up to unlimited.

A popular new-customer deal is 3 months of 5GB for $45 (which is $15/mo).

On a 12-month plan, Mint’s unlimited data costs $20/month (=$240 upfront), whereas a 3-month unlimited plan is $30/mo.

Mint’s prices top out at $30/mo (for unlimited), while Ultra’s can reach $49 or $59 for its biggest unlimited tiers.

On the flip side, Ultra’s lowest entry price ($15/mo for 250MB one-month, or $10/mo for 3GB one-month on special) undercuts Mint’s $15 minimum (5GB for 3 months).

🏆 Winner: Mint Mobile

Thanks to its deep discounts on 6- and 12-month plans, Mint offers lower effective rates on high-data plans. Ultra is better for casual or short-term use, but for most users on multi-month plans, Mint delivers more savings.

(Check out Mint Mobile’s latest 12-month plan here!)

Coverage and Network Performance

Since Ultra and Mint ride on T-Mobile’s network, coverage is essentially the same. Mint even highlights on its site that it “runs on the T-Mobile 5G network” for coast-to-coast coverage.

T-Mobile is known for having the country’s largest 5G footprint, so both carriers get extensive city and suburban coverage.

However, T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network is smaller than AT&T’s or Verizon’s, so you may find fewer LTE signals in very remote areas. Overall, neither carrier has a coverage edge – they tie, since both use T-Mobile towers.

Network Speed

In terms of network speed, you’ll also see similar performance on both services. For example, tests of Ultra Mobile’s service found 5G speeds around 150–230 Mbps (degrading to ~50 Mbps if deprioritized).

Mint Mobile users, likewise, enjoy full-speed 5G (subject to the same T-Mobile network conditions).

One caveat on speed: Mint’s terms note that “customers who use over 35GB/month may notice reduced speeds” due to deprioritization.

Ultra doesn’t explicitly state a cutoff on its unlimited plans (though heavy users have reported occasional throttling in congested areas).

In practical terms, both carriers offer premium 5G speeds in covered areas, and both may slow top speeds after heavy use in busy cells.

🏆 Winner: Neither (tie).

Because they share the same network, Ultra and Mint perform virtually the same in coverage and speed. Your experience will depend on T-Mobile’s network in your area, not on the MVNO.

Features and Perks

To understand which carrier is the better fit for you, it's important to break down their features and perks. Both carriers offer useful extras, but their strengths lie in different areas.

📲International Calling and Texting

Ultra Mobile’s big perk is free international reach. All Ultra plans include:

• Unlimited nationwide talk/text
• Unlimited calling and texting to 90+ countries
• Global SMS and offers calling credits to high-traffic countries like India and China

Mint Mobile, by comparison, only includes:

• Free calls to Mexico, Canada, and the UK, though it does allow
• Low-cost calling to over 160 countries.
• Free SMS texting to 190+ countries, so texting globally is free on Mint’s plans.

In short, Ultra’s plans are more internationally friendly by default, while Mint’s global perks are limited to texting and a few free calling destinations.

🔥Hotspot and Streaming

The unlimited plans from both carriers include a mobile hotspot (10GB for Ultra Unlimited, 10GB for Mint Unlimited).

Ultra’s highest “Unlimited+” plan jumps to 40GB hotspot (for $59/mo), whereas Mint caps at 10 GB.

Mint does stream video at ~480p on unlimited by default (they say “videos stream at 480p” for that $30 plan), whereas Ultra does not explicitly mention stream throttling (but it’s probably similar).

Both carriers offer Wi-Fi Calling and support 5G phones.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Multi-Line Plans

Ultra offers a family plan discount: for a limited time, you can get 3 lines of uncapped unlimited data for $85 total (that’s over $60 off the regular per-line price).

Mint doesn't have a special family plan tier, but you can simply buy multiple lines separately.

📱 Phone Deals and BYOD Support

When it comes to devices, Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile are virtually on par. Both carriers sell phones and allow BYOD (bring-your-own-device).

Mint’s online store offers Apple, Samsung, and Google phones with 0% financing up to 24 months.

Ultra’s phone store (via Affirm) also lists phones like the iPhone and Android devices with no-interest installment plans.

Compatibility-wise, both require unlocked GSM/VoLTE phones. Ultra notes that most unlocked AT&T/T-Mobile devices will work.

Mint has an IMEI checker on its site. In practice, any modern unlocked 5G phone from a US carrier should work on either.

✅Comparison and Verdict

Mint edges out Ultra in brand-name phone deals and promotional bundles, whereas Ultra offers free SIM kits and credit toward service.

Ultra’s perks are geared toward international callers, families looking for bundle discounts, and those who want broader perks out of the box.

Both carriers support a wide range of phones and offer financing deals. The choice of device will depend more on which promotions happen to be running at the time.

Mint’s marketing push (partly thanks to Ryan Reynolds) means you’ll often see flashy deals (like $15/mo unlimited with a new phone) that Ultra typically doesn’t match.

Your experience will be similar in either case when it comes to switching phones or buying a new one. There’s no major technical advantage for either – they both run on the same network and support standard unlocked devices.

🏆 Winner: Ultra Mobile

Ultra wins this category thanks to more included global calling, family discounts, and a generally richer set of perks. Mint focuses more on pricing than bonus features.

Customer Service and Support

Customer service is where you will have to make concessions. Since Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile do not have physical retail stores, digital channels—phone, chat, and online resources—are the only option for customer support.

With Ultra Mobile, users frequently report difficulties reaching live support and unhelpful chat support. Common complaints about billing and connectivity issues were reported with their Trustpilot rating and BBB reviews.

While some users praise the service and pricing, others express frustration with Mint Mobile's customer support, mentioning experiences like being hung up on or finding representatives unreachable.

Over 2,600 complaints in the past three years, with 724 closed in the last 12 months, highlighting issues such as unauthorized charges and difficulties in obtaining refunds.

On a positive note, Mint offers a 7-day money-back guarantee and has a user-friendly online help center.

🏆 Winner: Draw

Both companies have their issues with customer support. Many users have said it's hard to get help or that the help isn't good. If you need assistance, be ready for possible problems. That said, you might have to solve things yourself using their online tools.

Pros and Cons of Each Carrier

✅ Ultra Mobile: Pros

• International Calling: Great for people who call abroad. Many plans include free international calling to 80+ countries.
• Plan flexibility: Offers monthly plans (1 month at a time), unlike Mint’s upfront multi-month requirement.
• Mobile hotspot: Hotspot use is included at no extra cost.
• Retail Availability: Sold in many convenience stores and retailers across the U.S., so it’s easy to grab a SIM.

❌ Ultra Mobile: Cons

• More Expensive: Monthly costs are higher than Mint for similar data.
• Slower Data Speeds at Times: Data may be deprioritized during network congestion.
• Limited High-Speed Data: Some plans come with relatively low amounts of high-speed data.

✅ Mint Mobile: Pros

• Low Cost: Very affordable, especially if you commit to 3, 6, or 12 months. Starting at $15/month (intro offer).
• T-Mobile Network Access: Great coverage and data speeds thanks to T-Mobile’s 5G/4G LTE network.
• Unlimited Plan: Available with 40GB high-speed data, then reduced speeds.
• Free Mobile Hotspot: Included with all plans.
• Easy eSIM Activation: Simple to switch if your phone supports eSIM.

❌ Mint Mobile: Cons

• Upfront Payment: Requires paying for 3, 6, or 12 months in advance. No monthly billing unless through resale platforms.
• No Physical Stores: Everything is done online; no in-person support.
• Limited International Features: Charges extra for most international calls or roaming.

Which Carrier is Better for You?

Better is subjective, so it really comes down to your priorities.

If you’re a light user or need short-term service

Ultra Mobile’s low-data and 1-month plans win. You can pay just $15 for 1 month of basic talk/text (with a bit of data) – ideal for visitors, short-term needs, or as a backup phone. Mint has no 1-month option, so Ultra is better for that niche.

If you use a ton of data and value savings

Mint Mobile edges out. Their 12-month Unlimited plan drops to ~$20/mo, far less than Ultra’s unlimited pricing. Heavy streamers will appreciate Mint’s plan. Just remember, Mint slows speeds after 35GB, whereas Ultra’s plan (with 20GB hotspot) might sustain high use longer.

If you make lots of international calls

Ultra Mobile is tailored for you. Free calls/texts to 90+ countries plus family discounts make it unbeatable for staying in touch overseas. Mint’s included international perks are much narrower (free to just three countries), so Ultra is far better if global connectivity matters most.

If phone deals matter

Mint often has flashier device promotions (like free months or discounts with new phones) and a broad phone store. Ultra’s deals are more modest in comparison. Mint also emphasizes customer-friendly policies (like a 7-day trial money-back guarantee).

If you prioritize customer support

Neither is great. Both rely on online/self-service channels. You may find the experience similar either way.

Final Verdict

In the end, there’s no one-size-fits-all “best” carrier. Ultra and Mint offer unique savings over major carriers, but they serve slightly different customers.

If you value international perks and pay-as-you-go flexibility, go with Ultra. Ultra is better if you specifically need short-term service, ultra-low-data plans, or unlimited global calling – features that Mint doesn’t match.

If you want to maximize data for the lowest monthly spend, go with Mint. For customers who want the cheapest high-data service, strong phone deals, and don't need to call abroad, Mint is the overall winner.

Both run on the same network, so you can expect similar coverage and performance. Think about your data needs and calling habits, then pick the one with the plan structure and perks that fit your situation.

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