Best T-Mobile MVNOs

There are a ton of carriers on the T-Mobile network. So we’re going to highlight a few of our favorites up top for the TL;DR crowd:

• Best value: Mint Mobile has some amazing deals on mid-level data plans that should be perfect for casual phone users.
• Best for budget: Red Pocket has talk, text, and data plans that start at just $10.
• Best for high-data users: Metro by T-Mobile offers tons of high-speed data and access to a 5G connection (where available).
• Best for low-data users: Consumer Cellular is a great carrier for older adults and younger kids who just need a phone for its more basic functions, like calling and texting.

Of course, this is just our opinion. You can decide for yourself by checking out the plans and reviews below.

If you want to see what the prepaid carriers on AT&T and Verizon are like, then check out our MVNO reviews.

If you're trying to decide between T-Mobile and the other major carriers, we've tested them all in our AT&T vs. T-Mobile review and Verizon vs. T-Mobile review.

T-Mobile is a formidable network that works great for most people, but its weakness might be coverage (depending on where you live).

Here’s a closer look T-Mobile’s coverage, data speeds, and other metrics.

If you’re in the United States you’re probably a stone’s throw away from a T-Mobile tower. The exceptions are some areas like Idaho, Wyoming, and Nebraska (but every network has dead spots in those areas).

Here’s a coverage map that shows the 62% of the country that gets 4G coverage from T-Mobile:

Download speeds are probably the most important metric to look at when determining overall data speeds. Your download speed determines how well you can stream, scroll, browse, and game on your device.

According to the latest report from OpenSignal, T-Mobile's network gives users an average of 97.1Mbps download speeds. How fast is 97.1Mbps? It’s plenty for casual Netflix viewing, Instagram posting, TikTok scrolling, and even hotspot tethering. In fact, it might be faster than your home broadband connection.

T-Mobile takes home the gold medal in the download speed olympics. That’s respectable. But what's truly impressive are the upload speeds, which are more important now as more people work from home. T-Mobile is tops in both categories.

Most of these discount MVNO carriers come with a risk of data deprioritization. This happens when the network owner (like T-Mobile) decides to prioritize the data speeds of its own customers over those on prepaid plans.

Deprioritization can be frustrating when you’re trying to stream, post, or download content, but it’s not a constant problem. Deprioritization is more likely when the network is congested during times of heavy use.

All right, that’s enough about T-Mobile’s network. Let’s take a look at the many MVNOs that actually use this network.

Metro by T-Mobile is, as the name suggests, T-Mobile’s very own prepaid provider. While this may sound like the mobile version of inside trading, it’s still a great way to get onto T-Mobile’s network for less.

Here’s a peak at Metro’s offerings:

Metro’s $50 Unlimited Plan is a pretty great deal if you want oodles of high-speed data for streaming, gaming, and browsing. At 35GB, its soft data cap is higher than many other discount providers. It also gives those with 5G-capable phones access to T-Mobile’s 5G network.

But Metro’s lower-tier plans, like the $30 2GB plan, are less budget friendly. This is especially true when you consider the $30 startup fee.

Ultra Mobile has caused a bit of a stir in the prepaid mobile scene by offering cheap plans with huge international benefits.

All Ultra’s plans get you unlimited talk and text to 80+ countries. These plans also come with the “call me free” program, which means that people in other countries only have to pay their local rate to call you.

But it’s not just the international perks that are ultra (sorry, we had to). This MVNO’s limited-data plans are a pretty great deal, especially if you don’t need a ton of data. Take a look at Ultra’s prices for yourself:

Ultra Mobile should definitely be on your list of MVNOs to check out (we’ve put it in our lineup of the best cell phone plans under $50).

There’s a reason that Mint Mobile took home the prize for best value in our review of the best cell phone plans under $30. This company, which–fun fact–is owned by Ryan Reynolds, offers some of the best deals in the entire mobile industry.

Do you want unlimited talk and text but just a little bit of data for using Google Maps and Facebook Messenger every once in a while? Mint’s 5GB plan gives it to you for a piddling $15 a month. Do you want unlimited data for streaming and gaming? Check out the Unlimited plan for just $30 a month.

Right now, new customers can get the first month of any Mint Mobile plan for $15 per month.

If you go over your data cap on Mint Mobile, you don’t get charged extra (but Ryan Reynolds will send you a passive aggressive text). Your data does, however, get throttled to painfully slow speeds. And Mint's Unlimited plan streams videos at 480p. So all you true data lovers out there probably want to take your business elsewhere.

US Mobile prides itself on its customizability. You can make a plan with 300 minutes, 1,000 texts, and 2 GB of data. Or you can make one with unlimited everything. You do you—go wild and express yourself.

It’s up to you how you mix and match things, but here’s some insight into the most popular plans others have chosen from US Mobile.

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of plans—and prices—from US Mobile. You can pay $10 or $39 a month. You can get 2GB of data or unlimited “ludicrous” data. So what plans are actually worth signing up for?

We think that US Mobile makes the most sense for two kinds of customers: Those who want really cheap plans with few minutes and data, and those who want an unlimited plan. The former can find plans for under $15 a month. The latter can get a perfectly good unlimited data plan for about $40 a month.

Sure, we all love data. But do you love it enough to spend $40+ a month on an unlimited plan? Figure out exactly how much data you actually need using our handy guide.

TextNow’s biggest draw is the free phone service. Yes, free, as in $0, no money, zilch, zippo, nada. The catch is that you have to watch some ads, and if you want to text and make calls when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, you have to purchase a TextNow SIM card for $4.99.

You can also pay for your phone service if you’re into that sort of thing. TextNow offers four unlimited plan options, ranging from 2GB of high-speed data for $4.99/mo. to $39.99/mo. for 10GB of full-speed data. (After you use all your fast data, your speeds slow to 2G speeds.)

TextNow’s highest-tier plan has a high-speed data cap of 10GB. That’s higher than some other prepaid plans, but it’s still far below the data caps of traditional plans from major carriers.

So, in our estimation, TextNow makes sense for those who want a free plan and are willing to watch a few ads for Xarelto and Old Spice. For everyone else, there’s probably a better carrier on the T-Mobile network out there.

Consumer Cellular is one of those MVNOs with about a million different plans. This can be a bit overwhelming, so here’s the gist: The lower-data plans are a better deal.

Consumer Cellular’s lower-data plans, like the Unlimited Talk & Text + 1GB Data plan, is perfect for many seniors who aren’t streaming The Witcher on their phone during their lunch break.

If you do sign up for one of these low-data plans, be sure to track your data usage carefully. Consumer Cellular automatically upgrades your plan to the next tier (and charges you for it) if you exceed your data limit.

Ting Mobile is another T-Mobile MVNO with an unconventional plan structure. Most of Ting’s plans are designed so that you only pay for the minutes, texts, and data that you actually use. Isn’t that refreshing?

Here’s a look at a few different plan possibilities from Ting.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to spend less than $40 a month with Ting. Can we get a “Woohoo!” from the penny-pinchers in the crowd?

Yes, there are some downsides to using Ting. The biggest one is probably the high data costs. We played around on Ting’s website for a minute, and let’s just say that costs can add up pretty fast when you add data.

Tracfone is a true OG in the mobile industry. But the company has kept its business going by offering niche plans that will work well for older customers, young kids, and others who just need something simple to call and text.

Tracfone is a great option for someone who rarely uses their phone, not so much for everyone else. For example, you can get 1,500 minutes and texts with 1.5GB of data for $125. Why in the world is it $125? Because you pay for it by the year. That’s unique.

Like many of Tracfone’s offerings, this 1,500 minute, 1.5GB plan seems geared towards customers who want the simplest, easiest, and cheapest plan available. If you’re one of these customers, Tracfone is awesome.

But if you want data to fuel your PUBG Mobile game or your Instagram addiction, you should probably go with another carrier on the T-Mobile network.

Simple Mobile prides itself on being, well, simple. The company offers a relatively slim selection of plans. Each plan comes with unlimited talk and text, and a certain amount of data. While that seems simple enough, we do take issue with Simple’s use of the word “unlimited.”

Simple calls all of its plans “unlimited” because, technically, you can use as much data as you want. But most of its plans have a hard cap, anywhere from 3–15GB. Any data you use beyond that is significantly slower.

When you look at these plans, pay attention to the “full speed” section in the middle column.

Simple Mobile could still be a good fit for certain people—like low-data users—but those who want a truly unlimited data plan should check out other carriers, like Metro by T-Mobile.

One final thing w about Simple is its decent international perks. Simple’s plans work in Mexico and a few other Latin American countries, plus it includes unlimited international calling to landlines in over 60 countries.

When it comes to MVNOs, there’s cheap, and then there’s super cheap. Red Pocket Mobile fits into that latter category. This carrier has plans with talk, text, and data starting at just $10.

Take a look at some of the most popular Red Pocket plans.

This $10 a month plan gets you unlimited national minutes, unlimited texts, and 1GB of data. It also lets you choose your network. So you can stick with T-Mobile, or you can hop onto Verizon’s network if you find that the coverage is actually better where you are.

As with many of the MVNOs in this article, Red Pocket’s plans get less interesting and more expensive as you add data. The company’s $40 unlimited plan is nothing to write (or call) home about. If you want to stick on the MVNO route, check out Tello's family plans. They're a bit more expensive but offer faster data.

If you do go with Red Pocket, just make sure that you’re signing up for a plan that works with your particular iPhone, Galaxy, or other device.

Google Fi is Google’s attempt to get a slice of the huge mobile industry. Much like Google’s foray into internet service, Fi is a useful and flexible service, but also somewhat limited.

You can see Google Fi’s limits reflected in its plan offerings. Each plan comes with unlimited talk and text and then some amount of data. But at $10 per GB, the data can add up really fast.

One nice thing about Google Fi is that you can use your minutes, texts, and data almost anywhere in the world. You can also use your phone as a mobile hotspot at no extra cost (using the data that you’ve already paid for, of course).

So, if you want a flexible plan with great international benefits, and you don’t mind paying a bit extra, then you might want to go with Google Fi.

That was a lot of information to take in, so let’s make this recap quick and simple.

We think that Metro from T-Mobile offers the best unlimited plan, Mint Mobile has the best value for mid-level data plans, and Red Pocket is the best choice for those who want a dirt-cheap plan.

Here’s a little bit more information about each T-Mobile MVNO and a link to sign up:

• Metro by T-Mobile: Metro probably has the most robust unlimited data plan of any of the carriers on this list, but it comes at a steep price.
• Ultra Mobile: Ultra’s international perks make it a great choice for those who often travel or talk with family abroad.
• Mint Mobile: Mint Mobile offers the best deal—hands down—on mid-level data plans.
• US Mobile: US Mobile is great for low-data users and high-data users. Everyone in between should look elsewhere.
• TextNow: TextNow gives you free—yes, free—service if you’re willing to watch some ads. It’s not the best cell phone carrier, but it might be the cheapest.
• Consumer Cellular: Consumer Cellular offers up cheap plans for low-data users (like maybe your parents or grandparents).
• Ting: You can get a Ting plan for super cheap if you use the Whistle Out discount (and if you don’t need much data).
• Tracfone: Tracfone is a classic carrier that stays relevant by offering long-term payment periods on low-data plans.
• Simple Mobile: Simple Mobile has some decent mid-tier data plans for folks who don’t need all the bells and whistles.
• Red Pocket Mobile: Red Pocket is great for all you budget-minded customers. It also lets you choose which network you want to use.
• Google Fi: Google’s foray into the mobile industry will be welcomed by those who want a flexible, low-data plan that works all over the globe.

To identify the top carriers on T-Mobile's network, we employ a comprehensive methodology that focuses on five key factors:

Price evaluation:

• Analyze the pricing structure of each carrier, including monthly plans, data allowances, and any additional fees.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of similar plans offered by each carrier, taking into consideration variables like data limits, talk/text options, and contract terms.
• Evaluate the impact of special discounts, promotions, or bundled services on the overall value provided.

Value assessment:

• Evaluate the value proposition of each carrier in relation to their pricing.
• Consider factors such as the quality of customer service, ease of plan customization, flexibility in adding or removing features, and overall customer experience.
• Assess any additional benefits or features offered, such as international calling, roaming options, or family plan discounts.

Coverage analysis:

• Examine coverage maps to assess the extent and reliability of each carrier's network, encompassing both urban and rural areas.
• Evaluate the quality of coverage based on proprietary data and independent testing reports.
• Consider potential limitations or restrictions, such as data deprioritization during peak times or in congested areas.

Data speeds:

• Review available data on network speeds and performance from credible sources.
• Take into account factors like average download and upload speeds, latency, and consistency of service.
• Evaluate data speeds across different regions to ensure consistency throughout the coverage area.

Additional perks:

• Consider any unique or valuable perks offered by each carrier, such as free or discounted access to streaming services, hotspot data allowances, or international roaming benefits.
• Assess the significance of these perks in relation to the overall package and their relevance to the user's individual needs.