Two of the largest carriers in the nation are T-Mobile and Verizon. Each offers excellent coverage and a unique blend of plans, pricing, and perks, making the decision more than just a matter of cost. It's a choice that reflects your lifestyle, data needs, and geographical location.
Both carriers are expensive and offer several tiers of unlimited data plans. That said, after our extensive hands-on testing, there's no real winner in this battle—each carrier's pricing is very close to its rival's, and each has its benefits and drawbacks depending on what's important to you:
- T-Mobile is best for customers who value 5G coverage and speeds, and who want multiple perks already included with their plan price.
- Verizon is a better option for customers who need reliable coverage everywhere, especially in rural areas, and those who don't necessarily need extra perks but value plan customization.
Let's dive into the intricate details of T-Mobile and Verizon's offerings to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Want a cheaper family plan? T-Mobile's new Better Value plan is just $46/line
T-Mobile's new Better Value plan is the perfect offer for families looking to save on their wireless bill. It offers unlimited premium data and a 250GB mobile hotspot for just $140/month for three lines. That breaks down to just $46/line, which is a great deal for the nation's best 5G network.
The Better Value plan also offers over $360 in free perks, including features like:
- Free Netflix and Hulu subscriptions
- Free T-Satellite service
- 30GB of high-speed international data
- Device upgrades every two years
Switch to T-Mobile now and start getting more from your wireless plan.
Why you can trust WhistleOut
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15+
years of mobile industry experience
900+
published wireless guides
35+
firsthand carrier reviews
We've been around since the birth of the iPhone. Along the way, we've learned how to spot the best deals for your wallet (and your sanity). We spend our days researching informative guides and writing insightful reviews on every kind of wireless plan, distinguishing what matters from what doesn't. We played around with these plans before recommending them, ensuring they're worth your hard-earned money.
Want to know more? Check out how we review every cell phone plan we rank.
Get to the point: T-Mobile vs. Verizon overview
If you want to get into the ultra-specific details for these carriers, check out our Verizon review and T-Mobile review. That said, here are the most important factors you need to make a decision right now:
| Verizon | T-Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan prices | $65-90/month | $50-100/month |
| Network strengths | Urban, suburban, rural | Urban, suburban |
| Mobile hotspot data | Included with some plans | Included with all plans |
| Plan length options | One month | One month |
| 5G networks and speeds | 5G Nationwide (fast) 5G Ultra-Wideband (fastest) |
5G Nationwide (fast) 5G Ultra Capacity (fastest) |
| Family plan discounts | Save $25/line | Save $39-50/line |
| Plan customization | Yes | No |
| Perks and extras | Not included | Included with some plans |
| WhistleOut rating | ||
| Shop plans | Shop plans |
Reviews and ratings: How WhistleOut scores carriers
Here at WhistleOut, we review all carriers using the same five criteria: price, value, speed, coverage, and customer service. Each is assigned a one-point star value to calculate the carrier's overall rating. You can learn more about WhistleOut and our reviewers here.
- Price
- Value
- Data speeds
- Coverage and network reliability
- Customer service
- Price
- Value
- Data speeds
- Coverage and network reliability
- Customer service
Verizon's rating
Verizon offers excellent value, but it is extremely expensive. The carrier has three standard postpaid unlimited plans that have competitive data allotments with T-Mobile and AT&T. One key difference with Verizon that could potentially make your plan cheaper is perk customization. Verizon allows customers to add perks like streaming services or international data onto their plans for $10 each. If you don't need the perks, you don't have to pay for them.
Verizon has incredibly fast speeds. Angelo—our staff writer who is a longtime Verizon customer—found in his hands-on testing that data speeds ranged as high as 847Mbps on its 5G network, which is incredibly fast. Verizon also offers the nations largest 4G LTE network, so you'll never struggle for service.
The bad news is that Verizon's customer service, both online and over the phone, does not have a great reputation. Your best service option is probably going to a physical store for support.
Check out our Verizon review for the full details of our tests and rating.
T-Mobile's rating
T-Mobile has excellent value because it offers the most perks of any major carrier as a standard part of its plans. The best perks are typically tied to the largest and most expensive data plans. As for prices, T-Mobile's Essentials options are among the cheapest postpaid plans from any major carrier, but they don't include much in the way of perks.
T-Mobile also has excellent data speeds. Our testing of the T-Mobile 5G network through other carriers like Mint Mobile has shown speeds as high as 600Mbps. Additionally, T-Mobile's 5G network is the largest in the nation, allowing you to access it in more places than AT&T or Verizon. That said, the carrier's 4G LTE network is the smallest, so you may struggle to find coverage at all in rural areas.
Like other major carriers, T-Mobile's customer service is not beloved. Customers have complained about the wait for customer service on the phone and on online chats, so visiting a T-Mobile store is generally the best option for help.
Visit our T-Mobile review for the full rundown of our tests and ratings.
Verizon vs. T-Mobile plans & pricing
Both carriers offer a variety of unlimited data plans at similar price ranges. T-Mobile unlimited plans range in price and perks, starting at $60/month for the Essentials plan and jumping to $100/month for Experience beyond, which includes extra perks like streaming subscriptions and early device upgrades.
Verizon's unlimited plans start at $65/month for the Unlimited Welcome plan and stretch to $90/month for Unlimited Ultimate. Its plans don't include standard perks anymore. Instead, you can customize your selection and add what you want with each perk costing an additional $10/month.
Compare Verizon and T-Mobile plans
Check out the postpaid unlimited plans offered by Verizon and T-Mobile below:
| Verizon | T-Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Select plan | ||
| Mobile data | ||
| Coverage | ||
| Hotspot | ||
| Speeds | ||
| Price | ||
| Shop plans | Shop plans |
*Subject to deprioritization
Premium unlimited data plans
If you already know you need high-speed, reliable data, Verizon and T-Mobile offer premium unlimited data plans for $85/month. T-Mobile's Experience More is a data lover's dream, offering unlimited premium data and a 60GB mobile hotspot. Verizon's at the same party with its Unlimited Ultimate plan, at $90, placing both Verizon and T-Mobile neck and neck for unlimited data allowances.
Whether you're a casual browser or a data devourer, T-Mobile and Verizon have many unlimited plan options ranging in price from $60 to $90 per month.
Plan perks: T-Mobile offers more standard perks
Now, who doesn't like extra goodies? T-Mobile's mid- and high-tier plans include streaming perks, turning an ordinary plan into a mini entertainment hub.
- Experience More includes free subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Netflix Basic for 2+ lines.
- Experience Beyond includes Apple TV+, Netflix Standard for 2+ lines, and Hulu to boot.
Verizon offers a mix-and-match of extras, letting you add just what you fancy, though they'll charge $10 per perk. You can pick from extras like:
- Netflix & Max with ads
- Disney Bundle (Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN Select)
- AppleOne
- Apple Music Family
- YouTube Premium
- Walmart+ membership
- 100GB of mobile hotspot
Family plans: Verizon lets you mix and match lines
Both T-Mobile and Verizon offer outstanding discounts if you add more lines to your account.
With T-Mobile, you can pay as little as $100/month for 4 lines on the Essentials plan. Some plans allow you to add as many as 12 lines to your account. If you opt for a premium family plan from T-Mobile, you can take advantage of perks like free Netflix and international calling privileges. Just note that with T-Mobile, family plan discounts only apply if you're all on the same type of plan.
Check out T-Mobile's family line pricing below:
T-Mobile family plan pricing
| Essentials | Experience More | Experience Beyond | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 line | $60/mo. | $85/mo. |
$100/mo. |
| 2 lines | $90/mo. | $140/mo. | $170/mo. |
| 3 lines | $90/mo. | $140/mo. | $170/mo. |
| 4 lines | $100/mo. | $170/mo. | $215/mo. |
Verizon offers the customizable myPlan, which allows you to mix and match lines from different plan tiers to build your family plan. With a four-line family plan, you could pay $30/month per line with their Unlimited Welcome plan or $55/month per line with their premium Unlimited Ultimate plan. All of Verizon's family plans include unlimited talk, text, and data on their robust 5G network.
Check out how Verizon's myPlan pricing works below:
Verizon myPlan family pricing
| Unlimited Welcome |
Unlimited Plus |
Unlimited Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 line | $65/line | $80/line | $90/line |
| 2 lines | $55/line | $70/line | $80/line |
| 3 lines | $40/line | $55/line | $65/line |
| 4 lines | $30/line | $45/line | $55/line |
Get the same coverage for half the price
If paying $90 per month on your phone plan sounds lofty, you're not alone. However, many people don't realize you can get the same coverage as you would from a Verizon or T-Mobile plan by going with a much cheaper MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). These carriers use the same towers but don't have to pay for the upkeep costs, thereby passing the savings on to you.
Looking into a T-Mobile plan? Check out Mint Mobile instead—you'll get the nation's best 5G with potentially slower speeds once you hit 50GB, plus unlimited talk, text, and data for as low as $15/month. That's half of what you'd pay for a bottom-tier plan from T-Mobile or Verizon. (Mint is one of our favorite carriers on the market.)
Interested in Verizon's network? Consider Visible, which offers two unlimited monthly plans for just $25, $35, and $45. Without the heavy price tag, you'll still get the best coverage in the country, plus unlimited hotspot data.
|
Mint Mobile
5GB Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$30.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $10.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
T-Mobile vs. Verizon coverage maps
Coverage is one of the most important factors when picking a phone carrier. Verizon and T-Mobile are both industry leaders when it comes to 4G LTE and 5G service, but you should still pick the network with the best coverage in your area.
Verizon's 4G LTE coverage is better than T-Mobile's
Source: Verizon
Verizon's service offers the best 4G LTE coverage in the nation, covering 70% of the country. Verizon will generally be the better choice for reception if you live in a rural area or travel a lot. T-Mobile's 4G LTE towers cover 62% of the country, which isn't bad, but it falls behind Verizon in this category.
Angelo’s experience with Verizon's 4G LTE coverage
As a long-time customer, Angelo has always been impressed with Verizon's strong 4G LTE network:
"Coverage is a non-issue with Verizon. This is a robust network known for exceptional coverage in the big cities and suburbs. In addition, it boasts the strongest rural coverage of the three major carriers.”
Learn more in his full Verizon review.
T-Mobile has the best 5G coverage in the country
Source: T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers the largest 5G network of any carrier, with its wireless service covering a whopping 53% of the country. Verizon's 5G coverage trails at just 12.77%. If you live in a suburban area or city with solid T-Mobile service, T-Mobile is the best option for consistently high speeds.
Verizon might seem like it's falling behind in the 5G battle, but there is a catch: Verizon's 5G coverage uses predominantly high-band millimeter wave (mmWave) towers, which offer incredibly fast speeds.
So, which carrier has the better coverage? It comes down to who has the best service in your area. Don't spring for T-Mobile's outstanding 5G service if you have a stronger Verizon signal at your home. By the same token, don't purchase Verizon for its widespread nationwide 4G LTE service if you rarely leave urban areas.
Angelo’s thoughts on T-Mobile's 5G coverage
Angelo noted that despite having the nation's largest 5G network, T-Mobile struggles in rural areas:
"The network proved reliable in most settings, but [has] weaker coverage in rural or remote areas...T-Mobile should deliver reliable service if you live in or near a city, but rural users will likely encounter spotty coverage.”
Learn more in his full T-Mobile review.
To determine which carrier has better coverage where you live, use our interactive coverage map below. Toggle between Verizon's coverage map and T-Mobile's coverage map to compare each carrier's 5G and 4G LTE networks.
Data speeds: Both carriers offer extremely fast 5G data
Image: Angelo Ilumba
When it comes to data speeds, especially 5G, T-Mobile and Verizon are both reliable. As we've previously said, we saw data speeds as high as 800Mbps with Verizon's network and 600Mbps with T-Mobile's network during our testing. Both are incredibly fast, and at those speeds, you'll have no problem streaming 4K video or uploading to social media.
According to the latest OpenSignal report, T-Mobile outperforms Verizon in average 5G download speeds, but Verizon edges out with a higher upload speed.
| T-Mobile | Verizon | |
|---|---|---|
| 5G download speed | 238.3Mbps | 136.5Mbps |
| 5G upload speed | 18.4Mbps | 20.4Mbps |
Check out our 5G speed guide for all the Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T 5G network details.
Customer service
Neither carrier's customer service is particularly great. Both offer multiple ways to get help, but the overall customer service of Verizon and T-Mobile consistently receives one- and two-star reviews on sites like Trustpilot.
While testing Verizon's online customer service options, Angelo said, "I'd give it a giant zero." However, he shared that the human agents are actually helpful. If possible, opt to speak with someone over the phone; it's worth waiting on hold. Our testers using T-Mobile reported a similar experience with the Uncarrier's customer service representatives.
The biggest benefit for both is that they offer hundreds of physical stores across the country you can visit for in-person help. That's a service most smaller and cheaper carriers can't compete with.
Bottom line: Which carrier is better for you?
Deciding between T-Mobile and Verizon is about finding a match that resonates with your specific needs and lifestyle. T-Mobile plans are cost-effective and offer generous data allowances, making them an attractive choice for heavy data users on a budget. The addition of perks like Netflix and Apple TV+ in its higher-tier plans adds a layer of entertainment value that's hard to overlook.
On the other hand, Verizon plans include extensive coverage and high-speed 5G options, appealing to those who prioritize connectivity and speed over everything else. Its a la carte options for plan extras offer a customizable approach, though it comes with a price.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to what matters most to you. Verizon edges out T-Mobile if you need reliable 4G LTE coverage that reaches rural areas and want to pick your own perks. T-Mobile is the better choice over Verizon if you live in an urban area with expansive 5G coverage and need a budget-friendly plan.
|
T-Mobile
Essentials Saver
$50.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included
|
|
Verizon
Unlimited Ultimate
$85.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
Switch to Verizon or T-Mobile
If you've made a decision and want to switch, we can help you with the transition. Both carriers will allow you to switch to their network and bring your old phone and number. You'll need to ensure your bills are up to date and your device is unlocked before you switch.
If you're not interested in bringing a phone, as a new customer with Verizon or T-Mobile you may be eligible for sign-on deals that include free devices or other special perks. T-Mobile's phone deals often include switching deals or BOGO offers for new customers, so you may score new devices for the entire family when you switch. Verizon's phone deals offer one of the most generous trade-in programs of any carrier. You may get a new device for free, even if your trade-in is in bad shape, just by agreeing to switch.
Check out our Verizon switching guide and T-Mobile switching guide for more information.
FAQs: T-Mobile vs. Verizon
Is T-Mobile or Verizon best for rural areas?
Verizon has better rural coverage than T-Mobile due to its expansive 4G LTE network.
Does T-Mobile or Verizon offer more hotspot data?
Every T-Mobile plan includes hotspot data, and their premium plan offers unlimited hotspot data. This makes T-Mobile's hotspot features better than Verizon's.
Who has faster 5G speeds?
Both T-Mobile and Verizon offer incredibly fast 5G speeds, but performance will depend on your proximity to 5G towers. During our testing, we observed data speeds of up to 800 Mbps with Verizon's network and 600 Mbps with T-Mobile's network.
Which carrier is cheaper, T-Mobile or Verizon?
T-Mobile plans are generally more affordable than Verizon plans and include a 5-year price guarantee.
Does Verizon or T-Mobile have better perks?
Both T-Mobile and Verizon offer perks, but only T-Mobile's are included with their premium plans. T-Mobile's perks include discounted streaming and device upgrades. Verizon offers customizable perk add-ons that cost $10 each.
How WhistleOut rates cell phone plans
WhistleOut evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate Verizon and T-Mobile. We compared the two carriers by analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the best carrier we feel meets the needs of most people. We only compared Verizon vs. T-Mobile—no other carriers, big or small, were included in our examination.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to learn more about cell phone carriers and plans and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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