Mint Mobile vs AT&T: Plans Compared

AT&T is one of the “Big Three” major carriers (along with Verizon and T-Mobile) that operates its own national cell phone network and offers a range of plans. Mint Mobile, meanwhile, is a much smaller prepaid provider (or MVNO) that subleases space on T-Mobile’s network. 

If you live in an area where both AT&T and Mint Mobile plans are available to you, you may be trying to decide which one to go with. In this article, we’ll break down their respective cell phone plan offerings so you can figure out which one is best for your particular needs. 

Mint Mobile vs AT&T: Similarities

• Both offer unlimited plans.
• Both AT&T and Mint Mobile’s plans include international calling privileges.  
• Both sell a range of mid-range and flagship smartphones, from Samsung devices to Apple iPhones.
• Both AT&T and Mint Mobile allow you to sign up for multiple lines of service (also known as family plans), which result in cost savings. 
• Neither include taxes and fees in their advertised prices.

Mint Mobile vs AT&T: Differences

• AT&T’s plans are postpaid—meaning you pay for your service at the end of the month—whereas Mint Mobile’s are prepaid, and can be paid for in advance on a 3, 6, or 12-month basis. 
• AT&T’s unlimited plans come with additional mobile hotspot data allotments; Mint Mobile’s hotspot data gets extracted from your primary monthly data allowance. 
• AT&T operates its own nationwide system of 4G and 5G networks. Mint Mobile subleases network space from T-Mobile. 
• AT&T’s plans are among the most expensive around, while Mint Mobile’s are among the cheapest. 

Mint Mobile vs AT&T: Unlimited Plans

AT&T sells four unlimited plans: the premium Unlimited Premium PL ($85.99/month) and Unlimited Extra EL ($75.99/month), the mid-range Unlimited Starter SL ($65.99/month), and the entry-level Value Plus VL ($50.99/month). All but Unlimited Starter SL include monthly mobile hotspot data allowances, not to mention unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada. 

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Mint Mobile sells a single unlimited plan for $30/month, or $15/month if you take advantage of Mint’s 3-month introductory offer. This unlimited plan—one of the least expensive on the market—includes 40GB of premium data a month, a 10GB mobile hotspot allowance (although that data comes out of your overall monthly premium data allowance), and free calling to Mexico and Canada. Since Mint’s unlimited plan is a more stripped back type of offering, we’d categorize it as entry-level (despite the carrier’s marketing of it as a premium plan). 

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What Is an Unlimited Plan?

Let’s quickly define what an unlimited data plan is. First, you should know that all unlimited plans include unlimited data. However, keep in mind that not all data plans necessarily offer high-speed data. 

Lower-priced unlimited plans tend to include unlimited deprioritized data (or data that slows down when networks are busy). Some plans include a small amount of high-speed data, while others don’t. Mid-level unlimited plans typically include a mix of high-speed data, capped to a certain amount, and unlimited deprioritized data. 

Premium unlimited plans tend to offer premium, high-speed data all the time, with no limit.

Mint Mobile vs AT&T: Capped Plans

AT&T offers a single capped data option, the AT&T 4GB plan ($50/month). As its name suggests, this plan gives you 4GB of data to use per month, but it’s important to note that this is deprioritized data, so it's subject to slowdowns during times of network congestion. Also, the plan isn't eligible for any device promotions that AT&T happens to be running at a given time. 

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Mint Mobile sells three capped data plans consisting of 5GB, 15GB, and 20GB of data to use a month. As mentioned, you have the option to pay for any of these plans upfront in 3, 6, and 12 month increments. Mint has rolled out an introductory 3-month price for all of the plans of $15/month as a way to hook in customers. Normally, the 5GB, 15GB, and 20GB plans cost $15/month, $20/month, and $25/month respectively when you sign up for 3 months. 

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What Is a Capped Plan?

Capped plans—also sometimes called “By the Gig” plans—offer customers a set amount of data to use per month, instead of unlimited data. All the data on capped plans is deprioritized, which means you may experience data slowdowns when the network is congested.

Capped data plans are sometimes a more cost-effective alternative to unlimited plans. If you don’t mind deprioritized data and you know how much data you use in a typical month, it makes sense to only pay for the data you’re going to use.

Mint Mobile vs AT&T: Coverage

AT&T’s national 4G LTE and 5G networks spread to all corners of the country, so no matter where you are, you’re likely to enjoy fast, reliable coverage. AT&T’s 4G coverage is the second-best in the country, behind Verizon; its 5G coverage is similarly impressive, trailing only T-Mobile in terms of nationwide reach. 

Mint Mobile makes use of larger carrier T-Mobile’s national system of 4G and 5G networks to provide its customers with generally reliable coverage. It's important to note, however, that Mint’s reliance on subleased network space can in some instances result in slightly inferior service. Major carriers tend to prioritize their customers ahead of those who use their networks via smaller carriers like Mint Mobile, at least in times of network congestion. 

Mint Mobile vs AT&T: Perks

Going with AT&T for your cell service entitles you to a selection of add-ons. The company’s core unlimited plans feature generous mobile hotspot data allowances, along with international privileges like talk, text, and data privileges in 200+ countries. Unlike T-Mobile, AT&T’s unlimited plans aren’t packaged with perks like streaming subscriptions, nor can you add them on for an extra charge like you can with Verizon’s myPlan. 

As a low-cost prepaid carrier, Mint Mobile doesn’t have an equivalent perk system, nor do the company’s plans feature a whole lot in the way of extras. Keeping things stripped down is one of the ways that Mint Mobile is able to offer plans at such incredibly low prices. If your buying decision is in part based on what kind of add-ons the carrier includes, you’ll probably want to opt for AT&T over Mint. 

The Bottom Line

Signing up with AT&T means you get the full postpaid carrier experience, with great coverage, generous hotspot data allowances, and the ability to pay for your service after you’ve received it on a monthly basis. It also means, of course, high prices: AT&T’s plans are some of the most expensive on the market. 

 Signing up with Mint Mobile means forgoing these major carrier benefits for far lower prices. If you can do without generous hotspot allowances, massive premium data guarantees, and an abundance of extra perks, Mint’s low prices may be attractive enough to convince you to sign up. 

Still not sure which plan is right for you? Check out our article on what to look for in a wireless plan.

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