Mint Mobile vs Verizon: Plans Compared

Verizon is the biggest carrier in the country, a postpaid behemoth that operates its own national 4G LTE and 5G networks that stretch from coast to coast. Mint Mobile is a much smaller prepaid provider (or MVNO) that subleases space on T-Mobile’s network. 

While all of Verizon’s core cell phone plans offer unlimited data, Mint Mobile plans consist of a variety of capped data plans along with a single unlimited data offering. Mint Mobile allows you to pay for your service in advance in 3, 6, and 12 month chunks. Verizon, on the other hand, operates in the mold of traditional postpaid carriers, charging customers for wireless service on a monthly basis, after the fact. 

If you’re trying to decide between signing up with Mint Mobile or Verizon, this guide will help you navigate their various plan offerings. Read on as we compare the two carriers. 

Mint Mobile vs Verizon: Similarities

• Both offer unlimited plans.
• Both Verizon’s 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 Verizon and Mint Mobile allow you to sign up for multiple lines of service (also known as family plans), resulting in cost savings in the the form of multi-line discounts. 
• Neither include taxes and fees in their advertised prices.

Mint Mobile vs Verizon: Differences

• Verizon’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. 
• Mint Mobile sells capped plans, while Verizon does not. 
• Verizon offers a range of discounted add-ons for an extra $10/month via myPlan; Mint Mobile’s perks are far more modest and don’t include streaming subscriptions. 
• Verizon’s plans are among the most expensive around, while Mint Mobile’s are among the cheapest. 

Mint Mobile vs Verizon: Unlimited Plans

Verizon sells three postpaid unlimited plans: the entry-level Unlimited Welcome ($65/month), mid-tier Unlimited Plus ($80/month), and premium Unlimited Ultimate ($90/month). All three include unlimited calling, texting and data in Mexico, while the latter two also feature monthly mobile hotspot allowances. From here, you can add on various streaming, gaming, music, shopping, and travel perks for an additional $10/month as part of the carrier’s myPlan program (more on this later). 

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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?  An unlimited data plan is a phone plan that comes with unlimited data, but not all of these plans include the same kind of unlimited data. The lowest-priced unlimited plans typically offer unlimited deprioritized data that is subject to slowdowns when networks are busy, but no premium data (aka high-speed data). Mid-tier unlimited plans usually include a combo of high-speed data, capped to a certain amount, and unlimited deprioritized data. The most expensive unlimited plans are where you’ll get truly unlimited premium data without  restrictions.

Mint Mobile vs Verizon: Capped Plans

Verizon used to offer a selection of capped, or limited data, postpaid plans, but the carrier has done away with these in favor of unlimited. Mint Mobile, on the other hand, sells three capped data plans consisting of 5GB, 15GB, and 20GB of data to use a month. 

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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 $25/month, $35/month, and $45/month respectively when you sign up for 3 months. 

What Is a Capped Plan? Also known as “By the Gig” plans, capped plans offer customers a set amount of data per month instead of unlimited data. Capped plan data is deprioritized meaning it can be slowed when a network is congested. Capped data plans can be a cost-effective alternative to unlimited plans as long as you’re ok with deprioritized data and you don’t exceed your monthly cap since doing so can result in significant fees.

Mint Mobile vs Verizon: Coverage

Verizon’s 4G LTE network is regarded as the best in America, outdoing the likes of AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon’s fast 5G Ultra Wideband network, meanwhile, is growing as the company installs more towers. The combination of these two networks means that Verizon offers some of the best coverage in the country. 

Mint Mobile, on the other hand, makes use of 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 and Visible, at least in times of network congestion. 

Mint Mobile vs Verizon: Perks

Going with Verizon for your cell service entitles you to a range 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. Plus, Verizon’s myPlan program allows customers to choose from a selection of streaming, gaming, shopping, and data perks, each of which cost $10/month to add on. All of these extras may be compelling enough to convince you to choose with Verizon, despite the carrier’s high prices. 

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. 

The Bottom Line

Signing up with Verizon means you get the full postpaid carrier experience, with great coverage, lots of perks, and the ability to pay for your service after you’ve received it on a monthly basis. It also means, of course, high prices: Verizon’s plans are some of the most expensive on the market. 

Going 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mint Mobile use the same cell towers as Verizon?

Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile's network, offering 5G coverage to over 98 percent of Americans and 4G LTE to more than 99 percent, per the company. Since it's not on Verizon's towers, you'll be tapping into T-Mobile's infrastructure for your service. 

Do I need to cancel Verizon before switching to Mint?

If switching from Verizon to Mint, make sure your Verizon account stays active until your number transfers to Mint, or you could risk losing it. If you're moving multiple lines, transfer the primary account holder's number last. Canceling too early can cause you a massive headache!

Does Mint have any hidden fees?

With Mint, you won't get any hidden fees or charges. The company says it lays everything out upfront so you know exactly what you're paying when your bill comes.