T-Mobile vs. Verizon: Who has the better phone plans?

Compare Verizon and T-Mobile’s cellphone plans, coverage, perks and bundles to find the best carrier for you.

Verizon vs. T-Mobile cellphone plans

  • Plans starting at $65/mo. for one line
  • Best 4G LTE coverage
  • Fastest 5G service
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  • Plans starting at $60/mo. for one line
  • Best 5G coverage
View plans

T-Mobile and Verizon are two of the “big three” mobile carriers in the country, both offering extensive 5G coverage with their plans. But which is better? The answer depends on what you’re looking for in a mobile provider. We’ll break down each carrier’s plans, perks and coverage so you can choose the right carrier for your needs.

Verizon review

Verizon has mobile phone plans starting at $65/mo. for one line. Its three plans, Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultra, are customizable and come with some great promotional perks. Verizon also offers a discount if you bundle a mobile plan with Verizon 5G Home Internet. 

What we like

  • Promotional perks – Verizon offers many promotional perks with its mobile plans, like free subscriptions to hotspot data.

  • Bundling discounts – You can save on Verizon 5G Home Internet if you bundle with a mobile plan.

  • Best 4G LTE coverage – Verizon has the most 4G LTE coverage out of the big three carriers (Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile).

  • Multiple line discount – Verizon’s plans are expensive for just one line, but you can save big if you sign up for multiple lines.

Things to consider

  • Price – If you are signing up for just one line, Verizon’s plans are expensive. Buying multiple lines is the cheapest way to go.

  • Less 5G coverage than T-Mobile – Verizon has less 5G coverage than T-Mobile, but it does have 5G Ultra Wideband service, a faster and more reliable form of 5G.

Verizon plans and pricing

*Plus taxes and fees. Auto Pay & Paper-free billing: When you use Auto Pay and paper-free billing to pay your bill, you can get a $10/month discount. Last updated 01/19/24.

T-Mobile review

T-Mobile has mobile plans starting at $60/mo. for one line. T-Mobile offers six unlimited mobile plans with perks like free subscriptions an hotspot data included. Like Verizon, T-Mobile offers a discount on its 5G Home Internet service if you bundle with a mobile plan.

What we like

  • Promotional perks – T-Mobile includes promotional perks with its mobile plans, like a free Netflix subscription and hotspot data.

  • Bundling discounts – You can save on T-Mobile 5G Home Internet when you purchase a mobile plan.

  • Plan variety – T-Mobile offers six mobile plans, which is more than Verizon.

  • Best 5G coverage – T-Mobile has the best 5G coverage out of all the main mobile carriers.

Things to consider

  • Price – If you don’t get multiple lines, T-Mobile is expensive.

  • Less 4G coverage than Verizon – T-Mobile does not have as much 4G coverage as Verizon, which could be an issue if 5G isn’t available near you.

T-Mobile plans and pricing

*w/AutoPay discount using eligible payment method. Plus tax and fees. 01/19/24.

T-Mobile vs. Verizon coverage

Verizon and T-Mobile are both top mobile carriers in the U.S., but their 4G and 5G coverage differs slightly. T-Mobile beats Verizon in 5G coverage, but Verizon’s 4G LTE coverage area is the best in the country. Verizon also has its 5G Ultra Wideband network, offering faster 5G speeds than the normal 5G network.

Verizon phone coverage

verizon coverage map

Image credit: Verizon

T-Mobile coverage

t-mobile coverage map

Image credit: T-Mobile

Verizon vs. T-Mobile bundle deals

Verizon and T-Mobile both offer discounts if you bundle a mobile plan with their 5G home internet plans.

If you buy a Verizon unlimited data plan, you can get Verizon 5G Home Internet for $25/mo.

If you buy a T-Mobile Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta® MAX plan, you can get T-Mobile 5G Home Internet for $40/mo. with equipment included as well as a free Netflix and Apple TV+ subscription.

If you buy a Go5G, Magenta® or Essentials phone plan, you get T-Mobile 5G Home Internet for $50/mo. with equipment included and a free Apple TV+ subscription for six months. The regular rate of T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is $60/mo.

Which provider offers the cheaper phone plans?

T-Mobile offers some cheaper unlimited plan options than Verizon, like its Essentials Saver plan for $50/mo., Essentials plan for $60/mo. and Magenta plan for $70/mo. for one line. Verizon’s cheapest unlimited plans start at $65/mo. for Unlimited Welcome, $80/mo. for Unlimited Plus and $90/mo. for Unlimited Ultimate for one line.

Is T-Mobile or Verizon the better carrier?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If coverage and high speeds are your top priority, then Verizon wins due to its 5G Ultra Wideband Network and extensive 4G LTE coverage area. But if you want more affordable plan options, then T-Mobile could be the better option. Both carriers offer perks with their plans and discounts on their respective 5G internet services, so it really comes down to your specific needs.

Camryn Smith

Written by:

Camryn Smith

As one of Allconnect’s writers, Camryn Smith helps consumers navigate complex home internet services and broadband technology through her helpful content. Using her expertise in the broadband space, Camryn edu… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Senior Editor, Broadband Content

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