Mint Mobile and Straight Talk are popular prepaid carriers that offer some of the best deals on data on the market. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s compare them and see which is better.
In this article, we plan to discuss the details of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:
Mint Mobile and Straight Talk are both mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Mint Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile, while Straight Talk is an MVNO of Verizon.
Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.
However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall.
Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options, but Straight Talk also offers a plan with 1500 minutes instead of unlimited talk. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers.
Mint Mobile offers plans ranging from 5GB to Unlimited (40GB) data, giving customers more options to meet their needs. Mint Mobile only offers 3, 6, or 12 month plans to sign up for. However, your data is reset every month. Their current New Customer Offer allows you to purchase a 3 month plan at the best deal. Mint Mobile also offers a deal where you can get 6 months of free service if you purchase a phone and a 6 month plan. Mint Mobile allows up to 5 lines on one account, each with their own customizable plan data to draw from.
As a T-Mobile MVNO, Mint Mobile is on tier 7 of 9 Quality of Service Class Identifiers (QCIs).
This indicates the priority level of the carrier on T-Mobile’s network compared to T-Mobile specific plans. This means they’re at a higher priority compared to MVNOs on Verizon or AT&T’s networks. As such, you may experience higher speeds while being deprioritized than other MVNOs.
Mint Mobile keeps your phone locked for the first year after purchase. After, you must request to have your phone unlocked. Taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price.
This plan gives you 5GB of data and mobile hotspot access. The plan is again deprioritized, then slows down to 2G speeds after the 5GB allotment. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. Hotspot data comes from the 5GB and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $15 per month and $45 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 5GB for $3 per GB.
This plan gets you 15GB of full speed data and mobile hotspot data. This plan is also deprioritized and slowed down to 2G speeds after 15GB. Your hotspot data comes from the 15GB allotment and stops after 15GB. The plan costs $20 per month and $80 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 15GB at $1.33 per GB.
As it says in the name, you get 20GB of full speed data. This plan is deprioritized, however, and it slows down to 2G speeds after you reach the 20GB cap. The plan also includes mobile hotspot capabilities. Data comes from the 20GB allotment and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $25 per month and $75 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.25 per GB.
With Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan, you get 40GB of data. Your data is deprioritized, and it slows down to 3G speeds (512 kbps) after 40GB. At 3G, you can still send texts, send emails, and scroll through social media without too many issues. Streaming video might be a bit slower. While this may be a negative for those who use large amounts of data, most users use about 20GB of data per month or less, according to Ericsson Mobility. This plan also gives you 10GB of mobile hotspot data, allowing your phone to become a WiFi connection for other devices. Data stops after 10GB.
The plan costs $30 per month, or $90 for the first 3 months. After that, the price is $40 per month. To get the same $30 per month deal, you need to buy 12 months worth of service. At this rate, you get 50GB at $0.60 per GB.
Straight Talk offers 9 plans. It’s important to note that Straight Talk’s plans allow up to 5 lines, but some only allow 2 depending on the deal. As an MVNO of Verizon, Straight Talk is on tier 9 of the QCI levels.
If you purchase your phone from Straight Talk, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. The plans they offer renew at varying service lengths, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price.
This plan comes with 1500 minutes of talk and 100MB of data, as well as unlimited texting.
This plan doesn’t include hotspot access, and data speeds slow to 2G speeds. With 2G speeds, you can still browse the internet or send emails and texts, but you need WiFi to play games or stream video.
The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 100MB at $300 per GB.
This plan gives you 10GB of full speed data before slowing to 2G speeds. This plan also gives you 5GB of mobile hotspot capabilities, which stops after the cap. You also get unlimited talk and text.
The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 15GB of data in total at $2.33 per GB.
This plan gives their users 60GB of full speed data before slowing down to 2G speeds. Users also get access to 5GB of mobile hotspot data before access stops. You also get unlimited talk and text.
The plan costs $45 per month. At this rate, you get 65GB at $0.69 per GB.
This plan offers 60GB of full speed data, which slows down to 2G speeds after the cap. You also get 15GB of hotspot data before access stops.
The plan costs $55 per month for one line. At this rate, you get 75GB at $0.73 per GB. This plan also gives you the option of having 2 lines for $90 per month. At this rate, this would be $1.20 per GB.
This plan comes with 20GB of full speed data included, which then slows down to 2G speeds. It also comes with 5GB of mobile hotspot data.
The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 40GB at $1.63 per GB.
This plan comes with 25GB of full speed data before slowing to 2G speeds. This plan renews monthly, but you pay for multiple services upfront. You also get 5GB of hotspot data included.
The plan costs $130 for 3 months, $255 for 6 months, and $495 for 12 months.
This plan includes 25GB of full speed data, which then slows down to 2G speeds. It also comes with 5GB of mobile hotspot data and stops after the cap. This plan also comes with international calling capabilities.
The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $2 per GB.
If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Straight Talk and Mint Mobile offer similar features with their basic plans and extended deals, but Straight Talk’s more expensive plans include cloud storage and other features.
Mint Mobile and Straight Talk do not include this feature.
Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Straight Talk offers talk in Mexico and Canada on all plans except Extended Unlimited plans. They offer an add-on for calling access in Mexico and Canada for that plan.
Mint Mobile gives you international text included, while international talk and data are pay-per-use. International talk is $0.25 per minute, while international data is $0.20 per MB. Straight Talk offers international calling on their Unlimited International and Platinum Unlimited plans. They offer international calling as an add-on on other plans.
Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan streams at 480p Standard Definition, while their limited data plans stream at 4k Ultra High Definition. All Straight Talk plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.
Mint Mobile and Straight Talk do not offer this feature.
Mint Mobile does not offer this feature. Straight Talk offers 100GB of cloud storage on their Gold Unlimited and Platinum Unlimited plans.
If you buy a phone from Mint Mobile, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. Straight Talk does not offer this feature.
Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.
Mint Mobile and Straight Talk do not offer this feature.
Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Straight Talk does not offer this feature.
Mint Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online and over the phone. Mint Mobile offers chat support 24/7 and support over the phone at (800)-683-7392 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST every day of the week. Straight Talk offers support over the phone at
1-877-430-2355 from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. EST every day.
When it comes to price per GB, Mint Mobile offers better services than Straight Talk. If you’re looking for a plan for month to month services, Straight Talk is the better option for you. Overall, both carriers offer great deals on their services, with Mint Mobile offering the most for less.
We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.
Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the T-Mobile® 5G Network, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.
Nope, it’s pay as you go.
Yeah! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.
Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.
We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.
It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.
Great question. If you’re in Austin, TX, you’ll install 2 new SIMs. The REALLY nationwide SIM as your first SIM, which will give you voice / text & data on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network powered by T-Mobile®. Your 2nd SIM will give you access to the REALLY DeWi network in Austin, TX, which you’ll prioritize when available so that you get even faster speeds and better coverage. Depending on your device, you may be able to install eSIMs via a QR code.
Yep, we are powered by T-Mobile®, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in Austin, TX you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.
The plan is unlimited, but once you reach 20GB you may experience slower speeds depending on network usage.
You get 10GB of hotspot data per month, but can add more if you need to.
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