Loyalty Savings
Verizon Prepaid
Pros
Verizon Prepaid brings some great discounts to its massive LTE network. Loyalty savings reduce your bill by $5 per month after three months of service and $10 after nine months. Combined with some reasonably priced data plans, Verizon Prepaid offers a great value on a great network.
Long-term savings
Mint Mobile
Pros
Mint Mobile has a great range of plans that will work for most people and even has a large 35GB unlimited plan. All plans come with unlimited talk and text with 2G data after your data allotment. You have to buy at least three months at a time, but if you're willing to buy six or 12 months at once—you can save quite a bit of money.
Verizon's collection of prepaid plans feels like a great fit for many people. While there is still support for someone who doesn't want any data, the 5GB and 15GB plans are a great fit for many people. For those that need it, there's even an unlimited plan. Mint Mobile's plans are still great for many people, especially if you can afford to pay for a full year of service, but Verizon Prepaid's new plans will make more sense to more people.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Save now or later?
Verizon Prepaid's current plans are geared toward heavier data users with the smallest data package coming in at 5GB and going all the way up to unlimited. These new plans do away with family plans and multi-line discounts for loyalty discounts that activate after your account is active for a few months.
Mint Mobile, on the other hand, asks for your loyalty upfront with discounts being given for longer terms. Mint Mobile's plans are a great fit for many people but the commitment to six or 12 months for the maximum savings makes it less desirable as a prepaid plan.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Check your coverage first
Verizon's LTE network isn't necessarily the fastest around, but it still has the best coverage. Chances are, you're covered by Verizon's LTE network but you can still to be sure.
Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile's network and while it's not as big as Verizon's network, it isn't far off. Unless you live in a rural area, you're probably covered. You can check out Mint Mobile's for more information. Click on your area to see a precise depiction of your connection quality. T-Mobile has made a lot of progress in the past couple of years expanding its network so even if you had poor coverage before, it's worth having another look. Mint Mobile also offers 5G on T-Mobile's network at no additional cost. While Verizon is working on building its 5G network, it still hasn't made its way to prepaid.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid What phone do you need?
You can bring your own phone to Verizon Prepaid as long as it will work with the Verizon network. You can check your IMEI to be sure. If you're ready for a new phone, there is a of new devices available with the notable exception of the Galaxy S20 series. Still, there are plenty of solid phones to choose from though you'll need to pay full price for them.
Mint Mobile supports almost any unlocked phone that works on T-Mobile's network, which means almost any unlocked phone. This is great if you want to keep your phone since you'll be able to drop your Mint SIM card in and get connected right away. If you want to check to make sure your device will work, enter your IMEI in Mint Mobile's . Alternatively, you can download the Mint Mobile app from the Google Play Store.
If you're ready for something new, Mint Mobile has a of both Android and iOS phones including the OnePlus 8 Pro and the new iPhone SE. Phones can be financed with Affirm.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Verizon Prepaid plans
Verizon Prepaid has four plans available starting with a talk and text plan for basic phones or someone that's willing to use Wi-Fi exclusively for data. This is the only plan that isn't eligible for the loyalty discount. The next step up adds 5GB of data along with the ability to use it as a hotspot. If you want to make calls to Mexico and Canada, it can be added for $5 per month.
The 15GB plan and the unlimited plan come with calls to Mexico and Canada. The Unlimited plan doesn't come with any hotspot data but for $5 per month, you can get 10GB of data.
If you're looking to travel to Mexico or Canada, you can add talk, text, and data for $5 per day on all of these plans except the unlimited plan, which already has it included. If you need to travel to Mexico or Canada frequently, this could be a great option.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Mint Mobile plans
Mint Mobile doesn't have a traditional contract, but instead offers discounts to customers willing to buy in for a longer-term. The minimum period for Mint Mobile is three months, but the real savings come with 12-month terms. Mint does offer the first three months at the 12-month price so you don't have to commit to the full year right away. The plans come in three data variants with an unlimited option though, unlimited gets throttled after 35GB of data. All plans are reduced to 128Kbps after you've used your data allowance.
Add data at a rate of $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB if you need more. You can also upgrade to the next plan up if you feel you'll need more every month in the middle of your billing cycle. Even if you go with Mint's unique plan structure, .
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Which is better for you?
Both providers offer good value for long-term customers, with Mint Mobile asking for a commitment right off the bat. This will be fine for many people, but not everyone looking at a prepaid phone service will be able—or illing—to pay for an entire year of phone service at once. If you can, Mint Mobile is a great choice and hard to beat for value.
However, more people will likely be more comfortable with the way Verizon Prepaid has set up its plans and discounts. If you just want to stay on this network, there are several other to keep in mind. While many people will still overbuy with an unlimited plan, the extras like roaming data will make it worth it. For most people, Verizon Prepaid will be a better fit, especially if you don't want to commit to more than a month at a time.
Loyalty Savings
Verizon Prepaid
A great LTE network with loyalty savings
Verizon Prepaid has a strong range of data plans that work for most people and savings built in if your account stays active.
Long-term savings
Mint Mobile
Savings in bulk
Mint Mobile brings the cost of data down with terms of three, six, or 12 months with longer terms getting you a great deal on your plan.
Verizon Prepaid
Pros
- Massive Verizon LTE network
- Loyalty savings on data plans
- Wide range of plans
- No loyalty discount on the basic plan
Verizon Prepaid brings some great discounts to its massive LTE network. Loyalty savings reduce your bill by $5 per month after three months of service and $10 after nine months. Combined with some reasonably priced data plans, Verizon Prepaid offers a great value on a great network.
Long-term savings
Mint Mobile
Pros
- Unlimited talk and text
- Free calls to Canada and Mexico
- Hotspot on all plans
- You must buy at least three months
- Unlimited plan throttles at 35GB
Mint Mobile has a great range of plans that will work for most people and even has a large 35GB unlimited plan. All plans come with unlimited talk and text with 2G data after your data allotment. You have to buy at least three months at a time, but if you're willing to buy six or 12 months at once—you can save quite a bit of money.
Verizon's collection of prepaid plans feels like a great fit for many people. While there is still support for someone who doesn't want any data, the 5GB and 15GB plans are a great fit for many people. For those that need it, there's even an unlimited plan. Mint Mobile's plans are still great for many people, especially if you can afford to pay for a full year of service, but Verizon Prepaid's new plans will make more sense to more people.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Save now or later?
Verizon Prepaid's current plans are geared toward heavier data users with the smallest data package coming in at 5GB and going all the way up to unlimited. These new plans do away with family plans and multi-line discounts for loyalty discounts that activate after your account is active for a few months.
Mint Mobile, on the other hand, asks for your loyalty upfront with discounts being given for longer terms. Mint Mobile's plans are a great fit for many people but the commitment to six or 12 months for the maximum savings makes it less desirable as a prepaid plan.
| Verizon Prepaid | Mint Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Verizon | T-Mobile |
| Minimum term | 1 month | 3 months |
| Smallest data package | None | 3GB |
| Largest data package | Unlimited (deprioritized during congestion) | Unlimited (128Kps after 35GB) |
Verizon's LTE network isn't necessarily the fastest around, but it still has the best coverage. Chances are, you're covered by Verizon's LTE network but you can still to be sure.
Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile's network and while it's not as big as Verizon's network, it isn't far off. Unless you live in a rural area, you're probably covered. You can check out Mint Mobile's for more information. Click on your area to see a precise depiction of your connection quality. T-Mobile has made a lot of progress in the past couple of years expanding its network so even if you had poor coverage before, it's worth having another look. Mint Mobile also offers 5G on T-Mobile's network at no additional cost. While Verizon is working on building its 5G network, it still hasn't made its way to prepaid.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid What phone do you need?
You can bring your own phone to Verizon Prepaid as long as it will work with the Verizon network. You can check your IMEI to be sure. If you're ready for a new phone, there is a of new devices available with the notable exception of the Galaxy S20 series. Still, there are plenty of solid phones to choose from though you'll need to pay full price for them.
Mint Mobile supports almost any unlocked phone that works on T-Mobile's network, which means almost any unlocked phone. This is great if you want to keep your phone since you'll be able to drop your Mint SIM card in and get connected right away. If you want to check to make sure your device will work, enter your IMEI in Mint Mobile's . Alternatively, you can download the Mint Mobile app from the Google Play Store.
If you're ready for something new, Mint Mobile has a of both Android and iOS phones including the OnePlus 8 Pro and the new iPhone SE. Phones can be financed with Affirm.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Verizon Prepaid plans
Verizon Prepaid has four plans available starting with a talk and text plan for basic phones or someone that's willing to use Wi-Fi exclusively for data. This is the only plan that isn't eligible for the loyalty discount. The next step up adds 5GB of data along with the ability to use it as a hotspot. If you want to make calls to Mexico and Canada, it can be added for $5 per month.
The 15GB plan and the unlimited plan come with calls to Mexico and Canada. The Unlimited plan doesn't come with any hotspot data but for $5 per month, you can get 10GB of data.
| Talk & text only | 5GB | 15GB | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk and text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| High-speed data | None | 5GB | 15GB | Unlimited |
| Hotspot | None | Shared | Shared | $5 for 10GB |
| Calls to Mexico and Canada | $5 | $5 | Included | Included |
| Usage in Mexico and Canada | $5/day | $5/day | $5/day | Included |
| Price | $30 with auto pay | $35 with auto pay | $45 with auto pay | $60 with auto pay |
| Price after 3 months | $30 with auto pay | $30 with auto pay | $40 with auto pay | $55 with auto pay |
| Price after 9 months | $30 with auto pay | $25 with auto pay | $35 with auto pay | $50 with auto pay |
If you're looking to travel to Mexico or Canada, you can add talk, text, and data for $5 per day on all of these plans except the unlimited plan, which already has it included. If you need to travel to Mexico or Canada frequently, this could be a great option.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Mint Mobile plans
Mint Mobile doesn't have a traditional contract, but instead offers discounts to customers willing to buy in for a longer-term. The minimum period for Mint Mobile is three months, but the real savings come with 12-month terms. Mint does offer the first three months at the 12-month price so you don't have to commit to the full year right away. The plans come in three data variants with an unlimited option though, unlimited gets throttled after 35GB of data. All plans are reduced to 128Kbps after you've used your data allowance.
| 3GB | 8GB | 12GB | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | $15 per month ($45 total) $25 per month renewal ($75 total) | $20 per month ($60 total) $35 per month renewal ($105 total) | $25 per month ($75) $45 per month renewal ($135 total) | $30 per month ($90) $40 per month renewal ($120) |
| 6 months | $20 per month ($120) | $25 per month ($150) | $35 per month ($210) | $35 per month ($210) |
| 12 months | $15 per month ($180) | $20 per month ($240) | $25 per month ($300) | $30 per month ($360) |
Add data at a rate of $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB if you need more. You can also upgrade to the next plan up if you feel you'll need more every month in the middle of your billing cycle. Even if you go with Mint's unique plan structure, .
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon Prepaid Which is better for you?
Both providers offer good value for long-term customers, with Mint Mobile asking for a commitment right off the bat. This will be fine for many people, but not everyone looking at a prepaid phone service will be able—or illing—to pay for an entire year of phone service at once. If you can, Mint Mobile is a great choice and hard to beat for value.
However, more people will likely be more comfortable with the way Verizon Prepaid has set up its plans and discounts. If you just want to stay on this network, there are several other to keep in mind. While many people will still overbuy with an unlimited plan, the extras like roaming data will make it worth it. For most people, Verizon Prepaid will be a better fit, especially if you don't want to commit to more than a month at a time.
Loyalty Savings
Verizon Prepaid
A great LTE network with loyalty savings
Verizon Prepaid has a strong range of data plans that work for most people and savings built in if your account stays active.
Long-term savings
Mint Mobile
Savings in bulk
Mint Mobile brings the cost of data down with terms of three, six, or 12 months with longer terms getting you a great deal on your plan.