For years, T-Mobile was the third-largest carrier in the U.S., and the Sprint merger strengthened its position. Now, T-Mobile stands alongside Verizon and AT&T in importance.
T-Mobile led the “uncarrier” movement but has since taken steps that have upset some loyal customers.
Is T-Mobile the right fit for you, or should you consider another carrier? We previously covered AT&T vs T-Mobile, so let’s explore T-Mobile vs Verizon to see which suits your needs.
We’ll examine each category, pricing, coverage, and phone options to compare these carriers. Ready to pick your next provider? Start here.
Verizon vs T-Mobile — Plan Overview
Start with an overview of T-Mobile’s plans:
| Plan | Cost per Line (Excludes Taxes/Fees) | 4-Line Bundle Price | Talk & Text | Data | Mobile Hotspot | Netflix | Apple TV | Video Streaming Quality |
| Essentials Saver | $50 for 1 line$40 for two lines$33.33 for three lines | Not applicable | Unlimited | 5G & 4G LTE (50GB Premium Data) | Unlimited at 3G speed | Not included | Not included | SD (Standard Definition) |
| Essentials | $60 for 1 line$45 for two lines$30 for three lines$26.25 for four lines$24 for five lines | $100 per month | Unlimited | 5G & 4G LTE (may slow after 50GB) | Unlimited at 3G speed | Not included | Not included | SD |
| Go5G | $75 for 1 line$65 for two lines$51.67 for three lines$45 for four lines$41 for five lines | Not applicable | Unlimited | 5G & 4G LTE (may slow after 100GB) | 15GB high-speed (then 3G) | Not included | Included | SD |
| Go5G Plus | $90 for 1 line$75 for two lines$61.67 for three lines$55 for four lines$51 for five lines | Not applicable | Unlimited | Unlimited Premium 5G & 4G LTE | 50GB high-speed (then 3G) | Netflix Standard with Ads | Included | Up to 4K UHD |
| Go5G Next | $100 for 1 line$85 for two lines$71.67 for three lines$65 for four lines$61 for five lines | Not applicable | Unlimited | Unlimited Premium 5G & 4G LTE | 50GB high-speed (then 3G) | Netflix Standard with Ads | Included | Up to 4K UHD |
You’ve seen T-Mobile’s options; let’s check out Verizon’s offerings.
| Plan | Cost per Line | Talk & Text | Data | Hotspot | International Service | Extra Perks |
| myPlan Unlimited Welcome | 1 line: $65 | 2 lines: $55 | 3 lines: $40 | 4 lines: $30 | Unlimited | Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G Nationwide | Not included | Calls & text in Mexico & Canada | Texting in 200+ countries | 480p streaming | Add-ons ($10 each): 100GB hotspot, Apple Music, Apple One, Disney+ bundle, and more |
| myPlan Unlimited Plus | 1 line: $80 | 2 lines: $70 | 3 lines: $55 | 4 lines: $45 | Unlimited | Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G Nationwide | 30GB LTE/5G | Calls & text in Mexico & Canada | Texting in 200+ countries | 480p streaming | Add-ons ($10 each): 100GB hotspot, Apple Music, Apple One, Disney+ bundle, and more |
| myPlan Unlimited Ultimate | 1 line: $90 | 2 lines: $80 | 3 lines: $65 | 4 lines: $55 | Unlimited | Unlimited 4G LTE, 5G Wideband | 60GB LTE/5G | Calls & text in Mexico & Canada | Texting in 200+ countries | 480p streaming, 10GB global data |
| Talk & Text Prepaid | $30 with autopay | $35 with autopay | $5 discount after 3 months | $10 discount after 9 months | Unlimited | No data | No | $5/day in Mexico & Canada | 480p streaming |
| 15GB Prepaid | $50 with autopay | $5 discount after 3 months | $10 discount after 9 months | Unlimited | 15GB LTE/5G | Uses up to 15GB | Mexico & Canada included | 480p streaming |
| Unlimited Prepaid | $60 with autopay | $5 discount after 3 months | $10 discount after 9 months | Unlimited | Unlimited LTE/5G | 5GB, then reduced to 600kbps | Mexico & Canada included | 480p streaming |
| Unlimited Plus Prepaid | $55 with autopay | $5 discount after 3 months | $10 discount after 9 months | Unlimited | Unlimited LTE/5G, ultra-wideband | 25GB, then lower speeds | Mexico & Canada included | 480p streaming |
We will focus only on postpaid plans for the comparison points below. Are you looking for more details? See our guides on the top Verizon and T-Mobile plans.
T-Mobile vs. Verizon — Price Comparison
The main difference between T-Mobile and Verizon lies in pricing. Verizon is among the most costly carriers.
Whichever plan you choose, T-Mobile remains the more budget-friendly option. However, the price difference has narrowed, especially for families needing multiple lines.
Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome plan starts at $65, while T-Mobile Essentials begins at $50. Both plans offer similar features, though T-Mobile includes hotspot access.
For four lines, costs level out, with T-Mobile Essentials at $25 per line and Verizon Unlimited Welcome at $30 per line.
T-Mobile provides five plan options, while Verizon has three more. Verizon’s Unlimited Plus starts at $80 but can drop to $45 per line with four lines.
T-Mobile’s Go5G plan, comparable to Unlimited Plus, starts at $75 and can lower to $41 per line with five lines or $45 for four lines.
While Go5G is cheaper, Verizon’s plan offers 30GB of hotspot data compared to T-Mobile’s 15GB.
For top-tier plans, T-Mobile’s Go5G Next starts at $100 and drops to $56.25 per line for four lines. Verizon’s highest plan starts at $90 and can go as low as $55 for four lines.
Although Verizon’s mid and top plans are technically less expensive, perks are no longer included for free.
Options like the Disney Plus bundle or Apple One are available for an additional $10 each. T-Mobile, however, includes Apple TV and Netflix in some of its higher-tier plans.
T-Mobile vs Verizon — Coverage
T-Mobile’s coverage map is worth displaying due to its reach. However, before merging with Sprint, T-Mobile had only 62% of the nation covered by 4G LTE.
In comparison, Verizon led with 71% coverage nationwide. This difference, though small, can matter in rural areas.
Even though T-Mobile has less 4G LTE coverage than Verizon, it’s advancing quickly with 5G. Its low-band setup allows for broader reach.
Verizon, by contrast, focuses on mmWave technology, which works over short distances and is available in select cities. Verizon also launched its Nationwide 5G network, and you can view its updated interactive map.
T-Mobile vs. Verizon — Benefits and Offers
Prioritizing network coverage is essential, but added benefits can significantly enhance user satisfaction. T-Mobile currently stands out for offering perks without extra fees, making it a strong choice for value seekers.
Although the Essential plan is basic and doesn’t include unique benefits, other T-Mobile plans provide various extras to improve the overall experience.
These added features, like streaming perks or international data, can make a noticeable difference, especially for users who value more than just coverage.
Weighing network reach and plan perks can help you choose a carrier that fits your needs.
Here’s a summary of T-Mobile’s offerings:
| Plan | Video Benefits |
| T-Mobile Essentials | No video perks |
| T-Mobile Magenta and Go5G | Free Apple TV Plus for 6 months; Netflix Basic with two or more lines |
| T-Mobile Magenta Max and Go5G Plus | Netflix Basic for a single line; Netflix Standard with 2+ lines; Apple TV Plus included |
Verizon offers perks for $10 each. You can add these perks to Verizon’s Welcome or Plus plan:
- Disney Bundle (Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN Plus)
- 2TB Cloud Storage
- 100GB Mobile Hotspot
- Walmart+ Membership
- Apple One
- Apple Music Family
- Smartwatch Data
- 3 TravelPass Days
Both T-Mobile and Verizon often promote great deals. For the total discounts, you’ll need to get a new device.
If you switch carriers, you can trade in your old device and get a free phone! T-Mobile offers buy-one-get-one deals on flagship devices for new customers.
You could get a free iPhone 16 or Galaxy S24 with a Go5G Plus plan.
Verizon also provides up to $1,000 off high-end Android phones with a trade-in, regardless of the phone’s condition.
Review each deal’s terms carefully, but both carriers have strong offers if you want a new phone.
T-Mobile vs. Verizon — Phone Options
As major U.S. carriers, T-Mobile and Verizon have a wide range of new devices. Their selections are mostly similar, but their networks differ: Verizon uses CDMA, while T-Mobile relies on GSM.
This difference allows T-Mobile to support a broader range of phones, including more options from OnePlus.
Verizon offers a substantial selection of Motorola devices despite having fewer OnePlus options. T-Mobile also provides Motorola models, which are part of its Revvl lineup.
To see the complete list of phones, visit T-Mobile’s website. Check T-Mobile’s deals page for current promotions, which may include a free phone offer and more.
Which Carrier Suits You Best?
Choosing between Verizon and T-Mobile can be complex, as both providers excel in different areas. T-Mobile appeals to those seeking affordability, especially for entry-level plans, and has the most extensive 5G network across the U.S.
It’s a good option for affordable, fast 5G coverage users. On the other hand, Verizon’s 4G LTE network spans a broader area, which can help people who mainly use 4G LTE daily or live in areas with limited 5G availability.
When deciding between the two, consider the network type as well—Verizon operates on CDMA, while T-Mobile uses GSM.
Depending on your needs and location, these differences can impact device compatibility and network performance.
Assessing your specific requirements is essential, as one network may only fit some. If neither Verizon nor T-Mobile meets your expectations, exploring other options may be beneficial.
AT&T offers a range of plans worth reviewing, and prepaid carriers provide flexible alternatives for those seeking no-contract options.
Thorough research helps you make a choice that fits your lifestyle and budget.
