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AT&T vs T-Mobile: Which carrier is better for you?
AT&T has played second fiddle to Verizon for a while now, but even T-Mobile is frequently starting to outshine it. Should you make the swap to T-Mobile, or AT&T the better fit? Let’s place AT&T vs T-Mobile on center stage to see which carrier is right for you.
Let’s start by taking a look at a chart that shows how plans, pricing, data, and perks compare. From there, we’ll break down each section and give you a little more insight into the differences.
| Plans | Cost | Data | Hotspot access | International access | Perks and extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plans AT&T Unlimited Starter SL | Cost $66 for one line $61 for two lines $46 for three lines $36 for four lines | Data Unlimited basic 4G/5G | Hotspot access 5GB of 4G/5G | International access Unlimited texting to 120 countries | Perks and extras Device security and spam risk alerts Standard definition streaming |
| Plans AT&T Unlimited Extra EL | Cost $76 for one line $66 for two lines $501 for three lines $41 for four lines | Data Unlimited 4G/5G 75GB premium data | Hotspot access 30GB of 4G/5G | International access Unlimited texting to 120 countries | Perks and extras Device security and spam risk alerts Standard definition streaming |
| Plans AT&T Unlimited Premium PL | Cost $86 for one line $76 for two lines $61 for three lines $51 for four lines | Data Unlimited 4G/5G Unlimited premium data | Hotspot access 60GB of 4G/5G | International access Unlimited texting to 120 countries | Perks and extras Device security and spam risk alerts High definition streaming |
| Plans T-Mobile Essentials Saver | Cost $50 for one line | Data Unlimited 4G/5G 50GB premium data | Hotspot access Unlimited 3G | International access Unlimted text in 215+ contries Unlimted talk/text in Canada/Mexico, just 128Kbps data | Perks and extras 480p streaming |
| Plans T-Mobile Essentials | Cost $60 for one line $45 for two lines $30 for three lines $26 for four lines | Data Unlimited 4G/5G
50GB premium data | Hotspot access Unlimited 3G | International access Unlimted text in 215+ contries
Unlimted talk/text in Canada/Mexico, just 128Kbps data | Perks and extras 480p streaming |
| Plans T-Mobile Go5G Plus | Cost $90 for one line $75 for two lines $50 for three lines $46 for four lines | Data Unlimited 4G/5G 100GB premium data | Hotspot access 50GB 45/5G hotspot access Unlimited 3G speeds | International access 5GB of data and unlimited talk text in over 215+ countries 15GB of data and unlimited talk/text in Mexico/Canada | Perks and extras Full flight texting and Wi-Fi Full flight texting and Wi-Fi Up to 4K streaming Netflix Standard for 2 screeens Apple TV Plus 1-Year AAA membership Next in Two upgrade program |
| Plans T-Mobile Go5G Next | Cost $100 for one line $85 for two lines $60 for three lines $56 for four lines | Data Unlimited 4G/5G 100GB premium data | Hotspot access 15GB 45/5G hotspot access Unlimited 3G speeds | International access 5GB of data and unlimited talk text in over 215+ countries 15GB of data and unlimited talk/text in Mexico/Canada | Perks and extras 4 full-flight sessions Netflix Basic Apple TV+ 6-months 480p streaming |
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AT&T vs T-Mobile — Pricing
The easiest place to start any comparison is with pricing. T-Mobile has the cheapest starting rates with its one-line Essentials Saver starting at $50, versus $66 for one line of AT&T Unlimited Starter SL. Even as you add more lines or are considering one of the more expensive plans, you’ll find that T-Mobile remains cheaper for most tiers. It is worth noting that T-Mobile does have a more expensive plan called Go5G Next that starts at $100 or as low as $56 per line for four lines, but this has extra perks like faster upgrades that set it apart from any of AT&T’s plans.
AT&T vs T-Mobile — Coverage
Both AT&T and T-Mobile are pushing their 5G rollouts as fast as they can. The carriers continue to fire up new towers every week, but T-Mobile still appears to have an advantage. Unfortunately, the 5G race hasn’t reached all corners of the United States yet, so it’s easier to compare the 4G LTE access.
This comparison used to consist of a few percentages for each carrier and some vague maps, but now the FCC is stepping up to give consumers better information. We’ve created a sliding comparison of both AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s LTE maps above, or you can head on over to the interactive page to check out your neck of the woods. The government hasn’t gotten around to a standardized 5G map quite yet, which means that we’ll have to rely on percentages for now. According to WhistleOut, T-Mobile leads the charge with 37% 5G coverage compared to a measly 16% coverage for AT&T.
AT&T vs T-Mobile — Perks and promos
Reliable coverage should be your primary concern when it comes to a mobile carrier, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. The truth is that most major carriers offer similar services in many areas, so they have to do more to stand out. This is where streaming perks and discounts come in.
Unfortunately, AT&T has moved away from offering perks recently. Meanwhile, T-Mobile continues to embrace it.
Over at T-Mobile, your best bet for a streaming perk is to sign up for Magenta, Go5G, Go5G Plus, or Magenta Max. All four plans offer a Netflix subscription, though it depends on how many lines you sign up for. If you choose Magenta or Go5G, you’ll need two lines on your account to get a single screen of Netflix Basic. You only need one line of Magenta Max or Go5G Plus to get Netflix Basic, but a second line grants you Netflix Standard instead. Apple TV is also included in the latter two plans, while the former two just give you a six-month trial.
Both carriers love a good discount. You’ll probably have to trade in your current device for the best bargains, but both AT&T and T-Mobile are known for offering free phone deals across numerous brands, including flagships from Apple, Google, and Samsung. For a deeper look at current deals be sure to head over to AT&T’s deal page or T-Mobile’s deal page.
AT&T vs T-Mobile — Phone selections
Both T-Mobile and AT&T are considered GSM carriers, which means they operate on a slightly newer framework. The shared framework also means that both support nearly the same list of devices. That includes the Galaxy S24 series, Apple’s iPhone 16 range, and even the latest Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 if you have the money for them. AT&T and T-Mobile also offer a few budget-friendly phones, but they don’t always come with the same deals.
Which carrier is right for you?
We’ve run through all of the major differences between AT&T and T-Mobile, and now it’s time for the million-dollar question. Is one carrier actually better for you than the other? Well, it depends on your needs. You should first check on your local coverage options to see if either option has a stronger presence in your area. If so, that should help to guide your choice. However, if the options are a wash, it’s time to move on to pricing. You can prioritize savings with T-Mobile, or you can go for AT&T. It costs more, but you’ll get more perks as well.
Ultimately, you might conclude that neither AT&T nor T-Mobile is your perfect match, and that’s alright too. You can certainly consider going the Verizon route. We also recommend checking out our guide to the best prepaid plans, as you might find something that is suited for you there as well.