Trying to lower your phone bill but unsure which provider to choose? Mint Mobile and Red Pocket both offer affordable prepaid plans, but they take different approaches.
Mint Mobile helps you save money by offering lower rates when you pay upfront for multiple months. Red Pocket, on the other hand, lets you choose between AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile's networks, giving you flexibility based on your coverage needs.
So, do you lock in Mint Mobile's low rates, or go with Red Pocket's multi-network flexibility? Here's what I think...
Mint Mobile vs Red Pocket plans
Winner: Tie
Mint Mobile gives you the best savings if you prepay for three, six, or twelve months, offering some of the cheapest unlimited data plans available. Their unlimited plan costs just $30 per month when paid annually, making it a cheaper option.
Red Pocket sticks to monthly prepaid plans, meaning you don't have to pay upfront, but its plans are pricier for the same amount of data. Their unlimited plan costs $50 per month, which is $20 more than Mint's best rate, but the great thing with Red Pocket is that you can choose your preferred network (AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile).
If you're looking for the lowest price and don't mind prepaying, Mint Mobile is the better deal. If you want network flexibility, Red Pocket's plans let you pick the best coverage for your area.
Mint Mobile plans
(Prices reflect 12-month prepay rates; month-to-month pricing is higher.)
Mint Mobile unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile 5GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $15/mo |
| Mint Mobile 15GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $20/mo |
| Mint Mobile 20GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 20GB | $25/mo |
| Mint Mobile unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $30/mo |
Red Pocket plans
Red Pocket unlimited data plan
- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Pocket 1GB plan | AT&T 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $10/mo |
| Red Pocket 10GB plan | AT&T 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $20/mo |
| Red Pocket unlimited data plan | AT&T 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $30/mo |
| Red Pocket unlimited data plan | AT&T 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $40/mo |
Mint Mobile vs Red Pocket coverage
Winner: Red Pocket
Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile's network, which ranks number 1 for 5G availability and speeds, according to the OpenSignal Mobile Network Experience 2025. However, T-Mobile's rural coverage isn't as strong as Verizon's or AT&T's.
Red Pocket gives you the option to choose between AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, which can be a major advantage if one network works better in your area. If you live in a rural region, opting for Red Pocket with AT&T or Verizon could provide better service, as RootMetrics' 2024 report ranks Verizon highest in reliability.
Mint Mobile coverage
Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Red Pocket coverage
Red Pocket is powered by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Data speeds: Which carrier delivers better performance?
Winner: Mint Mobile
Both carriers offer 5G and 4G LTE, but their high-speed data caps and costs vary significantly.
Mint Mobile's unlimited plan includes high-speed data up to 35GB per month, making it a great option for most users.
Red Pocket's unlimited plans vary, with the most expensive unlimited plans offering unlimited data.
If you use under 35GB per month, Mint Mobile is the better deal at a lower price. If you're happy to pay more or need more data, Red Pocket may be worth considering.
Features and perks: Which provider gives you more?
Winner: Red Pocket
Mint Mobile includes free international calling to Mexico and Canada, making it great for users with connections abroad. However, it doesn't include multi-network flexibility or family discounts.
Red Pocket lets you pick from multiple networks, which is useful if you know one carrier works better in your area. They also offer family plan discounts and international calling to more countries than Mint Mobile.
If you want the ability to pick your network and need a more flexible plan, Red Pocket is a great option.
Mint Mobile vs Red Pocket plan features
| Carrier Features | Mint Mobile | Red Pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | T-Mobile | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM | CDMA & GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes | Yes |
| Contract | Prepaid | Prepaid |
| Credit Check | No | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 | Mon-Sun 5am to 9pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 7 days | Yes - 7 days |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | Yes | No |
| Visual Voicemail | Yes | No |
| Multi-line Discounts | No | Yes |
| Multi-month Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico & Canada | Yes - Includes 80 countries |
| International Roaming | Yes | Yes |
Final verdict: Which carrier is the better deal?
- Best for value for money → Mint Mobile
- Best for network flexibility → Red Pocket
- Best for rural coverage → Red Pocket
- Best for international calling → Red Pocket
If you want the cheapest unlimited plan and don't mind paying upfront, Mint Mobile is the better choice. If you need the flexibility to choose your network or require better rural coverage, Red Pocket is a strong alternative.
Check out our Mint Mobile review
See our Red Pocket review for more
Mint Mobile vs Red Pocket FAQs
The main difference between Mint Mobile and Red Pocket are plan prices and features. Both offer cheap cell phone plans powered by the major networks.
Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile and Red Pocket runs on AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon.
Most newer handsets are compatible if they're unlocked, but if you're not sure you can check phone compatibility with our IMEI checker.
If your Mint Mobile phone is unlocked it should work with Red Pocket. Most of the latest handsets are compatible but you can check your phone's compatibility with the carrier before purchasing.
Why you can trust me
I've spent years helping people find ways to cut their phone bills without sacrificing service quality. At MoneySavingPro, we go beyond the marketing hype to compare real customer experiences, network performance, and hidden costs so you can make an informed decision.
I've tested Mint Mobile, Red Pocket, and other prepaid carriers, looking at speed, coverage, and affordability. If there's a better way to save on your phone bill, you'll hear about it here first.
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