Looking to save money on your phone plan but not sure where to start? Mint Mobile and Straight Talk both offer affordable prepaid options, but they take very different approaches.
Mint Mobile keeps costs low by offering discounts when you prepay for multiple months, making it one of the most budget-friendly options. Straight Talk, on the other hand, allows you to choose between AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile's networks, giving you more flexibility in coverage.
So, should you prepay for Mint Mobile's lower prices or go with Straight Talk for its network flexibility?
Mint Mobile vs Straight Talk plans
Winner: Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile helps you save by offering some of the cheapest prepaid rates if you prepay for three, six, or twelve months. Their unlimited plan costs just $30 per month when paid annually, making it one of the lowest-priced unlimited options.
Straight Talk offers month-to-month prepaid plans, which are more expensive than Mint Mobile's equivalent plans. Their unlimited plan costs $45 per month, which is $15 more than Mint's best rate, and their multi-month options don't provide the same level of savings.
If you want the lowest-cost unlimited plan and don't mind paying upfront for multiple months, Mint Mobile is a great choice.
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 |
Straight Talk plans
Straight Talk unlimited data plan
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Talk 10GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $35/mo |
| Straight Talk unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $45/mo |
| Straight Talk unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $55/mo |
| Straight Talk unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $65/mo |
Mint Mobile vs Straight Talk coverage
Winner: Straight Talk
Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile's network, which ranks top for 5G availability and speeds, according to the OpenSignal Mobile Network Experience 2025.
Straight Talk also runs on T-Mobile, along with AT&T and Verizon, meaning you can choose the best network for your area. If you live in a rural region, picking Straight Talk on Verizon or AT&T could provide better service, as RootMetrics' 2024 report ranks Verizon highest in reliability.
Being able to choose your preferred network, means Straight Talk is a great choice for coverage.
Mint Mobile coverage
Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Straight Talk coverage
Straight Talk is powered by Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
View Straight Talk coverage map
Data speeds: Which carrier delivers better performance?
Winner: Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile's unlimited plan includes high-speed data up to 35GB per month, which is more than enough for most customers.
Straight Talk's unlimited plan includes up to 60GB of high-speed data, but it costs $55 per month-$25 more than Mint's best rate.
For value for money, Mint Mobile is the better deal at a lower price.
Extra features: Which provider gives you more?
Winner: Straight Talk
Mint Mobile includes free international calling to Mexico and Canada, making it a great for staying in touch abroad. However, it doesn't offer family discounts or multi-network coverage.
Straight Talk offers family plan discounts, hotspot add-ons, and international calling options, giving you more flexibility to customize your plan. However, its plans cost more than Mint Mobile's for the same amount of data.
If you want the cheapest plan with international calling, Mint Mobile is the better choice. If you need multiple lines or hotspot data add-ons, Straight Talk is a more flexible option.
Mint Mobile vs Straight Talk plan features
| Carrier Features | Mint Mobile | Straight Talk |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | T-Mobile | Verizon |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM | CDMA & GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | Yes - with certain plans |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes | Yes |
| Contract | Prepaid | Prepaid |
| Credit Check | No | No |
| Customer Service | 24/7 | Mon-Sun 8am to 11.45pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 7 days | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Voicemail | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-line Discounts | No | Yes |
| Multi-month Discounts | Yes | No |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes Mexico & Canada | Yes - As add-on |
| International Roaming | Yes | No |
Final verdict: Which carrier is the better deal?
- Best for value for money → Mint Mobile
- Best for network flexibility → Straight Talk
- Best for rural coverage → Straight Talk
- Best for international calling → Mint Mobile
If you want a great value plan and are happy to pay for multiple months upfront, Mint Mobile is worth it. But, if you need the flexibility to choose your network or want more high-speed data, Straight Talk is a strong alternative.
Click here for our Mint Mobile review
Check out out Straight Talk review for more
Mint Mobile vs Straight Talk FAQs
The main difference between Mint Mobile and Straight Talk are plan prices and features. Both offer cheap cell phone plans powered by the major networks.
Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile and Straight Talk runs on T-Mobile, AT&T & 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 Straight Talk. 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, Straight Talk, 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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