Looking to save on your phone bill but not sure which prepaid carrier is the best fit? Red Pocket and Ultra Mobile both offer low-cost, no-contract plans, but they cater to different types of users.
Red Pocket stands out for its ultra-affordable plans and the ability to choose between AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. Ultra Mobile, on the other hand, runs exclusively on T-Mobile and specializes in international calling, making it a great choice for frequent travelers or those with family abroad.
So, should you go with Red Pocket for its budget-friendly pricing and network flexibility, or is Ultra Mobile's international benefits the better deal?
Red Pocket vs Ultra Mobile plans
Winner: Red Pocket
Red Pocket offers some of the lowest prepaid prices on the market, starting at just $10 per month. You also get the ability to choose between AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, so you're not locked into one network.
Ultra Mobile offers international-friendly plans, including free calling to over 90 countries and multi-month discounts. However, its prices are slightly higher than Red Pocket's, and you're limited to T-Mobile's network.
If you want the lowest-cost plans and the ability to pick your network, Red Pocket is the better choice. If you make a lot of international calls and prefer T-Mobile's network, Ultra Mobile could be worth considering.
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 |
Ultra Mobile plans
Ultra Mobile unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Mobile unlimited talk & text plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $10/mo |
| Ultra Mobile unlimited talk & text plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $15/mo |
| Ultra Mobile 3GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 3GB | $10/mo |
| Ultra Mobile unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $20/mo |
| Ultra Mobile 5GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $19/mo |
| Ultra Mobile 10GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $24/mo |
| Ultra Mobile 15GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $30/mo |
Red Pocket vs Ultra Mobile coverage
Winner: Red Pocket
Red Pocket lets you choose between AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, ensuring you can pick the best network for your location.
Ultra Mobile operates exclusively on T-Mobile's network, which provides strong 5G coverage in urban and suburban areas but may struggle in rural locations, according to RootMetrics' 2024 report.
If you want network flexibility and better rural coverage options, Red Pocket is the clear winner. But if T-Mobile's network works well in your area and international calling is a priority, Ultra Mobile is still a solid option.
Red Pocket coverage
Red Pocket is powered by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Ultra Mobile coverage
Ultra Mobile is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
View Ultra Mobile coverage map
Data speeds: Who offers the best?
Winner: Tie
When it comes to data allowance, Red Pocket's unlimited plans include high-speed data up to 30GB per month, while Ultra Mobile's unlimited plans include high-speed data up to 35GB per month.
T-Mobile consistently ranks as one of the fastest 5G networks, according to OpenSignal's 2025 report, so if T-Mobile has good coverage in your area, either low-cost carrier is a great choice
However, if you need more high-speed data, Ultra Mobile could be a better option.
Extra features and perks: Which carrier gives you more?
Winner: Ultra Mobile
Red Pocket focuses on affordable plans with flexible network choices, making it ideal for budget-conscious users.
With Ultra Mobile you'll find some additional perks, especially for international users, such as:
- Unlimited international calling to 90+ countries
- Multi-month discounts for long-term savings
- Free mobile hotspot on all plans
If you want the cheapest plan and the ability to switch networks, Red Pocket is the better pick. If you regularly make international calls and need T-Mobile service, Ultra Mobile is a strong alternative.
Red Pocket vs Ultra Mobile plan features
| Carrier Features | Red Pocket | Ultra Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon | T-Mobile |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | CDMA & GSM | GSM |
| Mobile Hotspot | Yes | Yes |
| Bring Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Your Number | Yes | Yes |
| Contract | Prepaid | Prepaid |
| Credit Check | No | No |
| Customer Service | Mon-Sun 5am to 9pm | 6am to 6pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes - 7 days | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | No | Yes |
| Visual Voicemail | No | Yes |
| Multi-line Discounts | Yes | No |
| Multi-month Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes 80 countries | Yes - Includes 80 countries |
| International Roaming | Yes | Yes |
Final verdict: Who has the better deal?
- Best for low-cost plans → Red Pocket
- Best for network flexibility → Red Pocket
- Best for international calling → Ultra Mobile
- Best for data allowance → Ultra Mobile
If you want the cheapest plans and the ability to choose your network, Red Pocket is the better choice. If you make frequent international calls and prefer T-Mobile's network, Ultra Mobile is also a great option.
See if Red Pocket is right for you with our review
Red Pocket vs Ultra Mobile FAQs
The main difference between Red Pocket and Ultra Mobile are plan prices and features. Both offer cheap cell phone plans powered by the major networks.
Red Pocket is powered by AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon and Ultra Mobile runs on T-Mobile.
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 Red Pocket phone is unlocked it should work with Ultra Mobile. 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 ditch expensive phone plans while keeping the coverage they need. At MoneySavingPro, we don't just look at pricing, we analyze network performance, customer experiences, and hidden fees to make sure you're getting the best deal.
I've tested Red Pocket, Ultra Mobile, and other prepaid carriers to compare speeds, coverage, and pricing. If there's a better way to save on your phone bill, you'll hear about it here first.
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Ultra Mobile comparison guides
- Boost Mobile vs Ultra Mobile
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- Red Pocket vs Ultra Mobile
- Tello vs Ultra Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Consumer Cellular
- Ultra Mobile vs Cricket Wireless
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- Ultra Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Spectrum Mobile
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