Think you're stuck overpaying for wireless? The big 3 want you to believe low-cost carriers mean weaker service, but Tello and Ultra Mobile both prove that's not the case.
Tello is all about customization, letting you create your perfect plan so you only pay for what you use. While Ultra Mobile is built for frequent international callers, offering premium global calling perks on all plans.
So, should you go for maximum flexibility or unlimited international calling?
Tello vs Ultra Mobile plans
Winner: Tello
Tello gives you full control over your plan, allowing you to pick your data, talk, and text amounts to fit your exact needs. Their plans start at just $5 per month, and their unlimited plan is only $25 per month with high-speed data up to 35GB.
Ultra Mobile offers plans, starting at $15 per month for 2GB of data, but all plans include unlimited international calling to 80+ countries. Their unlimited plan, however, costs $49 per month, which is significantly more than Tello's.
For a low-cost customizable plan, Tello is the better choice.
Tello plans
Tello unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello unlimited talk & text plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 0GB | $8/mo |
| Tello 1GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $9/mo |
| Tello 2GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $10/mo |
| Tello 5GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $14/mo |
| Tello 10GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 10GB | $19/mo |
| Tello 15GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $24/mo |
| Tello unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/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 |
Tello vs Ultra Mobile coverage
Winner: Tie
Both Tello and Ultra Mobile operate on the T-Mobile network.
Since both carriers are powered by the same network, so there's no difference in coverage performance.
Tello coverage
Tello is powered by T-Mobile 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: Which provider gives you the best performance?
Winner: Ultra Mobile
Since both carriers run on T-Mobile's network, speeds are typically the same. However, Ultra Mobile offers more high-speed data on its unlimited plan.
Tello's unlimited plan includes high-speed data up to 35GB per month, whereas Ultra Mobile's unlimited plan includes 40GB of high-speed data, making it the better choice for heavier data users.
If you're looking for more high-speed data allowance Ultra Mobile could be worth the extra cost.
Extra features: Which provider offers more?
Winner: Ultra Mobile
Both carriers offer great perks, but Ultra Mobile takes the win for global calling benefits.
Ultra Mobile includes unlimited international calling to 80+ countries on all plans, while Tello includes free international calling to 60+ countries.
Tello vs Ultra Mobile plan features
| Carrier Features | Tello | Ultra Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | 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 | 24/7 | 6am to 6pm |
| Money Back Guarantee | No | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Taxes included | Varies by Location | Varies by Location |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi Calling | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Voicemail | No | Yes |
| Multi-line Discounts | No | No |
| Multi-month Discounts | No | Yes |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes 60+ countries | Yes - Includes 80 countries |
| International Roaming | No | Yes |
Final verdict: Which carrier is the better deal?
- Best for fully customizable plans → Tello
- Best for unlimited international calling → Ultra Mobile
- Best for heavy data users → Ultra Mobile
See how much you could save with our Tello review
Check out Ultra Mobile's plan options
Tello vs Ultra Mobile FAQs
The main difference between Tello and Ultra Mobile are plan prices and features. Both offer cheap cell phone plans powered by the major networks.
Tello is powered by T-Mobile 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 Tello 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 overpriced phone plans by exposing hidden fees and carrier tricks. At MoneySavingPro, we go beyond the fine print, testing and comparing real-world network performance so you don't have to.
I've personally tested Tello, Ultra Mobile, Boost Mobile, and other low-cost providers, comparing their speeds, coverage, and pricing to the big 3. If there's a smarter way to save, you'll hear about it here first.
Tello comparison guides
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Ultra Mobile comparison guides
- Boost Mobile vs Ultra Mobile
- Mint Mobile vs Ultra Mobile
- Red Pocket vs Ultra Mobile
- Tello vs Ultra Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Consumer Cellular
- Ultra Mobile vs Cricket Wireless
- Ultra Mobile vs Lycamobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Spectrum Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Straight Talk
- Ultra Mobile vs Total by Verizon
- Ultra Mobile vs US Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Xfinity Mobile
