Want to cut your phone bill but unsure which low-cost carrier to trust? If you're tired of overpriced plans, Tello and Xfinity Mobile both offer affordable options, but they take very different approaches to saving you money.
Tello focuses on flexibility, letting you build a plan that fits your needs and budget so you never overpay. Xfinity Mobile offers discounts for existing Xfinity Internet customers.
Tello vs Xfinity Mobile plans
Winner: Tello
Tello gives you complete control over your plan, allowing you to mix and match talk, text, and data so you only pay for what you need. Plans start at just $5 per month, and even Tello's unlimited plan is just $25 per month with high-speed data up to 35GB.
Xfinity Mobile offers pre-set plans, but their pricing is only available if you're an existing Xfinity Internet customer. Their cheapest plan starts at $15 per month for 1GB of data, while their unlimited plan costs $45 per month, which is double the price of Tello's.
Unless you're already an Xfinity Internet customer and want a mobile discount, Tello offers great value for money.
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 |
Xfinity Mobile plans
Xfinity Mobile unlimited data plan
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Instant online activation
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Mobile 1GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $15/mo |
| Xfinity Mobile 3GB plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | 3GB | $30/mo |
| Xfinity Mobile unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $45/mo |
| Xfinity Mobile unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $55/mo |
| Xfinity Mobile unlimited data plan | Verizon 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $65/mo |
Tello vs Xfinity Mobile coverage
Winner: Tello
Tello runs on T-Mobile's network, which comes top for 5G availability, and Xfinity Mobile operates on Verizon's network. Coverage can vary depending on your location. You can check their availability in your area by using our coverage checker.
Tello coverage
Tello is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
Xfinity Mobile coverage
Xfinity Mobile is powered by Verizon 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.
View Xfinity Mobile coverage map
Data speeds: Which carrier performs better?
Winner: Xfinity Mobile
Both carriers offer 5G and 4G LTE, but their high-speed data limits differ.
Tello's unlimited plan includes high-speed data up to 35GB per month, which is plenty for most users.
Xfinity Mobile's unlimited plan includes up to 50GB of high-speed data, making it the better option but only if you're an Xfinity Internet customer.
Unless you're an Xfinity Internet customer, then Tello offers plenty of value for money.
Features and perks: Which provider offers more?
Winner: Tello
Both carriers offer useful perks, but as you have to be an Xfinity Internet customer to get Xfinity Mobile, Tello has more readily available features:
- Tello includes free international calling to 60+ countries, making it a great option for staying connected abroad.
- Xfinity Mobile offers access to a nationwide network of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots, which can help save mobile data.
Tello vs Xfinity Mobile plan features
| Carrier Features | Tello | Xfinity Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Networks | T-Mobile | Verizon |
| Data Speed | 5G & 4G LTE | 5G & 4G LTE |
| 3G Network | GSM | CDMA |
| 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 | 24/7 |
| 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 | No |
| International Calls | Yes - Includes 60+ countries | Yes - Add on |
| International Roaming | No | Yes |
Final verdict: Which carrier is the better deal?
- Best for fully customizable plans → Tello
- Best for rural coverage → Xfinity Mobile
- Best for international calling → Tello
- Best for Xfinity internet customers → Xfinity Mobile
If you want the lowest-cost, customizable plan, Tello is the better choice, but if you already have Xfinity Internet and want to bundle mobile service, Xfinity Mobile may be worth considering.
Find out more with our Tello review.
If you're an Xfinity Internet customer find out more about their phone plans with our Xfinity Mobile review.
Tello vs Xfinity Mobile FAQs
The main difference between Tello and Xfinity Mobile are plan prices and features. Both offer cheap cell phone plans powered by the major networks.
Tello is powered by T-Mobile and Xfinity Mobile runs on 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 Tello phone is unlocked it should work with Xfinity 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
For over 10 years, I've been assisting people in moving away from expensive phone plans by revealing hidden fees and carrier tactics. At MoneySavingPro, we go further than just analyzing the fine print; we test and compare network performance in real-world conditions, so you don't have to.
I've personally tested Tello, Boost Mobile, Visible, 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.
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