- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free international calls to 80 countries
- Mobile hotspot access included
- eSIM compatible
- Extra cost for International roaming
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At a glance
- Value for money: Ultra Mobile has some of the best international calling options for a low-cost carrier, making it a good value for money.
- Coverage: Great coverage on the T-Mobile network.
- Customer experience: Ultra Mobile customers say they overall like the service and international features, but feel the prices aren't as competitive as other MVNOs.
- Transparency: The price you see is what you pay with Ultra Mobile. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
- Range of choice: Presents an assortment of plans, each with its own data allowance, allowing consumers to find a plan that best suits their personal needs.
Deep dive: An in-depth Ultra Mobile review
Ultra Mobile has been making waves in the mobile service provider industry.
With its competitive plans starting at around $15 a month, international calling features, and reliable network coverage, many customers are considering switching to Ultra Mobile. But is it worth trying?
In this review, I'll look into the company's offerings, plans, network coverage, customer service, device selection, and data speeds to help you make the choice for yourself.
What is Ultra Mobile?
Ultra Mobile is a low-cost carrier offering prepaid cell phone plans that can save you money without compromising quality.
They operate on the T-Mobile network at a fraction of the price. Its younger sister company, Mint Mobile, has managed to surpass Ultra Mobile in terms of subscribers and marketing.
What makes Ultra Mobile different?
What sets Ultra Mobile apart from the other T-Mobile MVNOs is its international calling features.
The company has gained recognition for its affordable and flexible international options for calling and texting. These features include:
- Unlimited talk & text in Mexico & Canada
- Unlimited international calls to 90+ destinations
- Unlimited texts to 190+ international locations
- International roaming available: get credits for roaming, which you can top up
Plans & pricing
What are the best Ultra Mobile cell phone plans?
Ultra Mobile unlimited talk & text plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
$10/mo*$15/moSee at Ultra Mobile*$120 for 12 Mths
Ultra Mobile 3GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Ultra Mobile 5GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Ultra Mobile 10GB plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Ultra Mobile unlimited data plan
- T-Mobile coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
How does Ultra Mobile compare to T-Mobile?
T-Mobile vs Ultra Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $528 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $49/mo | $372/yr |
| Savings | $26/mo | $528/yr | ||
How much does Ultra Mobile cost?
Plan prices range from $15 to $49 a month - the $15 per month option for those users who don't require any data.
There are often limited-time offers, bulk discounts, and reduced rates for multiple lines.
You can renew in 1, 3, 6, or 12-month terms. And the more you buy upfront, the more you save. But rest assured, there is no contract to keep you tied into something that doesn't fit your needs.
Ultra Mobile is competitive with other prepaid carriers. While they aren't necessarily the cheapest cell phone plan, they have benefits other carriers don't offer, like international calling and texting.
Is Ultra Mobile a good value?
Ultra Mobile SIM cards offer value and simplicity with their plans. Although you'll find the same features and coverage as a direct plan from T-Mobile, Ultra Mobile could save you up to $600 a year.
There are a few cheaper options out there, but they may not have the same value-added benefits, such as international calling features.
Compare Ultra Mobile vs other carriers
| Ultra Mobile | How do Ultra Mobile plans compare? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
*$372 for 12 Mths
|
|
|
*$45 for 3 Months
|
| T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G |
| Unlimited data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data |
| $31/mo* | $25/mo | $25/mo | $15/mo* |
| $372/yr | $300/yr | $300/yr | $315/yr |
| 3.4 on Trustpilot | 4.5 on Trustpilot | 4.5 on Trustpilot | 3.3 on Trustpilot |
- Boost Mobile vs Ultra Mobile
- Mint Mobile vs Ultra Mobile
- Red Pocket vs Ultra Mobile
- Tello vs Ultra Mobile
- Twigby vs Ultra Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Consumer Cellular
- Ultra Mobile vs Cricket Wireless
- Ultra Mobile vs Kroger Wireless
- Ultra Mobile vs Lycamobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Optimum Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs PureTalk
- Ultra Mobile vs Spectrum Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Straight Talk
- Ultra Mobile vs T-Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Total by Verizon
- Ultra Mobile vs Tracfone
- Ultra Mobile vs US Mobile
- Ultra Mobile vs Visible
- Ultra Mobile vs Xfinity Mobile
- US Mobile vs Ultra Mobile
- Verizon vs Ultra Mobile
Network coverage
What network does Ultra Mobile use?
Ultra Mobile is powered by the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network.
Does Ultra Mobile have good coverage?
It will depend on where you live. To see if T-Mobile's network has the best coverage in your area, you can check our Ultra Mobile coverage map.
Does Ultra Mobile have 5G coverage?
Depending on your location and availability, you can access America's largest 5G network at no extra cost with Ultra Mobile if you have a 5G compatible device. And T-Mobile ranks highest in overall 5G user experience according to an OpenSignal 5G Experience Report (2023).
Ultra Mobile 5G coverage map
What is Ultra Mobile data speed like?
The network offers 5G and 4G LTE capabilities, ensuring fast download speeds and reliable internet access for users. However, like all carriers, the actual speed and reliability you experience can vary depending on your location and network congestion and conditions.
Your data speed will also be throttled if you reach your data limit. You can purchase a data add-on if needed.
How does Ultra Mobile compare?
T-Mobile vs Ultra Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $528 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $49/mo | $372/yr |
| Savings | $26/mo | $528/yr | ||
Ultra Mobile features
Customer service
Does Ultra Mobile have good customer service?
Overall, from sites like Trustpilot and Reddit, there are mixed reviews about Ultra Mobile customer support.
Some customers found the reps helpful and friendly. They had positive experiences with the customer support team, with a preference for using the online chat feature.
Other customers felt the Customer Care Team failed to fix their activation or connectivity issues. Many of these problems can be avoided by checking ahead of time if your phone is eligible for Ultra Mobile service.
How do I contact Ultra Mobile customer service?
Many of your general questions can be answered in the FAQ section of the company's website. Otherwise, you can contact their Customer Care Team by:
Phone: 888-777-0446
9 am-9 pm EST daily
Online chat: bottom right-hand corner of the website
9 am-9 pm EST daily
You'll start out with a virtual assistant chatbot but can connect to a live rep during regular business hours.
User experience
What are customers saying about Ultra Mobile?
Customers appreciate the Ultra Mobile app, unlimited talk, international features, store locator, and customer service. Each experience is individual and unique, so many of the reviews vary from one person to the next.
Ultra Mobile customer reviews roundup
- Ultra Mobile MoneySavingPro rating: 3.4 stars (72)
- Ultra Mobile Trustpilot rating: 3.4 stars (1,500+)
- Ultra Mobile Amazon rating: 3.7 stars (1,200+)
- Ultra Mobile Google rating: 4.1 stars (454)
- Ultra Mobile Best Buy rating: 4.2 stars (100)
What are some common issues with Ultra Mobile?
Most complaints center around spotty network coverage and issues receiving refunds after activation fails. Some customers are unable to activate the service due to old phone compatibility issues.
SIM activation
Is it easy to switch to Ultra Mobile?
Because Ultra Mobile is online, it's quick to choose and purchase your Ultra Mobile plan online. You can also choose to find an in-person store that sells Ultra Mobile, like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.
To save yourself a headache, make sure you have an unlocked, compatible phone and that service is good in your area before you begin the process.
Once your SIM card arrives, you can use the website or call to activate your line. You'll be up and running with a few simple steps.
After activation, you can conveniently manage your plan, track your usage, and purchase add-ons via the company's website or the Ultra Mobile app.
Does Ultra Mobile support eSIM?
Yes, you can choose to activate your line instantly with an eSIM. The SIM chip is likely already built into your smartphone if it came out in the past 5 years. Check if your phone supports eSIM.
Phone selection
What phones does Ultra Mobile have?
If you're interested in upgrading your cell phone, you can find a range of Ultra Mobile phones to choose from. The new phone collection includes smartphones with different operating systems, catering to both Android phones and iOS users.
Can I bring my own phone to Ultra Mobile?
If you don't want to pay for a new phone just yet, you can easily bring your own device with Ultra Mobile bring your own phone plans. You'll just need to check your cell phone is fully compatible.
My viewpoint - Is Ultra Mobile any good?
Short answer: Ultra Mobile should be high on your list when considering the best plan for your individual needs. Their plans start at $15 a month on the T-Mobile network and have some of the best international calling features out there. Of course, no single carrier or plan is the right choice for everyone. I put in the grunt work to save you time and money when comparing and choosing the best cell phone plan for you.
Is Ultra Mobile worth it?
Ultra Mobile offers some of the best perks, such as calling and texting to international destinations.
They offer unlimited calls, texts, and international calls with all plans and a good selection of data options.
Would I use Ultra Mobile?
Short answer: It is on my shortlist. The international calling and texting features are of particular interest since I have family overseas. I've tried other MVNOs on the T-Mobile network with great success. Stay tuned for an update in the near future!
Ultra Mobile FAQs
Ultra Mobile is an MVNO using the T-Mobile network. They provide low-cost plans while giving you coverage on the same T-Mobile network.
Yes. Ultra Mobile unlimited data plans are available, but they are not the cheapest among MVNOs. Why not check your data usage to see if you really need unlimited data?
Yes, you can use your data allowance for mobile hotspot data. The unlimited plan limits your hotspot data usage to 10GB per billing cycle.
You can sign up for 1, 3, 6, and 12-month increments. The rates decrease if you pay more months of service upfront.
Ultra Mobile, a privately held company, was founded in 2011. Subsidiary Mint Mobile may have better pricing, but Ultra wins for international talk and text options.
Recap: Is Ultra Mobile the best cell phone plan?
Ultimately, the best cell phone plan is different for everyone.
- Plans: Ultra Mobile offers a range of affordable plans with impressive features and benefits. Whether you're looking for talk and text options or unlimited data, Ultra Mobile has a plan to suit your needs.
- Coverage: The network coverage is reliable within the service area, and data speeds are on par with other carriers.
- Phones: You can buy a new device or bring your own if it's compatible.
- Activation: The switchover process is easy if you have an eligible device.
- Customer service: Customer support is accessible and provides quality help in most cases.
Overall, Ultra Mobile is a great choice for international callers and offers excellent value for money. Before signing up, make sure to consider your specific requirements and compare plans.
How we reviewed Ultra Mobile
To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.
Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
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