Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
T-Mobile vs Verizon: Which carrier is better for you?
For years, T-Mobile has been the third-largest US carrier, and the Sprint merger only solidified its position. The Un-Carrier’s goal is to become America’s leading carrier, and we’re here to find out if that’s possible. Let’s pit T-Mobile vs Verizon and see which carrier is ready for your business.
See also: Verizon buyer’s guide | T-Mobile buyer’s guide
At first glance, Verizon and T-Mobile are as opposite as they come. We’ll go category by category and see how each carrier fares on prices, coverage, phone selections, and more. Ready to choose your next carrier? Use this guide as your starting point.
T-Mobile vs Verizon — Pricing
The first difference between T-Mobile and Verizon is pricing. Verizon is one of the most expensive carriers around, while you can get T-Mobile’s nationwide access for less than ever before. Check out the table below for some quick prices:
| T-Mobile Costs | Verizon Costs | |
|---|---|---|
Entry-level unlimited plan | T-Mobile Costs Essentials $60 for one line $45 per line for two lines $30 per line for three lines $26 per line for four lines | Verizon Costs Start Unlimited $70 for one line $60 per line for two lines $45 per line for three lines $35 per line for four lines |
Mid-level unlimited plan | T-Mobile Costs Magenta $70 for one line $60 per line for two lines $40 per line for three lines $35 per line for four lines | Verizon Costs Play / Do More Unlimited $80 for one line $70 per line for two lines $55 per line for three lines $45 per line for four lines |
High-end unlimited plan | T-Mobile Costs Magenta Max $85 for one line $70 per line for two lines $47 per line for three lines $43 per line for four lines | Verizon Costs Get More Unlimited $90 for one line $80 per line for two lines $65 per line for three lines $55 per line for four lines |
No matter which plan you pick, T-Mobile is the more affordable option. The more lines you add, the more you can save — upwards of $10 per line when you have four lines. While T-Mobile’s entry-level Essentials plan may skip a few of the streaming perks, you really can’t beat $26 per line for unlimited talk, text, and data with 5G access.
The pricing gap widens even further at the mid-tier plans, with T-Mobile adding Netflix streaming to the mix. However, you won’t get as much 4G LTE hotspot access with just 5GB compared to Verizon’s 25GB of high-speed access. Essentially, if you want the best perks around, head to Verizon. If you’re looking to save some green, stick with T-Mobile.
Once you reach the most expensive plans — 5G Get More and Magenta Max — T-Mobile makes up even more ground in terms of features. It offers 40GB of 4G LTE hotspot access while staying $8 more affordable per line. Unfortunately, Verizon is also leveraging some additional fees on subscribers as a way to mitigate the current inflation. This works out to a few extra dollars per line each month.
Verizon also offers a special One Unlimited for iPhone plan, but you don’t need Apple’s latest in order to sign up. It kicks off at $90 for one line but drops to $75 per month when you add a second line. Three and four lines cost $60 and $50, respectively.
If you’ve decided that both Verizon and T-Mobile are a bit too expensive, you might want to consider an MVNO on either network. Give these buyer’s guides a look while you’re here:
T-Mobile vs Verizon — Coverage
When you have an impressive coverage map, it makes sense to show it off. At least, that’s the case with T-Mobile’s map, as seen above. The map is impressive, though T-Mobile claimed just 62% 4G LTE coverage nationwide before its merger with Sprint. Verizon boasted a healthy lead with 71% nationwide coverage. It may not sound like a massive difference, but it can impact rural settings.
See also: Where is 5G available in the US?
While the Un-carrier may lag behind Verizon in actual 4G LTE coverage, it’s leading the charge with its 5G rollout. T-Mobile can spread its high-speed network over greater distances thanks to a low-band setup. On the other hand, Verizon highlights its short-distance mmWave configuration, which is limited to select cities throughout the country. Big Red has recently rolled out its complementary Nationwide 5G network, and you can check out the new interactive map right here.
T-Mobile vs Verizon — Perks and promos
While network coverage should be your primary concern, perks are just as crucial for the best all-around experience. Verizon is your best bet if you want streaming options. Its unlimited plans include Apple Music and Disney Plus for at least six months. T-Mobile is no slouch, though — its Magenta and Magenta Plus plans include a Netflix subscription. Check out the table below for more streaming specifics:
| Plan | Video Perks | Music Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Plan T-Mobile Essentials | Video Perks None | Music Perks None |
| Plan T-Mobile Magenta | Video Perks 1 screen of Netflix Basic | Music Perks None |
| Plan T-Mobile Magenta Max | Video Perks 2 screens of Netflix Standard | Music Perks None |
| Plan Verizon Start Unlimited | Video Perks 6 months of Disney Plus, 12 months of Discovery Plus 6 months of Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade | Music Perks 6 months of Apple Music |
| Plan Verizon Play More Unlimited | Video Perks Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus included, 12 months of Discovery Plus 12 months of Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade | Music Perks 6 months of Apple Music |
| Plan Verizon Do More Unlimited | Video Perks 6 months of Disney Plus, 12 months of Discovery Plus 6 months of Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade | Music Perks 6 months of Apple Music |
| Plan Verizon Get More Unlimited | Video Perks Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus included, 12 months of Discovery Plus 12 months of Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade | Music Perks Apple Music included |
As you can see, each of Verizon’s plans promises Disney Plus access, with the Play More and Get More options adding Hulu and ESPN Plus on top. Outside of the video streaming realm, you’ll get six months of Apple Music with the Start, Play More, and Do More plans, while the Get More plan includes Apple Music permanently. Now, you can also add Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass to the mix with up to one year of a free trial. Big Red also recently added 5GB of hotspot data to its basic 5G Start plan.
We mentioned the One Unlimited for iPhone plan above, but you have to know what you’re getting. It bundles all of the Apple One services, so you get Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, and iCloud Plus at no extra cost. However, if you sign up one line on One Unlimited for iPhone, all lines on your account will automatically switch.
On the T-Mobile side, you’ll want to skip the Essentials plan if you’re interested in streaming perks. You’ll be all set with Netflix on Magenta and Magenta Max, though, it just comes down to how many screens you need. The Magenta plan includes just one screen of access, while Magenta Max doubles the count to two screens. T-Mobile may lag in streaming perks, but its T-Mobile Tuesdays program is a nice plus. The service offers freebies, discounts, and more as long as you have the app. Magenta plans also now come with Apple TV Plus and a year of Paramount Plus to round things out.
Both T-Mobile and Verizon love good promos, though you’ll have to grab a new device if you want the full menu of savings. If you’re switching carriers, it’s as easy as trading in your device. You might get a free phone out of the deal! Over at T-Mobile, you can get plenty of flagship devices on BOGO deals when you switch. Other solid options include a free iPhone 14 or Galaxy S23 if you subscribe to Magenta Max.
Over at Verizon, you can take up to $1,000 off top Android phones with a trade-in, no matter their condition. Make sure to check the terms of each deal carefully, but both carriers seem to offer excellent value if you’re in the market for a new device.
Right now, T-Mobile might have an advantage if you’re hoping to bring your own phone. The Un-Carrier is currently offering up to $800 in rebates when you pay off your bill and upload proof to your account. It’s only valid on select Google, Samsung, and Apple devices, but those tend to carry the highest costs anyway.
See also: The best Verizon deals | The best T-Mobile deals
T-Mobile vs Verizon — Phone selections
When it comes to new devices, both carriers offer impressive selections as two of the largest providers in the United States. The majority of each list is the same, though the CDMA and GSM divide offers unique choices. Verizon still relies on the CDMA setup, while T-Mobile has moved to the newer GSM framework. That means that you can bring a more comprehensive selection of phones, especially those from OnePlus, to the Un-carrier.
See also: The best Verizon phones | The best T-Mobile phones
While Verizon may not have the same OnePlus relationship, it does have a strong bond with Motorola. If you’re looking to grab any of the latest Moto phones like the Motorola Edge (2022), Big Red is the only way to go. You can also grab the newest selection of foldable, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G, from either carrier.
You can technically grab Motorola devices on T-Mobile, though they bear the Un-carrier’s Revvl badge. One of the few differences outside the Revvl line is Verizon’s offering the iPhone 13 Mini for free.
Which carrier is right for you?
Luckily for you, the Sprint and T-Mobile merger doesn’t need to play a factor in your decision. This is because there’s no cut-and-dry answer in the T-Mobile vs Verizon debate, as there are many differences to consider. T-Mobile is easily the more affordable option, and it offers the largest 5G network you’ll find right now. On the other hand, Verizon covers the most 4G LTE territory — which is most likely where you’ll spend most of your time anyway. You may also want to consider the CDMA and GSM divide when you choose.
The network that’s right for us may not be suitable for you, and maybe neither of these options is the perfect fit. If that’s the case, here are a few other carriers you may want to think about: