- #1 Best overall value
- Mint Mobile — $15–30/mo annual, most hotspot data in the price range, T-Mobile-owned
- #2 Best month-to-month
- Metro by T-Mobile — $25/mo BYOD, 35GB priority, 5-year price lock, taxes included
- #3 Lowest price
- Tello — from $10/mo, build-your-own plans, no annual prepay, unlimited $25/mo (taxes extra)
- #4 Most flexible
- US Mobile — $25/mo, T-Mobile network + option to switch to Verizon or AT&T anytime
T-Mobile's network — the basics
T-Mobile has the widest 5G coverage and fastest 5G speeds in the US as of 2026. All four carriers on this list access T-Mobile's towers. Coverage is the same as T-Mobile postpaid — the difference between them is price, hotspot data, and how you pay. For a full MVNO explainer, see What is an MVNO?
The best T-Mobile MVNOs in 2026
★ #1 — Best Overall Value on T-Mobile
Mint
Plans from $15/mo (annual)
T-Mobile network · T-Mobile-owned · 3-month min. prepay · taxes extra
$15+/mo
📶 5GB / 15GB / Unlimited tiers
📡 20GB hotspot (Unlimited plan)
T-Mobile-owned · 5G · sold at Target & Best Buy
Annual prepay for best rate · taxes extra
Mint Mobile is T-Mobile-owned and the most recognized budget wireless brand in the US — sold at Target, Best Buy, and Costco. Annual prepay unlocks the best rates on T-Mobile's network: 5GB for $15/mo, 15GB for $20/mo, and Unlimited for $30/mo. The Unlimited plan includes 20GB of hotspot — more than any other T-Mobile MVNO at this price point.
Two things to plan around: Mint requires at least a 3-month upfront purchase (no true month-to-month), and taxes are not included in advertised prices — add $3–6/mo depending on your state. The intro rate for new customers ($25/mo for Unlimited, first 3 months) reverts to $40/mo at the 3-month term before dropping to $30/mo annually. Best value when you commit to 12 months upfront.
Best for
Anyone willing to prepay a few months upfront who wants the most data and hotspot for their dollar on T-Mobile's network. Hard to beat at $15–30/mo if flexibility isn't a priority.
View Mint Mobile Plans →
#2 — Best Month-to-Month on T-Mobile
Metro
$25 BYOD Plan
T-Mobile network · T-Mobile-owned · taxes included
$25/mo
📶 35GB priority data
5-year price lock (BYOD)
T-Mobile-owned · 5G · 4,500+ stores
No hotspot at $25 tier
Metro by T-Mobile is T-Mobile's own prepaid sub-brand — available in over 4,500 retail locations. At $25/mo (BYOD), you get 35GB of priority data, 5G access, and taxes included. The standout feature is Metro's 5-year price guarantee for BYOD customers: your $25 rate is locked. No annual prepayment, no multi-month commitment — just pay month to month.
The $25 tier doesn't include hotspot. The $30 web-exclusive plan adds 10GB hotspot at the same 35GB priority level. AutoPay is required for ongoing $25 pricing — the first month bills at $30 regardless. For anyone who can't or won't prepay but wants a stable T-Mobile plan with in-person support and a locked rate, Metro is the right pick.
Best for
People who want T-Mobile's network with no prepayment requirement, retail store access, and a 5-year price lock — the most stable month-to-month option on this list.
View Metro Plans →
#3 — Lowest Prices on T-Mobile's Network
Tello
Custom Plans · from $10/mo
T-Mobile network · taxes extra · no contract
$10+/mo
📶 Build your own plan (1GB–Unlimited)
📡 10GB hotspot (Unlimited plan)
T-Mobile 5G · no contract · cancel anytime
Taxes extra (~$3–4/mo)
Tello is the lowest-price T-Mobile MVNO on this list. Their build-your-own model lets you pick exactly how much data you want — from $10/mo for 2GB up to $25/mo for Unlimited (50GB priority, 10GB hotspot). No annual prepay, no multi-month commitment. Change your plan up or down any month.
The main caveat: taxes are not included — add roughly $3–4/mo. On the Unlimited plan that puts you at about $28–29/mo all-in. Still cheaper than most competitors. Tello is a smaller brand than Mint or Metro, but their T-Mobile coverage and BYOP (bring your own phone) compatibility are solid. If your goal is the absolute lowest monthly cost on T-Mobile — especially for light data users — Tello wins.
Best for
Light-to-moderate users who want to pay only for the data they actually use, with no annual prepayment requirement. The best option if you consistently use under 10GB/month on T-Mobile.
View Tello Plans →
#4 — Most Flexible T-Mobile Option
US Mobile
Unlimited Starter — T-Mobile
T-Mobile network · taxes included · switch networks anytime
$25/mo
📶 70GB priority data
📡 10GB hotspot
Switch to Verizon or AT&T anytime
Taxes included
5G
US Mobile offers T-Mobile's network at $25/mo with taxes included — and unlike Metro, Mint, or Tello, you can switch to Verizon or AT&T from the app at any time without changing your number or plan. The first two network switches are free; additional switches cost $2 each. If T-Mobile coverage is strong now but might not be at a future address, US Mobile gives you an exit without starting over.
On T-Mobile, you get 70GB of priority data and 10GB of hotspot — more priority data than Metro at the same $25 all-in price. No retail stores, no price lock. The main appeal is flexibility: one plan, three possible networks, all at $25/mo with taxes included.
Best for
People who aren't sure T-Mobile will be the right network long-term — the ability to switch to Verizon or AT&T at any time without changing plans is unique to US Mobile.
View US Mobile Plans →
T-Mobile's coverage advantage — and where it matters less
T-Mobile leads in 5G speed and urban coverage, but Verizon still has stronger coverage in some rural areas. Before switching, check your home, work, and regular travel routes on T-Mobile's coverage map. T-Mobile also offers a free 30-day trial eSIM — the safest way to test the network before committing to any carrier on this list.
How to choose between them
Start with whether you can prepay. If yes: Mint Mobile is the move — $15–30/mo on T-Mobile's #1-rated 5G network, with the most hotspot data at this price. Pay 12 months upfront for the best rate. If no: Metro at $25/mo is the best month-to-month option — no prepayment, taxes included, 5-year price lock, and retail stores if you ever need in-person help.
For light users (under 10GB/month), Tello is worth a look — build your own plan and pay only for the data you actually use. Tello Unlimited at ~$28–29 all-in is also competitive with Metro's $25 when you factor in taxes.
US Mobile makes sense if you're not locked in to T-Mobile — the ability to switch to Verizon or AT&T at the same $25/mo price is something no other carrier on this list offers.
See our Metro vs Mint comparison for a direct head-to-head — or take the quiz for a personalized pick based on your usage.