Switching phone carriers used to feel like a huge ordeal — something you’d only do if your service stopped working or your bill got completely out of hand. In my case, it was the second one.
I was paying almost $90 a month with a big-name provider for a plan I barely used. Half my data went unused every month, and international calls — even short ones — would still cost me extra. That’s when I decided enough was enough.
I’d heard a lot about Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile, mostly from friends and Reddit threads. So I decided to give both a try over the past few months. This is what I found.
First Impressions: Two Very Different Models
The first thing you notice about these two companies is how differently they operate.
- Ultra Mobile feels more like the classic prepaid plan. You pay month to month, no long-term commitment, and everything is straightforward.
- Mint Mobile, on the other hand, feels more like a subscription. You prepay for service — the more months you buy, the cheaper the plan becomes.
At first, I was a little unsure about prepaying for service, but once I understood the savings Mint offers, it made sense. But more on that later.
Why I Tried Ultra Mobile First
I have family in Mexico and Canada, and I make international calls a few times a week. I’ve always hated having to buy credits or worrying about how many minutes I’ve used.
That’s where Ultra Mobile really impressed me. Most of their plans include unlimited international calling to 80+ countries — no add-ons or special dialing rules. I called my cousin in Guadalajara like I was making a local call. No hiccups, no surprise fees.
Ultra’s plans start at around $19/month. I picked a mid-range plan with 5GB of data, and it was plenty for browsing, calls, and light video use. If you’re not constantly streaming Netflix over mobile data, you’ll be fine.
Setup was simple: ordered the SIM, inserted it, followed a few steps, and I was online in less than 15 minutes.
Then I Gave Mint Mobile a Go
After about a month on Ultra, I decided to see if Mint Mobile was worth the hype.
What drew me in? The pricing. Their base plan starts at $15/month — if you buy 3 months upfront. If you’re willing to go all-in for a year, it can drop even lower. I wasn’t quite ready to commit long-term, so I started with the 3-month, 5GB plan.
Right away, I noticed the difference in the app and account tools. Mint’s app is polished — you can manage everything from data tracking to renewals with just a couple of taps. Honestly, it felt more modern and convenient than Ultra’s app, which worked, but wasn’t exactly elegant.
Call quality and data speeds were solid with both — which makes sense, since they both run on T-Mobile’s network. I live near San Diego, and I had full coverage in most places with both carriers.
Let’s Talk About Data
Here’s one thing to keep in mind with Mint Mobile: their unlimited plan isn’t truly unlimited. It gives you 40GB of high-speed data, then slows down after that. I didn’t come close to hitting that limit, but if you’re a heavy data user, you’ll want to keep an eye on it.
Ultra Mobile is similar in that their unlimited plan has a cap (also around 40GB of high-speed data), but again — unless you’re gaming, streaming HD video, or using your phone as a hotspot every day, most people won’t run into issues.
Pros and Cons (In Plain Language)
Here’s how I’d summarize it after using both for a solid chunk of time.
Ultra Mobile – Pros:
- Best for international calling: seriously, it’s built for this.
- Month-to-month flexibility
- Decent prices even without long-term commitment
Ultra Mobile – Cons:
- The app is kind of clunky
- Slightly higher monthly cost if you compare directly to Mint
- Customer service can be slow at times
Mint Mobile – Pros:
- Best value if you prepay (especially 6 or 12 months)
- Great app and account dashboard
- Simple, modern user experience
Mint Mobile – Cons:
- You have to pay more upfront to get the best rates
- No international calling included (unless you add credit)
- After your data cap, speeds slow way down
Which One Did I Stick With?
After trying both, I ended up choosing Mint Mobile for the long term — mostly because I don’t make international calls that often anymore, and I liked the simplicity and savings. I paid for a year of service at once and haven’t had to think about it since.
That said, if my situation changes — say I need to call family overseas regularly — I’d go back to Ultra Mobile in a heartbeat. It’s one of the few carriers that actually includes international minutes instead of charging extra.
Final Thoughts
If you’re debating between Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile, start with one simple question: do you call other countries often? If the answer is yes, Ultra is probably the better fit. If you don’t, and you’re looking to save money and simplify your life, Mint’s long-term plans are kind of a no-brainer.
Either way, both are miles better than overpaying for a bloated plan with a major carrier. I’m just glad I finally made the switch.