AT&T vs T-Mobile: Plans Compared

If you're choosing between an AT&T unlimited plan and a T-Mobile unlimited plan, the detailed plan comparisons below are sure to help. Before we dig into plan details and pricing, let’s start with the main things you should know about AT&T versus T-Mobile.

Want to find and compare plans from other top carriers? Try our Plan Finder.

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AT&T vs T-Mobile: Similarities

• AT&T and T-Mobile provide customers with nationwide 4G LTE coverage, and both are expanding their 5G network coverage. 
• Both carriers own their network infrastructure instead of renting from other companies. This is ideal for T-Mobile and AT&T customers since AT&T and T-Mobile customers get priority data when the networks get busy, while renters get slower data.
• AT&T does not include taxes and fees in plan pricing, and T-Mobile does not include taxes and fees in their entry-level or mid-level plan pricing.
• AT&T and T-Mobile offer multi-line discounts, bringing the monthly per-line cost down for additional lines.
• AT&T and T-Mobile include hotspot data in their unlimited plan pricing.

AT&T vs T-Mobile: Differences

• T-Mobile offers a selection of bundled perks, including streaming services, with certain plans. AT&T does not bundle any streaming services.
• T-Mobile includes taxes and fees in pricing for their premium plans.
• AT&T includes AT&T ActiveArmorSM mobile security with all unlimited plans.
• AT&T's international capabilities are best for users who travel frequently to Latin America, while T-Mobile's mid-level and premium plans offer great connectivity for users who travel more widely.

AT&T vs T-Mobile Coverage

When it comes to picking a cell phone plan and carrier, network coverage tops the list of things to consider. The best way to size up AT&T vs T-Mobile coverage? We always recommend asking a friend or neighbor who's already on the carrier how their phone works at your house. But when that’s not possible, our AT&T coverage map and T-Mobile coverage map are here to help. 

Just type in your address, and we’ll zoom you right in to see wireless coverage by carrier where you live, work, and play. 

What Is an Unlimited Plan? An unlimited data plan is a phone plan that includes unlimited data, but not all the data in an unlimited plan is necessarily of the high-speed variety.Lower-priced unlimited plans tend to include unlimited deprioritized data that slows down when networks are busy. While some entry-level plans include some amount of high-speed data, many do not. Mid-level unlimited plans typically include a mix of high-speed data, capped at a certain amount, and unlimited deprioritized data. The priciest unlimited plans are where you'll find truly unlimited premium data.

AT&T vs T-Mobile Entry-Level Unlimited Plans

If you’re on the hunt for the best low-cost unlimited plan from AT&T or T-Mobile, you should compare each carrier’s entry-level plans below. These plans are a good fit for light data users who only rarely, if ever, use their phones as a mobile hotspot. Entry-level plan customers mostly use their data to check the morning news headlines, catch up on emails, and perhaps watch the occasional YouTube video.

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AT&T vs T-Mobile Mid-Level Unlimited Plans

If you’re looking for an unlimited plan that’s not too expensive but also not too light on high-speed data, the AT&T and T-Mobile plan comparison below is worth a look. Who are these plans for? Average data users who use their phone as a mobile hotspot between 1 and 3 times per week, play some games on their phones, maybe stream a few of their favorite weekly shows, and scroll on social media no more than about an hour a day.

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AT&T vs T-Mobile Premium Unlimited Plans

If you’re looking for a plan that won’t hold you back at all, you may want to check out the premium unlimited plans below. These plans are a good fit if you use your phone as a mobile hotspot more than three times per week, enjoy uploading photos and videos to social media apps, binge-watch your favorite shows, and love playing mobile games. The AT&T and T-Mobile unlimited plans below give you all the premium data you need to keep up with your heavy data usage – without any deprioritization.

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The Bottom Line

If you want to scope out the very best options available, whether that’s an unlimited plan from AT&T or T-Mobile, or another carrier altogether, be sure to try our free, unbiased Plan Finder. We sort through thousands of options in seconds to show you the best plans to meet your needs. The Plan Finder takes into consideration factors like the number of lines you need, whether you want hotspot data, and which streaming services you’d like to add, so you can understand the total cost of whichever plan you choose. Still not sure which plan is right for you? Check out our article on what to look for in a wireless plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, AT&T or T-Mobile?

AT&T and T-Mobile each have their strengths, so the better choice depends on what matters most to you. T-Mobile packs its plans with perks like streaming services, while AT&T offers solid security and reliable coverage, especially if you travel through Latin America. Both deliver nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks, so it comes down to which fits your lifestyle better.

Is it worth switching to AT&T from T-Mobile?

Switching to AT&T from T-Mobile depends on your data needs and budget. Both carriers offer entry-level, mid-tier, and premium unlimited plans but vary in how much high-speed data and hotspot usage you get.

Is Netflix free with T-Mobile?

T-Mobile offers Netflix for free with select plans. While T-Mobile's "Netflix on Us" perk is still around, it recently changed—users on premium plans used to get the ad-free Netflix Standard, but that's no longer the case.