T-Mobile emerges as the better option for users prioritizing 5G coverage, speed, and potentially international travel, while Verizon may be more suitable for those valuing reliable 4G LTE coverage and established security features, pending further information on pricing and customer service.
| Attribute | T-Mobile | Verizon |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Network Coverage | Largest 5G network in the U.S., covering over 325 million Americans across 1.7 million square miles. Covers 41.35% of the country. Utilizes both "Extended Range" and "Ultra Capacity" 5G. | Covers a smaller area compared to T-Mobile and AT&T, focusing on covering a majority of the American population within that area. 5G Ultra Wideband (5G UW) uses C-band and mmWave frequencies for fast speeds but has limited range. 5G Nationwide uses low-band 5G frequencies with broader coverage. As of June 2025, Verizon 5G covers 14.5% of the U.S. Verizon 4G LTE covers 70% of the U.S. |
| Data Plan Pricing | Connect plans start at $15/month for 5GB. Unlimited plans range from $50 to $100 per month for a single line. Essentials plans can be as low as $100/month for four lines. Prepaid unlimited plan costs $50/month plus taxes and fees. | Not available |
| International Roaming Options | Includes up to 5GB (some plans offer up to 15GB) of high-speed data and unlimited texting in over 215 countries. Offers 1-Day Pass ($5 for 512MB and unlimited calling), 10-Day Pass ($35 for 5GB and unlimited calling), and 30-Day Pass ($50 for 15GB and unlimited calling). Speeds throttled to 256kbps after exceeding high-speed data allowance. | TravelPass: Use domestic talk, text, and data in over 210 countries for a daily fee ($12/day in most countries, $6/day in Mexico/Canada). Monthly International Plan: Unlimited data and texts, along with a limited number of talk minutes for $100/month. Pay As You Go: Charged per minute for calls, per text, and per MB of data. Cruise Daily Pass: $30/line per day. In-Flight Daily Pass: $20/line per day. |
| Customer Service Quality | Customer service quality has declined since the Sprint merger. Some testers have found T-Mobile's customer service to be responsive and helpful. T-Mobile is trying to improve call centers by offering $20 an hour for customer service roles. | The search results did not provide a conclusive assessment of Verizon's customer service quality. |
| Network Reliability & Speed | Fastest and most widely available 5G network. Median download speeds can reach 234.82 Mbps. Ookla has recognized T-Mobile as having the fastest mobile provider and 5G network. T-Mobile's 5G network has a median download speed of 281.52 Mbps. T-Mobile has the best network consistency in the US. | 4G LTE network is known for its reliability. Actual speeds can vary depending on location, device, and network congestion. |
| Device Selection & Financing | Not available | Information on device selection and financing options was not found in the search results. |
| Bundling Options (TV, Internet) | TV bundling options not available. Offers home internet service based on 5G for a flat fee of $50-$70 per month, with speeds up to 415Mbps. | If you bundle other Verizon services like Fios TV, you'll see those charges on your bill. |
| Data Caps & Throttling Policies | T-Mobile Home Internet may implement data throttling for new customers after 1.2 TB of monthly data usage. T-Mobile may throttle 5G speeds after you hit your data limit or during network congestion, depending on your plan. | May slow down data speeds (throttle) for users who exceed certain data limits, especially during network congestion. Only the '5G Get More' plan doesn't get throttled. Speeds may decrease to 3 Mbps on 5G Ultra Wideband and 600 Kbps on 5G or 4G LTE after using 30 GB of hotspot data on an Unlimited Plus plan. Verizon slows down speeds on unlimited data plans once you use between 22 GB and 50 GB. On some restricted data plans, Verizon might slow speeds to 128 Kbps until the next billing cycle if you exceed your data quota. |
| Contract Flexibility | Not available | Information on contract flexibility was not found in the search results. |
| Security Features | Encryption, firewalls, secure account management with multi-factor authentication, regular security audits, SIM Protection, Port Out Protection, Account Takeover Protection, McAfee Security for T-Mobile. | Offers the Digital Secure app for device security, including a VPN, device scanner, and safe browsing features. The app provides web security, Wi-Fi security, anti-virus protection, and system checks. Uses industry-standard encryption to protect data in transit and at rest. Implements physical security controls for data centers. One Talk leverages Verizon's network security infrastructure. Verizon Protect app includes features like safe browsing, malware scanning, Wi-Fi scanning, and identity theft protection. |
| Coverage in Rural Areas | Expanding 5G coverage in rural areas since acquiring Sprint. Aims to cover 90% of the rural US population with 5G by 2026. Extended Range 5G reaches many rural and remote areas. | 4G LTE network provides good coverage in many rural areas. Focusing on expanding C-Band coverage into rural and suburban markets. |
| Mobile Hotspot Availability | Many T-Mobile plans include mobile hotspot data. | The Unlimited Plus plan includes 30GB of mobile hotspot data per month. The Unlimited Welcome plan does not include hotspot data but you can buy 100GB as an added perk. |