AT&T Wireless vs. T-Mobile Review 2022

T-Mobile is looking similar the best carrier in the industry, but AT&T may still be meliorate for some folks.

  • Check

    Fastest information speeds

  • Check

    Loftier data caps

  • X

    Worse 4G coverage

  • Check

    Adept coverage

  • Check

    High information caps

  • X

    Slower information speeds

Let'south skip the long intro and get right into the meat of this article: which carrier is better, AT&T or T-Mobile?

While nosotros tin can't say T-Mobile is improve for anybody, we practise recall it'south the more than impressive company overall correct now, offering the fastest information speeds, highest data caps, and cheapest prices.

But AT&T may be a better selection for some, specially those that need good 4G coverage in rural areas.

T-Mobile pros and cons

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Highest data caps in the industry

Pro Bullet Fastest data speeds

Pro Bullet Slightly cheaper than AT&T

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Worse 4G coverage

Con Bullet Still not super cheap

AT&T pros and cons

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Skilful coverage

Pro Bullet High data caps

Pro Bullet Great perks

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Slower data speeds

Con Bullet Expensive

T-Mobile vs. AT&T unlimited data plan comparison

What to expect for in a cell phone plan

Before we dive into the details, here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect plan.

  • Data: Your phone is a lot less smart when you lot run out of 4G LTE/5G data. Get a plan with a data cap high enough to support all your streaming and scrolling.
  • Price: Make sure you're not overpaying for your jail cell telephone plan by checking comparison tools like the WhistleOut charts we employ in this commodity.
  • Coverage: Peep these coverage maps to see how different networks await in your area. Be sure to consider both 4G and 5G coverage.
  • Perks: There are perks, similar hotspot information, that may be essential for some customers. Others, like a costless HBO MAX subscription, are just a nice bonus. Check the fine impress to make certain your plan has all the features you need.

T-Mobile vs. AT&T plans and pricing

Winner: It's a close call, but T-Mobile's prices and data caps tend to be better than AT&T's.

T-Mobile and AT&T are two of 3 large names in the mobile industry (Verizon beingness the other one). They have a ton to offer, merely we're going to focus on their near pop—and all-time—offerings hither: unlimited data plans.

Both companies accept three flagship unlimited plans that tin be categorized into three tiers. We'll look at all iii tiers and figure out which company offers a better programme in each one.

What well-nigh limited data plans?

Heads Up

The primary reason nosotros're non looking at T-Mobile and AT&T'south limited data plans is considering they're but not that smashing. They offer less than the unlimited plans and cost more than similar plans from competitors. If you lot want a dandy prepaid or express information plan, we advise checking out these carriers.

Offset-tier unlimited data plans

We'll begin with the cheapest, and least powerful, cell phone plans. These are the bones models, without any bells and whistles. Y'all'll get unlimited talk, text, and information, just not much else. And your data is going to be on the slow side (more on that in a second).

Bank check out the first-tier options for yourself correct here.

AT&T Start Unlimited Starter plan

The T-Mobile Essentials and AT&T Unlimited Starter plans are very similar. Both plans get you admission to 5G networks. Both come with a throttle on video quality (at 480p). And both of them have the same major drawback: data deprioritization.

With a deprioritized data plan, your speeds will always exist discipline to slowdowns. Basically, when the network gets busy, you get kicked to the back of the line. Those who pay for pricier plans will still see 4G/5G data speeds in the xx-40 Mbps range, while yours tin drop every bit low as 3-5 Mbps, making it hard to stream and even load web pages.

And then, if you lot need reliable high-speed data, you might desire to check out the tier ii and tier 3 plans. If you lot don't mind occasional data slowdowns, then T-Mobile Essentials is probably the better choice hither, if just because it's $5 cheaper.

How much data do you really demand?

Megaphone

We've written up a guide to help you figure out your data habits, and how to detect a perfect plan that gives you everything you need.

Mid-tier unlimited data plans

In this middle tier we've got Magenta and Unlimited Extra plans. With these centre-tier plans data deprioritization is replaced with a data cap. Your data speeds are guaranteed to be fast until you reach your cap, and so they can be slowed down.

And this brings usa to the biggest departure between T-Mobile and AT&T's mid-tier plans: the Magenta plan gives y'all a full 100 GB of high-speed 4G/5G data and the Unlimited Actress program gives yous just half that, or 50 GB. That'south not a trivial departure.

Have a await at the plans for yourself hither.

AT&T Unlimited Extra program

Both plans come up with some high-speed hotspot data, but AT&T gives you more than (fifteen GB vs. 5GB from T-Mobile). AT&T also has an edge when information technology comes to perks, giving y'all a free six month Stadia Pro Pass (for all yous gamers out in that location).

Despite AT&T perks, T-Mobile's Magenta plan seems similar the improve pick in this category for two elementary reasons: it's $5 cheaper and it offers twice every bit much high-speed data.

Info Box

5G is the next generation of mobile technology, offer increased information speeds. Merely not all 5G is created equal. Some networks utilise "high-band" or "millimeter-wave" engineering, while others employ "low-band" engineering science.

High-band 5G can get to speeds of 100+ Mbps (probably faster than your home internet), while low-band 5G is only slightly faster than 4G data speeds. AT&T'due south 5G network is almost all low-ring, while T-Mobile has a mix of depression and loftier-wave technology.

Top-tier unlimited data plans

If you're sick of running out of loftier-speed information in the middle of a Zoom meeting or a game of Fortnite Mobile then it might be time to upgrade to one of these meridian-tier plans.

Both the Magenta MAX and Unlimited Aristocracy plans come up with truly unlimited high-speed data, no deprioritization, throttling, or data caps. Cheque it out.

T-Mobile Magenta MAX plan

AT&T Unlimited Aristocracy plan

Obviously, the biggest perk of upgrading to these plans is the truly unlimited information. In fact,  Magenta MAX and Unlimited Aristocracy are the only two plans in the entire manufacture that we know are offering unlimited high-speed data with no data cap. And then, if you're a data hog and so get it while you lot can!

There are a few other features of annotation in these two powerful plans. The AT&T program will give you a free HBO Max Subscription while the T-Mobile programme gives you a Netflix subscription. Both plans come with twoscore GB of high-speed hotspot data.

If you're sitting at that place thinking that these plans seem nearly identical, you're correct. They both offer truly unlimited data, 40 GB of hotspot data, and a free streaming subscription. And yes, they're both $85 a month. So it really comes down to other factors when choosing which plan is right for yous.

Do you prefer T-Mobile's faster information speeds or AT&T slightly better 4G coverage?

T-Mobile vs. AT&T family plans

Winner: T-Mobile'south family plan deals are meliorate, simply AT&T's are still great.

Fact #one: You want to save money on your phone bill. Fact#2: The best way to relieve coin on your telephone beak is to get a family unit program. Information technology's that simple. So, how are T-Mobile and AT&T's family plans?

Both companies offer significant savings on unlimited data plans when y'all add together lines, merely T-Mobile'due south discounts are better at every level. Cheque out this nautical chart showing the prices for different unlimited data family plans with iv lines.

T-Mobile vs. AT&T unlimited data family plans

Those prices might look high (more than $100 for a phone program!), but when you break downwardly the savings it's kind of ridiculous.

For example, if you get four lines on the Magenta MAX plan it will cut the cost of each line in half! Instead of paying $340 for 4 divide lines, yous'll pay just $170 for a family unit programme with four lines. Prissy.

AT&T's family programme deals are also awesome, even if they cost a flake more. And so, no matter which carrier yous decide to go with, we propose calculation additional lines.

Other than the cost savings, these plans are basically exactly the same as the private plans we covered in detail above.

In some cases, y'all'll get additional perks (similar a complimentary Netflix subscription on T-Mobile Essentials when you have 2+ lines), just these are small details.

T-Mobile vs. AT&T data performance

Winner: T-Mobile's speeds are simply the fastest.

We'll cut to the chase hither: T-Mobile's data speeds are the fastest in the industry. This is true for both 4G LTE and 5G networks. Here'due south a peek at the information.

Co-ordinate to our own speed tests from over 100,000 mobile customers, T-Mobile is comfortably in first place. AT&T comes in 3rd (or last place), well backside Verizon Wireless.

An infographic ranking wireless networks by speed: #1 T-Mobile, #2 Verizon, #3 AT&T, Sprint unranked because it was acquired by T-Mobile in 2020

While AT&T customers shouldn't accept a major issue with bones functions—like streaming, scrolling, and browsing—they might notice more meaning lag during times of deprioritization. As well, they might take a harder fourth dimension streaming Hd and 4K video than T-Mobile customers.

When it comes to 5G information speeds, we'll rely on the latest 5G User Feel Study from OpenSignal. Information technology states that, "for the get-go time, T-Mobile wins Opensignal's award for 5G Download Speed.

Our T-Mobile users saw boilerplate 5G download speeds of 58.1 Mbps ahead of AT&T's score of 53.8 Mbps and Verizon on 47.4 Mbps."ane

In short, if you lot intendance well-nigh having crystal articulate HD streaming, lag-complimentary gaming, and seamless Facetime video, then T-Mobile is the carrier for yous.

T-Mobile vs. AT&T coverage

Winner: AT&T's 4G coverage is meliorate than T-Mobile'due south in some rural areas, simply T-Mobile'south 5G coverage dominates.

As you can see, AT&T has towers all over the country, with the exception of some gaps in New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, and other super rural areas. Now allow'southward compare that to T-Mobile.

Yep, those coverage deserts are a lot bigger on T-Mobile'southward map. But, if we're beingness totally honest, about people don't live in (or even visit) those areas. And in all major metropolitan areas, T-Mobile's coverage is just fine.

At present, expect back at those coverage maps and click only the box at the bottom that says "5G". All suddenly T-Mobile'southward coverage looks a lot ameliorate, correct? The company has a clear border when it comes to 5G network infrastructure.

T-Mobile vs. AT&T customer service

Tie: let's just say in that location'south room for improvement from both carriers.

We wish nosotros had a rosy story about how we called T-Mobile and AT&T and they were and so helpful. But, if nosotros're being honest, that'southward not usually how it goes. Both companies (and the mobile manufacture as a whole) have bug when it comes to client service.

It can be hard to go a hold of a real human being, and one time you do they may spend more than energy trying to upsell you on a new plan than on really helping you with your consequence (I speak from personal experience).

So, this is i category where both companies could improve.

That said, if you do need to contact AT&T or T-Mobile about an upshot, these are the best ways to do it.

T-Mobile customer service

  • Telephone call 1-800-937-8997
  • Tag @TMobileHelp on Twitter
  • Visit t-mobile.com/customers/customer-intendance
  • Use the T-Mobile app for iOS or Android

AT&T customer service

  • Call one-800-331-0500
  • Tag @ATTCares on Twitter
  • Visit att.com/support/
  • Post in a community forum

Epitomize: Which carrier is meliorate?

In summary: T-Mobile but has the best speeds, data caps, prices and 5G network in the industry, just AT&T may yet be a good selection for those who need ameliorate rural coverage.

Hither'southward a quick section-by-department recap for the TLDR crowd.

  • Plans: T-Mobile and AT&T take like plans when it comes to the features they offering, simply T-Mobile's prices are usually a scrap lower while offering higher information caps.
  • Family plans: You can save coin by bundling up in a family programme with both companies, but y'all'll salve more with T-Mobile.
  • Data performance: T-Mobile's 4G and 5G data speeds are the all-time in the industry. AT&T's are usually ranked the slowest.
  • Coverage: AT&T's 4G coverage is better than T-Mobile'southward especially in rural areas, but T-Mobile'due south 5G coverage is building out faster.

Methodology

We've spent years tracking the prices and performance of all the major carriers, including AT&T and T-Mobile. For this review we dove deep into the current data so that we could compare these two carriers on well-nigh every metric.

We used our ain proprietary information from over 100,000 customers to evaluate 4G speeds and nosotros used the latest OpenSignal study to charge per unit 5G speeds. Along with this data, nosotros used our easily-on experience and publicly available program information to evaluate AT&T and T-Mobile.

We appreciate you putting your trust in our assay and recommendations, and nosotros would beloved to hear whatsoever feedback you have for us in the comment section below.

FAQ

Q: Is T-Mobile cheaper than AT&T?

In almost cases, yes. T-Mobile and AT&T'due south plans tend to be pretty like when information technology comes to features, only T-Mobile's are usually about $5 cheaper while offering higher data caps. And you'll salvage fifty-fifty more than with T-Mobile if you packet up in a family plan.

Q: Is AT&T better than T-Mobile coverage?

Yes, AT&T's nationwide 4G LTE coverage is better than T-Mobile'southward. This is peculiarly truthful in rural parts of the west, like Nevada, New Mexico, and Idaho.

But, when it comes to 5G coverage, T-Mobile actually takes the golden medal. Ever since acquiring Sprint, T-Mobile'due south 5G (and 4G) network take expanded rapidly.

Easton Smith

Written past

Easton Smith

Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Utilise contracts than any homo alive. When he'due south non sitting in front of a reckoner, Easton spends his fourth dimension camping ground, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian help organizations.

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