Joe Maring / Android Authority
If you’re shopping for a new cell phone carrier in the US, there’s a good chance you’re considering T-Mobile. As one of the most well-known cell service providers in the country, it’s likely at the top of your shopping list. But before you pull the trigger on T-Mobile, I’d advise you to first consider the alternatives. Between lackluster new plan offerings and the removal of long-beloved features like taxes and fees bundled into monthly prices, T-Mobile has seen better days. Whether you’re considering joining T-Mobile for the first time (or are a current customer and thinking about switching), here are a few other carriers I recommend joining instead.
Which T-Mobile alternative would you choose? 27 votes Visible 15 % Google Fi 26 % US Mobile 19 % Mint Mobile 22 % Metro by T-Mobile 11 % Other (let us know in the comments) 7 %
Visible
Joe Maring / Android Authority
My first recommendation is a personal one, as it’s the carrier I switched to after being a T-Mobile customer myself for 10 years. If you want a cell provider with easy-to-understand plans, simple pricing, and solid features, Visible is one of the best options out there.
One of the reasons I like Visible so much is how straightforward its plans are. You have just three to choose from, all of which include unlimited talk, text, 5G data, and hotspot usage. The more expensive plans include additional perks such as 5G UW connectivity, faster hotspot speeds, higher-quality video streaming, and enhanced international coverage. You can pay for the plans monthly or yearly, and taxes and fees are included in the price you see on Visible’s website – something T-Mobile is (annoyingly) moving away from.
Joe Maring / Android Authority
And speaking of those prices, they’re highly competitive. The standard Visible plan is currently available for just $20/month and has everything most people need. If you want more out of your cell service, the Visible Plus and Visible Plus Pro plans are still really well-priced at $30/month and $40/month, respectively. Visible Plus Pro is the plan I chose, and it comes with 4K UHD video streaming, Visible’s fastest hotspot speeds, and free smartwatch data.
Perhaps the biggest difference between T-Mobile and Visible is that Visible uses Verizon’s network for its coverage. This shouldn’t be an issue at all, but if you know you’re in an area with a good T-Mobile connection, you’ll want to double-check that Verizon is available in your area as well (which it almost certainly is).
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