Verizon vs T-Mobile
Not sure which internet plan to choose? We stack up Verizon and T-Mobile by price, speed, and availability so you can switch with confidence.
Quick Comparison: Verizon vs T-Mobile at a Glance
Compare Verizon and T-Mobile home internet in seconds. We’ve distilled the most important factors—monthly costs, maximum speeds, coverage availability, and installation details—into an easy-to-scan format. Perfect for busy shoppers who want the facts without the fluff.
Starting Price
Tie
Maximum Speed
Winner: T-Mobile
Coverage
Tie
Plans Available
Varies by Need
Price Lock
Winner: T-Mobile
Setup
Winner: T-Mobile
Verizon vs T-Mobile feature check
Compare Verizon and T-Mobile feature by feature—starting price, typical speeds, fiber options, data caps, install and equipment costs, taxes/fees policy, price locks, bundles, and perks.
| Features | Verizon | T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $35/mo w/ mobile + AutoPay | $50 solo or $35 w/ mobile + AutoPay |
| Typical speeds | 85–300 Mbps (higher on mmWave) | 134–415 Mbps down, 12–55 Mbps up |
| Fiber technology | Fios fiber available; up to ~2.3 Gbps symmetrical | T-Mobile Fiber live in limited areas; multi-gig symmetrical. |
| 5G Home Internet | Yes, nationwide on 5G UW. | Yes, nationwide on 5G. |
| Symmetrical speeds | No (asymmetric; see typical speeds below). | No (asymmetric; see typical speeds below). |
| Data caps | None (no data limits). | None on 5G Home plans. |
| Installation fee | Self-install; pro setup included where available. | Self-install; no install fee. “15-minute” setup. |
| Equipment rental | Router/gateway included (no monthly fee). | 5G gateway included; no equipment fees. |
| Price-lock guarantee | 3 / 4 / 5-year by tier (Home / Plus / Ultimate). | 5-year price guarantee on eligible plans. |
| Early termination fee | None (no annual contract). | None (no annual contract). |
| Mobile bundle discount | From $35/mo with eligible Verizon mobile line + AutoPay. | From $35/mo with any T-Mobile phone plan + AutoPay. |
| Free streaming service | None standard (promos vary). | All-In plan includes Hulu (with Ads) and Paramount+ Essential. |
| Wi-Fi 6 router | Yes — Verizon 5G Home router supports Wi-Fi 6. | Yes — gateways (Nokia/Arcadyan) are Wi-Fi 6. |
| Static IP option | Not offered on residential 5G Home (business only). | Not offered on residential 5G Home (business only). |
| Customer support | 24/7 online/phone/app support. | 24/7 online/phone/app support. |
| Self-installation | Yes (plug-and-play; pro setup available). | Yes (about 15 minutes via T-Life app). |
Verizon vs T-Mobile Find your best fit
Not sure which 5G home plan fits your household? This compare focuses on the details that matter—plan lineups, $35 bundle deals, whether taxes are included or added, equipment and setup, unlimited data terms, and price guarantees. Because performance varies by neighborhood, finish with an address check to see the best match for your home.
Verizon Internet
Why Choose Verizon
- Plans: Home • Home Plus • Home Ultimate
- Price: $35/mo w/ Verizon mobile + AutoPay; higher solo
- Taxes/fees: Included (all-in pricing)
- Equipment: 5G gateway included; mesh with Ultimate
- Install: Self-install; pro setup available in some areas
- Contract/lock: No contract; 3/4/5-yr price lock by tier
- Extras: Occasional promos; Whole-Home Wi-Fi on Ultimate
T-Mobile Internet
Why Choose T-Mobile
- Plans: Rely • Amplified • All-In
- Price: $50/mo solo or $35/mo w/ any T-Mobile line + AutoPay
- Taxes/fees: Usually added (varies by state)
- Equipment: Wi-Fi 6 gateway included
- Install: ~15-minute self-setup
- Contract/lock: No contract; 5-yr price guarantee on all tiers
- Extras: All-In includes Hulu (Ads) + Paramount+ Essential
Verizon vs T-Mobile Popular Plans
Compare the most popular 5G home plans from T-Mobile and Verizon side by side. See real monthly prices with and without a mobile bundle, the typical speeds shown in each badge, what taxes/fees apply, and what equipment and perks are included. Availability is address-based—check yours before you decide.
T-Mobile
Best ValueRELY 5G Home Internet
$35
/month (with phone line)$50
/month (standalone)134-415 Mbps
- 5-year price lock
- Unlimited data (no caps)
- Wi-Fi 6 gateway included
- Self-install (~15 min), $0 install fee
- 15-day Test Drive money-back trial
- Best for budget bundlers and everyday streaming
Verizon
Most Popular5G Home Plus
$45
/month (with phone line)$70
/month (standalone)50-150 Mbps
- Unlimited premium data
- 4-year price lock
- Router included (Wi-Fi 6E)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Self-install; pro setup available in some areas
Verizon
5G Home Ultimate
$60
/month (with phone line)$85
/month (standalone)100-300 Mbps
T-Mobile
All-In 5G Home Internet
$55
/month (with phone line)$70
/month (standalone)134-415 Mbps
- Unlimited data
- 5-year price lock
- Wi-Fi 6 gateway + mesh extender included
- Self-install (~15 min), $0 install fee
- Hulu (With Ads) + Paramount+ Essential included
- Best for heavy streamers & multi-device homes
Verizon vs T-Mobile 5G Coverage
Both cover all 50 states, but signal type and tower density vary block by block. Check your address to see which network is stronger and faster.
Verizon 5G Coverage
Verizon 5G Home Internet uses Ultra Wideband 5G in major metros with LTE fallback. Available in all 50 states with strong coverage in urban and suburban areas.
T-Mobile 5G Coverage
T-Mobile has the largest 5G footprint in America with Extended Range 5G covering 330+ million people. Ultra Capacity 5G in 300+ million areas provides faster speeds.
Which Provider is Better for You?
Choose T-Mobile if you:
Want the simplest pricing – T-Mobile offers just one plan at $35/mo with a mobile line or $50/mo without. There’s no need to compare tiers or worry about picking the “right” level. You get unlimited data, Price Lock guarantee, and the same service whether you’re a light user or streaming 4K all day.
Need better rural coverage – T-Mobile’s Extended Range 5G uses lower frequency bands that travel farther and penetrate buildings better. If you live outside major metro areas, T-Mobile’s network often reaches places Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G cannot. Their nationwide 5G footprint covers 330+ million people compared to Verizon’s more concentrated urban deployment.
Want potentially faster speeds – T-Mobile’s home internet can reach up to 400 Mbps in optimal conditions, while Verizon maxes out at 300 Mbps even on their Ultimate plan. Real-world speeds vary by location, but T-Mobile’s typical range of 72-245 Mbps often edges out Verizon’s 85-300 Mbps claim, especially in areas with good Ultra Capacity 5G signal.
Choose Verizon if you:
Value long-term price stability – Verizon’s 3-5 year price lock guarantees are industry-leading. Your base rate stays the same for years, not months. T-Mobile offers Price Lock too, but Verizon explicitly states the duration (3-5 years depending on plan tier), giving you more certainty about your budget over time.
Already have Verizon mobile – The Mobile + Home discount saves $10-25/mo depending on your wireless plan. If you’re happy with Verizon Wireless and have multiple lines, the bundled savings add up quickly. The 5G Home Plus plan at $45/mo with mobile is very competitive, especially with the 4-year price lock.
Want tiered options – Verizon offers three distinct 5G Home tiers (Home, Plus, Ultimate) so you can match your budget to your needs. The base Home plan works for light use, Plus handles most households, and Ultimate gives priority network access for heavy users. T-Mobile’s one-size-fits-all approach is simpler but doesn’t let you pay less for basic service.
Live in a major metro – Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband provides excellent speeds in cities where they’ve deployed mmWave and C-band infrastructure. If you’re in a well-covered urban area, Verizon often delivers more consistent peak speeds than T-Mobile, especially during high-traffic times.
Speed and Performance Comparison
Real-World Speed Testing
Both providers advertise impressive maximum speeds, but real-world performance depends heavily on your location and 5G signal strength. T-Mobile’s typical speed range of 72-245 Mbps is honest about the variability you’ll experience. Some users in strong Ultra Capacity 5G areas report speeds exceeding 300 Mbps, while others in Extended Range 5G zones may see 50-100 Mbps.
Verizon’s speed claims are similarly location-dependent. Their 5G Ultra Wideband can deliver 300+ Mbps in optimal conditions, but many customers on the base 5G Home plan experience 85-150 Mbps in practice. The Plus and Ultimate tiers offer better priority during network congestion, which matters more than raw speed caps for consistent performance.
Upload Speeds
Upload speeds on 5G home internet lag behind fiber but are generally sufficient for video calls and cloud backup. T-Mobile typically delivers 15-50 Mbps upload, while Verizon ranges from 10-40 Mbps. Both are adequate for Zoom meetings and uploading photos, but fall short for professional content creators uploading large 4K video files.
Latency and Gaming
5G home internet latency is higher than fiber but acceptable for most gaming. Both providers typically show 25-45ms ping times, which is fine for casual and semi-competitive gaming. Fast-twitch competitive games like first-person shooters may feel the difference compared to fiber’s 10-15ms latency, but the experience is still playable. The wireless connection can introduce occasional jitter (ping spikes), so serious esports players should still prefer wired fiber if available.
Consistency During Peak Hours
Network congestion is the biggest variable with wireless home internet. Both providers use network management (deprioritization) during busy evening hours, which can slow speeds when many neighbors are streaming simultaneously. Verizon’s Plus and Ultimate plans get better priority than the base Home plan. T-Mobile doesn’t tier priority for home internet – all customers are treated equally, which is simpler but means no upgrade path if you need better performance during congestion.
Pricing Analysis and Hidden Costs
True Monthly Cost Comparison
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is $35/mo with any T-Mobile phone line + AutoPay (taxes/fees extra) or $50/mo standalone, price locked 5 years. A $30 rate appears only in limited promos (e.g., 55+). Verizon 5G Home starts around $50 all-in for the base plan; higher tiers run $60–$85.
Verizon’s pricing structure is more complex with three tiers. The base 5G Home at $35/mo (with mobile) or $60/mo (without) is competitive, but you might want the Plus or Ultimate tiers for better speeds and priority. At $45-55/mo with mobile service, these higher tiers cost more than T-Mobile’s flat rate but include longer price locks and potentially better performance.
Equipment and Installation
Both providers include the WiFi gateway at no extra monthly rental fee, which is a significant advantage over traditional ISPs that charge $10-15/mo for equipment. Installation is free if you choose self-setup – simply plug in the gateway, download the app, and follow setup instructions.
Verizon offers optional professional installation for $99 (often waived, and included free on Ultimate plan). This involves a technician placing the gateway in the optimal location and ensuring good signal. T-Mobile doesn’t offer pro installation – it’s self-setup only, but their gateways include signal strength indicators to help you find the best spot.
Taxes, Fees, and Fine Print
T-Mobile’s pricing is typically “all-in” with taxes and fees included in the advertised price. What you see is what you pay, which simplifies budgeting. Verizon’s advertised prices may have taxes and fees added depending on your location and plan tier. Some Verizon plans claim “all-in pricing” but it’s worth confirming at checkout since policies vary by market.
Neither provider charges activation fees, early termination fees, or annual contracts. You can cancel anytime without penalty, though you’ll need to return the gateway or pay for it (typically $200-300 retail value).
Customer Service and Support
Support Availability
Both providers offer 24/7 customer support through phone, live chat, and mobile apps. T-Mobile’s home internet support is handled by the same team as wireless, so you can visit T-Mobile stores for in-person help if needed. Verizon similarly integrates home and mobile support, with retail stores available in many areas.
Self-Service Tools
T-Mobile’s app provides gateway management, troubleshooting, and account management. It’s straightforward and generally user-friendly, with clear signal strength indicators and speed testing built in. Verizon’s app offers similar features plus more detailed network metrics for tech-savvy users who want to optimize placement.
Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction varies significantly by region for both providers. T-Mobile home internet is newer (launched 2021) and has growing pains in some markets, but generally receives positive feedback for simplicity and value. Verizon’s service is more established with better infrastructure in urban areas, but some customers report frustration with tier selection and pricing complexity.
Trial Periods
T-Mobile offers a 15-day test drive – if you’re not satisfied within the first 15 days, you can return the equipment and get a full refund with no questions asked. Verizon provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you more time to test performance at different times of day and in different weather conditions. Note that Verizon’s $99 professional installation fee (if applicable) may not be refunded even if you cancel within 30 days.
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
T-Mobile advertises higher maximum speeds (up to 400 Mbps vs Verizon’s 300 Mbps), but real-world speeds vary greatly by location. In optimal conditions with good 5G signal, both can exceed 200 Mbps. T-Mobile’s typical range is 72-245 Mbps, while Verizon claims 85-300 Mbps depending on plan tier. Your actual experience will depend on signal strength, network congestion, and which 5G technology is deployed in your area.
T-Mobile is cheaper at $30/mo with a mobile line or $50/mo standalone. Verizon’s base plan costs $35/mo with mobile or $60/mo standalone, and their better tiers (Plus/Ultimate) cost $45-55/mo even with mobile service. However, Verizon offers longer price lock guarantees (3-5 years vs T-Mobile’s Price Lock promise), so long-term costs may be more predictable with Verizon.
T-Mobile has broader nationwide 5G coverage reaching 330+ million people, especially in rural areas with their Extended Range 5G. Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband is more concentrated in urban and suburban markets with excellent performance in those areas but less rural reach. If you live in a major metro, both work well. For rural areas, check T-Mobile first. Both offer all 50 states coverage but density varies significantly.
No, both providers offer standalone home internet without requiring mobile service. However, pricing is significantly better if you bundle – T-Mobile gives $20/mo off ($30 vs $50), and Verizon gives $10-25/mo off ($35-55 vs $60-80) depending on the tier. If you’re already a customer or considering switching mobile carriers, the bundle discount makes the decision easier.
For most households, yes. Both providers offer unlimited data with no caps, so you won’t run out. Speeds of 100-200 Mbps (typical for both) handle streaming, video calls, and general use easily. However, 5G wireless has more variability than wired connections – performance can dip during peak hours or bad weather. If rock-solid consistency matters (like for critical work-from-home) and fiber is available at your address, fiber remains more reliable. But for typical home use, 5G home internet works well.
Yes, both support gaming adequately for most players. Latency is typically 25-45ms, which is acceptable for casual and semi-competitive gaming. Fast-twitch games like first-person shooters feel the difference compared to fiber (10-15ms), but most genres play fine. The bigger issue is occasional ping spikes due to the wireless connection. Serious esports competitors should stick with wired fiber if available, but recreational gamers will likely be satisfied with either 5G provider.
Both providers allow you to move your service to a new address as long as 5G home internet is available there. You’ll need to check availability at your new location and may need to return equipment and receive a new gateway optimized for the new area’s network. There are no early termination fees or penalties since neither provider requires contracts. However, if 5G home internet isn’t available at your new address, you’ll need to cancel service.
Verizon explicitly guarantees your base monthly rate for 3-5 years depending on your plan tier – 3 years on 5G Home, 4 years on Plus, 5 years on Ultimate. This means your monthly price won’t increase during that period (though taxes/fees could change). T-Mobile offers a “Price Lock” promise but details are less specific about duration. Both lock your current rate, so if you sign up during a promotion, that promotional rate is locked in for the guarantee period.
Final Verdict: Verizon vs T-Mobile
T-Mobile for Value, Verizon for StabilityThe winner depends on what you prioritize. T-Mobile offers better value and simplicity, while Verizon provides longer-term price guarantees and tiered options. Here’s our bottom line:
Overall Winner by Category:
- Price: T-Mobile ($35/mo vs $45-60/mo with mobile)
- Maximum Speed: T-Mobile (up to 400 Mbps vs 300 Mbps)
- Price Stability: Verizon (3-5 year locks vs Price Lock promise)
- Coverage: T-Mobile (broader nationwide reach)
- Simplicity: T-Mobile (one plan vs three tiers)
- Urban Performance: Verizon (stronger in major metros)
Our Recommendation:
Best for most people: T-Mobile 5G Home Internet – The combination of lower pricing ($35/mo with mobile), simpler plan structure, and broad coverage makes T-Mobile the better choice for the majority of households. You get unlimited data, no contracts, and competitive speeds without worrying about picking the “right” tier.
Best for long-term planning: Verizon 5G Home Plus or Ultimate – If you value predictable costs and want the security of a 4-5 year price lock, Verizon is worth the extra $10-15/mo. The tiered structure also lets you upgrade within the same provider if your needs grow, and urban performance tends to be more consistent.
Decision Framework:
- Check address-level availability for both providers – coverage varies block by block
- If you don’t have mobile service with either: T-Mobile at $50/mo beats Verizon at $70/mo
- If you have or will switch mobile service: Compare $35/mo (T-Mobile) vs $45-60/mo (Verizon tiers)
- Test during the trial period (15 days T-Mobile, 30 days Verizon) at different times of day
- Check real-world reviews from neighbors in your specific area – Facebook groups and Reddit often have location-specific feedback
Both providers offer solid 5G home internet with no contracts, unlimited data, and easy setup. Your choice comes down to whether you prefer T-Mobile’s value and simplicity or Verizon’s longer price guarantees and tiered options. In most markets, you can’t go wrong with either – just make sure to use the trial period to verify performance at your address.