T-Mobile Vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Which Is Best For You?

Founded in 1999, the company has invested heavily in a nationwide 5G network. Its merger with Sprint, another major wireless carrier, accelerated this process and has helped itroll out its 5G network across all 50 states.

This extensive network is one of T-Mobile’s big selling points, making it a cost-effective and flexible option for those in well-covered 5G areas, generally around mid-sized and large cities.

Due to this gradual network growth, more distant places may lack the necessary 5G coverage to make T-Mobile’s 5G home internet viable. But even in those cases, T-Mobile may be able to provide a 4G LTE fallback.

In an industry full of annual contracts and second-year price hikes, T-Mobile provides a simple, $50 per month offer. Even better, if you’re already using T-Mobile’s Magenta MAX mobile plan, you’ll pay only $30 per month for its 5G internet.

Customers typically experience download speeds between 72 and 245 Mbps and upload speeds between 15 and 31 Mbps.

Learn more: T-Mobile Home Internet review

T-Mobile’s 5G home internet has only one plan for $50 per month. The plan also has no second-year price increases, binding contracts, data caps or equipment fees.

That said, you can reduce the plan’s price if you already use the Magenta MAX mobile plan for unlimited data. When using both, you only pay $30 per month for your 5G home internet.

Finally, there is a 15-day trial to see if the service meets your needs. You can pay for the plan and cancel within 15 days for a full refund. However, keep in mind that this is a one-time offer, and you’ll have to return the equipment promptly if you cancel.

Equipment

T-Mobile’s equipment is free and sent to you at no extra charge. It’s a 5G Wi-Fi gateway that works wirelessly out of the box without needing a technician.

Installation

T-Mobile offers a seamless setup process. Since everything works wirelessly, there’s no need for scheduled technician visits or complex installations. You simply sign up for the service and receive a plug-and-play gateway device. All you have to do is sign up on the T-Mobile Internet app and follow the on-screen instructions.

T-Mobile’s 5G home internet is straightforward, and there isn’t much to review, given there are no annual contracts or price increases after a certain period. Once you sign up, you enjoy a price lock policy that ensures you’ll pay the same monthly price for as long as you’re a customer.

To smooth the transition from your current provider to T-Mobile, it also covers $50 from your termination fees via a virtual Prepaid Mastercard.

Given how simple T-Mobile’s offering is, there’s little in the way of add-ons, but the plan does provide some interesting benefits.

Worry-Free Trial Period

As mentioned above, T-Mobile offers a 15-day, worry-free trial period. You can activate the service and cancel it within 15 days to receive a full refund.

$50 to Switch to T-Mobile

T-Mobile offers a $50 virtual prepaid Mastercard card if you switch to their 5G home internet service from another provider. This softens the cost of changing service providers and makes it more likely for consumers to try T-Mobile.

Exclusive Internet Deals

When you sign up for T-Mobile’s 5G home internet, you get a few perks, including:

• A free Instacart+ membership
• A $100 grocery credit
• A Free MLB.TV subscription
• Free food extra with a purchase, reserved concert tickets and other perks every Tuesday
• Discounts on various streaming services
• Significant discounts on Nest Wi-Fi routers
• The option to get an Ooma Telo Air home telephone (valued at $129.99) for $9.99 per month for 18 months

Verizon Wireless is one of the leading wireless carriers in the United States, providing reliable cellular phone and data services to millions of customers. As part of itswireless penetration efforts, Verizon is at the forefront of 5G technology deployment, offering high-speed wireless connectivity to support mobile communication and home internet services.

In addition to providing plans for extra flexibility, Verizon’s 5G home internet offering includes the equipment at no additional cost, no annual contracts and a guarantee to lock the prices for two to three years, depending on the plan.

Learn more: Verizon 5G review

Verizon’s 5G plans are more complex than T-Mobile’s because it accounts for more variations that modify the final price.

Equipment

Regardless of your plan, you get a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6 router and a 5G Ultra Wideband receiver at no extra cost.

Installation

You can easily install your router and receiver within 5 minutes or call a Verizon representative to do it for you. This is particularly useful if you’re setting up home internet for a family member struggling with tech.

The Fine Print

Verizon’s 5G home internet guarantees price locks for two years with the 5G Home plan and three years with the 5G Home Plus plan.

The only other major consideration is how the price varies depending on whether you use AutoPay or already use select mobile 5G plans. The qualifying 5G mobile plans are:

• 5G Play More
• 5G Do More
• 5G Get More
• Play More Unlimited
• Do More Unlimited
• Get More Unlimited
• Beyond Unlimited 5G UW
• Above Unlimited 5G UW

When you subscribe to a Verizon 5G home internet plan, there are several optional add-ons available at an additional cost. One add-on is Verizon Cloud Unlimited, a cloud storage service to backup photos, videos and smartphone data that costs $19.99 per month and allows up to five users. Additionally, the company regularly offers special deals and promotions. In the past it has given away things like gift cards and smart home devices.

Despite both companies offering the same 5G service, their plans and details vary tremendously.

Speed

Verizon offers a faster maximum download speed compared to T-Mobile. Verizon’s 5G Home Plus plan provides download speeds of up to 1Gbps, while T-Mobile’s typical speeds range between 72 Mbps and 245 Mbps. Additionally, Verizon’s more affordable plan, 5G Home, has a maximum speed of 300 Mbps.

Availability

T-Mobile’s 5G home internet is more widely accessible, with coverage in all 50 states, while Verizon’s service is available in around 39 states, primarily in and around large metro areas.

Pricing

Out of Verizon and T-Mobile, the lowest you can pay for your 5G home internet is $30 per month if you already use the Magenta MAX mobile plan for unlimited data. Without it, you pay $50 per month.

Verizon’s most affordable plan is 5G Home with AutoPay and an eligible Verizon 5G mobile plan at $35 per month.

Additional Benefits

T-Mobile offers unique benefits such as a worry-free trial period, $50 termination fee coverage  and various perks, such as subscriptions and weekly benefits on Tuesdays.

Verizon, on the other hand, offers access to Verizon Cloud Unlimited (with the 5G Home Plus plan) and frequent promotions and giveaways.

Despite the differences in their services, T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G have a few similarities you should consider when exploring your home internet options.

Pricing Transparency

Both T-Mobile and Verizon are very transparent about their pricing structures, emphasizing the lack of hidden or equipment fees. Both advertise the total monthly cost with taxes included.

No Long-Term Contracts

Neither T-Mobile nor Verizon require you to sign long-term contracts.

Unlimited Data

Both offer plans with unlimited data, removing the worry of hitting your data cap and paying extra for it.

Potential Coverage and Speed Inconsistencies

Both providers offer wireless services, which are potentially limited by local coverage. Most wireless carriers focus on mid to large metro areas, making coverage inconsistent outside large population centers. This may affect your service’s speed. Check availability before signing up.

Price Guarantees

Both providers offer price guarantees for different durations. Verizon guarantees its prices for two or three years, depending on the plan, while T-Mobile locks prices for the duration of your subscription.

Here’s how T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G plans compare.

Company	Company - Logo	Lowest Price Plan Available	Customer Rating	Customer Support	Learn More CTA text	Learn more CTA below text	Learn More
T-Mobile		$30	Good	Excellent	Learn More	On T-Mobile's Website
Verizon 5G		$60	Fair	Excellent	Learn More	On Verizon's Website

T-Mobile boasts extensive coverage, especially in rural areas, and offers consumer-friendly plans often packed with perks like free Netflix. Verizon, on the other hand, focuses on delivering extremely high speeds through its mmWave technology, although this is mostly limited to urban areas. Its plans are generally pricier but come with premium features and services.

If you prioritize wider coverage and value-added plans, T-Mobile is likely your best bet. However, if you’re looking for blazing-fast speeds and are willing to pay a premium for additional services, Verizon could be more up your alley. Your choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs and location.

T-Mobile and Verizon provide interesting options for homeowners looking to enter the 5G wave. If you live in an area with good coverage and your home uses only a handful of devices simultaneously, you can get either T-Mobile’s 5G home internet or Verizon’s 5G Home plan.

Both options work well for your needs, and choisemay come down to whether you already have a T-Mobile or Verizon mobile plan.

If you live in a larger home, Verizon’s 5G Home Plus plan will be a better option for you, given its higher maximum speeds.

Ultimately, Verizon offers more flexibility with its two plans, but all plans discussed here should work fine in areas with reasonably good coverage.

T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G home internet provides adequate speeds for homes, but there may be better options for some businesses.

For Home Use

• T-Mobile: T-Mobile’s lower end, 73 Mbps, could be faster by today’s standards, but the higher end of the range, 245 Mbps, is more than enough for streaming video, web surfing, remote work and most online gaming. It’s great for small homes.
• Verizon 5G: Verizon’s 85 to 300 Mbps range from the 5G Home plan is also adequate for homes with modest internet needs, with the 5G Home Plus plan reaching up to 1,000 Mbps, much more than most homes need. Use 5G Home Plus for a large home with many devices.

For Business Use

• T-Mobile: T-Mobile’s 5G home internet is only recommended for very small businesses that use an amount of devices equivalent to a small home. Otherwise, look into T-Mobile’s business internet plans.
• Verizon 5G: Verizon’s 5G Home Plus plan reaches up to 1,000 Mbps, which is enough for small businesses that don’t require high-speed internet. However, Verizon also has business internet services that may provide more robust solutions for always-on internet connection needs.