T-Mobile has been the carrier to 'shake-up' the cellular industry in the past few years. Their April 2020 merger with Sprint gave them greater coverage and spectrum ownership.
Plan Information
T-Mobile Postpaid currently offers a variety of smartphone-based unlimited plans, tiered plans, and data-only plans for hotspots, tablets, and wearables.
**TOP PICKS**
Top Pick Notes: T-Mobile direct offers a few plans that we consider top picks worth focusing your research on. Here are the highlights of the plans we recommend and why we consider them top picks:
Mobile Internet
- Device: Hotspots, Routers
- Data/Pricing:
- Top Pick Notes: 50GB plan can be used with most data-only devices including routers and hotspots. Promotions available on the M2000 hotspot device may exist (free or 1/2 price).
- More Info: View the 'Data Only Plans' tab on this page
Magenta MAX & Magenta Global Plus 15GB
- Device: Smartphones, Tablets
- Data: Unlimited On Device
- Magenta Global Plus 15GB: 50-100GB network management, unlimited high speed domestic high-speed data - available for consumer Magenta plans.
- Price:
- Magenta MAX: $85/month
- Magenta Global Plus 15GB: $120/month
- Top Pick Notes: Magenta MAX and Global Plus 15GB options offer two different perks depending on your needs - no network management or no high-speed hotspot caps.
- More Info: View the 'Smartphones Plans' tab for Magenta plans on this page.
Magenta Plus Tablet Add-On
- Device: Tablets
- Data: Unlimited On Device, 10GB Hotspot, 1080p video, 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico
- Price: $30/month when added to an existing phone line ($70 if purchased as a standalone plan)
- Top Pick Notes: There are also three Plus add-on options that include more high-speed hotspot data, and Magenta options for lower cost without hotspot data and 480p video.
- More Info: View the 'Data Only Plans' tab on this Page
Home Internet
- Device: T-Mobile Home Internet Gateway Device
- Data: Unlimited
- Price: $50/month
- Top Pick Notes: This plan can only be used with the provided Home Internet Gateway Device. These plans were originally intended for fixed home use only, but T-Mobile changed their terms in mid-2022 allowing for portability.
- More Info: Unlimited Home and Business Data Plan and Gateways by T-Mobile
For more plans that provide lots of data: Top Pick Data Plans Guide
Data Only Plans
Data Only Plans
In December 2020 T-Mobile launched new data-only plans for hotspots and routers that they refer to as 'Mobile Internet' plans, including a 100GB option. The 100GB option has come in and out of availability for all devices or just select 5G devices multiple times (May 2021, June 2021, August 2021). Plan details are on T-Mobile's "affordable data plans" webpage, but they cannot be ordered online - you need to call, engage in an online chat with a sales rep, or go to a store.
Our MIA Members can follow this thread in our forums with members sharing experiences of getting this plan for various hotspots & routers: Questions/Feedback/Experiences about the T-Mobile Mobile Internet Data Plans
Mobile Internet for Hotspots & Routers
- 5G M2000 Only - 100GB - $50/month **TOP PICK** (Limited Time Offer!)
- All Hotspots & Routers
- 50GB - $50/month **TOP PICK**
- 30GB - $40/month
- 10GB - $30/month
- 5GB - $20/month
The pricing above is with an autopay discount of $5/month, and no additional taxes charged (TI). However, in the fine print, they do state that 'up to a $50/month' charge may apply if you don't have other lines of service, and taxes and fees are extra if you don't have a tax-inclusive voice line on the account. To date, we have not received a single report of any additional charges being applied for a stand-alone Mobile Internet line on an account, but do know the terms are there.
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Data Only
- Device Types Permitted: Hotspots, Routers, Tablets
- Unlimited: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes, data caps according to plan
- Throttling: After allotment of high-speed data is used, speeds are reduced to 2G (128 kbps)
- Network Management: None
- Video Streaming Resolution: 480p
- 5G Access: Yes, with a compatible device
- eSIM: No
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming:
- Some plans include 5GB in Canada and Mexico; Unlimited data at up to 128kbps in 210+ countries
- Hotspot and router plans do not include international roaming.
- Domestic Roaming: 200MB/month
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: Not specified
- Extras: T-Mobile Tuesdays; Google One Storage Plans,
Tablets
Tablets can be activated as stand-alone devices on Essentials or Magenta plans, or as an add-on to an account with an existing phone line.
Currently Available Plans
- Essentials Tablet - $55 standalone / $15 when added to a voice line
- Magenta Tablet - $60 standalone / $20 when added to a voice line
- Magenta Plus 10GB Add-On - $70 standalone / $30 when added to a voice line **TOP PICK**
- Magenta Plus 20GB Add-On - $75 standalone / $35 when added to a voice line
- Magenta Plus 30GB Add-On - $85 standalone / $45 when added to a voice line
Pricing reflects auto pay discount. Data add-ons are for high-speed mobile hotspot data - after the data cap is exceeded, speeds are reduced to 3G speeds for hotspot data.
While there is some information on tablet plans on T-Mobile's website, we have found that not all options are available online. We confirmed with a T-Mobile employee that the above pricing is what is currently available as of May 2021. We recommend ordering these plans in a store rather than online, as the online options do not reflect everything that is available.
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Data Only
- Device Types Permitted: Tablets
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use:
- Essentials Tablet - Unlimited; capped at 600Kbps
- Magenta Tablet - Unlimited; capped at 600Kbps
- Magenta Plus 10GB Add-On - 10GB high speed, then 600Kbps
- Magenta Plus 20GB Add-On - 20GB high speed, then 600Kbps
- Magenta Plus 30GB Add-On - 30GB high speed, then 600Kbps
- Throttling: Yes, on hotspot data after high-speed caps are met
- Network Management: Deprioritized after 50GB
- Video Streaming Resolution:
- Essentials and Magenta: 480p
- Magenta Plus Add-Ons: 1080p (once activated on the T-Mobile App or account website)
- 5G Access: Yes, with a compatible device
- eSIM: No
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming:
- Canda/Mexico:
- Essentials: Unlimited at 128Kbps
- Magenta: 5GB high speed, then 128Kbps
- Magenta Plus Add-Ons: 5GB high speed, then 256Kbps
- International:
- Essentials: None
- Magenta: Unlimited at 128Kbps
- Magenta Plus Add-Ons: Unlimited at 256Kbps
- Canda/Mexico:
- Domestic Roaming: 200MB/month on all plans
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: Not specified
- Extras: Google One Storage Plans
Tablet usage is prioritized over tethering usage, which may result in higher speeds for data used on the tablet.
Home Internet
Unlimited data for $50/month, which must be used with the provided T-Mobile Home Internet Gateway Device.
For more information, see our Gear Center: Unlimited Home and Business Data Plan and Gateways by T-Mobile
Wearables
Wearables can be activated as stand-alone devices for $25/month or can be added to any existing unlimited plan account for $10/line.
Smartphone Plans
Smartphone Plans
Currently Available Plans:
- Essentials - $60/month
- Magenta - $70/month
- Magenta MAX - $85/month **TOP PICK**
- Global Plus 15GB - $120/month **TOP PICK**
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Phone (unlimited talk/text), Tablet
- Device Types Permitted: Phone, Tablets, Wearables
- Tablets can be added for $20/line/month ($15 for Essentials) and receive unlimited on-device data and unlimited 3G speed hotspot use. **TOP PICK**
- Tablets can be added as a singular device on a Magenta MAX plan (no other phone devices on the plan) for $75/month, or to an Essentials or Magenta plan for $60/month.
- Wearables can be added to any plan for $10/line/month.
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use:
- Essentials: None at high speed (unlimited at 3G speeds - 600kbps)
- Magenta: 5GB high-speed, then unlimited at 3G (600kbps)
- Magenta MAX: 40GB high-speed, then unlimited at 3G (600kbps)
- Magenta with Global Plus 15GB - Unlimited high-speed domestic hotspot
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Add-ons - The mobile hotspot cap on Magenta and Magenta MAX smartphone lines can be increased for a monthly fee
- Magenta:
- 40GB high-speed cap (adding 35GB) for $15/month
- 50GB high-speed cap (adding 45GB) for $25/month
- 100GB high-speed cap (adding 95GB) for $50/month
- Magenta MAX:
- 50GB high-speed cap (adding 10GB) for $10/month
- 100GB high-speed cap (adding 60GB) for $35/month
- Magenta:
- Throttling: None on device
- Network Management:
- Essential Plan: 50GB
- Magenta: 100GB
- Magenta MAX: None
- Global Plus 15GB: 50GB
- When T-Mobile announced its new Magenta plans in February 2021, it's unknown if these Global Plus 15GB plan will inherit the 100GB network management cap.
- Video Streaming Resolution:
- Essentials: 480p video resolution (1.5Mbps video throttle). Can add an HD (1080p) day pass for $3.
- Magenta: 480p video resolution (1.5Mbps video throttle). Can add an HD (1080p) day pass for $3.
- Magenta MAX: Allows for full 4K UHD resolution video streaming.
- Canada & Mexico: While usage is still unlimited in these countries, video will be throttled down to 480p.
- Global Plus 15GB includes 1080p video streaming around the world.
- 5G Access: Yes, with a compatible device and in an area where 5G service is available
- eSIM: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming:
- Plans come with the following international roaming fine print:
- "Not for extended international use; you must reside in the U.S. and primary usage must occur on our network. Device must register on our network before international use. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming."
- Global Plus 15GB - 15GB high-speed data on device while roaming in a Simple Global country (only 5GB in Canada/Mexico) and 5GB of high-speed tethering usage in Simple Global countries. Additional features include unlimited HD video streaming around the world, and unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi.
- Mobile Without Borders - Canada & Mexico: All T-Mobile Magenta plans can be used anywhere in Mexico & Canada just as if you were at home, including tethering. However, data usage has the following restrictions:
- Essentials: Unlimited 2G (128kbps) tethering data
- Magenta: 5GB high-speed data per month followed by unlimited 2G (128kbps).
- Magenta MAX: 5GB high-speed data per month followed by unlimited 2x 2G (256kbps).
- Simple Global - Rest of the World: T-Mobile Magenta plans include free unlimited international text messaging, reasonable rates for voice, and slow, but unlimited, data in over 210 countries depending on your plan:
- Essentials: No international data (except Canada/Mexico)
- Magenta: 5GB high-speed data per month followed by unlimited 2G (128kbps) data.
- Magenta MAX: 5GB high-speed data per month followed by unlimited 2x 2G (256kbps) data.
- Day Passes: T-Mobile offers day passes for buckets of high-speed data, then unlimited 2G speed data for 24-hours, 10 days, or 30 day periods in their international roaming countries. A max of 2 day passes per 24-hour period may be purchased.
- Plans come with the following international roaming fine print:
- Domestic Roaming: After 200MB of domestic roaming data usage, T-Mobile cuts off roaming network usage until your next billing cycle, or until you're back in a native area on all plans.
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: 10
- 55+ Plans
- Special account pricing is available for those aged 55 or older. Up to 2 lines per account - no mixing and matching of line type under a single account. +20/tablet line on an account.
- Essentials 55 : $40/single line, $50/two lines
- Magenta 55: $50/single line, $70/two lines, $105/three lines, $140/four lines
- Magenta MAX 55: $90/two lines - a single-line option not available
- Special account pricing is available for those aged 55 or older. Up to 2 lines per account - no mixing and matching of line type under a single account. +20/tablet line on an account.
- Extras:
- Apple TV+: Free for 12 months for customers on Magenta and Magenta MAX plans
- Paramount+ Essentials: Free for 12 months for all postpaid consumer-level customers
- Netflix-on-US can provide a free Netflix account depending on your plan:
- Essentials: Not available
- Magenta: Netflix basic account (1 SD screen) included with at 2+ lines
- Magenta MAX: Netflix Basic (1 SD screen) with 1 line on the account. With 2+ lines on the account, Netflix Standard (2 screens) with up to 4K UHD.
- Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi:
- Essentials: None
- Magenta: Unlimited texting and 1 hour per flight of free Gogo Wi-Fi access.
- Magenta Unlimited texting and Wi-Fi.
- T-Mobile Tuesdays
- T-Mobile MONEY
- Pandora. For any customer who is also eligible for T-Mobile Tuesdays.
- Google One Storage Plans
Pricing Grid Comparison
Business Plans
Business Plans
See our Business Plans by T-Mobile Gear Center for information on T-Mobile Business Plans.
Test Drive
Test Drive

T-Mobile offers potential customers a way to test out their service before purchasing: T-Mobile Test Drive. Those interested in trying T-Mobile for the first time can access 30 days or 30GB of T-Mobile data on either a (free) mobile hotspot device provided by T-Mobile or an iPhone XS or higher - for free.
For those who choose to go the hotspot device route, after you have utilized your free 30GB or 30 days (whichever comes first), you are welcome to keep the mobile hotspot.
Hotspotting of data is permitted if the plan is activated via a qualifying iPhone.
For those using the plan via an iPhone:
Those with the primary plan supported through eSIM should be a bit cautious if signing up for T-Mobile Test Drive on an iPhone via the app. When using Test Drive through your iPhone, any plan you have active on your eSIM will be temporarily disabled, and you will instead be able to place calls & TXT over your temporary T-Mobile number. This can be awkward if your eSIM is in use for your primary plan since you will not be able to receive calls and text messages on that number without switching off the T-Mobile plan.
If you have your primary plan on a physical SIM, you will continue to receive texts and calls on your native carrier's network if available. You can use T-Mobile's data for the test plan period instead of the data of your physical SIM plan by selecting T-Mobile as the cellular data source in Settings.
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Hotspot or iPhone XS+
- Device Types Permitted: T-Mobile provided hotspot or iPhone XS+
- Unlimited: No - 30GB
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: 30GB
- Throttling: None
- Network Management: None
- Video Streaming Resolution: Unknown
- 5G Access: Yes, with a compatible device and in an area where 5G service is available
- eSIM: Yes - required for iPhone, no for hotspot device
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming: None
- Domestic Roaming: 200MB
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: 1
- Extras: Free! And you get to keep the mobile hotspot device.
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Note: T-Mobile's Mobile Internet & Global Pus 15GB plans are not easily found on T-Mobile's website or available for signup online. But if you contact them directly via chat, phone, or in a store a representative should be able to find the plans for you to activate.
Shopping for Cellular Data Plans
Finding the right plans for your needs is no easy task - quite simply mobile travelers using cellular data as their primary way online is not how most carriers have designed their plans. Many of us want plans that provide copious amounts of data.
Here's our video going over ways to get LOTS of data for use in your travels:
But a data plan alone will not keep you online. You also need the right gear, signal enhancing strategy and planning your travels around the options you carry with you. Head on over to our collection of guides:
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Top Data Plan Picks
Our constantly updated list of the BEST data plans.
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Which Carrier is Best?
Is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Dish best for your travels?
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Selecting Data Plans
Our deep dive into understanding data plans and shopping for them.
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Data Plan Pricing Grid
Our always updated spreadsheet comparing all data plans suitable for mobile internet.
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Getting LOTS of the Data
Learn how to get lots of cellular data in your mobile internet arsenal.