Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Which Carrier Is Right for You?

Do you want to know which carrier is right for you, Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile? If so, then you have stumbled upon the right article.

Red Pocket and Mint Mobile are both MNVO service providers known for offering cheap plans and great network coverage.

However, choosing between one can be really frustrating.

I remember being confused between Red Pocket and Mint Mobile, so I decided to try both.

To my surprise, Mint Mobile and Red Pocket were both amazing. Red Pocket had plans starting at $10 for 1G, and Mint Mobile offered a plan for $15 monthly for 5GB.

When I compared their coverage, I was pretty impressed with Red Pocket. It uses the network infrastructure of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, which is really good if someone comes from a rural area.

Lastly, I decided to go with Mint Mobile as they were offering more data for less price in compare to Red Pocket.

However, you may have other needs.

In this article, I have shared a complete comparison between Red Pocket and Mint Mobile. I hope it helps.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: A Quick Overview

Red Pocket Mobile is a wireless network operator in Thousand Oaks, California, United States.

Red Pocket is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that offers affordable mobile phone plans on the nation’s three leading networks, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

The Red Plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data and offers international calling and texting in more than 80 countries.

Mint Mobile is also a virtual network operator offering affordable plans for the T-Mobile network.

Mint offers 3, 6, and 12-month plans, with unlimited talk and text and free international calling to Canada and Mexico.

Is Red Pocket A Good Service?

Red Pocket can be a good service for budget-minded people who want to save money on their wireless bills while getting good coverage.

Red Pocket is an MVNO that uses the networks of major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Depending on their coverage, you can use one of these three big networks at the most reasonable price.

It offers various data plans, from very low amounts to unlimited data plans. It also offers international calling plans and plans for tablets and hotspots.

Is Mint Mobile A Good Service?

Mint Mobile can also be a good service for people who want budget-friendly plans.

Mint uses the T-Mobile network, offering you the greatest coverage and fastest 5G speed.

Mint is known for its affordable plans, which include unlimited talk and text, international calling to Canada and Mexico, Wi-Fi calling, and mobile hotspots.

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Plans And Pricing

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile both mvno’s offer cheap phone plans on a common network. Red Pocket offers the advantage of two additional networks, AT&T and Verizon, in addition to T-Mobile.

Let’s dive deeper to learn about their plans and pricing.

Red Pocket Plans

Red Pocket offers a variety of monthly and annual cell phone plans, starting at $10 for 1GB of data.

They also have unlimited plans for those who need a lot of data.

Plans	Monthly Price	Annual Price
1GB	$10	$8/month ($89 for first year)
5GB	$20	$13/month ( $150 for first year)
20GB	$30	$20/month ( $240 for first year)
Unlimited	$40	$25/month ($300 for first year)

All Red Pocket plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, free international roaming in Mexico and Canada, and free international calls in over 80 countries.

A free $10 monthly credit is also included. Speed will be reduced for all plans once the allotted data is exceeded.

Mint Mobile Plans

Mint Mobile offers three cell phone plans in three categories: 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month. All these categories have four plans- 5GB, 15GB, 20 GB, and Unlimited.

A new customer can try all four cell phone plans for three months at $15 monthly. After three months, the customer can renew with a 3, 6, or 12-month plan.

Plans	3-Month	6-Month	12-Month
5GB	$15	$20	$15
15GB	$20	$25	$20
20Gb	$25	$35	$25
Unlimited (first 40 GB)	$30	$35	$30

All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text, high-speed 4G-5G data, free international calling from Mexico to Canada, free Mobile hotspots, and Wi-Fi calling.

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Data Packages And Limits

Red Pocket offers various data plans ranging from 1GB to unlimited data on multiple networks, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, giving you more flexibility in choosing coverage.

Once the high-speed data limit is reached, the speed is reduced, and you can use the internet at a much lower speed than 4G-5G.

Mint Mobile offers larger data allowances per plan, starting at 5GB and going unlimited. However, it only runs on the T-Mobile network.

In Mint Mobile, the data speed is reduced once you exceed your data limit.

In conclusion, both carriers experience data throttling after reaching a certain data limit, significantly lowering their speed until additional data is added or the next billing cycle.

However, you can still use the internet at a reduced speed.

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Coverage And Network

Red Pocket is an MVNO that utilizes all three major American networks—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, giving you more flexibility to choose the network with the strongest signal in your area.

Red Pocket offers wider coverage due to its access to all three bigger networks. You can check Red Pocket’s coverage map to see which network is available.

According to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), Verizon and AT&T have the largest availability, with 55.05% and 55.11% coverage, while T-Mobile covers 35.3% of the United States.

Mint Mobile, which uses T-Mobile’s network, has limited availability in rural areas.

If you live in a metro area and mainly use data in the city, either carrier can be a good option.

But if you live in rural areas, check Red Pocket’s coverage map for your specific area to see which network (AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile) offers the strongest signal.

Ensure your phone is compatible with your chosen network (GSM for T-Mobile or AT&T, CDMA for Verizon).

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: International Calling And Roaming

Red Pocket offers free international calling and texting to more than 80 countries.

You can receive unlimited calls and texts to these countries for free. This is a major advantage if you frequently call internationally.

However, Red Pocket’s international roaming is available only on the GSMA network for Mexico and Canada.

You can use your plan in these countries without paying extra charges. Red Pocket does not provide free international roaming in other countries.

Depending on the country you visit, roaming charges will apply, except for those for Canada and Mexico.

Mint Mobile offers international calling to Canada and Mexico in all its plans.

Mint Mobile also offers international roaming through its Minternational Passes.

These offer data, talk minutes, and texts for 1, 3, or 7 days in various countries.

Before traveling, you must check whether Mint’s Minternational pass covers your destination country and then purchase the pass based on your needs.

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Deals And Promotions

Both Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile offer a variety of deals and promotions on brand-new phones like the iPhone 15 or iPhone SE and Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, the Samsung Galaxy S10, etc.

You can check their current deals on their respective websites. You can avail yourself of their deals based on your needs and budget.

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Customer Support

Red Pocket offers customer care support through contact or chat. Call Red Pocket Mobile customer service at 1-888-993-3888 or chat online from 5 AM to 9 PM PST, 7 days a week.

Mint Mobile also offers customer care support via phone or chat. To reach Mint’s support, dial 611 from your Mint Mobile or contact 800-683-7392.

You can also chat online at mintmobile.com/chat from 5 AM-7 PM PST, 7 days a week.

Both Red Pocket and Mint Mobile have received mixed reviews for their customer care service.

Some users report helpful experiences, while others mention long wait times or difficulty resolving their issues.

However, reviews on Mint Mobile’s customer support tend to be more positive than those on Red Pocket, with users praising their responsiveness and helpfulness.

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Pros And Cons

The comparison between these two carriers becomes more beneficial when you consider the advantages and disadvantages of Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile.

Red Pocket Pros and Cons

Red Pocket Pros	Red Pocket Cons
Affordable Plans: Red Pocket Mobile offers various affordable mobile plans to suit your needs. Its plan starts at $10 for 1 GB of data.	Limited International Roaming: Red Pocket offers international roaming only to Canada and Mexico. You will incur roaming charges in countries other than Canada and Mexico.
Great network: Red Pocket Mobile uses the networks of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, which means it has coverage in almost all parts of the United States. It is one of the few MVNOs that allows you to choose which carrier’s network you want to use, depending on coverage in your area.	No Retail Stores: Red Pocket does not have physical stores for customer service. This can be problematic for people who prefer offline assistance for their issues.
Free International Calling: Red Pocket Mobile offers free international calling to many countries, which is helpful if you frequently travel to other countries.	Potential Network Prioritization Issues: Since Red Pocket is an MVNO, there might be cases where the network prioritizes its direct customers over MVNO users during peak times, leading to possible slower data speeds.
No Contracts Plan: Red Pocket offers month-to-month, no-contract plans, which allow you to cancel your plan anytime you wish when you switch your carrier.	Limited Plan Options: While there are affordable plans, plans may be limited compared to direct carriers, especially for higher data needs or specific features.
Bring Your Phone: Red Pocket Mobile’s Bring Your Phone Program allows you to bring your compatible phone to Pocket’s network.	Customer Service Limitations: With no physical stores and potentially smaller customer service teams, smaller carriers might have longer wait times or challenges getting immediate help.

Mint Mobile Pros And Cons

Mint Mobile Pros	Mint Mobile Cons
Affordable plans: Mint Mobile stands out for its budget-friendly options, notably its unlimited plan priced at $30 monthly. This plan is particularly attractive due to its straightforward pricing, making it an excellent choice for those seeking cost-effective solutions without hidden fees.	Upfront cost: Unlike typical monthly payment models, Mint Mobile requires customers to pay in advance for 3, 6, or 12-month periods. This upfront payment model might pose challenges for individuals who prefer monthly billing or those uncertain about committing to the service long-term.
Uses T-Mobile’s network: By leveraging T-Mobile’s extensive network, Mint Mobile ensures its users benefit from reliable coverage across many regions of the United States. This partnership allows Mint Mobile customers to enjoy the extensive reach and dependable service of one of the nation’s top networks.	Deprioritization: As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Mint Mobile’s users may face slower data speeds during high network traffic. This is due to deprioritization, where T-Mobile’s direct customers are given bandwidth preference over Mint Mobile users, potentially leading to reduced speed and performance.
Extra features: Mint Mobile enhances its service offerings with value-added features such as Wi-Fi calling and mobile hotspot capabilities, ensuring a more versatile and convenient user experience. Additionally, Mint provides free calls to select destinations, further broadening its appeal to many customers.	No physical stores: Mint Mobile operates exclusively online, which means it lacks brick-and-mortar stores for customer service. This setup can be less than ideal for those who prefer face-to-face interactions for troubleshooting and assistance, limiting the options for direct support.

Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile: Final Verdict

The final selection between Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile depends on your budget and needs.

We have summarized the features of these carriers to help you decide on them.

Red Pocket has wider coverage with all three large networks- AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile only, which is better in urban areas but has a low reach in rural areas.

Regarding price, both Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile are reasonable and have similar prices. You need to decide whether you want to pay for several months at a time or prefer a month-to-month payment.

Red Pocket offers international calling to many countries and works with GSM and CDMA phone types, while Mint offers free calling to Mexico and Canada and works with GSM phones only.

In conclusion, Red Pocket vs Mint Mobile.

You can choose Red Pocket if:

You prefer month-to-month plans and want to pay your phone bill monthly.
It would be best if you had flexibility with network coverage.
You make international calls to countries other than Canada and Mexico.

You can choose Mint Mobile if:

You can pay upfront for a specific number of months.
You only need to call Canada and Mexico.
You want T-Mobile’s network coverage.
You only need to call Canada and Mexico.

Frequently Asked Questions

What network does Red Pocket use?

Red Pocket operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), leveraging the extensive coverage of the United States’ three predominant networks: T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.

This strategic choice allows Red Pocket to offer its customers a wide range of network options, ensuring reliable service across various regions and preferences.

Does Mint Mobile offer international roaming?

Indeed, Mint Mobile has international roaming capabilities for its users through what’s termed ‘Minternational passes.’

These passes facilitate easy and convenient international communication for Mint Mobile customers, enabling them to stay connected even when traveling outside the United States.

This feature particularly benefits users who frequently travel abroad and require uninterrupted mobile service.

Does Red Pocket have a roaming charge?

While Red Pocket facilitates international roaming services, it’s important to note that these are primarily available in Canada and Mexico.

Red Pocket customers can roam easily between these two countries. However, it’s critical to understand that roaming outside Canada and Mexico will incur additional charges.

Users planning to use Red Pocket services internationally should know these potential costs and plan accordingly.

What network does Mint Mobile use?

Mint Mobile capitalizes on the T-Mobile network to deliver affordable, flexible mobile plans.

Utilizing one of the nation’s leading networks, Mint Mobile ensures its customers benefit from comprehensive coverage and reliable service.

This partnership underscores Mint Mobile’s commitment to providing cost-effective mobile solutions without compromising quality or connectivity.

Is Red Pocket prepaid or postpaid?

Red Pocket positions itself as a prepaid wireless service provider, distinguishing its offerings in the competitive United States market.

This prepaid model affords customers significant flexibility and control over their mobile expenditures.

It eliminates the need for long-term contracts and the potential for unexpected charges, aligning with the needs of budget-conscious consumers and those seeking straightforward, no-commitment mobile solutions.