It's Mint SIM vs. Project Fi in this head-to-head comparison.
Mint SIM and Project Fi are "alternative carriers" or mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). They're not the Big Four (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile), but they lease coverage from those networks and resell it to you for less. Plans are often prepaid and fixed contracts are few and far between.
Let's compare Mint SIM and Project Fi to see how they stack up against one another.
- Mint SIM background
- Project Fi background
- Mint SIM plans
- Project Fi plans
- Project Fi phones
- Which should you go with?
Mint SIM background
Who owns it? Ultra Mobile
Which network does it use? T-Mobile 4G LTE
How long has it been around? Since 2016
Tethering allowed? No.
Cheapest plan: $35 for 1 month: 2GB 4G LTE, unlimited nationwide talk, text, and 2G data
Project Fi background
Who owns it? Google
Which network does it use? Sprint CDMA and LTE, T-Mobile 4G LTE, U.S. Cellular CDMA and LTE
How long has it been around? Since 2015
Tethering allowed? Yes
Cheapest plan: $20/month: Unlimited nationwide talk and text, unlimited international text
Mint SIM plans
Mint SIM doesn't operate with traditional contracts. You pay upfront for your term, which can be 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, with "buying in bulk" saving you more money in the long run. All plans include unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data, though you only get so much 4G LTE per month. Unlimited international texting is included in all plans.
| Duration | Small (2GB LTE) | Medium (5GB LTE) | Large (10GB LTE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $35 | $50 | $60 |
| 3 months | $23/month ($69 upfront) | $33/month ($99 upfront) | $39.67/month ($119 upfront) |
| 6 months | $19.83/month ($119 upfront) | $28.17/month ($169 upfront) | $34.83/month ($209 upfront) |
| 12 months | $16.58/month ($199 upfront) | $24.92/month ($299 upfront) | $33.25/month ($399 upfront) |
Add-ons
As far as add-ons are concerned, Mint SIM's selection is very slim:
Extra data:
- 1GB/month: $10
- 3GB/month: $20
International credit:
Mint SIM's plans contain no international calling, though unlimited international texting is included. You can add international calling credit to your account in $5, $10, or $20 increments.
You can see a list of international rates here.
Project Fi plans
Project Fi offers two types of plans: family and single line. What you get with each plan is the same, but you'll save money on each additional family plan line (up to 5 lines).
| Single line | 1GB LTE |
|---|---|
| Price | $20/month | $10/month |
| Extras | Unlimited international texting | Call and text from any Android or iPhone |
| Family plan | 1GB LTE |
|---|---|
| Primary line price | $20/month | $10/month |
| Primary line with Auto Re-Boost | $30/month | No discount |
| Secondary lines (up to 5) | $15/month | $10/month |
| Extras | Unlimited international texting | Call and text from any Android or iPhone |
Note: Google calls the base Project Fi plan "The Basics." No data is included and must be purchased at the rate of $10/GB. Data is not shared between lines on a family plan. Each line pays the same $10 per GB of data (domestic and international in 135 countries) with the cost of any unused data refunded at the end of each month
Add-ons
Data-only SIM:
Google offers a data-only SIM card to use in any compatible LTE device, It shares data with the primary line at the same $10/GB rate.
Data pricing:
- 1GB of 4G LTE: $10/month
Phone Insurance:
$5 per month per device covers accidental damages and device malfunctions. You can make one in a 12-month period. Deductibles are $79 for Pixel, $99 for Pixel XL, $69 for Nexus 5X, $99 for Nexus 6P. When you make a claim Google will ship out a replacement device the next business day.
International add-ons:
International cellular calls cost $0.20 per minute.
Google Wi-Fi services:
Your Project Fi phone service includes Wi-Fi calling and texting anywhere in the world. In addition, Google VPN services are available and allow you to connect to open Wi-Fi hotspots safely and securely.
Project Fi and Google Hangouts apps:
The Project Fi app is tied to your Google account and can be installed on any Android or iPhone. You can pay your bill, check account balances and talk to customer service through the app at no cost. The Google Hangouts app allows calls and texts using your Project Fi number on any Android or iPhone.
Project Fi phones
Project Fi only supports phones from Google. That means your selection is currently limited to:
- Nexus 5X
- Nexus 6P
- Google Pixel
- Google Pixel XL
A data-only SIM is available and can be used in any compatible LTE device.
Which should I go with?
If you need more than 2GB of data per month Mint SIM is the better bargain. Google's Project Fi refunds you for any unused data every month, but the $10/GB baseline means it will be more expensive for folks who use more data. From a purely price-conscious point of view, Mint SIM's plans are excellent. And, you can bring just about any unlocked GSM phone over to the network.
That being said, if you only need 2GB of data per month Project Fi's options and services can be compelling. Google is a bit more forward thinking than most other carriers and services like the free VPN and free international texting from any Android or iPhone can't be ignored. Nor can the excellent coverage map Project Fi offers through the combined network of T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular and Wi-Fi services that can cut your data usage down considerably.
The final thing to consider is phone choice. Your new Samsung Galaxy S8 or iPhone isn't supported on Project Fi, which only supports phones from Google.
Both carriers are a great way to break free of the shackles of the Big Four carriers, but your usage will determine which is best for you.
Alternative carriers (MVNOS)
- What is an alternative mobile carrier?
- What are the advantages of going with an alternative carrier?
- How to make sure your phone works on a prepaid alternative carrier
- 8 Important Considerations When Switching To An MVNO
- These are the cheapest data plans you can buy in the U.S.
- Mint SIM vs. Cricket Wireless: Which is better for you?
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