VS

With the massive number of prepaid MVNOs and carrier options, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of it all and even harder to compare and decide which company is the right one for you. So, every once in a while we’re going to go through and do a Face-off of two popular companies, comparing plans and services to help you better decide. Today, we’ll look at Mint SIM and Republic Wireless. Mint SIM is the newer of the two and has been making some big splashes with its recent plan promotions. Republic, by contrast, is known for inexpensive Wifi-first plans. Both operate on T-Mobile networks, although Republic also uses Sprint. Here’s how they compare:

Plan Prices – Price range? What is included?

Mint SIM – Plans range from $35 – $60

Mint SIM offers unlimited talk and text with limited high speed data on all of its plans, and there are discounts for customers who purchase multiple months at a time. Service can be prepaid for up to 12 months at a significant discount per month. Click here to view plans.

Republic Wireless – Plans range from $15 – $90

Republic Wireless offers what it refers to as “adaptive coverage” where customers can be transferred seamlessly from cellular networks to Wifi while on a call or browsing. While the company was originally designed to only offer wifi-first plans, it has since offered higher-priced plans with more data to make up for the spotty T-Mobile and Sprint coverage. All plans include unlimited talk and text. Click here to view plans.

Unlimited Talk/Text – Is it offered? What is the lowest price?

Mint SIM – Yes, all Mint SIM’s plans come with unlimited talk and text. The cheapest plan is $35/month and it comes with 2 GB of data. The company often runs promotions and discounts on its plans, however.

Republic Wireless – Yes, $15 is the cheapest plan and it does not include any data. All plans, however, include unlimited talk and text.

Data Ranges – What is the most and least data available?

Mint SIM – Data is available in increments from 2 to 10 GB. Additional data can be purchased for $10 for 1 GB or $20 for 3 GB. Unlimited data is not available.

Republic Wireless – Data range from zero data (wifi only) to 10 GB of data. All plans are designed to be used on Wifi more than not, so the higher data plans are a little more expensive than normal.

Pay-As-You-Go Rates – What are the pay-as-you-go per minute rates?

Mint SIM – N/A

Republic Wireless – N/A

International Calling – What options are available? What does it cost?

Mint SIM – International calling is available at a per-minute basis with rates varying by country. There are no specific international add-ons available. Check country rates here.

Republic Wireless – Republic Wireless doesn’t support international calling via the cell network, but users can make international calls via Wifi. Although the the outbound calls to specific countries are included in the plan, Republic states that it may charge $0.50 per minute at its discretion. Learn more here.

Activation Fees – How much do they cost?

Mint SIM – N/A

Republic Wireless – N/A

BYOD – Can you activate your own device?

Mint SIM – Yes, provided your GSM device is compatible. You’ll have to purchase a SIM card to activate. Learn more here.

Republic Wireless – Yes, provided your phone is compatible. Find the list of phones you can activate on Republic Wireless here. You’ll also have to purchase a SIM card kit.

Network/Coverage – What network does it use?

Mint SIM – T-Mobile | Coverage Map

Republic Wireless – Sprint, T-Mobile, Wifi | Coverage Map

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