Best T-Mobile Plans: How to Choose and Which One to Choose in August 2024
For most people, T-Mobile’s Magenta and Magenta Max options are the better choices when it comes to single- and dual-line plans. They’re less expensive than the Go5G options and have most of the same features, except with a lower monthly rate ($70 for one line on Magenta, $120 for two lines; $85 for one line on Magenta Max, $140 for two lines).
With a Magenta subscription, you get less hotspot and international data compared to a Go5G subscription. In addition, Magenta Max users cannot upgrade to a new device after two years and still benefit from the best device deals from T-Mobile.
Similar to the Essentials plans, thanks to T-Mobile offering a free third line with its Go5G options, these plans become cheaper and offer more value compared to the Magentas if you need three or more lines.
Magenta and Go5G perks ($75 per month for one line, $155 per month for four lines) include unlimited international data (albeit at slow “2G speeds”) while traveling in more than 210 countries, one hour of in-flight Wi-Fi on select airlines, weekly T-Mobile Tuesdays giveaways, the bundling of Netflix’s Standard With Ads plan (which costs $7 per month but requires a minimum of two lines), and six free months of Apple TV Plus.
The more expensive Magenta Max and Go5G Plus ($90 per month for one line, $185 per month for four lines) plans retain the Netflix Standard With Ads plan, include a full subscription to Apple TV Plus, increase hotspot data from 15GB on Go5G to 50GB per month on Go5G Plus, add 5GB of high-speed international data, and give you unlimited Wi-Fi on a variety of flights, including American, Alaska Airlines, Delta, and United. Go5G Plus also has 15GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico, compared to 10GB on Go5G and 5GB on Magenta and Magenta Max.
Unlike the previously discussed Essentials plans, T-Mobile also calculates taxes and surcharges into the prices of its Magenta and Go5G plans.
However, as with the Essentials offerings, you can’t “mix and match” lines, so everyone in your household would have to be on the same plan. That said, if only one line needs benefits like faster international data, you should consider Magenta (if you only have one or two lines) or Go5G (if you need three or more lines), with the MaxUp or PlusUp $15 per line add-on. This will give your other lines a cheaper rate while allowing you to boost your international data to take advantage of the Go5G Plus or Magenta Max deals for the lines that need it without pushing everyone to a more expensive option.
Note that you will need to call or chat with T-Mobile to get the Magenta options, as the carrier has hidden the plans under a “See more available plans” tab and then under a “Learn more” link on its website.