Quick Answer
Verizon 5G Home is the winner for performance if you live in a city with their “5G Ultra Wideband” coverage, offering speeds up to 300-1000 Mbps. T-Mobile Home Internet is the winner for availability, covering far more suburban and rural households, though speeds are typically lower (72-245 Mbps). Both are excellent values compared to traditional cable, offering unlimited data with no contracts.
Choose Verizon if: You are in a major metro area with Ultra Wideband coverage. Choose T-Mobile if: You are in a suburban/rural area where cable/fiber options are poor.
| Feature | Verizon 5G Home | T-Mobile Home Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 5G Ultra Wideband (mmWave/C-Band) | 5G UC (Mid-Band) |
| Typical Speed | 85 - 1000 Mbps | 72 - 245 Mbps |
| Price | $50 - $70/mo | $50 - $70/mo |
| Price with Mobile | $25 - $35/mo | $30 - $40/mo |
| Data Caps | None | None |
| Contracts | None | None |
Speed & Performance
Verizon 5G Home
Verizon offers two plans:
- 5G Home: 85-300 Mbps. Good for everyday use.
- 5G Home Plus: 300-1000 Mbps. Powered by mmWave and C-Band. This is a true cable competitor.
T-Mobile Home Internet
T-Mobile has one main speed tier.
- Range: 72-245 Mbps is the official expected range.
- Consistency: Speeds can fluctuate more than Verizon because T-Mobile prioritizes mobile users on the network (QoS).
Coverage
T-Mobile has a massive head start in mid-band 5G coverage, making their Home Internet available to over 50 million households, including many rural areas.
Verizon is catching up but is strictly geo-fenced. They only sell the service where they have excess capacity to ensure performance. If Verizon says you are eligible, it usually means you’ll get good speeds.
Pricing
Both providers aggressively bundle home internet with their mobile phone plans.
- Verizon: Can drop as low as $35/mo if you have a premium 5G mobile plan.
- T-Mobile: Can drop to $40/mo with a Go5G Next/Plus voice line.
- Standalone: Without mobile plans, both cost around $50-$60/mo (with Autopay).
Hidden Fees: None. Both include the gateway (router) for free and charge no taxes/fees on the monthly rate.
Verdict
- Check Verizon First: If you can get Verizon 5G Home Plus, it is likely the faster, more stable option due to their network management and mmWave technology.
- Check T-Mobile Second: If Verizon isn’t available, T-Mobile is a fantastic alternative to slow DSL or satellite. It’s fast enough for streaming and work, provided you have a decent signal.