Optimum vs. T-Mobile: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?
Optimum has the edge with speed, but T-Mobile’s straightforward plan and policies receive higher customer ratings
Feb 3, 2026 | Share 
Provider Comparisons (Versus)
-
Best for speed
- Starting price: $25/mo.*
- Speed: 200–8,000Mbps
- Internet type: Cable & Fiber
- Data cap: Unlimited
- Contracts: No contract
-
Best for flexibility
- Price: $50–$160/mo.†
w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. - Speed: Up to 2,000Mbps
- Internet type: 5G fixed wireless & Fiber
- Data cap: Unlimited
- Contracts: None
- Price: $50–$160/mo.†
Data as of 02/03/2026. Availability and speed may vary by location, and prices are subject to change. See disclaimers.
Compare Optimum and T-Mobile head to head
The speeds and service you get from both T-Mobile and Optimum depend entirely on where you live. T-Mobile offers fiber internet in a tiny portion of its footprint, but 5G fixed wireless internet everywhere else. Your connection quality depends on your distance from the tower. Optimum offers either cable or fiber internet, with differing speeds and prices in different areas.
You’re more likely to get fast speeds with Optimum, and prices are lower for at least a year, but T-Mobile’s superb customer ratings prove that speed isn’t everything.
Pros and cons: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
Pros:
- Faster speeds in more places
- Better reliability in most places
- Free Wi-Fi equipment
Cons:
- Price hikes
Pros:
- No price hikes
- No contracts
- Free Wi-Fi equipment
Cons:
- Few plan options
Want to know if Optimum or T-Mobile are in your area?
Enter your zip code for a quick list of local home internet providers.
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing | Extra fees | Customer ratings | Bundles | Internet connection types | Data caps | Contracts | Installation | Availability
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
If you live in an area with Optimum cable or fiber internet, you’ll get faster and more reliable service than you would with T-Mobile 5G. However, fiber internet from either Optimum or T-Mobile is a great choice.
Just keep in mind that Optimum’s rates typically go up after 12 months—something you don’t have to worry about with T-Mobile. Both companies offer free Wi-Fi equipment.
Optimum plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 200 Mbps Internet | $25/mo.* | Up to 200Mbps |
| 500 Mbps Internet | $30/mo.* | Up to 500Mbps |
| 1 Gig Internet | $50/mo.† | Up to 940Mbps |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet | $75/mo.* | Up to 5,000Mbps |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet | $120/mo.* | Up to 8,000Mbps |
Data as of 02/03/2026. Availability and speed may vary by location, and prices are subject to change. See disclaimers.
Optimum’s plan roster covers all the broadband bases. We like the 200 Mbps Fiber Internet plan best, as you get blazing-fast symmetrical speeds for a relatively low introductory rate. Its 300Mbps symmetrical speeds may be overkill for some homes, but at $30 per month, you’re not sacrificing much for the extra speed.
If you need faster speeds, Optimum has several gigabit plans, but watch for price hikes. Optimum usually raises prices by $15 per month in year one, and then again in year two.
T-Mobile plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Rely Home Internet | $50/mo.* w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | Up to 415Mbps |
| Amplified Home Internet | $60/mo.* w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | Up to 498Mbps |
| All-In Home Internet | $70/mo.* w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | Up to 498Mbps |
| AWAY™-200 GB Plan | $110/mo.† w/ AutoPay | Up to 292Mbps |
| AWAY™Unlimited Plan | $160/mo.† w/ AutoPay | Up to 361Mbps |
| Fiber 300 | $40/mo. 5 year price guarantee. w/AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply. | Up to 300Mbps |
| Fiber 500 | $55/mo. 5 year price guarantee. w/AutoPay. Plus taxes and fees apply. | Up to 500Mbps |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $75/mo. 5 year price guarantee. w/AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply. | Up to 1,000Mbps |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $95/mo. 5 year price guarantee. w/AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply. | Up to 2,000Mbps |
| Fiber Founders Club 2 Gig | $70/mo.§ 10-year Price Guarantee. w/ AutoPay. In select locations only. Exclusions like taxes and fees apply. | Up to 2,000Mbps |
Data as of 02/03/2026. Availability and speed may vary by location, and prices are subject to change. See disclaimers.
Optimum offers faster speeds and lower prices in most places, but its customer service policies aren’t great. Those low introductory rates feel like a win in the beginning, it’s important to know they could go up by $30 per month after two years.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile offers the conveniences of 5G and stress-free plan policies, plus fiber in a few areas. The setup is super simple—no cables, appointments, or technicians required. Also, moving the gateway to a better spot is as simple as connecting it to power. Any other type of internet service requires rerouting the cabling in your home.
Deals and promotions: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
- Get reimbursed for up to four months of Optimum Internet service when you order through March 31, 2026
- Get 6–12 months of HBO with ads with Optimum internet plans with 500Mbps speeds or faster
- Get free pro installation when you order certain Optimum internet plans online
- Get a 5-Year Price Guarantee with any T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plan, not including taxes and fees
- Get Hulu (With Ads) included with All-In Internet
- T-Mobile Fiber customers can get up to $100 back with plans of at least 500Mbps, starting Feb. 4
See disclaimer
Extra fees: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
| Equipment Fee | Installation Fee | Other Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
| $100 (free if ordered online) | $10 late fee |
| Free | $35 activation fee | Varies by state |
Optimum and T-Mobile both skip equpiment rental charges, but if you need an upgrade consider purchasing your own modem and router (or gateway).
Customer ratings: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
|
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.3/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Price | 2.9/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Speed | 3.6/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Reliability | 3.4/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Customer service | 3.3/5 | 4.1/5 |
T-Mobile customers gave higher ratings in every category. Optimum was, unfortunately, one of the worst-performing providers.
Internet types: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
| Internet type | View on provider site | |
|---|---|---|
|
| Fiber or cable | View Plans for Optimum |
| Fiber or 5G fixed wireless | View Plans for T-Mobile Home Internet |
Optimum and T-Mobile use different technologies to deliver internet service. Optimum employs a mix of coaxial and fiber-optic cables, while T-Mobile’s tech uses fixed wireless internet from cell towers in most areas and fiber internet in others.
Data caps: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
| Provider | Data Cap | View on provider site |
|---|---|---|
|
| Unlimited | View Plans for Optimum |
| Unlimited | View Plans for T-Mobile Home Internet |
All Optimum and T-Mobile internet plans come with unlimited data. This is a huge plus, as daily life continues to require more and more gigabytes of internet traffic. Providers usually charge extra for unlimited data, if they offer it all.
Contracts: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
| Provider | Contract length | View on provider site |
|---|---|---|
|
| Month to month | View Plans for Optimum |
| Month to month | View Plans for T-Mobile Home Internet |
There are no cancellation fees with either T-Mobile or Optimum. However, Optimum has built-in price hikes after the promo period ends. T-Mobile doesn’t use introductory pricing, so your rate is less likely to change in the future.
Installation: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
| Provider | Installation options | View on provider site |
|---|---|---|
|
| $100 (free if ordered online) | View Plans for Optimum |
| Self-install ($35 activation fee) | View Plans for T-Mobile Home Internet |
Technically, Optimum charges $100 for an installation, but you can easily avoid the charge by ordering your service online. T-Mobile’s setup is so easy that it doesn’t even offer any type of professional installation, but you do have to pay a one-time activation fee.
Availability: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
T-Mobile’s 5G home internet coverage spans the entire continental U.S. because it runs on excess capacity from T-Mobile’s enormous cell network. It’s fiber network, however, is new and available only in a few places.
Optimum’s hardwired cable and fiber connections are present in 21 states, including a few particularly dense pockets in the east (most notably in the Tri-state area) and coverage sprinkled throughout the South that spills over into Texas and Oklahoma.
Is Optimum or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet available where you live?
If you’re ready for a switch, enter your zip code below to see if these two internet providers are available to you.
Final call: Optimum vs. T-Mobile
If you’re after the fastest speeds, Optimum is the way to go. Every one of its internet plans offers faster speeds than T-Mobile. But the trade-off is higher monthly rates and the usual ISP annoyances, like rental fees, term contracts, and price hikes.
On the other hand, if you have average internet needs and want simple, no-hassle internet, T-Mobile’s breezy customer experience has received excellent customer feedback.
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
More about Optimum and T-Mobile
Disclaimers
* Optimum disclaimers
- * w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.† w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
All Optimum internet plans and pricing
* w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
† w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
‡ w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
§ w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
T-Mobile plans
*Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
†with AutoPay, taxes and fees included.
§Founders Club with 10-year Price Guarantee. With AutoPay. In select locations only. Exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
T-Mobile Deal Disclaimer
$150 Back: Limited-time offer; subject to change. Register code within 30 days of activating new unlimited Home Internet line. If you have cancelled Internet lines in the past 90 days, you may need to reactivate them first. $150 via virtual prepaid Mastercard; requires 60 days service before validation; use online or in-store via accepted mobile payment apps; no cash access & expires in 6 months. The Virtual Prepaid Mastercard is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. This card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted. Registration, activation, acceptance, or use of this card constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in the Prepaid Card Agreement. This promotion is not associated, sponsored, or endorsed by Mastercard or Sunrise Banks N.A. Allow 1 week from fulfilment of offer requirements. Lines must be active and in good standing when card is issued. Max 1/account. May not be combined with some offers or discounts. Home Internet General Terms: During congestion, Home Internet customers may notice speeds lower than other customers due to data prioritization. Not available in all areas. $35 device connection charge due at sale. Plus taxes & fees for accounts currently paying for a T-Mobile wireless line with additional taxes & fees: Monthly Regulatory Programs (RPF) & Telco Recovery Fee (TRF) totaling $1.40 per data only line ($0.12 for RPF & $1.28 for TRF) apply; taxes/fees approx. 3-12% of bill. Credit approval required. For use only with T-Mobile Gateway for in-home use at location provided at activation. If canceling service, return gateway or pay up to $370. Video streaming resolution depends on available speeds. For best performance, leave video streaming applications at their default resolution setting. Not compatible with some live TV streaming services. AutoPay Pricing for lines 1-8 on account. Without AutoPay, $5 more. May not be reflected on 1st bill. Coverage not available in some areas. Network Management: Service may be slowed, suspended, terminated, or restricted for misuse, abnormal use, interference with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users. See T- Mobile.com/OpenInternet for details. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at www.T-Mobile.com for additional information.”
Author - Chili Palmer
Chili Palmer covers home tech services, with a special focus on understanding what families need and how they can stay connected on a budget. She handles internet access and affordability, breaking news, mobile services, and consumer trends. Chili’s work as a writer, reporter, and editor has appeared in publications including Telecompetitor, Utah Business, Idaho Business Review, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and Switchful.com.
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